Gift (1)

I opened my eyes.

"Huh."

I felt much better.

Right after my match with Neike, even the slightest movement was painful, but now my body could move effortlessly.

I propped myself up and twisted my body side to side, wiggling my legs.

There's still some muscle soreness, but at this level, I could go about my day-to-day activities as long as I didn't exert myself too much.

Compared to how I felt before passing out, it was like the difference between hot and cold baths.

"But how much time has passed?"

Had I been out for days?

In a hurry, I glanced at the wristwatch on my left hand.

"...Oh."

It was 4 a.m. on Friday.

Less than 12 hours had passed since I collapsed in the waiting room.

I'm not sure what happened to me, but I'm relieved.

"Where am I?"

I slowly looked around.

Immediately, I recognized where I was.

A place I had seen countless times in the main story.

'The First Hero Department Dormitory.'

A place reserved only for the top ten students in terms of academic ranking.

With over ten rooms attached, it's a luxurious space, way too spacious for one person.

Naturally, the room I was in was also large, at least twice the size of my dorm room.

But despite its size, there were hardly any furnishings or decorations.

Only a few tables and chairs were present.

It felt eerily empty.

Speaking of which, this bed is huge.

And it's as comfortable as the one in my dorm room.

Judging by its design, it must also be provided by the Hero Department.

It's just like them to prioritize treating one exceptional student better than a hundred average ones.

As I thought this, stretching my arms and legs,

"Huh?"

Something fluffy touched the soles of my feet. It felt like a ball of yarn.

Lifting the blanket, I found Little Fist curled up, fast asleep.

Why is he sleeping here?

Carefully, I placed Little Fist beside me.

While it wasn't solely due to his healing aura... his presence probably played a part in my improved condition.

He might be a bit mischievous, but he's always by my side when I'm roughed up.

"Good boy."

I affectionately stroked Little Fist's head.

─...Kiiing, Kiing.

Little Fist twitched in his sleep.

"Shh..."

I decided to let him rest.

If Little Fist is here, does that mean Amy is in this dorm too?

I took a sip from the glass of water placed on the bedside table.

Kiiik─

And then, I headed outside the room.

A spacious living room, more than five times the size of the room I had just been in, greeted me.

Similar to the other room, the only furniture, a table and some chairs, were clearly provided by the Hero Department.

Now I'm 100% certain.

I've seen this place not just in the game but in reality as well.

It was Jang Woohee's dormitory.

"...You're awake."

Said Jang Woohee, emerging from the shadows of the room without a sound.

"Yes, thank you."

"I just gave you a place to rest. It was your fiancée and the maid who looked after you."

"Thanks all the same. But Amy isn't a maid."

"...Then what is she, young master?"

Amy's voice chimed in from another part of the room.

"...!"

Well, that's surprising.

Both of them might as well be assassins, considering how expertly they hide their presence.

Looking into Amy's calm eyes, I replied,

"She's my secretary."

"Excuse me?"

"Exactly as I said. From now on, Amy, your role isn't that of a maid but my secretary. Though you've been doing it due to a lack of hands, someone as talented as you shouldn't be doing mundane chores anyone could do."

"I... see. So, I'm your exclusive se...cretary."

Amy repeated the term 'exclusive secretary' under her breath and nodded.

A faint smile graced her usually composed face.

'Well, no one else is serving me at the moment, so I guess 'exclusive secretary' fits.'

There might be more capable individuals, but there's hardly anyone who takes care of me as well as Amy does.

Moreover, she's not affiliated with the academy, and currently, her identity is still a secret, making her ideal for discreet tasks.

"Anyway, I want to know what happened after I lost consciousness in the waiting room."

"Ah, about that..."

Amy began her tale.

It wasn't a long one.

Whether it was her lack of eloquence or just her style, she focused on the bare facts.

In short, after I passed out, Irene contacted Taylor, the Branch Chief of the Healing Guild, who then treated me.

Now, I owe a favor to a Branch Chief.

My condition might have been thanks to much more than ordinary healing.

I'm not sure what his intentions were, but I'll need to thank him soon.

"...I understand. You've worked hard, Amy. But there's one thing I'm curious about."

"Anything, young master."

"Who changed my clothes?"

I gestured at the neat outfit I was wearing.

