Free Web Novel"I'm sorry for teasing you. So forgive me, all right?"
The Protagonist of someone else's novel actually apologized.
He didn't get on his knees and beg as Ríolíkin had demanded, but his attitude was unusually compliant.
There was no way he was acting like this because he was genuinely curious about a mere skill name rather than the skill's actual effect.
This was simply his way of placating me.
Thinking so, I casually replied,
"If you ask again next semester, I'll tell you then." freewebnoveℓ.com
"So petty."
Reisir grumbled immediately.
But unlike usual, he didn't continue pestering me and let the matter drop.
However, Demon Realms did not appear only at Valhalla Academy.
Once he learned that they had appeared—and would continue to appear—all over the world...
And once he eventually resolved to leave the Academy and travel in search of them—
...Will he regret never asking? Or will he simply forget because it wasn't important?
Before my dear readers accuse me of being excessively spiteful, allow me to make an excuse.
There was a reason I refused to check the name of the sky-blue Ether skill right now.
I was afraid that, like the unexpected 【Encouragement】 I had just discovered, another unforeseen ability might appear.
And if I reacted strangely after seeing it, everyone in the carriage would naturally become curious.
That was why I chose not to look at all.
"By the way, Reisir. Earlier you said we could see acquired techniques too, not just Ether Skills. But all I can see is 【Iron Blood Steel Body】."
"Oh, right! I never explained how to operate it, did I?"
In response to Vigdís's question, Reisir began explaining how to use the Skill Window, demonstrating with both words and gestures.
Watching him, I experienced a moment of horror.
Because I had read the original novel and came from a modern world where touchscreens were commonplace, the idea of needing instructions had never even occurred to me.
If I'd casually swiped the window to change tabs and check my sky-blue Ether Skills, Reisir would definitely have found that suspicious.
That had been close.
While inwardly sighing in relief, I maintained an indifferent expression and continued absentmindedly combing my fingers through Yor's mane.
"L-Lord Karvaldr! M-My skill description... it has Lord Karvaldr's name written in it!"
What sort of nonsense was this now?
The statement was not only sudden but entirely incomprehensible.
"Explain in detail."
"I-I'll just... r-read it aloud."
Although Ríolíkin was trying to improve his stutter, his speech still stumbled constantly.
If I transcribed it exactly, it would be nothing but ellipses and interruptions.
Therefore, for the convenience of my readers, I shall organize it properly.
══════════
【Frenzy】 - (A)
: A type of berserk state.
Upon activation, the user loses reason and becomes consumed by offensive instincts, converting the majority of defensive capability into attack power.
: Special option created as a reflection of {Inclination: Coward}
▶ By transferring all authority related to 【Frenzy】—including activation, deactivation, and target selection—to another individual, the user transfers all responsibility for actions committed while under the effect of this skill to the designated target.
: Registered Target — Karvaldr Austri
══════════
According to the original novel,
Reisir's 【Truth-Reading Eye】 should still be stuck at Stage 1.
Only after wandering through countless Demon Realms and examining innumerable things with it did the skill evolve and provide increasingly detailed information.
When Reisir examined Ríolíkin's Skill Window in Chapter 114—
He did not see a detailed explanation of 【Frenzy】.
He only saw a condensed summary.
Something along the lines of:
「Sacrifices most defensive capability in exchange for maximum offensive power. Loses reason. Obeys a designated individual.」
...Something like that.
Perhaps because of this.
After Ríolíkin finished reciting the description, Reisir wore the same stunned expression as everyone else.
Though personally, I believed I was the most bewildered person in the carriage.
"Why would you burden me with something like this?"
"I-I didn't do it on purpose...! I-It's probably because... L-Lord Karvaldr is the person I trust most...!"
"So you're shifting responsibility onto me?"
"It's the initiative that's being transferred... according to the explanation..."
Ríolíkin hurriedly defended himself.
"E-even if Lord Karvaldr ordered me to charge into somewhere incredibly dangerous, I'd have no choice but to obey. It's practically the same as entrusting my life to you. So... it just means I trust and rely on Lord Karvaldr that much...!"
Hearing that explanation only made the situation feel more troublesome.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I summarized the issue.
"So in other words, if you suffer a serious injury or die while using 【Frenzy】, it becomes my fault."
"I-I trust Lord Karvaldr's judgment...!"
"..."
The moment I realized telling him not to trust me would accomplish absolutely nothing—
I automatically ran a hand through my hair and sighed.
"Is it really something worth worrying about?"
Helga tilted her head.
"Besides, the decision to activate 【Frenzy】 belongs to Young Master Karvaldr, doesn't it? If it feels burdensome, just don't activate it. Then there's nothing to be responsible for."
"I agree with Helga."
Reisir nodded.
"Even without 【Frenzy】, Ríolíkin already hits hard enough. Trading defense for additional attack power feels like more loss than gain."
A great author named Chekhov once said:
If a gun is hanging on the wall in the first act, it must be fired before the story ends.
The famous principle known as Chekhov's Gun.
Every element introduced into a story must eventually serve a purpose.
