Member of the Alchemy Circle.
Hazel the Wonder.
She was cautiously entering an alleyway of the black market, glancing around to see if anyone was watching.
“Everyone knows that if we can’t deliver results this time, our circle is done for, right?”
“They say professors will be attending this event. We absolutely must succeed.”
“If you’re going to make me work, at least support us properly…!”
Hazel sighed deeply. Somehow, she had managed to hang on until now without getting expelled. She barely passed the selection test with the help of that person, Lev Denec. But alchemy…
It doesn’t make money!
She had been in crunch mode for a week, yet there was no real income. Alchemy is a field where the goals are grand, but the success rate is too low. Still, somehow, the alchemy circle had managed to survive financially.
That means the black market.
The potions made through alchemy aren’t approved by the academy, and if caught, they are supposed to be confiscated and disposed of entirely. However, if you sell them on the black market without getting caught, you could at least get back more than the cost of materials.
“This time, Hazel, it’s your turn.”
“…Yes…? Yes!”
Finally, the moment had arrived. Today was Hazel’s day to go to the black market. If caught by the academy, she was promised to take the blame all by herself under a terrifying pact.
“Seriously, what a mess…”
It was the best she could do to survive as a weakling at the academy.
At that moment, a red-haired man appeared before Hazel, wearing round glasses, smiling brightly.
“Hello? Looking for someone?”
“…Who are you…?”
“I’m a freshman like you. Don’t you know me?”
Hazel wasn’t dense; she was just shy.
“Caeran Hiss…?”
Among the freshmen, he was impressively handsome, extraordinarily talented, and even though his background was not well-known, rumors said he was the descendant of a war hero. He had ranked high in the Evolution Chamber as well. He was the complete opposite of Hazel.
“I heard your circle is preparing something interesting this time. Could you share some details with me?”
By nature, the projects prepared by the Alchemy Circle are top secret. This time, they were working on creating a combat-capable homunculus. If this succeeded and mass production followed, they could replace the risky mercenary advancement with homunculi, which would be a game changer.
But since the investment required was substantial, any hint of doubt in funding would undoubtedly halt the project. So, Hazel couldn’t just spill the beans.
“I’m just a low-ranking member, so I don’t know much…”
“Don’t be like that. You have great skills, you know?”
It wasn’t empty flattery. Hazel’s skills were recognized, albeit subtly, among the students in alchemy. It could be said that the current acceleration in the project was largely thanks to her.
“If you help me with a simple request, I’ll give you this amount as a down payment.”
“Wow…”
He pulled out a bag filled with gems.
*
At Claris Academy, there’s a circle called ‘Royal Class’ for first-year students ranked S.
Led by Caeran, the noble daughter of the empire’s greatest swordmaster, Aveline, alongside the newly ranked S summoner Lily, Princess Melissa, and other students of both genders who ranked high in the Chamber.
In fact, if a freshman receives an S rank, it’s likely they come from an outstanding background, thus the ‘Royal Class’ serves as a social hub.
Recently, even the half-elf Selena, who used to show no interest in such socializing, joined the group.
“Selena, you came?”
“…”
At Caeran’s cheerful voice, Selena frowned slightly and moved to the side. Caeran found such things amusing and grinned.
She too was promoted to rank S through Wind Archery, but due to being a half-elf, rumors followed her. Of course, with Caeran’s recommendation, no one would speak out openly.
Melissa had also been spending more time with these people.
“Melissa, it’s important to find a good match at the academy!”
The King of the Duchy, her father, and her mother had said this so many times.
“Sorry, Aria!”
“It’s alright. More importantly, you’ll be busy now…”
Thus, feeling she had no choice, she joined the gathering after asking for Aria’s understanding. However, it turned out to be more fun and enjoyable than expected.
At that moment, Caeran asked Melissa, “Melissa?”
“Yes?”
Melissa, who had been reading a book, steadied herself and replied. Since their last encounter in the chamber, it seemed he had been talking to her much more frequently.
“If you know anything about Lev Denec, could you share it with me?”
