Fated to Be Loved by Villains

EP – 024.1 – Full Moon Festival

Atallante silently rubbed her eyes.

It was clear that she was trying to regain her composure.

She’s been in this state ever since she checked what was inside the sack I gave her.

“Is this what I think it is?”

“I’m not sure what you’re thinking of, but it is a relic.”

“…”

After a moment of silence, Atallante finally asked.

“…You went to the Netherworld?”

“Yes.”

She rubbed her face, looking perplexed.

“…Why do you look disheveled?”

“I stopped by at Dean Percy’s and handed over two Ectoplasm Blobs. She was so surprised that she fired lightning magic.”

“…”

Actually, I was lucky.

The other graduate students around that time didn’t look as unscathed.

“So, does this satisfy you?”

She previously promised me another gift if I ‘satisfied her’.

This should be enough, right?

“It’s not about being satisfied… Even if you don’t give this to me and take it to the Mage Tower instead, I’ll still buy this with a pile of gems.”

Ectoplasm and a thought body.

Atallante replied while massaging her temples.

A thought body is an object that said to contain the consciousness of ‘great men’ who had done great achievements. And Ectoplasm is an ultra-rare material that is barely obtainable in units of 30 to 50 grams per year even in the Mage Tower.

Depending on the processing method, it’s utility is almost universal.

According to the type of catalyst it’s mixed with, it can be made even harder than diamonds, or be processed into explosive weapons that show power similar to tactical weapons.

And I just handed over two blobs of it weighing in kilograms, so Percy naturally had a seizure.

“…Alright. A promise is a promise, I’ll give you a gift.”

“A gift is good, but would you mind if I ask for a request instead?”

“A request?”

“Yes. I’d like you to ‘bestow’ the thought body to an item.”

Atallante’s brows furrowed at my words.

“…If you’re talking about bestowing a thought body onto an object, are you focusing more on the future rather than the present?”

“That’s correct.”

Processing the thought body directly into an equipment would produce an item with particularly outstanding performance.

However, if you ‘bestow’ it to an already existing item, the consciousness of that thought body would slowly awaken and would accumulate effects that can’t be simply compared to superior equipment.

Obviously, I chose the latter.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while now.”

Atallante said with a deep sigh.

“Why are you going to such lengths?”

“Yes?”

“No, nevermind, there’s no need. You’ve single-handedly subdued Hasmed and even took down the hero candidate in one blow.”

“…”

She even knows that I caught Hasmed?

‘Speaking of which, she’s right.’

Compared to a normal student, I am not considered weak by any means.

Even if it may be from cheat skills such as Desperation and Tristan Style Swordsmanship.

“But why are you trying so hard to become stronger? It’s like you’re being chased by something.”

Being chased…

“…”

That’s, quite an accurate description.

“Well, if I don’t prepare this much, I’ll die.”

The enemies that appear in the main scenario, especially the Chapter Bosses that are somehow related to the ‘devils’, cannot be simply dealt with with just skills and equipment.

They are disasters.

Monsters in human form.

They are directly connected to the devils who have the power to single-handedly destroy the world.

I am already deeply involved with the main character and the final boss, who are the core axes of the story. With that considered, I am quite frankly in a chase.

Even more so now that the main scenario is proceeding much faster than expected.

‘…And Chapter 1 is no exception.’

Even more, there’s the Chapter 2 boss – the Boy King of the Ruined Kingdom, and the Chapter 3 boss — the Apostle of the Reversed Sea, after the Purifier.

But unlike the fact that I have a lot of growth-type equipment ready for that time, my current condition is a bit poor right now.

Rather, it could be more dangerous because it’s before the growth curve.

In that sense.

“Actually, I might even die soon.”

I had to do everything to even reach the Chapter 1 Boss Fight.

In case of emergency… Uh.

I might have to do that.

“…Yes?”

“It’s nothing.”

Atallante looked at me strangely, before shrugging it off.

“By the way, may I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

Atallante’s eyebrows curled slightly.

“…What do you mean?”

“You must have a lot of questions like how did a student like me manage to come and go in the Netherworld intact. Or how I know the concept of a thought body…”

No matter how you look at it, I am holding information that a student shouldn’t know. And yet, she’s just spilling it without question.

Not only that, I could feel Atallante’s presence wherever and whatever I do, as if the entire Academy is revolving around me.

“You noticed? I guess you’re not a fool.”

“Yes. Unless you’re a fool, anyone would come to the same conclusion.”

I continued with a sigh.

“…How much more are you willing to go?”

The President chuckled.

But I didn’t get an answer in the end.

●

So that’s what this is.

I checked the amulet wrapped around my wrist. It’s something the president made after a whole day’s work.

[ Soul Linker ] [ Exclusive Equipment ]
[ Enchantment: Epic ]
[ An item imbued with a great spirit that can awaken by increasing synchronization rate. ]
[ Always retain magic power due to the influence of the great spirit. ]
[Currently Charged Magic Power Rate: 100%]
[ Current Synchronization Rate: 0% ]

Originally, in order to raise the synchronization rate, other jobs must constantly feed the item rare materials. There’s no other way.

Even though Epic Enchantment might be intimidating, I don’t need to do such a thing in the first place.

‘Because my job is that of a priest.’

I took out the incense burner I always have with me with a smile.

When I brought it to the amulet, a tiny bit of golden light emanated from the Soul Linker.

[ Current Synchronization Rate: 0.01% ]

That’s right.

Spirits generally respond sensitively to divinity.

For a priest, they could increase their synchronization rate just by naturally developing their skills. The spirit will simply respond with them on its own.

It’s an exclusive item for a reason.

‘The spirit should fully awaken by Chapter 2.’

Speaking of, even if you scour the entire game, there are less than 20 that have the modifier ‘Epic’ attached. The effect that I’ll enjoy once it awakens will be worth all the wait.

Since it’s an amulet type item, it synergizes well with divinity and blessings used by priests. Just obtaining and growing it at this timing alone is unbelievable.

If I start steadily growing it, it’ll be one of the key pillars for clearing Chapter 2 onwards.

‘The fact that it’s charged with magic power is also good.’

It’s especially a useful function for me who has zero innate abilities and needs to pull magic power from elsewhere to use skills.

Having this item alone right now is worth its price. I need magic power to use two skills.

“Ah, you.”

“…Hello.”

Of course, this person’s help is essential for this time.

I kept the amulet and looked at Elnore, who was waving her hands in front of me.

[ Main Quest ]〖 Chapter 1 – Purifier 〗
[ Successfully resolve the events in ‘Twilight Iris’! ] [ D-0 ]
[ Reward: Branch benefit from the main scenario! ]
[ Related events will soon occur! ]