LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Is This a Class? (5)
『 Translator – Divinity 』
“Five out of eight students in the special class passed… This is far beyond my expectations.”
At the headquarters set up on the mountainside plain,
Instructor Scarlet Redfield burst into hearty laughter.
He had been prepared to train them in the mountains for about a week, but they arrived here in just one day, not even a few hours.
It was certainly a miscalculation, but a pleasant one nonetheless.
Redfield, leaning on his greatsword as if it were a cane, looked over the five students standing before him with an amused gaze.
“Princess Kim Eun-ha, Lucas Arthur, Rain Arthur, Liu Yan, and lastly, Namgung Min.”
“””””Yes!”””””
“I have many questions, but let me ask just one.”
With a truly amused expression, and at the same time, a truly bewildered one,
Redfield looked at Liu Yan.
“Liu Yan.”
“Yes.”
“Do you… normally think jeeps are allowed?”
“……….”
He’s questioning that?
Well, thinking about it, it’s a natural… question? But what’s wrong with that?
“Liu Yan, as far as I know, that jeep is an artifact you brought out.”
“…That is correct.”
“You should have just brought out a private jet. You could have flown over and ignored all the obstacles.”
Oh, right. I didn’t think of that.
…Well, thinking about it, if we flew, we wouldn’t have seen the hints like the arrows, right? As expected, the jeep was the right choice.
When I looked at Liu Yan, who was standing next to me, with an approving look, she momentarily made a disgusted expression, then quickly turned her head away.
From what happened in the car earlier, it seems like Liu is a bit indecisive.
“Um, Namgung Min?”
“Ah, yes. Instructor.”
“Seeing Liu Yan’s reaction, it seems like you were the one who brought up the jeep.”
“That is correct!”
“…I’ll ask the same question, do you think jeeps are allowed?”
“Of course they are.”
Isn’t that obvious?
For some reason, it feels like Liu, Kim Eun-ha, and the Arthur siblings are looking at me with fear in their eyes.
Why are you acting like that when you all had a comfortable ride?
At my confident answer, Instructor Redfield, who seemed to be at a loss for words, regained his composure and also looked at me.
“Why?”
“There are three reasons.”
“Three… reasons? Tell me about them.”
If you insist on an explanation.
“First, it wasn’t prohibited.”
“What do you mean?”
“You just said that we had to reach the goal, Instructor. You didn’t set any restrictions or prohibitions on the process.”
“That’s true, but isn’t a jeep beyond the realm of common sense?”
Well, that’s not wrong, but…
It’s a bit ridiculous for the academy to be talking about common sense.
“If you’re going to be concerned about common sense, Senior Lily Whiterose wouldn’t be here.”
“……….”
“And didn’t you say it was a team effort, not an individual one?”
“…Oh ho.”
Instructor Redfield, who initially had a “what nonsense is this” reaction, seemed intrigued by my following words and nodded.
That must mean it’s okay to continue, right?
“While driving up in the car, I saw the obstacles. There were artificial monsters and seniors who were clearly stronger than us, high-level magic barriers, and traps everywhere.”
“Those are natural trials for the special class.”
“That would be true if the placement of those obstacles was reasonable.”
The artificial monsters, which would require someone like the princess or the Hero to defeat in a one-on-one fight, were camouflaged in trees and bushes, and the seniors were hiding by digging into the ground.
There was little chance of winning even in a head-on fight, and we were supposed to be ambushed? And there were far more of them than us?
Then that wasn’t a class, it was just malicious.
“I counted them on the way here. We broke through 24 artificial monsters, 7 seniors including Lily Whiterose, 31 magic barriers, and 52 traps.”
“…You counted them one by one?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
It wasn’t that difficult with
And even that number was just for the path we took, so considering the entire mountain, there would be at least twice as many.
“I can say with certainty that we cannot break through those alone at our current level.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“The fact that even the
The
If even the Hero couldn’t arrive yet, it was proof that no one else could break through alone.
“This is the first class. We haven’t received any education at the academy to develop our jobs, nor have we heard any hints or strategies. If you throw us into this environment without any warning, you should have at least laid the premise that everyone needs to cooperate.”
“Hmm.”
“But you didn’t. As a result, Prince Kim Seong-il, the Hero, and the Saint started acting individually. Even we almost scattered separately.”
So you shouldn’t be the ones talking about common sense.
If we scattered in this mountain, how were we supposed to meet again? You weren’t actually planning to make us struggle and continue the class for days, were you?
And I still had one more thing to say.
“Lastly, didn’t you say that we would develop our jobs through actual combat?”
“I did.”
“Combat jobs like
How could you develop that here? Would they give you hints if you gave them money?
“The growth of
“So?”
“Then naturally, we have to utilize the unique characteristics of the Billionaire. Spending money, using artifacts.”
In the game, using artifacts was a must when playing as a
Actually, there were no restrictions on using artifacts during exams or daily life when playing as
…It wasn’t because it was a game, right? I was dragged away for digging up the flower bed last time, so I’m a bit worried.
