Healing at the Academy convenience store

Mana is stirred by a strong determination.

And a wizard with an unwavering resolve can manipulate the mana surrounding them.

So, one can only imagine the immense hardship that must have befallen the freshmen, who possessed the feeblest of wills, in their quest to harness mana for their aspirations.

Jephryn is an institution dedicated to cultivating the finest talents, and it’s inevitable that some would be forced to abandon their dreams unwillingly.

Their frail and tender hearts converged, controlling the ambient mana, forming a singular wish.

‘I yearn to graduate.’

‘I wish to attend school.’

‘I refuse to surrender.’

The bitterness of those who had already been eliminated weighed heavily during the opening act, evoking a myriad of emotions.

A roommate, once close, dropped out, but Kelters, resolute to press on with a sword in hand, defied all odds.

From the ashes of the former student council president’s explosion, a banner of rebellion was raised. Eve, now the student council president, found herself powerless when confronted with the first challenge – a ghostly disturbance, an embodiment of the freshmen’s fears.

With a resolute heart, Kelters, with a mere stat of 15, achieved what Eve, with a stat of 22, could not. Consequently, Eve learned that stats weren’t the sole determinant and grew as a result.

That poignant tale of Act 1, Scene 1…

[Degree… Diploma… Graduation… I’m a freshman too…]

By chance, a graduate student wandering near the freshman dormitory resonated with that mana, transforming into something terribly horrifying.

“F*ck.”

The freshmen’s anger had long dissipated, leaving the hall awash with the loathing and rage of the graduate student.

‘It’s akin to ‘the sorrow of prematurely discharged trainees eclipsing the wailing of the company commander with a nail in their heart.”

Observing that specter… or, to be precise, the black mana enveloping Zolf as he aimlessly roamed, I nodded in agreement.

Even if the sorrow and hatred of the freshmen piled up endlessly, it was still the resentment of freshmen. Now, it had completely transformed into an entirely different monstrosity. I had no desire to contend with it either.

‘I would have abandoned this game if such a creature had appeared in the first act.’

***

Nonetheless, in spite of my complaints, this was reality, and I couldn’t simply utter, “Oh, the game has a glitch, I’m logging out. Developer, you should quit developing and log out too.”

Ultimately, Nephti and Eve would have to confront that graduate student. That lamenting spirit? Or a possessed vessel? Regardless, it was something of that sort. Its countenance concealed beneath a shroud of black mana contorted, and behind its back, an appendage resembling a tentacle made of dark mana writhed, presenting a gruesome spectacle.

A scholarly, feeble frame with a ghastly, slithering mass of black muck crawling over it. And that ebony hue was lustrous, quite unsettling.

It was dark, eerie, horrifying, and peculiar.

So, I fretted over how Nephti and Eve would manage it, but they were the knight of faith and the president of light, so they should find a way.

By the way, I had already determined my course of action.

I would simply observe with my 2 HP Wolfram!

Press on!

As I silently wished for Nephti and Eve’s triumph, the main characters began to take the stage, one by one, their footsteps echoing down the stairs.

The newcomer, not a freshman but rather the resentment-filled graduate student, awaited them in the hall.

“What… what is that?”

“…Tsk. That must be the true identity of the ghost. Nephti! Get ready for a fight. We’re defending the academy here!”

Oh.

Eve’s declaration, “We’ll defend the academy here,” was something she always said before a boss fight in the Eve route. So, Eve’s nickname as the dependable girl who always defended the academy became a reality.

[Graduation… Graduatiooooon!!]

And just like that,

The battle commenced with the spirit’s mournful cry.

******

[…Graduatiooooon!!]

Five menacing streaks of darkness surged towards them.

Nephti quickly grasped her role and positioned herself in front of Eve, faster than the approaching black streaks.

“I’ll shield!”

“No, it’s not necessary.”

“Huh?”

Eve Von Roengreen’s mana emitted a radiant glow.

Light mana possessed various attributes. It was effective against demon tribes and highly adaptable. But in the context of battle, two defining characteristics of light mana stood out.

