Chapter 35: Normal Business (1)

For a while, Arcane had been in a state of suspension, but as the cool breeze turned into a scorching wind, it finally returned to normal.

The aftermath hadn’t completely disappeared, but we couldn’t stay stagnant forever.

Because of this, flowers and messages honoring the victims remained scattered throughout Arcane.

However, not everyone viewed these gestures in a positive light.

While honoring the victims was good, some expressed concerns that it might disrupt the prestigious academy’s academic atmosphere.

Others even spouted nonsense, suggesting that certain families were using the tragedy as an excuse to solicit more donations.

But the newly appointed headmaster dismissed all those opinions outright.

“Oh, my rank went up more than I expected.”

Since the incident occurred during midterms, everyone thought this exam wouldn’t count toward their grades.

However, Arcane decided to calculate the grades based on records up to that point and posted the results.

[Theonar – Overall Rank: 481st]

My rank had jumped a whopping 500 places.

I had expected it, but seeing it actually happen made me incredibly happy.

It meant that all the effort I had put in wasn’t in vain.

“Theonar actually made it into the top 500…”

“Beating Roxanne must have been a big deal.”

“I need to climb up before I get caught too.”

The biggest topic of this ranking shift was, of course, me.

‘Well, I did surpass 500 people in one go, so it’s understandable.’

Because of that, the glares from those around me felt even more thrilling.

But honestly, I’ve gotten used to it, and it’s not so bad.

Some will work harder to avoid being overtaken by me, while others…

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? Lady Sylvia or the Saintess must have pulled some strings for him.”

“There’s no way someone like him could…”

They’ll deny reality and try to belittle me, just like those people.

‘Go ahead and babble all you want. I don’t care.’

There are a few reasons why I’ve become so indifferent.

First, I’ve gained confidence in myself.

Second, a different hypothesis about Presence has emerged.

[Presence has increased.]

[EXP + 2,440]

‘It’s not just about interacting with major characters or the main story.’

The message that appeared right after I defeated the Chimera.

It brought the joyous news of a whopping 2,000 EXP.

The events at the black market were a side story not mentioned in the original work.

Based on this, it’s clear that Presence isn’t tied to the original story.

If it were, I wouldn’t have received that.

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense that it was related to this world itself rather than the original story.

So, the conclusion I reached was:

Presence is filled based on the significance I hold in this world, regardless of the method or content.

Of course, it’s a theory with holes and lacks solid evidence, but for now, it’s the only thing I can think of.

‘So, keep talking about me, make me more famous.’

Whether it’s good or bad, having people gossip about me like this is actually beneficial.

Whether it’s fame or infamy, as long as it builds, it will help me.

“My friend, you’ve become a completely different person in no time.”

“…As if you’re any better.”

Gray had gone into hiding after the black market incident.

When he returned to Arcane a week later, his once flowing hair was completely shaved off.

“Hmm, so that’s what happened.”

“Whatever. What do you expect?”

Gray shrugged off my arm from his shoulder, then looked around before whispering to me.

“By the way, where’s that sticky princess?”

“…Who knows? Sylvia must have her own things to do.”

As Gray mentioned, Sylvia had been scarce lately.

I’ve only seen her a couple of times since I woke up.

Rumors say she’s been holed up in the training grounds.

I don’t know why, though.

“So stop looking at me with those suspicious eyes.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

After giving me a suspicious glance, he quickly lost interest, raised both hands, and dashed off, saying he had to meet some ladies.

‘He hasn’t been attending classes much either.’

I’m not sure if something’s going on or if he’s just obsessed with training.

‘I should go check on her.’

I have a few things to ask her before buying a new sword, so I decided to visit the training grounds where she’s been spotted.

***

‘There she is.’

Late at night, when no other students were around.

She was alone in the vast training grounds.

Sweat dripped from her as she focused intensely on her sword, a sight slightly different from the Sylvia I’ve seen recently.

There was something sharp and unapproachable about her aura.

