The first week at the academy flew by in the blink of an eye, filled with simple achievements from mandatory classes and physical training that boosted my stats over the remaining three days.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Achievement - Cleared {Magic Prodigy} Academy Magic Class You were the only one to answer every question from the magic professor correctly. Everyone is amazed by your knowledge! Intelligence +2, Magic Power +2
"Huh... Not only swords, but you're well-versed in magic too... Correct, Aden."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Achievement - Cleared {Sword Prodigy} Academy Swordsmanship Class You demonstrated near-perfect swordsmanship. Everyone can't take their eyes off your swordplay! Strength +2, Stamina +2
"Excellent! As expected from the top entrant—such outstanding sword strikes!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Achievement - Cleared {Strong in Real Combat!} Academy Practical Combat Class In the class focused solely on learning to survive, you survived. Everyone is astonished by your senses! Vitality +2, Agility +2
"Aden's the only one who passed again. The rest of you nine, keep at it. Especially Libia—your sword path keeps wavering."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Physical Training Completed - Stamina +1⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Physical Training Completed - Stamina +1⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Physical Training Completed - Stamina +1⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Unique Trait {Last Hero} assists your growth. - Stamina +3
After finishing Friday's classes, I checked my boosted stats from achievements and training, preparing to head back to the dorm from the lecture hall.
"Brother, are you heading straight to the dorm?"
As I finished packing and was about to leave the lecture hall, I turned at the voice calling from behind.
Saintess Cecilia.
She approached me with a friendly tone.
'She's been like this ever since we met at the park...'
Ever since our brief chat while jogging in the park last time, she'd been approaching me in this friendly way.
And...
"Brother, how about joining me for prayer at the church this weekend? It heals the heart, you know."
'Is this a cult...?'
Cecilia was inviting me to church just like a cult proselytizer—her offer since Wednesday.
Of course, most guys wouldn't turn down praying with a beauty like Cecilia...
'It's boring...'
I knew exactly what she meant by prayer, and it was something I absolutely wanted to avoid.
In the game, building affinity with Cecilia could trigger this event at random, but choosing to pray meant the player was stuck praying for 6 hours straight over the weekend.
It skipped instantly in the game with just text, but...
In reality, that wouldn't fly.
I'd be stuck doing that mind-numbingly boring prayer for a full 6 hours.
It did grant 1 Holy stat point, but I had zero interest in doing it myself.
"I've told you before, I'll pass. I'm not into prayer."
"It's not like that, Brother. If you just try it once with me, I'm sure you'd understand the appeal..."
Sorry, Cecilia, but I had no desire to learn the appeal of sitting still with eyes closed for 6 hours of prayer.
"I don't want prayer. Besides, I always have plans on weekends."
It was a blatant lie to escape, but not entirely false.
Weekends were the only days for outings at the academy outside of breaks.
So, excluding breaks, weekends were the sole chance during term to grab outdoor achievements or encounters.
'Most I'll save for break, though...'
Of course, most encounters couldn't be wrapped up in two days, so I planned to tackle them during breaks.
Strictly speaking, I didn't lack time on weekends, but that didn't mean I'd spend it on a 6-hour prayer date with the saintess (eyes closed, sitting still).
"I see... That's a shame, but nothing to be done. I'll ask again next week then, Brother."
She eyed me suspiciously, but fortunately, my schedule excuse made further pushing awkward, so she nodded and left the lecture hall...?
...?
'Wait a sec?'
Next week again...?
That wasn't acceptance...?
She was giving up for this week but brazenly declaring she'd try again next week.
Realizing her intent filled my head with bewilderment and absurdity.
'Wasn't this a random event...?'
But by the time it hit me, it was too late.
I couldn't chase after Cecilia and take it back.
Kicking next week's problem to next week's me, I headed to the dorm too.
"Uh...! Wait, Aden!"
But as I was leaving the lecture hall, a familiar voice from behind halted me.
The first person I could call a friend after possession, someone I'd built rapport with through many talks.
Unlike Cecilia, she'd been avoiding me for the past three days since the park meeting.
Libia Clawit.
She called out to me urgently.
"Aden...! Do you have time this weekend...?"
...?
'You too...?'
Cecilia and now Libia...
The first week was over—why were so many people suddenly seeking me out?
"I have time. What's up?"
When I asked back, she looked at me with resolute eyes, as if she'd made up her mind, and carefully spoke.
"Aden... Sorry, but could you help me train this weekend...? Please!"
📜 URGENT EVENT 📜
Libia's Slump
Sword Saint's disciple Libia Clawit has hit a slump.
Her body is overworked,
and her sword has lost its center, wavering.
Help her refocus on her sword!
📍 Success Condition: Resolve Libia Clawit's slump.
🎁 Success Reward: Libia Clawit's growth speed accelerates.
⚠️ Failure Penalty: Libia Clawit's growth speed decelerates.
An urgent event.
In the game, it popped up at random for not just the five heroines but most characters, tied to growth.
'Libia's slump...?'
This urgent event, Libia's slump,
I'd seen it plenty in the game.
After building some affinity with Libia, once the player reached a similar strength level, it triggered often.
Even the earliest was before winter break in year one or early year two.
Watching the protagonist grow terrifyingly fast, Libia desperately overtrained,
but that overtraining only worsened her focus and precision.
Seeing her own decline, she'd train even harder in an endless vicious cycle—this urgent event.
'But why now...?'
This quest meant she was already in that cycle.
But why so early...?
The reason was obvious once I thought about it.
'Because of me, probably...'
In the game, Libia saw the protagonist's growth speed and wrongly thought her own talent was lacking, sparking the cycle.
So, the sudden trigger? Obviously my overwhelming performance from the entrance exam to now made her think her talent was insufficient.
That explained her recent lack of focus and wavering sword path.
'Well, since it's my fault, I should help.'
"Sure, Libia. I'll help."
"Really? Then when should we meet? Just tell me the time, and I'll be there!"
"Sunday at noon, in front of the dorm. Oh, and wear casual clothes, not training gear."
"Huh...? Even for training...?"
Libia asked, puzzled.
It was a natural question.
Asking for training help, then telling her to wear everyday clothes? I'd be confused too.
But no choice.
What we'd do that day wasn't training.
"Yeah. Definitely wear something normal and comfortable. And from now until Sunday, rest! Absolutely!"
"Uh... Got it! See you then! Thanks!"
Libia still looked puzzled to the end,
but since she'd asked for help first, she accepted without complaint and left.
Solving Libia's slump urgent event was simple.
Caused by her overtraining,
all I needed to do was teach her the importance of rest.
I had something to pass on anyway,
so I'd give it to her on Sunday.
Still, that event popping up was unexpected.
It only appeared after high affinity with Libia,
proof she was paying a lot of attention to me.
'Related to her avoiding me lately...?'
She'd subtly dodged me for the past three days.
Seemed connected to this sudden event.
'Hmm... Rest, huh.'
Guess I'd find a good rest spot to take her on Saturday.
'What was around here on Sundays...?'
Since we'd be hanging out for rest anyway, better to match her tastes.
'Come on, Libia Clawit. I'll make it a fun holiday.'
Now was the time for a hardcore gamer like me—who'd sunk their life into this game—to show my true power.