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Gilbert Lion Heart, who achieved the 100-person slashing achievement, smiled faintly at the expected title acquisition.

The title “Master of Duels” was one of the few titles that boosted stats, particularly Mana, which was exactly what Gilbert needed right now.

Currently, Gilbert’s Mana was embarrassingly low compared to his overall level. While his Stamina was more than enough for prolonged battles, his Mana was a different story.

Due to his “reckless” background, Gilbert had neglected training in his younger years, and by the time he took over, he hadn’t even learned the Mana Core Technique, something every noble family member was expected to master.

It wasn’t until after enrolling in the Academy and learning the Lion Heart Mana Core Technique from the Lion King that he began serious Mana training. Naturally, his Mana stat wasn’t high.

Thanks to the Dragon Fruit and clearing the Main Scenario, he had somewhat alleviated his Mana shortage, but considering his future plans, it was still far from enough.

In this situation, the Mana boost from the “Master of Duels” title was like rain in a drought.

Moreover, the “Sword Master” title, which boosted Combat Power and Physical Stats, helped Gilbert take another step toward superhuman levels.

Gilbert opened his Status Window with a satisfied smile.

<Status Window>

Name: Gilbert Lion Heart

Gender: Male (20)

Titles: Hero of the Academy (+)

5th Grade Knight

Bard of Sagas (+)

Master of Duels (+)

Sword Master (+)

Fame: 70K

Possessions: Medal of Honor (2)+

5th Grade Knight

Stats

[Combat Power]: [90](+5)

[Physical]: [94](+1)

[Control]: [100]

[Mana]: [60](+10)

[Authority]: [70](+40)

[Leadership]: [70](+30)

Gilbert felt a sense of fullness just looking at his Status Window.

He had played countless games for achievements, but it was rare for a character to grow this much.

And now, this wasn’t an endless challenge game but the real world.

In a world where he could only rely on his own strength, growing this much gave him both relief and a sense of accomplishment.

Even excluding his Mana stat, his stats were higher than most 1st Grade Knights.

Even among named characters, few had such well-rounded stats, making Gilbert’s pride understandable.

But as Gilbert closed the Status Window and opened the Mission Window, he noticed the still-glowing Sub Scenario tab.

The previously obtained “Seeker of the Sword” and the newly added “Twisted Desire for Possession” Sub Scenarios were shining.

Just like with “Seeker of the Sword,” the “Twisted Desire for Possession” Sub Scenario was something Gilbert had never seen before.

Most Main and Sub Scenarios were related to achievements, and he had cleared all Tactical Combat scenarios.

Therefore, there shouldn’t be any Sub Scenarios he didn’t know about.

One of the achievements required clearing all scenarios, so to achieve 100% completion, every scenario had to be cleared.

The only possibility was that he had forgotten the scenario names after clearing so many, but…

Gilbert quickly dismissed that thought. Someone as obsessed with achievements as him wouldn’t forget a scenario as intriguing as “Seeker of the Sword” or as unusual as “Twisted Desire for Possession.”

Moreover, just the name “Twisted Desire for Possession” reeked of danger.

Such Sub Scenarios were usually either extremely difficult to clear or had frequent game overs, and this one was likely no different.

So, he couldn’t have forgotten it… but why “Twisted Desire for Possession”?

This was the biggest challenge Gilbert currently faced.

The problem was that this unhelpful system was even more vicious than Tactical Combat.

It didn’t explain why the scenario appeared, how to handle it, or even who caused it.

This was a stark difference from Tactical Combat’s system, which provided clues for scenarios.

He shook his head and closed the Mission Window. There was no point in worrying about it now; this wasn’t the time to leisurely ponder Sub Scenarios.

Gilbert left the Duel Arena, leaving behind a frustrated Miyum Yar.

With the 100-person slashing achievement complete, there was no need for more duel grinding.

“Fufu.”

“Something good happen?”

“I just realized how nice it is to be protected.”

Gilbert ignored Brynhild’s deep smile. Bringing up the conversation now would only put him at a disadvantage.

-Clap clap clap

“Impressive.”

“Huh?”

Gilbert looked around at the sudden applause.

Come to think of it, the cadets’ cheers had stopped at some point. He had assumed it was because he was focused on the duel, but even now, after the duel, it was quiet, suggesting it wasn’t just that.

But when he saw who was clapping, Gilbert immediately understood why.

It was Seraphina, his former mentor, accompanied by a group of Student Council executives.

She had an expression Gilbert had never seen before. Outwardly, she looked as beautiful as ever, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that her expression was unsettling.

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes. You always have a way of surprising me, Priest. This time, it’s the 100-person slashing. I can’t help but be amazed.”

“It wasn’t intentional.”

Of course, Gilbert had planned and executed all of this, but he played dumb. Normally, he would have admitted it, but something about Seraphina’s current demeanor made him feel it was dangerous to do so.

