Chapter 20 - The Trio

[Myla]

Currently, I'm still sleeping inside the warehouse. Using my [Night Vision] I'm reading the books I borrowed from the library.

I cough.

This place is as dirty as ever.

[Common Cold Contracted!

Common Cold Resisted! ]

Thanks to these stats called tolerance, I'm able to resist catching a cold.

If I knew systems are this interesting I would have read mangas or light novels back on earth. It was only Verni who mentioned it to me.

Another odd thing I notice is since I used to be a heavy sleeper, even after a few hours of sleep, I still feel healthy.

If I level up further, I may not need to sleep. It must be due to my transformation of becoming a vampire.

Regardless, I have a skill that bothers me.

[Bloody Ritual:

Consume the blood of 100 humans and activate the bloody ritual skill to unlock the title of Vampiric Sage]

I think this will be a chance for me to gain a title. From our class, only ten of us have acquired a title. Titles are said to permanently increase the quality and abilities of the user.

I can't let myself get beaten.

Though 100 humans, huh? I never killed a human being before and I can't imagine myself killing one.

It's quite a waste that I might never use my unique skill.

[Bloody bite:

Consume blood of the target to steal 1% of their stats and recover HP]

I still feel human since I feel the need for food and water which people normally consume. Luckily, right now, I don't feel the craving for blood like an edgy vampire.

I scratch my head with a sigh. If being a vampire is problematic I shouldn't have chosen this one. I guess those vampire novels betrayed me.

I wonder how Verni is doing right now? If he is even alive.

Regardless, after I farm some EXP from the Malvis forest I will run away from my classmates. Anywhere is fine.

Later, the morning came. All 49 of us gather in front of the barracks of Aren. They are already there with the horse-drawn carriages and supplies ready. Our destination is the forest of Malvis.

This is the only expedition that I can't miss since this has been briefed to us by the King when we first came here. I'm also tired of fighting against low-level monsters such as horned boars and green serpents which are around level 30 in the Aren forests.

A tall classmate with a robe made of silk and gold approaches me. He is the vice president of the class. He has glasses and is often holding that cunning look. He also is one of the brains of our room. Topping most of our exams, having me as second and the president as third.

Regardless, I hate him. He is the one who suggested sacrificing Verni without hesitation.

His name is Julius Reyvhart. He seems to have the title of the Elven Arch Lord. He is different from before that I almost didn't recognize him. The clergies of the holy light church and the tactician, Noli of the Aren Knights are fond of him.

Julius then pushes his glasses on top of his nose. "Myla, I heard you are not doing well. That's right, I can give you a room. I know a place."

Regardless, I stare at him in annoyance. I can't tell if he's making fun of me or being sincere. His cold tone is hard to read.

Julius winces at me when he stares deep into my fierce eyes. "You're scaring me. You are different than you used to be. I can't believe how much you have changed. However, I have no malintent. I'm just offering my classmate in trouble some hospitality."

"I don't need it, but if you wanna offer me some help. I'll appreciate some information."

Julius chuckles strangely. "Information, huh? Haha, very well. Meet me once we arrive at Malvis."

He seems to have accepted it easily which I find odd.

"Let me ask you one thing. What do you stand to gain by helping me out? Don't you feel bad that I antagonized the class?"

"Only teens going through their hormonal phase will let it get through them. What you said didn't phase me even a bit because I'm aware it was partly our fault. Though I still don't regret what I said. Logically speaking, Verni is the best candidate for the sacrifice." His glasses glints as he speaks.

I glare at him in silence.

Is he trying to piss me off?

I still have a hard time figuring out what this guy wants. He is smart which makes me wary.

"Then what do you want?"

"You asked me for information, right? It's natural that I will help you because you are my classmate. It's as simple as that."

"Huh? What about the codes of the church like protecting against vampires or forces of darkness? Wouldn't helping me also be an act of betraying the church?"

"Hahaha, the church, huh? To be honest, I don't give a crap about what they believe. Even back on earth, I still consider myself an atheist. Besides, when you volunteered back then at the school festival, it was a great help to us. It was more important than this religious hogwash."

Eh? Is this guy trustworthy? Everything he says seems sincere and even my eye can't detect a lie.

Using [Warm-blooded Sensing] I take a look at his pulse, heartbeat, and body temperature there is no deceit.

Lara steps forward. She grabs Julius' shoulders. "Hmmm, how weird, why are you talking with that bitch?"

She looks like a different person now. Her blond hair is longer and lighter. Her glowing skin is smoother. She has a formal white priestess robe with long sleeves.

She is prettier than before. It's like she's an angel, but she still has the personality of the devil.

Lara obtained the system title of [Priestess Queen] and I guess this is how much she changed.

