Kaito's face cycled through a series of expressions, first shock, then confusion, quickly followed by outright horror at the terrifying failure condition of the main quest.
His mind raced, desperately trying to make sense of it.
"Did this ever happen in the game?" he wondered.
"Of course, there were times the main characters faced deadly ordeals or powerful enemies, but in this exam?"
"No, they should have been able to beat any monster thrown at them."
"What changed? What variable was added for this to happen?"
A cold realization struck him.
"I have no choice, I really need to use my unclaimed rewards now from that night," he thought, remembering the rewards he'd earned from saving Anya.
He called out to the system.
"Show player status," he commanded mentally. And then, "I want to receive both rewards."
Player Status
Name: Kaito Kuromaku
Lvl: 5
Exp: 5/20
Age: 16
Race: Human
HP: 345/345
MP: 195/195
SP: 265/265
Coins: 950
Stat Point Available: 0
Unclaimed Rewards: 2
Stats:
Strength (STR): 17
Agility (AGI): 12
Vitality (VIT): 13
Intelligence (INT): 10
Resolve (RES): 10
Charisma (CHA): 12
Luck (LCK): 10
Skills:
Viper's Strike
Iron Guard Stance
Will of Steel
Silent Draw
Aura
Lucky Break
Just as Kaito finished reviewing his updated stats, two more glowing notifications popped into his vision.
Side Quest:
Beat Up and Capture Illegal Traders and Hunters
Rewards:
Exp +15
Stat Point +2
Coins +300
Side Quest:
Release All Captured Slaves
Rewards:
Charisma +3
Stat Point +2
Coins +100
Kaito's eyes immediately fixed on the 4 new Stat Point Available.
He scanned his Player Status, still hovering visibly before him.
I guess I can add it to strength and see what reward a 20 stat gives me, he thought, a strategic glint in his eyes.
He then commanded in his mind, "Add three stats to Strength."
A surge of warmth spread through Kaito's body, and he felt a distinct, pleasing change in his muscles, a new sense of power settling into his limbs.
As the feeling subsided, another notification popped into view, crisp and clear.
Strength (STR) Reached 20!
Rewards:
New Skill:
Shadow Mark (3)
The user can mark a person's shadow without being traced. The user can monitor the person marked by this skill, from their HP percentage, status ailments, and the distance between the user and the marked person.
The user will be able to summon themselves instantaneously in the shadow of the person marked by this skill.
HP +20
MP +20
SP +20
Kaito's eyes, wide with surprise at the rewards he'd just received, practically bugged out as he read the description for his new skill.
"What the hell?" he thought, his jaw dropping slightly.
"This skill is perfect!"
He quickly re-read:
"Shadow Mark. Three charges. Monitor HP, status, distance. And be able to teleport to their shadow instantaneously."
"Are the gods helping me right now? Or is this because of my Luck skill and stat working?"
He wasn't sure, but a wave of profound relief washed over him.
"Well, whoever or whatever gave me this skill, thanks."
"I now have a chance to save whoever the hell this main character is that's about to die."
His mind immediately shifted to strategy.
"Hmm, there are only 3 charges, and there are 4 main characters right now that I know of."
His gaze instinctively flickered towards the four prominent students, each seated at their own desks in various parts of the room.
"I guess i will have to choose who am I going to use these three charges."
---
As Professor Aurora continued her explanation, Catherina, seated beside Kaito, subtly turned her head.
A look of shock and confusion washed over her face as she saw Kaito.
His usual calm expression was replaced by something grim, serious, and deeply worried.
His eyes were fixed blankly ahead, lost in thought.
"Hey, are you alright?" Catherina whispered, a touch of concern in her voice.
Kaito didn't seem to hear her, still lost in his internal turmoil.
Catherina frowned slightly, then gently shook his arm.
"Hey, hey, Kaito!" she called, a bit louder.
Kaito finally blinked, as if snapping out of a trance.
"Ohh, Catherina? What, what is it?" he asked, turning his head towards her.
She repeated her question, her brow furrowed.
"Are you alright? You look too serious and worried there, staring blankly at the ceiling and then straight ahead."
