The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 27

27.

Never forget that an effective strategy requires diligent ‘preparation.’ Only through meticulous calculations and precautions can one reap the benefits.

And so, I embark on a march today for that very ‘preparation.’

“Hey, what’s that?”

My bag was jostling intermittently.

It’s just baggage.

At least, for now, that’s what it is.

But even if I tried to confess the truth, Cletta wouldn’t be easily convinced. After all, it is bulky and suspiciously animated. So, I revealed the truth through the process of elimination.

“It’s a priest.”

“Are… are you saying it’s alive?”

“Of course.”

Cletta’s complexion turned pale.

Shall I end the jokes here?

I set the bag down and opened the entrance. Cue the big reveal.

“Mmmph!”

Ta-da! It was Anastasia.

Disgust flickered in Cletta’s eyes as they landed on me. She was likely brewing some baseless misunderstanding.

“It’s not a kidnapping.”

“Then what is it…?”

“She was throwing a fit about not wanting to go, so I brought her along by force.”

“Well, that is kidnapping, isn’t it?”

Oh right, huh?

In my pursuit of ultimate efficiency, I had completely forgotten those minor details. Reluctantly, I decided to let her come along.

Squeak—Anastasia’s mouth stretched out like chewing gum, taped up.

“P-please! I don’t want to go! Let me go! Quickly!”

As you can see, that’s why I brought her.

Anastasia refused to go meet Theodore.

She expressed she was trembling from her last experience in Pandora’s Labyrinth.

Honestly, it’s frustrating.

She thinks I carry her around just because she’s cute.

You’re a slave, you idiot.

“Cletta, this is a priest I’m close with. Her name is Anas…”

“What are you doing? Aren’t we leaving? Let’s go!”

That idiot.

Anastasia promptly stood up and resumed marching. It seems I need to resort to such measures to get her to listen. Cletta followed without a word. If we were just heading to meet Theodore, Anastasia would not have resisted. Her agitation was all about the ‘preparation’ needed to win over Theodore.

To execute the stratagem I know for Theodore, there’s a place we must visit.

That destination is a ‘dungeon,’ which is the root of the priest’s agitation.

“Hey, mister. Do we really have to go there?”

“Yes, it’s an essential item for a good deal.”

“I just don’t understand. I’ve heard that blacksmith Theodore is particular, but what does that have to do with dungeons?”

“One experience is worth a thousand hearsay.”

“I get it, I get it… but don’t you think entering the dungeon is enough with just you?”

“We’re going to a place that requires ‘divine power.’”

“Huh?… Wait a second. What does that mean?”

Anastasia’s eyes twitched.

She probably got the gist from our conversation.

‘Divine power’

That’s a power wielded only by priests who serve the constellations, different from magical power. It has no special ability but is more of a ‘property’ concept that’s effective against opposing traits. In short, since the dungeon we aimed for is teeming with ‘Specter’ types—

The priest’s abilities would shine in such conditions.

“But, wait. Isn’t Specter weak to curse…?”

Why in the world did you become a priest?

I wanted to ask but held back.

While the dungeon difficulty might be easy, the items required could only be obtained with her presence.

“It’s fine. Rebecca only needs to listen to the confession.”

“Confession…?”

“Properly speaking, it should be called ‘reverence.’”

“What on earth are you planning? I’m getting more and more scared of you.”

“I’m not a specter, though?”

“You know the saying, ‘people are scarier than ghosts,’ right?”

Of course, I do.

Yet, there’s something Anastasia should actually be more terrified of. ‘That thing’ we’re about to face is unsettling even for me.

Honestly, needing divine power is correct, but I wanted a bait to sacrifice in my place. The dungeon we’re heading to is Aldera Plateau, located in the south of the Bitraise Empire. It’s an area where several dungeons intertwine, but since we aim for the entry point of the plateau, there’s no need for excessive effort.

That said, adventurers tend to ignore that place. It’s deemed a forsaken section due to the dungeon’s boss, the ‘Malefic Spirit.’