The shirt, made of fluttering silk, was white and resembled a curtain from the collar down to the wrists.

The trousers gave off an elegant vibe, something one would wear to a ball.

'I don't know whose taste this is, but it's truly atrocious.'

Of course, it looked stylish, but it felt more like attire for a high-society gathering rather than sleepwear.

Hardly appropriate for sleeping.

"···I changed you, sir."

"···Were the clothes provided by someone else?"

"Yes, Lady Aisha brought them. She insisted that even when asleep, the future head of the Waldeurk family should always appear impeccable."

"Hmm."

This feels very off.

I'd rather have worn some Equilibrium casuals.

At that moment, a fleeting unease brushed across my mind.

"Wait a moment."

I quickly returned to the room where I'd been sleeping.

Then, I took off my pants.

'...Damn, that's a relief.'

Thankfully, I was still wearing my original underwear.

Even if it's not technically my body, that would've been a bit too much.

─Pew?

Little Fist, who had just woken up, tilted its head at me.

"Oh, you're awake now, Little Fist?"

I scooped Little Fist into my arms and exited the room.

"We should get going now, Amy. Thank you, Jang Woohee, for lending me your space, I'll see you next time."

"It's no big deal, anytime."

"I'll prepare for departure then, young master. Please wait for a moment."

Amy headed into the room she had exited earlier.

However, through the slightly open door, I heard two familiar female voices.

"Umm, Umm······. Oh Theo, that's ticklish, hehe~"

"If it's the order of the future head of the Waldeurk family······ I can't refuse."

It was Siena and Aisha.

"······."

I must have misheard.

I'm probably still half-asleep.

Hastily, I amplified my [Twisted Noble's Dignity] using the [Amplification Orb] and entered the room.

There on the bed, Siena and Aisha were murmuring in their sleep.

Siena had her legs propped up on Aisha's stomach, her top slightly raised.

Aisha had both arms wrapped around Siena's chest.

"······."

─Kiiing······.

Even Little Fist, usually so fearless, seemed startled as it clung quietly to me.

"Get ready quickly, Amy."

"···Understood, Young Master."

Amy, her face a deep shade of red, replied while bowing her head.

After all the midterm exams at Elinia Academy were completed, Maitri returned to his mansion.

His servant, trembling slightly, greeted him,

"Here is your favorite espresso from the Eastern Empire, esteemed Maitri! I trust all was quiet on your trip?"

"On the contrary, A lot happened."

Maitri replied, taking a sip of the espresso.

The servant wanted to inquire further, but couldn't find the courage to speak.

Maitri continued,

"I saw something quite interesting. Particularly in the Knight Department's 2v2 Tournament, where a student ranked 181st astonishingly came out on top. Against even the greatest talents in the Hero Department."

"That's... surprising! From what I've heard, while the Knight Department's 2v2 Tournament may appear to be a midterm for the Knight Department on the surface, it's essentially the second practical evaluation of the Hero Department. Quite the upset!"

"Exactly."

Maitri chuckled, looking at his trembling servant and remarked,

"As always, Roy, you catch on quickly. It's a pity someone as sharp as you is working under me."

"No, not at all! My greatest desire is to forever remain under your esteemed shadow. You define my very existence, my Lord."

"Hmm."

Pleased with Roy's answer, Maitri patted him reassuringly on the shoulder,

"Alright, Roy, I have a task for you."

"Anything you ask, just say the word!"

"I want you to investigate the individuals listed in this document by next week. I want to know more than just the basic details that reporters might have, like their favorite foods, who they're dating, any hidden abilities, and so forth. I expect a thorough report, leaving no stone unturned. Utilize whatever resources and funds you need."

Being one of the main 13 executives of 'Turning White', he had access to resources and funds equivalent to any large guild.

Even in his nervous state, Roy sensed this as an opportunity,

"Understood, great Maitri! I promise I won't let you down!"

"Good, you better not."

Leaning back in his chair, Maitri continued to sip his espresso.

Returning to his room, Roy delved into the documents he received from Maitri.

There were many familiar faces.

He recognized Neike, Piel, and Andrew right away.

"But the others..."

On the page he was currently looking at, the names Noctar, Siena, and Theo Lyn Waldeurk were written.

"Well, I guess I'll find out more when I investigate."