How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

***

The morning class focused on practical skills.

The first lesson involved using the training ground to each tackle a virtual monster solo.

It was mentioned that healers and supporters would also participate in the battle. They said both roles needed basic combat skills.

Additionally, unlike the previous session for weapon aptitude assessment, this one was to be conducted only among Class F students.

To assist beginners, papers detailing the characteristics and specifications of the monsters were distributed.

“Alright then! Shall our dual powers show a demonstration first?”

“Teacher, I’m the commander. I’m not very good at fighting…”

“A commander should know how to fight when necessary. Show us how a supporter battles!”

“No…”

The trickster seemed momentarily at a loss for words, but soon he closed his mouth and equipped gear that looked like it was bought from a weapon shop.

In an instant, he used a skill from his gear and smashed the monster’s core.

It was a relief that the gear advantage was allowed; otherwise, he would have surely faced death multiple times.

The teacher clapped proudly, but the Class F students shot him looks that seemed to question what this was all about.

“It can’t be helped. My attribute is commander!”

The trickster’s face was flushed, and he awkwardly defended himself, but the students’ lukewarm gazes didn’t change.

“Next, Kang Na-hyun!”

“Yes!”

I adjusted my grip on the standard-issue gun provided by the academy. It would be better to show my skills while everyone else was expecting something. This would be enough.

I took a deep breath and faced the slime. The slime jumped up and down before charging at me quickly, but it was within the expected range of actions.

Bang—!

When the slime reached its highest point, the bullet I fired hit its core.

With just one shot, the slime’s liquid core shattered.

Clap clap clap!

“Just as I thought!”

The teacher clapped even more satisfactorily than before. It seemed I received extra points for using the academy’s standard weapon.

The students’ eyes brightened again. It was intimidating. I’m weak against such looks. Help me.

After our demonstrations, the other students took turns facing the monsters. Perhaps because it was their first time, many made mistakes and received death penalties.

For those students, the teacher personally provided feedback and made them try again.

It seemed the class was structured like a test, allowing those who successfully defeated a monster to spend the remaining time freely.

However, since no one had passed the test yet, the two of us were left sitting together.

The trickster seemed to see this as his opportunity and started talking to me.

“About that settlement I mentioned earlier—”

“Oh, right!”

“The monster byproducts and various treasures from the dungeon netted quite a bit. A total of 3 billion.”

“Okay. But that belongs to you, right?”

That was the agreement, wasn’t it? I feigned ignorance and tilted my head.

However, I knew best that the trickster wouldn’t be stingy with his companions. I tried to calm my racing heart.

“That means I’ll be handling the byproducts. We need to settle up properly.”

The trickster shrugged and grinned.

“So I was thinking we could each take 1 billion. Can you give me your account details?”

1 billion. 1 billion.

I had to suppress my shock at how wide my mouth was opening.

With 1 billion, I could finally provide everything for the youngest, Kang Na, at the orphanage, whom I had always envied.

With 1 billion, I could ease the suffering of Kang Yu, who had been sick for so long.

With 1 billion, I could buy a piano for Kang Yun, who dreamed of becoming a pianist, and send them to an academy.

With 1 billion, I could buy a lot for Kang Yul, who loved drawing and was sketching pretty pictures with short colored pencils on recycled paper.

With 1 billion, I could prepare for Kang Hoon, who wanted to go to an international school and had been getting good grades despite his difficult environment, but had grown up too fast to even mention his dreams.

Above all, the teacher wouldn’t have to run around seeking donations anymore.

I held back my trembling body and cautiously opened my mouth.

“Okay. Thank you, Yuhan.”

I tried to maintain a calm demeanor until the moment the trickster actually transferred the funds.

Then the trickster touched his device’s screen and asked, “Have you ever thought about what you’d do if you suddenly got a lot of money?”

He glanced at me and began to speak.

“I think you’d buy a weapon for yourself—”

That wouldn’t do. Our orphanage no longer had time.

“Charity.”

I firmly cut off the trickster’s words.

“I’m going to donate.”

“…Donate?”

The trickster frowned slightly, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. It seemed he didn’t approve of my thoughts.

“While that’s nice, shouldn’t you be focusing on your own development right now?”

Yeah. He probably wants me to use this money to strengthen myself. That’s why he brought it up.

If I vaguely said I’d think about it and tried to brush off the conversation, he would eventually ask me where I spent the money.

So it was better to face it head-on here.

“I owe a lot to that place. So if I earn a lot of money, I’ve decided to donate it there first.”

How’s my expression? Is it okay? No problem?

I tried to stay calm, but my heart was racing.

Ah, indeed, the orphanage and the kids are my greatest weakness. I feel that fact deeply.

The trickster fell silent at my words. My heart pounded.

What if I get rejected here? How should I respond? My head spun.

Still, I didn’t want to give up on this.

I felt the emotions and desires I had been holding back, like a water balloon ready to burst, swaying inside me.

After what felt like an eternity, the trickster nodded.

“…Well, okay. It’s your freedom to spend your money.”

That was it.

A wave of relief washed over me.

I felt the emotions I had been suppressing finally trickle down as tears.

What should I do? I was trying hard to smile, but if this keeps up, I’ll end up with a grotesque expression of laughing while crying.

“Why, why are you crying?”

The trickster’s flustered voice reached me.

I should show the bright, sunny persona I had been acting as all along, but I couldn’t do it.

“Yuhan,”

Big money. Big opportunity.

I had approached this intentionally, but the fact remained that this trickster had willingly shared money and opportunity with me.

“Thank you.”

So this time, I was genuinely grateful to Na Yuhan.

Perhaps because I felt the joy of resolving the greatest worry that had been tormenting me, my tear ducts wouldn’t listen.

The trickster, seemingly embarrassed by my uncontrollable tears, sat next to me and didn’t know how to react.

“What’s going on? Did the dual powers fight?”

“Hey, Na Yuhan made Kang Na-hyun cry!”

Oh no, it seems that our appearance drew a bit of a strange look from the kids who had earned their free time.

“Yuhan, I didn’t expect you to be like this!”

“I didn’t do anything!”

“Usually, perverts all say that!”

As Class F friends teased the trickster, his face turned red with anger.

Listening to their cheerful laughter and banter, my tears eventually stopped, and I was able to smile cautiously.

It turned into quite a pleasant time.

And during the next break.

The trickster got hit again by Na Yu-ri, who had seen my tear-streaked face.

“Oh, this is a bit…”