Chapter 21

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Episode 5 - Hunting Festival [1]

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It was Monday morning, and I was on my way to Classroom B-1.

The Quest Window had appeared this morning, marking the start of Chapter One, Part One.

Here’s a brief summary of what the Quest Window said:

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■| Chapter 1, Part 1: Hunting Festival.

Category: Main Story.

Difficulty: ★★★★

Description: The Beast Hunting Festival, which the Holy Academy announces every year to provide cadets with more opportunities to earn points and advance in rank, is open to all. However, the Golden Forest feels strange this time.

∆ Time Limit: 3 days.

∆ Reward: Coordinates of an Ancient Spirit’s body.

∆ Failure: Death of most first-year cadets.

∆ Status: In progress.

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When I checked the Mission Window, the reward was strange.

’In the game, this wasn’t the reward.’

But after reading the reward description, I decided to dismiss those suspicions.

Obtain the body of an Ancient Spirit, a Spirit of lower rank than the Spirit King.

The bodies of Spirits, especially those of higher rank, have amazing uses.

But no matter how much I thought about it, I still don’t know what to do with the body of an Ancient Spirit.

It’s a shame that it’s not the body of a Spirit King; that would be quite suspicious.

An Ancient Spirit is so valuable that it’s rare to see one even once in a lifetime.

’For centuries, no Spirit Ancient has appeared; nowadays, they are considered a legend.’

As a creator, the Spirit Ancients were obtainable, but that was after Chapter four.

That would be at the end of the first year and the beginning of the second year.

In any case, I suspect the reward is different because of Adel.

When players selected Adel, they were surprised by the enormous changes they would experience.

So, naturally, I thought about it, and that’s why I knew the reward was different because of Adel.

’Since I’m not in charge of creating the missions, I didn’t know what kind of missions I would get as Adel.’

In the end, this is better for me.

If I complete the first part of Chapter One, I will discover the location of an Ancient Spirit’s body.

’Although it would be great if he were alive—then I would have an assistant to help me with daily tasks.’

In any case, I finally arrived at classroom B-1 and, naturally, sat down in my seat.

And, just like last week, Rinna sat down next to me as well.

"Ugh... I’m still tired... I want to sleep a little longer."

"..."

"What did you do this weekend?"

Rinna replied, still half-asleep, while leaning back.

"Aaaahh... Ah, um, I was away from the academy helping sick people who couldn’t afford treatment."

In the game, when the player was near Rinna, you could learn more about her daily life.

Every weekend, she left the academy to help those most in need.

This was a common trait of a character with the title of Santa; there were also side quests.

Most players decided not to accompany Rinna since the rewards for those sub-missions were only the affection of the Empire’s citizens.

"But for me, it’s much better, since every time I go out, someone might recognize me as a Dark attribute user and refuse to help me."

So, naturally, I need to solidify my reputation as a good person by helping others.

"I can come with you this weekend if you want."

Rinna opened her eyes slightly and smiled.

"Ha, ha, thanks for helping me, Adel. I’ll make it up to you for your efforts."

"No need. Seeing how tired you are, it’s only natural for someone to be concerned about how you’re doing."

Besides, just by looking at her, it was clear that she needed to get some sleep.

In any case, Rinna only looked at me briefly and then hid her face between her arms. After a few seconds...

"... Zzz."

"..."

She fell asleep.

I let out a soft sigh. After a few minutes, the magic professor walked in.

The cadets who had been chatting with each other fell silent and turned their attention to Professor Ashly.

She walked to the center of the podium, stopped, and looked at all the cadets present.

"I have an announcement to make, but I suppose many of you already know; still, some of you probably don’t."

I looked at Rinna, but after thinking about it for a few seconds, I decided not to wake her up and left her alone.

’I’ll tell her later.’

Then I focused on Professor Ashly.

"The Beast Hunting Festival will be held all week, with the goal of earning points and grades."

The Hunting Festival was an in-game event where players could earn experience to level up their characters.

Of course, it was also the only event in Chapter One, but at the same time, it was an experience-based event.

"No matter how much I think about it, why aren’t the levels showing up in the Status Window?"

As with any other game, the leveling system exists in Holy Land, but I noticed from the very first day that the levels tab was missing.

That could only mean one thing.

