Another week passed since the announcement of the group competition.
I have my reasons for needing to achieve a high score in the group competition.
It’s all to make an impression on a certain individual.
A key figure in the Empire who would later significantly influence the scenario.
‘Surely, they’ll come to this group competition.’
So I absolutely must achieve good results in the group competition.
“Senior, you’ve definitely gained more stamina lately.”
Early morning.
Aisha, who was jogging alongside me, praised my stamina.
Just as Aisha said, my stamina continues to grow.
The potential of Bickamon seems endless.
I’m amazed at how fast my stamina is increasing.
“Thanks to you, Aisha.”
“What are you talking about? It’s all because you’ve been working hard.”
Aisha has a way with words.
“Still, it isn’t enough.”
My stamina and skills have increased tremendously in a short time.
That must be due to my efforts.
However, it still wasn’t enough to secure a good result in the group competition.
‘Is it about time to think of a strategy?’
With the Steel Empress and Magic Seal behind me,
it’s time to find a new card to navigate through the scenario.
While Lucas could handle things with just a spark of will,
it’s impossible for me who lacks that spark.
“Are you deep in thought again?”
Aisha often senses when I get lost in my thoughts while running.
“Senior, it’s dangerous to lose yourself in thought while running. Should we take a little break?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve just gotten so used to running that it actually feels weird not to.”
I’ve gotten so accustomed to running that it feels strange to stop.
Aisha smiled.
It seemed she was happy that I had become used to running.
Aisha always wanted someone to run and train with her.
Maybe because I filled that role, Aisha really cherishes me.
“Aisha, what do you think the chances are of getting struck by lightning in life?”
So, even when I asked her such a random question, she pondered seriously.
“Hmm, it’s extremely rare, right? I haven’t seen anyone around me who’s been struck by lightning.”
“Exactly. But there was one person who lived their life being struck by lightning.”
“Someone like that exists?”
“Yeah, a person destined for a life of misfortune in many ways.”
Aisha showed a puzzled reaction.
But for me, that person was someone I needed for the future.
‘The problem is.’
That person has already been struck by lightning and is dead.
—
Lightning.
It’s a discharge phenomenon that occurs between clouds and the ground.
The odds of being struck by lightning are one in 280,000.
It’s safe to say that someone who’s been struck is quite unfortunate indeed.
But in this world, there are people who have been struck by lightning.
And there exists someone who has been struck a total of 108 times in their life.
Lightning Burumi.
That’s the name given to him.
He ultimately met his end with the 107th lightning strike.
The last 108th lightning that struck him landed on his grave after he was buried.
Whether it was love or hate from the lightning, who knows.
That is Lightning Burumi.
But he is dead.
Then how on earth can I find Lightning Burumi?
The answer lies within Special Studies.
Special Studies.
A department established for those who have mastered various fields that cannot be classified as either martial arts or magic.
Though there are Special Studies students suited for combat,
there are also some who handle powers unrelated to fighting.
Among these unique Special Studies students, there is a second-year student with a peculiar nickname.
He is someone even other Special Studies students feel uneasy around.
His nickname is Small Tomb.
He moves around with a skull head instead of a normal head and is known for his bizarre antics.
One day, he suddenly set up a table with food on the roof of the academy, engaging in conversation with something.
Another day, he made a ruckus by lighting a fire in the nearby forest.
His peculiar behavior often leads to ghostly events around the academy.
As it turns out, the ghostly rumors circulating around the academy were all thanks to Small Tomb.
To meet this Small Tomb,
I headed to the Special Studies building after class today, grabbing a bag.
I was annoyed because I received teasing from Card because of the item in this bag.
“Wang Non, hehehe, so you’re also a guy! I knew you had a thing for older women, but not to this extent.”
Damn it.
I definitely need to punch him next time.
Sighing, I looked up.
Then the Special Studies building came into view.
To respect students’ diversity, the Special Studies building was decorated with various items from place to place.
From weapons I’d never seen to decorative items and glass art.
It was a mixed bag, eclectic, and unique.
I felt like I had entered an antique shop.
There weren’t many students in the hallway.
Even after classes, Special Studies students often stay behind to study for their own majors.
Probably because of that, I could see students gathered in the passing classrooms.
Among them were some experimenting with dangerous things,
so I quietly avoided eye contact and passed by.
Special Studies had many oddballs that were better left alone.
After walking for a while, an eerie feeling began to creep up my spine.
I felt a chill pass through me for some unknown reason.
It felt like the chill you experience when entering a graveyard.
But this was the Special Studies hallway.
Logically, there shouldn’t be any chill here.
I didn’t stop walking, even in the chill.
After some time, I finally spotted a classroom.
Though no one seemed to be standing at the door, I could feel numerous presences inside.
