HTACS 39

Chapter 39

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Zephrin First-Year Common Dormitory.

Due to the series of incidents where a graduate student rampaged and two Imperials intervened to stop it, the dormitory hall had been destroyed to an absurd degree.

Zephrin commissioned a construction company to repair the dormitory while the first-year students were in class. The construction company, connected to Maestro, subcontracted the work, and the subcontractor subcontracted it again.

But the original contractor had quoted 300,000 rin per person—yet somehow, the actual workers on site were receiving only 70,000 rin.

Still, they worked hard.

Sweating profusely, they labored for the first-year students.

And they completed all their assigned tasks within the tight schedule.

So that someday, when they returned to Zephrin, they could say, “I fixed that first-year dormitory building.” They worked that hard.

The construction was finished.

Now the outside contractors had to leave.

And those who remained had to return to their daily lives.

Bokkulrom. Jjolkkula. Yapeugaemnon. Jjullarien.

Those who had come from afar sensed the farewell.

They had arrived together in the morning, shared a drink of water, eaten lunch together, mixed cement, applied plaster, and even wallpapered. They had shared joys and hardships at the worksite.

“Good work, Nee-ssi.”

“You worked hard too, Bippeuraen.”

“…Thank you.”

Bokkulrom. Jjolkkula. Yapeugaemnon. Jjullarien. Workers who would hold their heads high anywhere.

Bippeuraen—the woman leading them—smiled at Nephti’s words. It was a smile marked by her frizzy hair and thick lips.

“Nee-ssi…”

“Why are you crying, Bippeuraen? You’ll ruin your pretty face.”

“…*Sniffle.*”

Bippeuraen, who managed the labor office, had taken a liking to Nephti.

Strength gifted by heaven—she could do the work of three adult men and carry two H-beams at once.

At first, it seemed she was working half-heartedly, but that was just her naturally bright disposition. When it came to work, she was heavy machinery that never rested.

That was Nee-ssi.

She—Bippeuraen—had wanted to recruit Nee-ssi.

But she was still too young to join the ‘crew.’

“You don’t need to thank me. In our hearts… we’re one crew, aren’t we?”

“…Right. We’re one. The Sabuten Wolves crew, aren’t we?”

“Yes. Let’s meet again someday. And when we do, we’re still crew, right?”

At Nephti’s words, Bippeuraen smiled through her tears.

“Of course (እርግጠኛ)!”

“Yes. Then that’s all that matters, right?”

The two shook hands firmly.

Just before leaving, Bippeuraen looked at Nephti.

“I want to leave this with Nee-ssi.”

Saying that, Bippeuraen handed something to Nephti.

“…This is.”

“My gift.”

Yellow with black lettering—the printed words read “Safety Manager.”

It was the armband that symbolized the authority of Bippeuraen, the only one with a safety manager certification.

“…Will you accept it?”

“Yes. Bippeuraen! I’ll think of the soul of our Sabuten Wolves crew as being right here!”

“Hmph. I don’t understand difficult words. But… I understand.”

Leaving their feelings behind, the Sabuten Wolves left Zephrin.

After seeing them off, Nephti gripped the armband tightly.

As she did, a voice came from behind.

“Is the farewell over?”

“Yes.”

Aila Triesta.

Nephti’s new employer.

“Then it’s time for my part-time job.”

“Yes, miss. I’m ready anytime.”

“Good attitude. But… what’s that?”

Aila tilted her head at the armband in Nephti’s hand.

“…A token of our promise to reunite.”

“Is that so? Well, I don’t really get it.”

“…Bippeuraen. Bokkulrom. Jjolkkula. Yapeugaemnon. Jjullarien… We’ll definitely meet again. I, Nee-ssi—by then, I’ll be a person who keeps my mouth shut and works hard.”

However—whether their reunion would come to pass was unknown to anyone.

The Sabuten Wolves were all illegal immigrants.

—

The next day, Mille-feuille came to the convenience store right after classes ended to taste-test snacks.

After that, Mixweet succeeded several more times, and among them, a great success was produced.

“How about this one?”

“As expected, the previous effect is gone.”

The great success of Mixweet had one problem—buffs couldn’t be stacked.

That was how the original system worked too. For regular Magical Pâtissier buffs or additive Mixweet combinations, up to two. But multiplicative Mixweet—the great success—was one and done.

You might think you could just alternate eating them, but each buff seemed to have its own cooldown. So for the match against Kelterus, she could only use one buff.

“Then Half-Berserk is still the best.”

“Yes. I think that’s the best one.”

We nodded simultaneously. That one seemed the safest.

This part had already been agreed upon in advance.

“Aila’s concern is that she’s not suited for close combat. I wonder if she can figure out a countermeasure for close-quarters fighting.”

“Ah. She said she was going to find an instructor.”

Instructor?

Aila, who has no friends, is going to find an instructor?

Who exactly is she planning to bring? As I was thinking about candidates—*bang*—the convenience store door swung open.