Caeran was quite capable. Melissa thought it would be really convenient if such a servant existed in her duchy, as she was thorough with personal management. He helped her prepare for the upcoming test and provided her with hard-to-obtain items at the academy.
“Since you’re a magician, stay wherever I can watch.”
“Okay…”
Above all… the overwhelmingly impressive figure he showed during the dungeon investigation practice… The man with the aquamarine hair… was long forgotten by her. She might have been overestimating Caeran, or perhaps even beyond that.
‘Could it be that he noticed the hairpin I gave him?’
But Melissa’s wishes were, unfortunately, not to be.
“Was it Aria Bluebell? Didn’t you say you were close to her?”
“Uh… yeah?”
“You asked me to let her into this meeting last time, so can you bring her along this time?”
“Ah… okay…”
“What? Have you changed your mind?”
“N-no!”
In fact, since Aria had been involved with Lev Denec more often, Melissa had been spending significantly less time with her.
“I’m sorry for not keeping our meal promise back then. Instead, I’ve organized everything this time, would you like to take a look?”
“Ah…?”
While Aria didn’t seem uncomfortable with Melissa, sharing her notes and lecture information like she did during her freshman year…
That had become less necessary for Melissa. Everything was already prepared in the Royal Class.
‘But why is Caeran interested…?’ He didn’t even seem to care about Aria before. What could be the sudden change?
Melissa sensed a strange discomfort.
Aria, and Lev Denec. The damned handsome Lev Denec… I heard he also faced demon creatures during the dungeon investigation practical. After the selection test and now in practice?
No matter how you looked at it, he was ominous.
*
After the gathering, at Raphae Cheong-gwan, right in front of Aria’s dorm, Melissa sighed softly.
“…What a drag.”
In a moment, she let slip a thought that she shouldn’t have said, due to her discomfort.
‘!’
Melissa was a little surprised that she felt this way about Aria, but she realized how frustrating she was feeling.
There were so many beneficial people, like those in the Royal Class meeting so why is she focused on Lev Denec, who has nothing but a pretty face, constantly exposing herself to such risks… And taking away Caeran’s interest…
Just as Melissa was clenching her fists, something caught her eye.
“What is this?”
Hanging on the door was a familiar paper bag often used at the academy. But the contents were far from ordinary.
Expensive items were apparent even at a glance… Precious potions that couldn’t be obtained within the academy.
“Oh? This is a purification potion…?”
It’s a rare item even in the duchy since it includes holy water.
Who would leave something like this here?
Thud. Thud.
In her curiosity, Melissa knocked on the door.
*
Moments later, the door opened. On the other side stood Aria, a cute girl who looked like she might collapse any moment.
“Melissa…?”
Melissa felt relieved to see her. With her silver hair braided to one side, there was a pheromone triggering the protective instincts of any man.
“This was hanging on the doorknob.”
Melissa held out the mysterious item.
“Oh, thank you.”
As Aria seemingly figured out what it was and took the bag, Melissa entered the room and closed the door.
Then she said to her, “Phew, Aria…”
“Yes, what’s wrong?”
“Could you please stop getting mixed up with Lev Denec? Didn’t you almost get into big trouble this time?”
“…It’s okay. Thank you for worrying…”
“Ugh.”
‘Again with this?’ Was Aria really this stubborn?
Melissa sounded tired now. “You really… like that leech-like face, huh…?”
“It’s not like that…”
“Forget it. You’ll do as you please from now on. And I came to tell you something…”
“Something to tell me…?”
“Caeran wants to let you join the Royal Class.”
“…”
“You won’t regret it. The upper classes are all gathered there, and it’s not just about academy life, but your future too…”
Melissa extended a hand like a saving grace, making it sound like it wouldn’t hurt to accept.
Given Aria’s status, she wouldn’t have a reason to refuse.
But…
“…?”
“I refuse.”
All that returned was Aria’s cold refusal.
*
As I was gathering potions good for purification using sacred power from the black market, I happened to witness Caeran trying to entice Hazel.
