[Friendship is Precious!]
Monday, Second Period.
In Professor Bronze’s Developing Insight Classroom.
“Seniors!”
“Can I ask you something?”
New students rushed to the seniors, surprisingly realizing their skills had improved since the last lecture.
“What’s up? The juniors are really following us well.”
“I heard from the advisor that you guys are supposed to take care of the Giant King Crab that invaded the Academy. Is that true?”
“Please catch the Crab that’s in the First Floor Lounge quickly… I have nowhere to sit and do my assignment…”
Bigston started sweating coldly at the new students’ complaints.
“Um, if I’m hungry, I guess I’ll catch it. But, I’m not really that hungry right now.”
“Don’t lie. You’ve been starving since breakfast to save points…”
“Ahhh! Be quiet, Lizna!”
Bigston wanted to show off in front of the gathered juniors but was terrified of clashing with the giant crab. His classmate Moss chimed in.
“Just admit you can’t do it before you get further embarrassed.”
“Moss, don’t you want to look good in front of the juniors? We, who have been humiliated and ignored all year, have a chance to stand above someone with this flimsy title of ‘senior’!”
“Bigston, you really look like trash right now.”
As Moss pointed out, the new students began regretting their decision to approach this senior, their faces reflecting thoughts of, “It seems I shouldn’t rely on this senior,” and “Why did I even talk to this person?”
“If you try to show off beyond your abilities, you’ll get hurt badly. They just came to complain because they’re feeling lost; they won’t expect much. Why not just be honest?”
Unlike the unhelpful Moss, Lizna, who wasn’t quite dressed up but had a subtle beauty and exuded a pleasant scent, was the girl Bigston had a crush on. Receiving sincere advice from her made him put aside his pride and be honest.
“The Giant King Crab is an incredibly strong monster. Its massive claws have enormous physical resistance, and regular weapons break easily if pinched by those claws.”
“Oh, then you can’t catch it either, senior?”
“Of course not! Only a few students with exceptional skills from the upper classes can catch it among the second years. I’m not sure if the lower class can catch it by third year.”
Although disappointing, the new students understood the harsh reality thanks to him. If they messed around trying to catch the crab, they could easily become dinner for it!
“Knowing that, you should never even dream of trying to catch that thing. If you see it, just run. Especially if there’s water nearby; it gets really fast, so get out of the water immediately.”
“Yes!”
At first, they were unsure, but after Bigston’s continued honest advice and encouragement, the new students surprisingly felt they had made the right choice in talking to him. Bigston also felt a sense of pride. They say sincerity gets through, and by following the advice from Lizna and Moss to be straightforward, he earned the respect of the new students.
Yes, you don’t necessarily need amazing skills. Sometimes, sincerity is enough to convey your feelings!
Clang!
“Ugh, too heavy.”
Titosso, who had been listening to Bigston’s advice among the students, suddenly stood up and shouted.
“Is that Oknodie behind you? That’s a Giant King Crab! How did you catch it?!”
“Oh, this? I caught it because it was recklessly blocking the hallway. It’s already hard to get fair prices at the cafeteria when they’re in high supply; I was planning to cook it for dinner.”
“I heard it has really high physical resistance.”
“Then you just flip it over.”
“Flip it…?”
“When a crab gets flipped over on land, it can’t right itself anymore. Unlike its pincers or shell, the soft abdomen easily gets pierced by a knife and breaks easily.”
How do you do that? For the bewildered new students, Oknodie demonstrated with ease.
“Here’s how!”
① Grab the back legs of the Giant King Crab.
② Lift it up and slam it down.
③ Stick a knife into its belly shell, and you’re done!
“See? It’s easy, right?”
Is it really that easy? How do you approach it?
Amidst the blank expressions of the students, Bigston quietly sat down at his desk and bowed his head.
“I can borrow a steamer and some strong kitchen scissors. I’ve borrowed cooking tools from the cafeteria many times.”
“Wow! Oknodie is the best!”
“Isabel will become the world’s number one chef! We’ll definitely cheer you on!”
“No, I’m going to become an expedition leader…”
“When vacation comes, you must visit my family! I’ll show you the chef’s sword, which is only permitted for three-star chefs!”
The new students quickly stole the popularity that Bigston enjoyed. Lizna comforted the poor senior.
“Cheer up. They’re just talented upperclassmen, after all.”
“Ugh. I’m going to get stronger! I’ll work incredibly hard to be much stronger than those dirty upperclassmen!”
“Ah, seniors, do you want to join us for dinner cooking? It seems big enough that we might not be able to finish it all.”
“Sorry, Bigston is currently nursing his wounded pride…”
“Of course, I’ll go!”
“…Bigston?”
“…You have to fill your stomach to get stronger!”