“So you’re saying using artifacts is the way for
“Artifacts are basically one-time use, and that jeep is no different. The more you use artifacts during class, the more you need to earn money, wouldn’t you agree?”
Sounds forced? It is forced.
But in the first place, Liu Yan didn’t enter Romance Academy normally. She created a spot for herself through a huge donation.
Naturally, the academy also didn’t have a proper curriculum for
Originally, this was something that wouldn’t come up until the final exams of the first year, but there’s no problem with allowing the use of artifacts early.
And this way, Liu could shine during the midterm exams as a bonus.
“…That’s an interesting argument, Namgung Min.”
“You flatter me.”
“Anyway, you’re saying there’s no problem with using the jeep… or rather, artifacts, for those three reasons?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what he says, Liu Yan.”
“…Ah, yes?”
Instructor Redfield, who chuckled after listening to my logical explanation, looked at Liu, who was spacing out.
Liu, who I also looked at, had… how should I put it,
A very complicated expression on her face.
“Don’t you think it’s a reasonable argument?”
“…”
Instructor Redfield also knew about the deal between Liu and the academy.
That’s why he was framing my somewhat forced argument as reasonable and recommending it to Liu.
It was a tacit approval to allow the use of artifacts.
Even though Liu must have understood that,
“…Yes.”
She seemed to be thinking about something else.
As if she couldn’t understand at all.
Glancing at me.
***
“Thank you for your hard work, Namgung Min. Please rest today… and let’s have some time to talk about our previous promise.”
“It’s an honor, Your Highness.”
“It ended quickly. Thanks to you, Fortune Teller.”
“Not at all. If it weren’t for Mr. Lucas, we would have been blocked by all the barriers.”
“Those are pleasant words… I apologize, but I don’t want to see that lunatic again, so I’ll be going first.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Namgung… Min, good job… uh.”
“Haha, you had the hardest time, Miss Rain. Please get some proper rest today.”
Princess Kim Eun-ha, Lucas, and Rain left first.
Since they said we could rest until the Hero, the Saint, and Prince Kim Seong-il passed, I could also relax comfortably.
As I was waving at the departing figures, I turned my gaze towards the presence I felt beside me.
“Ah, Miss Liu. Good work!”
“…Hey, Fortune Teller.”
“Yes?”
“Why did you do that?”
“Are you talking about using the artifact?”
“Yes, you bastard.”
Being asked so directly makes it a bit embarrassing… to answer.
But I have to say it…?
“Miss Liu, you’ll be the last one in the special class if this continues, are you okay with that?”
“What?”
“Well, there’s no one Miss Liu can defeat with brute force, and as I said before, it’s difficult to assess the growth of a
“……….”
Liu’s expression momentarily darkened.
Yes, academy life wasn’t her goal, but it was still frustrating and upsetting to be at the bottom of the class.
Especially for someone as competitive as Liu.
“That’s why I got permission to use artifacts. For you, Miss Liu.”
“For… me?”
For me.
Liu seemed… shocked by those words.
To a rather disconcerting degree.
“Hey, Fortune Teller bastard.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know what that malicious bitch calls me?”
Liu spoke, somewhat emotionally, as if something was welling up inside her.
As if revealing her worn and weathered inner thoughts.
“A paranoid bitch, that’s what she always calls me. Don’t you know me?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then you know I investigated you out of suspicion, intentionally acted friendly to get close to you, and interrogated you in the car earlier, right?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then why are you doing this? Why?”
Suspicion. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling to be on the receiving end of it.
No one would want to befriend someone who doubted their every action and word.
It was a kind of defense mechanism that prevented others from approaching and prevented her from approaching others.
That was Liu’s mental illness, her underlying psychology.
“You bastard, be honest. What do you want? Money? Or information? Or my life? You’re the first person I can’t figure out even after all the digging and suspicion. Just spit it out.”
“Miss Liu.”
“Who sent you? The Lions Club? The Red Snake Clan? Or Rebold Corporation? Or is it that bitch’s lackey?”
“Miss Liu.”
“Tell me.”
“Miss Liu.”
“Tell me!!!”
Huff, huff.
Liu, who had poured out those words without even taking a breath, was staring at me with vicious eyes.
…Now, I think I understand a little about what Liu Yan feels towards me.
She was tired.
Tired of investigating me and finding nothing, of the Fortune Teller with unnecessarily good fortune-telling skills, of Namgung Min who kept treating her casually despite her harshness.
Tired of being suspicious.
“Miss Liu.”
“What are you?! Why are you approaching me?! I’ll listen if you just tell me! I also want to—”
—Stop being suspicious.
It was as if I could hear the unspoken words Liu swallowed.
Why am I approaching Liu?
Well, that’s…
“Obvious, isn’t it?”
“What?”
“Miss Liu, after this class is over… we promised to share secrets, right?”
I approached Liu.
Step by step.
She almost unconsciously stepped back, but then looked up at me with a “that’s right” expression.
