"..."
"..."
When Caroline quickly left the room leaving us both alone, I couldn't help but to feel awkward. I still haven't recovered from the sudden attack of memories.
Unlike me, she was genuinely speechless. Her gaze wandered towards me and back to the doors, seemingly trying to find connection.
"What's wrong?"
I had to ask her first or else this would take eternity.
"Are you close to the Vice-Principal?"
Like I thought, she was confused why we were so casual around each other. Well, actually I want to know the answer myself.
"Not sure, we met yesterday for the first time."
"Really? It didn't look like that to me."
If I think about it, she had never acted like that in front of the main character. I remember her as a polite and overprotective little sister of Karoline. However, to me she showed a completely different personality.
Does that mean this world is not actually like in the game?
If so, then it was foolish from me to believe that everything will be sorted.
Does that also mean that there is a possibility that the main character will not reach a good ending? Is that even possible?
I don't know and don't want to think about it. It's in the future and I really don't care that much.
"Anyways, show me all the materials that you have."
"Sure. Follow me."
She led me to another door that was connected to the room beside. Unlike the club room, this room served as a storage for the club.
They usually brought a lot of things from expeditions, some items were sold, some were taken by club members, while some were given to the academy.
As now was a holiday before the start of a new year in the middle of March, the storage was practically empty. There was just one box filled with various items and a giant sticker "To be sold".
"Is this all?"
"Yes. Luckily you came now, because I was going to sell them today. I have to slowly get ready for the start of a new year."
"You planned to throw a party for the start of a new academy year?"
"How did you? Never mind, not only for it but also for a welcome party for the new members."
"You already know that someone will join?"
"Of course. Each year around 20 students try to apply to this club, however only an average 2 of them get to join. And I am not talking about first years."
That's what you should expect from the main character's club, right? Well, she is right, because this year there will be 4 new members from the first grade.
Or was it 5? I don't remember.
I will not join this club either way, so it does not matter for me. I don't plan to join any club, I better spend time in the smithy.
Under Polina's watchful gaze, I began to pull out various items and materials from the box. Each piece looked distinctly different from the metals I was familiar with.
In the game, there was no such thing as crafting, so these materials are new to me. But I could tell that they aren't ores or stones. They are materials gathered from a beast.
"Can I ask something?"
While I observed something that resembled a bone part from a ribcage, Polina broke the silence.
"What is it?"
"If it's not a secret, can I know the reason why the security guard is in need of materials?"
"What?"
"Oh, you don't have to feel obligated to answer if it's a secret. I was just genuinely curious about it."
She mistook my expression I made after hearing that she had mistaken me for someone else. But now that I think about it, I can't blame her.
I am wearing a guards shirt and I look way older than I am in this world. Not everyday you see a 15 year old who looks like a 20 year old.
"There is a little misunderstanding. You see, I am not a guard, I will be a student here in two weeks."
"What?"
Of course, she would be perplexed. From the start I shouldn't be here. I am here because of Principal sisters.
When we came here after my registration, I was asked for the academy's ID from security, but thanks to Karoline, I could get in freely.
They afterwards explained to me that everyone will get their IDs the day before examination, they will be sent to their dorms. That information for me was also new. There was just too much in this world.
"I am here only because of Karoline. You see, I have free access till I get my ID."
Taking out of my pocket a golden access card, I flaunted it in front of her. To make sure she took it and read it.
Card was handed to me by Karoline after we got to the smithy. The only thing that was written on it was my name and temporary access.
"Y-You're telling the truth…"
"Of course, I am. Better help me out."
Seeing all these new materials in front of me, I can't help but be excited. What kind of potential each of them have? What kind of equipment can I make out of this?
My blacksmith heart is pounding in excitement.
"How can I help you?"
"Tell me from which monster these materials are gathered from. For example this?"
The material looked like a crystal ball. In the hand it felt like a polished glass. And I could see through it clearly, only the view turned bluish.
"That's the core of Mantilia."
"Don't tell me the name, tell me what kind of power it had. How it fought and how it looked."
No matter how long I have played the game, there is no way I could remember monsters by their names. If I did, then I would be a psycho. Is there anyone who has done it?
"You don't know what Mantilia is?"
To no one surprise, she was dumbfounded that I didn't know what monster it was. It's like asking a person from Earth if they know what a bear is and they answer that they don't.
"Don't pry into details. Just tell me."
"...Mantilia is an elite-grade monster, taking the form of a crystallized humanoid that wields the power to manipulate gravity in its vicinity. Throughout the battle, it hurls nearby objects and controls them in mid-air, creating an environment to gain the upper hand."
"Ah… That guy."
"You remembered it?"
How can I forget it? On my first encounter with it, I was surprised that everything started to float in the air. I also believed that it controls gravity, however, actually it is not the gravity it controls, but it's a telekinesis.
It wasn't hard to realize. If it was gravity then why wasn't the character affected? Why would creators add in the game a monster who can control gravity, but not use it? Why could the monster only lift mediocre objects?
That's because lifting a living being with telekinesis is very difficult. Living beings would try to resist, while if it's a gravity that is controlled, there is nothing difficult then. Just change the gravitation in space and see the result.
When I explained my thoughts to Davis, he told me that I was an idiot. We even made a bet. To see the results, we went into the official site of the game and looked up the monster.
That was how I won a free bottle of beer. However, I was also very surprised that my guess was right. It was differently explained, but the result was the same.
"Yes, I remember it. Polina-senpai, don't be fooled by what you see. It's not gravity that the monster controls. It's telekinesis."
"Telekinesis? Why do you think so?"
Surprisingly she didn't react much when I called her senpai. I had my doubts but they really use the same style as in Japan. Game was made in Japan, so why wouldn't they?
I explained to her my thoughts similar to how I explained it to Davis. However, I purposely left out everything related to the game itself. I wonder how she would react if I told her what was written on the official website?
"If you put it like that… Then it makes sense. While I have been in this club for 3 years, I had never come across Mantilia which would do something other than controlling small objects."
"You believed me so easily?"
"Hm? Why not? You explained to me why you thought so and I found some points that may indicate that you are correct."
"Wow. I am actually surprised."
"Why? Did you think that I would not believe you?"
"Yes. I didn't even remember the name of the monster and then out of nowhere told you that you were misled by its power. It wouldn't be strange, if you decided that I was lying."
"I get your point. However, as I said, you told facts that can't be denied. I didn't say that I believe you fully, but I will remember them."
She probably will discuss it with others. Maybe they will come out with some kind of conclusion. Well, she can do what she wants with that information.
"I understand. Then I will take this core with me."
"Alright. Will you take something more?"
She didn't have to say it. Because of her words, I took all the materials that were in the box, leaving her a few items that can't be used.
I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to Polina, who had her eyes on the box I took with myself, before I left the clubroom.
I did take 80% of the items she wanted to sell, but I am not at the fault. She said it herself. With the remaining items, I am sure she could afford to organize her planned parties.
Before leaving the campus I dropped by the dean's office to meet Caroline and asked her to bring all the items I listed.
Of course, it got me another round of her, expressing her annoyance at how she wasn't my dog and for me to finally address her formally.
However, even if she said all that, in the evening everything was delivered by Caroline herself.