Chapter 7:
I’d Give My Left Arm
ONCE THE COMPETITION WAS OVER, they brought me up on stage so the vice-principal could acknowledge me. He commended me for surviving and encouraged me to do my best in the upcoming interschool tournament. Because I’d won, I automatically qualified as one of the Hero Academy’s representatives. But more importantly, I had earned 3,000 LP by fulfilling my goal and winning the competition. I had about 12,500 LP now, and two more avenues for LP profit were about to open up.
“Now I will present the King of the School Year with the enchanted items,” said the vice-principal. “You may pick any of these.”
Three teachers lined up in front of me, each holding a different item. I was happy I got to pick up and inspect each one. The “Blasting Hammer,” the “Collar of Concealment,” and the “Moon Drop.” They were all A and B-Grade items, and all appealing in their own way, but I was primarily interested in LP.
They were worth 3,000, 4,600, and 7,000 respectively, so the Moon Drop was by far the most valuable. It had a skill that boosted physical and magical power in the moonlight. As strong as it was, it was limited to moonlit nights.
I picked it up, but I couldn’t exactly convert it on the spot, so I saved that for later.
“And for your other prize,” said the vice-principal. “You’re bestowed with the Right of the King. For today and today only, you can issue orders to the entire student body.”
This was what I had been waiting for. I couldn’t ask for anything crazy—the order wouldn’t work if the students completely rejected the idea. I just needed something they would go for, and something that would earn me LP. I already had an idea.
“As your king, I order you all…to give me a hug.”
The crowd buzzed. The main reaction seemed to be, “Why a hug?”
“Are you sure about that?” asked the vice-principal. “There are almost two hundred students here.”
“Oh, well, just the girls then.”
I wouldn’t get any LP from the boys after all.
“Wow, what a pervert,” someone heckled.
“You want the boys to do it too?” I asked. “Hugging another guy would be a little awkward.”
“I guess that’s true.”
After the boys realized that, they settled down.
“Okay,” I said, getting down off the stage. “Whoever’s cool with giving me a hug, line up.”
The girls seemed unexpectedly enthusiastic. I was a little surprised.
The vice-principal smirked. “Of course they’re excited. Women are always attracted to strong men. I wish I could hug a pretty girl…”
I walked up to the first girl and made sure she was okay with it.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes…”
She seemed a little shy, but we hugged. When I’d confirmed I’d gotten the LP, I let go. I was nervous, but after getting through a few, I was getting used to it. Even Ficia was in line for some reason.
“Umm, do you want to give me a hug?” I asked.
“I’m not happy about it,” she said. “But we are acquaintances now.”
“Ha ha ha…got it.”
She was probably thinking that I’d be useful in the future. Maybe she was a little too honest about her motives, but I accepted them for what they were.
When I hugged a girl for the first time, I’d get up to a few hundred LP—although it varied depending on how attractive I found her. Unsurprisingly, I got more from the cute girls. Only a few refused. We had just shy of a hundred girls in class, so I earned LP from about ninety people.
“I think this is a new record!”
I’d earned about 26,000 LP, bringing me up to 38,500. With the 7,000 I’d earn from the Moon Drop, that would total 45,500 LP. All in all, a huge win.
Apparently, the school representatives would be meeting with the other participants in the inter-school tournament in a few days. But for today? We were done. So Emma and I headed to Odin’s guild hall. Since Lola had assisted me privately, I wanted to tell her about my win.
“Are you doing anything the day after tomorrow?” Emma asked on the way.
“Not really.”
“My parents are going on vacation, so I wondered if I could come over for dinner. It’s been ages since we did that.”
“Of course. Everyone would love to see you, Emma.”
“Thanks! I can’t wait!”
She seemed happy as she locked arms with me.
However, because she was wearing such skimpy clothes, I could distinctly feel her skin against mine. It secretly earned me some more LP. What luck!
When we got to the guild hall, I told Lola about the competition. She seemed so happy. It was almost like she’d won it herself.
“I always knew you would do it, Mr. Noir. And then your hug victory lap afterward! I’d like to participate too.”
She wrapped her arms around me, and Emma shot her a dirty look. When Lola saw her, she looked shocked.
“What’s with that getup? You’re dressed like some kind of sex pervert.”
“I…I guess I can’t really deny that,” Emma said. “Much as it pains me.”
“I’m not one to criticize others for their taste,” Lola said. “But it’s not the best time to wear that sort of thing.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s been a string of murders. Mostly sex workers and other women wearing attention-grabbing outfits.”
According to Lola, even one of Odin’s female adventurers had been attacked. Thankfully, she’d survived, but not without serious injury. That didn’t seem like much to be grateful for.
“The guildmaster’s real mad,” Lola said. “If this monster isn’t caught soon, the guildmaster might put out a bounty for his head.”
Maybe I was imagining it, but the mood in the guildhall did seem heavy.
“But you shouldn’t get involved, Mr. Noir,” Lola said. “You need to keep yourself out of trouble until the date for the A-Rank exam is settled.”
“What about me?” Emma asked.
“What kind of casket would you like to be buried in?” Lola asked.
“I’m not going to die! And besides, I’m not planning on wearing this anymore.”
“Oh, reeeeally? I’m not sure I believe you.”
They were always like this—sniping and snapping at each other. Still, I was worried about Emma, so I saw her home. After that, I stopped by Stardian Rarities and told my father and Tigerson about my win.
“Aha! Now the shop will become even more prosperous!”
<I expected no less of you, my friend. I have been hard at work collecting stock, and with Olivia’s help supplying additional products, our sales are up 250 percent from last month.>
“That’s incredible!” I said. “I’m sure the shop will become an even greater success with both of you around.”
<We will all do our best.>
“All right!” said my father. “Time to celebrate! Let’s drink ourselves silly!”
We closed the shop up early and headed out. Although…I did wonder if Father was just using my victory as an excuse to get drunk.