“Is the fledgling here?”

“Y-yes, Senior!”

“Good. Follow me! I’ve brought an instructor!”

“Y-yesss?”

At those words, I looked at the instructor standing beside Aila.

A girl wearing a yellow armband that read “Safety Manager” on her arm.

The Knight of Conviction. A reliable senior.

Nee-ssi was there.

—

I couldn’t hide my surprise that Aila had recruited Nephti.

In the first place, Aila is a villain in the Magic Department, and Nephti is a hero in the Knight Department.

Hero?

Well, anyway—I was lost in thought for a moment, but soon realized it was a good combination.

Aila has money, and with that, she can even buy Nephti’s soul. Isn’t she a good piece for Aila—from a major merchant family—to use?

“Hmm, I see. So you’ll be facing Junior Kelterus.”

“Y-yesss.”

“You came to the right person. I have Junior Kelterus’s stats and skills memorized completely.”

“Excuse me?”

“To be precise, I’ve memorized the skills and stats of promising students who might enter the Knight Department. That way, when they do join, I can provide proper guidance.”

Stats and skills in Zephrin are checked every six months and mostly made public—but I never expected Nephti to have them all memorized.

But considering that in the original, Nephti played the role of a good senior guiding Kelterus—it made sense that she’d put in that much effort.

“Then let’s conduct a mock sparring session considering Kelterus’s stat and skill distribution.”

“…Yes! I’ll do my best!”

Mille-feuille’s enthusiastic answer echoed through the convenience store.

And so, Nephti and Mille-feuille left the convenience store for sparring practice, with Aila tagging along behind them.

Before leaving, Aila looked at me, smiled, and gave me a thumbs up.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means don’t get mad even if I steal that cute fledgling away.”

Ah, I see.

Aila left the convenience store humming a tune.

As I was organizing recipes and activating Mixweet—the convenience store door opened.

“Is Wolfram here?”

“…No. At least, I have no intention of entertaining someone who interferes with others’ work.”

“A thousand guests, a thousand benefits—isn’t that the slogan of the hospitality industry?”

“Better no guests than bad guests—that’s Wolfram’s slogan.”

The bloodline sharer with her name on the line below his on the family register.

It was Eve von Lohengrin’s visit.

—

Eve entered the store and her eyes sparkled at the snacks on the table.

“Wolfram, where did these snacks come from…”

“Hm? Ah. I’m preparing something.”

“Preparing? This is preparation?”

“Yes. …A big preparation.”

At those words, Eve’s eyes went wide—then she broke into a bright smile, and afterward faced me with a gentle smile.

How annoying.

Why is she grinning?

So I asked.

“What are you smirking about?”

“Nothing. Wolfram has finally become a real person.”

“…What?”

“I thought you were spouting nonsense about running a convenience store and entering Magic Craft—I was seriously considering having you expelled—but you’ve finally found your calling!”

“……”

“Yes. Wolfram. You may not excel at other things, but with your unusually high dexterity, you definitely have a talent for making snacks. Seeing you finally find your calling and walk that path—it makes me realize Wolfram is human too. That’s how people should live. I was so worried and concerned that you’d keep causing trouble for everyone with your ridiculous nonsense—I’m so relieved.”

“……”

“Now, leave the academy, return to the Imperial family, and become a direct pastry chef for the Imperial household. Then the ones in heaven—”

“Eve.”

“…What. I haven’t found a reason to compliment you in ages, and I’m trying to give you one—don’t ruin it. Anyway, now that you’ve decided to live like a decent person…”

Compliment?

Compliiiiiment? That was a compliment?

No, before I argue that point, I need to correct this misunderstanding first.

“Stop talking nonsense, Eve. I have no intention of leaving the academy, no intention of becoming a pâtissier. And I am entering the Magic Craft competition.”

“…Huh?”

“The mountain of desserts before your eyes right now—they are the magical tools I’m entering in Magic Craft.”

“…Have you finally gone mad?”

Look at the way she talks. How can she say that with a teary, affectionate tone?

—

Since arguing further with Eve was pointless, I handed her one of the desserts I was making to shut her up.

“Such a bribe…”

“Either shut up and eat, or leave.”

“*Nom.*”

Eve picked up the cake with her fork and ate it on the spot. After a moment, her eyes went wide.

“…Huh? This.”

“Buff-type sn—no. Magical sweets.”

“Cute name. Anyway—this is an enhancement effect? I can’t tell exactly, but resistance-type… no. It’s instant-cast. So… guessing… detection enhancement against all fire magic?”

Eve muttered something, then immediately identified what magic was imbued in the pastry and frowned.

“You know it well. That’s exactly what Magical Sweets are. A support food that grants beneficial magical effects to the eater.”

“Then surely this is…”

“Yes. It’s the item I’ll be entering in Magic Craft.”

Eve frowned, then suddenly extended her right hand to the side.

