WeTried Translations
Translator: Coughing Baby
Editor: Coughing Baby
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 34: Life Partner (Not)
──────
Fwoooosh!
The moment I opened the lid, light poured from the bathtub.
A dazzling effect filled the entire bathroom for quite some time.
I had to furrow my brow for a moment.
‘This light... does that mean it worked?’
An effect that occurred when certain conditions were met.
One of the most representative was the [Purification] effect.
A brilliant, multicolored flash burst forth, turning my vision white for a moment.
I knew it had succeeded.
“...”
After waiting a while, the light faded.
The inside of the bathtub came clearly into view.
The holy water that had been sloshing around was nowhere to be seen.
Only a cloudy liquid remained, stripped of the light it had once held.
“This is it.”
Something black writhed in that filthy water.
Fearlessly, I reached in and grabbed it.
It felt strange.
Even submerged in liquid, it was as soft as a bundle of down.
As I ran my fingers over its unusual texture, my status window explained the item in my hand.
Ding!
[You have obtained the exclusive weapon ‘Black Mist (A+)’.]
Black Mist.
It was what I had been looking for.
I lifted the fluffy bundle.
It felt completely weightless, as though I were holding a cloud.
‘Light.’
It definitely wasn’t a conventionally shaped weapon.
At a glance, it looked no different from a clump of fur.
It didn't look like a weapon at all.
But its true worth started now.
I pulled a thin knife from my inventory.
‘Just a little...’
Slice.
I immediately ran the blade in a long cut across my palm.
Dark red blood welled up through the split flesh.
I fed it to Black Mist.
Squirm.
As if reacting to my blood, the bundle of fur moved.
It clung to my wound and absorbed the blood.
The black mass gradually became tinged with crimson.
About five minutes passed before a blue screen appeared before me.
Ding!
[The weapon recognizes you as its master!]
-Would you like to designate item ‘Black Mist (A+)’ as your exclusive weapon?
-[Yes/No]
Without hesitation, I selected Yes.
The mist stopped drinking my blood.
Then came the sensation of it clinging snugly to my hand.
‘Has it acknowledged me as its master?’
The imprinting was complete.
I clenched the mist tightly and muttered.
“Activate. Sword.”
Squirm.
The mist moved at once.
The down-like thing wriggled in my palm.
The crimson-black mass tangled together, compressing as if being tightly packed.
Creak, crunch.
Its softness vanished, leaving only a hard texture.
The mist, which had been as large as my body, was now thinner than my arm.
It had taken the shape of a sword.
“Hmm.”
Shing.
A crimson-black sword.
I quietly looked down at Black Mist.
Ding!
[Skill 1 of the exclusive weapon ‘Black Mist’ has been activated.]
[Skill Name: Myriad Transformations]
-The weapon’s form can be changed freely.
-The resulting form differs according to the user’s settings.
-The form remains fixed until another setting is added. Even if it is broken or damaged, it will repair itself.
‘Good...’
I smiled faintly.
The exclusive weapon, Black Mist (A+).
It possessed two skills.
Since it originated from a dragon, it held special abilities.
“Activate. Spear.”
The first skill was Myriad Transformations.
It changed shape according to the user’s settings.
It could produce a variety of forms within its permitted size.
“Hmm.”
I swung the mist in my hand a few times.
What had been a sword moments earlier had already turned into a spear.
“Activate. Shield.”
A thick shield settled over my arm.
Its weight, though, remained unchanged.
It was beyond merely light, because I couldn't feel its weight at all.
That didn't mean its hardness had decreased, either.
‘It seems about as sturdy as an ordinary shield.’
Yet it was this light.
Even if it shattered or broke, it could repair itself.
It was a truly overpowered item.
‘So this is dragon fiber.’
Its structure itself was fascinating.
Only after changing its shape a few more times did I get used to the feeling.
“Activate. Sword. And... Activate. Thorns.”
The sword rested quietly in my hand.
As I spoke the command, dozens of spikes burst from its blade.
Shkrrr!
It was a combination I had often used in my previous life.
It seemed applications like this worked just fine too.
If I drove the sword into a monster, then burst the spikes inside it, most mobs could be one-shot.
“Activate. Gloves.”
Squirm.
The mist softly wrapped around both my hands, then transformed into gloves.
Leather texture. Crimson-black. Smooth to the touch, with nothing unpleasant about it.
It seemed I could use it just as I had in the original work.
I'd wear it as gloves normally, then turn it into a weapon whenever I needed it.
‘That said... what should I use as my base form?’
I thought about it for a moment.
Even if I could change its form, I needed to decide on a default.
It wasn't like I could learn swordsmanship, spearmanship, archery, and everything else.
I needed one basic form to focus on.
I'd have to make do with the rest through improvisation...
“...Ah.”
Of course.
This would be perfect for a clown concept.
“Activate. Scythe.”
A huge scythe rested across my shoulder.
Not the kind used for farming, but the kind grim reapers always carried.
That was what it looked like.
I smiled in satisfaction.
The corners of my mask's mouth twitched along with me.
‘This should do.’
I returned the mist to its glove form.
My impression of Skill 1 was quite satisfactory.
‘Of course... its real value lies in Skill 2.’
The second skill.
The reason I had gone out of my way to obtain this thing.
An ability that would become my trump card, since I lacked a powerful finishing move.
I wanted to test it too, if possible, but this wasn't the right place.
‘It’s rather picky about its target, and if it activates properly, it’ll blow the dormitory apart...’
No thanks.
I had already earned twenty penalty points from Javert.
If I caused any more trouble, I'd be in a difficult position.
‘I’ll look for another chance.’
Come to think of it, practical training was starting next week...
There was an incident that would happen then, so I could test it while I was at it.