"Oh, did I?" Kaito forced a small, slightly awkward laugh.
"Hahah, sorry about that. I think I ate something bad this morning."
"Don't worry about it, Catherina."
He offered her a quick, reassuring smile.
Catherina didn't quite believe him.
Her gaze lingered on his face for a second longer, her expression thoughtful.
"What's wrong with him?" she wondered.
Then, a different thought intruded, catching her off guard.
"And why does his face look... better now? Above average? More handsome?"
A faint blush crept up her neck, and she immediately scolded herself.
"What the hell are you thinking?! Stop that and stop looking at him!"
She gave her head a quick, subtle shake and abruptly looked away from him, focusing intently on Professor Aurora as if her life depended on it.
Professor Aurora finally finished explaining everything, patiently entertaining a bunch of questions from the students.
She then glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Alright, everyone, that's it for me," she announced.
"Let's meet after an hour outside, in front of the academy gates."
"We'll then teleport to the simulation exam area. So go, eat, plan, or ready everything you think you'll need for the exam."
"Remember, you'll be camping outside for days, so make sure to prepare thoroughly."
With that, she turned and swept out of the classroom.
As soon as she left, the room erupted.
Students immediately started forming small groups, excitedly chatting about strategies, supplies, and their plans.
Kaito watched as Gwen, Eric, and Darius approached Catherina.
"Hey, wanna eat with us?" Gwen asked.
Catherina agreed, her eyes then flickering towards Kaito.
She hesitated, not saying anything.
Gwen noticed Catherina's gaze.
Her eyes followed Catherina's line of sight, landing on Kaito, and a knowing smile spread across her face.
"Kaito," Gwen called out, "do you want to eat with us? You can plan your exam while eating with Catherina."
Catherina's eyes widened, a look of surprise aimed at Gwen, who just continued to smile innocently.
Catherina sighed, then turned her gaze to Kaito, about to tell him it was perfectly alright if he didn't want to accept the invitation.
But Kaito spoke first.
"Okay, I'll join," he said, pushing himself up from his chair.
"I'm actually pretty hungry right now."
Catherina looked genuinely surprised by his acceptance.
As they walked down the bustling hall towards the canteen, Catherina, who was now walking beside Kaito, looked at him with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
"I thought you ate something bad earlier, and now you're hungry?" she asked, a slight frown on her face.
"Can you even eat properly?"
Kaito just smiled. "Yeah, it doesn't hurt anymore, thanks for asking, princess."
Catherina visibly stiffened, a surprised flush creeping up her cheeks.
She hadn't heard that word in days, not since their last playful interaction.
"Ahh! You just called me that word again!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of anger and embarrassment.
"I told you to never do that again, didn't I?"
Kaito's smile widened mischievously.
"Oops, I forgot! It just slipped right out of my mouth. It will never happen again, Pri— Catherina."
He punctuated the correction by suddenly darting away, running towards a free table on the other side of the canteen.
Catherina, eyes wide, instinctively flinched and then, with a huff, ran after him, trying to cut him off.
Kaito, however, was quick, anticipating her moves and dodging to the other side of the table when she tried to flank him.
What started as a chase quickly turned into a playful game of tag amongst the tables.
Gwen, Eric, and Darius watched, surprised, as Kaito and Catherina playfully weaved through the growing crowd, a vibrant blur of motion.
Gwen's face softened into a warm smile.
"Aww, look at them," she cooed. "They look like they're having fun."
Darius, ever the logical one, tilted his head.
"Are they? Catherina doesn't really look like it."
Eric, his brow furrowed with concern, immediately piped up.
"We should stop them! It's not good to run in the canteen."
Gwen let out a long, exasperated sigh at the two boys beside her.
"You are both too oblivious to understand this," she declared, shaking her head.
"No, I'm not!"
"No, I'm not!"
Eric and Darius retorted simultaneously, looking offended.
Just as Catherina finally cornered Kaito by a pillar, Gwen, Eric, and Darius caught up.
Gwen clapped her hands together, a playful smirk on her face.
"Alright, time to eat, lovebirds!" she announced loudly, causing Catherina to blush furiously.
"We don't have a lot of time for lunch!"