I Level Up With In-app Purchases

I Raise With In-app Purchases – 44

EP.44 Before the Semester Starts (4)

When the staff member entered the office at the academy, the other employees who had been waiting for her swarmed around.

“How was it?”

“What kind of person is he?”

They were curious about the benefactor she had met today. The academy regularly received donations from many noble families. However, it was highly unusual for a commoner to consistently donate for ten years without any conditions, making it a hot topic among the staff.

“He was surprisingly young. I expected a kind old merchant, but he was nothing like that.”

Today, the benefactor who had been donating for ten years without showing his face finally met with an academy staff member. Initially, there was suspicion.

‘Did he send his son?’

But that was a misunderstanding, and it became clear that he had been personally sending the donations for ten years.

“At most, he looked like he was in his mid-thirties? He looked like he was in his late twenties or early thirties.”

“No way. So, he started donating in his twenties?”

“When I was twenty, I was still getting allowance from my parents.”

“Maybe he comes from a wealthy family?”

“Ah… well, I’ve heard there are quite a few wealthy merchant families among commoners these days. Could it be one of those cases?”

Consistent donations for ten years. Even if he was a commoner, it was not something to be ignored. In fact, if they showed a dismissive attitude and he got angry and decided to stop donating?

‘I would have to take full responsibility.’

Therefore, despite being a commoner, they had no choice but to treat him with utmost respect. Fortunately, the benefactor did not show any rude behavior towards the staff either.

“If that’s the case, he must have some demands. Did he really have no demands when you met him? Like a medal or something?”

Wealthy commoners often aspire to join the noble society and might donate with the hope of receiving a medal. If he had been donating for ten years with the hope of receiving a medal, it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question.

“No, he politely declined when the students wanted to meet him. He only agreed to receive letters.”

“Wow~ So he really donated out of pure goodwill.”

“And judging by his appearance, he dressed neatly but didn’t look like someone with a lot of money. He wasn’t wearing anything particularly expensive.”

“So, he earned the donation money himself?”

“Probably. He looked like a mercenary…”

The idea that he might be a mercenary, given his well-built physique, was met with laughter.

“Pfft! A mercenary? That’s too harsh. Even if he’s a commoner, you shouldn’t be so discriminatory.”

“Oh, was I too harsh?”

“Mercenaries are uneducated and crude people who risk their lives for money. A mercenary donating to the academy? That’s ridiculous.”

To nobles, mercenaries were lowly people they didn’t even want to speak to.

“Anyway, I’m curious about what he does to have so much money.”

“Let’s just assume he’s wealthy and move on.”

The benefactor’s occupation was only a temporary topic of conversation. The sudden interest was only because he had appeared after ten years of anonymity.

“I’ve heard that being a wealthy commoner isn’t so bad. They actually get treated well and live comfortably.”

“Ew— Even so, a commoner? What if you end up having a ‘half-wit’ child?”

Here, ‘half-wit’ refers to a noble who, despite their status, hasn’t awakened any abilities. In noble society, a ‘half-wit’ is considered a ‘disabled person’ and is ineligible to inherit the family or its assets.

“Did I say I would actually marry a commoner? I’m just saying!”

“Only those whose families are so ruined that they can’t maintain their noble title would do such a thing. I’d rather die than do that. What crime would the children have committed?”

From a noble’s perspective, it was a very disgraceful and sordid action. It would be normal for them to be too ashamed to show their face. In reality, many nobles who marry commoners often hide their spouse’s status.

“Anyway, let’s get back to work, shall we? If you’re still curious about our benefactor, you can snoop around the VIP room. He didn’t look bad at all. In fact, I initially thought he was a noble.”

A well-built, muscular body, a firm and resolute voice, and well-maintained, smooth skin. On top of that, he wore neat and clean clothes, not the worn-out attire commonly seen on commoners. Despite all these reasons, what made them mistake him for a noble was the clean scent emanating from him.

“He had a nice fragrance.”

“Seems like he bathes well, unlike a commoner.”

Commoners are considered dirty. They are too busy making a living to bother with bathing. Even wealthy commoners don’t necessarily keep themselves clean. They don’t see the point in bathing every day. That’s why they mistook the benefactor for a noble—he was too clean and well-groomed for a commoner. However, the atmosphere wasn’t good. Showing too much interest in a commoner could lead to being branded as someone trying to curry favor for money. So, everyone pretended to be disinterested and scattered to their tasks. Yet, the information about the commoner VIP benefactor was imprinted in a corner of their minds.