First, its magical defenses formed rapidly.

And second, it offered broad coverage.

[Light Spear: Rapid Fire: Counter Fire]

Eve could conjure spells faster than Aila Tristar with just a snap of her fingers.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

“I’ve never witnessed anything quite like this. I wonder if I was even needed.”

Precisely five times. The clashes between light and darkness played out, and Nephti playfully stuck out her tongue.

[Light Spear: Single Shot: Piercing Enhancement]

Once more, with a snap of Eve’s fingers, a potent, piercing light spear materialized from behind and was unleashed before the dark entity could react.

The retaliation only came after the release. The dark entity did its best to resist the energy blast, but it proved insufficient.

Thud. Thud. Thud-thud.

Tearing through the overlapping black energy, the projectile surged forward unrelentingly, mirroring Eve von Roengreen’s decisive approach to shattering obstacles.

The black silhouette trembled significantly, and the shroud concealing its visage disintegrated.

[Nooo, nooo—!]

It uttered in anguish, but Eve, devoid of sympathy, advanced to identify the figure.

“Let’s see the face of the one who dared to infiltrate the common dormitory. Who are you?”

A human countenance emerged from the disintegrating darkness. It appeared pale with dark circles under the eyes, yet somehow innocent, somewhat kind, and somewhat pitiful.

Eve recognized this face.

They hadn’t conversed frequently, but the figure was a familiar sight in the graduate dorms.

A ninth-year doctoral student under Professor Grace. An exceptionally long-term scholar.

One of the most pitiable figures at the academy.

The highly intelligent graduate student, Zolf. It was him.

“Zolf. Senior…?!”

“Ah, Ahhhhhhh! Ahhhhhh!!!”

In the moment of Eve’s astonishment, the darkness lashed out once more, striking Eve.

“Eve!”

[Protective Barrier: Noble Sacrifice!]

***

“Ahh?!”

‘…Hmm, this is unexpected.’

I had been silently observing the battle from the sidelines.

Eve had identified Zolf and hesitated momentarily, allowing Zolf to strike her. Despite her considerable mana reserves, Eve was only sixteen and lacked substantial combat experience.

‘I assumed it would be a straightforward task, given that it’s the spirit of a first-year student. A second-year student is a different story. If this is proof, then it’s undeniable.’

In the original D/Z SAGA, the students whom Kelters welcomed as companions possessed characteristics based on their year levels.

The higher the year level, the more adept their battle AI.

While first-year students focused on enhancing attack power through magic rather than using stat-altering spells, as the year level increased, such errors decreased significantly.

However, without this balance, there would be no reason to include older students in the party. When the value of young first-years waned, they should simply roll until the ending.

In any case, balance was balance, and proof was proof.

Kelters in his first year was recklessly daring, Eve in her second year was fiercely determined, but Aila in her third year was flawlessly skilled, Nephti was impervious, and by the time you reached Rudika, they were specialists.

So, when Eve identified Zolf, she allowed a surprise attack due to a moment of confusion. Nephti attempted to block it with Noble Sacrifice but appeared slightly delayed.

‘Eve has fainted, and Nephti is preoccupied maintaining her protective spell due to the delay.’

The loud thud was likely the sound of Eve being thrown and subsequently losing consciousness. She had a decent health level of 12, so even if she was knocked back and stunned, she shouldn’t have sustained severe injuries. However, this world was not a game; it was reality.

In a stunned state, a single attack could genuinely pose a threat.

That’s why I had positioned Nephti as a backup, but with this unexpected turn of events, her Protective Barrier was delayed, and she couldn’t fully focus on her defense.

Look at her. She’s desperately trying to penetrate that darkness.

Crack.

“Ah… My longsword is shattered. I should have prepared a more durable one. Damn it.”

[Protective Iron Fist: Steelization!]

This was problematic.

Seeing Nephti’s longsword crack and break into two, it seemed increasingly challenging for her to protect Eve. The target-specific Protective Barrier and the counter-attack type Protective Iron Fist had significant differences in defense.

‘This is quite the dilemma.’

Should I intervene?

