The Support Ate it All-Chapter 517: The Principal’s Statue

Side Quest: Raid Week 14–15

▷Objective 1: Clear the [Promotion Examination] dungeon

▷Objective 2: Defeat the boss while holding at least 10 Radiance Stones (16/10)

▷Reward: [Greedy Material Selection Ticket (F)]

I put a challenge on the side quest, and even overachieved the objectives—so why was I getting an F-rank reward at best?

The reason was simple.

‘Because it’s not a normal F-rank.’

‘Because it’s not a normal F-rank.’

[Greedy Material Selection Ticket (F)]

▷Growth-Type Item

▷You can consume Material Items to raise experience.

▷Exp: 0.00%

When the experience hits 100%, the rank goes up by one stage, and the grade of materials you can exchange for rises accordingly.

‘Should I feed it one as a test?’

I pulled out a Rough Phosphor Ash Stone (C+) from my Inventory.

I’d originally been planning to use it on the statue, but now that I was being sponsored with better things in excess, it wouldn’t matter if I just fed it instead.

The stone scattered like dust, and the ticket’s rank updated.

[Greedy Material Selection Ticket (D)]

▷Exp: 48.33%

It jumped two whole ranks in one go, and the experience rose to nearly half.

Of course, it’s only like this at the start. The higher the rank gets, the required experience will skyrocket exponentially.

Still, if I keep investing steadily, I figure it’ll reach S-rank someday.

In the end, what I’m aiming for is—

‘Golden pocket watch parts.’

And among those, the most crucial item: the [Movement].

On top of that, I already have the hour hand, the second hand, and gears—so even if I use substitutes for the rest, I’ll at least be able to craft it.

‘Even if it’s a degraded version, it’s still a time-type item.’

If I get even partial effects, I can expect a significant boost in combat power.

So, I added “securing Material Items” to my goals going forward.

As soon as we exited the dungeon, we submitted our replay to the faculty staff waiting nearby.

There weren’t many people taking the [Promotion Examination], so they said the results would be out in a day or two.

Geum Johan grinned with total confidence.

“Obviously we passed. There’s no way we could’ve done better than that.”

Just the Radiance Stones Han So-mi and I brought back totaled sixteen.

And Geum Johan, in his own way, defended the boss’s seal flawlessly from the monsters flooding in.

Then at the end, we even beat down a boss that was practically close to C-rank like we were pounding a dog into the dirt.

Wouldn’t it be weirder if we didn’t get promoted?

Geum Johan looked straight at me and spoke.

“At least you’ve got the skill to back up your big talk. Good work.”

“Yeah. You too.”

“We’ll be going now. We’ve got something to take care of.”

Something to take care of was, nine times out of ten, disciplinary committee club work.

Geum Johan turned his back just like that, and Han So-mi gave me an energetic wave goodbye before following after him.

Watching their backs, I thought—

‘He’s not a complete piece of trash.’

Maybe because he’s from a prestigious family, he’s got that faintly arrogant vibe, but compared to Cha Hyeon-ju, he’s practically gentle.

Well, that’s probably why he can keep doing disciplinary committee club work without major friction.

After we waited a bit, teleport portals opened all over the place, and the students who’d finished their runs started walking out.

Seo Ye-in had been in a party with Park Nari and Lee Seul-bi, but for some reason, Beomi and Chaemi were perched on both her shoulders.

So I asked.

“When did you all get close?”

“Starting today. Friends.”

“MEOW.”

“BEEP.”

Three beasts answering at the same time.

Park Nari watched the sight with eyes full of complicated feelings.

It’d feel that way when it’s like everyone’s close except you.

“H-Hey. Guys. Let’s go now......”

Still, the fact they moved onto their owner’s shoulders without a fuss meant they listened well enough.

It’s just that the moment they got there, they started hitting her—so that’s the problem.

After the party members left, I asked Seo Ye-in, now alone.

“You did well, obviously?”

“Wiped them out.”

“Did you guys do the challenge too?”

SHAKE SHAKE,

Looks like they cleared it the standard way.

With a boss weakened by Radiance Stones, three prospect-level fighters would’ve steamrolled it and still had plenty left over.

Next, the macho-man trio appeared with proud, confident strides.

They tossed a line at each other as they looked one another over.

“A battle that set my chest on fire.”

“I agree. If I get the chance, I’d like to match timing with Brother Lee and Brother Jo again next time.”

“Same.”

If they ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) got any closer, it felt like they’d swear some kind of brotherhood oath.

After they exchanged warm, cheerful goodbyes, Go Hyeon-woo spotted us and walked over.

“Kim. Miss Seo.”

“No need to ask, then.”

“Haha. You two did well.”

Last of all, Hong Yeon-hwa walked out with her party members too, and it looked like they’d taken the boss down without trouble.

That basically meant everyone’s promotion was locked in.

And not having to retry meant there was no worry about schedules colliding for the rest of the strategy-battle weeks.

Under the gaze of the three of them, I spoke.

“Like I said in advance, we’re going down in a few days. All together.”

“You said it was a lucky break related to internal energy?”

“Yeah. I’ve secured the item too.”

When I flicked my eyes toward Hong Yeon-hwa, she nodded.

She’d said she’d already borrowed the [Book of Chaos] ages ago.

“We could go in as soon as tonight, but we have to wait a bit. Until my sister comes out.”

“Sounds like you’re doing a separate clear.”

“Third-years have weekly quotas.”

