Chapter – 13
Late afternoon.
A deserted path on the academy’s outskirts.
“……”
There was no response to his threat. Mikhail narrowed his eyes and scanned the surrounding bushes.
Just moments ago, the footsteps had been clear, but now there wasn’t even a hint of presence—as if whoever it was had held their breath.
‘Well, well. They’re not showing themselves easily.’
Under the deathly silent atmosphere.
Mikhail withdrew his gaze from the bushes and continued forward.
Rustle, rustle.
…Again, footsteps following behind him.
Mikhail let out a small sigh. It seemed the other party intended to react based on his movements.
‘How troublesome.’
Mikhail, who’d walked a bit further, stopped abruptly.
As soon as he did, the footsteps behind him also cut off.
Mikhail glanced at the bushes behind him.
“……”
At first glance, the movement seemed to be toying with him, but…
In reality, control of the situation was essentially in Mikhail’s hands. The other party’s movements required him, after all.
‘If that’s the case.’
Mikhail tilted his head slightly and let out a thoughtful sound.
‘Should I just break the stalemate?’
That wouldn’t be particularly difficult.
“Kugh!”
Mikhail suddenly gasped and covered his mouth, swaying like someone in pain.
“Hukhup, cough! Cough!”
After several bouts of choking coughs.
Mikhail finally collapsed limply on the spot…
Thud.
He sprawled out flat on the dirt ground.
“……”
Mikhail closed his eyes.
From now on, it was a battle of patience.
“……”
Whether they retreated or approached closer.
The moment they showed any movement, he’d catch them immediately.
Whoosh.
A breeze that brushed past tickled his cheek, and the rough dirt ground scratched his skin. The pitch-black darkness before his eyes held only silence.
Tap.
That’s when it happened.
The sound of something stepping on the ground.
Tap tap tap tap.
Forward and back, from right to left.
It moved quickly and busily. Then suddenly.
Sniff, sniff sniff sniff….
Tuuuug.
His sleeve was pulled sharply.
Mikhail’s eyes flew open.
“Kang….”
What he immediately faced were two pairs of jet-black eyes.
The sky foxes that had been tugging at Mikhail’s sleeve froze like they’d seen a ghost.
“……”
Silence descended.
Meanwhile, Mikhail slowly raised his prone upper body and looked down at the sky foxes, clearing his throat.
“Ahem, hmm.”
The sky foxes finally reacted. They jumped in surprise, puffing up their fur, then opened their mouths into diamond shapes and gaped.
As the sky foxes stumbled backward, Mikhail smiled awkwardly and said.
“Sorry. I didn’t think you’d come out unless I did this.”
“Kr… krung.”
The sky foxes, standing hesitantly, exchanged glances with each other, then bowed their heads and sat down.
Mikhail tilted his head slightly and spoke.
“Did you follow me?”
“…Krung.”
The question of “why” didn’t follow.
It wasn’t difficult to recall the relevant setting.
[Tales Chronicle Intermission Setting Collection][…Sky foxes have a habit of being unable to leave behind young or injured companions. This bond stems from the communal consciousness that sky foxes uphold….]
‘Unable to leave behind injured companions, huh.’
At this point, the circumstances were roughly guessable.
‘…Do they think of me as a companion?’
Mikhail let out a hollow breath and asked the sky foxes.
“Are you worried because of what you saw last time? When my mana went berserk… I mean, when it overflowed?”
“Krung.”
The two sky foxes babbled as if they’d been waiting for this. Mikhail chuckled and swept back his bangs.
‘The way this is going.’
It was exactly like the divine beast recruitment event. If things continued this way, he’d end up traveling with the sky foxes.
‘Hmm.’
Mikhail narrowed his eyes and assessed the situation.
If he thought about it, recruiting the sky foxes was favorable. In terms of gaining strength to protect himself, that is.
‘Divine beasts aren’t just reliable allies—they also have the ability to boost their companion’s stats.’
However, there was one concern.
Since sky foxes were such rare beings, the items they used tended to be expensive.
But even that wouldn’t be a problem for a while.
‘I’ve got plenty of money saved up.’
The 100 gold he’d extorted from Kobi. That should be more than enough to cover the sky foxes’ supplies.
Plus, he knew how to get items cheaply.
‘Then all that’s left is to propose traveling together in a way that appeals to the sky foxes.’
