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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: 1. Encounter
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So, how the hell did things end up like this?
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The Campbell Baron family is a minor noble house located in a small barony on the outskirts of the empire.
It barely gets a single line of mention even in the main story of Savior Rising.
No dungeons infested with monsters scattered around the empire. Their main industry is something as peaceful as dairy farming. The lord and his family are practically just friendly neighbors.
So, it's inevitable that the Campbell barony would turn into a noisy little town where even the tiniest incident blows up like the end of the world.
In other words.
The lord's son enrolling in the Imperial Academy Elpante is a massive event that has the entire territory in tears, wailing as if they're sending him off to his death.
"Finally setting off, Dawood."
"Yes, Father."
Armin Campbell Baron. A plump, good-hearted middle-aged man radiating neighborly uncle vibes wiped away his teary eyes and pulled me into a hug.
"You're the pride of our territory. Please take care of yourself and graduate safely."
"Of course. Don't worry about me."
I flashed a solid, perfect smile and gently pushed him away.
No, this guy might look soft, but it's all muscle. Get too close, and it's rock-hard.
Dairy farming and agriculture are brutally tough; your body gets forged whether you like it or not.
"But never start any conflicts. The Imperial Academy Elpante gathers highborn children from all over the empire. For a barony like ours, staying out of sight is the best—"
"Really, don't worry."
I doubled down on the reassuring vibe in my smile, cutting off this season's 1,823,718,029,837th lecture.
Well, it's not entirely baseless worry. Just think about the main story progression in Savior Rising.
Weak noble houses get caught in power struggles and blow up spectacularly on the regular. And powerful nobles with nasty tempers? More than a few among the high ranks.
The good news is, I'm not planning to ignore Father's advice one bit.
[Status Info]
「Dawood Campbell」
Strength: F
Agility: F
Endurance: F
Luck: F
Influence: F
[Skill Info]
[ No skills possessed ]
[Mastery Info]
[ No specialized proficiencies possessed ]
[Special Gift]
[ Unopened ]
"..."
What a refreshingly spotless status window.
All stats F is an unprecedented trash starting line that never once appeared in all my playtime sunk into Savior Rising.
'Even so, this is a bit dangerous...'
I gave a wry smile and glanced at the tiny window stuck next to the status.
[ Main Quest ]
[ Enroll in the academy and get assigned to a class! ]
It's a familiar window from the game, but the existence of a 'quest window' system itself is the problem.
Main quests mean there's a scenario to clear, which means the academy I'm entering is about to become a den of villains' schemes.
'Can't just skip the main quest, either...'
Based on the game system, ignoring it probably triggers 'game over.'
And that won't end well for me.
At best, something equivalent to death awaits.
'But me clearing quests myself? No way.'
My first rule of action is 'never do anything that threatens my survival.'
I don't know why I'm stuck here, but I need to stay alive until that happy ending where the world is saved.
In that sense, jumping into main events—where death lurks around every corner—with this trash spec is pure insanity.
At least there's that unopened Special Gift, but I can't bank on it.
Haven't found a single clue on how to unlock it since possessing this body.
'It was supposed to unlock automatically via special actions unique to each character...'
Might work for the player character, but no way I know the gift conditions for some extra like this.
So, what's my best move?
Stick to the extra's role.
Don't stand out, don't show off, just keep a low profile and hunker down while taking basic care of myself.
The protagonist will handle the rest anyway, right?
"Don't worry, Father!"
Huh. Thinking that way, Father's advice suddenly sounds wise as hell.
Not nagging—just pure wisdom.
"I'll make sure to stay completely out of sight at the academy!"
"...Uh, no, I don't expect that much..."
"I'll never harbor any useless ambitions about raising the territory's honor, so don't worry!"
"...Yeah, I wasn't hoping for that anyway..."
We wrapped up the conversation like that and set off from the territory.
The territory folk and Father's expressions looked a bit odd compared to before, but whatever—good is good.
My voluntary outcast academy life of blending into the wallpaper is about to kick off!
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There was a time when I thought like that.
I was painting such a hopeful future.
Ah, those dream-filled days.
"Do you need a doctor? You don't look well."
"No, I'm fine."
I'm really not.
For someone resolved to stick to an extra's duties, the person across from me is intimidating just to be around.
"..."
I sneak a glance at the woman impassively reading the newspaper while sipping her black tea.
Elnor Erinarije la Tristan.
The top candidate for final boss.
'How did I end up sharing a compartment with her?'
I sigh inwardly.
The train to Imperial Academy Elpante uses 2-person cabins.
Roommates are assigned completely at random, no helping it, but ending up with someone this terrifying warrants a little lament.
This level of bad luck is absurd.
'Why would a ducal lady ride in these cheap seats meant for frontier barons?'
As that thought crossed my mind, an answer flew from across the cabin.
Her eyes still fixed on the newspaper.
"The Tristan Ducal House cares a lot about public image. Better to build a friendly persona than flaunt first-class seats like some lofty noble."
"..."
"I didn't make a foolish mistake like voicing your exact thoughts, so relax. Your expression was amusing."
The Student Council President rattled that off and let out a small chuckle.
