[Hint Fragment Collection]

– Combines information to create fragmentary hints.

– Collected hints can be compiled into a single document resource.

– Only one fragment compilation per hint can be made at a time.

– Usable only for matters that do not have a direct impact on story progression.

– Only a limited number of pieces of information can be entered at once.

The application that God added, the Hint Fragment Collection, as if as a gift after being pleased by Luca’s resolve regarding the protagonist. There were various restrictions, but I liked the idea that it provided hints.

‘So… I can’t just dump random information as a loophole, and I can’t get hints important enough to affect the story.’

At first glance, it sounded like all restriction, but it seemed to have plenty of potential uses.

As mentioned before, the important threads of the story didn’t change easily. So even if he acquired a useful power at this point, it wouldn’t disrupt the main storyline.

‘When the protagonist investigated the Academy legends, he always came up empty-handed.’

However, although nothing about the legend was found, there was a scene where traces left behind by the Demons were discovered in the process. Luca focused on this.

‘Contextually, by the time the protagonist searched, the Demons must have taken all the Academy legends. But what about now, when Martin suddenly left the picture?’

In this present moment, where the Demons had not completely taken over the Academy. The possibility of undiscovered fateful encounters left Luca excited.

‘Yes, this is it. Uncovering these hidden things is part of the fun.’

Grinning slyly, Luca typed something into the application.

‘The statue in the Pia Forest—one of Hernan Academy’s legends.’

Bzzz!

When the entry was submitted, a circular icon appeared and disappeared on the screen, as if searching for information.

[Hernan Academy Legends – Statue in Pia Forest]

– ???

– ???

– ???

– ???

– ???

* Number of information entry attempts available on this hint: 10

‘Ah, so this is how it works.’

In addition to the familiar system, the new element of “number of information entries remaining” had appeared.

‘Ten… It feels both generous and possibly not enough.’

But he still hadn’t figured out what additional information he should enter here.

‘I’ll think about the rest tomorrow.’

As Luca closed his phone while thinking so, Bella’s voice came.

“Young master! I heard you can’t go out tomorrow—what will you do?”

“I’m going somewhere with my friends.”

“… W-what did you say?!”

Thump-thump!

At Luca’s answer, Bella sprinted into his bedroom, startled. Her eyes sparkled.

“Where are you going? With friends? Is it Ottbo, perhaps?”

“The three I always hang out with.”

“Are they really staying with you, young master? Oh! My goodness!”

As Bella’s face became deeply moved and emotional, Luca scratched his ear, looking indifferent.

“We’re just hanging out because I was going to walk around inside the Academy anyway.”

“That’s wonderful! They declined a trip outside just to keep you company, young master! Tomorrow, there won’t be a single first-year left in the Academy besides you!”

“Tsk, that doesn’t matter, but I want to ask you for a favor.”

At the word ‘favor’, Bella quickly composed herself and looked at him with a calm face.

“Command whatever you wish, young master.”

“It seems some strange things have gotten into the Academy. I want you to investigate, but only as long as it isn’t dangerous.”

“You mean to find any associates of the person who tried to frame you, right?”

She nodded quickly in understanding, but soon looked worried.

“But young master, if such people are around, shouldn’t I stay by your side for your protection?”

“Having you around is reassuring, but we’re talking about the ‘Undying Princess’. As long as she’s nearby, I doubt I’ll be in any danger.”

“That’s… true.”

Bella had heard the rumors about the Undying Princess. There were many assassins who targeted her, but nobody had ever returned alive.

“Well, even if they try, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to target you now, with internal surveillance in the Academy tightened.”

“And even if they do, it’s fine. I’ve got this one.”

Beep!

While saying that, Luca looked at Whistle. At that moment, a sky-blue bird flew through the open window and landed on Luca’s shoulder. It was a little bigger than when he’d seen it before, but still charmingly cute.

“Not reckless like before, I see. Bella is moved to see another child grow up.”

“Anyway, be careful too. Only as long as it’s safe, all right?”

At Luca’s words, Bella chuckled and put a finger to her lips, winking.

“Don’t worry. This Bella can move more stealthily than anyone.”

“Hah, don’t let your guard…”

Luca began to reply curtly but fell silent. Bella had vanished without a trace. Even though he’d been watching, he hadn’t managed to track her with his eyes.

“… That was a pointless worry.”

He really had a very competent maid.

* * *

Hernan Academy, built near the great city Havoc, boasted many environments suitable for learning, befitting its status as the continent’s premier academy.

Among them was the Pia Forest, an ideal place for observing natural mana, cultivating special herbs, and studying combat in various terrains.

But, being so vast, it was easy to get lost—outside of marked paths, a guide was essential.

“All right! Ready, everyone?”

“Yes, milady! All the lunchboxes are packed!”

“Ugh… Are we really going?”

At the entrance to the Pia Forest, Luca and his friends had gathered. Of course Milia and Isella were a little hyped, and Ottbo still looked bewildered by reality.

‘Impressive.’

Luca was amazed by the existence of such a dense forest. It was a different feeling from the crowded mountains of Korea. Being in such a wonder of nature, it was hard not to feel awed.

