Chapter 221: 아로아로 (1)

"You've worked hard."

I took the black leather bag, the size of a child's fist, handed to me by Amy.

The true identity of this item was an artifact known as the [Subspace Bag], stored in the Waldeurk family's treasure vault.

Anything placed inside this bag is stored in a subspace.

Furthermore, no matter the volume or weight of the contents, the size and weight of the bag remain the same.

Due to its overwhelming convenience, [Subspace Bag] is quite expensive in this world.

However, just being expensive isn't enough to earn a spot in the grand Waldeurk family's treasure vault.

This [Subspace Bag], being an item registered in the Waldeurk family's treasure vault, boasts a generous size that could store about three queen-sized beds.

Thus, this small bag is an artifact of Hero grade—in the order of common*, rare, hero, legend, and myth.

I began to take out artifacts from the subspace bag.

I had brought other artifacts besides those I would use immediately, so their number was not small.

I started arranging the artifacts neatly on the floor.

"Hmm. Nothing is missing. Everything's here."

Amy's work was thorough.

As I had instructed, she brought as much as was appropriate and reasonable.

Even though I am a direct descendant of the Waldeurk family, I'm not the head yet, so I had to be somewhat discreet in using the 'true' treasure vault.

I smiled slightly, looking at the artifacts spread on the floor.

Among them, I picked up a longsword.

Just like what I had seen in the game, there was a round hole in the center of the crossguard.

"I used this a lot when playing the game... and now I see it here."

The name of this sword is the artifact [Elemental Sword].

It's a Hero grade artifact, but depending on how it's used, it can be more useful than many Legend grade artifacts, making it a dutiful artifact used in the game until obtaining the endgame Myth grade artifacts.

True to its name, this sword allows the use of the four elemental magics: water, wind, earth, and fire.

Inserting a mana stone of the desired attribute into the round hole enables the use of magic.

There's no need to use my mana.

The cost of using [Elemental Sword]'s magic is borne by the mana stone.

Of course, mana stones aren't cheap, but compared to my wealth, it's a trifle.

"Good."

Besides the [Elemental Sword], I brought many other artifacts, so powering up my teammates will be quick.

Using customized artifacts suitable for the user is the best means of powering up.

After finishing my inspection and repacking the artifacts into the [Subspace Bag], Amy, who was standing beside me, spoke.

"Young master, may I ask a question?"

Well, why not.

"Sure."

"...While gathering the artifacts, the treasure vault managers subtly asked about why we were taking such a diverse range of artifacts. I didn’t give them an answer... May I know the reason?"

Amy looked at me with a somewhat anxious gaze.

Well, there's nothing I can't say.

"Some are for my use, and the rest are to be distributed to those who assist me."

"···I see."

Amy nodded quietly in response.

Ah, I almost forgot.

However, Theo had secured first place in the last practical evaluation and had attended academic seminars as a student, indicating his profound theoretical knowledge, which surely meant he did well in the midterms.

It was expected that he would comfortably enter at least the middle rankings.

'Sigh, I'll have to look for other items.'

With her belongings packed, Aisha was about to leave the empty classroom when suddenly,

Swoosh.

Theo appeared in front of her.

'Ah, that startled me!'

Surely, he hadn't heard her thoughts.

Startled, Aisha asked,

"Wha, what do you want, Theo?"

"Follow me for a moment. I have something for you."

"What, what is it? You can just give it here. I don't have time."

Theo didn't reply but turned and left the classroom.

"······."

Blinking in confusion, Aisha followed him.

In a forest within the Hero Department, far from the classrooms.

It's a secluded spot rarely visited even for leisurely walks.

Theo stopped in his tracks after confirming there was no one around.

"How do you know such a creepy place?"

Aisha grumbled, following Theo closely.

Theo, without a word, pulled out a bow from the [Subspace Bag].

"!!"

Aisha's red eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

The bow was [Still Life], a Legendary grade artifact from the Waldeurk family's 'true' treasure vault, the very item Aisha had longed for.

Theo, with an indifferent expression, handed the bow to Aisha.

"Take it, Aisha."

"······!"

Shocked, Aisha, instead of taking the bow, alternated her gaze between Theo and the bow, her mouth slightly agape.

Theo urged her again,

"My arm's getting tired. It's yours, take it."

Still, Aisha remained wide-mouthed.

"······."

Several thoughts raced through her mind: Theo providing her with meals and a place to sleep when she was tired from secretly following him, joining the same club as her, being the first to aid her team during practical evaluations, sparing time from his busy schedule to teach her swordsmanship, always seeking her help when needed.

······Theo was unusually generous and trusting towards her, wanting to spend time with her.

There were many other instances, but even recalling just these made one thing clear.

It was more than just looking after someone from the same house; it was blatant favoritism.

At this point, one would have to be a fool not to notice.

'Theo, Theo likes me. He...'

It was love.

*221 아로아로 (1) the chapter title is the album name of a kpop group called LABOUM (2015). Uh don't think it means anything in english... they have the words AALOW AALOW in round brackets next to the title. Might be something specific in their fandom?

*The first grade I originally translated as ordinary. But I think in games it's usually called 'common'