"Hah... You're a really weird guy."
Artel looked down at me with shaded eyes, as if she was fed up.
Wow. Industry award.
If the fanatically devoted Artel fan squads from the [Stella Academia] community saw this in person, they'd probably faint on the spot.
"Then figure out how to win on your own."
Artel shot back snidely, her blue hair swaying as she returned to her seat.
'Too bad...'
I was genuinely disappointed.
What about?
Getting scolded less by Artel?
That was a little part of it... but more than that, I regretted not squeezing out a bit more sloth from a little longer conversation.
I'd started to get a feel for what situations the system rewarded sloth points in.
Though, thinking about it, Kaiser giving out 45 points just from talking was impressive.
As I quietly worshipped Kaiser in my mind, Yuria cautiously asked from beside me.
"Um, Jeron..."
"Yeah?"
"But is it really okay? If you have some kind of method, couldn't you at least tell me a little?"
Yuria asked with innocent, doe-like eyes.
Ugh. This had some serious power. I couldn't resist granting her request.
So I decided to be honest.
I closed my eyes gently and nodded gravely.
"There's a way."
"W-What is it...?"
"First off..."
Right then, the class bell signaling the end of lunch rang out.
Yuria naturally leaned in to hear me.
I whispered my first plan secretly to her.
"...you gotta sleep."
"Jeron, I really hate you."
Yuria crossed her arms and turned her head away sharply. That was her maximum expression of displeasure.
...But seriously, what can you do? Sleeping is the way. It's not a lie.
And so, afternoon classes began.
Time to read "classes" as "sloth farming."
To stick to my plan, I needed to stockpile as much sloth as possible without getting interrupted midway.
Fortunately, the pillow—no, the textbook—guaranteed solid sleep quality. This thing seriously feels like a rare-grade item.
"..."
During occasional breaks, I felt Yuria's piercing gaze, but there was no helping it.
This was the only way to win the spar.
Time flew by mercilessly.
Magic theory class ended, imperial history passed.
When the final class bell rang, I finally opened my eyes.
"Get up... It's practical sparring time now..."
Yuria's voice, waking me, was now filled with resignation.
Denial—anger—bargaining—depression—acceptance.
She seemed to have reached the final stage of accepting Jeron.
I lightly rose from my desk.
'Condition: perfect.'
My body felt refreshed, my mind clear.
Sometimes sleeping too long drags you down, but not at all—I felt pristine.
And most importantly.
I mentally recited a familiar command.
[Level: 15]
[Sloth: 363]
I checked my current level and sloth in the status window.
'Oh, if I'd only farmed by sleeping in class, it would've been just barely enough.'
But luckily, I'd stocked up plenty from chats with Kaiser and Artel.
I immediately opened the sloth shop and bought the two skills I'd eyed earlier.
This one... and that. Done.
Ding!
[Sloth -100]
[Sloth -200]
A total of 300 sloth drained away. Left with a measly 63.
Earning's hard, but spending's instant, huh.
...Was earning even hard? Thinking back, it was just sleeping in class, getting sniped by Kaiser, and getting chewed out by Artel. That's all my "effort" was.
Anyway, minor details, brush 'em off!
Burning 300 points stings a bit, but think of it as an investment for 500. Pay it back with interest.
Plus, these two skills would come in handy later anyway.
And.
I didn't forget the 'stat points' accumulated from levels so far.
In [Stella Academia], you get stat points per level up, investable into strength, stamina, agility, intellect, or mana.
My current stats: all F.
By the book, you'd distribute evenly...
But that won't beat Kaiser.
So my choice:
'All-in.'
[Used 15 stat points on Agility.]
[Agility: F -> D (15)]
Poured every stat point into 'Agility,' bumping F to D.
And finally, to get a feel for using skills in reality, I casually activated one of the skills I'd just bought.
'Oh ho, so this is the sensation.'
Just thinking of using the skill in my head activated it instantly.
Like clicking a keyboard with your brain instead of fingers.
Felt even smoother than the game.
Good.
All prep complete.
Now then,
'Time to catch the mutt.'
Dog catcher Jeron, deploying...!
***
"Everyone, pay attention. I will now explain practical sparring."
A vast space.
Multiple arenas shaped like octagons.
This was the 1st Year sparring hall for today's final class, 'Practical Sparring.'
The instructor's voice, amplified by mana, boomed through the heated venue.
Practical Sparring.
A special system unique to Stella Academia, held once a week.
Per game lore, Stella Academia is the cradle raising heroes to protect the continent.
Heroes are like this world's superheroes.
They fight not just monsters, but wicked criminals and demonkin too, so PvP skills were crucial.
This 'practical sparring' honed PvP prowess and stoked competition among students to raise overall levels.
