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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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In Reincarnation Brave, the [Snipe] trait was an overpowered ability that had been nerfed multiple times.
.
The word “snipe” itself seemed rather plain and underwhelming for a game, but the pre-nerf Snipe trait encompassed a lot.
First, for any archer-type skill, it increased accuracy and critical hit rate regardless of range.
This seemed to stem from the word “snipe” being based on the concept of targeting someone stealthily, rather than simply referring to long-range shooting.
In terms of damage, it increased both critical hit rate and damage.
Additionally, as a utility, it increased search range, akin to clairvoyance, and even included a minor stealth bonus.
In short, the options attached to this single trait were like a comprehensive gift set, making it essential for developing archer characters.
As the archer position became overly inflated, the game company made significant adjustments, and in the end, only the 100% accuracy remained, even that limited to the character’s perception range.
Of course, even with this change, the ability to hit unconditionally regardless of proficiency was still overpowered in terms of growth, so its popularity among users remained unchanged.
Finally, as a last resort, the developers, with their hands tied, balanced the game by drastically reducing the number of characters with the Snipe trait.
In any case, Snipe also appeared in Reincarnation Academy, written by an author who didn’t really understand games.
It was a setting for Darian, the legendary dark elf who taught demonic wind archery, and designated Selena as her successor.
.
.
.
‘Ugh…!’
Moans escaped my lips from the surging pain, and then my strength drained away.
“Lev… Lev…… Why… me?”
Selena, with trembling hands, took a health potion from her pocket and put it to my lips.
“It’s… okay. I’m… fine… Cough.”
My heartbeat pounded as if it was happening right next to my ear, and with each beat, warm blood trickled down the corner of my mouth.
Of course, I wasn’t going to die here.
Didn’t they say that even in a tiger’s den, you’ll be safe if you keep your wits about you?
‘Now I have no choice but to trust Selena.’
For now, the Rosary Aria gave me was activated, and Darian was Marcosias’s absolute subordinate.
She wasn’t the type to carelessly kill those outside of her orders.
-……If you come quietly, I won’t kill you just yet.
Judging by that, she must have been ordered to bring me back alive.
“I won’t say it twice. Human man, comply with my words.”
At the dark elf’s low, oppressive voice,
-Shudder…
“Wait… just wait. Lev.”
Selena, who had been in a state of shock as if she had been heartbroken, stood up.
And she very slowly drew her bowstring.
-Creak…
“…!”
As expected, the arrowhead was pointed… at Darian.
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-Darian, bring him to me alive. Now.
-As you command.
It was a simple order for Darian, Marcosias’s confidante, and the ash-gray-haired man had walked into the demon territory on his own feet.
“…”
So the current situation was…
The man, riddled with arrows like a hedgehog… was slumped over, half-collapsed.
And the young elf, whom Darian had chosen as her successor, protected by an unidentified wind barrier, was aiming her bow at her.
‘Was I too emotional?’
Honestly, she admitted it.
The man, a human with a seemingly dirty reputation with women, had been intimate with the young elf whom Darian had been keeping an eye on.
So, in the heat of the moment, she had fired more arrows than she intended.
‘…But.’
Judging by the wind barrier, the man could use wind archery. And quite skillfully at that.
But why didn’t he use it on himself?
Considering the speed he had displayed with Selena Windforce, he should have been able to use it on himself.
‘Is there a limit to the number of times he can use it?’
Even if there was a limit, he hadn’t prioritized using it on himself.
‘Why?’
This baffling fact seemed to unsettle Darian.
Just then, Selena, still drawing her bow, spoke, “Bring him back.”
“…”
“Please, bring Lev… back.”
“…”
Her voice trembled. And her words were gradually turning into pleas.
“Don’t do anything pointless. I’m only here for this man today.”
“Bring him back, now…! You can do it, as a dark elf…!”
Darian felt that her judgment hadn’t been completely wrong.
This young elf knew that she couldn’t defeat the enemy right in front of her.
That’s why she was simply asking her to bring him back.
The bond of kinship was a powerful thing.
It was the best plea she could offer in this situation.
But an archer’s role was…
To shoot, pierce, and kill.
It was different from a priest, who was skilled in healing.
“…There’s no way. Just step away from him quietly.”
“…”
As Darian approached to retrieve the man, Selena’s bowstring grew tauter.
“Last warning. If you comply, he won’t die.”
“…And you expect me to believe that?”
“Selena Windforce, I know you well.”
Darian dropped the bow she was holding to the ground.
And, removing her hood, she made the oath of allegiance shared only by elves.
“Half-elf… weren’t you? I am too.”
“…!”
Darian’s words were true.
Both her and Selena’s ears were shaped somewhere between a human’s and an elf’s.
“We’re in similar situations. I don’t want to lie to a fellow comrade, one of only two.”
“…But… you’ve fallen…”
“Indeed. You don’t trust me because I’m a dark elf.”
“…”
“…You’re right. I’m currently on the side of the demons.”
