Chapter 53

Although it’s good that we’ve prepared, it’s a pity that it’s a bit too early.

If possible, I wanted to participate in the defense battle while enjoying the benefits of Ricks’s blessing, ‘Devoted Sage’s Grace’.

It was a perfect opportunity to permanently increase my mana capacity, but currently, our relationship with him was only just getting started.

Since we haven’t built a strong connection yet, we can only look forward to the next opportunity…

“First, let’s check your equipment before we begin.”

Aslay only had a large shield strapped to his back.

It probably wasn’t bought with money.

If it were the Knights Department, they would borrow weapons like swords or armor.

In the Magic Department, they would borrow staffs or some tools.

“Aslay is confirmed.”

Limberton had light armor and a medium sword.

The peculiar thing was the bow slung on his back, which was smaller than a normal bow.

“Does the Knights Department have such small bows?”

I asked, and Limberton proudly showed arrows that seemed slightly bigger than a crossbow bolt by spreading three fingers.

“I bought it for 30 coins, how about it?”

“Weren’t you planning to just use a sword?”

“It’s good to have something familiar.”

“Well, good job.”

Aslay, wanting to show off as well, took out a thick book and pointed it at me with a clumsy pronunciation.

“The one who gives money. Boss.”

The book was an imperial dictionary.

“Boss.”

I felt a slight sting in my nose.

They are commendable kids.

I thought they would waste the coins, but they invested in themselves…

“…Yes, call me boss. Aslay.”

As the bell rang longer, the corridor became busier.

I took Aslay and Limberton and headed to the lobby on the first floor, squeezing through the confused classmates.

While walking down the stairs, I heard the pathetic voices of seniors from the second-year dormitory.

“Hey, where are you going? Going to die with the fledglings?”

A man in pajamas, even carrying a pillow, asked, and an armed man blinked.

“Huh? Why are you dressed like that?”

“Sigh, you slowpoke. Didn’t you read today’s rules?”

The man in pajamas pushed the rule mirror.

The armed man giggled happily.

“Wow… Sometimes these damn rules are actually useful?”

Today’s rule was like this:

[Do not use the stairs at the end of the right hallway, only use the left hallway. If you do not hear this correctly and use the stairs, you will end up on the same floor repeatedly. Do not panic, and wait calmly at that spot. Someone will come to rescue you tomorrow morning.]

Pathetic fools.

They intend to enter the place where strange phenomena occur just to slack off.

“…What the heck. Why are the seniors doing that? You shouldn’t enter the left staircase today.”

“They know. They’re trying to slack off and pretend they had an accident until someone comes to rescue them in the morning.”

They are really good at slacking off.

“That’s why I don’t treat them as human.”

“I’ve always felt like you talk as if you’ve graduated from here.”

“Ahem, it’s just my good instincts and those guys are obvious at a glance.”

If I wanted, I could prevent them from pulling such tricks.

I had the necessary item in my backpack.

[Anti-demon Potion]

It restores phenomena caused by magic to their original state.

But it was too precious to use on those idiots, so I continued my way.

The first-floor lobby was a mess.

There were women wearing armor over pajamas, men with empty scabbards despite properly wearing armor, and people who hadn’t prepared anything.

Half were scared and panicked, and the rest seemed clueless and were yawning.

They were all faces I had seen somewhere before.

“Hersel, they all look like freshmen.”

“…You noticed too?”

“I already memorized all the girls’ faces.”

Ignoring Limberton’s nonsense, I counted the number of people.

Approximately a total of 250.

About 170 were first-year students, so only around 80 second and third-year students gathered in total.

Though I expected it, the number was still excessively small.

A single ice ox was worth 50 coins, and defeating the warlord’s leader would end the situation, offering a reward of 1,000 coins.

Even so, the low participation rate of seniors was because they didn’t want to work with newbies…

While staring blankly at the freshmen, the dormitory supervisor cleared his throat.

“Ahem, attention.”

His face showed clear discomfort.

Though he was experienced, this unprecedented situation must have flustered him.

“Just in case, I ask. Have any freshmen undergone defense training?”

When most shook their heads, the supervisor sighed deeply.

The second and third-year students stared with expressions of shock.

“…To put it simply, it is training to defend against monster invasions. You just need to prevent them from entering the outer fortress and eliminate them. There will be rewards for subjugating monsters. For instance, the ice ox has two horns, and each horn will earn you 25 coins. So…”

The supervisor looked at the seniors with a guilty expression and pleaded.

“…I earnestly request the seniors of Schlaphe Hall to guide the juniors who are still inexperienced.”

