Chapter 33: Akito is Fair As soon as morning broke, I headed toward Akito with Chika in tow.
My calculation was simple: Akito, with his indecisiveness and tendency to be led by the nose by heroines, wouldn't be able to refuse Chika's proposal.
Chika, it's time you earned your keep. If you can just bring Akito over, you've done the work of two people.
No, what am I saying? It would basically be a hard carry.
If Akito works hard to protect me and racks up points, I'll treat him like a king. It's time I started riding the protagonist's coattails.
Since Team 5 has Yukina and Jade, there's no way they'd refuse to join hands with me. Once I recruit Akito, Samurai, and Shiori, I'll have nothing to fear.
"Akito!"
The moment she spotted him, that bitch Chika channeled her inner Golden Retriever, her twin-tails wagging like a tail as she sprinted toward him.
Why is she only a rabid dog when she's in front of me?
Chika linked arms with a flustered Akito, looking so excited she might actually lick his chin. The members of his harem didn't say a word, even as they watched Chika monopolize him. They knew better than to interfere; the rabid dog wouldn't take kindly to interruptions.
When I waved with a smile, Angelica hesitated before giving me a small wave back. Since we've bumped bits and had a soul-shaking "climax" together, I suppose we're somewhat close.
However, Ailee and Emma both scowled at my smile.
What exactly is the problem?
Most women love my handsome face, but for some reason, the girls of Yggdrasil seem to despise me. Granted, I did act like a bit of a prick during the entrance ceremony. Calling them "trash" was probably a bit much. I should have stopped at "you guys suck."
But still, look at me. I'm incredibly handsome, talented, and rich.
It seems the heroines, in particular, have a strong tendency to hate me. Well, I can't say all of them... Professor Erin doesn't hate me, and Angelica is fine.
I just don't get it.
Emma, especially, glared at me as if she wanted me dead.
"What did you do to Takeo?!"
"Shouldn't you be asking yourself what you did...?"
She was the one moaning under Akito, so why is she taking it out on me?
At my words, Chika, who was still clinging to Akito, flinched, and Emma approached me angrily. I guess she still cares about Takeo even after enjoying Akito's cock.
The news of Takeo's elimination and the circumstances surrounding it had been briefly relayed to all the students.
"I heard Takeo was eliminated because of you!"
"It wasn't because of me. He's the one who broke the rules. I didn't do anything."
"You must have pulled some dirty trick again, just like last time!"
I did get scolded by my "true mentor," August, for that.
But Takeo was the one who started it, and I only paid him back in kind. I raised a hand to stop Chika from jumping in and looked Emma in the eye.
"Takeo stole our supplies twice without a second thought. Each time he did, we were left with nothing. And that's not all. He completely destroyed the base we built."
"…"
"If you still think he did nothing wrong, I'll do exactly what was done to me right here, right now. Should I start by smashing your tent? Since there's a No-Attack Rule, you'll just have to stand there and watch. We had to endure that twice. I wonder how you'd fee—"
"Yeon-woo, it was just a misunderstanding, so don't push Emma so hard."
You bastard, stop taking the girls' side for once.
Am I in the wrong here? Am I the bad guy? Just because you slept with her once, you're going full "sweet guy" on me?
But since I needed to team up with Akito, I swallowed the words rising in my throat and forced a smile.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to pressure her. Takeo was eliminated for a reason, so please don't blame me. If you're curious about what happened, ask him yourself."
"…"
Emma turned her head away, remaining silent.
If she actually asks him, she'll either get slapped by Takeo for suspecting our relationship, or she'll slap him for talking nonsense. Either way, something will happen.
I wasn't here to clear up misunderstandings, so I ignored Emma and looked at Chika. Catching my drift, Chika swallowed hard and proposed the alliance to Akito.
Chika wasn't the best at explaining, but she hit all the key points. Akito took on a contemplative expression.
"I've already spoken with the other teams. Once we're done with Team 7, I'm going to talk to Team 2."
"Yeah, yeah! Akito, if you and I are on the same side, no one can stop us!"
Both Chika and I chimed in, growing anxious at his silence. Even Ailee and Angelica looked at him with expectant eyes, seemingly thinking it was a good idea. Akito thought for a moment, then looked at us and smiled.
"Sorry. I'll pass."
"Why? It's a proposal with no downsides."
"It's still an exam. I feel like doing this would be unfair to the students in the other classes."
Ah—am I an idiot?
To think I believed such a plan would work on this compulsive do-gooder. I realized once again just how stupid I was being.
"But Akito... the other classes will definitely team up if they find themselves in the same situation."
"Then that can't be helped. Sorry, everyone. But I don't want to win that way."
Hey, why are you giving us that cool smile like you did something great?
I really can't understand the mindset of this deceptive bastard.
And yet, whether it was Angelica, Ailee, or Emma, they all looked at him with admiring expressions. And you, Chika? Get a grip, Chika. You're in Team 4.
Am I the only crazy one here? Did I suggest we commit an act of terrorism? Did I tell him to scam someone?
And so, we had to retreat without gaining anything.
"What are you going to do now?"
"No complaints about my policy? You looked happy when Akito said no."
"…It's Akito. He's righteous, so it's only natural."
And I'm the villain.
Yeah, sure. Whatever. I get it. Akito is the protagonist. I'll stop talking before I turn into a full-blown villain out of spite.
"Do you think we can recruit Team 2?"
"Since Akito said he won't do it, they probably won't either."
That meant Team 2, where Shiori and Samurai were, was also out of the question.