Mikhail smiled slightly and said to the sky foxes.
“Since it’s come to this, could you do me one favor?”
When the sky foxes perked up their triangular ears and raised their heads, Mikhail hesitated before opening his mouth with a deliberately gloomy expression.
“Actually, it’s a bit embarrassing to say directly… but I’ll be honest.”
Mikhail coughed a couple of times and pointed to his dusty collar.
“As you can see, I’m very weak. My mana capacity is rock bottom, and my body isn’t great either. On top of that, most people hate me.”
“……”
“So I’m asking—could you protect me? Not for long, just until I’m strong enough to take care of myself.”
That’s when it happened. The sky foxes’ black eyes sparkled once. A system message appeared.
【Notice: Divine Beast [Sky Fox] recruitment process activated.】
About thirty minutes had passed since then.
Mikhail sat on a bench beneath a horse chestnut tree. The sky foxes had each settled on his shoulders.
“Let’s start with introductions. I’ll tell you my name first.”
“Kang!”
The sky fox sitting on the left cried out as if it had been waiting.
According to the setting, they understood all of his words, so communication should be possible somehow.
“I’m Mikhail. Mikhail Senit. I stay in the 108 dormitory building… no, the building with the orange roof, third floor. The most isolated spot with white window frames. I’ll always leave the window open, so feel free to come and go that way.”
“Kang.”
“And don’t use the main roads for a while. If people spot you, it’ll get troublesome. I need to register you as companions officially, but I can’t do that yet.”
“Karung.”
“Um, and also….”
Mikhail touched his chin and tilted his head.
“Right. I need to give you names.”
“Kang!”
The sky foxes’ tails wagged busily. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Pop!
【Divine Beast [Sky Fox] recruitment in progress.】
- Name the sky fox siblings.
“Hmm.”
Mikhail narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.
There was a setting related to naming. It was better to give names considering the owner’s characteristics or wishes.
…But well, that aside.
‘I’ve got default names already picked out, don’t I?’
Why go the hard route when there’s a correct answer? Mikhail looked at the sky foxes on both shoulders alternately and said.
“The older sister is Han, the younger brother is Ul. Together, Hanul. How’s that?”
When the sky foxes perked up their ears and tilted their heads, Mikhail added to his explanation.
“It means ‘great fence.’ It contains the wish that you’ll be able to protect whatever you want. And also a bit of thought that you shouldn’t lose your home to random punks anymore….”
“Kang!”
At that moment, a clear cry rang out as if saying there would be no such thing from now on.
A new message appeared.
【Notice: Divine beast recruitment complete. Companion effect applied.】
- Blessed by the wind, [Casting Speed] increased by one grade.
【Bonus effect applied.】
Name compatibility is high, so stats will increase additionally.
[Mana Capacity] stat increased by one tier.
【Character Stat Change Notification】
- Casting Speed: D- → C- (Grade increase)
- Mana Capacity: E+ → D- (Tier increase)
‘Then what’s left is….’
Mikhail turned his eyes toward the distant sky. Where his gaze reached was the annex where the ability reassessment would take place.
The next day, early morning.
Mikhail walked along the corridor leading to the annex.
Step, step.
He was heading to the measurement room.
For his ability reassessment.
“I’ll only say the precautions once. Listen carefully.”
Mikhail glanced at the back of the staff member reciting precautions in an automated-message-like tone.
“The new results will be output immediately after the ability measurement is completed. I’ll provide the relevant documents right away, so take one copy. Additionally, the updated results will be immediately applied to your personal academic records and will be sent to your supervising professor and family home. If meaningful results come out, that is.”
The two finally reached the measurement room door.
The stern-looking staff member turned toward Mikhail.
“Any other questions?”
“None.”
The staff member nodded and turned around again.
Twice upward, three times downward. He drew a straight line to release the locking spell carved in front of the door. The door opened.
Mikhail handed over his student handbook to the staff member and entered the measurement room.
“The measurement takes about ten minutes. I’ll knock on the door when it’s done, so come out when you hear it.”
With that final word, the door closed again.
Clack.
Inside the interior that was pitch dark. However, only the magic circle drawn on the floor emitted a subtle light.
Mikhail stood on top of the magic circle.
Tsssss….
The magic circle gradually began to respond.
A blue light rose brightly from beneath his feet.