Ignoring those presences, I raised my hand and knocked twice on the door.
“Is anyone inside?”
I asked while waiting.
But no response came from within.
Reluctantly, I turned the knob and opened the door.
Creeeak!
This time, a chill even stronger than before brushed over me.
As if something that had been wandering inside had just exited.
“Oh, it left.”
A voice filled with disappointment echoed.
Inside the dark room, which had been shut off by blackout curtains,
sat a man with a skull for a head at the center of a table.
On his desk was a Ouija board for spirit communication.
I couldn’t tell who he was communicating with as he knocked the board.
Then he glanced over at me.
Within the skull, I saw his eyes gleaming.
“It’s not polite to enter without answering a knock, you know?”
“That’s strange. I clearly heard someone respond to my knock.”
Naturally, I was lying.
He tilted his head at my fib.
Then he soon realized my lie and reacted.
“Hehehe, I never thought someone would try ghostly lies on me.”
I figured he’d appreciate the vibe.
Small Tomb.
Second-year Special Studies student Grantoni.
He’s someone with the profession of a Spirit Magician.
“Second-year, Hanon Irey.”
And he mentioned my name before I even had a chance to introduce myself.
“Hehehe, I’ve heard that name a lot.”
There wouldn’t be anyone who would introduce me.
It was obvious where he heard it.
He probably learned it from the ghosts roaming around Jerion Academy.
“What do they say about me?”
“Congratulations! They say you’re a rare lunatic! It seems everyone likes you!”
I don’t know what they found so appealing, but thankfully Grantoni viewed me positively.
“And they’re grateful you’re taking care of the Empress.”
I knew who the Empress referred to.
Mystery, the Steel Empress.
She’s the original owner of the Steel Skin I carry.
Mystery is a being that failed to become a god.
In a way, she shares a slight resemblance with a ghost.
For ghosts are beings that do not disappear for some reason and linger here.
That might be why seeing the Steel Empress depart stirred something within me.
“I appreciate the goodwill.”
“Hehehe, that’s why you’re popular with the ghosts. Would you like me to introduce you to one?”
“Well then, if you’re offering, can I choose who it is?”
Upon my bold request, Grantoni burst into laughter.
Those around him often looked terrified or showed signs of discomfort.
He mingled with the dead rather than the living.
At that moment, my demeanor, being alive, was extremely curious to him.
“Haha! Sure! Who do you want?”
Although I couldn’t see the spear, I felt Grantoni’s fondness for me growing.
“Lightning Burumi.”
I rummaged through my pockets and pulled out a small box.
It was something I saved while collecting the Veil Bandages a long time ago.
It was also an item snatched from the Frenzied Sorceress, Vinasha.
I barely managed to take it from her with my life on the line.
Swish—
As I opened the box, inside was a small pendant.
Huh—
Grantoni’s skull head began to stiffen slowly as he recognized what was in the box.
Of course.
The Frenzied Sorceress was a subject of resentment for Grantoni.
The Frenzied Sorceress.
She was the one who killed his master.
And this item I just revealed was taken from the Frenzied Sorceress after she killed his master.
“You can even ask your late master directly.”
After all, his deceased master was still lingering nearby.
Thud—
I closed the box again.
In order to clear the Flame Butterfly chapter, I had prepared everything I could before coming to Jerion Academy.
This was one of the essentials for the ending.
Grantoni fell silent.
He was confronting something he never expected.
After a long silence, Grantoni slowly lifted his head.
From his dark eye sockets, I felt no emotion at all.
“How did you bring this from that woman, Vinasha? It wouldn’t have been easy to carry it around.”
Vinasha is the mid-boss.
The boss appearing in chapter four.
An opponent one cannot possibly handle at a normal level.
How could I possibly have gotten this pendant from her?
The answer was simple.
“I seduced her.”
I could almost feel Grantoni blinking despite his skull having no eyes.
“When I seduced her, she gave me anything I wanted.”
Love blinds people.
That’s why I seduced Vinasha.
It wasn’t for nothing that Bickamon seduced women in the entertainment district just to make a living.
Looks are a natural talent.
I fully utilized that talent.
Vinasha has a preference for younger guys.
Grantoni stared at me with a dazed expression.
“Hehe, hehehehe, hahahaha!”
Then he couldn’t hold back his laughter and burst into a fit of giggles.
After laughing for quite a while, he wiped his eye sockets with his hands, which didn’t have a single tear.
“That was truly an unexpected response. Whether it’s true or false, you brought that here, so I’ll believe you.”
It’s true.
If I were in Bickamon’s shoes, he’d understand.
“Hehehe, good.”
He lightly shifted his weight and stood up.
“I’ll call up the ghost you want.”
The transaction was completed.