Of course, the reaction from the seniors was intense.

“Are you joking, supervisor? You want us to teach them and fight monsters at the same time? With these numbers?”

“Hey, call Rockfeller out immediately! This is all his doing!!”

Even the supervisor seemed ashamed of saying such pathetic things, as he tightly closed his eyes.

The poor man.

He was merely passing on additional announcements…

“Hmm.”

Regardless, I watched the scene leisurely as if it was someone else’s business.

My target was only the warlord’s leader.

Naturally, I didn’t consider the second and third-year students as part of my forces, nor did I need them.

One of the advantages of fighting warlords was that if you took down the leader, the remaining troops would scatter and run in panic.

And I had a way to approach the leader at the center of the forces.

“Ah, I won’t do it. I thought I could make some money, but what is this?”

“I’ll sit this one out too. Trusting my life to them? Am I crazy? I don’t want to risk my life for some coins.”

As the poor supervisor remained silent, the few gathered second and third-year students started leaving one by one.

Ignoring those people, I spread a paper on the floor.

“Aslay, Limberton, I’ll explain from now, so pay attention.”

As they lowered their heads, I drew the plan for subjugating the leader with a pen.

While doing so, I saw someone walking urgently toward the seniors and paused my hand.

It was Ricks.

***

The Orien family is well-known among the residents for their kindness.

The story of them sharing food with the villagers until their storeroom was empty during a poor harvest is famous.

It was the same during large public construction projects like clock towers or churches.

The construction project that everyone advised against as impossible.

They spent a lot of money, but when it was completed, people called it a miracle.

The head of the Orien family believed in doing his best to improve the quality of life for the residents, and he always created miracles in this way.

Thus, while they didn’t live a prosperous life, Ricks, who grew up watching such a father, always felt secure.

The residents also reciprocated by voluntarily donating and participating in construction, and the sense of unity felt on the day they completed the clock tower remains even now.

“I should go and sleep on the stairs.”

“I saw them gathering like a swarm of bees earlier, I wonder if there are any spots left?”

As the seniors walked towards the left staircase, Ricks quickly approached and blocked their way.

“Please wait a moment, seniors.”

The seniors frowned at Ricks’s sudden action.

“An unfamiliar face, are you a freshman?”

“Yes, I’m Ricks Don Orien. Please, I beg you. Please help us. We freshmen know nothing. But we know it will be disastrous without your help. Please guide us.”

As he bowed his head, a few seniors, feeling pity, softly consoled him.

“Well, we understand your difficult situation… but honestly, it’s too much to ask. Collaborating with untrained freshmen…”

“I was hoping to earn some coins this time too. But with so many bailing out, it’s not possible. Sorry.”

A senior patted Ricks’s shoulder and tried to pass by.

“…Even so, I don’t think it’s impossible if we all work together. I know it’s hard to say this, but I’m confident in magic. I won’t be a burden. Also, I have competent friends who…”

“Competent?”

At that moment, a senior interrupted Ricks’s words.

Ricks flinched at their suddenly cold eyes.

‘What is this? Why did the atmosphere suddenly…’

“Well, good for you. If you’re competent, you might go to the Buerger Hall.”

“Is he bragging?”

“Oh, there’s always one every year. The ones who make it obvious they’ll leave soon.”

The seniors pushed Ricks’s shoulder and walked away.

“Move.”

“Do your best with your friends.”

Watching them leave, Ricks drooped his shoulders.

However, as his friends approached, he had no choice but to raise his head as if nothing had happened.

“Ricks, why did you follow the seniors? We were worried when you suddenly ran out.”

“I was just trying to persuade them. As you can see, it didn’t work out well…”

Gravel hesitantly spoke with a worried look.

“…The atmosphere seemed bad earlier, didn’t anything happen to you?”

“I’m fine, Gravel. Rather, can you guys wait in the lobby? I think I need to try persuading them again.”

As he followed the seniors, Gravel’s strained voice was heard.

“Ricks!”

All attention was instantly drawn to her.

It was a rather courageous act on her part.

“How about asking Hersel for help if things don’t work out?”

“…If you’re going to say that again, I don’t have time, Gravel.”

“But, but he looked really strong back then.”

Thinking it was some nonsense, the friends sighed deeply at the mention of the incident with the giant fox, where Hersel emerged unscathed, even breaking the fox’s claw, an unbelievable story she kept repeating.

“See you.”

Ricks took his eyes off Gravel.

The friends scolded Gravel.

“That again? We know you want attention, but tone it down.”

“Right, there’s no way someone that strong would get the last place in the third test, Gravel.”

