Chapter 30


    Hey, Ian.


    Yeah?


    Do you still like Lina Rosewell? A lot?


    Ian intended to hide his feelings about Lina Rosewell.


    The reason was simple.


    Criticizing Lina with Pongpongs body would only be a loss for himself.


    But should he also hide information about Lina from Danya?


    Ian pondered for a moment before lightly shaking his head.


    No. I dont like her.


    So, things arent good between you and Lina right now?


    A serious tone.


    Ian looked at her, meeting Danyas eyebrows that gathered in concern.


    Looking at that expression, he felt there was no need to hide the truth.


    We cant say things are good between us.


    To the point of fighting?


    Yeah.


    A moment of silence followed.


    What could Danya be thinking?


    Danya, holding her own fingers, fidgeted.


    She opened her mouth with effort.


    I debated whether to say this or not, but you should know. It seems like Lina initially tried to attack you. Well, its not certain. But when the magic flew, it seemed like Jacob hadnt turned ckened yet, at least from what I saw.


    It was probably difficult for Danya to talk about from her perspective.


    For Pongpong, who was crazy about Lina, she had to say that Lina might have attacked him. Especially when it concerned Lina Rosewell, who was praised as kinder than anyone. It must have been genuinely appreciative.


    I see. Thank you.


    At the same time, a curiosity arose.


    Why was she being so kind?


    He asked, and she answered.


    Oh, dont get me wrong, okay?


    Speak.


    I, I


    Gulp. Danya swallowed.


    She bit her lips a couple of times, fidgeted her fingertips, bowed her head, then raised it again to look at his face.


    Then, with a loud deration.


    I trust you more than Lina!


    Was it a somewhat puzzled expression?


    Danya quickly poured out an exnation as if defending herself.


    Well, its not like Ipletely trust you! Its just that,pared to Lina, youre more trustworthy, I think. Right? Just leave it at that! Yeah!


    Why did she make it so difficult to say what she believed in?


    Ian tilted his head at her, but was honestly grateful.


    A heroine who remained popr no matter what she did, and the overwhelming power of the Bloodstone Cult viins.


    And, above all, the fact that the story was slowly changing because of him.


    It felt like a massive wall had been ced in front of him.


    Of course, there was no confidence that he could navigate through it. It was just that the enormity of the situation in front of him made it daunting.


    However.


    Seeing Danya, who said she believed in him, somehow alleviated the overwhelming feeling. Did a sense of camaraderie emerge, bringing a sense of reassurance?


    Anyway, I guess I have to ept it.


    The inevitability of the story changing was acknowledged. There was no desire to actively intervene or y a major role in the storyline. But.


    From the sidelines, I can subtly alter the currents.


    He would intervene minimally while maintaining the major flow. And gradually gain some advantages.


    Like the task of rescuing Danya, who disappeared from the story due to the dungeon explosion during the Combat Training Exercise. In reality, Ian did it to provoke Yurrans curiosity.


    Well, dont ponder over my answer so much! Just say something!


    Ian muttered unconsciously.


    Its not bad.


    Ian whispered to himself.


    Danya seemed somewhat misunderstood.


    Not bad? Is that your evaluation?


    Yeah, not bad.


    I went through so much trouble to say that! Just saying not bad after all that! Just consider it an honor! Say, Thank you, Danya! or something!


    Ian raised his hand over the excited Danyas head.


    He ruffled it a few times.


    The touch of her ears against his palm was soft.


    Whats the big deal? I trust you too, obviously.


    Tr-trust?


    Isnt it obvious? Wererades.


    Pushuk-


    Danya lowered her reddened face.


    He wondered if she heard thest words, but it didnt seem important.


    Seeing her tail swaying, Ian thought she didnt seem to be in a bad mood.


    It was just that trusting someone had a deeper meaning for a beastperson than he had initially considered.


    Thanks for trusting me.


    Arade to trust and rely on. It was necessary, not just to rival the heroines, but also to survive.


    If Danya had the potential, a bit of refinement could turn her into a formidable force. Establishing contact with the Catsnesia tribe could bring many benefits.


    But he didnt make calctions like that. Really.


    The Lunar, now fully charged, regained its radiant silver glow.


    The moon, just about to bepletely full, was vivid.


    The first act of the scenario was approaching.


