Episode 20
“One thing’s for sure, ‘Dustin, I like you! Wahaha!’ doesn’t sound like a heartfelt confession. What was Dustin’s reaction?”
“Hmm… He looked at me like I was talking nonsense.”
“See, I told you!”
After just a few exchanges, I realize we have a surprisingly good rapport, leading to this absurd conversation.
Talking to her feels like hanging out with my high school friends back in my previous life, comfortable and without any walls.
“That’s strange. I poured my heart into it.”
“But honestly, I find that kind of confession kind of charming.”
Maybe it’s because she’s pretty. She starts with a basic level of likability, no matter what she does.
Humans are inherently equipped with a “lookism” lens.
Am I generalizing too much?
Well, isn’t it true?
People tend to overlook flaws when someone is attractive, don’t they?
“Wahahaha! I’m glad you approve, Yuri! But I don’t have your charming looks, so I’m a bit worried.”
Oh, this girl…
She’s spouting absolute nonsense!
She’s the prettiest and most charming person I’ve met since I reincarnated.
“You’re more charming than me.”
“No way! You’re the most charming!”
“No, I’m telling you, you are!”
We somehow end up in a strange compliment relay.
Is this the legendary “beauty praise exchange” that girls do?!
“Ahem, ahem. Anyway, maybe you should try setting a more romantic mood.”
“You’re right, it might have sounded too playful.”
“He probably reacted that way because he thought you weren’t serious. Maybe he’ll respond differently if you approach him with more sincerity.”
I guess Dustin hasn’t learned how to properly interact with girls after years of witnessing my negative reactions.
To think he would just stare at someone confessing their feelings like they’re talking nonsense…
…Well, I used to do that a lot, ahem.
“Oh, we’ve reached the dormitory before I knew it! This is my room, so feel free to visit anytime!”
“Wouldn’t your roommate mind?”
Besides, it’s a girls’ dormitory.
If I barge in there, I might be labeled a pervert…
Ah, wait, I guess it’s fine since I look like a girl now.
But it’s still awkward.
They’ll think I’m just another girl, and what if they start changing clothes in front of me…
Oh, oh… that would be amazing… Ahem, ahem!
“Don’t worry! My roommate is super nice! She understands everything I do! Wahahaha!”
After witnessing that grip strength at the entrance ceremony, I’m not surprised she’s “nice.”
“But I can’t disturb her while she’s resting. I have a single room, so you can come to my place.”
“Oooh! So you have a single room because you’re an important person!”
“No, that’s not it. It just happened that way.”
“I see! As expected of Dustin and that amazing little scholar’s master! I’d love to learn from you too. Could you teach me?”
Well… I only taught them about the status window, which is useless for those who don’t have one.
I need to have some skills to teach besides the Korean alphabet.
My swordsmanship is average, I’m not particularly strong, and…
I’m not exactly a genius when it comes to academics.
“Well, I haven’t really taught them anything special.”
“So humble! You truly are an extraordinary individual.”
Sigh… seriously.
I only taught them the Korean alphabet, and they’re calling me “Master” like I’m some kind of guru.
Well, I guess teaching a language isn’t easy.
But they all developed that “System Language” skill and mastered it quickly, allowing them to understand the status window on their own!
“I’m going.”
“Get some rest, and I’ll see you tomorrow!”
Something tells me tomorrow will be another chaotic day.
Ugh, this is exhausting.
Why is everyone around me so extraordinary?
I’m glad I made a friend, but…
The problem is, she’s the most eccentric one of all.
***
After that day, Dustin and Basilia continued to visit our classroom during every break.
Celia, initially wary, now just observes them with a resigned, exasperated expression.
Seeing them occasionally engage in conversations suggests their relationship has improved somewhat.
“You’re Celia, right?”
“Whatever.”
“I heard you have a status window too.”
“So what?”
…Is this even a conversation? It’s just Dustin trying to talk to her.
“If you’re going to talk to someone… Sigh, never mind. Forget it.”
“Yeah.”
Well, Celia treats everyone like that.
But she’s especially harsh towards Dustin.
Can’t you two just get along?
“Status window? Are you talking about that semi-transparent window that appears in front of you?”
Basilia, who had been sitting next to us with a contemplative expression, suddenly interjects.
A semi-transparent… window…?
No way… you too?
“Do you have a status window, Miss Basilia?”
“If you’re talking about that semi-transparent window, then yes, I do. It’s been appearing in front of me since I was a child!”