In other words, the reason Helga and Reisir could casually say, Just don't use 【Frenzy】,—
Was because they did not know they were living inside a novel.
There will inevitably come a situation where Ríolíkin must use 【Frenzy】.
What sort of situation would that be?
The thought already made me anxious.
But I couldn't show it.
"That's true."
I nodded as though I agreed.
"Karvaldr."
For some reason, Reisir suddenly narrowed his eyes.
"It feels like you're stroking Yor faster than before."
"Mind your own business."
Though suspicious for a moment, he didn't pursue the matter.
Me doting on Yor was hardly unusual.
And fortunately, Vigdís introduced a new topic.
"By the way, is the Roman numeral beside the skill name some sort of rank?"
"Probably."
Reisir nodded.
"Whenever I train, there are times when it feels like I've broken through a wall. Every time that happens, the rank changes."
"I see..."
Vigdís stared at the invisible Skill Window with a complicated expression.
"【Swordsmanship】 is only D, but 【Iron Blood Steel Body】 is already A despite barely being used..."
"That's because rank isn't determined by proficiency."
To elaborate on Reisir's explanation—
The rank generally reflected a skill's inherent power and utility.
"The stronger and more useful the skill, the higher the rank tends to be."
For example—
Ríolíkin's 【Frenzy】 had only been used once.
Yet it was already ranked A.
Without its special option, it likely would have been B-rank or lower.
Personally, I suspected this version of 【Frenzy】 belonged to the category of skills whose rank could never be raised.
Training might improve Ríolíkin's ability to function while using it.
But the skill itself probably wouldn't evolve.
"And you only started learning swordsmanship after entering the Academy. It's not even been a full year yet. Reaching D-rank that quickly is impressive."
"Really...? Reisir, how long did it take for your 【Spear Techniques】 to reach D-rank?"
"A year and... maybe another two or three months."
"I see! Then what rank is it now?"
"It advanced recently."
Reisir answered casually.
"So it's S-rank now."
Not A-rank.
S-rank.
Everyone except Helga froze.
That included me.
It couldn't be helped.
In the original novel, 【Spear Techniques】 didn't become S-rank until after Reisir left the Academy and fought through countless Demon Realms...!
And he had said recently.
Not during the battle against the boss monster.
I had given him access to the private training grounds hoping he would improve before eventually withdrawing from the Academy.
But I had never imagined he would overcome the enormous wall separating A-rank from S-rank.
As expected of the original protagonist—the center of the world. His talent is absurd.
Helping us prepare for the martial tournament and sparring frequently must have contributed.
Still.
To reach S-rank without actual life-and-death combat or some extraordinary catalyst—
Wasn't that stretching plausibility?
"S-rank sounds amazing just hearing it!"
"No wonder you're so strong!"
"Nah, it's not that impressive."
Reisir scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"It's only one rank higher than your Ether Skills."
His modesty was entirely misplaced.
According to the setting of NaSE—
S-rank was an enormous achievement.
A-rank could eventually be reached through enough talent and effort.
S-rank belonged to a realm accessible only to a tiny handful of exceptional individuals.
There were countless people who spent decades at A-rank and died of old age without ever advancing.
Though the original novel eventually introduced so many S-rank characters that the setting lost some of its impact.
As the protagonist grew stronger, the enemies needed to grow stronger as well.
And while companions didn't need to surpass the protagonist, they at least couldn't become dead weight.
Thus, every new ally needed to be stronger than the last.
Power inflation was inevitable.
If companions hadn't kept dying and being replaced, perhaps S-rank wouldn't have seemed so common.
For reference—
By the time Vigdís joined Reisir's party in the original story, both her 【Swordsmanship】 and 【Iron Blood Steel Body】 had already reached S-rank.
"I-I don't have any S-ranks... but I have two A-ranks!"
Ríolíkin looked at me expectantly.
"【Frenzy】 and 【Armor of Protection】!"
Apparently he wanted me to be impressed.
Unfortunately, that was impossible.
When Ríolíkin reappeared in the original novel, 【Armor of Protection】 had already reached S-rank.
Even aside from that—
Considering the skill's utility, an A-rank evaluation was entirely expected.
For readers who might be curious, let me add one more detail.
The original Karvaldr's skill ranks before his death had been:
【Exaltation】 — S
【Encouragement】 — B
But those were exactly the same ranks I saw just now.
The leap from S-rank to SS-rank was far more difficult than the leap from A-rank to S-rank.
So it wasn't surprising that 【Exaltation】 remained unchanged.
But for 【Encouragement】 to also share the original rank—
Was it because he never found someone he truly considered "his," and therefore never managed to overcome the necessary barrier?
Moreover—
【Encouragement】 itself was apparently S-rank.
Vigdís's and Ríolíkin's Ether Skills were only A-rank.
So 【Exaltation】 being S-rank was understandable.
It was an inherited skill of the Austri Ducal House.
Because it boosted attributes by percentage rather than fixed values, its utility was exceptional.
But if 【Encouragement】 is also S-rank...
Doesn't that mean it might be as useful as 【Exaltation】—or perhaps even more useful?
At that moment, I sincerely regretted not checking my Skill Window before fighting the boss monster.
