Chapter 89

Chapter 4 begins.

This is a story about going to a neighboring country for sightseeing. It sounds like a very peaceful and tranquil plot, doesn't it?

The entire series consists of 26 episodes, each posted daily, with the same volume as before.

The fourth volume of the book will also be released shortly after the end of Chapter 4. I'll let you know about any new content closer to the release date.

◆4-01 The Beginning is a Level Test

It's autumn. The first harvest festival in the Dorkness territory is approaching.

I feel like I've spent a few years in this place, but it hasn't even been a year since I graduated from the academy. Perhaps my sense of time is off because of all the events, like stopping the Duke of Hillroze's grand suicide or the appearance of Yumiera 2, my parallel world counterpart.

It's been about a month since I defeated the evil god. My body, which was drained from rewinding time in the parallel world, is back to normal. Although my body is in top condition, my mind still bears some damage. What's with this Holy Dorkness Empire...?

Let's forget about 2's speedy nation-building. Let's think of something more enjoyable.

Something fun, something interesting... The face of Patrick, my fiancé, came to mind. ...That's it! A level test!

The crystal-shaped magic device used at the academy's opening ceremony is also in my house. One per family, a level tester. It was quite expensive, but there was no option to not buy it. It's great for pulling out occasionally and grinning at the number 99.

Also, I can test Patrick's level. I wonder if he's reached level 99 by now?

If he's maxed out, I'll celebrate. I even planned a level 99 congratulations party, but it somehow turned into a wedding plan, so it will probably be a quiet affair.

Besides, I want to check my own level. I had forgotten about it amidst the shock of the 2 incident, but I've become an existence that exceeds the level cap. I wonder if it's a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand. I want to know if the cap is now limitless or if there's a new limit.

"Levels go up, up and up. The asymmetry of the hearth and bamboo grove diverges."

I head to get the crystal while singing my original song, "The Level-Up Song."

To avoid copyright issues if the first half of the lyrics overlaps with an existing song, I've added a copyright protection in the second half. I tried to write original lyrics to avoid being accused of plagiarism.

To dispel any suspicions of a parody, I've made the melody eccentric. It's a mix of folk and metal.

Now for the chorus. I sing it with a mix of enka and opera.

"Malicious devices tell the hunter about meteorites."

"Please stop! It's making me so anxious!"

In the hallway of the mansion. I'm stopped by Elenora, who looks pale. She's been staying at my house and we've known each other since our academy days, but it's rare to see her make such an obvious face of dislike.

Come to think of it, when I went to karaoke in my previous life, I was criticized by my friends. I was even called a weirdo. Maybe I'm tone-deaf without realizing it.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My singing was bad, wasn't it?"

"It's not just bad... I feel like it's beyond that."

I expected her to say it wasn't that bad, but Elenora pushed further. Beyond bad... Could it be...?

"Is that, in a good way?"

"No, it means I feel like my head is going to explode."

Elenora's eyes are scary. She seems to be genuinely angry.

Surprisingly, she is well-versed in the arts. My mediocre singing must have been unbearable to her. The lyrics might be fine, but maybe I overdid it with the melody.

"Where exactly did I go wrong? My singing style? The melody?"

"The worst part is the lyrics! What is that, a string of words that stir up anxiety!"

Even my confident lyrics were criticized. I didn't need to say it that harshly... I'm hurt. It's even more painful to hear it from the usually gentle Elenora.

A normal person would be discouraged and stop singing in public. But I won't give up. I'll practice hard and improve enough to get her approval.

"I understand. I'll perform it again, so please listen."

"......Where were you heading, Yumiera?"

"To get the crystal for the level test—"

"I want to see it! I can't wait to see that crystal!"

Huh? I didn't expect Elenora to be so enthusiastic.

She didn't seem interested before, so what changed? Maybe she's been secretly leveling up and wants to check her own growth. That would explain her sudden enthusiasm.

"Then, let's test together."

"Of course! I love level tests!"

Ah, it's fun to spread my hobby to friends.

Testing levels together feels a bit like being friends. I'll put off singing for now since I'm not that into it.

Let's go to the crystal. As I start moving again, a voice comes from behind.

"Phew... I'm relieved."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"It's about levels now! Yumiera, hurry up!"

My hearing has been enhanced with my level increase, but I often miss what people say. If the voice is low or soft, it doesn't register in my brain.

If I recognized every sound in the Yumiera world 24/7, my brain would explode.

So I didn't understand what Elenora mumbled. She urged me on, and I continued down the hallway.

"The crystal is the one everyone used at the opening ceremony, right? You have one at home too?"

"That's the one. It brings back memories. It was the reason I was the center of attention."

"I don't remember much about the opening ceremony."

"The opening ceremony where I caused a big fuss with level 99? You saw it, didn't you?"

"I'm sorry. I only got to know Yumiera after the opening ceremony. I assumed you were there, though."

While reminiscing, I discovered a shocking fact. Elenora, who didn't remember the level 99 person.