But what good would my intervention do? I’d likely be incinerated in a matter of seconds.

As I hesitated for a brief moment…

“…Enough!”

A young redhead’s shout resonated throughout the hall.

This voice.

How could I forget?

The Hero of Light. The greatest swordsman in Jephryn’s history.

“…Kelters?”

This marked the first time the protagonist had revealed himself in my presence.

***

The red-haired boy, Kelters.

A true hero who always wore a bright smile and inspired those around him.

His popularity among first-year students seemed to have waned after his defeat by Aila, and he appeared somewhat pitiful as he failed to garner attention from Eve, the heroine among heroines. Nonetheless, I finally had the chance to witness the Hero of Light in person.

With a longsword at his side and eyes filled with hope as he faced the adversary, he exuded confidence in his swordsmanship. He typically accepted party invitations with ease.

And there he stood, confronting a graduate student consumed by darkness, dampness, hatred, and anger, his longsword firmly in hand.

‘It’s not a sight I was eager to see.’

The disparity between them was so stark that it made me feel sympathy for Zolf.

“…Junior Coolpis. Step back!”

“…It’s Kelters. Senior. Regardless, I’ll hold this position. Please escort the student president to safety!”

‘Truly heroic. The Hero of Light. Kelters.’

If the Hero of Light defeats that graduate student and awakens, there’s no downside for me.

Yes, hurry and finish him off. Get rid of him!

“Come on, you monster! I, the freshman valedictorian Kelters, will stand in your way with my honor!”

[…Freshman valedictorian?]

“Yes. No matter who you are, I will defend our class’s honor.”

[…Kid.]

“…What?”

[…You darn brat!!! How dare you! How dare you!!!]

“What, what?!”

What I witnessed next was the graduate student’s dark aura morphing into a massive fist that struck Kelters.

Kelters, who had bravely shielded Nephti, swiftly transformed into Eve Ver.2.0 and immediately passed out.

And, naturally, Nephti’s burden grew even heavier.

“Ah, seriously. Why does this junior act this way?! Ugh, eek!!”

[Protective Iron Fist: Steelization: Expanded Range]

‘Did that fool just brag about being a freshman valedictorian in front of a graduate student seething with jealousy and resentment?’

Massaging my throbbing head, I let out a deep sigh.

This is truly… There’s nothing we can do.

Wolfram von Roengreen. A person who chose to live for himself but knows when he must intervene.

Even if I perish in two seconds, if I plead for my life using the free donuts as an excuse… Eve will awaken, won’t she, with her magic power of 22, and deliver a critical blow?

My legs tremble, and my fists perspire… but still…

Squeak.

Without pause, I swung open the door to the clear room and addressed him.

“Zolf.”

[Huh?]

“Wolfram?!”

“Nephti. I’ll explain later. Zolf. Do you remember me?”

I don’t want to get struck and sent flying all the way to the convenience store’s front just because I explained it to Zolf and got him riled up.

“Zolf. Answer me.”

[Wh, who… uh, um? Pri..nce Wol..fram?]

“Yes. It’s me, Wolfram von Roengreen, the one you used to visit every morning for fish soup, share life stories with, and encourage each other to get through the day, all while enjoying donuts.”

So, you won’t initiate aggression, right? You’re not supposed to. Let’s promise not to do hurtful things to each other. If you break the promise, my hand might just take flight.

[…Ah, ah. Aaah… Wol, Wolfram sir. I, I’m ah. Ugh.]

“Yes. It’s Wolfram.”

Fortunately, it seems Zolf doesn’t intend to strike me immediately.

Now, what kind of conversation should we have?

How should I negotiate with this formidable figure standing before me?

Just as I contemplated that.

A message window appeared before my eyes.

​[‘Royal Bloodline’ skill is activated.]

[You take the upper hand in Negotiation with the Enemy​.]

[Comparing your bloodline with the opponent’s.]

[​Wolfram von Roengreen​’s bloodline is overwhelmingly superior!]

[Positive effects will be activated in all negotiations!]

Oh.

It suddenly dawned on me that I possessed a skill like that.