The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

"Thanks for the treat!"

Devin said as we parted ways. We were back in Xapham Hall and on our way to our next class.

"You're welcome."

I simply replied, then went on my way.

...

...

My next class was Magic Engineering, one of the classes I put on my form.

I hadn't actually tried this course before when I was playing Brave Hearts, so I'm very new to this.

As to why I wanted to take this class, it's because I want to learn how to make artifacts.

I don't have that much mana, so they'll be a big help in surviving in this world.

'Also, they sell for a lot of money.'

For someone like me, this is the perfect class to excel at.

Anyway, arriving in front of the room where the class would be held...

Creak—

I opened the door and entered.

The professor hadn't arrived yet, so I went and took a seat in the far corner of the room.

Waiting for the class to start, I thought to myself...

'I'm all over the place again.'

After my match with Leon, I felt lost. I don't know what I should do next, I'm doing everything aimlessly.

'I know I want to graduate, but that's my final goal.'

I need short-term goals that will help me achieve that, slowly building my way up there.

As I was thinking of that...

Creak—

"Hello everyone, please take a seat so we can start."

The professor assigned to our class appeared.

So I decided to think about this later, after school.

*****

My second class went on peacefully, I learned the fundamentals needed for magic engineering, and I'm really interested in it.

The same for my last class, Runes and Ancient Symbols.

It's a class that's nowhere in the game, but the topic discussed was actually fascinating.

The class was about constructing spells by using the mana in the surroundings.

It takes longer than using your own mana and it's much weaker, so it wasn't popular in the magic course...

'But for someone like me with low mana, this could be very helpful.'

So I made sure to listen properly.

Anyway...

I'm currently on my way back to the cabin.

It's around 6 P.M. now.

I'm holding a bag of fruits and vegetables, they're gifts for the old man.

I initially thought of roasted beef skewers, but we've been eating meat a lot these days, so I decided on these.

'I even bought him new hunting clothes.'

With all this, I spent about 5 gold coins.

Which leaves me roughly 15 gold coins from what I received from Kyle, and currently...

"I have about 55 gold coins."

I'm saving them in case of an emergency.

Moving on...

The cabin came into sight.

So, excitedly...

Bam!

I ran toward it.

...

...

"Oh, you're back."

Old Man Rey greeted me as usual.

"..."

But I couldn't reply immediately.

Because beside him...

"Hello!"

...was Jerusha.

"What are you doing here?"

I asked.

"For your next lesson!"

She replied immediately.

"You're way too early."

I told her.

"Who cares? She could eat with us before you two go on your way."

The old man then intervened.

"Really? Thanks!"

And Jerusha responded.

"Wha..."

I looked at the old man in shock, he wasn't this kind when we first met!

'Why is he like this?'

I asked in my head, confused.

But then...

'Huh?'

I saw him wink at me.

Then it hit me...

'He thinks we're a thing.'

That's why he's doing this—to supposedly help me with her.

I tried to explain to the old man that he's misunderstanding things...

"She's not my—"

"Shush."

But he didn't let me.

"Make dinner, we're gonna prepare the table."

He said.

Then he approached me...

"Don't worry, I got you."

And whispered that.

"Let's go inside, Jerusha. You could rest in Raye's room."

"Ah no, I'll help!"

Then they both went inside.

Meanwhile...

"..."

I just shut my mouth.

'He's gone crazy.'

I thought as I prepared the ingredients.

*****

It didn't take me long to cook dinner, and after I was done...

"Here."

I placed a hot pot in the middle of the table.

Then, opening its lid...

Swaa~

"Wowwww!"

"Ohhh, what's that, kid?"

A salivating aroma hit our noses.

"It's vegetable beef soup."

I said.

"We have vegetables?"

The old man asked.

And with a grin on my face...

"I bought some on the way."

I replied, bragging.

"Also, I have this."

Then I went and handed him a bag.

Looking inside it...

"Oh, fruits."

The old man was excited to see that.

But upon closer look...

"Hmm?"

He noticed something different.

Reaching out and taking it out...

"What..."

Old Man Rey was surprised by a new set of hunting clothes.

"Wear this when we go to the forest. This will protect you from bugs and itchy plants, and it'll also keep you warm."

I said with a smug smile.

But my smugness quickly disappeared...

"Thank you."

The old man thanked me, his voice quivering.

"..."

I just smiled at him softly.

But that faded too...

"...!"

I saw Jerusha looking at me with a shocked expression.

'I forgot about her.'

Now I'm a bit embarrassed.

So, to move on...

"That's that, let's eat!"

I suggested, and we all started eating after that.

As we eat, the old man keeps giving weird hints to Jerusha about me.

I just let him because he look so happy, though.

...

...

After eating, the old man went to bed as usual.

On the other hand, Jerusha and I returned to the northern forest where we held the lesson yesterday.

"You're really so different from the rumors."

Jerusha said as I sat on top of the big rock.

"..."

I just remained silent, not saying anything about it. I'm still embarrassed from earlier.

But then...

"Oh, I heard you meditated till morning from the spirits."

Jerusha mentioned that.

"Ah!"

That made me immediately turn my head to her.

"Yeah, what's the deal with that?"

I asked.

"I don't know."

But Jerusha just shrugged.

"I can't meditate for that long, you're really something else."

She added.

"..."

I became silent, looking at my hands and frowning.

Though, suddenly...

"After meditating for that long, I wouldn't be surprised if you could see spirits now,"

Jerusha stated that.

"Huh?"

I looked back up at her, excited.

And seeing me like that...

"Why don't you try?"

Jerusha suggested.

"Okay, what should I do?"

I immediately asked her.

And casually...

"Just concentrate on the mana around us, try to see them."

Jerusha instructed.

"...?"

I didn't get what she meant.

But I tried, nevertheless...

I closed my eyes and focused on the mana in the air.

And after a while...

"Fuuu..."

I exhaled heavily and slowly opened my eyes.

And upon doing so...

"Huh?"

I was greeted by nothing but Jerusha, looking at me expectantly.

"How did it go?"

She asked.

Disappointed, I shook my head.

"Ohh..."

She was pretty disappointed too, I could tell.

I wasn't really expecting it to be that easy, but it's still frustrating.

"..."

I just clenched my hands into fist in silence.

But then...

-Meep!

I heard a strange noise.

"Huh?"

-Meep!

I heard it again.

I looked around, searching for where it was coming from.

"What are you doing?"

Jerusha asked, but I ignored her.

-Meep!

And the third time I heard it...

I finally saw where it was coming from.

"..."

-Meep! Meep!

There was a small, red-looking slime on the ground, near the foot of the rock I was sitting on.

"A spirit."

It was a spirit.

"I can see a spirit!"

I exclaimed in excitement.