Julius says. "Just a light-hearted conversation with a classmate. Nothing else."

"Hey, hey, Julius didn't you forget that she talked crap at us? She must be mad now that she is no longer the center of attraction. For example, look how much I have bloomed." She then spins as she shows her new and extravagant look.

The classmates around us are in awe as she catches their eyes.

"Woah, Lara looks so pretty now."

"She used to be no big deal before but now she is now out of my reach."

"I can't believe even the handsome young count from a noble family proposed to her which she turned down."

Lara haughtily speaks. "The nobilities, clergies, and the peasants, they all love me. I will even be the bride of Prince Fergith if I work hard enough."

Prince Fergith is the duke knight commander of Aren and the older brother of Princess Seralene. He is said to be a powerful man that manages a northern territory of Silvia, the fort of Thermiz

However, none of those details are important to these girls.

The prince is said to be a good-looking and strong young man which many noble ladies have pursued but failed.

"Kyah! Maybe even one day. My prince Fergith in a white horse will come to me and propose." Says Lara with a stupid look on her face.

It seems not just Lara but every girl in my class has a crush on that Prince.

While she is deluding herself, I walk away to find myself some peace.

Afterward, 3 classmates went up to me. They look timid and hesitant to talk. They are wearing cool leather gears and one is wearing a robe. The attires adventurers usually wear. I guess they have experience in adventuring.

Huh, these guys...

I then stare at them in caution. "What do you want?"

"Myla, calm down." Said the chubby classmate with curly hair. His name is Mike.

A tall and lanky student with glasses which I think his name is Simon introduces himself. He then bows. "Myla, I'm sorry for what happened a month ago. We didn't stand up to you and because of that, these things happened to you."

A short and timid girl whose name is Sena says. "If it's fine with you, we'll join you into the forest of Malvis."

Seeing they mean no harm, I calm down. I guess I'm getting too paranoid lately. "Forgive me. Lots of things have happened recently."

They agree in silence after they understand my situation.

Sena shakes her head. "I just can't believe how much you have changed. You used to be friendly and approachable but now you seem scary."

"I see, is that how the rest of the class see me now?"

I'm wondering who I am. Am I the energetic and friendly girl who does her best to raise some smiles from the class? Or am I the girl who wants to push everyone from me?

Is my personality back then just an act to create a perfect image of myself?

Was I just looking for praises?

Who is the real me?

I am brooding as I reflect upon it.

"By the way, Myla, looks like we won't be hunting the forest of Malvis as a class but by teams. I don't think we can do it without someone who is above level 50 on our side." Simons says. He seems to be the smartest member of the team.

Mike comes close to me. "That's why we need your help!"

"I see, what are your levels?"

The team is hesitant to answer me. Judging their faces, I think I have some idea.

Five classmates pass by behind me. "Hey look it's the weak trio."

"Seriously, they are asking help from that bitch? Hahaha."

"Well, I guess the birds in the same flock feather together."

"You mean birds in the same feather flock together."

"Haha, whatever, you get the idea."

Mike grits his teeth after listening. "Those bastards!"

He is then about to pick a fight though Sena holds him. "Mike, wait."

"Mike, just let it go for now," Simon says calmly.

Mike sure has this brash attitude.

As for those five who picked on us, they were Alfred's buddies. They never change, I guess.

Regardless, I have decided. "Alright, I'll go with you to the forest of Malvis."

The three look glad. They then hug me tightly. "Thank you, Myla."

Feeling their warmth, made me smile. Ever since I came here, I forgot this feeling. I think it's this feeling of belongingness.

Afterward, the four of us gather on a table found in the courtyard. Simon arranges a meeting. He shows us a map. "According to the data I gathered, the monsters in the forest of Malvis range from level 50 to 90. I think this will be pretty tough."

It's impressive these guys did their research. I think I made the right choice to join up with them.

I point at the other marked areas on the map. "What are these for?"

"Those are low-level dungeons but too bad most of them are conquered. There are S rank dungeons but it's too much for us."

If Malvis is no good, perhaps I shall try other dungeons since I have a party now.

Those who conquered a dungeon are guaranteed to be popular and wealthy. They will earn a status similar to that of a noble, especially if they sell it to a country.

I heard Alfred and his team are close on conquering one.

I point at the dungeon on the far eastern portion of the map. This one gives me a mysterious feeling.

"How about this one?"

Simon gives a serious expression. "It's no good. It's the infamous yet forgotten infinite dungeon. We don't know much about it because not one adventurer who entered has come back. That dungeon is so mysterious that even the scholars can't rank it. Is it an S-class dungeon or SSS+? No one knows. Even some say that dungeon cannot be conquered."