Overwork Regresor

Huh? Wait. Huh?

Okay. Calm down. That had to be a weird question from the start, or at least some sort of joke. Just act natural.

"Hahaha." It felt obviously forced.

I glanced at Ranielle.

"...." She just stared with wide eyes, not saying a word.

This was getting creepy. "Uh, maybe you've been watching too many horror movies." Just as I was about to laugh awkwardly again, I came up with a better idea. "By the way, have you picked your courses yet?"

In the first semester, we're required to take three core courses: Monster History and Classification, Basic Combat Knowledge, and Physical Training.

However, students could choose elective courses based on their class placement. Those in Class A (the top tier) could take up to three electives, while Class C students were allowed just one.

There were five classes in each year. Class D students had to settle for just the core courses, and Class E students were essentially cast-offs who had to undergo monthly eligibility tests. They could only join regular classes in the second semester, and even then, Class E would only consist of five students.

Ranielle finally broke eye contact and frowned. "I have. But I'm more curious why your smell hasn't disappeared."

I swallowed hard. "Y-you're serious?" She was still talking about this?

Ranielle nodded. "I can sense auras. It's a kind of energy that surrounds and envelops a person."

"I guess I can picture it. So, that's your talent?" I figured I might as well use this to dig for information.

"Maybe. I've been able to do it since I was a child." Ranielle shrugged.

I couldn't tell if she was hiding something or being truthful. Other than her body language, Ranielle was remain the 'same'.

"So, have you died recently?"

I snorted. "If that were the case, wouldn't I not be here?" Even though I tried to sound confident, my voice wavered slightly with nervousness.

"The death I mean isn't always physical. It could be the death of a part of you—your soul, your dreams, or your aspirations."

What is she, a philosopher from the Verdhantara clan? "I think my life's been smooth sailing, and honestly, I'm not the type to dwell on things that deeply."

Fortunately, Ranielle seemed to believe me. She gave me a sweet smile and patted my shoulder. "Good to hear."

When she invited me to the cafeteria, I immediately made an excuse to leave.

Spending time with her gave me chills, and I had something I needed to check.

Though there were two hours of free time before my first class, I still hadn't been assigned to a class.

That could mean either my power was too strange or just too weak.

In my case, it was the latter.

Well, with time repeating, I hoped I could at least reroll a better talent. Unfortunately, I couldn't go back further into the past.

Once in my room, I was relieved to see Ernest wasn't there.

At this hour, that maniac was probably at the gym center, working out like crazy. I wouldn't be surprised if he skipped the first day of classes entirely. Being in Class A allowed him to miss up to three sessions per semester.

I reached under my pillow for the rectangular slate.

If I remember right, this thing is called the Tablet of Truth, though it's too small to be called a tablet.

[Name: Noah Franz]

[Class: C-3]

[Talent: Peeking, ???]

[Specialization: - (Complete First Semester to Unlock)]

[Role: (Unassigned), Regressor (Forbidden)]

And here I thought something might've changed. What was I hoping for?

Changed? Wait. I thought it was just a mistake or a glitch in the Tablet of Truth before.

But this role … Regressor?

What does that even mean?

[Regressor]

Gain a random talent with each death.

Generate 10x the number of item drops.

No cap on Experience Points.

This … is insane.

Huh? Wait, Regressor role? Does that actually exist?

I quickly grabbed my phone and searched for it online. All I found were fantasy novels and web comics.

Of course. This is a special situation. I even checked official government websites for information about roles.

[Roles are attributes gained upon turning 17. They describe potential, capacity, and limits in developing talents. While primarily designed to assess Hunters, roles have recently seen trends in private companies—]

Scroll!

[1. Ordinary Person]

You are slightly stronger than pre-evolution humans and destined to live a virtuous life.

Max XP capacity: 1000/1000

Most talents granted are technical and suited for general jobs (e.g., Sprinting, Public Speaking).

Scroll!

[2. Warrior]

You are—

Scroll!

[3. Commander]

You are a leader who—

Scroll!

[4. Hero]

I swallowed nervously. The role Ranielle has.

[The hope of humanity, a messenger from the heavens, destined to lead a groundbreaking breakthrough.

Max XP capacity: 1,000,000/1,000,000,000

Talents are anomalous and unprecedented in history.

Blessed by the heavens to reveal others' information windows.

Possesses a powerful soul energy capable of intimidating enemies

…]

It continued with ten more benefits.

I kept scrolling, hoping to find information about the Regressor role, but there was nothing.

If I truly have no XP cap like the description says, then I can try 'that' tonight.

*#*

The academy halls were already deserted by dusk. Security staff and senior students on night patrol were making their rounds.

I had to sneak out.

Thankfully, Ernest's insane routine meant he always went to bed early (never past 7 PM).

After ensuring the door was locked tight, I headed to the academy's back garden.

The Hunter Academy consisted of five main buildings. One served as dormitories for students, a six-story structure divided by gender.

Opposite it was the staff apartment building. Though smaller, its exterior was spotless and gleaming.

I think I know where those 1,200 tickets were allocated.

The remaining three were facility buildings: laboratories, training fields, and classrooms, arranged in a circular layout with lush gardens between them.

Besides creating a comfortable environment, the symmetrical setup also ensured security, as every functional building had easy access to the staff building.

If an intruder—or worse, a monster—ever managed to sneak in, it wouldn't take long for them to be eliminated.

At least, if the hypothetical intruder attacked one of the five main buildings.

I clearly remember the night of my first semester when that creature appeared.

A monstrous, three-meter-tall, winged pangolin with red-spotted horns.

Its emergence near the back garden, close to my room, made Ernest the first to react.

With its massive size and ability to spray boiling liquid, the monster was categorized as Medium-level.

But Ernest achieved a resounding victory, earning him a transfer to Class A.

Only I knew, after overhearing Principal Hinasagawa, that the monster wasn't as formidable as it seemed.

Its sudden attack caused rushed procedures, leading to inaccurate strength estimates.

Though labeled Anomaly-level, its true power barely reached Beast-3.

This time, I decided to change history and steal that 'hero' title.

It sounded pathetic and desperate, but who cares?

I just wanted to see if this Regressor thing was real.

But what I saw there made my eye twitch.

The monster had already appeared, just as I expected.

And someone had beaten me to it.

It was Principal Hinasagawa.

And he … was gravely injured.