“Ahem.”
Afterward, I cleaned up the mess around me.
The bathtub was still full of liquid.
It was holy water with all its divine power drained away, leaving only contaminated energy behind.
I pulled several empty bottles from my robe.
‘This will be useful later too.’
It was useful even after its divine power had been exhausted.
It truly was holy water that kept on giving.
Ding!
[You have obtained item ‘Corrupted Holy Water (C-)’.]
Good. Good.
I put all the byproducts I had collected into my inventory.
I'd only acquired one exclusive weapon, yet it felt as though my stats had improved enormously.
Was this what it felt like to have an army at my back?
‘Then... all that remains is waiting for practical training day.’
The academy event that would soon arrive.
And the incident that would come with it.
I reviewed the original work in my mind and flopped onto the bed.
‘Starting the day after tomorrow, I’ll be busy again.’
Crushed by exhaustion, I fell asleep.
* * *
Two days later.
As usual, I went to school in a rickshaw.
Lying on the bed inside, I enjoyed the refreshing breeze.
“Huff, huff!”
“Run faster!”
“Pick up the pace!”
“One! Two! One! Two!”
The Errand Boys were pulling the rickshaw ahead of me.
For some reason, they were all fired up.
They were pouring themselves into pulling the rickshaw.
They even shouted chants as they picked up more and more speed.
“...”
Honestly, it was a little bewildering.
Why were they acting like this?
‘No, I did tell them to do it, but...’
I had only meant to give them a hard time.
After all, I hadn't liked that they had discussed ways to cut me out among themselves.
I had wanted to teach them a little about life's bitterness.
-Bro, I mean, Boss... thank you for yesterday!
-Watching yesterday's Freshman Welcome Test, we were truly impressed.
-We all sincerely want to apologize for being so presumptuous toward you, Boss!
There had been a reason for it, of course.
I had crushed the top student of Class C during the Freshman Welcome Test.
I had given Class E, who had been trampled on and mocked, a satisfying win.
That was the turning point where I unintentionally gained their favor.
“This is training bestowed upon us by Boss!”
“If you get tired from this much, it means you haven't trained enough.”
“Huff, huff... I think I could run all day.”
“After doing this training, my magic has actually improved!”
Maybe it was because they were idiots, but they followed me far too blindly.
Or maybe I had put on too much of a show during that last test.
They seemed to have become captivated as a group.
And what was that last one about?
Why would your magic improve after training your muscles and stamina?
“Bwahaha! Behold, my coin-bending magic!”
Creak, crunch.
Someone pulled a coin from their pocket and folded it like paper.
Muscles bulged and rippled in the arm that had folded it into a frog.
It was truly Magical☆Coin Burst.
“Now! The coin has become a frog!”
What the fuck kind of magic is that?
Are sufficiently advanced muscles indistinguishable from magic?
‘Well... anyway, is it good that they’re so enthusiastic?’
They liked it themselves, so there was no need to rain on their parade.
Besides, I was in a position to lead Class E.
If they were willing to put me on a pedestal, I was grateful.
Ding!
[Sub Quest]
-Title: Talent Collector
-Details: Raise every Class E student to B-rank or higher.
-Penalty upon Failure: None
-Reward: Character-exclusive item ‘Black Tuner’s Scales (S-)’
[Time Limit: Until graduation]
‘This won’t be too difficult.’
Making up your mind was always the hardest part.
If they were willing to be put through my training, I could help them grow as much as they wanted.
I knew every growth route in this world, every hidden opportunity, every item, even ways to break through the limits of talent.
Things only I knew.
Things only I could give them.
‘Like raising a lot of disciples...’
I nodded.
Once the upcoming practical training was over, I should talk to them.
“We’ve arrived, Boss!”
“Ah.”
We had reached Main Building A before I knew it.
I greeted the Errand Boys.
“You may head back for today. You don't need to come back again today. Good work.”
““Yes, Boss! See you tomorrow!””
The kids gave a booming reply before quickly dispersing.
I watched the rickshaw recede for a moment.
Then I started walking.
‘Practical training, huh.’
First-semester practical training.
Students formed teams and solved the problems assigned to them.
Team formation was left to the students, and that itself was evaluated as an ability.
Of course, I wasn't simply aiming for a high score in the practical training.
‘The incident that happens during it.’
Someone had rigged the test.
My goal was to catch it, then uproot the whole thing.
That was why I needed to choose my teammates carefully this time.
‘One person who absolutely has to join.’
Ranne Kihano.
There was an event that only occurred if she participated.
For that alone, Ranne was someone I had to bring in.
That was also why I was here at Main Building A.
‘Ranne.’
This was the space used by Class A students.
I walked through the halls, searching for her.
“Oh... Sir Viktor? What brings you to Main Building A?”
“Miss Ranne!”
Before long, I found the girl.
Purple eyes blinked amid her dazzling blond hair.
Without hesitation, I strode toward her.
“S-Sir Viktor...?”
With her usual bright air, Ranne tilted her head, but I ignored it and dropped to one knee.
The question mark over the girl's head grew even larger.
“...?”
“Miss Ranne.”
I quietly took her hand.
I gazed deeply up at her and drew a breath.
Our warmth passed between us through her slender fingers.
I asked in a voice drawn from my heart, filled with sincerity.
“I like you. It has to be you.”
To the girl.
“Would you become my partner?”
The words came from deep within me.
Please.
Please join my team!!!!
My plan will fall apart without you!!!!!!
“Miss Ranne, please.”
“...”
Ranne stared down at me, frozen in a daze.
Then her purple eyes began to tremble.
A cute little gasp escaped her.
None of her usual confidence remained.
“...Huh?”
The knight girl's cheeks flushed bright red.
Footnotes:
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
