Plan inside of a plan!; Attitude;

As Kerren walked back to his room he started preparing traps. Why traps, if they "agreed" on only one trap? Because his second bet wasn't as simple. If she told him that she could only bet crystals for a duel, he wouldn't think too much about her... But agreed to bet a unique skill book, even giving it to him for basically free! Even if he lost - he would get it. What did that mean? She either lied to him, or her background was... Uh... To put it simply - too much for Kerren.

You remember what i said about the price of said books, right? So... how would a student get one, and even agree to give it away for free? More than that, it was a book that contained a protective skill! Those were much rarer than those that had simple attack skills. You can attack with many ways, but protecting yourself?.. Or, lets say, healing? Uh... Do you know how to punch? Yeah, you do. Do you know how to deflect any punch? Uhhh... I dont think so?... That's why i am saying those are MUCH more expensive...

Either way, Kerren didn't think too much about it. If she was too... "big" for him, he would lose the duel without even thinking about his fame or whatever, messing with a wrong person wasn't a thing he wanted to do.

With that thought in mind he set several traps of varying difficulty. They were all the same, the only difference was the effort he put in them. First one was simple, it didn't have any protection on it whatsoever, if one could feel mana and where it was - one will detect it. Easy. Second one was harder, it was hidden with some basic made-on-a-knee spells that weren't much. That was medium level. Third one was much harder, he spent considerable amount of time making protection for it, it had several levels and if he made everything right, even level 8 inspect skill wouldn't be able to detect it. If that girl somehow noticed it... Uh... Kerren would consider running away from this country.

Why? Well, to put it simply - if she had a level 9 inspect skill she was... something forbidden, let's just put it like that. Even in Kerren's previous life those people were insanely rare. If he met one here, right after being given another chance and a boost to his powers? Hell nah, he wont even try to mess with them. Sadly, he didn't know that he already messed with something he couldn't fight against - the principal, she already involved him in her plan. What the plan was? It's not the time to tell you...

Also, he made another trap, the fourth one. If she detected that trap and disarmed it?.. He wouldn't even bother with running, that would be completely impossible. The trap that he made is theoretically undetectable. It had layers upon layers of defences that were used on the barrier that hid the facility from his previous life, such a thing was way above the level of his world, even in the previous life. I was the only reason the barrier got breached, so i know how good it was, Kerren's thoughts were right, but the barrier that he made was... Uh... A bad parody, at best, so his judgement was a bid wrong, but the general idea was great.

Anyway, he only stopped long after midnight, it was still dark, but the time was around 5 in the morning. He went to sleep, obviously, what else should he do? Think? Nah, he's too tired and didn't really have anything to think about anyway, he didn't find anything knew and he already had ample preparation in case a bad thing happened.

...

"Morning" came, it was 11:23 on the clock. Kerren was still sleeping, he told the girl to wake him up, after all, why bother setting a second alarm? He already had one! Traps were set, so he slept peacefully, dreaming of riches, fame and power he'll get in the future...

Soon, the girl approached the door into his room. She didn't immediately open it, looking at the handle with curiousity. She didn't find any traps, if there were any she would accept the loss since they were too good, she was fair. But, as she slowly opened the door, trying to look at every single thing she could see - she noticed a trap! It was the first one, meaning she either had great eyes or was not new to mana at all. It could even be both.

She entered the room after successfully disarming the first trap, it wasn't difficult at all and any other person that could see it would be able to do as well. As she continued going forward, fixing her gaze on Kerren, who was peacefully "sleeping" as if nothing was happening.

She spotted the second trap moments before activating it. It was a close call, that could only mean that she wasn't at a level Kerren would fear, but was still relatively strong, which was admirable. Of course, that also meant that he could use her as a scapegoat he needed!

The girl spent considerable time to disarm the second trap, around 4 minutes or so. She was happy, since she thought that it was all he prepared, because even this trap of his could barely be detected by her and she almost lost, but, as she was one step from being right in front of Kerren... the third trap activated!

She couldn't notice it! She got startled and even jumped back in fear. The trap itself didn't focus on dealing damage to her, it simply splashed her with water. Kerren didn't want to hurt her... uhh... that sounded strange?.. He didn't want to do so because he didn't want to wait for her to heal, he wanted to get the book already!

Moments after the third trap triggered - Kerren opened his eyes. He placed a trigger on every trap that he made, so he was awake since the first trap got disarmed, he knew all that happened. He could "see" that she didn't know there was a third trap because of the way she walked towards him, and could also see that she barely got the second one, but still got it, meaning that she did have some ability, but not much. Or... simply pretended to fool him.

What did that mean to him? Could be used. That's basically all. Oh, no, wait, it also meant that he got a kilogram of "good crystals" that she promised!

In general Kerren's plan was perfect. From one simple bet he got a lot of information! Her background, her personal skills and he even profited! It was a plan inside of a plan! Of course, he couldn't be sure about all he has seen, but if he assumed that he was right?.. Uh... That's not a good thing to do, so... Yeah... But, he'll still get some crystals!

Kerren stood up, he was right near the bed. He didn't want her to get any closer because the last trap would trigger, and it was... dangerous, to say the least. He also couldn't even show that he made four of them, of one was one or more levels higher than the other, what did that mean? If she didn't notice the third trap but he had a fourth one... was he a monster?

- I thought we agreed that you would only make one trap? -- the girl asked with a frown, she felt played!

- Yes, we did. Is something wrong? -- Kerren acted as if he didn't know what she meant, it was fun to him.