Wow, is everyone except me equipped with a status window?
There’s no way all these status window users are appearing before me by pure coincidence.
Maybe even stray dogs have status windows, but they just can’t read them.
“I see. So that strange feeling I had when we first met was due to your status window.”
You can sense that?
Wow, this status window thing… everyone has it…
Except for Kim Haneun, the 32nd descendant of the Gyeongju Kim clan…
Ahem, never mind.
“Hmm, if it’s the same as Dustin’s, I should take a closer look.”
“Could you show me what it says? I can teach you how to use it.”
They seem to be getting along surprisingly well.
He even offered to teach her.
Well, it’s painful not having a status window, but I guess I’ll excuse myself and let Celia handle this.
“It says something like this…”
What? Divine Power?
Ooh, is a divine power user finally making an appearance?
It wouldn’t be a proper fantasy world without one.
Wait a minute.
She’s a divine power user?
Not a strength-based one?
Well, I guess she does look the part…
Uh, uh… uh, yeah. You can’t judge a book by its cover…!
But this is a bit…
“… Um, could you please write that again?”
I’m completely bewildered, but Dustin keeps stammering and asking Basilia to rewrite something.
Huh? Why can’t he read such simple letters when he’s a System Language master?
“Hey, you idiot. It says ‘Divine Power.’ Why can’t you read it?”
How can he not recognize such a simple word when he mastered System Language years ago?
He’s not an idiot.
And there must be more complicated words and sentences in his status window.
How did this guy even get strong?
“Excuse me? Is that so…?”
“Master, you’re amazing…”
Huh?
Celia too?
“No, you guys are System Language masters. How can you not read this, you idiots?”
“…Idiots? I’d like to deny it, but I couldn’t read that at all.”
…?
Something feels very wrong.
“Wait, hold on. Dustin, write down any random word from your status window.”
“Ah, yes. Understood, Master.”
He moves his finger in the air, slowly writing a word as if drawing it.
“? Is this even written correctly?”
Dustin wrote the words “Imperial Knights” in the air, and Celia couldn’t read it either.
“… You wrote ‘Imperial Knights,’ right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Really? That’s what it said?”
Everyone is utterly confused.
They’re System Language masters, but they can’t understand each other’s Korean words?
Is that even possible, Mr. System Master?
…Is this why he keeps sending status window users my way?
Now that I think about it, they all understood perfectly when I was teaching them.
Then they developed the System Language skill and mastered it, allowing them to read their status windows.
But they can’t read each other’s?
Isn’t this a blatant sign that I’m supposed to teach them?
Is this it…?
Is this how I get my status window? By teaching a few status window users how to read Korean!
So my talent is teaching?
Guiding others?
But I’m not even that good at teaching…
They learned difficult words and sentences quickly with the help of the System Language skill. I only taught them the basics.
“It seems like only the great Master can bestow knowledge upon us. I was foolish to think I could teach someone. I need more training. I’ll double my training regimen starting today.”
…Please do, and please stop visiting me.
“So this woman also needs to learn from Master?”
“Ooh! Yuri, are you going to teach me too?! Then I can call you Master as well! Wahahaha!”
I feel a headache coming on at the thought of having another disciple calling me “Master,” but it’s fine.
I’ll endure it if it means getting my status window.
But… is he really going to give it to me?
“Please address Master properly, Miss Basilia. Celia, you should add the honorific ‘nim’ as well. Have you forgotten your manners?”
“I don’t eat things that taste bad.”
“That’s not what I meant…!”
It’s both amusing and pathetic how Dustin loses all his Student Council President authority in front of Celia.
“Wahahaha! Master Yuri! When can you start teaching me?! I’m ready to learn right now!”
“Hmm, then come to my room after class. I’ll teach you.”
Wait a minute.
Is this my first time having a female friend over to my room?!
Oh no, I’m doomed.
My room is a mess.
But it’s Basilia, so it should be fine, right?
“My room is a bit messy…”
“No worries! My room is a pigsty! Wahaha!”
As expected!
Oh yeah, I knew I could count on you, buddy!
“Great! Then I’ll see you later!”
“Alright, Master Yuri! I’m so excited to learn!”
“Focus on your class first, you idiot!”
“I must obey Master’s words like they’re divine commands! I’ll diligently attend class and then come over!”
“Okay!”
She’s definitely a high-energy individual.
Hehe, I should at least put away my underwear before she arrives.