203 The Frustration of Mika Uehara (1/2)

Seiji opened up his system to inspect his [gifts] menu on his way home.

The bank card also rewarded him with something rather simple: 50 points, which was quite a significant amount!

And as for the key…

[Spell learning card—Grateful Heart.]

This card contained the president’s sincere gratitude towards him. After using it, he could choose any single learning requirement for an unlearned spell, and its progress would automatically be filled to 100%!

[Buff card—Trusting Heart.]

This card contained the president’s unwavering trust in him. After using it, he could choose any spell categorized under [Spiritual Power], and the spell’s power or effect would be doubled for the next 15 minutes!

[Spiritual Power increase card—Hopeful Expectations.]

This card contained the president’s expectations for his future growth. After using it, his [Spiritual Power] stat would permanently increase, and the lower his stat was, the more it would increase.

Seiji's eyes widened in surprise.

This key had given him three cards as a reward, and all of the cards were so useful!

First, the Spiritual Power increase card could be used immediately to raise his [Spiritual Power] stat.

Second, the spell learning card’s effect was amazing to the point where he wanted another dozen! This could help him to quickly learn any spell.

It was a pity that he only had one, and it would only fulfill one of the spell’s requirements.

Seiji thought back to that mega technique called [Dragon Counterattack.]

It seemed nice that he could skip one of the requirements by using this card, but one still wasn’t enough!

Immediately using this precious card seemed like a huge waste.

He might as well save it for later and use it in the future for a ridiculously difficult learning requirement. Seiji ended up making that decision.

As for the buff card, this card’s effect had explosive power! It was an incredibly simple cheat.

It obviously seemed better to him to save this card and use it at an important time. It didn’t matter whether it was for an ordinary spell or an ultimate technique.

Since the buff lasted fifteen minutes, it should be more than enough to finish any one battle. If used properly, it could even turn around a dire situation for him.

‘You’ve rewarded me so handsomely, President.’ Seiji inwardly thanked the president yet again.

It wasn’t convenient for him to use a stat-raising card while outside. He quickened his pace as he headed back to his apartment.

…

He saw Mika standing in front of his apartment.

Seiji greeted her, but received no response.

The double pigtailed girl was walking around slowly with an absentminded expression.

”Mika?” Seiji walked closer to her and tried calling out to her again.

”Er… S–Seiji?” Mika rubbed her chest. ”W-what are you doing? Don't scare me like that!”

”I wasn’t trying to scare you. I just greeted you earlier, but you didn’t hear me.” Seiji felt that something was strange. ”What’s the matter, Mika? What are you thinking about? You were lost in your thoughts.”

”N-nothing…” Mika averted her gaze in an unnatural manner. ”I definitely wasn’t thinking about anything weird just now.”

Seiji didn’t even know how to respond to this.

It was so obvious that she was lying! She was definitely thinking about something ”weird” just now!

Seiji was curious about the matter.

But more than that, he was concerned.

”If you’re troubled by anything, you can tell me. If it’s something that’s not convenient to tell a boy, then go talk to Chiaki about it. It’s best not to randomly come to conclusions on your own,” Seiji told her in a gentle manner.

”I-I already said that I’m fine.” Mika glanced at him while muttering, ”Don’t treat me like a little child…” to herself.

Her tone of voice seemed rather complex.

This didn’t seem like a simple temper tantrum or anything like that.

Seiji quickly came to that conclusion, and his curiosity and concern both increased in magnitude.

Just exactly what could have happened?

Thinking back, he recalled that Mika still sounded normal when he called her at the coffee café.

So what could have happened in between that time and seeing her again now?

Seiji didn’t know the answer.

Seeing how she currently was, he doubted that she would tell him.

So, he could only remain silent.

Mika walked back towards her own residence’s door in the same awkward manner.