‘PTSD’

Surprisingly, that’s the name of the boss.

Ignoring the development team’s naming sense,

It isn’t a monster meant to be defeated but a being that doesn’t exist under the spectrum of strength. The condition to subdue it lies in enduring its ‘trauma’ attack and then ‘reverencing’ it.

‘PTSD’ seeks to infiltrate the target’s subconscious, trying to shatter their psyche with the most unbearable tales.

Only after hearing the “grudge” from ‘PTSD’ can one succeed in vanquishing it.

‘Why should I suffer through all that?’

There’s absolutely no reason to do so with a good sacrifice at hand. Clank, clank. I checked the ‘awakening agent’ I had prepared.

I had enough substances. With this, Anastasia should be able to complete the task without a hitch.

“Hmm? Mister. Why are you looking at me with such pitiful eyes?”

“Eh? Was I?”

“Yes. You looked really sorry for me…”

Has she grown to dislike me?

But I’m a manly man.

Men are indifferent to such things.

“You two seem really friendly, huh? Tch…”

Cletta, trailing behind, grumbled. She pouted, turning her head away.

She really doesn’t get the situation. I shrugged my shoulders at her.

“Cletta, you seem to be lucky.”

“Huh? Out of nowhere?”

Aside from the ‘aggro curse,’

You are treated the best.

Today alone, I brought her along to foster her growth. One could call that favoritism.

“Well, enough about that… So what’s the connection between Mankey and that priest?”

“Connection, you ask?”

Hmm. It’s too early to divulge our transactional relationship.

I’ll keep it vague.

But Anastasia interjected.

“Well, me and mister are connected through a contract.”

“A, a contract?!”

That sounds strange.

Look! Cletta’s face turned tomato red.

The cursed priest is exacting a petty revenge.

Whatever, she’ll soon be gone like mist at dawn.

I decided to show a bit of leniency.

Gulp.

Anastasia swallowed hard.

We arrived at the plateau without needing to search the entrance. The way was overshadowed with thick vines, sucking in the air.

That gloomy atmosphere sent chills down my spine.

“Excuse me… what did you say the name of this dungeon was?”

“They said it’s a dungeon with a backstory.”

“The name sounds….”

Chilling. It really seemed to have a backstory. I truly didn’t want to enter, but with no way to escape Yuto, I stepped forward willingly.

“I just need to lend an ear to the grievances…”

Not particularly my life being threatened.

Compared to the previous ‘Pandora’s Labyrinth,’ this was nothing.

“Damn, this isn’t scary. Damn, it’s nothing.”

Anastasia murmured prayers as she traversed the passage. Behind her, Yuto and the girl Cletta followed in.

“Rebecca, can you give us light?”

“Oh, sure!”

Come to think of it, ‘Specters’ should be weak to light. Anastasia illuminated the area using her strengths.

“Light up!”

The surroundings were surprisingly pleasant.

The path led to a single direction, and there were no grotesque or horror-inducing things in sight.

“What’s this? This is really nothing?”

Suddenly, confidence surged within me.

Anastasia turned back with a grin.

“Haha! Mister, this is easier than I thought!”

But no response came back.

This is strange.

They were right behind me just a moment ago.

Now, there was no one around.

“M-Mister?”

“M-Mister?”

This is truly odd.

I only called the mister once, but my voice echoed back like a playback, repeating incessantly.

“Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister? Mi-mister?”

“P-please stop!”

I shouted at the top of my lungs.

Please let this be a dream.

I screamed, hoping to wake from this nightmare.

“Yosehamang. This…”

The only reply was an unknown retort.

It was mocking me with my own voice.

Anastasia tightly shut her eyes and clasped her hands.

“Holy Veritas! With your words of truth, enlighten our dark hearts and guide your followers to the right path!…”

She continued praying without pause.

The insistent voice faded away.

Surely it was thanks to Lord Veritas!

Anastasia cautiously opened her eyes.

At that moment, she realized she had been mistaken. It wasn’t gone. It was right in front of her, waiting deliberately.

“Are we done yet?”