Endless Leveling Done Right!

Chapter 447: I Expect Good Things From You [Part 2]

"When the time comes that I need someone to save me, I want you to save me," Alex said with a heaviness that implied he had thought long and hard about this.

In truth, he had just come up with it on the spot. Since Chuck was so adamant that there must be strings attached to the gift, it was easier to go along with his belief than to convince him otherwise.

After hearing that request, Chuck narrowed his eyes.

Chuck had some interesting ideas about himself, but he was not stupid. He could imagine how dire a situation had to be for even Alex to be cornered. And if Alex couldn’t handle it, how could he?

However, since the young man was his dear friend, Chuck would still do his utmost to save him. It’s better to die trying to save a friend than spend the rest of his life haunted by his cowardice.

"Okay." Chuck nodded. "I accept this deal."

"Good." Alex patted his friend’s shoulder. "I expect good things from you."

Alex truly hoped that Chuck would become one of the most powerful mages in the future. In the game, he was just a side character that appeared just for laughs.

He also wasn’t highly regarded by other nobles as he didn’t hold any important positions. Eventually, even his engagement with Princess Xenia was called off.

Some of the more ambitious nobles had decided to step on Chuck to get ahead. With sly comments and vague rumors, they had managed to change the King’s mind.

After losing the one thing going for him, Chuck practically disappeared from the game.

With his engagement with the princess broken, Chuck’s fate in the game became unknown.

No one really knew what happened to him next. However, if players sat through the ending credits, they would catch a scene of him sitting in a dark alley, looking very much like a beggar.

His eyes were glazed over like he had long lost the reason to live.

Alex wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen to his friend. Chuck might be obnoxious at times, but he was a very loyal person.

Since he had already changed the fate of others, changing Chuck’s fate was something he had to do as well.

As to what the consequences of this change was, Alex decided that he would face it head-on.

He was already having a full-on identity crisis, so what’s one more challenge on his plate?

Now that he had given Chuck the skill book, Alex went to find Charles.

It didn’t take him long. When he entered Ironheart Dormitory, he spotted Charles and Nessia chatting in the common room.

Since he also had a gift for Lavinia, he wondered if she was in her room.

Boys weren’t allowed to enter the east wing of the dormitory that was meant for girls.

Alex, being the upstanding and rule-abiding student that he was, naturally respected this and asked Nessia to pass the message for him.

He also told Nessia that he would like to talk to Charles in private for a few minutes as well.

"Okay, I’ll see if Lavinia is in," Nessia said. "Take your time."

Curious what the big secret was, Charles then took Alex to his room.

Alex didn’t want to risk others seeing the Unique Skill Book in the common room. Since that might cause a commotion, he decided that it was better to give the book to Charles in private.

As expected, Charles’ eyes widened in surprise when he saw the Unique Skill Book in Alex’s hands.

During history class, their homeroom advisor, Professor Arabella, had taught them how to identify the grade of skill books they might come across during dungeon expeditions or ruin explorations.

A Unique Skill Book was always an eye-catching red that made it very hard to miss even in dim dungeons or messy ruins.

"This skill book is for you, Charles," Alex said as he passed the skill book to his friend.

Seeing the golden words "Growth [EX]" made Charles’ hands tremble.

After appraising the book, he realized that the skill perfectly matched his needs.

"Alex, this..." Overwhelmed, Charles didn’t know what to say. The young man had already given him so much!

He felt that even if he worked his entire life, he wouldn’t be able to repay Alex for everything that he had done for him.

However, the young man only smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Charles, a time will come when I will need your strength," Alex said softly. "This world is beautiful, but it’s not always peaceful. In order to live life peacefully, you must have the strength to protect it.

"You need to protect your sisters and Nessia. Of course, I am also in need of your strength. So, please, become stronger. Stronger than me if possible. That way, I will be able to live my life in peace."

Dim Dim nodded and smiled happily.

It, too, wanted to live a peaceful life. But the world was far from peaceful.

Alex was Dim Dim’s champion, but—just like he predicted—there would come a time when even he needed someone to save him.

This was why Dim Dim had bought Ten Thousand Heroes [EX]. The little bun hoped that when Alex found himself in a challenge he could not overcome by himself, someone would come to his rescue and create a miracle.

"Thank you, Alex," Charles said, doing his best to control the overflowing emotions inside his chest. "I promise to become strong. Stronger than you."

"Good." Alex gave his friend the thumbs-up. "That’s the spirit!"

After Charles successfully absorbed the skill book, the two went back to the common room.

Seeing that her boyfriend’s eyes were moist and a little red, Nessia gave Alex a pointed look that practically demanded an explanation.

But Alex simply smiled and made a small gesture telling Nessia that she should just ask Charles himself.

Lavinia also noticed this change and wondered what had happened. However, since the two boys were good friends, she believed that the two of them hadn’t fought with each other.

"Lavinia, there’s something I want to give you," Alex said. "Let’s go somewhe—"

"You’re going to give her a skill book too, right?!" Chuck suddenly appeared in the common room. "Don’t take it, Lavinia. Alex is just after your bod—gahhh!"

Dim Dim slapped the living lights out of Chuck and did not stop even when the troublemaker was sprawled on the floor.

"L-Lavinia... run. Alex will—ugh!"

Seeing that the young man still wanted to continue spouting nonsense, Dim Dim took out its little hammer and smacked him silly.

Or rather, it knocked him unconscious.

Charles looked at the pitiful young man on the floor before heaving a sigh.

"I’ll keep watch over him," Renard offered. "Do what you need to do."

Renard then picked up the unconscious boy and laid him on one of the sofas in the common room.

Dim Dim also decided to stay and give Alex, and Lavinia some private time.

Since Chuck was out of commission, Alex decided to take her to his room so he could give her the book while they’re safe from prying eyes.

The Catkin’s face was already beet-red, unable to get Chuck’s words out of her mind despite her best efforts.

She understood that the troublemaker had just been making things up, but his comments still made her feel super self-conscious about being alone with Alex.

Her heart was beating so fast she wouldn’t be surprised if it leapt out of her chest and revealed her innermost thoughts to the world.

Alex looked calm on the surface, but he was starting to feel nervous too.

He blamed Chuck for running his mouth, but it made him realize that he hadn’t spent any alone time with Lavinia as of late.

So, the moment they entered the room, he decided to lock the door properly. Even if Chuck woke up, he would not have the chance to create another scene that would tempt Alex into bashing his face in with a shield!