> Theon
> 10,000 Red Orbs
I looked at myself in the mirror, noting from Orb Detection that my Red Orbs totaled 10,000.
Of the 10,000 Red Orbs I'd snatched from Estel, looking at the total I'd obtained over the past seven days of hunting gave me mixed feelings.
I was sure I'd wisely spent all of Estel's Red Orbs to strengthen myself, but it turned out I'd only reached the Break Even Point.
Perhaps because this was an unofficial mission, I didn't receive any additional rewards for clearing Ashwick Village of those damn wolf monsters.
It seems I should start hunting D-Rank Monsters.
With my current abilities, I'm confident I can hunt them.
Besides, D-Rank Monsters have a fairly high value, so I should have a bigger margin when hunting them.
I lay down slowly on my bed.
It's been a long time since I've rested in my room.
I'd actually prefer resting at the Ashwick Village Chief's house, which is more comfortable and spacious, but at least resting here means I don't have to worry about wolf monsters attacking.
I rechecked the book and crystal ball Aveline had given me, which she said those two were hunter tools for training.
>Weight Ball
>5,000 Red Orbs
>Force to Learn Book
>5,000 Red Orbs
Hmm... I didn't expect these two Hunter Tools to have such high Red Orbs.
I got out of bed and tried the weight ball.
SYUUUU!
Suddenly, my hands felt so heavy, I had to kneel and brace myself to keep from falling.
My hands were so ridiculously heavy!
What the heck has happened?!
Damn it!
>Weight Ball Activated
>2 Hours Remaining
What?
Two hours?
What kind of crazy Hunter Tools are these?!
I wanted to cancel this tool, but I couldn't!
I forced myself to get up and sat down in the chair, leaving my hands in still position, unraised.
Damn, it's still heavy.
My muscles and bones feel like they're being pulled so hard they're about to break, but I know this is a common process among Hunters.
I tried patting my thighs, and the weight shifted!
Now the mysterious weight was distributed across my legs.
Overall, it was still heavy, but since it was distributed across my arms and legs, at least I could still bear it.
I sat down and caught my breath.
Even though I was just sitting there catching my breath, I was already sweating profusely.
This hunter's tool was a really stupid idea.
Two hours passed, and it felt like two days.
I quickly took a sip of a Recovery Potion, soothing the soreness in my arms and legs.
On the other hand, I could feel the muscles and bones in my arms and legs growing.
I was sure my endurance and agility could improve dramatically if I used this Weight Ball wisely.
After gulping down some mineral water and wiping the sweat off my body, I was curious to try another hunter tool: the Force to Learn Book.
A completely black book with yellowed paper.
To me, it seemed like an old book, and I couldn't possibly read it because the content would be boring.
But there was no harm in trying it.
>Force to Learn Book Opened.
>Please Choose Difficulty:
>Beginner
>Normal
>Mastery
>Hell
Well, this was the first time I'd seen a book that felt like a game.
I'm no beginner when it comes to reading books, so I chose Hell.
I needed a challenge.
Suddenly, a flash of purple flashed briefly when I selected it.
As I read, it turned out to be about general concepts and principles in hunter techniques, such as monster types and ranks, how to deal with monsters, short-range combat techniques, long-range combat techniques, magic techniques, and so on.
The content was quite concise and to the point, so I was able to enjoy the book.
However, I get bored easily when reading books.
Thirty minutes passed, and I was about to close the book, when suddenly a flash of electricity struck both my hands!
BZZZTT…!
"Ow…! It hurts…!" I exclaimed, wanting to slam the book down, but it remained stuck to my hands.
It feels like a magical hand was holding my hands open!
>No closing before reading the entire book
>Punishment: electric attack
Oh, shit.
I'm caught in the weirdness of this Hunter's Tools.
Ah, I'd better skim!
So I can finish it quickly!
After I finished the thick book by skimming for about 5 minutes, I immediately closed the book.
But suddenly a strange notification screen appeared from the book.
>You have finished reading the book
>Quizz will begin
What?
Quizz?
Crazy!
I didn't even read the whole thing!
>What weapon does a Hunter need to kill a C-Rank Turtle Monster?
How would I know about that!
I even skipped the explanation about the Turtle Monster in the book.
"A sword, definitely a sword," I blurted out.
>Wrong
BZZT!
"Ahh..! It hurts…!"
Damn it!
This damn electricity again!
I can't just answer randomly!
Feeling Defeated, I finally reread the book.
Oh, reading all those books while digesting their contents, I felt like I was about to cry.
I'd rather face those Iron Wolves and Steel Wolves all day than read this boring book!
Even when I'm sleepy, this electric shock is hitting me!
Damn it…!
*
> You have successfully answered 100 Quizz questions correctly
> The Force to Learn Book has been studied and understood
Oh, my goodness, the hell is over.
My eyes remained open from nightfall until the morning sunlight streamed through my bedroom window.
My body felt tingly from being exposed to those damn electric shocks so often.
Honestly, the knowledge from Force to Learn is quite good for understanding monster characteristics and how Hunters typically deal with them.
But if I had to study it all night long with electric shocks, it would be like a never-ending hell.
I immediately lay down on my bed.
My eyes were so heavy, I wanted to go straight to sleep even though I was hungry.
