Chapter 5: A one-on-one war-1

The next day, the first thing I did upon waking was to rush to the mirror.

「Current Scholar Rate: 0%
Current Status: Commoner (Current Change: -10%/h)」

Although my Scholar Rate had dropped to 0% overnight and the status window was being quite disparaging, my lawful and historically esteemed beauty remained unchanged.

The drop in Scholar Rate didn’t mean that the Scholar makeover had become worthless.

Grateful for my success in the Agora Academy entrance exam, I vowed to diligently maintain my Scholar status throughout the day.

For my attire, I wore a traditional robe and a black cap.

The Agora Academy has a free dress code. Some students wear uniforms, while others, like myself, prefer casual clothing.

The reason why wearing a uniform has become the natural norm is something no one knows, but I do.

Unifying game characters’ outfits as uniforms lowers the cost of original illustrations.

Moreover, adding illustrations of ordinary daily wear can give a unique feel, which is beneficial in multiple ways.

With my clothes in order and my fan in hand, I completed my preparation for school.

On my way from the dormitory to the main building, I had no friends accompanying me.

It wasn’t because I didn’t want to go to school with a weird guy obsessing over Scholar concepts.

In the Agora Academy, the social game among insiders is as fierce as ever, and insiders had already formed their cliques since yesterday.

However, a true scholar should not be concerned with mere social games. Maintaining a dignified position, like a noble crane, is a scholar’s virtue.

Normally, I would head to the Archery Department building, but today, I entered the Combat Department building.

There was a liberal arts class on Introduction to Hunters.

The professor entered and began the lecture.

“Should hunters serve society? I’d like to hear your opinions, cadets.”

The classroom was packed with students.

Among them, the professor seemed particularly focused on one student.

With a striking appearance and even more striking attire, that student was me.

“Let’s hear from the cadet sitting in the third row from the front. Your name is Jo Seon-woo, correct?”

The professor, with a look of amusement, addressed me.

It seemed that the professor found great pleasure in my Scholar character in traditional attire.

With all eyes on me, I opened my fan with a serene expression.

Opening the fan was a setup to hide my face from the overwhelming gazes.

This question had also been directed at the protagonist in the game. Naturally, I had prepared my answer.

“Confucius said, ‘In holding office, one must not be lazy but carry out the duties diligently, for office is made for the people. I believe the profession of a hunter is not much different from this.’”

The professor’s smile grew as I quoted Confucius, but I paid no mind.

What mattered was the Scholar Rate.

“Confucius said that one should not be lazy in office and must carry out duties with diligence because office is meant for the people. I believe the profession of a hunter is similarly important for serving society. A good point.”

Although the professor was pleased, it didn’t matter much to me.

I glanced at the status window that appeared beside me.

「Scholar Rate Change: 15%! (Assertive Argument!) (Current Scholar Rate: 15%)」

What mattered was the Scholar Rate.

Even though the Scholar makeover was complete, there was a reason I was concerned with the Scholar Rate.

This was the world inside ‘Agora Academy.’

If nothing significant happens, this world will end with my graduation in four years.

A world’s destruction is not part of my career plans. Therefore, I need to prevent the world’s end.

To do that, I need to become stronger.

For this reason, I had been lying in bed last night, devising a growth build.

「Current Scholar Rate: 98%
Current Status: Gentleman (Current Change: -10%/h)」

「<Unique Trait – Way of the Scholar>
The following effects are applied according to your current Scholar Rate:
[Strength Change: 0.21p/m]
[Agility Change: 0.2p/m]
[Magic Power Change: 0.24p/m]
[Perception Change: 0.12p/m]」

My eyes widened.

I can increase my stats through my Scholar rate.

0.2 points per minute. It takes 2000 points to raise the strength stat from 19 to 20.

Doing the math, I could raise my strength stat in just a week.

Even if I worked hard in the fitness center, I’d barely see any increase in my stats, but I can get it through the Scholar rate.

Moreover, it also boosts my magic power.

In the game, to increase magic power, you had to acquire a martial art from the Qi Gong category.

The problem is that you can only learn one Qi Gong, and switching is extremely difficult.

Naturally, good Qi Gongs are obtained later in the game.

The usual strategy is to hold out until you get a good Qi Gong by optimizing your build.

However, if I can raise my magic power through the Scholar rate, there’s no need to rush for a Qi Gong.

This is why I strive to maintain a high Scholar rate.

At the same time, this is also why I avoid going to the fitness center and prefer to walk around the school with my fan during lunch.

If I get exhausted by peeking into the fitness center, my Scholar rate will drop.

If I can raise a stat whether I work out or not, isn’t it better to increase it without the effort?

So far, so good. But there was one downside.

‘Why doesn’t anyone want to talk to me?’

Don’t handsome insiders get people approaching them even if they stay still?

My face is surely as pretty as a celebrity on TV. Why don’t I have any friends, whether male or female?

