Chapter 77

『Attack: 13 → 23

Defense: 19 → 34

Intelligence: 14 → 25

Charm: 44 → 79

Luck: 1 → 2

Current Health: 52 / 52 → 94 / 94

Current Mana: 941 / 941 → 1694 / 1694』

As soon as I opened Lilith’s information window, I was greeted by an amazing jump in stats.

That jump came from leveling up from Level 6 to Level 9.

Looking at the approximate ratio of stat increase, each stat increased by about 1.8 times.

It was probably a similar ratio in the original game as well. That is, if my memory was correct.

Well, in the game, there were hardly any occasions to raise by 3 levels at once, so it might not be accurate.

In the first place, what’s important about that? The important thing is the fact that I leveled up.

This time too, the most noticeable stat was, of course, the mana cap.

Every time I see my mana cap growing at a rate that almost pierces the ceiling, I feel like my eyes turn red. [GalaxyTL/Axiomatic]

…It’s probably because I’m reminded of the bitter memory of stuffing garlic into my mouth while holding back vomit at the beginning of my possession of Lilith.

Even without that, the mana cap, which had already exceeded 900 at Level 6, reached nearly 1,700 as soon as I reached Level 9.

If I had leveled up normally in the original story, Lilith would have to be around Level 35 to reach this maximum value.

Even Agnes, who was born with a mana cap on another level, would only have about 1,000 maximum mana at Level 10.@@novelbin@@

Since I already reached a maximum of 1,700 at level 9, it practically means that I’m growing more than twice as steeply as the next Archmage of the Crimson Tower.

‘Of course, Agnes has high Intelligence and Luck stats, so if we fought one-on-one, I would definitely lose.’

…What’s important about that? Anyway, what’s important now is the fact that I’ve grown, isn’t it?

Of course, even if my mana cap increased this much, I can only use just four spells, including support magic, so it might not have much significance.

Unless I’m doing nonsense like ‘Clean x100,’ it’s practically useless right now.

At least, until I leave the Blackwood Mansion, there won’t be many occasions to utilize it. That is unless a situation arises where I absolutely have to use Mana Blast like last time.

Moreover, what I gained this time wasn’t just an increase in stats.

I also received a whopping 9 skill points, which can be obtained at a rate of 3 per level.

I could invest in 3 types of 2nd-tier offensive magic spells that cost 3 points each, or I could invest a little more in other 1st-tier skills that cost 2 points each.

At the very least, in terms of being able to learn 3-4 more skills, this is also a valuable asset in its own way.

‘The question is, where would it be most efficient to use these….’

The most likely candidates would be among the skills tree for ‘Dagger’ or ‘Support Magic.’

Since I’ve already invested one point each in「Attack +15 When Equipping Dagger」 and Clean, the conditions are quite good to advance to the next level.

The points required to learn 2 1st-tier skills are 2 points each, and another 5 points are needed to unlock a 1st-tier enhancement skill.

As if it were tailored, I can unlock an enhancement skill by investing 9 points in a remarkably satisfying way.

Considering that, for now, investing in either ‘Dagger’ or ‘Support Magic’ would be the most efficient for the next skill.

By the way, I plan to invest in ‘Offensive Magic’ a little later. Right now, even if I invest in it, the hit rate is too low to be efficient. [GalaxyTL/Axiomatic]

In this situation, based on the standards of a player of Luminor Academy, I would have naturally invested all 9 points in support magic.

If I invest all 9 skill points in support magic right now, I can obtain ‘Stalwart Endurance,’ the first enhancement skill of support magic.

It’s Lilith’s unique skill that takes damage for allies for a certain period of time, so it’s a skill that must be learned to utilize Lilith as a tank and supporter.

If a situation arises where I use Stalwart Endurance in this world, these are some of the cases where I could use it. [GalaxyTL/Axiomatic]

For example, when hunting monsters in a pair with Ethan at the vanguard, taking the attacks that he receives allows him to unleash even greater power.

Or, while hunting by concentrating various buffs, including Stalwart Endurance, on Ethan, I finish it off with my Mana Blast at the end.

Or, like last time, when Ethan is on the verge of death, I use Stalwart Endurance and endure together by taking damage in his stead for a turn or two.

Other than that, other ways to utilize it would be…

‘…No, wait.’

Come to think of it, why am I only thinking about pairing up with Ethan for combat?

It seems that the monster wave incident at the Imperial Palace two days ago has been deeply engraved in my mind.

Well, I guess it can’t be helped. To be honest, the fact that Ethan confronted the King Serpent alone is worthy of tremendous praise in itself.

Moreover, considering his level at that time, it was an outstanding feat achieved at a mere level of 7-8.

Come to think of it, Ethan must have also received the XP from defeating the King Serpent as I did, so I wonder if he had already surpassed Level 10 by now.