You too, you’ll do that too.
As if to be rewarded for all her suspicion so far, Liu’s expression twisted into a forced smile.
To her,
I quietly said,
“Actually… I’ve never had a friend before.”
“…What?”
“So, Miss Liu is my first friend.”
“…What are you—”
“—Hey! You two over there!”
Before Liu could respond to my confession,
A voice that sounded somewhat familiar came from behind, and I turned my head.
“Huh? Are you that senior from before?”
“That’s right, you bastard, it’s the senior you ran over with the car. That girl behind you, she’s the one who was driving that damn car, right?”
Appearing with a somewhat gangster-like posture and voice… was a male student with a bandage on his nose.
The senior who was run over by the jeep glared at Liu and touched his sword hilt.
“It seems like I need to teach you juniors a lesson.”
…No, a delinquent appears in this kind of situation?
It seemed like he had a grudge against Liu because he only saw her in the driver’s seat.
We were talking first, you know.
“Um, senior. Haven’t you been losing sleep lately?”
“…What, how do you know that?”
How do I know? Only an idiot wouldn’t know when you have dark circles under your eyes.
With a friendly smile, I turned the delinquent senior’s attention to me.
“Because I’m a
“
“That’s right. It’s an honor that you know me, senior.”
“Well, never mind that now. First, that girl…”
“Senior, haven’t you been having trouble with credits lately?”
“Wh-what? How do you know that?!”
How do I know? Is there even a student without credit problems?
I caught the attention of this delinquent senior with fortune-telling (?) and naturally hid Liu behind me.
Of course, my mouth didn’t stop moving while I was doing that.
“Actually, I know a bit about physiognomy… and your face is quite something, senior.”
“Something? Quite something?”
“Looking at your face overall, it’s large enough to receive all kinds of blessings and wealth, so you’re quite lucky. And since your cheekbones are wide, your path to the future will be as wide and sturdy as your cheekbones, and your philtrum is long, so you’ll live a long life!”
“Ahem. I-is that so?”
There were many people in the world who called physiognomy a scam, but…
I’ve never seen anyone curse at someone for having good facial features.
“Is that all? You also have uneven eyes, so you’ll be involved with at least two… maybe even three women. And your forehead is wide enough that you’ll be able to overcome your current worries without any problems!”
“Ha, haha. This junior is quite skilled, huh? Haha.”
Physiognomy wasn’t difficult either. Just talk about their face and say something like “Anyway, it’s good for this, anyway, it’ll be good for that”, and nine out of ten people would be happy.
This senior seemed especially gullible, so it worked well.
“Wow, I’ve seen thousands of faces, but yours is the best I’ve ever seen! You’re truly blessed with good features.”
“Ahem, really? Well… if you say so, haha! Ah, I’m Drucas Avelli. I’m a second-year
“It’s an honor to get acquainted with such a reliable senior on the first day! My skills are lacking, but if you ever need your fortune told, please call me!”
“Wow, you’re quite the sweet talker. Oh, but I feel like I was about to say something…”
“Ah, senior? Is it okay for you to be here when Senior Lily Whiterose is right there?”
“Wh-what!? I have to avoid that lunatic! Junior, you be careful too!”
As expected of Lily Whiterose. It worked perfectly.
I briefly watched the senior running away without even looking back, perhaps afraid of being noticed, and then turned around again.
I roughly dealt with the delinquent senior, so it was time to have a serious conversation with Liu again…
“…Pfft.”
“Huh? Miss Liu?”
“Keuh, hahahaha! What are you saying? A big face, wide cheekbones, long philtrum, uneven eyes, and a wide forehead? That just means you’re ugly!”
“Physiognomy isn’t about evaluating appearance.”
“Puhahahaha! Ah, hahaha. That was a good laugh.”
Liu, who had been laughing heartily as if genuinely amused, looked up at me with a smile.
It was the same confrontation as before, but the atmosphere was different.
Wondering if she was being indecisive again, I spoke to Liu first.
“S-should we forget it?”
“Forget what?”
“What you said earlier… should we forget it?”
You were going to tell me to forget it anyway. It’s better for me to say it first.
But Liu… just smiled wryly at me.
“So, if I say forget it, you really forget it…”
“Miss Liu?”
“It’s fine. You don’t have to forget it.”
Step.
Leaving those words with a smile,
Liu walked away first.
“See you later, lackey.”
What kind of conclusion did Liu come to in that short time?
Although I couldn’t be sure of anything… I could still tell one thing.
Liu would still be suspicious. It was an illness she couldn’t help. I would continue to be suspected in the future.
But still,
“See you later, Miss Liu.”
I wouldn’t distance myself from Liu.
At first, it was for the ending, then for the money, but…
Now it was because I considered her a friend.
That reason was enough.
***
“…Uh, um, so.”
“Keep talking.”
“You want to have your fortune told…?”
“Yes.”
“And it’s love fortune-telling…? Your Highness?”
“…Yes.”
“……….”
No, damn it.
What is this now?