In front of hunger, there was no dignity.
*
With their attention caught by the Giant King Crab, everyone was eagerly waiting for dinner time as the third session of the [Developing Insight] course began.
But the students’ interests weren’t focused on dinner or the justice-loving Rogue professor teaching them.
Swoosh!
It was pouring down like a mad rain, making it hard to tell if they were at an academy or an artificially constructed rainy concept cafe.
The sound of rain made going home feel hopeless.
Honestly, I was a bit scared too.
‘Whether you’re a veteran player or not, I’d drown immediately in this!’
Considering the chaotic atmosphere, today’s lecture focused more on ordinary theoretical learning rather than hands-on practice requiring concentration.
“As a bonus, for the next assignment period, I’ll be giving a lecture on Developing Insight about property evaluation, which noble students will love, so make sure to research related books or official documents.”
“Professor, where can we get those books or official documents?”
“You can find the books in the library and the documents in the academy’s administration office. Generally, it’s hard for outsiders to take them out, but if you can prove you’re attending my lecture, it might be possible.”
Learning how to use the library and ask for cooperation from the administration office is a valuable opportunity for academy students.
The professor, who always tests the students with bizarre lectures, surprisingly included subtle care to help the students adapt to the academy.
“If that were the only thing, you might not feel motivated. So, I’ll add extra points.”
Of course, a professor just being nice doesn’t mean they’re just a kind teacher at the Gift Academy.
Professor Bronze revealed his wicked nature.
“I plan to give extra points to the three most suitable students for the related books and documents brought to the next lecture, so make sure to work hard.”
Titosso pressed the button of the spotlight, making the white light shine brightly.
“Professor! I have a question!”
“How distracting. Turn that off and speak.”
“Ah, okay.”
Turning off the light, Titosso asked.
“There are three second-year seniors attending the lecture, but isn’t it unfair for first-year students to only select three students per section for extra points?”
“That would be the case.”
The professor readily agreed.
“So?”
“Uh?”
“Since it’s a competition for extra points favorable to second years, are you asking to increase the number of extra points reserved for first years?”
“Ah, that wouldn’t be good.”
A cruel smile appeared on the professor’s lips.
“Alright. I’ll add three exclusive spots for first-year students.”
“Wow!”
“Thank you, Titosso!”
“Thanks to you, we have more chances for extra points!”
“Professor! If there are multiple students who prepared the same book, will they all receive extra points?”
“Of course. If they all prepared exactly the same, they deserve to be praised.”
In the fifth period, Titosso, who was just a weak crybaby, turned into an honor student receiving acknowledgment and gratitude from his classmates during the second period’s Developing Insight lecture? Such evaluations, resembling an isekai experience, were abruptly overturned by the professor’s next words.
“But according to the Gift Academy’s academic performance policy, for every extra point given above the standard, a corresponding penalty point must also be added.”
“So, here’s the deal. The bottom three students with inadequate preparation will receive penalty points equal to the scores the top three students earn.”
The classroom froze like an ice rink.
The professor’s verbal abuse continued without pause.
“Of course, if there are extra points for the group, there must be group penalty points too. Students who are completely unprepared will all get penalty points together. I hope you have plenty of points prepared in advance.”
“Titosso, you garbage!”
“Are you even human after doing that?”
“You villain!”
“Professor’s lackey!”
“You devil calling down punishment!”
“You don’t deserve to eat the meat of Oknodie’s Giant King Crab!”
Amidst sparkling lights where everyone was whispering, “Isn’t he cute?” “He reminds me of my little sister I left at home,” Titosso suddenly became a criminal.
“Oh, it’s a misunderstanding. Please don’t look at me like that. I just want to help everyone…”
Despite Titosso’s excuses, the ridicule didn’t stop.
“You’re just an idiot who wasted his age!”
“An idiot who carries around toys!”
As the once charming spotlights became a target for personal attacks, tears flowed down Titosso’s cheeks.
“Uwaaah!”
He burst into tears and ran out of the classroom.
“Oh dear, that’s unfortunate.”
“Sigh, I thought they were really going too far. I’ll go cheer Titosso up for a bit.”
“Oh, Oknodie! Have you come to a decision regarding our earlier conversation?”
“I’ll answer later because of Titosso!”
Oknodie is a child who values friends. Comforting her friend is more important than answering a proposal to become the professor’s apprentice or a graduate student!
It’s not that she doesn’t want to become a graduate student, so she’s avoiding answering—no way!
“Wait, wait! Oknodie, what am I supposed to do with the Giant King Crab if you run off!”
Oknodie is a child who values friends. Comforting her friend is far more important than struggling to carry the Giant King Crab for dinner!
It’s not like the Giant King Crab is heavier than she expected, so she’s running away!