Looking at the battle at the western gate, it seemed like he had already defeated a considerable number of monsters before I arrived, so he might have already grown to Level 11 or higher.

Considering his future growth potential, it would be strange not to seriously use him as a vanguard…

‘No, in the first place, it has nothing to do with me.’

I acknowledge that if Ethan continues to grow as he is now, he will surely become a character with a significant role in Luminor Academy.

His significance would not be as a mediocre villain who serves as a miniboss in Part 2 but as a candidate for a comrade who can seriously take on more than one person’s share.

But honestly, what does that have to do with me?

I was a character who had no intention of entering the academy in the first place and couldn’t even enter even if I wanted to due to my status.

The only department in Luminor Academy that Lilith could possibly enter with her status is the Magic Department, but if I carelessly enter, rumors about me being a noble’s illegitimate child will surely spread.

The skill that boosts my Attack when wielding a dagger isn’t of much help in entering the academy either. The academy’s Swordsmanship Department only deals with swords of normal length like longswords or two-handed swords.

The only way to utilize that dagger would be to enter the Technical Department and take advantage of the ‘Explorer Lilith’ tech…

‘If I’m going to enter the academy to do that kind of thing, I’d rather not enter at all.’

I’m not particularly disparaging characters of the explorer class. Considering gameplay, there were often moments when characters of this class were needed.

But apart from that, it’s just that being an explorer as Lilith is too inefficient.

The reason I invested in ‘Attack +15 When Equipping Dagger’ in the ‘Dagger’ skill tree was also just a temporary expedient to raise my level from Level 5 to Level 6.

It wasn’t a skill I invested in without intending to commit my growth in that direction.

Rather than wasting time learning how to scout for monsters, disarm traps, open treasure chests, and skin and process monsters in the Technical Department, it would be much more efficient to hunt monsters alone with my bare hands.

‘There are ways to enter the academy other than entering as a student, but…’

That method was none other than entering as Ethan’s exclusive maid like in the original game, so for me who doesn’t use that method, there is practically no way to enter the academy.

Of course, even if I enter Luminor Academy as Ethan’s exclusive maid with my current self, there would be no more of me taking the humiliation and training route like Lilith in the game.

If I enter the academy as Ethan’s exclusive maid just to fulfill the debt maid’s obligatory service period and leave, one problem arises.

Around the time Ethan finishes his second year at the academy and becomes a third-year student, my contract period with the Blackwood family will end.

I don’t have any particular complaints about living as Ethan’s exclusive maid in the Blackwood family, but after all, the degree of freedom in living in this world with the status of a maid is bound to be too low.

Having come all the way to the world of Luminor Academy, I have no intention of spending the rest of my life as Ethan’s exclusive maid.

If I don’t intend to do that, it’s better to become independent as soon as possible rather than wasting another 1-2 years.

If I continue my maid duties until an ambiguous age, I might really end up with no choice but to get married, or I might end up like Head Maid Melissa, doing maid duties for the rest of my life.

For me, who has no intention of getting married or lifelong maid labor, those two routes are practically the worst endings. [GalaxyTL/Axiomatic]

I plan to resign from the position of Ethan’s exclusive maid around next year, live as a maid in the Blackwood family for two years, and then start my life as an adventurer with the money I’ve saved.

‘For now, I should save the remaining skill points for the future.’

…Because you never know what will happen until you experience it. Maybe I’ll end up investing more in offensive magic, or maybe I’ll use it to open up other skill trees.

Recalling my plans for the future which I had already thought about countless times in my mind, I changed my maid uniform from a longer skirt length to a slightly shorter type of clothing.

Having changed into an outfit that was much easier to move in, I quickly moved my steps towards the yard of the Blackwood Mansion.

For now, around this time, Ethan will be busy receiving sword training from his father, Harold, so there won’t be any sudden calls for me because he needs me.

So, this time in the afternoon is practically personal time until dinner, and it’s too precious to spend just knitting every day.

Slowly but surely, I need to start learning one or two skills to live as an adventurer after leaving the mansion.

The debt maid service contract that tied me to the Blackwood Mansion will be over in 3 years.

This means that the day is approaching when I have to end my life as ‘Maid Lilith’ and live as ‘Adventurer Lilith.’

It would be helpful to take various lessons when the opportunity and conditions are met.

‘In fact, if I were to receive lessons that I can receive as a maid in the Blackwood Mansion, it would normally only be the Maid Etiquette education from the head maid.’

In that regard, I used a little trick to make it so that they had no choice but to give me lessons somehow.

I could use the excuse that it’s a necessary skill as Ethan’s exclusive maid, so I’ll learn it when I have the chance.

It’s a skill that is essential for living as an adventurer and a skill that wouldn’t hurt to learn as a mansion maid.

It was time to learn horseback riding from the Blackwood Mansion’s head butler, Dittmeyer Collin Evercroft.