- Stop pretending! You know what i mean! We agreed that you will make ONE trap and i already found three, who knows how many more there are!? -- he was dissatisfied. OF course, why would she not be? Her clothes were now wet, it was pleasant for Kerrens eye but... Eh.. Not pleasant for her.

- Oh, haha. -- he acted dumb again -- Allow me to explain. When i told you that i will place a trap, i didn't say what it would be. Guess what? The trap was me saying it so you would think i will only make one trap. Imagine that, i outplayed you. -- he wore a kind smile as he was saying all that -- Where are my "Good crystals"? -- he demanded immediately.

- Uhh... -- he felt... confused about his words -- I... I guess?.. You know what? Okay, you made me think so you win, i also did trigger a trap of yours and since i couldn't notice it... It's your win anyway -- she took a bag out of her inventory and tossed it to Kerren -- Here, take them. Also, you will have to wait for a few minutes before i change my clothes, be a good boy and sit in the room, i will be back soon to the you to the place where the duel is held, okay? -- she talked to him like he was a patient of a mental hospital or something, Well, i guess he could be one...

- Yeah yeah, i'm waiting, dont forget to take the book -- he didn't care about her clothes being wet, he wouldn't even care if she herself was wet, he only cared about the book and those crystals in his hand. He unwrapped the bag, and...

-* What?! -- his eyes were huge from shock! -- Those... Those aren't of this time! Those are 100% Pure A crystals from my time! What the f*kk!? They weren't a thing for 15 or so more years! -- he couldn't believe what he saw. It really was strange, those crystals that he how had were of a standard that would be a thing in 15 or so more years, those were used in his previous life.

Remember when i said that those crystals that people in this life used were different? Well, One gramm of Kerren's previous life 100% pure A crystal amounted to 25 gramms of crystals from this life. Meaning that he technically got 25 kilograms of them right now! It was a huge matter! He didn't expect that at all and it was a great surprise, but... Where the f*kk did she get them from?

Obviously, Kerren didn't know where those crystals originated from even in his previous life. He knew that dungeons had them, but he didn't them in his whole life as a ported. Why? How was possible if those things originated from dungeons? No, it's not like he hasn't seen them, he saw crystals, lost of them, but those were of lower grades, and those were of the highest! Only S crystals were better, and if you remember they were the same as A crystals, the only difference was that they didn't break and had faster absorbtion speed. Capacity over carat were the same, so they were difficult to differentiate if one even that they exist.

Anyway, he patiently sitting in his room, waiting for the girl. He thought about the way to ask about those crystals and where she got them from, but he could already guess that she wont give him a plausible answer. But, would she kill him if he asked? Nope, especially if he pretended to not know what those were, it would only be natural to do so...

After a few minutes the girl came back. She was wearing a new set of clothes. They looked simple yet gorgeous, maybe it was because of her body or the overall look, but Kerren certainly liked her. But, he didn't do anything but cast a glance, having fun was important, but not as important as becoming stronger. If one had strength one had everything, especially in Kerren's world.

- I'm done, lets go. I already want to beat you for what you did! -- she said while angrily glaring at Kerren.

- Did you forget what i said?.. Show me the book first or tell me what the skill inside of it does, and then i'll think about your offer. -- he bargained for whatever reason.

- Uh, u're such a... Here -- she said as she took it out of her inventory. It really was a unique skill book! -- Happy now? -- she said with an insanely annoyted expression.

How did he know it was a unique skill book? Well, all skill books had a prompt from the system, it was impossible to fake it. It did say that it was a unique skill book, but it didn't say what skill it had in it. Some random skills existed, like "Neverfat" from Kerren's previous life, but what of it? A unique skill will always be some far above the rest.

- How do i know what skill it has inside of it? It's not identified... -- as he was about to continue whining and delaying the duel the girl suddenly used a skill of some sorts on the book, and it showed it's name above the system's prompt!

- Great Absorbtion Shield? -- he read the name out loud -- Eh... I dont care what it does but the name sounds badass, lead the way. -- he said happily while wearing a gentle smile.

As he stood infront of her smiling, she suddenly threw the book to him.

- Take it and follow me, i'll explain the rules while we're walking. -- she turned around and left along with Kerren. -- First - no rules. Second - he fight till one of us is a clear winner. That's all, got that? -- she turned her head to look at Kerren, only to see him trying to put the book somewhere inside of his clothes. -- You dont have an inventory skill?.. -- she said with a strange expression.

- Uh..? No? Mind giving me one? -- He lied, he had it, but it was low-leveled, only level 2, if he could get a higher level... hehehe -- I will pay you back with your own crystals for that. -- he smiled kindly.

- U're such a... -- as she was about to continue she stopped -- Uhhh... Just take it, it's level 5, i guess i dont have to identify it for you, do i? -- she was getting fed with Kerren's bullcrap and felt awful, but there was nothing she could do!

- Oh! How very kind of you! Thanks, i will never forget that! -- he deliberately said "never" in a special way, so she would "notice" that word.

- Oh god... Let's just go, okay? -- she turned around and started walking quicker than before. She didn't want to have anything to with Kerren anymore, this guy had no shame!

As they walked, they never talked, but she turned around to see if he was still there, just in case. What she saw, however, was strange! This guy read the book that she just gave him as he walked! People usually needed lots of time to learn unique skills, and this guy did it so casually? What the hell was he thinking? More than that, he simply stuffed the inventory skill book inside of his jacket and walked around with it! It was ridiculous!

- Dont you want to learn the inventory skill first? Dont you think it'll be logical to do so first?.. -- she askedi n a somewhat concerned voice.

- Oh, no, i'm fine, thanks! -- he answered kindly, not moving his gaze away from the book.

She didn't bother to answer to his bullcrap, she continued walking.