The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 29

29.

Putting off the obsession ‘Stage 2’.

It was time to leave the dungeon with a backstory. With no more time to devote to it, I decided to wrap things up hastily.

Swish.

In the dimly lit plaza, the white blade of [Insight’s Blade] glimmered.

I had no intention of targeting ‘PTSD.’

If I did that, I wouldn’t be able to procure any items.

To acquire what I needed, I had to listen to its confession. I intended to assign that role to Anastasia, but since she jumped in, I had no choice but to take it on myself.

“[…So, you’re also a guardian who seeks to desecrate the graves…]”

A voice filled my head.

Finally, the awaited role had made its appearance. I pretended to not know, playing dumb.

“Ghost Sir. I’m not here to rummage through graves.”

“[…Lies. Is what you hold in hand just a decoration?]”

“This is a defensive measure for my own safety. Most humans who enter dungeons carry such things.”

“[…Everyone who has invaded here said the same.]”

I didn’t need to care about how they were treated. I set my gaze upon the towering monument. The ones regarded as guardians had long since turned to nourishment.

“[…Humans are bundles of pathetic desires. They engage in filthy wicked deeds to satisfy their urges.]”

But don’t you have moments when you’re ‘human’ too? I refrained from voicing it.

Pretending to be ignorant was quite advantageous.

I stabbed my sword into the ground.

“Not all humans are the same. How can I earn your trust?”

I offered a gesture of goodwill.

It was easier this way. The key to this venture was not letting it escalate into a hostile situation.

“[…You trust? I do not trust humans. If you’re begging for your life, then it’s already too late. The moment you stepped into this grave, the fate of the guardians was already sealed.]”

You’re really hard to please, but I understand.

It possesses a resilient facade.

It’s not something to brag about, but one of those types that are easy to talk to.

“First, I need to clear up the misunderstanding that I’m a guardian.”

“[…Persistent human…]”

“I simply want to hear your story.”

“[You say that, but you didn’t approach with good intentions, did you?]”

Sharp, aren’t you?

But my facade is top-notch.

“Not at all. I do not take my life lightly. I want to live as long as possible. It’s just that, upon entering here and coming to your grave, I felt something.”

“[You felt something?]”

“I felt your unjust ‘resentment.’”

Every sentient being has emotions.

So, it’s only natural to want connection and also feel loneliness.

If I were to liken you to a ghost while still being human, it would be like this:

A basement dweller. An absolute loser. A recluse.

To become a vengeful spirit with such intense feelings, there must be a heavy story and deep loneliness.

I intended to play on that.

“I want to hear your story. Please grant me the right to listen.”

“[……]”

“A token of my sincerity, although it may be small.”

“[Sincerity…?]”

“Yes. In my old hometown, there used to be a noble ritual performed for ancestors.”

I pulled out a folding table from my bag. On the left edge, I placed cookies. Next to them, I lined up sweet fruits, and in the center, there was a large cake.

It was a high-quality cake preserved as [Good Cake].

“[What is all this…?]”

“It’s a ritual to pay respects to the dead.”

I bowed twice towards the gravestone.

“[Oh, this feels somehow embarrassing… But, spirits can’t eat food, you know?]”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just a formality.”

“[I see…]”

There was a trace of embarrassment in the voice.

The once cold atmosphere had somewhat mellowed. People know people well.

Ghosts know ghosts well, but recluses understand each other better.

Someone might understand more than I do.

“[Hmm… I understand your sincerity. But this alone cannot erase my distrust of guardians.]”

“I never asked for your trust just because of this. I told you, I wish to hear your story.”

“[You’re quite persistent…] That tale must be incredibly dull.”

“It’s not for fun. I simply want to help you.”

“[……Alright.]”

Gotcha.

I sat before the gravestone, adopting a listening posture. The spirit then began to spill its story.

“[I was a princess of the ‘Binkelen Kingdom’ a hundred years ago.]”

The Binkelen Kingdom.

I see.

