Chapter 184

Before I knew it, the rewards had piled up.

Status windows layered like puff pastry filled my view.

Lying at one end of the bed, I clicked through the flashing notifications one by one.

Ding-!

[You have cleared the main quest!]

-Title: Blue Night

-Details: Stop the New Kingdom-Cultist Allied Forces.

[You have cleared the stage perfectly!]

-Rewards have been issued. Please check your inventory.

First, that hellish Blue Night had finally come to an end.

I had crossed one massive hurdle. Five of the Seven Calamities had been dealt with, leaving only two.

'If things keep moving at this pace, does that mean the final arc is getting close too...?'

Blue Night was originally an event that should have happened next year, or the year after.

But the butterfly effect had thrown the plot off course. All the havoc I had caused, all the history I had changed, had piled up one by one and twisted the river-like flow of the story.

'Still, I've gotten plenty out of this so far.'

I could no longer see the future clearly. The advantage I had as a transmigrator was beginning to fade. That did not mean I had become powerless, of course. I had accumulated time and experience of my own as well.

'Prepare for war.'

From now on, there was no path but to press forward steadily. Everything I had done until now was for moments like this. Growing stronger. Encouraging those around me and helping them grow. Leaving behind a way to fight the future, even if my knowledge became useless.

'Come whenever you want.'

I murmured toward someone.

Then I collected all the rewards displayed on the status window at once.

Ding-!

[You have cleared the main quest, 'Blue Night'!]

[You have obtained the consumable item 'Contract Scales (A+)'!]

Ding-!

[You have cleared the linked quest, 'From Many Scars'!]

[The ranks of your frequently used equipment will increase!]

[Your exclusive weapon, 'Black Mist (S-),' has increased by two ranks!]

[Your exclusive weapon, 'Balloon Knife+ (B),' has increased by three ranks!]

[Your accessory, 'Broken Crown (A),' has increased by two ranks!]

Screens appeared in rapid succession.

First, I inspected the item that had been placed in my inventory.

Ding-!

[Contract Scales]

-Category: Spellcraft Hybrid Item

-Rank: A+

-Status: Not Tilted

-Description: Scales left behind by a renowned ancient spellcaster. When used, they form a contract with a designated target. A concluded contract carries absolute binding force, and the contracting parties cannot violate its terms. It activates when both parties agree and sign.

I calmly read the item's description.

An item that could enforce a highly binding contract.

"Isn't this exactly what I needed?"

I had been looking for something similar, and it had conveniently dropped into my lap.

On top of that, its rank was far higher than the item I had originally expected.

This would make my plan go much more smoothly.

I put the silver scales back into my inventory.

I would use them in a few days anyway, so it seemed best to keep them close at hand.

"And..."

I read through the next rewards.

The messages were densely packed.

"That's insane."

All the equipment I used often had been upgraded.

One by one, I inspected the additional details displayed over my items.

The overall strength of my existing equipment had risen dramatically.

[Black Mist]

-Category: Ego Weapon

-Rank: S+

-Status: Clean

-Description: A weapon that possesses an ego. It serves and follows its user as its master and parent. It can now transform into a far larger and sharper form than before. (Font)

[Balloon Knife+]

-Category: Growth-Type Weapon

-Rank: A

-Growth Limit Rank: None

-Status: Colorful, Soft, Sparkly, Adorably Cute

-Description: A special balloon knife. It emits a faint light of purification from its blade. You can now use a high-rank healing skill.

[Broken Crown]

-Category: Accessory

-Rank: S-

-Status: Destroyed

-Description: This is the crown worn by the ruler of nightmares, the 'Black Queen.' It has now been destroyed, leaving only her remnants behind. When worn, you can use the skill 'Nightmare Transformation.' It can now be worn for up to 30 minutes per day.

Every piece of equipment had received an absurd boost in value.

I had no choice but to reread the messages several times.

'Wait, they're handing out rewards this outrageous...?'

Normally, even raising a rank by one would have been a jackpot.

This time, though, some equipment had gone up two ranks, and one had even gone up three.

Out of habit, I rubbed my neck.

Blue Night really must have been a huge event.

Its scale had been unprecedented, and the rewards waiting at the end were unprecedented too.

'Good... No, this is the best.'

This alone made this reward tally a success.

I had really milked it for all it was worth.

It would be hard to find a better haul for a while.

Leaving that excited assessment behind, I checked the last remaining reward.

Ding-!

[You have cleared the linked quest, 'Apocalypse, Death.'!]

[You have obtained 20,000 Merit Points.]

[Remaining Merit Points: 24,813p]

'Now that's nice.'

Twenty thousand points, deposited immediately.

My Merit Point pouch, which had felt light for a while, was suddenly stuffed full.

Just like the earlier reward that raised the rank of all my main equipment, this one gave far greater returns than usual.

