Chapter 196: Allen’s Resolve

Once upon a time, I couldn't even imagine hurting another person.

When I was young, my friends were always talking about how they wanted to be Adventurers or soldiers, but I never understood the appeal. It just didn't click.

However, I realized something after I entered Noblesse Academy.

Giving it your absolute all and clashing with everything you have... it’s actually incredibly fun.

Which is exactly why this sense of frustration is welling up inside me now.

I was granted a Gift more powerful than anyone else’s. It’s a cowardly power that lets me swoop in and snatch away what others have bled for—taking what they built from zero to one through life-or-death effort and making it my own.

Even so, I decided I would use it without a shred of shame if it meant protecting someone.

Thanks to that, I’ve grown strong.

And yet, when things actually matter, I’m still useless.

I don't care if I'm underhanded. I don't care if I'm weak. But I can't stand the thought of being unable to protect anyone.

◇

"—May I sit next to you?"

"Oh, what a rare guest we have," she said. "Hey, get a Melomelon Juice for the kid."

"Ah, no, I’m fine, really—"

"You're here because you have a favor to ask, right? If that's the case, just do as you're told."

We had officially entered the Summer Vacation (Estarm) period, and I was busy plotting something even more underhanded than usual.

Reports of Pseudo-Demons were still coming in from all over the world. Even ordinary monsters were becoming more active than before. There was no telling when the next Calamity would strike.

Shari and Duke had both tried to warn me off. "You have no idea what she might do to you," they'd said politely. "It’s probably for the best if you stay away."

They were right, of course.

But I’m a sly, underhanded guy.

After following a trail of rumors from person to person, I finally found her at a tavern in a tiny, out-of-the-way town.

Sitting there at the counter was Eva-senpai.