Ricks glanced sympathetically at the disheartened Gravel.

‘She wasn’t one to lie…’

Reaching the left staircase, the seniors were gathered in a cluster.

Seeing them breaking today’s rule and trying to enter, Ricks had a vague idea.

‘Are they trying to hold out there until the morning rescue?’

At that moment, the seemingly empty left staircase turned into a swirl of mixed colors.

A few seconds later, through a translucent barrier, the densely packed crowd occupying the stairs became visible.

It seemed they were seniors who had secured their spots first.

“Ah, no more space.”

“Someone needs to leave, it’s overcrowded.”

“The stairs are full.”

Complaints arose among those who couldn’t enter.

“Damn it…”

“It’s all that ponytail bastard’s fault for making us late.”

“Wait. Didn’t he follow us here?”

One senior, frowning, grabbed Ricks by the collar.

“You brat, how will you take responsibility for this?”

“Please, seniors, I ask you once more. Please guide us.”

“What?”

The seniors inside and those right in front of Ricks sneered.

Nonetheless, Ricks believed they would help and pleaded with everyone.

“To the seniors inside, I earnestly request your participation in the defense.”

“Is this kid crazy?”

The senior holding his collar gritted his teeth and raised his hand to slap him.

Just as his palm was about to swing, a low voice echoed.

“Hey, it’s the scum.”

Blonde hair and long legs.

It was Hersel.

“Aslay, those are scum. Repeat after me. Scum.”

A hulking barbarian and a short man stood behind him.

“Scum.”

“I told you not to provoke the seniors. Aslay, you’re the same.”

The senior who had grabbed Ricks’s collar, seemingly familiar with them, released his grip and stepped back with a sweaty, confused expression.

“Y-you are…”

Others reacted similarly.

“Isn’t he the guy who forced us to take the request back then?”

“Yes, I remember their faces clearly. They are the ones.”

The senior who had grabbed Ricks asked Hersel.

“What brings you here?”

Hersel smiled sharply, taking something out of his backpack.

“To save you, seniors.”

The glass bottle he held sparkled, and the seniors hiding on the stairs screamed in horror.

“Gasp! The Anti-Demon Potion.”

“Please, calm down and put that thing down, junior.”

Wondering why they reacted that way to the potion, Hersel called out to Ricks.

“Ricks, some people don’t understand unless you use a stick. Like this.”

He threw the opened potion at the stairs.

Soon, a whale-like wailing sound echoed through the dormitory.

Ughhhhhhhh

The translucent barrier between the stairs and the corridor disappeared completely.

As the seniors on the stairs stood shocked, Hersel exuded an imposing aura.

“Since it’s not an accident, you know it’s mandatory participation, right? If you don’t want to get punished by the professors, gather in the lobby.”

The seniors gritted their teeth and moved quickly.

They cursed and swore along the way, saying things like they’d remember this and calling him crazy.

Once the stairs were empty, Hersel turned his back.

“W-wait.”

Ricks unknowingly called out urgently.

“I have a question.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you think my method was wrong?”

Lowering his head, Hersel asked in return.

“Let me ask first. Is this your first time seeing such people?”

“Yes…”

“Well, being from a renowned family, you’ve likely met kind people. With your gentle nature, you’ve probably only attracted good friends, and this is your first encounter with such hopeless folks?”

Ricks felt his chest tighten at his perceptive gaze.

It felt like he knew Ricks from the beginning because he was spot on.

“…I can’t deny it.”

“You weren’t wrong. They were.”

Ricks lifted his head.

Hersel continued with a serene smile.

“You did what you could, and I did what I could. Next time, your way might be the right answer.”

Ricks felt his narrow perspective broadening with his words.

And he realized that his assessment of Hersel had been biased.

Paradoxically, he had witnessed someone who would hurt others for the sake of others.

He was willing to be hated for this.

In a way, it was closer to sacrifice.

Perhaps the bad rumors about him stemmed from such behavior.

…Was he not just pretending to care for Gravel back then?

Recalling the events during the Gravel incident, Ricks was convinced that his assumption was correct.

‘Somehow, I think I understand. A man who doesn’t mind being hated for others…’

At least, he wanted to defend him when others criticized him.

“Follow me, Ricks. If we don’t hurry, the fortress will fall.”

“Yeah. Oh, by the way, I feel bad for not properly thanking you when we first met. Thanks for helping me get an A.”

With a human interest in Hersel, Ricks followed him to the lobby.

The ground trembled from the horde of white oxen rushing forward.

At the forefront, a senior woman, fully armed, drew her sword and stood firm.