"Everyone sharing a cabin with me thinks along similar lines. You were just showing it on your face."
"...I see."
She seems awfully weary of it all.
Makes sense. A lady from the Tristan Ducal House is basically royalty-level famous. Plenty of people would feel pressured just sitting with her.
"You won't suffer for associating with me, so ease up. Sorry for worrying you."
"..."
But does the person causing that pressure usually go out of their way to reassure others like this?
'This doesn't match my memory.'
In the game, she ignored everyone unless they mattered.
Meritocracy judging all by value. Perfectionism tolerating no flaws. Condescending aura looking down on everyone.
Those were Elnor's keywords in my memory.
So what's this delicate, considerate side she's showing me?
Even if it's for image-making, as she says, it's undeniably odd.
"You don't seem convinced. Any other questions?"
"No. Just... you're nicer than expected."
Elnor's gaze finally left the newspaper.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of puzzlement.
"Nicer than expected?"
"Pardon?"
"Have you heard bad rumors about me? Met before?"
"..."
From my perspective, yeah—because I know she's a prime candidate to end the world.
But her villain turn kicks off after meeting the protagonist. Inferiority complex from someone far surpassing her 'perfect' self twists everything.
Sure, everyone gets inferiority complexes, but her 'curse' is the issue.
'Gray Devil.'
I wryly smile inwardly at the name of the Tristan Ducal House—or rather, the entity inside her.
Among the 'demons'—world-ending final villains who even cameo in creation myths—this one's the worst.
Once unleashed, the world's as good as done. Trigger: the moment her psyche breaks.
She clashes with the protagonist throughout the scenario, her mental state crumbles, the demon possesses her body. Then...
Straight to world destruction. No one stops it except the fully powered protagonist—not even the whole world.
"..."
And here I am, telling the carrier of that power something like, 'Thought you had a short fuse, but nope?'
I'm insane.
"...Just heard you're strict a lot."
My on-the-spot excuse doesn't land well; Elnor stares long and hard before sighing softly.
"You're a strange one."
"Yeah, I get that a lot."
I brush it off with an awkward laugh and turn to the window.
No need to drag this conversation out.
I'm just here to mooch main quests off the protagonist. No good tangling with scenario regulars.
Goal is a peaceful, quiet academy life, so let's calm down watching the scenery roll by.
The ripe spring landscape soothes the eyes. Every object in view carries a fragrant floral scent.
Flower buds blooming over there, vegetation stretching along the ground, vast fields, and that massive boulder hurtling toward the window like a cannonball, all brimming with spring freshness—
"..."
What the fuck was that last one?
"Student Council President."
"Hm?"
"Excuse me for a second."
The words barely leave my mouth before I dive into Elnor's arms.
"...?!"
I catch her eyes widening in shock.
Even she can't help but panic at someone lunging like this out of nowhere.
Luckily—or unluckily—no need to explain; the situation escalates instantly.
-!
-!!
-!!!!!!!
A house-sized rock slams into the cabin, ripping most of the train car apart.
The speeding train rocks violently from the impact. The derailed cars tilt sharply.
-!
-!!!
-!!!!!!!!!!!
The whole train tumbles end over end in a hellish spin cycle.
Screams echo from everywhere, soon drowned by roaring crashes.
The sound of the entire train smashing into the ground.
And through it all, Elnor and I are unharmed.
Not luck—this faint blue protective barrier around her.
An object-recognition defense gear made from an adult's remains.
'I knew she carried this at all times...'
I sweat bullets inwardly and sigh in relief.
If I'd taken that hit alone? Instant death. My stats couldn't save me.
"...Are you alright?"
"Yeah? Oh, yes. I'm fine."
"Then could you move off my chest? Getting heavy."
Only then do I register her deadpan mutter from below: I'm full-on clinging to her.
"..."
More intense than I thought—I scramble up. Moments later, she gracefully rises.
She smooths her disheveled hair and uniform, glancing at the floor. Neck and cheeks faintly flushed—probably my imagination.
Uh, what now.
Apologize first, right?
"Sorry—"
"Never mind. You were protecting me, right?"
What?
"First time with such intense male contact, but thank you. I get the intent—no need to apologize."
"..."
It reads like that?
I just knew about the barrier and wanted to freeload protection.
To her, it looked like bracing for impact.
Makes sense—she couldn't guess I knew about the barrier beforehand.
As that sinks in, another line from Elnor.
"Your name?"
Huh.
In the setting, she only asks names from people she likes, right?
Answering feels like it'll lead to more entanglements.
"...Your name?"
But ignoring those sparkling eyes staring at me? Can't say 'Figure it out yourself.'
That'd be worse.
"Dawood Campbell."
"Dawood... Dawood... Campbell... Campbell."
She closes her eyes, rolling the name around before nodding.
"Got it. Won't forget. I'll repay you later."
No, just forget me.
Can't we avoid entanglements?
Awkward smile as I think that—then a window pops up.
[You've earned the villain's favor! ]
[ Special Gift unlock conditions met! ]
[ Skills 'Desperate Situation' and 'Fatal Charm' granted! ]
...What the fuck?
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