“【White Light: Barrier: Severance】”

A shielding barrier?

Why?

As I looked at Eve with questioning eyes, she frowned and glared alternately at the pastry and at me.

“Wolfram. Did you really make this with your own hands?”

“Yes. I acquired a skill called Magical Pâtissier.”

“So you’re saying you made a snack that provides an instant-cast effect the moment it’s eaten on any battlefield?”

“Yes.”

“And what tier does the effect go up to? Just 9T?”

“No. As of now, up to high 8T.”

Her frown deepened at those words.

Why is she suddenly like this?

It’s terrifying.

“So you’re saying you’re going to enter this in Magic Craft?”

“Yes.”

At those words, Eve let out a deep sigh and frowned.

“Wolfram. As student council president, I strongly advise you—no, let me warn you. Don’t do it.”

“…What?”

“I’m telling you not to enter this. Or rather—ha. Why now of all times? No, fine. If you absolutely must do it, considering my growth trajectory, next year… tch. No, that’s dangerous too. Anyway—just don’t do it.”

“May I ask why?”

“You might get yourself killed.”

“What?”

At my question, Eve sighed.

“Wolfram. You know that Zephrin has a total of a hundred thousand people, right?”

“Of course I know.”

“And you also know that among those who enter as first-years, at most seventy-something successfully graduate after four years, right?”

“I know.”

“If something like this hits the market, it’s going to get quite messy.”

“Hmm.”

“To put it bluntly—with this buff, exam results change. Those who should fail survive, and those who should survive fail… Of course, artifacts are openly used by everyone, but this can overturn even exams where such items are prohibited.”

“So it could be used for cheating?”

“No? Everyone will be trying to cheat. Do you want to have a hundred thousand people after your life, only to be found dead in Zone 8?”

Wow, that’s genuinely terrifying.

But I feel like I’ve heard similar words before.

Yes—the energy drink incident.

I was definitely told not to release it carelessly.

“I think I need about two more years to completely control the academy and wield full authority. By then, I won’t stop you from releasing it. But… releasing this to the public right now is too much of a burden.”

“……”

“By then, I’ll control the quantity and set the sales channels for you. So just sell it then. Wolfram.”

At Eve’s words, I fell silent for a moment. Does releasing this mean my life is in danger?

“But…”

Before I could continue, a familiar voice came from beyond the barrier.

“No. There’s no need to worry about that. Wolfram is safe.”

Then, a chanting sound followed.

“【Black Crystal: Single Shot: Maximum Enhancement: Destruction】”

A Black Crystal with one more effect than usual let out a *crack* and began damaging the barrier Eve had created.

*Fwaash.*

The barrier created with three measures of mana 22 couldn’t withstand the attack of a four-measure Black Crystal and shattered. Into the broken barrier, with a *click-clack* of footsteps, Aila walked in.

“The fledgling and Nephti were focusing on training, so I came to check on Wolfram—and I overheard an interesting conversation.”

“…Aila Triesta. We’re currently discussing Wolfram von Lohengrin’s future in seriousness. Let’s talk later.”

“That’s not going to work.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Wolfram’s sweets—their distribution and licensing rights—I, Aila Triesta, have priority negotiation rights.”

Hmm.

Come to think of it, that’s right.

I traded that for four boxes of mana potions.

At Aila’s words, Eve rubbed her temple as if her head was throbbing and answered with a sigh.

“Aila Triesta. I get that your business acumen is excellent and you want to monopolize a good product. But this is genuinely dangerous.”

“It’s fine. Wolfram is going to make plenty of even more dangerous things in the future. And… I’ll protect him. Do you think I don’t understand the risks either?”

“You’d still sell it knowing that?”

“Yes. If it comes to it, I’ll just be his shield.”

“What did you say?”

“Look—how many students would believe Wolfram could make something like this? Or rather—how many students would think I’m keeping Wolfram as a front and making it myself?”

At those words, Eve was persuaded. She glanced at me and frowned.

“Who would believe Wolfram made this? Everyone in Zephrin knows his mana is 3.”

Don’t say that. That hurts, really. And this is a dexterity skill, you know? Damn it.

“So you don’t need to worry, Student Council President.”

“Ugh, fine! Do whatever you want then!”

Eve stormed off in anger.

So, to summarize.

This dessert is truly dangerous, and my life might be at risk.

So Eve said I should wait until her power within Zephrin is even stronger before distributing it.

And Aila said—having already considered all that—that she’s already claimed dibs, so don’t touch it.

So that means. In other words.

“…Eve.”

“What!”

“Thanks for worrying about me.”

“Wh-who? Who was worrying? Me? About W-Wolfram? Huh? Haha? M-me? Worry? Ha! That’s not, not even, not…!! EEEEK!! FOR REAL!!”

Saying that, Eve ran out of the convenience store.

I really don’t want to admit it, but I felt grateful for Eve’s consideration and simply gave her a sincere thank you—

Was there really any need to get that angry?