She had introduced herself as the representative of Schlaphe Hall earlier.

“The shield squad will hold the front. When the ice ox sticks to the shield, those with swords should stab through the gaps. Mages, prepare your spells from the back. And freshmen in the shield squad, don’t expect too much, just hold your shields properly if you don’t want to die, understood?”

One of Ricks’s friends in the front shouted loudly, “Yes!”

“Remember, all we can do right now is defend. If we keep taking down the leading ones, they’ll eventually retreat. So let’s give it our all.”

Ricks took her words to heart and gripped his staff tightly.

“And even if they retreat, don’t try to act recklessly. It takes three people to take down one ice ox. The ones sticking together are hard to take down because there are no openings to attack. So don’t risk your life for some coins.”

At that moment, the senior woman’s eyes widened.

She spotted three people wandering around the perimeter, away from the tightly formed line.

“What are you doing? Are you crazy? Join the line immediately!”

They were Hersel and his companions.

Ignoring her shouting, Hersel calmly said his piece.

“We’re going to hunt the leader now. Anyone want to come? It’s a chance to earn some coins.”

“A leader? You, a freshman?”

Naturally, no one volunteered.

“Well, if you don’t want to, then forget it.”

“Hey! You crazy bastard! Didn’t you hear me?”

“Then, good luck.”

“Hey!!”

He completely ignored her and walked away.

Gravel timidly suggested.

“It’s a chance to earn coins. Shouldn’t we follow?”

His friends were skeptical.

“Are you serious?”

“I hate to say this, but please, just be quiet.”

“…Sorry.”

Ricks chuckled at Gravel.

“I think it’s a good offer. I feel like we could really earn some coins.”

“What? Are you serious, Ricks?”

“I want to earn too, but trusting Hersel? That’s a bit…”

Despite his friends’ concerns, Ricks started walking.

“If you don’t want to, stay. Come on, Gravel.”

“Huh? Okay!”

Following suit, his friends awkwardly trailed behind.

“Fine, I’ll come too!”

“Ricks, wait, I’m coming too!”

The senior woman shook her head, seeing more freshmen leave.

“…This year’s freshmen are really crazy.”

***

A smile spread on my face at the system window on my retina.

[You are under the influence of the blessing.]

[Devoted Sage’s Grace]

[Additional effect activated.]

[When those with goodwill subjugate monsters together, mana capacity slightly increases.]

At best, I could only use magic twice with my current mana capacity.

I wonder how much it will increase this time!

“Hersel, is this really going to work?” Limberton asked worriedly as the horde of ice oxen charged.

I answered by throwing a glass bottle from my pocket at the herd.

“Limberton, you’ll know if it works once you hit it with an arrow.”

“Wait a moment.”

Limberton aimed at the falling glass bottle with his bow, drawing a parabola.

The arrow shattered the bottle.

Red powder spread widely and landed on the ice oxen.

The sound of horns clashing rang out.

The oxen hit by the powder started fighting among themselves.

This disrupted the formation of the charging herd.

Limberton’s eyes sparkled as he saw the new glass bottle I took out.

“Wow, what’s in that powder?”

“It’s a drug that makes monsters fight each other.”

[Powder of Madness]

Inhaled monsters become extremely aggressive.

However, it doesn’t work on some monsters.

“I’ll throw all I have, Limberton. Keep hitting them.”

“Okay.”

While Limberton was busy pulling the bowstring, I patted Aslay on the back.

“Aslay, get ready.”

Aslay gripped his shield tightly and began to advance.

“Limberton, keep shooting at the eyes of those attacking the shield as we move forward. You can do it, right?”

“Move forward like this? Wait, what about attacks from behind?”

“It’s okay. Ice oxen don’t care about those who’ve passed them.”

Though there are exceptions.

The exception showed up about 100 meters ahead.

An ice ox, its eyes bloodshot, snorted at me.

It seemed to be affected by the powder.

At that moment, Aslay was busy blocking the herd with his shield, and Limberton was focused on shooting at the front.

While keeping an eye on them, the crazed ice ox charged at me.

I stretched my arm towards it.

These guys are great at charging straight.

Pop!

[Physical attack detected.]

[Attribute activated.]

[1-second invulnerability cooldown: 59 seconds]

Like it impaled its head on a well-fixed skewer, the ice ox died instantly with its head pierced by my index finger.

I decided to collect the horn later and looked up to hear a distant gasp.

“See, I was right. Ricks.”

“…Sorry for doubting you, Gravel.”

“With just a finger?”

“…Gravel’s story was true. Unbelievable.”

It was Ricks’s group.

There are actually some who followed.

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