"I can’t get stronger by killing monsters."

The advantage of a player was in the leveling system; you could reach or surpass the main characters of the game more quickly.

’But I don’t have that advantage. Of course, having the State Window is enough.’

With that, I can see my progress. Anyway, Professor Ashly continued.

"So, for the whole week, you can go to the Golden Forest to hunt wild beasts, but be careful; as for the weaker ones, most of the wild beasts are Class 3, and who knows, there could even be a Class 4."

The cadets, especially the plebeians who didn’t know about the Hunting Festival, murmured loudly.

Hearing Professor Ashly’s words, they realized that there were indeed Class 4 wild beasts, but there were only five of them and...

’Lumina is the one in charge of those wild beasts, so the weaker ones will only encounter Class 3 beasts or lower.’

While thinking about this, one of the cadet plebeians raised his hand and asked a question.

"Professor Ashly, could you please explain the Hunting Festival in detail? I only understood that it’s to earn points, but that’s it."

The professor nodded and explained.

"Yes, it’s true that it’s only for points, but it’s also a competition between the three classrooms. It also applies to second- and third-year cadets; they can even compete against them."

Some cadets’ eyes widened.

Most cadets have mixed feelings about the upperclassmen.

They fear them because they might intimidate them or simply because they are very strong.

They respect them for being their superiors or for gaining their favor and receiving their help.

Or even surpass them and prove that they are just as strong as, if not stronger than, them.

"Competing against upperclassmen, is that even possible?"

Professor Ashly smiled.

"Yes, of course, but the competition against them takes place in the depths of the Golden Forest, where Class 4 beasts are almost commonplace."

By the way, the Golden Forest is divided into three regions:

The Surface, the Central Region, and the Depths.

First-years hunt in the <Surface>, second-years in the <Central> region, and third-years in the <Depths>.

"Anyone can go to the Depths, but they must be aware of the dangers."

But that didn’t matter to me. Chapter one takes place on the Surface, not in the Central or the Depths.

"Oh, and by the way, you’ll be able to see your scores once the Hunting Festival is over."

Professor Ashly smiled.

"This Hunting Festival will select the first-year representative. If you come in first place during the festival, of course."

Upon hearing her last words, the cadets cheered.

Being the first-year representative was a great prestige and honor for nobles; for commoners, it ensured better grades, with more possibilities of advancing to second year and being respected, even among nobles.

After the announcement, Professor Ashly began the magic class.

Meanwhile, I was lost in thought.

’As a first-year representative, if I pass the first Chapter, I’ll probably be elected as representative’"

Naturally, passing Chapter One requires hunting wild beasts. Because of the story, the player is forced to come in first at the Hunting Festival.

’All the more reason to pass the first Chapter, which would secure my position as first-year representative, unless I indirectly hand over my achievements to someone else.’

But who am I?

I’m someone who doesn’t let opportunities go to waste.

And I’m greedy when it comes to rewards.

I don’t care about being the first-year representative, and if that improves my public image, so be it.

’The attack on the cadets at the festival is in three days.’

The context would be something like this.

During the Hunting Festival, first-year cadets will face wild beasts of Classes 1 through 3, and the protagonist will face five Class 4 beasts.

However, due to the villains’ actions, a demonic beast is teleported in and attacks the cadets.

This demonic beast is Class 5 and, at worst, Class 6.

’The player’s objective is not to defeat the demonic beast, but to hold out long enough for Professor Ashly to arrive.’

Each classroom has an instructor in charge, who is responsible for every classroom activity.

The person in charge of classroom B-1 is Professor Ashly.

If the demonic beast isn’t contained, the main mission will be considered a failure.

In that case, players will return to a saved point.

’But that doesn’t happen in real life.’

Hopefully, the demonic beast will be Class 5. If we use Lumina to force it, we might be able to contain it for a while.

But if it’s Class 6...

’I can’t guarantee the success of the main mission.’

And we’ll probably fail.

Then the story’s balance will tip further toward a bad ending.

’But my goal is the true ending.’

An ending that hasn’t been programmed into the game yet.

But the ending of the Holy Land DLC was planned as the final one, the closure of Lumina’s story.

’That’s where she can find answers to her questions.’

Only in that way will I know if I can return to Earth.

Accessing the Star Project.