“……”
Mikhail closed his eyes.
As soon as he did—
—Whoooosh!
“!”
The sound of wind swept past his ears. Mikhail’s eyes flew open. The bland gray walls were nowhere to be seen, and where he stood was a space of deep blue all around. Only the vast, endless ocean.
‘It sank my consciousness. So it wouldn’t interfere with the ability measurement.’
Mikhail looked around before staring straight ahead. Where one’s sunken consciousness headed was generally the most intimate place within oneself. Desire or impulse, ideals. Or….
‘Unrecognized potential.’
That’s when it happened.
Rummmble….
A massive shadow covered the area above. Mikhail flinched and whipped his head up. A huge. A very huge streamlined body was swimming in curves. Mikhail, who’d been quietly staring at the sight, narrowed his eyes in puzzlement.
‘What does this even have to do with me….’
At that moment, the giant body’s movement stopped abruptly. It lowered its head toward the depths with a long cry.
Mikhail stared at it as if entranced.
Kuurrr….
What he soon faced was a whale so massive it covered his field of vision.
Long, extended fins undulated as if they were wings, and pitch-black eyes looked directly at him.
“!”
Mikhail flinched at the suddenly approaching pressure.
The whale began to slowly approach. Mikhail tried to quickly back away, but his feet only stirred in place.
Kurrrrr….
The distance to the whale kept narrowing. The deep blue giant surged forward as if it would crush the person it faced.
Mikhail bit his lip and stretched out his hand.
He had to stop it. After all, the essence of this place was his own consciousness, wasn’t it? If he concentrated, he might be able to draw magic to suppress it…
Kurr.
The whale suddenly stopped moving. It stood still in place and stared at Mikhail.
At the sudden situation, Mikhail also widened his eyes and looked at the whale.
Under the exchanged gazes, silence flowed in their standoff for a moment.
“……”
Mikhail gulped down dry saliva.
He carefully moved the hand he’d extended forward to the right. The whale swung its head sharply to the right.
This time he moved it to the left. The whale looked to the left. When he placed his hand in front, the whale also looked forward.
Mikhail, who’d been blinking, let out a hollow laugh.
‘What is this….’
…Wouldn’t this make his tension seem pointless?
Mikhail slowly lowered his hand. The whale stood still and slowly swished its tail. Just like a puppy.
Mikhail leaned toward the whale with a relaxed face.
Since it seemed to have no hostility, he might be able to find a way to communicate….
CRAAACK!
That’s when it happened. At the ear-splitting bursting sound, Mikhail whipped his head around. The surrounding space was cracking apart. Like cracks forming in a window.
Tap— Tap—
Along with that, the whale’s body began to emit a deep blue light. White spots were engraved on its skin one by one.
Eventually, its form gradually became hazy.
Mikhail urgently stretched out his hand and opened his mouth.
Blubblubble….
But what came from his mouth were only bubbles.
The surrounding ocean fell in finely crushed pieces, and cracks formed on the whale’s hide that had turned into the Milky Way.
Then suddenly—
CRASH!
The whale’s body shattered into pieces. Dozens, hundreds of fragments burst out. They eventually became a dark purple wave and rushed in. Mikhail was engulfed and covered by the incoming starry sky. And then.
Knock knock knock knock knock—!
When his vision brightened again, it was reality. The knocking sound echoing as if the door would break. Mikhail gasped for breath and staggered. His whole body was drenched in cold sweat.
“Hey! Can’t you hear me! I say! It’s all done!”
“I can… hear you. I’ll be right out.”
Mikhail managed to produce a voice and answered. At some point, the magic circle beneath his feet was only emitting a subtle green light. It meant the measurement results had changed from before.
Clack.
Mikhail soon came out of the measurement room. He bowed to the staff member standing at the door, then received the reassessment results and student handbook in passing.
Pop!
【Notice: Stats updated. Character’s academic status changed to [Current Student].】
【Notice: New quest list activated.】
At some point, system messages had been appearing before his eyes.
Mikhail walked along the corridor with dazed eyes looking at the text.
“……”
Eventually, only one staff member remained in the corridor where Mikhail had disappeared.
The staff member clicked his tongue and looked at Mikhail’s retreating figure, then lowered his eyes to the new measurement results.
Given how dazed he looked and couldn’t get his wits together, it didn’t seem like the results would change….
“Ugh.”
