The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 33

33.

I see.

I have a grasp of the requirements for Stage 2 of Obsession. I remember seeing something about it in a book written by a psychiatrist from Switzerland long ago. It explained the human emotional process in five stages.

Stage 1: Denial—Heh, what a lie.

Stage 2: Anger—How dare you!

Stage 3: Bargaining—This must be what it is, right?

Stage 4: Depression—Everything is wrong…

Stage 5: Acceptance—I’m sorry.

In summary, one must go through the stages of human emotional change to meet the requirements of Stage 2 of Obsession.

Well, the hypothesis has been proven.

Ellie Ingrid was a prime example who had diligently gone through the five stages.

Currently, she had entered the ‘Depression’ stage due to my consistent gaslighting.

“Ugh…”

Ellie’s lips parted slightly.

“I’m sorry for being garbage…”

Achievement unlocked: Stage 5 Acceptance.

It’s progressing smoothly.

[ You have acquired Experience Points for Stage 2 of Obsession. ]

[ A massive amount of Experience Points is gained. ]

Much more than the Experience Points I’ve gathered so far.

[ A hidden trait is unlocked. ]

And even an unexpected gain.

Personal traits derive from the customization of the player character. Since I had transformed ‘Obsession’ into Experience Points, I had overlooked it.

“A trait… and it’s hidden?”

Almost made me chuckle.

It wouldn’t look good to be grinning while my daughter deteriorates. I opened the trait as calmly as possible.

[ You can now use the trait ‘Understanding Tendencies.’ ]

Understanding Tendencies?

Did such a trait exist?

Hidden traits, by name, held unique value. It’s natural they carry less information due to their rarity, not shared with other players. But I’ve learned consistently from guides and community discussions more than all three meals.

Well, does it really matter?

More is better, right?

I immediately tested ‘Understanding Tendencies.’

━━━━

▶ Ellie Ingrid

▶ Mildly Depraved · Chaos · Clumsy

━━━━

Ah, so that’s how it is.

It’s a surprisingly efficient ability.

Character growth is fostered based on unique traits and ‘tendencies’.

This aligns with why the game’s difficulty level is hellish. Villains evolve into heroes related to them, while those of good nature blossom talents also related to them.

So, knowing tendencies allows me to infer growth directions for individuals. If I’d known this,攻略 would have been much simpler. If I could see the heroines’ tendencies, I could monitor them to avoid ‘Obsession.’

“I’m garbage. No, that’s rude to Mr. Garbage. I’m waste.”

━━━━

▶ Ellie Ingrid

▶ Depraved · Chaos · Clumsy · Negativity

━━━━

See? I can detect changes in real-time. If left unchecked, she’ll degrade into the unuseable. Time for adjustments.

“Miss Ellie. There’s no need to be so disheartened. You’ll be able to shoulder your own weight.”

“Can someone like me really do that?”

“You must have complete faith in me.”

“I will. What should I do?”

“Just follow my instructions. Don’t act independently for no reason.”

“Yes. I’ll do that.”

Something rises in Ellie’s vacant eyes. Desire? Yearning? It doesn’t matter. I took another look at her tendencies.

━━━━

▶ Ellie Ingrid

▶ Depraved · Chaos · Clumsy · Loyalty

━━━━

Now Ellie will develop into a loyal servant.

The next day, the mid-term test briefing was in full swing at the Class B classroom. Since the test is solely individual assessment, there’s no team play involved. While lower-ranked students might band together for survival, a bunch of scrap paper won’t yield anything.

“The mid-term test will end at noon on the third day. Students who succeed in surviving until then will earn 100 points. An additional 10 points will be awarded for each student you defeat. According to academy tradition, those who place in the top three will have the opportunity to be promoted to Class A.”

The instructor’s explanation made the murmur among the students double in intensity. Yet, if you listen closely, there are many sketchy aspects.

“I… Instructor Geoffrey, I have a question!”

An extra shot his hand up.

“Ask away freely.”