He didn’t know why. His gamer instincts, honed through countless achievements, screamed at him not to proceed.

“Trying to slip away again? That’s fine. If you’ll entertain me, I’ll play along.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I thought you were a Priest with no charm, but it seems I was wrong.”

Seraphina chuckled, leaving only a sly smile as she led the Student Council executives away.

Gilbert only exhaled after she disappeared into the crowd.

What on earth just happened?

Even Gilbert had no idea.

***

[Ian?]

“Ah, sorry, Fressia.”

Ian, who had been lost in thought since returning to his lodgings, snapped out of it at the voice of the Artificial Spirit, Fressia.

He had been ruminating over Gilbert’s antics earlier that day, so he hadn’t noticed her calling him.

[Is it because of that punk Gilbert?]

“I tried not to let it bother me, but it’s not easy.”

Ian smiled wryly and gently stroked Fressia’s core. As if enjoying his touch, the core emitted a faint glow.

[You don’t need to worry! We decided to show them what we’re made of at the next Exchange Meeting. Just trust me, Ian.]

“I know. With Fressia, I can do anything.”

Ian could easily imagine Fressia confidently declaring this.

If she had a body, she’d probably have her hands on her hips, speaking with pride.

The thought made Ian burst into laughter. He didn’t voice how cute he found it.

[What? Don’t you trust me? I’m Fressia, the most beautiful and powerful Artificial Spirit in Atlantica!]

“The ‘most beautiful’ part isn’t convincing.”

[That’s just because you’re weak! I didn’t want to end up like this either.]

“Sorry about that.”

Ian, who never admitted to being weak, made an exception for Fressia. Her current core form was proof of his weakness.

It was frustrating, but he had no intention of staying that way. Under Fressia’s guidance, he was growing rapidly, and he firmly believed he’d soon restore her true form.

[By the way, aren’t you writing in your diary today?]

“Let’s forget about that.”

Ian bowed his head at Fressia’s teasing.

He had recently burned his entire collection of quotes.

Honestly, people often fail to see their own actions objectively.

Ian was no exception.

Even now, he thought the quotes in his collection were impressive.

Words can change meaning depending on how they’re used, and every quote he came up with had a certain charm.

But Fressia’s laughter (though she didn’t have a belly button in her core form) forced him to dispose of the collection.

If he hadn’t burned it, she’d probably still be teasing him about it.

Since the quotes were all from his mind, burning them wasn’t a problem, but enduring her teasing all day was quite exhausting.

[Ian, you’re so mature in other ways, but this is just childish.]

“Can we stop now? You’re right about everything…”

[I’ll stop for today. But I still think that side of you is cute.]

“Thank you, Fressia.”

[That’s right! Worship me more!]

Ian couldn’t help but chuckle. Meeting Fressia had been a stroke of luck, but now he couldn’t imagine life without her.

He had met Fressia on the Lion King’s birthday.

That day was a festival at the Academy, and Ian had been watching Gilbert’s Lion King Parade with a bitter heart.

Looking back, it was embarrassing.

To be consumed by jealousy over someone else’s success.

Now, with Fressia by his side, he had found emotional stability, but back then, he had been worn out by constant setbacks.

That’s why, while watching Gilbert’s parade with a bitter heart, he had decided to return to his lodgings to work on his quote collection.

Then, suddenly, the Resistance invaded, throwing the Academy into chaos.

Somehow bypassing Demia Academy’s security, the intruders piloted Colossal Mechs and carried out indiscriminate attacks.

Faced with unprecedented danger, Ian rushed to the mech hangar.

Despite his feelings of defeat, as the protagonist of this world, he couldn’t just stand by and watch the Academy in crisis.

But the mechs’ indiscriminate bombardment made it impossible to proceed unarmed. He tried circulating Mana to strengthen his body, but dodging the mechs’ attacks was exhausting.

Still, he managed to reach the hangar, only to have the ground collapse beneath him as he fled falling debris.

Even now, he didn’t know what that place was. It was an underground pit filled with a mysterious light, where he found Fressia’s glowing core.

As if entranced, Ian grabbed the core and immediately lost consciousness, meeting Fressia in his mind and forming a contract with her.

When he regained consciousness, Gilbert had already resolved the crisis. Previously, Ian would have been jealous of Gilbert being hailed as a hero, but now, with Fressia by his side, he only smiled faintly.

After the contract, Ian realized Fressia’s true value, and Gilbert was no longer an object of envy.

Only a bright and glorious future lay ahead.

Meeting Fressia was a stroke of luck he would never experience again.

[Ian, your face is weird again. Are you thinking about writing another quote collection?]

“You said you’d stop teasing me.”

[But your face right now is asking for it!]

Ian sighed deeply at Fressia’s playful tone.

It was true that meeting her was a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck, but he wished she’d cut him some slack.

And so, Ian spent the entire night enduring Fressia’s teasing.

 

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