    Like most story-type gacha games, the scenario of Fantasy X Academy had a substantial volume.


    Thanks to therge-scale updates every quarter, the depth and variety of the story wereparable to a full-length novel.


    The difficulty sharply increased as it progressed, making it a filter for newbies but providing seasoned yers with rich content to explore.


    The first chapter of the scenario was [Chapter 1: Traces of Darkness].


    The yer had to recognize the existence of one of the major viins, the Bloodstone Cult, and thwart their activities at the academy.


    Thebat training exercise was the prologue to this first chapter, with the clear condition being survive.


    I managed to clear it somehow.


    Next, the first act, Act 1: A Night with a Full Moon, would soon begin.


    A unique feature of this story was that the main viin changed with each episode. While normally identifying the viin was quite challenging, Ian seemed to know who it was.


    Counting on you.


    Nod.


    [Pharmaceutical Magic  Suzi Dismal]


    Leaving the research professors office after bowing, Ian left the academic building.


    The scenery of Lichten Academy was somewhat quiet for a weekday.


    The academy had publicly announced an investigation into the incident that urred during thebat training exercise. Externally, the reason was to prevent excessive fear of the Bloodstone Cult.


    However, Ian knew the academy had deep-rooted viins within.


    The incident would be covered up as an unavoidable ident during the practical training.


    One peculiar point was that, thanks to it, thepensation (or punishment?) for Lina Rosewell, who had defeated the transformed student, ended up being praise from the professors.


    Anyway.


    As a consequence of the incident, Lichten Academy had given the students a break from sses.


    Enjoying the rare weekday break, the students would likely forget about the unpleasant events and immerse themselves in the city.


    If youre not going to have sses, refund the tuition. Not attending sses is a loss for the students, right?


    A rare weekday break.


    Having briefly visited the research professors office, Ian headed to the library.


    He sighed softly.


    Ah. You need to attend sses to improve your skills.


    If another student had said that, he would have received a scolding while walking to the library.


    As always, the cold librarian greeted him. Or, did she greet him? Anyway.


    Do you know anything about the Bloodstone Cult?


    Blink, blink.


    After blinking slowly twice, the librarian opened her mouth.


    Religion, not interested.


    Thud.


    Unconsciously, Ian lightly mmed the desk, and he quickly bowed towards the librarian, people around them probably thinking, Did that guy never receive any upbringing on library etiquette?


    What do you think of me?


    The distance had be so close that her breath could be felt.


    With white eyshes that seemed to have settled like fallen snow, Blink, blink, she blinked her eyes a couple of times and opened her mouth slightly.


    Confession, rejection.


    Today, she was still sharp.


    While Silvias straightforward way of throwing a curveball seemed to be bearable as long as you endured it for a moment. The librarian had an image of someone who could objectively judge a person, like an artificial intelligence evaluating someone.


    Did it feel like being evaluated by an AI?


    Ian found himself making excuses.


    Wait, what I meant by What do you think of me wasnt a confession line


    In the midst of making excuses, Ian noticed the book she was reading.


    [In the Pitiful Mansion of Yeong-Ae, Bad Omens Lived.]


    On the cover, a figure in a shamans attire, holding a whip, was smiling mysteriously.


    Although she had covered it with another book, it seemed slightly tilted.


    Just one quick look.


    No matter how annoyed he was, he thought he should respect her taste.


    Ian sighed and swallowed his excuses.


    Alright, tell me some books rted to the Bloodstone Cult.


    Here.


    She handed him a neatly written note that had been prepared without him noticing. As he turned to leave, a small voice reached his ears.


    The Bloodstone Cult is dangerous.


    Are you concerned about me?


    Nod.


    Nodding slightly, she made a subtle gesture.


    Her genuine concern made Ians heart ache.


    So, whats the problem?


    The information has been corrupted.


    Information corruption.


    He wanted to ask what it meant, but she was already absorbed in the book.


    Was she reading it so openly


    The figure on the cover, the shaman with the whip, seemed to deny any further questions.


    Holding the guide note, Ian moved towards the bookshelves.


    Confirm information about the Bloodstone Cult.


    n the sale of existing information.


    Collect items for preparation of Act 1.


    And keep the promise with Danya.


    Even without sses, it was going to be an unusually busy day.


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