Princess Stella Cryasius
When I look up, I realise it's already evening. Wyll and I reach the dorms, and before we separate, he says shyly, "So, er—I'll be going to the dungeon again tomorrow. What about you?" It's clear what he's trying to say: do you want to go together again?
"Probably at the same time," I say. I'm guessing here, I don't know what classes Thomas has tomorrow, "See you around."
With that, I leave for my dorm room. Once there, I sigh in relief and collapse on the bed. I've never had a more exciting day. And conversely, I've never had a more satisfying day. My old life was always grey, work to live, live to work. But here I'm trying to actually accomplish something! I'm trying to defeat my hero, and I'm taking steps to accomplish that!
Something about that fills me with energy, even though I should be out of it.
"Stats!"
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Thomas Filmore (Warrior)
LVL 12 (640 EXP to next level)
Con – 10 (+3)
Str – 12 (+3)
Dex – 9 (+3)
Sta – 12 (+3)
Mag – 11 (+3)
Fai – 6 (-3)
Skills:
Analyse LVL 1 (2/3)
Abyssflame LVL 1 (0/3)
Abyssflame Slash LVL 1 (0/3)
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I made a dent in my experience points needed to level up, but I'm still nowhere near actually levelling up. Tomorrow I'll travel even deeper into the dungeon. The teacher today said only a few people in our class have reached the third floor, and it didn't seem like Thomas had, so it's very likely I'll be encountering a mid-boss Thomas hasn't faced yet tomorrow.
The thought of that excites me, but it also makes me feel a bit cold and shivery. I suddenly laugh. Oh man, when was the last time I had this much fun thinking about the next day?
Right… it was when I used to play Rising Hero… It all comes back to this game…
It is with these thoughts that I prepare for bed, and it is with these thoughts that I go to sleep.
*
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Quest: Attend Class in Two Hours
Reward: 100 EXP
Accept/Deny
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It showed up again today, and I say, "Accept." As the window disappears, I wonder if I actually need to say that. I said no to Rex yesterday, but I didn't say reject. And yet the quest still disappeared. I think it only matters that I do the quest or not. Accepting or rejecting just puts it on my quests screen so that I can remind myself of it whenever I want.
I get ready for the day earlier than yesterday since I have nothing I want to experiment with today, but just as I am about to head out, there is a knock on my door.
I open it to find a woman with wavy grey hair and sharp eyes of the same colour. Rather than pretty or cute, only the word beautiful can apply to her. She would have to be this striking, I suppose, seeing how she's in the Hero's Party and all.
"Thomas Filmore," she says, her voice full of venom.
"Your Highness Stella Cryasius," I greet back. Yes, this girl is one of the three royal children of the Kingdom of Hoff.
"What is your business with Wyll Struick?" She asks, getting straight to the point. There is a feeling of danger to her, just like Ophelia, but in a different way. If Ophelia can be likened to a wild chainsaw, then Stella Cryasius would be a fine dagger pressed up against one's throat.
"What does it matter to you?" I'm being deliberately obtuse. I can easily guess why she's here. Her whole plotline revolves around being too overprotective of Wyll. When she heard that Thomas Filmore of all people was seen exiting the dungeon with him, she must have almost had a heart attack.
Her glare sharpens, "Answer the question!"
Well now, that's just rude. Justifiably so, sure, but still. I don't actually have a proper answer that will turn her away, so I deflect, "You seem very interested in a seemingly random person like Wyll Struick. Is there something special about him?"
"Nothing at all," Stella says decisively, "But I'm here because I won't let an innocent person fall into your clutches. Whatever intentions you have for him, discard them!" Ooh! That's a good excuse, very believable. Thomas does have a terrible reputation after all, especially when it comes to commoners.
"Well, I haven't forced Wyll to do anything. If he meets me again, it will be through his own power. Good day," I close the door in her face. Hopefully, that will get her to back off a bit.
She doesn't knock on my door again, nor does she break it down, so I consider myself safe for now. With that dealt with, it's time to prepare for the dungeon later today. I find Thomas Filmore's sword and examine it.
I don't know anything about weapons so I don't know if it's better than the standard academy-issued swords, but it certainly looks fancier. There is gold filigree woven into the blade and it has a jewel for a pommel.
Then, an idea strikes me, and I look at it and say with intent, "Analyse."
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Thomas' Sword
The blade was crafted for a child who stood above the world. He was fated for greatness. He undid his fate with his own hands.
Passive: +3 to STR
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That's a pretty harsh description… More importantly, it seems these descriptions know about the original storyline. That's pretty interesting, it must imply something, though I don't know what yet.
It has a stat modifier, so I unsheathe it and hold it in my hands. Nothing feels different.
I expected… I don't know what. To feel stronger, I guess? Everything is the same though. I give the sword a few test swings, and it does feel smoother in my hands, but that's it.
It might just be a placebo, but the sword is a good weight. It feels just right in my hands, much better than the standard-issue academy sword did. I shiver at the thought of having the same opinion as Thomas and resheathe the sword. Once I'm sure I have everything, I step out the door to go to class.