I Reject Quests

Sakura Garden Academy.

Infirmary.

Rewen woke up to find himself laying down in bed. His hand wrapped with white bandage. He had really fainted before coming to the infirmary because the pain in both his cheek and his wrist was too unbearable. 'The classes should have been over.' He sighed. 'What a waste.' He wasn't particularly concerned over his injuries because it doesn't really matter. He would get beaten up like this regularly regardless of whether he gets injured or not because at the end of the day, he couldn't defend himself. 'It would take some time to get strong but if it's just to protect myself, maybe there's something I can do…'

"Ex-excuse me, i-is anyone here?" He probed with a meek voice.

"Hai, hai. Coming." A young lady came through the curtains. "How many times does this make this month? Ten? And the month hasn't even ended it. How many times do I have to tell you to not pick fights?"

"Sorry…" Lowering his head, he apologised. 'She should be the Infirmary Nurse, Maki Shinohara.' Staring closely at her, he wondered. 'Why are people in the world so good-looking? The psychopath who thrashed me is an 'A' Grade. I don't think this Nurse would be any lower. Ah, nevermind. Since when did I become someone to judge looks?'

"Uh-hhmm… A-Arai-kun…" Fiddling with her fingers, her face showed signs of red.

Rewen was taken aback by her behaviour. 'I'm most definitely a harem protagonist. Hold up, that's too fast of an assumption. Maybe she is just feeling uncomfortable because I'm staring at her.'

"S-sorry for staring." He again lowered his head.

Maki regained her composure after letting out a sigh. "If you have any problems, you can come to me. Though I can't do much, I can help you with your injuries. Also, for the final time, don't go picking fights."

"B-but I-I don't do anything… they just hit me." He said with a face that was almost about to cry.

To this, Maki helplessly shook her head. "You have neither physical strength nor a strong personality. You are bound to get beaten up if you are like this. Man up." She said so in a strong voice, then sat down beside him.

Rewen paused for a while before asking. "Sensei, can I ask if you have any advice for me?"

"Advice in what sense?"

"To not get beaten up?"

Maki pondered with her hand under her chin. "Hn… I suppose there is a way. If you manage to become an Assist of any department, very few would dare to touch you."

"An Assist!? T-t-that…" Rewen frowned on the inside while maintaining a shocked exterior. 'To qualify to become an assist, one at least needs to be a third year having a score of above 90% in every field. It's just theoretical though. I could definitely try for it.'

"I know what you are thinking of. That you need to at least be a third year, right? But I'll tell you what. There is a separate procedure. Each year every faculty member is given one recommendation slot. Though the recommendations are usually taken from third years, there is no fixed rule. In other words, if a faculty member wants to, he/she can absolutely take you in as an assist." By the end, a smile appeared on her charming face.

"But, but who will give me recommendation slots? I'm trash…" He said in a lamenting tone but understood her words very clearly. 'Could she be…? Very likely.'

Maki shook her head smiling. "Who says you're trash. I'm also a faculty member. Who says you are trash? I'll take you in as an Assist, okay?" She stretched her hand towards him.

Rewen's face showed surprise. He too stretched his hand for a handshake but midway, he hesitated. "T-this… how will I repay you…?"

"What repay? You're Arai-kun! I don't need any favors. Hurry up and accept my offer!" Maki feigned anger.

Rewen's face showed hesitation. Eventually, he put down his hand. "I-I need to think about it. What is the time?"

Maki groaned in displeasure. "I'll give you two days to think about it. It's 2 past five currently. Your classes are over. If you want the notes, I'll send it by evening." She waved her hand and went back to work.

Rewen nodded and rested while playing with his smartphone. 'Not a good sign. Anyways, it's time.' He got up with some difficulty and stretched his arms, then exited the infirmary.

Room 285.

Taking a shower, Rewen looked at the mirror. 'It would take more than seven months to get in form. There's no shortcut to this.' He then took out a baggy shirt from his wardrobe and wore it.

---

Alter Points: 3

---

This was the thing that made Rewen interested the most. 'As I thought, both Asuka and Maki are relevant characters. After the matter with Asuka, the Alter Points increased by 2. Then, meeting with Maki increased it by 1. From this, isn't it quite generous?' He pondered a bit. 'Yes and no. The early volumes will be easy to unlock but I can't say the same for the later ones. Well, as the main character, my influence should rise along with the time… no, that's wrong. I'm not the main character anymore. I just have his identity. I can only hope the events will be related to me.'

[Hey, I have never asked this before, but what are your plans?]

'Simple. I originally planned to run away from the Academy and hide from society but as it stands, I need Alter Points to know the location of the Gruer Crystals. I can hide but for how long? Eventually, I have to get involved. Physical training won't increase my progress beyond 4 POW. I need something different.'

[How do you know it won't increase beyond 4 POW?]

'I'm a martial artist. I know the limits of my body very well.'

[So then, what do you plan to do for now?]

'I have something planned… but for now, I'll just exercise.'

***

"Yah~ I can't tolerate the ugliness of the creature. Somebody help me!"

"Heh! To think he is actually running. Someone tell him it's useless!"

"That isn't a chunk of meat, that is his baby."

"Look at the way he is sweating. So disgusting!"

"Look at the track he is wearing, can't you see his dingdong bouncing? HAHAHA!"

"Look at the shoe he is wearing, torn and low-quality. Never have I seen such a poor aristocrat."

…

Rewen ran while hearing the mobs becoming speechless as time passed. He had been running for more than ten minutes and the mob still hasn't closed their mouth off. 'Would they stay for as long as I can? What's their purpose? To throw jabs at me and laugh? I don't know if I should feel sad for them or not.'

Sure enough, he had been jogging for approximately thirty minutes and the mob was still there making unfunny jokes and laughing at him for no reason. 'Aren't they quite dedicated? Perhaps, in a sense, they are my fans.'

Under everyone's gaze, he was about to go back to his quarters when a voice reached him.

"Hahaha! Who would have thought that the fatty would actually jog? What a surprise, what a surprise." A red-haired guy clapped and made his way to Rewen, then with a grin, he roared. "Kiss this fist!"

A closed fist neared Rewen as the latter carefully observed the fist. If he wanted to, he could minimize the damage it would deal to his cheek but he didn't. He let the fist hit him in the face.

*Pah*

Rewen fell down flat on the ground and as his eyes dimmed, he remembered his last thought. '7 POW at best. He held back some so the damage I received should be around 4-5 POW. This… time… two teeth. Well, better than no improvement.'