…Well, then there's nothing left, is there?
Aside from Chika and Yukina, everyone else is just an extra.
There might be some strong ones among the extras, or some who know good magic… but no matter how I look at it, it feels like Akito could solo the whole lot of them.
On the way back, blue smoke rose, so Chika and I went to participate. I'd already shared the plan with the kids back at the base, so they should have each participated in the exams, leaving only one person behind.
This time, it was a contest of mana capacity, and Chika finally earned her keep by taking first place.
"This is nothing when they're up against me."
"…Let's stop taking the exams for a while."
Chika, who was basking in her own glory, looked at me with questioning eyes. At least she didn't immediately bark "What kind of bullshit is that?" this time.
Are we actually building trust?
"I don't mean skip all of them. We'll keep an eye on the atmosphere while taking the next few, but let's avoid the ones that drain too much stamina and mana."
"What about the points and supplies?"
"If they keep giving us exams that require heavy consumption, their intention is obvious."
"…And if it's not?"
"If it's not, then it'll be easier to deal with the exhausted students later. Even so, there is a risk. We're giving up on several exams, after all."
Actually, there is no risk.
Because I know what's coming next.
My only worry is that the teachers might suddenly change things, like they did with the Retreat Meta on the first day. But unless something major happens, I don't think they'll be able to change the overall framework.
"Fine, I'll follow your lead—why are you looking at me like that?"
"Uh… no, I just didn't expect you to agree."
"It's not a bad idea. It's not like the loss is that big."
Professor Eun-young August, my problem child has finally opened her heart to me.
Though I've never had a child, I felt the heart-swelling emotion of a father watching his daughter finally come to her senses. With that feeling, I stopped by Team 5 to meet Yukina.
Team 5 naturally agreed to join forces with us, and Team 3 agreed as well.
"So Yukinon and Jade are joining too, right?! I felt so left out being the only one separated. I'm counting on you, Yeon-woo!"
Mary, who was in Team 3, gave me a bright smile and a hug. Since she has a "broad heart" (chest), her hug felt quite nice.
I didn't even bother trying with Team 2, where Shiori and Samurai were, and Team 1 rejected me, saying they couldn't trust me.
"Am I really that hated?"
"You didn't know? It's more surprising that you didn't."
"But I'm so handsome. Ah, it must be because the leader of Team 1 is a guy."
"Sigh, I'm not even going to bother talking to you."
So, the teams forming the joint front were Teams 3, 4, 5, and 6.
We had enough people, but aside from Chika and Yukina, it was an army of extras. A perfect lineup to be slaughtered by the protagonist and the heroines.
I definitely need to change the strategy.
As soon as I returned, I used the Eye of Yullat to scout the terrain and decided to move our base.
"Is this… right?"
Rio looked up at the cliff and then back at me.
There was no place nearby to get drinking water, the ground was uneven, and large rocks were scattered everywhere, making it a terrible spot to pitch a tent. The only advantage was that being at the foot of a cliff meant we had a wall protecting our rear.
"It's right. We're setting up base here. Masayoshi, Toby."
"Yeah, you called?"
"From now on, you two are the most important."
"…What are you going to make us do?"
Don't give me those anxious eyes. When have I ever bullied you?
Masayoshi, the survival expert, and Toby, the legendary… well, I don't know if he's legendary, but he's the best fisherman here—they were the keys to our preparation.
"Masayoshi, start by making a smoker and jars to hold water. After that, we're going to fell some trees and build a palisade."
"Not much different from before."
"We need to store enough water for ten or more people to last two or three days. Can you make jars that big by the end of the day? If it's too much, I'll give you more help. And we're going to need a lot of firewood."
"I'll work with Rio. He's done it once, so he'll be helpful."
Okay, Masayoshi is set. Next, I looked at Toby.
"Toby, can you catch enough fish today for ten or more people to eat for two or three days? We're going to smoke them, so you don't have to worry about them rotting."
"With a fishing rod… that's impossible. Even if there are plenty of good-sized fish… spear fishing might be better. If I use magic, I should be able to catch a decent amount."
"Good. How many people do you need? Actually, take Chika, Mio, and even Luis. You can catch them with that many, right?"
"Uh… I think that'll work. Leave it to me."
Toby, who had quickly fashioned a harpoon with Masayoshi, headed toward the sea with the others. The Comedy Duo watched Toby's back with envious eyes, likely imagining Chika and Mio entering the water in light clothing.
"Why call me when you have Luis…"
"I also wanted to be with Mio… no, never mind."
They grumbled, but they would never admit out loud that they wanted to be with Chika. Masayoshi hoisted a makeshift A-frame carrier onto his back, saying he was going to collect clay.
"So, are we going to hold out in a siege?"
"How did you know?"
"I can guess that much from the way you're stockpiling food. Wouldn't it be weirder not to know?"
Rio looks like he had absolutely no idea, though.
Masayoshi is surprisingly capable. You get two extra adult magazines.
Left alone after they departed, I pulled out the Etiquette Infuser.
Kaaa— Look at that black body and that massive nut. It looks magnificent no matter how many times I see it. Frey really has no taste, hating something like this.
I loosened up my body, approached the cliff, and swung with all my might.
Clang—!
The sound was crisp and satisfying.
A master craftsman is indeed a master. He even tuned the sound to my request.
But… my hands are stinging.
Even with physical enhancement magic, I endured the stinging in my hands and continued to dig into the cliffside. I'm not a fan of playing like a coward, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Akito, you've never experienced how annoying a hardcore camper can be, have you?
I'm about to show you.
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