The instructor briefly covered this and continued.
"Since it's the first class, we'll do it within the class today, but from next spar, the entire 1st Year Combat track will be your opponents."
With a snap of his fingers, a massive magic screen appeared in the air.
It displayed students' names and rankings.
All unranked for now, but soon it'd be a blood-soaked battlefield.
"Also, you'll be rigorously evaluated by spar outcomes, divided into C, B, A, and S-Ranks. S-Rank is glory for just the top ten combat performers per year. Aim hard for the perks and privileges."
Countless privileges, luxury dorms—S-Rank benefits were endless.
Plus massive post-grad specs, so in the original story, S-Rank competition was a key plot pillar.
"Normally multiple spars run simultaneously, but today we'll do one at a time. So you can watch and learn."
The instructor continued.
"Today's spars aren't for evaluation, but treat them as real combat, seriously."
His lines felt familiar.
In the original, it was a simple tutorial for players to learn combat.
But now's different.
A 500 sloth quest was on the line.
"With that, Class 1 practical sparring begins. Highest entrance exam rankers, step up and name your opponent. Or we can randomize."
The instructor checked his roster.
"Class 1's top entrance exam student... Cadet Kaiser Fireheart. Enter the arena and call your opponent."
At the call, Kaiser strode up imposingly.
He swept the stands with arrogant eyes, then locked on one spot.
"I nominate. My first opponent is..."
Kaiser's lips curled slyly.
"Jeron Airgia."
All eyes snapped to me at his pick.
"..."
In the center of stares, I stood blankly, slouched.
Why so sloppy? Learned earlier—standing like this trickles sloth even without sleeping. Can't ignore free rice.
[Sloth +1!]
Oh. In it comes. Sweet.
"Cadet Kaiser."
The instructor frowned at my pose and asked.
"Entrance scores differ vastly. Confirming: Jeron Cadet? He can refuse if he wants."
"No issue."
Before Kaiser replied, I stepped forward.
The instructor nodded, asking no more.
"Applying minimal protective barrier spells to both. Surrender or incapacitation decides win."
Kaiser glared murderously; I climbed the arena, sauntering to the opposite side.
"Prepare. Count of three starts."
Just before start, Kaiser whispered low.
"Hey, trash. Dragon rolled out. Fireheart house respects courage. But courage and recklessness differ..."
"Not curious."
"...You bastard!"
Ignored completely; Kaiser gnashed teeth.
"One—two—three! Spar, begin!"
Instructor's signal dropped.
"I'll teach you well whom you insulted...!"
Roooar!
Start simultaneous, Kaiser condensed crimson mana in his right hand.
"....Wow."
"Insane."
"Look at that mana. Newbie?"
Stands erupted in awe.
And worries toward me:
"Is this allowed?"
"Jeron's really gonna die, huh?"
I was certain of victory.
'That habit's unchanged.'
I tsked inwardly.
From countless [Stella Academia] hunts on Kaiser, his two worst patterns/habits.
One: Starts with signature spell to seize initiative.
Two: Charging motion too straightforward.
Somehow clearer in reality than game.
He probably thinks 'unblockable even if known.'
Fireheart bloodline sped casting impressively.
Effective on scrubs.
Indeed, he was infamous newbie shredder. Slow reaction? Done.
But I'm beyond veteran—rotten water.
That 4D chess strat? Laughable to me.
"End it with this! Crimson Flame Arrow!"
Just before scorching arrow launched, I triggered one new skill.
'Keen Eye.'
[Skill]
[Keen Eye (Hero)]
See with the mind's eye.
Description: (Active) Massively boosts dynamic vision momentarily. (Cooldown: 10 min)
Keen Eye.
In-game, made enemy skills slow-mo.
Activating, world time slowed like game. Ferocious arrow floated midair, creeping forward.
All-in agility let me move in this slowed world.
Not enough for dodge-counter, but.
Simple moves possible.
Like.
I extended palm toward slow arrow.
Then cast the 200-sloth ace from shop.
"Low-Grade Reflection."
[Skill]
[Low-Grade Reflection (Hero)]
Replica of reflex spell by legendary archmage... cheap but similar.
Description: Time it right to reflect low-grade magic projectiles. Success amplifies damage. (Cooldown: 10 min)
Whumm—
Instantly, massive purple magic circle bloomed on my palm.
Arrow hit, ricocheted straight back at owner Kaiser.
Bigger, prettier arrow!
"...?!"
Never dreaming his own spell rebounding, Kaiser had no dodge time—direct hit from his 'Crimson Flame Arrow.'
Boom!
"Gahk!"
Screaming death throes, aflame Kaiser tumbled across arena floor.
Vast arena fell dead silent.