I don’t know, but it must be an ancient kingdom not even mentioned in the original story.

“[At the time, it was right after my father, Emperor Barkus Binkelen of the Binkelen Kingdom, passed away from a long illness. The first prince in line for the throne…]”

The storytelling for a side character was excessively lengthy. It was painfully dull, boasting an introduction that could rival an essay.

In summary, she was falsely accused due to a scheme plotted by the third prince, who had no claim to the throne, and was consequently exiled to the unremarkable fief of a worthless duke.

Just as she was about to endure the humiliation of being treated like livestock and having a forced betrothal imposed upon her by a tyrant, she took her own life.

From the midpoint onward, when the person started to tear up while recounting their sorrows, I offered support by saying things like, “That guy is trash,” “I understand your pain,” “You must have struggled,” “You went through so much.”

“[Sniff… you are such a kind person.]”

Easy prey indeed.

I decided to bring the story to a close.

“I’m truly angry…”

“[Huh?…]”

“If it were me, I would have dedicated myself to clearing your unjust accusation.”

“[R-Really…?]”

“Yes. I’ve been wrongfully accused myself. Nobody understands your plight better than I do.”

The spirit fell silent for a moment before cautiously speaking up.

“[May I know your name?]”

“Of course. I’m Yuto.”

“[Yuto… I’ve made up my mind. I will follow you!]”

Huh?

Suddenly, something began to take shape in front of the gravestone. A glowing mist swirled, and soon a clear outline formed, and a perfect figure emerged.

A woman with transparent skin like glass stared at me with her blood-red eyes filled with an eerie aura.

“[My name is Aurora Binkelen.]”

“Oh, Miss Aurora. You can’t come with me.”

“[What?! Why not?]”

“My guess is that you’re a lingering spirit.”

“[Ah… Well, could you take me with you? This place seems to have a special area.]”

Aurora pointed at [Insight’s Blade].

“Oh, there’s already a guest here.”

“[Is that so… ]”

She looked immensely disappointed.

Why does she want someone to take her with them?

I’ve heard that lingering spirits don’t have the desire to leave their realms.

“[Well, could I ask for one favor?]”

“What favor…?”

“[Could you retrieve an artifact called Phama’s Vessel? I absolutely need it! If you help me, I’ll do anything!]”

Phama’s Vessel is a holy artifact.

As far as I know, it has only one purpose.

“You want to become human.”

“[Yes… I’ve read about it in books. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I really want to give it a shot!]”

What made Aurora so determined? If it’s the Phama’s Vessel I’m aware of, her wish can be fulfilled.

But it’s not necessarily all good.

“Aurora. I’ve heard things about the Phama’s Vessel, and the one who uses it will cease to exist after their life ends.”

When a human dies in this world, they are reborn as a human—it’s a cycle of reincarnation.

However, a soul that uses the ‘Phama’s Vessel’ has no next life.

“[I don’t care. Just once would be enough. I want to live a happy life with someone I desire before I come to an end.]”

“Is that so?”

“[Yes! I don’t mind how long it takes, but it would be great if you could come before you grow old.]”

Huh? I don’t understand why she’s relating her wishes to my age.

“[If you accept my request, then I will give you this. Think of it as a token of the promise.]”

Aurora handed me a necklace that was an artifact known as [Necklace with a Story].

It was the reward I had wanted.

With this, my role would be complete.

If I ran away now, it would be a perfect crime.

“Aurora’s request. I won’t forget it.”

Though I felt a bit sorry for her.

Let me see if I can go through the story while progressing since, if it’s the ‘Phama’s Vessel,’ it’s bound to be part of the storyline I must follow.

“[Thank you, Yuto. I will be waiting for you.]”

I left her gratitude behind and exited the dungeon.

Having obtained the [Necklace with a Story].

Wait for me, Theodore.

I will definitely make you my personal slave.

But why do I feel like I forgot something?

I have no idea.

“Crap, where’s Rebecca?”

“Oh.”

I left her behind.

Aurora is here, so she should follow safely.