The staff member let out a single sound. He hastily moved his gaze to look at the end of the path where Mikhail had disappeared.
A bewildered voice flowed out from under his expression that couldn’t hide his surprise.
“…N-no way. Did the results really change?”
About thirty minutes had passed after completing the ability measurement.
On the road leading to the dormitory.
Mikhail sat on a bench, staring blankly at the sky, then tucked the ability measurement document into his pocket and stood up.
He plodded forward along the path.
With a somewhat dazed face, he walked for about ten minutes.
“……”
Mikhail suddenly stopped. He slapped both his cheeks sharply and let out a big breath.
‘Anyway, this means expulsion won’t happen. I got through that deadly situation safely too.’
Mikhail slowly lowered the hands on his cheeks and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
‘Then, what should I do from now on?’
Mikhail let out a thoughtful sound and tilted his head back.
Over the canvas-wide sky, his actions from the past few days vaguely came to mind.
Using his game knowledge to solve problems and foster growth.
The mysterious ability that had settled in his body when he crossed over into the game world awakening.
Untangling even a little of the bad blood he’d been caught in.
“…Mm.”
Mikhail tilted his head slightly.
Though it hadn’t been a long time, the things he’d faced had flowed in a direction that was favorable and beneficial to him.
Thanks to his prior knowledge as a game developer and long-time player.
‘Not bad.’
However, a way to return to his original world was still distant.
He couldn’t find even a small clue or hint. No matter how many times he mulled it over, it was a mystery.
Plus… there wasn’t much benefit to returning to his original world anyway.
‘I have no family, not even relatives, and I quit the one job I had because of illness…. Pretty pathetic in many ways.’
Mikhail let out a deep sigh and lowered his eyes.
What entered his lowered field of vision was his current body. Mikhail raised the hand he’d dropped to the side and stared at it quietly.
‘But, this body’s overall conditions are different.’
The only legitimate son of a great northern mage family.
In other words, if he gained enough ability to be recognized as successor by the time the main storyline ended.
It meant a life of being treated preciously in a peaceful world would be guaranteed.
‘It’s more beneficial to aim for settling down and growing rather than attempting to return.’
He knew plenty of useful points to exploit, didn’t he?
His current stats were somewhat insufficient, but if he gained strength from points on the outskirts where the main storyline progressed, it would be entirely possible.
‘Besides, for a while, it’ll be safer to stay near the main storyline anyway.’
While his thoughts continued in a chain.
His ambling footsteps had brought Mikhail to the front of the dormitory building.
Clack.
As soon as Mikhail entered his lodging, he picked up the poker that had been leaning against the wall.
The equipment he’d used in the confrontation with the large crows.
He planned to take it to the armory right now.
Coincidentally, an incident would occur where he could obtain an item needed to grow his mana.
“Kang?”
That’s when it happened. The sky foxes jumped in surprise and approached his side.
Their faces clearly showed worry and concern.
Mikhail smiled faintly and said.
“It’s nothing serious. I won’t get beaten up this time.”
“Kruung….”
“Really. So you don’t need to worry.”
The sky foxes still seemed hesitant but eventually seemed to decide to trust Mikhail.
They stared at the poker quietly before taking a step back.
“Thanks for trusting me. I’ll be right back.”
Mikhail smiled broadly and greeted them, then left the dormitory building and walked toward the armory.
He walked along the path for about ten minutes.
Where he stopped was in front of the armory.
Mikhail stared at the closed entrance, then lowered his gaze to the poker he was holding.
The poker he’d borrowed through Ada. Returning it would be the surface reason for coming, but….
‘My real purpose is to obtain the materials for a skill.’
Mikhail raised his eyes again. As if waiting for something, he stood in front of the closed door.
Before long, a voice that stabbed at his ears burst out.
“I can’t hear you! Give me my money back right now!”
As if the shout were a signal flare, Mikhail finally pushed open the entrance and entered the armory.
Clack.
【Quest: [Sub] Stop the Armory Commotion】
- Quest Reward: Shop Currency +1
A system message that appeared just in time.
Mikhail watched the commotion that followed.
In front of the counter where the worn mithril sword lay.
Edwin Lowell, a boy accompanied by a group of thugs, was cursing at the person he faced.
“I swung it just once and it ended up like this! Are you saying we’re wrong? You fraud of an old man!”
