Divine Luck: SSS-Rank Battle Maid Harem

The principal looked at Zach. Zach looked at the principal. They looked at each other. Neither said a word.

"I'm not going to admit to it if anyone asks, but I agree," the principal eventually said.

"That's why there's a backup plan," he continued.

"..." Zach looked at him silently until he explained what that backup plan was.

"...It's an even worse plan, but if using you and your classmates as pesticide or bait doesn't work, we will just have to disregard subtlety and bring down the continent on Ugor's head."

"...Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Zach wasn't sure what the principal meant by that, but it was no good regardless of whether he was being literal or speaking figuratively.

"Right, so you better exceed my expectations, you little trouble—" The principal frowned. Zach did, too, at the underlying meaning of the principal's words. If he had to exceed the principal's expectations to prevent the backup plan from being engaged, was the principal expecting them to fail?

The principal's eyes glowed subtly as he scanned Zach up and down.

"If I call you Troublemaker…?" The principal began to ask. But he got his confirmation as soon as he finished the word. He could feel it on his tongue. Troublemaker fit Zach. It was almost the same as using his name.

"Yeah, that's why I came here." Zach also felt it. His Title had rung clearer in his ears than the rest of the principal's words like the principal was calling him.

"Well, if what you've said today is true, I can't say I'm surprised. You've made a lot of trouble, both for everyone around you, friend and foe, and yourself." The principal hid his surprise. Nowadays, youngsters with Titles were rare.

Zach's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the principal.

"So, what does it do? Is it just there to tell me and the rest of the world that I'm a Troublemaker? Or does it help me make more trouble or something?"

The principal stroked his chin.

"Both, I suppose. It's a confirmation of your existence. Through that confirmation, your very existence and essence are strengthened. Since you're a Troublemaker, you'll have an easier time making trouble from now on. Something like that."

"...That doesn't sound like a good thing." Zach pursed his lips in displeasure.

"It can be both." The principal shrugged.

"If you do create more trouble from now on, who will be more used to it? You? Or your surroundings?"

The principal's question stumped Zach slightly. The Title wasn't necessarily good or bad. It was more of an objective observation of his existence. It was there for him to use and make the most of if he so wished. Its use was dependent on him. If he made good use of it, it was a good thing.

If he didn't embrace the Title just because he didn't want the reputation of being a Troublemaker, he would suffer under the Title's weight.

It was a double-edged sword. Or it would be one if he let it be. It would take some analyzing and studying and testing to confirm the effect of the Title. But since it was part of his interface, it had to be significant. Zach couldn't be sure yet, but it might be on the same level of importance as his skills.

Zach frowned slightly. He had a useless skill, though, so his Title might also be useless. As far as he could tell, Divine Luck only brought him trouble and possibly monsters.

"Well, thanks for your help, principal. I better get going and start writing on that report now."

"So, no idea what or when you're going to cash in that favor?"

"Nope."

"Alright. Off with you. I don't want your Title in my office." The principal shooed Zach out of his office. Zach didn't mind leaving. He appreciated the help, but it wasn't easy talking to the principal for extended periods.

Zach left. He was at a slight loss as for what to do. He had checked on Nessa. She was sleeping. He had asked the principal about Titles. He got an acceptable answer.

Maybe it was time for a nap?

'Oh, right.'

Zach realized what he had left to do.

'The city.'

He also had to double-check that the underworld energy in the forest was moving in the right direction. But that wasn't as important. Unlike the forest, a lot of people lived in the city, and they were suffering in the cloud of underworld energy that covered Basilia.

He would have to get rid of that as soon as possible. It would probably disperse on its own in due time. There were probably some strong people in the city that were keeping it from going out of control.

But if Zach knew the principal right, which he felt he did, he would have likely put a stop to anyone doing anything that interfered with their curriculum too much. That would be doubly true for something the students caused themselves.

Fortunately, Zach knew what to do. But it would take some fine-tuning and some legwork. It wouldn't be as simple as dropping one powerful potion in the middle of the city, especially if the situation was similar to Nessa's Millipede.

If the people in the city had inhaled underworld energy and trapped it in their bodies, forcefully driving it out with a powerful potion might make them burst. Zach did not want to see that happen. Being responsible for it happening would also put him in trouble.

Zach had to do two things. He had to ask Alzara to start working on a milder version of the anti-underworld energy potion that he could use to dispel the underworld energy in the city.

Then, he had to gather the club members, pick up their morale, and have them get ready to help the city. The longer they delayed, the more the people would be in trouble, and that would put them in more trouble.

Zach sighed. The feeling of being energetic he woke up with had started to fade.