While I was pondering this, I heard a voice calling me from behind.

“Hey. Your name is Seon-woo, right?”

Two girls with a graceful and fresh impression came up to me.

My mood brightened. Talking to people is the best way to increase my Scholar rate.

When I confirmed my name, the two took turns introducing themselves.

“Do you have any other plans today?”

“I’m thinking of visiting the library after the walk.”

The two girls clapped their hands in delight. Their reaction was good.

“What are you going to do there? Can I join you?”

Opportunity. I brightened my eyes.

Swish. The fan I had been waiting for opened with a refreshing sound.

“It’s all about poetry, books, music, and wine. A scholar should naturally enjoy noble hobbies. I plan to compose a Chinese poem.”

「Scholar Rate Change: 10%! (Showcasing Scholar’s Elegance!) (Current Scholar Rate: 63%)」

I was pleased internally as my Scholar rate increased. I said,

“If you two are interested, perhaps you’d like to join me in composing a poem?”

But the two girls were already turning their backs and walking away.

Again. Why do people who approach me with interest change their attitude after just a few words?

I thought insiders only needed to be handsome, but is there something I don’t know?

I trudged to the library to compose my poem.

The last class was also a required liberal arts course.

After finishing my work, I gathered my textbook and fan and got up from my seat.

As I was leaving the classroom, I bumped shoulders with a large man.

It was something that could happen with so many people around.

I thanked my luck that my Scholar rate wasn’t dropping and brushed off my robe.

“Look at this damn jerk.”

Before the explicit curse words flew toward my back.

“If you bump into someone’s shoulder, you should apologize instead of just running away.”

I turned around.

A man who was less good-looking than me glared at me.

While the surrounding people looked on in surprise, the man’s friends openly stared at me.

It came to mind. There was a similar event in the game.

That guy’s name is Oh Gyeong-hyeon.

He’s a character who picks a fight if the protagonist performs well in the entrance ceremony test.

After being beaten by the protagonist, he drops out of the academy and becomes a demon.

A minor role who almost gets killed by the protagonist.

But that protagonist is me? What a surprise.

Oh Gyeong-hyeon is an elite who has been supported by a guild since middle school, graduated early from a Hunter high school, and entered Agora Academy.

He takes great pride in his career and refers to those on the same elite path as “purebloods.”

Therefore, Oh Gyeong-hyeon does not like the protagonist, who is a ‘mongrel,’ to excel.

If the protagonist performs well in the entrance ceremony test, he will soon pick a fight.

Even if not defeating the Troll Dragon, the timing of the conflict might only be delayed, so it’s better to confront him quickly.

Not right now, though. As a one-trick pony with only “Scholar rate,” I’m not yet able to beat the elite Oh Gyeong-hyeon.

I need to get through this situation somehow.

“That’s why you shouldn’t associate with mongrel bastards. Those who come in through the mongrel quota think they’re something special.”

Fortunately, despite the blatant insults, I wasn’t at all angry.

Oh Gyeong-hyeon is less good-looking than me.

Even while talking to his friends, he glances at me as if he’s wary.

He expects me to get angry.

But if I get angry, my Scholar rate will drop. I have no intention of getting angry.

I approached Oh Gyeong-hyeon. He said,

“Are you going to get lost, mongrel bastard?”

Despite saying “get lost,” his face was full of joy.

He must think he can beat me in a fight.

Since his judgment is accurate, I don’t plan to give him what he wants.

“Nan Yong married to Kongzi’s nephew, so did Confucius himself, despite being of a lower status.”

“… What?”

“There were people in ancient times who spoke cautiously and obtained a wife. How can you speak so rudely?

The mouth is the door to disaster, and the tongue is a sword. Be careful with your words and actions.”

「Scholar Rate Change: 20%! (Preaching Scholar-like Behavior!) (Current Scholar Rate: 100%)」

I said this and turned to walk away from Oh Gyeong-hyeon. Everyone’s attention was on us.

It seemed Oh Gyeong-hyeon was at a loss for how to respond.

It must be his first time getting hit with Confucian texts.

Just as I was about to leave the classroom.

“What’s this bastard without a mother saying? Did anyone hear that?”

Oh, please.

I could just pretend I didn’t hear and leave, but I felt I couldn’t do that.

「<Guide for Apprentice Scholars> Remaining silent in front of someone who insults their parents is not scholar-like behavior. Don’t you have filial piety? (Expected Scholar Rate Change: -50%)」

I couldn’t leave the classroom.

Filled with anger and injustice, I strode back to Oh Gyeong-hyeon and said,

“You’re just like Dong Zhuo, ignorantly babbling without knowing your place.”

I insulted him, but it seemed he didn’t understand this subtle criticism.

From his blank expression, I could read his thoughts.

‘This works?’

That

This really gets to me. Ugh.

I couldn’t help but be irritated.