‘Well, that was her original setting.’

The cold, elegant iron-wall princess who cared for nothing but the sword.

That was Sylvia.

“Sylvia.”

“Theo? How did you…”

She widened her eyes in surprise when she saw me.

“You haven’t been coming to the academy much lately, so I came to see if you were doing okay.”

“I see. Thanks for coming to check on me.”

“It’s nothing worth thanking me for. We’re friends, after all.”

After that, I spent some time chatting with Sylvia.

Perhaps because summer was getting hotter, it wasn’t too cold even though the moon was high in the sky.

“Oh, right. Sylvia, you know a lot about swords, right?”

“Swords?”

“Yeah, I’m thinking of getting a new one, but I don’t know much about them.”

The sword I’ve had since right after possessing this body was so worn out it looked like it might break any moment.

If it were just dull, I could take it to any blacksmith, but the blade itself was damaged, so it was no longer usable.

“…If that’s the case, leave it to me. I’ll find a craftsman for you.”

“Oh, that’s reassuring.”

I was planning to ask her to help me pick out a sword later, but she offered to find a craftsman herself.

I quickly agreed, feeling like I’d hit the jackpot.

“But I have one request.”

Sylvia suddenly stood up from the bench.

With a request in mind, she stood before me, her eyes slightly downcast.

“What is it?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

“What kind of… Ugh, fine, I get it.”

Her tightly sealed lips and determined eyes made it clear she wasn’t going to tell me right now.

She might seem innocent, but she’s stubborn in her own way.

“Then let me know when you’re ready.”

“Okay.”

“And since I’m bored, come to class once in a while so I can see your face.”

“…Alright. Take care, Theo.”

After saying goodbye to her, I returned to the dorm.

“This place feels like home now.”

The room I’ve been living in for over a year.

There wasn’t much furniture.

I didn’t have the money, and I disliked clutter.

Even though it looked empty, it had everything I needed.

It might lack entertainment, but it’s much better than the moldy basement studio I lived in before.

“Three months already…”

It’s been three months since Ian’s enrollment, the starting point of the main story.

Well, I was bedridden for over a month, so it’s more like two months.

‘Can I really go back…?’

There’s still a lot of time before the journey to defeat the Demon God.

Even generously estimating, about 10 years.

But you never know.

During the last attack, the timeline shifted slightly, and even Bakal from the latter half showed up.

‘Wait, do I really need to give them time?’

Their plan is to summon the Demon God and plunge this world into ruin.

They’ve been laying the groundwork for a long time, and they’ll execute it fully in a few years.

I’ve never thought about it from that angle before.

Right after possessing this body, I was too busy trying to survive.

The Demon God and all that could wait—I needed to increase my Presence to stay alive.

‘But if I uproot them before they can revive the Demon God, wouldn’t that solve everything easily?’

Tap.

“Ah, forget it, just drop it.”

Of course, it’s easier said than done.

If I wipe them out before they finish their preparations, the Demon God won’t be summoned, and we’ll get a happy ending.

‘But is it really that simple?’

First of all, I can’t do it alone.

Even setting aside the physical challenges, catching those hiding across the empire requires immense intelligence.

‘It’s a task that would require the entire empire to mobilize.’

But if I go around shouting, “There are lunatics trying to destroy the continent! Help me!” no one will take me seriously.

They’ll just think I’m crazy.

‘Well, that would increase my Presence, at least.’

Anyway, once their identities are exposed, they’ll go even deeper into hiding.

That would make them even harder to find.

‘For now, I’ll just keep that possibility in mind.’

There’s no reason to passively wait for their moves.

If there’s a chance to disrupt their plans, I should crush them and weaken their forces.

‘Even excluding the Demon God, they’re strong opponents.’

“For now, I should sleep. I need to get stronger to do anything.”

Although my mana imbalance has been resolved, I can’t just leave those precious mana orbs unused.

I need to train as quickly as possible to raise my rank.