Unfortunately, my Hunter's Watch lit up, giving a very inappropriate notification.
> Attention!
>To the Hunters please arrive at Hunter Academy on time as Lord Jack Kingswell will be monitoring you in the academy.
The heck?!
At a time like this, Kingswell has arrived.
Why would he be looking at a low-ranking Hunter at the academy?
Ah, I was forced to get out of bed again, go to the sink, wash my face, and then rush to the academy.
*
At the academy, it turns out Jack Kingswell won't be able to come to class until later this afternoon.
Honestly, in class this morning, I just slept, not hearing a thing the instructor was teaching.
I only woke up when the bell rang.
"You're still tired, aren't you, Theon?"
This voice...Aveline?
I had just opened my eyes and Aveline was sitting next to me.
She was carrying a lunch box and placed it on my desk.
"For you...take it."
"Eh?"
Lunch box...did Aveline just give me lunch?
I still couldn't fully grasp whether this was a dream or reality.
It felt like a daydream when a noblewoman like Aveline Winterson came and gave me a packed lunch.
"Y-you're serious, Aveline?" I asked.
Aveline nodded, opening her lunch to share the meal.
"I cooked it this morning especially for you."
What...?
She cooked it herself for me?
A beautiful and noble woman like Aveline would cook for me?
It seemed like my world was too beautiful.
I still couldn't quite believe this is a reality.
Maybe... I should open Aveline's packed lunch.
Maybe when I opened it... this illusion would end.
Oh, a complete bento filled with my favorite chicken and egg dishes!
The delicious aroma seemed to remind me that this wasn't a dream!
"A-aveline... why are you going to all this trouble...?" I asked, still curious, even though my mouth was watering from the rumbling hunger.
"It's no trouble for me, Theon. Eat up. Let's enjoy it together," Aveline replied kindly, enjoying her lunch.
Oh, waking up hungry, then being greeted by Aveline's sweet smile with her delicious bento box was truly incredibly delicious.
"Thank you, Aveline! I'll eat it!" I exclaimed enthusiastically, eating the bento box, a little moved by how delicious and plentiful it was.
I saw Aveline smile, perhaps amused by my barbaric eating.
It only took five minutes for Aveline's bento box to be finished without a single grain of rice left!
I took a sip of the delicious water and thanked Aveline for her gift.
"That was quick...are you hungry...?"
Suddenly, I heard Cassie's voice approaching.
It's very unlikely for Cassie, who always cheerfully greeted me, now looked coldly at me.
What's wrong with her?
"Yes, Cassie. Luckily, Aveline's bento box saved me! It was absolutely delicious!" I replied, satisfied.
But Cassie still had a cold expression on her face, looking at me and then at Aveline.
"H-hey, Cassie…why is your face like that? Is something wrong?" I asked, confused.
"Nothing's wrong, Theon," Cassie replied coldly.
I saw Cassie give Aveline a cold look.
Aveline was aware of this, but she seemed calm in response.
Oh my, what were these two beautiful women from the most influential hunter families thinking?
"When it comes to bento boxes…I can make them too, Theon," Cassie said quietly, but her face didn't seem to dare look at me.
"I believe you can't cook Cassie, right?" I asked, surprised.
"H-hey…! That was when we were little! N-now I can…!"
"Really? What kind of dishes?"
"W-well…fried rice…"
Aveline immediately held back laughter, which Cassie immediately reprimanded.
"Aveline! Don't laugh! That's also a dish, you know…!" Cassie exclaimed in disapproval.
"Yes, of course, Cassie. Easy to make…hehehe…" Aveline replied casually.
I was completely confused.
I felt like Cassie and Aveline were in a competition, but it wasn't clear what they were competing against.
Women are truly confusing.
"Theon…! I heard you went hunting with Aveline to Ashwick Village...! Is that true?" Cassie asked suddenly, her index finger pointing at me.
"Hmm... we just happened to meet, and then-"
"We did hunt together, Cassie," Aveline suddenly chimed in, showing me the projector screen displaying her Hunter's Watch.
>Ashwick Village
>Iron Wolf (E-Rank) killed: 100/100
>Steel Wolf (D-Rank) killed: 1/1
>Hunter Contribute:
> Theon
> Aveline Winterson
"Oh, I didn't know the statistics could display my name too," I said in surprise.
"Y-you two completed the mission in Ashwick Village...? I-I want to too...!" Cassie protested.
"Actually, Theon was the one who contributed the most to that mission... I think I'll have to ask for his help again," Aveline said calmly.
"Theon...! You help me too...! I—"
"Okay, everyone return to your seats. Lord Jack Kingswell will be here any minute."
Estel suddenly entered the classroom, ordering the hunter students to hurry up and settle down.
I noticed Cassie was still dissatisfied, so she moved to sit next to me.
I was now seated between Cassie and Aveline.
It felt like I was being held between two angels, but honestly, I was confused as to why they wanted to sit so close to me.
Regardless, it seemed I had to pay attention since Jack Kingswell would be watching during Estel's class.
I wasn't sure I would be able to pay attention in Estel's class.
First, since Estel will be the one teaching, I'm sure it would be boring and make me sleepy.
Second, my stomach was already full from Aveline's delicious bento, and the feeling of fullness seemed to beckon me to take a good nap.