The Survival of an Inferior

"Excuse me," Rena says. 

"Ah?! O-Oh it's you. Hi."  Liam jolts and says. He was talking to Samuel a minute ago at the corner of the room. 

The children play around the large room with books and toys. With the rows of bookshelves, it used to be a library until the army use it for accommodation. 

"Who...were you talking to?" She asks. 

"My brother." 

"The one the kids talked about?" Rena looks at the kids. 

"Yeah." 

She nods and mumbles "I see...Arsto..."

!

Liam was whispering into the communication orb yet Rena could pick it up from across the room; He immediately understands Samuel's warning. 

Compared to her firm and powerful self when her armour was on, the current gentle Rena wears a simple blue dress that matches her eyes. Rena can be a normal girl if she wants to. 

Liam feels a slight attraction to Rena. 

He sighs at his unprecedented feelings and reminds himself of true reality, trying to force the feelings away. 

Later at night, the young merchant girl that followed Rena into Rodgof visits Rena's room. 

She enters and bows to Rena while holding her skirt. 

"Good evening, Rosy."

"Likewise, Madam Rena. I have some orders from Prince Levy. First of all, his majesty wants to thank you for the excellent report. Prince Levy noticed that the situation isn't as simple as it seems. He speculated that someone from Rodgof cooperated with the invaders, most likely someone with high authority. Investigations had confirmed that Noble Li, the man you got rid of, was a traitor that helped smuggled Haren across Elvis to Rodgof. Thus, stay in Rodgof longer to investigate and attend the banquet."

Rena raises her brow. "Banquet."

Rosy smiles and hands Rena an envelope with the Red Imperial Seal. "It's the Prince's birthday."

"...Alright, I will obey his royal order." 

Rosy bows and turns around, reaching for the door. 

"Wait...Ms Rosy, can you tell me about the situation with Elvis."

...

Rosy stares at the door not turning to see Rena. "Wild. It's not any more peaceful than Rodgof's west. Two cities fell to the demon's onslaught and the kingdom shifted all of their production and manpower for warfare. In addition, the king requested backup from Rodgof and Kistan...and..."

...

Rena sighs. "I see...thank you." 

Rosy nods and leaves the room. 

Rena can guess why the plea was rejected. Rodgof and Kistan are using Elvis as a defence for a time. 

===============================================

3 days later at Haeru...

===============================================

Audrey enters Melissa's office and bows. Audrey then passes a short report to Melissa. 

Melissa flips through the report and stops at one particular page.

"Arsto..." she mumbles.

"Yes ma'am?" Audrey asks.

Melissa sighs and puts the document on the table, a page of the report is about Samuel's daily activities. Audrey notices the report and politely asks. 

"If I may, can I know the reason for Sir Arsto's surveillance?"

Melissa grasps her head. "He has the mana constitution of a High Mage."

"What?" Audrey gasps as her mouth drops. 

Samuel despite his high magic power presents himself as a mere warrior swordsman and Melissa suspected something. Now she feels bad for her doubt. Ever since Samuel joined the BOV, he has been keeping Melissa company and bringing her food and drinks, sometimes helping her out with her paperwork. 

In the report, Samuel's daily activity consists of training his body and swordsmanship. After Samuel gets his identity badge, he started to camp within the library of BOV seemingly reading books about the swordsmanship foundation. Fortunately for Samuel, Melissa envies hardworking people who value one's foundation.  

Melissa brushes her hair frantically and lay back in the chair. "UGHHHHH..."

...

Audrey walks to Melissa and tries to comfort her, Melissa responds by hugging her. 

"Even though he was only here for a few days, he is the only person other than you to care so much about me. All the other jerks don't even bother to look at me!" Melissa says.

"Yes yes..."

"Hey Audrey, do you think he likes me?"

... Audrey's face freezes. "T-That's a bit...no, very far-fetched. He was only here for three days. I think it's normal for someone to curry favour with their superior..."

Melissa pouts. "Damn it!! So what if I'm small?!! I'm a full-fledged twenty years old!"

Audrey sighs, she has no idea how a mere report turned into this.

===============================================

At the Library of BOV...

===============================================

I sit among mountains of books. Eyes surrounded by dark circles. Face pale.

My hand flips to the last page of a book and my eyes dart through every line of literature. When I'm done, I finally slam the book shut and let out a long zombie groan. 

"Uuggggghh...fuck," I mumble. My eyes hurt and my mind is at the edge. Trying to get up puts a major cramp into my legs, forcing me to trudge my way with the bookshelves as support. 

With the little time I have before the banquet, I actively train myself and get used to the sword.

--------------------

Atk: 90(95)[+]

Def: 112(122)[+]

Dex: 69(79)[+]

Mag: 321.5

Luck: 100[+]

--------------------

Getting rid of my statistic decimals in the process because I don't like them.(except magic)

 So far, what I was doing was mere instinctive swinging with heavy reliance on mana outbursts and my statistics. 

Elvis Arcane players can control Rena to "study" using books. However, the gameplay skips the gruelling process of reading. Reality is often disappointing. Choosing to read a book through the system forces me to literally read the book with full concentration until finished and then the captive is released. 

I shake my head. "Well, it's fine."

At least what I learnt won't be forgotten and counts as a buff for mastery practising. Yes, studying beforehand can grant a boost to mastery gain. 

After my cramp recovers, I put all the books back onto the shelves and sit before a table. My tiring vision clogging up my consciousness drives me to cross my arms on the table and rest my head.

...

...

...

...

*Splash*

...

*Splash*

Water?

The sound of dripping echoes in my right ear. 

What?

I get up to find myself in the same library, but, deteriorated and in ruins. Massive cobwebs and dust traverse the empty ragged bookshelves and tables. 

My fatigue is gone. Odd. This feels unreal...almost like a lucid dream.

A corrupted glitchy panel pops up amidst my confusion.

---------------------------

Dungeon of "Elvis Arcane"

%62ujw ()(#&^%!

The truth lies here.

---------------------------

...Truth?

There is a huge hole in the ceiling, giving sight to a cloudy grey sky. I run to the window and push it open, the hinge breaks apart and the window follows through, falling to the ground floor. 

!!!!!

Outside the library wasn't pleasant either. An empty Haeru in ruins. Nothing in sight except destruction and despair. If this is Rodgof, there should be a sea above.

Yet nothing but the sky gazes down.

"Where am I?" I mumble.