Stalker III

Three weeks had passed since that day.

During that time, not many events happened. Which was normal.

Well, isn't that what school is? An activity where the young generation was just sitting, taking notes, listening to their teachers, making friends, getting stressed over homework and assignments, and possibly experiencing romance.

No matter in which world you live, an academy or school life is a monotone one--if you're not a main character.

That also occurred for Noir. His academy life was bleak and monotonous. He did the same task over and over again every day.

Waking up at dawn, having breakfast, going to the academy, attending classes, stalking the potential protagonists, learning martial arts and honing them in his free time, reading books, training, and recently, he began seeking a way to leave the city without getting caught.

Being a first-year student wouldn't bring much benefits for power-seeking Resonant.

It was because they were not allowed to enter the rift yet, where that place was the only way for them to get stronger, or in other words, level up.

The world outside the city wall was a dangerous one. So, as newly awakened Resonants, strengthening their foundation and deepening their knowledge was more important.

If not, they would die a foolish death the moment they entered the rift.

"It's important to have the appropriate level of combat and survival skills to survive in the rift. Without those, you will definitely become a corpse in just a day."

Today, Noir attended a mandatory class that taught them about the Resonant world, which wasn't published to the general public.

Precisely, it was a deeper-level subject than was accessible to everyone. Exclusive to the students of 12 academies and their graduates.

"Relying solely on your Resonance will lead to your death."

Why? Because it wasn't omnipotent. You couldn't abuse your power. A necessary price must be paid to utilize it, as continuous use of Resonance taxed the body and mind. Sometimes, it could cause one's death.

Hearing that abusing the usage of Resonance could lead to death, some students shivered. Meanwhile, some were letting a relieved breath out.

'Despite not being of help in a direct battle, non-combat Resonance works like a passive skill and doesn't burden someone's body and mind.'

Lucky for them. Those with non-combat Resonance should rejoice for that fact.

As Noir said, non-combat Resonance worked like a passive skill. It was always active as long as the Resonant was alive. On top of not taxing the body and mind, it could also help them indirectly, just like Noir's [Truth Seeker].

That Resonance, especially its first art, had been helpful for Noir. With it, he could analyze someone's fighting style and plan on how to defeat them.

But the fact it didn't increase his brain capacity, even though it was already big, had become a problem.

'If only I can go and hunt some monsters...'

With hunting and leveling up his Class and Soul Depth, there was a chance that his [Memorization] would get an upgrade and increase in its performance.

'But the city sentinels are just too strong and meticulous, making it hard to slip past them.'

Noir sighed. By the time he gazed forward, the professor was already leaving the classroom.

'As expected, it would be easier if I had a Curio.'

Standing up, Noir packed his notes into the bag. He slung it around his shoulder, leaving the classroom.

But as he was just stepping into the corridor, someone called him.

"Noir Teundre."

Surprised, Noir jolted and looked left reflexively.

A familiar face painted his vision. Despite having a typical main character's hairstyle, he didn't have the charm every protagonist had.

'No matter how you look at it, there's nothing special about him, whether it's his face or eyes.'

But the elusiveness, secret, and mysterious background that Noir couldn't dig up no matter how hard he looked intrigued him to the core.

Usually, that kind of person wasn't befitting the title 'Protagonist.'

But, since stories about the main characters who hid their real power became more popular, Noir couldn't help but include Astor as that kind of protagonist.

"Astro... right? What's up?" Noir deliberately misspelled his pronunciation.

"It's Astor, but whatever," Astor straightened up, facing Noir. "I need you to come with me."

"???"

***

"Take your weapon."

It turned out Astor asked Noir to become his sparring partner for his daily training. He said he wanted to gauge how strong he had become in three weeks.

When Noir asked Astor why he picked him when there was another suitable person, Astor said that Noir was that person.

"I still have no clue why it should be me," Noir said as he equipped the training gloves and wristguards.

Testing the weight of the wooden training sword (even though he had been doing that every time), Astor smiled and looked at Noir.

"Like I said, it's because you're that suitable person," Astor glanced at Noir's gloves. "You see, I've never fought with a gauntlet user."

It was at that moment Noir realized. "Aha, so that's why!"

'Well... it's hard to find someone who uses a gauntlet against monsters since it's riskier.'

"Exactly that. Now, are you ready?"

Noir bumped his fists.

"Yeah. Come!" Noir yelled excitedly.

'A spar against the potential protagonist? It will be exciting! I can also use this chance to get to know him better.'

As Noir was occupied with his side character syndrome, Astor surprised him with a lightning-fast speed. He was even faster than Argent. But still, Noir managed to block his attack.

"Your reflex is truly amazing."

Noir smirked while he was defending against Astor's relentless assault.

"Thanks, I guess."

"Let's up the game."

Stepping back, Astor changed how he gripped his sword. After a while, his shadow moved as though it was sentient.

"Let's lift the restriction of using Resonance."

Noir smiled nervously.

"Hey, that's unfair. I don't even have a Combat Resonance!"

Finding his words amusing, Astor grinned.

"Nice try. But don't try to fool me, Noir Teundre."

"What do you mean?"

"I have my own way. And I know that you're the same as me. Possessing two Resonances, that is."