Clap-clap-clap-clap!
A storm of applause erupted among the students.
The ones receiving said applause were the first-year students who had just stepped down from the podium after receiving their prizes. This year’s Grade Competition had seen four first-years rise to triumph, beating out their seniors and taking first place.
As soon as the video results of the competition were released, all the whispers accusing Ryu of “unfair entrance” washed away like the rain. The majority of the academy students’ previously negative gazes also disappeared, though a few noble students still held grudges over Ryu being a commoner. Nevertheless, public opinion shifted dramatically in Ryu’s favor.
A lone special monster handler, stronger than even the 3rd-year students. The commoner who saved St. Claire. Even the top student of the 3rd-grade, Garet, gave a thumbs up to this new kid. Suspicion quickly melted into interest, especially after it leaked out that Ryu had no sponsor—none at all.
The rest of the first years also received heaps of praise. Elaine shone in the obstacle race, and it was later revealed that Emily had singlehandedly solved the entirety of the first exam.
“Huuuaaa…”
“…Are, are you all okay?”
“I’m… just so nervous…”
“There are a lot of people around.”
Even after stepping down from the podium, Emily’s legs still quaked. Cynthia, the usually composed one, had been frozen stiff since stepping off the stage. Ryu pretended to act normal, but the tightness of his expression betrayed his own nervousness.
The three wobbled as if they were more unstable now than they were inside the dungeon. Elaine sighed humorously, glancing at her companions.
Nevertheless, it was all over now. Days after the grade competition, the long-delayed award ceremony had finally taken place in front of all Crescent Academy’s attending students. Even Elaine, despite finding the occasion nerve-wracking herself, felt like she handled it better compared to her trembling friends.
“All of you did an excellent job.”
“Y-yes. Thank you.”
“…”
Elaine just barely managed to stifle a laugh when eyeing Ryu, who currently resembled a malfunctioning robot. He was worlds apart from the same brave warrior who had faced off with a d*ath Knight within the dungeon!
“So… is this all over?”
“Yes, Miss Emily. You may now relax.”
“Huuuuuuu…”
At Elaine’s words, Emily finally exhaled deeply and slumped in relief. As the excitement of the ceremony began to wind down, Elaine gripped the certificate tightly in her hands.
When Ryu earlier had nonchalantly stated that they would of course take first place, Elaine assumed he was simply giving a pep talk. But lo and behold — they actually achieved first place!
The first-year students taking the top spot at the grade competition was a first in Crescent Academy’s history. And though Elaine owed it to Ryu’s strength, there was no denying a wellspring of pride swelling within her chest. It was such a momentous pride that it drove her to make a proposition she’d unlikely ever consider otherwise.
“Would any of you care to join me for dinner at my place this evening, if you have the time?”
“Oooh?”
Elaine’s offer was first met with excitement—courtesy of Ryu.
“I’d be thrilled! Wow, as a member of one of the Six Great Families, I bet their meals pack quite the punch.”
“That’s not true! My family is… pretty ordinary. If anything, compared to other noble families, our meals are…”
“Aaaah, but Emily will be joining, right?”
“Uh-huh… I have no other commitments, so I can come.”
Elaine grit her teeth inwardly as Ryu effortlessly seized control of the conversation. One moment, he had seemed too jittery to even speak properly, yet somehow, he now carried the entire flow of discussion.
“I’ll take that as a yes from everyone, then I’ll tell my parents…”
“Sorry, I have something to do today. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
“Eh?”
“What..?”
A surprising reply came from an unexpected quarter. Elaine stood frozen, unable to stop Cynthia from rushing off. Ryu also appeared stunned. Elaine’s invitation had been declined—not by someone expected but by none other than Cynthia Supleace.
Cynthia’s behavior was bizarre. Always bright, lively, and positive, today she acted entirely out of character. Elaine had brushed off her rigid expression earlier as simple stage fright, but judging from her departure, there was clearly something else bothering the girl.
“Miss Cynthia…!”
By the time Elaine called out, Cynthia had already disappeared into the crowd.
Clap-clap-clap-clap!
The sound of applause signaling the end of the ceremony rang out at almost the same moment. Elaine, Ryu, and Emily exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what just transpired.