“To what extent will the combat between students proceed?”

Unlike sparring, no protective gear is provided for the mid-term test. So they might be wondering whether they should avoid vital areas—Instructor Geoffrey understood this intent and grinned wickedly.

He seems to be enjoying this.

“Heh. The academy’s mid-term test is real combat. Don’t hold back, aim for the vitals.”

“What?”

“It’s a slaughter.”

The extra who had asked the question sat down with a blank look on his face. Other students were equally stunned and frightened. They probably didn’t expect they would have to risk their lives in the best nurturing ground of the empire.

Instructor Geoffrey observed the students’ reactions, a gleam of excitement in his eyes.

He’s 100% enjoying this.

“Have you all forgotten what the ultimate goal of the academy is? You are to become the sword and shield to safeguard the empire. We’re not just playing house; if that were the case, you’d be with all those elite nobles.”

Instructor Geoffrey’s method acting was on full display.

The venue fell silent as if water had been poured on it.

No one dared to refute Instructor Geoffrey’s words. There was nothing wrong with them.

But I know that all of this is a bluff. The mid-term test is merely a play prepared by the academy.

They wouldn’t let precious warriors die so easily. Like all other students, I pretended not to know.

After all, I’m a student too; I should blend in with their performance.

“Huh?”

Suddenly feeling a gaze, I turned my head. Laura Freeze was staring at me intensely from a diagonal seat. Just looking at her deadpan eyes highlighted the smooth progression of mind control.

Give it a rest.

I’m not your opponent.

I looked at the girl beside me.

She was looking heavy in thought, unlike the others who were frightened. I checked Cletta’s tendencies.

━━━━

▶ Cletta Barriet

▶ Belief · Inferiority · Effort

━━━━

Cletta’s growth is undeniable.

It was obvious that the ‘Bravado’ tendency had occupied her before. But now, she possesses belief and effort.

Soon, the fruit of her ‘Inferiority’ will begin to bear.

I’ve prepared training for that too.

“The explanation concludes here. Everyone should work hard to prepare for tomorrow’s test. I’ll say it again; it’s fine to use personal equipment in the mid-term test.”

The timing of acquiring [Svallin] in the descent was excellent. As soon as class ended, I took Cletta to the training room. Only the final hurdle remained to prepare for the test.

“Cletta, please sit down.”

“Uh? Here? Just sitting still?”

“Yes. Please sit comfortably.”

It’ll take quite a while to maintain this position. I sat across from Cletta.

“Eh…? What’s this? Is this training?”

“Correct. This training method requires two people to function.”

“Is that so? What am I…”

Cletta fanned her face although it wasn’t very warm. Her varied reactions would be suppressed soon enough.

The training about to commence is ‘Mental Barrier Enhancement.’ The principle is simple: she must continuously withstand the mental attacks I send.

“Hold my hand.”

“Wh-what? My hand!? No way! Is this really training?”

“Yes. Trust me.”

“Hmm…”

Reluctantly, Cletta extended her hands.

I clasped her hands together. This is necessary for effective magic transfer.

Her shoulders were trembling violently, but I ignored it. She won’t have this leisure for much longer.

“I’m starting.”

“Wait! Starting? What?!”

“You’ll want to be alert.”

“Huh?”

No need for magic control.

The more mindlessly we execute this training, the better its efficiency. I channeled the magic I had gathered through my two hands.

Swoosh—

The magic spread and flowed into Cletta.

“Ah! What’s this!?”

“Endure.”

“This won’t do!”

Well…

I’m forcing it in.

“Ah! Nooo!”

My large and robust magic force invaded Cletta’s magic pathway.

“I’m about to push all of it in at once.”

“No! No! No!”

“Here we go.”

Swish!

My magic expanded significantly as it broke through Cletta’s pathways.

It burrowed through intensely, penetrating deep.

“Damn… I can’t stand it…”

I said to the nearly rolling eyeball Cletta.

“Cletta, we’re just getting started.”

“Uh?!”

The real game begins now.