Darian continued, keeping the ash-gray-haired man in mind.
“But if you consider it that way, this man is the same. You must have noticed, haven’t you? There’s demonic energy flowing from him.”
“…!”
She knew, but perhaps she didn’t want to believe it. Selena’s heart wavered slightly.
“You wouldn’t trust… this unidentified man more than your own kin, would you?”
“…”
“…This is all for you. Don’t harbor feelings for a human. The last resort of those insignificant beings is affection. There’s no need to be swayed by something like that.”
With those words, Darian approached the ash-gray-haired man.
There was no need to hear more.
She knew how ugly human greed was, how many times elves had been betrayed and toyed with throughout history.
And Selena, who didn’t belong to either side, would understand Darian’s feelings all the more.
-Whoosh.
But the wind that suddenly blew…
carried an unexpected answer.
“I trust Lev… much more than someone like you.”
Perhaps because of the slight tremor in her voice, Selena’s words held a pure sincerity.
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Meanwhile, at Clarice Academy.
2:55 PM.
Students flocked to the administration office like clouds to finalize their parties for the
[Hero Candidate Selection Test – Adventure Practicum].
-Looking for Rank B, A healers who haven’t formed a party yet~
-No experience required, first years welcome! Looking for members to register for the selection test, even if it’s just to try!
With the final registration deadline approaching, pamphlets were being used to recruit the necessary members for each party.
And in the waiting room of the academic office next door, Melissa and Aveline were anxiously waiting for someone.
“…Is this really the right thing to do…?”
“…We have no choice if we want to be reinstated.”
The punishment the two received for their premediated conspiracy during the raid practicum was a two-month suspension, 200 hours of community service, a one-rank demotion, and forfeiture of benefits.
And their exam scores had been reset.
Even this was significantly reduced thanks to the guild’s repeated appeals.
But for Melissa, who was aiming for top rank, having to bear this punishment now, just before the Hero Candidate Selection Test, was practically the same as being told to drop out of school.
‘Ha, haha. At this rate… at this rate, it’s over for me…’
Just as she was about to give up on everything, she received a sudden message from Kaelan yesterday.
-Melissa, how are you doing?
-Come to the department office window tomorrow with Aveline. I have a present for you.
It was like salvation.
Someone reaching out a hand in your darkest hour couldn’t help but appear as a beacon of light.
-I’ll wait for you! When you’ve atoned for your mistakes… then we’ll see each other again!
‘……’
Of course, Edwin’s words echoed in Melissa’s mind, pricking at her conscience…
‘But this time… Kaelan was the one who offered first…’
It might be her last chance, and Melissa didn’t want to miss it.
.
.
.
A little past the appointed time, as Melissa and Aveline grew increasingly anxious, Kaelan appeared in the distance.
“It’s been a while.”
“Kaelan…”
“Sir Kaelan!”
Red hair, handsome face. He looked exactly the same as the last time they saw him.
‘It really is… Kaelan…’
Perhaps because it had been a while, her emotions felt more intense. Kaelan gently took Melissa’s hand.
“!”
“Melissa, I heard you maintained the Royal Class circle.”
“Yes…! That’s right…”
“I, I also helped!”
“Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”
Kaelan’s warm words were strangely comforting, bringing tears to Melissa’s eyes.
“You, you idiot! Where have you been…! We couldn’t even contact you…!”
“Th, that’s right!”
“Sorry.”
After a brief apology, Kaelan subtly brought up the main topic.
“So… you two… had a bit of trouble while I was gone, right?”
“Ah! About that…”
“N, no! It’s a… misunderstanding! Things just got a little complicated during the raid practicum! I was just… just…”
“I know, I believe you. We’re in the same circle. We help each other when things are tough.”
“Kaelan…”
“Sir Kaelan…!”
How wonderful it was to have someone understand your feelings.
Melissa repeatedly reassured herself that Kaelan wasn’t disappointed in her, that she was so lucky.
“Well, I think I can take care of it… Besides, you two… don’t you want to participate in the selection test?”
“Huh…?”
“Is… is that possible?”
At their sudden sparkle of hope, Kaelan gave a confident smile.
“If you follow my instructions?”
.
.
.
Same time. Same place.
In the distance,
-While you’re at the administration office, could you submit the documents for our extracurricular activities…? Go to the window for me. It’s Bennia’s paperwork. Just give them my name… I asked them to expect you around 3 PM.
-Got it! Lev, you said you had training with Selena, right? Don’t worry and go…!
The boy with light green hair, who had stopped by the administration office on Lev’s request,
‘……’
Edwin Gwynnee, was silently watching everything unfold.
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I guess Ewdin will have to wait till Lily is legal cause she might as well be his only heroine
Lmao mc is evil. But then again he’s defo the kinda naive guy who won’t believe it till he sees it with his own two eyes.
Also how comical that she says this might be her last chance and doesn’t want to miss it without even realizing what the chance was.
Eesh, that’s brutal. Oh well, there’re plenty of fish in the sea, Edwin.