And they’d probably want to pick up items too, while they were at it.

I’d heard that after proving her ability in the tournament, offers were pouring in from everywhere.

An all-rounder mage who could tank as a lab director and assassinate as a Shadow Corps commander?

Anyone would try to snatch her up.

So right now, she was probably clearing a B-rank dungeon with Paeng Milyeong’s expedition team.

“Unless something comes up, they said she’ll be out around Wednesday. Until then, train on your own and manage your condition. Once we go in, we’ll be there for a few days, so pack what you need.”

“Understood.”

“Yeah......!”

They nodded.

*****

Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was Wednesday.

There was one more thing I was waiting for, besides Dang Gyu-young coming out.

The statue.

‘......’

Kang Byeol was, as always, fully absorbed in her work.

From what I’d seen watching her in passing, it looked like she hadn’t been eating properly or sleeping properly for almost a week.

Maybe because of that, she’d gotten noticeably thinner, and heavy dark circles had set in under her eyes.

‘She’s working insanely hard.’

Nobody’s holding a gun to her forehead and threatening her.

But in a way, I could understand it too.

Once you start getting immersed, nothing else enters your eyes.

Thanks to that, now that about a week had passed since she started, the statue was just about finished.

WHOOOOOM—

With hands glowing blue, Kang Byeol slowly swept across the statue’s surface.

Final finishing work.

As if they sensed it was almost done, a decent crowd had gathered to watch.

First-years to third-years, and students from both combat tracks and crafting tracks—there was a wide mix.

And off to one side stood the Principal and the Vice Principal.

WHOOOOOM......

A moment later, the light gradually faded from Kang Byeol’s hands.

Staring straight ahead, she slowly stepped backward, like she wanted to take in the whole thing at a glance.

Which meant—

‘It’s really done.’

I looked at the completed statue.

A warrior clad in armor, holding a sword in a reverse grip.

Matching the Principal’s skills, it had an overall golden sheen.

And here and there, gem decorations were set in—not too much, not too little.

Even an amateur could tell it was a masterpiece.

But what mattered most wasn’t the appearance.

Among the onlookers, a third-year asked Kang Byeol carefully.

“Can I check the options?”

“Yes, Senior.”

He walked up to the statue and started reading something.

Then he jerked his eyes up in shock.

“......!”

A few other students couldn’t hold back their curiosity, followed to check the options, and recoiled the same way.

[Hero Statue (S)]

▷Provides an adjustment to proficiency for combat skills/traits at S-rank and below.

▷Automatically casts ‘Clear Mirror Calm Water (A)’ on all targets within range (Cooldown: 3 days)

‘Good investment.’

A clear upper-compatible upgrade over the [Orc Hero Statue].

The upper limit that had been A-rank rose to S, and not only skills but traits got boosted too.

And there was even one more option added.

[Clear Mirror Calm Water] was a buff skill that cleared the mind, increasing the efficiency of various training methods and mana cultivation.

The duration wasn’t very long and the cooldown was a whole three days, but if you waited and lined up the timing, everyone could receive it.

WHOOOOM—!

Then a clear sound rang out from the statue, and a golden wave spread in every direction.

The buff had applied.

The students stood there in silence, then exchanged looks.

We should go now...... training.

Let’s go. Right now.

Hey, wanna spar me for the first time in a while?

Sure. Book a room.

And then they surged off in a mob toward the training room or the special training room.

The area emptied out in an instant, while the Principal and Vice Principal still held their place.

The Principal had one hand open over his mouth, as if he’d sunk into deep contemplation.

“Hmm.......”

Then, when his eyes met Kang Byeol’s, he praised her in a gentle tone.

“You worked hard, Student Kang Byeol. You must be tired—go rest.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Kang Byeol bowed and left.

Maybe fatigue was crashing down on her like he said—her steps looked sluggish and drained.

But then she suddenly remembered what she’d forgotten and spoke to me.

“Come by around the weekend once. I’ll have them made.”

“Yes, Senior. Get some rest.”

What she meant by “have them made” was the statues I’d asked for—crow-trade statues.

Looks like she was at least aware of her duty as my sculpting slave.

Since it’d be the weekend by the time we cleared this dungeon and came out, I could drop by then.

‘Should I take some materials while I’m at it?’

I had plenty left anyway, so I thought about taking them and feeding them to the Greedy ticket.

But I dropped the thought right away.

‘No need to drag the future forward.’

I wasn’t exactly going to ask her to make only one or two statues going forward, and it’d be a waste to spend that for the sake of raising experience a little faster.

And if I looked, there were plenty of places to get materials.

So I waved Kang Byeol off.

“Hmm.......”

The Principal was still covering his mouth with one hand, humming thoughtfully while admiring the statue.

The Vice Principal walked up, then abruptly grabbed the Principal’s hand and pulled it away.

The revealed mouth was stretched into a full, slack grin—his smile nearly up to his ears.

Disdain flooded the Vice Principal’s face, while the Principal, oblivious, kept firing off admiration.

“Wow, seriously, this is insanely well-made.”

“Is it that pleasing to you.”

“Of course it is. It’s my statue.”

Since every student who used the training center would receive the statue’s effect, the impression would stick strongly too.

If I had to give it a nickname, maybe “Principal Boost.”

Not exactly cool, but either way, it left one hell of a mark.

Pointing at his heavily idealized statue, the Principal said to the Vice Principal.

“Honestly, isn’t it basically a perfect copy of me?”

“Please, have some shame.”