'Time to upgrade right away.'

I moved my finger.

The Saint System had already appeared before my eyes.

[Basic Stats]

Vitality: B-

Strength: B

Agility: B

Mana Sensitivity: A-

[Remaining Merit Points: 24,813p]

I had felt it when all four of my limbs had been blown off this time.

My fighting style had always leaned heavily on my items' performance.

I mixed in bugs and parries too, but against continent-class powerhouses, there were still times when it became too much.

'Well... to be exact, I overcome my lacking stats with bugs and items.'

Either way, that approach sometimes ran into its limits.

There were situations that demanded fundamental strength.

To make up for that weakness, there was no answer but to improve my basic stats.

My technique was already perfect.

What I needed now was a body capable of carrying out those techniques.

As a means to achieve that goal, Merit Points held enormous importance.

'Let's go.'

I operated the screen.

Merit Points were consumed, and the screen gave off a soft glow.

Ding-!

[Merit Points will be used.]

-The rank of the basic stat 'Vitality' will increase by +1.

-The rank of the basic stat 'Vitality' will increase by +1.

-The rank of the basic stat 'Vitality' will increase by +1.

-The rank of the basic stat 'Agility' will increase by +1.

-The rank of the basic stat 'Agility' will increase by +1.

[22,000 Merit Points have been consumed.]

[Remaining Merit Points: 2,813p]

Whoosh-.

A cool breeze wrapped around my body.

Bluish light flickered around me.

A tranquil energy spread throughout my entire body.

After taking a calm breath, I checked the letters displayed on the status window.

[Basic Stats]

Vitality: A-

Strength: B

Agility: A-

Mana Sensitivity: A-

Vitality had risen three ranks, and agility had risen two.

I shook out my hands in satisfaction.

The reward tally had ended successfully.

My heart felt as full as the rewards.

After staggering around for a moment, I properly lay my exhausted body back down.

'Now, let's rest a little...'

My eyelids naturally fell shut.

As sleep came over me, I gave myself fully to it.

Throb-.

* * *

Afterward.

We returned to the academy.

"Your Highness."

"...Viktor."

Carmilla opened her eyes after being unconscious for a full two days.

Her complexion was haggard, and her eyes were red and bloodshot.

She seemed to be suffering from the aftereffects of her awakening.

Perhaps she did not want to show it, because she smiled and said she was fine.

"Are you truly all right?"

"Ugh... Y-yes. This lady is perfectly fine."

"Please do not push yourself. How does your body feel?"

"Did I not say I was fine...?"

Anyone could see she was forcing herself.

I quietly patted her back.

It seemed I would have to spend some time recuperating with the princess.

Until her body recovered, I intended to stay at her side and look after her.

'Living in the same room, eating at the same table, sleeping in the same bed... We were already doing that, though.'

Considering her current condition, the princess seemed to need even closer care.

With that settled, I entered our room.

The dorm room we had returned to after spending all of summer vacation away.

I was so used to it now that it felt like home.

'First... should I rest as planned?'

I had crossed the enormous mountain called Blue Night.

I thought everything had been resolved.

There was still the princess's issue, but that was something that needed time.

For now, I thought the priority was to stretch out on the bed and let my overworked body recover.

"Student Viktor."

"Lord Viktor."

"Viktor, sir."

"Viktor."

"Hey."

That was what I thought until everyone's gazes turned toward me at once.

The atmosphere in the dorm room was ominous.

I could not help shrinking back.

"Yes...?"

"Let's talk. Please sit on the living room sofa."

"Eh? Why all of a sudden...?"

"Now."

"Yes."

Everyone's expressions were terrifying.

The others were one thing, but it was my first time seeing even Alice look like that.

Without realizing it, I passed by the sofa and carefully knelt on the bare floor instead.

"Um, I'm seated..."

"Student Viktor."

Standing across from me was none other than Javert.

The others took their places as though surrounding me.

Her green eyes were especially cold today.

Holding my breath, I listened to what she said next.

"It's time to be scolded."

"Yes...?"

"I said it's time to be scolded."

"Um, what did I do wrong...?"

"Do you truly not know?"

"Well... no matter how much I think about it, I don't think there was anything in particular..."

"Then you're saying you were not even aware that it was wrong."

"..."

...What was this really about?

Some of them even had reddened eyes.

Alice in particular was frowning, tears welling as though they might spill at any moment.

"You abused your body terribly, did you not? To the point that both your arms and your entire lower body were torn off."

"Ah."

Only then did I realize.

I lowered my head sheepishly.

The others' gazes stung.

They all seemed to be remembering the horrific state I had been in then.

"Student Viktor."

"Yes..."

"Do you understand that what you did was wrong?"

"Well, that's..."

Time to be scolded.

For a while, all I could do was break out in a cold sweat.

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