Chapter 95: Taboo Subject
Within the top ten in archery in my grade.
When playing as the main character, it was absolutely impossible in the first year.
Because there were so many monsters among his peers, no matter how much he learned archery from Hiresia and how much chaos he caused, there was a difference that he could never catch up to.
It would have taken at least two years of school to bridge that gap.
And only very skilled and talented users could do it.
That's why the hunting competition event was something the protagonist could only experience when he was in his second year.
But.
'Maybe it's possible?'
If the current first-year students are blatantly considered the golden generation, the second-year students are blatantly considered the poor generation.
In short, it's much easier.
Of course, it is still impossible with my current skills.
But.
'I think it might be doable if I master the basics?'
Master the fundamentals of archery.
From experience, I think it's not that far from being achieved.
Of course, back when I was the main character, it was impossible to even get into the top ten, but things are different now.
It's not the first year; it's the second year.
'Okay, let's give it a try.'
Once you do this, you will have the opportunity to win various rewards from the hunting competition event.
It is well worth the challenge.
I decided to invest more time in archery for the time being.
* * *
Sizzle.
A silver-haired, silver-eyed high elf leisurely cooked meat over a fire, as usual.
As I approached, Hiresia raised her head.
And.
"Huh?"
She opened her eyes wide and tilted her head slightly.
"Why?"
"Has something changed in you?"
"Something changing?"
I also didn't know what she was talking about, so I asked back.
"Hmm, I feel like the feeling of being unlucky has lessened."
"Huh."
Only then did I realize what she was talking about.
When I changed the title from <Celtrin Family's Trash>, which had a drastic decrease in charm, to <Savior of the 10th Basement Floor>, my charm went up by one level right away.
From F- to E-.
Even though it's still trash, there are different levels of trash.
… … It became a little bit better trash.
That's why Hiresia, with her sensitive senses, seemed to have noticed.
But to be honest,
'...That's admirable.'
It was a sincere emotion.
To have felt so vividly the discomfort coming from my worst charm with her much more sensitive senses than a human's, and yet to treat me the way she did.
Whether it was because she was a high elf and less prejudiced, or it was just her values, it was admirable either way.
I had discovered a hidden side of her that I hadn't seen while playing as the protagonist.
"Seems like you've gained some manners, huh."
I mumbled vaguely.
"Hmm, indeed, it's much better than at first."
There was no need to explain that the 'much better' was due to the meat.
She was still the one whose expression couldn't be controlled whenever I bought her expensive meat, ecstatic to the point of death.
"Sure."
I replied emotionlessly and plopped down beside her.
If it were a man and a woman, the atmosphere might be charged with tension.
But there was no such atmosphere between a high elf and a human, not even a particle of dust worth.
Sizzle.
"Here you go."
Hiresia tore off a well-roasted leg of a bird and handed it to me.
It was a scene symbolic of the shortened distance between her and me.
Considering how I was almost beaten like a dog the first time I tried to steal her meat, it truly felt like a world of difference.
After all, even a dog knows to be thankful to the person who feeds it meat, so it would be absurd for a high elf, one of the highest intelligences, not to know gratitude.
"Thank you, senior."
I, too, expressed my gratitude in a primate-appropriate manner and bit into the bird leg.
Crunch, crunch.
The taste was plain with just the right amount of salt, quite decent.
Especially when I was as hungry as I was then.
"But."
Munch, munch.
Hiresia, who had already eaten half of the bird, opened her mouth.
"I heard you got engaged?"
She suddenly brought up the topic of my engagement.
I laughed as if I was dumbfounded.
It's really nice to hear the news so quickly.
Well, at first she didn't even know who Max was, so this is quite a big step forward.
"Yes."
I gave a short affirmation.
"But your fiancée is the student body president?"
"Yes, yes."
That's right; he's that famous person that everyone on campus knows.
"How far did you go? All the way?"
"Coolook, coolook!"
The sound of the sneeze made me cough violently.
Because I was genuinely flustered by the question that was thrown straight at me.
No, this woman… … no, this elf is the real one!
In real life, this is blatant sexual harassment.
Wow… … I've had a lot of experiences in life, being sexually harassed by a high elf.
"Haaah."
I barely managed to suppress my cough and looked at Hiresia with a bewildered look.
"No, why are you asking such a question?"
"Huh? That's a question. I was just curious about what a perfect student council president's night would be like."
Hiresia still didn't know what mistake she made.
It seemed like she wasn't even aware that it was a mistake.
It seemed she had absolutely no awareness that she had made a mistake.
This is when the difference between our species really hits home.
"Listen, in human society, that kind of question is taboo, and you shouldn't just casually bring it up..."
I explained seriously.
Seeing my serious expression, Hiresia seemed to realize her mistake.
"Ah... really? I see; I'll remember that."
Hiresia learned a lesson in human etiquette.
At least she wouldn't make the same mistake again.
I shook my head and spoke again.
"Besides, my relationship with the student council president isn't what you think, senior."
"Hm? But you're engaged?"
"It was a political engagement to begin with... and I've screwed up so much that it's nearly fallen apart."
To be precise, it's because Max screwed up,
but anyway, if things had gone as they were supposed to, I'd be nearing the point of being disengaged.
I think I've managed to delay that time by throwing a few breadcrumbs to Regina.
"Wow, what kind of stupid thing did you do?"
It's okay; I'm totally adapted.
I know elves like this very well.
Humans are really unpredictable. Engaged to such a woman yet acting foolishly...
"Ah, really! Enough!"
I shouted.
It was my fault for calling it foolish in the first place.
So please stop.
"Hmm, perhaps I have been a bit harsh. Nonetheless, I offer you my sincerest sympathy.
No, it's not like anyone was actually hurt.
"But I'll support you to the end. Don't give up until the last moment."
It's really touching to receive such support.
"Alright, since I made a verbal slip-up, I'll teach you one of my techniques as a sign of support."
Enough already... Huh?
My ears perked up at the mention of a technique.
Not just any technique, but Hiresia's technique.
This is huge.