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On my way back after solidifying my relationship with the academy, the staff member I met was not the only person I had to see. I met with a few more people afterward. After finishing my conversations with them, I finally returned to the general store, only to find that it was already night. Several days passed since then. Holding the VIP invitation I received from the academy, I stood in front of the academy gate for the first time. The gate was bustling with visitors. It was crowded with people who came to see their children perform or to observe the skills of the academy students. To enter the gate, one needed a ticket or an invitation. When I showed my VIP invitation, the staff quickly stepped aside to let me through.

“Wow… the academy!”

I couldn’t help but exclaim at the sight of the academy for the first time. The blooming trees seemed to celebrate the students’ enrollment and the start of the semester. Following the signs and the crowd, I moved deeper into the academy.

“Oh.”

The academy, which had nurtured countless heroes for the survival of humanity over a long period, was truly impressive. Fresh-faced students were laughing cheerfully, while others, nervous about the upcoming exams, were trembling. Whether they were fearful or excited, there was no shadow of despair on the students’ faces.

Each of them was spending their youth with friends.

‘I miss it.’

An ordinary life that I, born as a commoner, can never reclaim. In my previous life, I too lived as an ordinary student like them. I never knew back then. I never imagined that I would end up reincarnated in the world that served as the backdrop for a game, struggling to survive and longing for the days when I lived as an ordinary student. Now, I find myself fighting to prevent this world from falling into ruin, all while being swayed by a shop system that blurs the line between reality and game.

‘It’s better than being powerless. Knowing the outcome but being unable to do anything would be the most boring life.’

I couldn’t directly enter the contaminated zones to fight. I wasn’t a noble who could withstand the contamination. It was truly a frustrating situation. Knowing the future, yet all I could do was watch from the sidelines.

– BEEEEEEP. –

[Attention, attention—Mic test, one, two—We are announcing that the rank reassessment exam will begin shortly. Guests, please proceed to your seats promptly. Once again, the exam will begin shortly, and entry will not be allowed after it starts. Please proceed to your seats promptly.]

It seemed I had spent more time exploring the academy than I realized. The announcement that the exam was about to start echoed through the academy. Since I didn’t need to queue up to enter the VIP section, I moved leisurely.

“This way, sir.”

Showing my VIP invitation, a staff member kindly guided me to my designated seat. The treatment made me think, ‘This is why you spend money!’ The VIP section was perfectly temperature-controlled, and the plush seats hugged my back and hips comfortably. The first thought that came to mind as I sat down was how excellent the location was. I could see the students fighting with my own eyes without needing to look at the large electronic display. Transparent glass-like material protected me from any potential incidents, and it seemed that the outside couldn’t see inside.

‘The VIP invitation is definitely worth it.’

I was now certain that the past ten years of donations had not been in vain.

– Knock, knock, knock. –

As I sat satisfied with the VIP service, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

“Excuse me, sir. I’ve brought some refreshments. Is there anything else you need?”

The staff member had come in with a cart full of food. I accepted a sandwich-like bread with ham and a beer, then sent them away. The bread was incredibly soft and delicious, but…

“What is this? It’s bland.”

I had expected more from the beer, considering it was what nobles drank, but it was tasteless. Most nobles probably requested wine instead of beer. It seemed they brought the beer just because they couldn’t exclude it entirely.

“I should have tried the wine.”

I had ignored the wine because it wasn’t to my taste, but I didn’t expect the beer to be this bad. As I smacked my lips in disappointment, the highlight of the academy began.

The rank reassessment exam started.

– Whoosh~! Bang! Whoosh~! Bang!! Bang!! –

“They really have everything here.”

Fireworks shot up into the sky and exploded with a bang. The colorful fireworks announced the start of the academy festival and cheered on the important upcoming exams.

“I wonder how interesting this will be.”

The reason I came here was to observe the difference between SSR characters and the ordinary people who didn’t appear in the game. To save this world, I needed as many talented individuals as possible. But could only SSR characters save humanity? Even if they didn’t appear in the game, weren’t there people with exceptional abilities like SSR characters? To resolve this question, I needed to see the difference between ordinary people and the characters. In that sense, the invitation from the academy staff was very helpful.

‘Even if I hadn’t received the invitation, I would have bought a ticket to come.’

Additionally, I would be able to see how much Fran and Shine had grown in today’s match.