*
“Huff… huff…”
Cynthia sighed heavily, quickening her step.
“I should’ve just said yes…”
She worried whether rejecting Elaine’s friendly offer had come across too harshly, but there was nothing she could do about it now. There was simply no way she could sit around pretending to enjoy dinner with such heavy feelings weighing her down.
“I didn’t do anything…”
The corners of Cynthia’s lips drooped further. Suddenly, the medal in her hand felt unbearably heavy.
Cynthia was part of the four-person rookie delegation representing the 158th cohort of new students in the grade competition. Back when the contests started, she had been full of enthusiasm and confidence. But as the competition progressed, her spirit only waned further.
She didn’t think much of the failures in the first round. After all, the written exams had never been her strong suit, and even Ryu and Elaine hadn’t excelled in them.
The second round didn’t sit well either, though she justified it to herself—she lacked the brute strength of Elaine to slice rolling boulders and lacked the sharp technique required to cut through walls.
Once they entered the third round dungeon, though, Cynthia began hoping her opportunity to shine would come.
“Maybe if there were only three of us, we’d have finished quicker?”
But inside the dungeon, Cynthia once again found herself utterly useless. When the Ghoul and d*ath Knight appeared, her trembling hands rendered her bow useless. These weren’t the same monsters she’d seen casually alongside her father before. These were horrifying undead creatures that chilled her to the bone. Had Emily not trembled even more violently beside her, Cynthia would have doubted her own ability to keep it together.
Even during the subsequent parts of the dungeon, Cynthia achieved nothing. Rather than she, it was Ryu who fearlessly charged ahead despite having just faced undead. Ryu confidently handled not only the traps but each monster that appeared while they pressed forward until the very end.
Even at the end of the dungeon, where they faced the mounted d*ath Knight, Ryu remained calm and composed despite the bone-chilling green flames emanating from the skeletal horse. Cynthia, meanwhile, froze entirely.
She was painfully aware that while others praised the first-year victors, her name wasn’t among them. The adoration and admiration were showered upon Emily, Elaine, and Ryu—there was none for her.
“…”
Cynthia sighed again, trying her hardest to maintain an optimistic attitude, but today proved difficult. Receiving the same medal as her peers only intensified her feelings. To someone like her, being overshadowed by anyone was simply intolerable.
“…I’ll have to apologize to Elaine later.”
Cynthia walked aimlessly, regretful for rejecting her classmate so harshly. This was one of her habits—when troubled, she walked until she reached nowhere in particular, allowing her thoughts to settle without an explicit destination in mind.
“Of course. I’ll manage it.”
“Hohoho, of course. But do take care. We don’t know what side effects might arise.”
Hearing these words, Cynthia instinctively froze.
Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed how far she’d wandered. She now stood inside the academy’s Training Forest, where two voices whispered.
“…”
Recognizing the voices, Cynthia instinctively hid behind a tree, focusing on the conversation.
“Leaving the rest to me is obvious. So, how much?”
“One gold piece per bottle.”
“Ten bottles. Deliver them to my dormitory by tonight.”
“Ho-ho, most certainly. You won’t regret this, as long as you take the ‘appropriate amount.’”
“…I’ll evaluate the effects and contact you again later.”
“We will always be waiting.”
“Hoover?”
The familiar voice belonged to none other than Cain Hoover, a classmate from her S Class. Suspicion crept into Cynthia’s mind as the conversation became increasingly shady.
“Really a bargain? That’s why you’re a Hoover…”
“…Shut up.”
Cynthia listened intently, piecing together the strange exchange. Though the two didn’t seem particularly friendly, something was definitely off.
“What’s he buying?”
Unable to resist her curiosity any longer, she cautiously peeked her head around the tree.
“Potions…?”
In Cain’s hand, she spotted a bottle filled with a clear liquid. Though too transparent to be an ordinary potion, its appearance strongly suggested it was indeed one.
“Well then, see you later. Check the goods tonight.”
“Alright.”
Poof!
A loud popping sound accompanied the man’s sudden disappearance. Yet Cain lingered, his eyes fixed intently on the bottle.
“…”
Cynthia could only wonder at that moment, completely unaware of the consequences this simple deal would bring later.