I thought I was noticed by the entire school at that time... She's such a big catch that I have a new appreciation for her.

Maybe she feels guilty for not recognizing me, as she tries to raise her voice.

"Speaking of the opening ceremony! It was the moment Yumiera and Patrick met their fateful destiny! Did you feel something special then?"

"I didn't recognize Patrick at the opening ceremony. I vaguely remember there was someone with a slightly higher level."

"Did your heart race when your eyes met?"

"No."

With a completely unromantic answer, Elenora looked disappointed. Reality is like that. Falling in love at first sight isn't that common.

While reminiscing, we arrived at our destination. It's a room on the first floor of the mansion, used as a storage room. It's filled with unused furniture.

Rita doesn't like it when I go to the storage room, but I feel bad calling a servant to bring it to me.

"Where did I put it last time... Ah, there it is."

The frequently used item was on a shelf right inside the room.

I held it with both hands and showed it to Elenora.

"We can test with this, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

Hmm? Elenora, who was so enthusiastic about the level test, now seems less excited.

I want to boost the mood. Is there a way to get the atmosphere going...?

"Maybe a song?"

"Ah! The crystal! Yes! Let's test quickly!"

"Uh, okay."

Elenora's enthusiasm suddenly spiked. She must have wanted to check her own level.

Then, I'll let Elenora go first.

Of course, we'll do it here. I don't want to go through the trouble of taking it to my room. I'm the type who eats snacks right in front of the convenience store.

I placed the crystal on a small, tall table that's usually used for vases and asked Elenora to place her hand on it.

"Please, just place your hand on it."

"...Okay."

She nodded and extended her right hand.

I thought Elenora was level 1. It's natural if she hasn't defeated any monsters. But her interest in the crystal suggests she's been secretly leveling up.

She often went out with Ryu, which makes sense. She would be safe with a top-tier dragon.

Sure enough, Elenora's level is—

"Ah, level 1."

"Well, that's to be expected."

Level 1. And she knew it. Why? Why did she want to test it?

As my mind filled with questions, the weak lady stepped away from the crystal.

"Next is Yumiera's turn."

"I'll go last, after Patrick."

"Huh? Are you not feeling well?"

"...Of course there's a reason."

Just being hesitant about the level test was enough to be labeled as unwell. Well, I usually rush to the crystal, so it's understandable.

There is a reason for me to go last.

After the recent incident, I broke the level 99 cap. I'm sure I'm over a hundred, and maybe even a thousand or ten thousand.

Completely out of bounds. I have a cheat-level strength. It's like the situation in a book with a title like "About the Only Person in a World with a Level 99 Cap Who Has Level 999999999."

Oh, if there really is a book with such a title, I apologize. Even if it's not an exact match, I feel like there might be something similar. Well, I myself am in a silly situation as a level 99 villainous lady, so please forgive me.

I digress. A common plot in such stories is that the level test crystal breaks... because it can't handle the power beyond the limit.

In my estimation, there's an 80% chance the crystal will be damaged. Whether it will crack or explode is unknown, but it will definitely break. The remaining 20% is split between a measurement error and a display of a level over 99, each at 10%.

Even if I get the 20% result, I won't be disappointed. An error is similar to breaking, and it would be good to see a proper number.

That's a long explanation. That's why I'll use the magic device after Patrick.

When I explained this, Elenora seemed to understand.

"I see. It's because Yumiera might break something again!"

"Break something again!?"

"Um... Is that correct?"

I was about to argue that I don't always break things... but images of all the items I've broken over the years came to mind. I've broken all sorts of things, from dangerous to valuable.

I don't want to acknowledge myself as a breaker, so I remain silent in response to Elenora's question.

"Anyway, let's find Patrick. I feel like he'll show up soon, but we can go look for him."

"He won't conveniently show up."

She's skeptical, but the rate at which Patrick conveniently shows up is abnormal. When I think, "I wonder if Pat will come," he's already there.

Calling him a conveniently appearing man sounds bad. "Well-timed" isn't quite right either.

Hmm... Ah! He appears gallantly in a crisis! Yes, Patrick is a man who appears gallantly in a crisis!

"Help! Patrick!"

"Can't you put more emotion into 'help'?"

"But he will come. If I kidnap a child, he'll come even more easily."

"Is that how it works...?"

Yes, he will come. He will definitely come if I believe.

—Five minutes later.

"He's not coming."

"That's right."

He didn't come. Reality is cruel. Happiness doesn't come to you; you have to go out and find it.

The blue bird of happiness was in Tyltyl and Mytyl's house all along. But their journey to find the blue bird, the process of searching, was absolutely meaningful.

Happiness might be close by. But the attitude of going out to find happiness is the most noble! Ah, it's just a convenient way to say that a cohabitant isn't coming.

While I'm thinking about happiness, Elenora picks up the crystal.

"You're thinking strange things again. Let's go quickly."

"Please don't drop it."

Elenora, holding the crystal, looks unsteady.

Don't drop it? It's supposed to break because it can't handle my level, so a fall and break ending is not allowed.