“Just do a simple favor for me, and I can give you this much as a down payment.”
Fortunately, the very cautious Hazel bought herself some time by saying she would think it over. According to the developments in that fanfic, Hazel should have been expelled from the academy by now, so their meeting wasn’t supposed to happen.
Thus, it could be said that meeting like this was a stroke of luck.
In the side story of the black market incident, which falls toward the late second chapter following the rank test and written exam, Caeran, who already knew that the student council and alchemy club were entangled with the black market, tries to entice and threaten one of the members to gain evidence.
“Completely despicable.”
Of course, I had no intention of letting this slide.
Trying to self-indulge using any means necessary when you’re not even the protagonist? I can’t let that happen.
To prevent it, I am now waiting for Hazel at the cafeteria on the first floor of Yegudi Green House.
Since entry to the girls’ dorms is prohibited for both Green House and Cheong-gwan, the best way to deliver items to Aria is through the dorm maid who can leave them at the door.
I do worry because it’s partly my fault she’s bedridden, but even if we meet again…
“Nothing really happened.”
“You don’t need to worry about it.”
Given Aria’s personality, that’s probably all she’d say.
-…
As I watch the students of Claris pass by, I pull up the skill window slightly.
——————————————————
▶ Current Registered Skills
[Passive] – Hermit
[Normal Skill 1] – Mirage Shot
[Normal Skill 2] – Wind Shot 1 – Arc
[Normal Skill 3] – Wind Shot 1 – Rapid Fire
[Ultimate Skill] – Demonization
——————————————————
“…”
The skill slots are lacking.
It’s great that I’ve obtained Mirage Shot. The problem is that there is a cooldown time of 1 hour for each slot when swapping skills, and Wind Shot is registered as a bug, meaning it can’t be re-registered if removed. Giving up on the arc is one thing, but to utilize the bug fully, increasing the skill slots would be the best.
Ding!
——————————————————
[Unique Trait]
▶ [Foundational Gamer] [Lv.1] (0/1000)
——————————————————
——————————————————
[Unique Trait]
▶ [Foundational Gamer] [Lv.1]
: A special ability granted to you for only enjoying classic games in your previous world.
1. Gamer (0/500)
‘You’ will have the [Reincarnated Hero]’s system borrowed.
+ View detailed information
2. Fundamental (0/500)
‘You’ will have the [Reincarnated Hero] closed beta patch version applied.
+ View detailed information
——————————————————
In [Reincarnated Hero], you had only 4 skills in the early stages, and character growth would eventually allow for more slots. So, I assume investing role points in the gamer trait will allow me to increase skill slots.
On the contrary, investing in fundamentals might alter patch versions so I plan not to touch that for now.
[Remaining Supporting Role Points: 235]
To level up the gamer trait, I need 265 points…
Since I have gotten somewhat stronger, it’s time to find a place to farm supporting role points for serious skill leveling.
Thus, it would be best to hunt many named monsters. Dungeons are the best for that.
However, [Reincarnated Hero]‘s dungeons are balanced for party combinations, making solo play somewhat difficult.
Unless it’s just bosses, but there are also regular mobs.
‘Are there dungeons with only bosses?’
There might be, but the difficulty would be hellish.
‘I definitely need cooperation. But as an academy student, I can’t rely on external mercenaries.’
There’s also a high chance of troublesome betrayal situations.
Since Edwin’s development has been stalled, having him tag along to open up his bloodlines doesn’t sound too bad either.
As I ruminated on if there was anybody I could trust, a light shadow fell beside me.
“U-um, I’m thankful for what you did back then, but…! What’s the sudden call for…?”
Hazel’s voice sounded unusually frightened today.
I cut to the chase.
“What did Caeran say?”
“Um… how do you know…?”
“How much is he offering?”
“Uh, uh…”
“I’ll double whatever he’s offering. I’ll make sure to handle things at the black market too, so you can only relay information to me.”
“Uh, double???”
I plan to embed a parasite into that bastard Caeran. I need to monopolize this information no matter what.
