The Decision to Leave the Academy

Of course, it’s not because I hate struggling or because I’m bored that I want to leave the academy.

I’m the kind of person who can do anything as long as the reward is worth it.

And the reason I want to leave the academy is simple—there’s absolutely no reward.

A long time ago, a player who started the game as Raon Rigbelto once asked me something.

“How do you clear the academy story with Raon Rigbelto?”

My answer was simple.

“Don’t.”

“What? But the academy is the main setting…”

“Yeah. But it’s useless for Raon.”

The reason Raon Rigbelto is considered a trash character.

It’s because growth is practically impossible in the academy, which is both the main setting and main story of the game.

Strictly speaking, it’s not that there’s no growth at all.

It’s just growth in directions that are useless for Raon.

The academy gives plenty of rewards—so much that it’s considered extremely generous.

Weapons, magic, skills, even stats.

However.

The problem is, none of it is useful to me.

Weapons? I can’t use them because of the chains.

Magic? I’d die trying to use mana.

Skills? Without mana, they’re useless.

Stats? I can increase them elsewhere, and training them here is horribly inefficient.

Everything Raon needs can only be obtained outside the academy.

For that reason, the academy is completely useless to him.

I suffered for a long time because I didn’t know this.

Even after learning it, leaving the academy had strict restrictions, so I wasted a lot of time.

But if I drop out, I can optimize everything.

I’m definitely dropping out.

“Young master? Did you hurt your throat? Why aren’t you speaking…?”

“Be quiet.”

Stay back.

Fortunately, aside from the injury on my face, there was no major issue.

After returning, I received treatment in the infirmary.

Though it’s called an infirmary, it’s as well-equipped as a proper medical facility.

This is a place where children of noble families study, so that’s only natural.

And the infirmary professor was someone familiar.

“Still, this time it’s just your face. Better than last time when you came in right before your heart exploded.”

Long black hair reaching her chest, and golden eyes typical of a priest.

Madri, the infirmary teacher.

She’s a very popular character.

Not just because she’s beautiful, but because of her warm and gentle personality.

At least this part hasn’t changed.

Her friendliness even broke through Raon’s guarded personality, the kind that pushed everyone away.

She could even joke with him, despite him hating pointless conversations.

Hearing the same joke from the game made me feel relieved.

“What are you saying!!”

Startled, I turned to Abella, who suddenly shouted from behind.

She looked completely shocked.

“Your most precious face is injured!”

“I see. Then where did you get hurt? And where were you during your disappearance?”

…

There’s no way I can say I was mistaken for a criminal and dragged away by thugs.

Besides, that’s not something I’d ever say.

When I stayed silent, she rummaged through her belongings as if she expected it.

“You won’t tell me, right? I figured. Then will you attend class today?”

“…No.”

“Really? Then rest well today. Here, take this. Fighting!”

What she handed me was a very rare candy.

A Mana Absorption Candy.

It made sense—who would normally eat something that absorbs mana?

No demand means no supply.

Yet she somehow found it and gave it to Raon.

Gulp.

I swallowed it whole and stood up.

“…I’ll come again.”

“Alright. But when will you start speaking politely to me?”

…

I left without answering.

“It must’ve been heavy since I didn’t carry it for a day. I’ll carry it again!”

I pulled the chain away from her.

“No. I don’t need it.”

…!

“A-Are you angry…?”

When equipped, the chain increases stats.

So I have to carry it myself.

“…I’ve just gotten used to carrying it. You don’t need to.”

She smiled foolishly.

“Hehe…”

That’s enough.

I treated her the same way Raon used to, just slightly softer.

If I manage it well, I can avoid the assassin route and make her useful.

I’ve been stabbed in the back enough times to know how to handle this.

For now, I’ll keep a proper distance.

I organized my thoughts and headed to my next destination.

“Y-Young master! That’s not the dormitory…”

“I know.”

I glanced at the map and spoke calmly.

“I’m going to meet the principal.”

“For what…?”

“To drop out.”

I looked at her with indifferent eyes.

“From today onward, I’m leaving this academy.”

“…What?!?”