The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 11

Yuto handed over the artifact.

With this, my long-held goal could finally be achieved.

Does it really matter who this guy is?

“Hey, are you sure this is for me?”

“Yes. It’s something Cletta-san needs.”

“Well, that’s true, but… how do you know that?”

“Is that really important right now? Isn’t it what you wanted?”

Tch…

That self-assured attitude.

I didn’t like how he spoke as if he knew everything, but he actually did know everything.

All the effort I put into smashing with my shield while losing my mind could be easily solved with this artifact he just handed me.

Gulp.

‘What can I do? There’s no way I can pass up this chance.’

As soon as I touched the artifact, a thin beam of light wrapped around me like a protective cocoon. It felt like my level (格) was escalating to a whole new tier.

And sure enough, it felt the same as when I had been training to come to the academy.

༺═──────═༻

Congratulations.

You are a Concerned Person.

༺═──────═༻

What the heck, why am I feeling weird?

But whatever. It was the moment my long-held wish came true, so who cares? I was practically itching to test its capabilities.

That excited feeling lasted only a moment.

Suddenly, Yuto leaned in closer.

“What, what’s up!? Don’t tell me you want it back! Don’t you know that acquired artifacts can’t be returned!?”

“I’m not asking for it back.”

“Then what?”

“Since you’ve used it, you have to pay the price.”

“Wait… it wasn’t free?”

Yuto said with an unexpectedly stern expression.

“Cletta-san, is society that simple?”

He suddenly acted like a ruthless employer.

“I…I don’t have a single penny…?”

“That’s fine. I’m not looking to get paid.”

“Then what besides money?”

Hold on a minute.

If it’s not money, then it’s my body, right?

I learned about social norms through books, but I was aware of the unspoken rules of society. In this harsh reality, the saying went that if you don’t have money, you should pay with your body.

This jerk… acting like a man.

So my body was his objective!

“W-Wait! You brat!”

“Calm down. Why am I a brat, though?”

That bastard is a breeding king.

What to do? I have zero experience with this.

I’m supposed to do this with a guy I barely know?

Without any preparation at all?

Should I just bail…?

Various thoughts crossed my mind when Yuto placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Cletta-san, please calm down. It seems there’s some misunderstanding.”

Misunderstanding? Maybe?

It could just be my delusion…

This guy gives off a strong scent of sympathy.

“What I want is you.”

Crap, he’s right.

“This brat!”

“Here we go again. Why do you keep calling me that?”

“D-Don’t touch me!”

I’ll get pregnant!

“You don’t need to be that tense.”

“How can I not be tense in this situation!?”

All the eyes of the gallery around us were on us.

Everyone was staring at us in unison. Surely this isn’t happening right here?

“Let’s move to another place. How about we calmly talk just the two of us?”

…This brat.

He’s totally planning on it.

“I still… need to get my mind ready…”

“Cletta-san, you don’t have a say in this. You’ve already used it. Now you must comply with my demands.”

“……”

I had no choice but to admit it.

Since it had come to this, I might as well try my last-ditch efforts.

“Okay, fine. I get to decide the location, right?”

“…? That’s fine.”

“Then hurry up and follow me, you brat…”

I remembered something I read a long time ago.

The skill of negotiation.

Communication’s lead is held by whoever takes the initiative in setting the scene.

If I set the terms first, couldn’t I steer it to the outcome I wanted?

“Cletta-san? Where is this…?”

“This is the women’s recovery room. No one has been taking care of it since the ghost Incident. There shouldn’t be anyone coming at this hour.”

“Impressive that you know about this place.”

“I’m the one behind the ghost incident. I was throwing a fit because I needed personal space, and they fell for it like idiots. Silly fools.”

“……”

Okay. I just need to maintain this flow to take the lead.

As naturally as possible.

With a display of confidence.

Slump.

Clank. Clank.

I lay on the bed, taking off the training gear piece by piece.

“Cletta-san?”

“What? I didn’t come here for nothing, but don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not that easy. From now on, I’ll let you touch me wherever you want until I say otherwise.”

That’s it.

I made the first move.

Naturally, if I lower the hurdles, he won’t even think about it. What will you do now?

“Cletta-san.”

“What? You nervous, you brat?”

“What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

This isn’t…?

This is absurd.

“Cletta-san. Put your clothes on.”

“Brat. Is that your preference?”

“I have no interest in Cletta-san’s body.”

“Uh… huh?”

What the hell.

Has my brain been taken over by delusions?

“I already told you. What I want is you. You must be devoted to me. I hold the initiative here.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Don’t worry. I plan to treat you somewhat equally.”

“What does that even mean? Where’s the equality in mating?”

“I’m not mating.”

“Ah, you’re not?”

What a hassle.

What kind of process leads to mating? I had been avoiding getting involved with Cletta Barriet because of these delusions, but it looks like I have no choice now.

“I need Cletta-san’s labor.”

“My labor?”

“Cletta-san should prioritize helping me above all else.”

“Umm… so you want me to be a loyal pet that comes running whenever you call?”

“Well, you could put it that way.”

“…Until when?”

“Until you graduate from the academy.”

After that, you’re on your own.

“Doesn’t that sound suspiciously like being told to become a dog… hmm.”

“You’ve lost your decision-making power over this.”

“……”

“Unless you return the artifact, that is.”

“……You really…”

“?”

“You’re really something.”

“Yes?”

“I thought you’d impose some ridiculous conditions, but this isn’t bad. So you need my help, huh, you brat?”

What a woman living such an easy life.

“To be honest, I’m not sure how you brought what I wanted, but the key point is you recognize my potential, right? I’ll help you out. Offering support for a brat like you is a piece of cake!”

Does he not realize his position?

You’re a slave now.

And the artifact Cletta has acquired is not some rare treasure. That’s just what she thinks. If you think about it, it was more like a bomb that was close to a ‘curse.’

It draws aggro from all living beings?

You could drop dead instantly!

If you’re not invincible, you’re definitely a tank at death’s door.

You’re in deep trouble.

You’ll soon have to face monsters and realize the truth, whether you like it or not.

Tsk tsk. You won’t be able to survive without me…

“This transaction is now established.”

“Great! Great! From now on, I’ll only rely on you, brat!”

Just a few exchanges and I feel drained.

It’s best to head back early and get some rest.

‘What is this now…?’

Suddenly, a spear blocked my path.

[‘Laura Freeze’ obsession is ‘amplifying’.]

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[Distorted ‘malice’ is added.]

.

.

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[Experience Points are ‘raging’.]

What’s this distorted malice?

It sounds like I’m becoming the protagonist’s dark secret.

I know who the villain is, but that’s actually good for me.

It meant the protagonist was steadily falling apart.