“All right, the forbidden zone is deep inside, so let’s head straight there!”

“W-wait, are we going without a guide?”

“Of course. What kind of guide would take us to the forbidden zone?”

Looking at Milia’s face, Ottbo flinched and fidgeted with his fingers.

“W-well, yeah, but… what if we get lost?”

“Don’t worry. I never lose my way.”

“How can you be so sure…?”

Ottbo made a sour face at Milia’s overwhelming confidence. Milia chuckled and patted her chest lightly.

“You could call it magic, but the truth is, I never forget a path once I’ve walked it. So don’t worry.”

“Hmph, don’t worry so much. If we do get lost, I’ll just carry you all on my back and run in one direction.”

“… Oh. That’s actually reassuring.”

Since Ottbo’s anxiety seemed to trouble Milia, Isella ended the suspense.

‘Never forgets a place, huh. Is that one of the Dimension Core’s abilities?’

Luca caught the meaning behind her words immediately.

Not even the original story fully revealed the secrets of the Dimension Core. Even Milia in the original couldn’t perfectly use it.

‘I want to ask so many things, but now isn’t the time.’

Luca pushed thoughts about the Dimension Core out of his mind and continued forward.

“If we’re not camping out in the forest, we should just head there directly.”

“C-camping?!”

At that, Ottbo protested with horror and hurried after him. But contrary to expectations, Milia was rooted in place, looking puzzled.

“Huh? Weren’t we going to camp?”

“…”

Luca and Ottbo stopped in their tracks. They turned to look at Milia and Isella. Now that they noticed, Isella’s bag did seem unusually large.

“…”

“….”

Luca and Ottbo exchanged glances. Ottbo looked about to cry. Luca deeply sighed and looked at Milia.

“You crazy bastard, tone down your insanity.”

“L-Luca?!”

“You scoundrel! That’s treason against royalty—I’ll have your head at once!”

“I-Isella?!”

It was total chaos—the quarrel of lunatics.

* * *

“Fine, whatever, we’ll just go back before dark.”

So, camping was called off. Instead, to shorten travel time, Isella and Luca would carry Ottbo and Milia on their backs and run to the forbidden zone.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

“To move like this, without even using magic…”

“You should be able to do this, too.”

“Ugh… Not a chance.”

“We’ll see. Just keep attending Professor Mantas’s class.”

“Aah!”

Making small talk, Luca admired the scenery.

‘This really feels like a fantasy world.’

Havoc’s medieval vibe was nice, but this forest gave him a true fantasy sensation. The ancient, moss-covered trees seemed centuries old; the shifting shadows of the grass gave everything life. And there was the scent of foliage—familiar, yet never encountered before.

‘Although I came looking for hints, maybe I should really just enjoy myself here, like a child out for fun.’

He felt like an excited child.

― What are you thinking?

“!”

For a moment, it felt like someone whispered to him. But Luca didn’t look back. He knew the voice well.

‘Luca Traverse.’

Was this the lingering thought of the body’s original owner, Luca Traverse? The voice had whispered to him.

‘Was that a warning not to get too excited?’

Luca let out a wry smile. It felt bittersweet for ‘Lee Myunghyun’, in his late twenties, to be admonished by teenage ‘Luca Traverse’.

‘Not so bad.’

Still, he didn’t dislike the situation. Having seen Luca Traverse’s entire life, even without ever meeting, he understood his nervousness. He understood the person called Luca Traverse.

‘Don’t worry. My vow to grant your wish wasn’t a lie.’

He had no intention of obsessing over strength like Luca Traverse had, but even as he enjoyed himself, he never forgot to seize every advantage when it came to action. Engraving this firmly in his mind, Luca suddenly stopped.

“… You want to go here?”

“Yep!”

“….”

His swelling excitement popped in an instant.

Inside the boundary, it felt like another world: dark, damp, cool. Luca looked up at the sky.

“It must be around 10 o’clock now.”

“It’s 9:15. We made excellent time.”

Isella checked her watch, mildly scolding him. Luca bowed his head and peered into the forbidden zone.

“It’s really that dark in there?”

“Yep, just like in the books. Fascinating!”

Milia looked even more excited by the adventure, while Ottbo’s anxiety grew to match.

“We’re r-really going in t-t-there?!”

“Are you cold? Why are you shivering?”

“Hm. It actually is a bit chilly.”

“Oh, really?”

“How can you two be so carefree…?”

Ottbo, baffled by their banter, stood with his mouth open, then shook himself and slapped his cheeks.

“Hoo, all right. We’ve come this far—no choice but to go in.”

“Best thing you’ve done recently.”

“T-that’s a compliment, right?”

Luca gave a small smile, muttering, “It’s an insult,” and headed toward the border.

“Are we going right in?”

“You said it yourself—no choice but to go in, once we’ve come all this way.”

“I like tough guys~.”

With that, Luca strode straight into the forbidden zone, Milia chuckling as she followed.

“I-I’m tough too, milady!”

“D-don’t leave me behind!”

In the end, the four of them entered the forbidden zone.

And, not long after they went inside…

Someone else entered the forbidden zone as well.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep