HTACS 38

Chapter 38

---

“Senior. I’ll be going now. Thank you so much for today! Thanks to you, I’ll work hard. Really, I’ll put in the effort…”

“Hmm. Do your best.”

“Se-Senior…”

“What.”

“…W-well, um…”

Just as Mille-feuille was about to say something—

At that very moment, the convenience store door swung open and someone entered.

Amethyst-like eyes.

Long hair reaching below her waist.

A colorless, transparent expression.

Eyes that couldn’t be read.

“Aila?”

It wasn’t the Aila Triesta Wolfram knew—but a face reminiscent of the Act 3 boss, Aila Triesta, that Lee Young-jin knew.

Aila opened her mouth with an icy voice.

“Hello, Wolfram.”

“Didn’t we see each other earlier today?”

“We did. So, Wolfram—may I ask what you’re doing right now?”

“What? Ah. I see.”

“Yes, please explain properly…”

I could see how this might be misinterpreted.

A junior called to the convenience store late at night.

A mountain of desserts on the counter. And a junior eating and eating and eating.

Yes.

Anyone would see this as—

“Torture?”

“What’s that?”

“Ah. Slang from interrogation. No, it’s nothing. I was just running a little test. A test conducted under mutual agreement, nothing more.”

If I got hauled in front of the Academy Human Rights Committee for this, I’d really be done for.

“What kind of test?”

Under Aila’s suspicious gaze, I explained step by step.

And as the explanation continued, Aila’s expression softened—I smirked inwardly.

This girl was worried I was bullying a junior.

“That’s what it is.”

“…I see. Practicing for Magic Craft. And that’s Miss Mille-feuille, was it?”

“Y-yesss!”

“She has a skill called Mana Sensitivity. Hmm. I understand. I get it. I’m late introducing myself. I am…”

“The Black Crystal of the third-year, Senior Aila Triesta!”

“…Oh? You know me?”

At Aila’s question, Mille-feuille clenched her fists, brought them to her chest, and sparkled.

“Yes! You’re incredibly famous!”

“H-hmph. I see. Good. Knowing who I am—that shows excellent discernment.”

Look at Aila grinning because a freshman recognized her.

As I smirked at her, she pouted and blushed.

“…What is it, Wolfram.”

“Nothing. You just looked happy that a freshman recognized you, that’s all.”

“Hmph. I may be famous, but that’s because of the Triesta family name. How many people would actually know me?”

“I, I know about Senior.”

“Huh?”

“At the freshman welcome party. After seeing your near-perfect combat, I thought I wanted to become like you.”

“……”

“Because I’m sensitive to mana and was watching from afar, I could tell. Everyone thought you trapped Kelterus with re-formation the moment he broke through your Black Crystal barrier—but I, I didn’t see it that way. Senior, you could have blocked his attack no matter which direction he came from—from the side, from above, through a breakthrough. You were completely prepared, weren’t you?”

At Mille-feuille’s analysis, I narrowed my eyes.

I wasn’t there, but thinking of the original Aila—she probably could have blocked from the sides or above. That’s the part in the tutorial where it says “Break through the barrier and surprise attack!”

But knowing that as a player, and analyzing it as impossible to break through just by watching from the side—that’s completely different.

To be honest—

I hadn’t been able to figure out a proper way for Mille-feuille to win against Kelterus with her stats.

But with an advantage this clear—who knows?

“Well, you watched closely, didn’t you?”

“Yes! I’ll soon have to spar with Kelterus too, so I’ve been keeping Senior Aila’s battle—the most beautiful and magnificent victory—etched in my eyes.”

“I see. I see. Hehe.”

Aila smiled happily, stood right in front of Mille-feuille, and stared at me.

“Wolfram.”

“What.”

“This fledgling. Give her to me.”

“Wh-what?”

“Hmph. She’s a fledgling now, but I’ll take responsibility and raise her into a proper chicken!”

“…What are you planning to do to a freshman?”

Send the fledgling home safely.

—

After safely sending the frightened fledgling home, Aila ate the cake I’d made.

“Yes. A magical blessing is active. I can’t tell exactly what kind, though.”

Then she became serious immediately after.

“Wolfram. You said you acquired a skill called Magical Pâtissier?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a skill I’ve never heard of. Making magical pastries—that suits you, doesn’t it?”

“Never heard of it?”

“Yes. At least as far as I know, there’s no one with such a cooking skill.”

The acquisition conditions aren’t particularly difficult.

But it’s only natural that no one has acquired it.

Even Eve von Lohengrin sold the location of the northern base for a few bags of candy—this world is that lacking in culinary culture.

High-quality ingredients come from lands overflowing with mana, but humans have pursued isolation.

That’s why Nephti, Aila, and Rudika seek out the convenience store.

Humans who shut themselves away first gave up on food.

“Wolfram. What’s the most essential thing right now for commercializing this skill?”

“What?”

“I’m saying I want to sponsor your Magical Pâtissier right now. Come on, tell me.”

“Lack of mana.”

“Could you tell me within a range I can handle…?”

“Hmm.”

That’s right—mana is so difficult that even raising it by 1 requires national-treasure-level items. Other stats can be raised somehow, but mana is truly a realm of the heavens.

“I need mana recovery potions.”

“Fine. They’re quite expensive, but I’ll prepare them. In exchange…”

“In exchange?”

“When you commercialize this skill—give me priority negotiation rights for the licensing.”

“Done. That’s not difficult.”

“Good! When do you need the potions by?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“…Huh?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“……”

“Is it impossible?”

“Ha! Nothing is impossible for Aila Triesta! I’ll just prepare them for you! Keep your promise!”

Saying that, Aila snorted and withdrew.

The next day.

I received four boxes of mana potions.

—

Eve von Lohengrin’s day is busy.

Incomparable to other academy students.

First, wake up at 4:30 AM. Light exercise, then meditation. By around 6, finish washing and grooming, then head to school.

On days without classes, she can’t even think of resting. She immediately stops by the student council room to issue orders.

After classes, she moves to labs for research observation, or meets with department heads for consultations.

“Granting audience with Student Council President Eve von Lohengrin.”

Today was the latter.

Consultations with the academy’s big-money young ladies awaited.

Originally, financial power in the Empire cannot defeat political power.

So if these young ladies were to be ranked, they’d be at best Tier 6.

Perhaps they want to imitate a salon. The conversation was all “haha hoho” but truly boring. The refreshments served were also unimpressive. Honestly, even one of Wolfram’s doughnuts would probably taste better.

As Eve scanned the room with a bored expression, everyone wore fake smiles.

“Are you bored? If it doesn’t suit your taste, I’ll prepare a different stage.”

“It’s fine. Regina Ciella. Thank you for your consideration.”

“Hehe. Consideration, you say.”

The one approaching her was the heiress of a merchant family, with flowing blonde hair and a friendly smile. Honestly, she’s an incredibly annoying person.

“Speaking of which, the Zephrin Student Competition is soon. Thank you for your preparations.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s only natural.”

*Just get to the point*—under Eve’s piercing gaze, Regina smiled brightly.

“Which category are you entering, Student Council President?”

“I’m not entering. I’ll be in charge of overall management on the day.”

“Oh my, if you entered the Divine Magic Tournament, winning would be all but guaranteed.”

Well, yes. It would be.

That’s what mana 22 means.

“I’m entering the Magic Craft category. If you have the chance, please come watch, Student Council President.”

“Yes. Well, if the opportunity arises.”

“Speaking of which, there’s one thing that concerns me.”

“What is it?”

“Among the list of participants for this year’s Magic Craft category, there’s one peculiar person.”

“A peculiar person?”

“Yes. The former student council president—Wolfram von Lohengrin. I heard he’s participating in the Magic Craft category.”

“…What is that man doing?”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. I see. So?”

“Well, since I’m also preparing with full sincerity this time, I’m worried that if I were to beat Wolfram-nim, it might cause offense. Wouldn’t that be a crime of insulting the Imperial family?”

Ah. So that’s it.

She’s trying to draw a line first, worried that if she crushes Wolfram, his pride will be hurt and he’ll tattle to the Imperial family.

Eve grasped Regina’s true intent in an instant and sighed.

If you’re a student, act like one and compete purely—don’t behave like a old politician.

“Do as you like. Crush him or not, I don’t care. Even if Wolfram falls, the Imperial family’s honor won’t be tarnished.”

“Y-yesss?”

“And—Regina Ciella?”

“I’m listening, Student Council President.”

Eve von Lohengrin recalled—

The Wolfram now, completely different from before her rebellion.

The man on the line above hers on the family register, who held the cards to transform the unknown into wisdom.

“If Wolfram said he’ll win—don’t take it lightly.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

Eve waved Regina Ciella away as if she were a nuisance.

Magic Craft participation, huh.

I have no idea what he’s thinking.

“After this boring salon ends, I suppose I should go do some inspection.”

And grab some snacks while I’m at it.

Thinking that, her stiff lips seemed to relax a little.

—

Thanks to Aila, I drank the mana potions she’d secured and kept activating Mixweet.

**【MI X WEET!】**

**【Calculating applied magic.】**

**【The two magics shimmer faintly silver.**】

“Another half-success.”

I picked up the mana potion beside me, poured it down my throat, and prepared to activate Mixweet again.

“…Ugh.”

“Are you okay, Wolfram?”

“Are you alright?”

Aila and Mille-feuille sent worried looks simultaneously.

These two had grown close rapidly—or rather, after learning that Mille-feuille would fight Kelterus, Aila had been giving her tactical guidance.

“I’m fine. I just drank too many potions.”

“It’s only the third bottle, isn’t it?”

“……”

Remember this well.

Wolfram struggles even with three bottles.

But certainly—using mana potions to replenish mana while grinding skill proficiency is something only possible in a game. Human stomachs have limits.

“But I have to do it. That’s my job. You two focus on preparing to defeat Kelterus.”

“Yesss. Now, fledgling? Watch closely. That boy can definitely use a charge. But since your stamina and strength are low, you have to dodge and aim for counters.”

“Th-that’s right?”

“That boy’s average stats are close to 15. What are your strength and stamina?”

“Stamina 9, Strength 8.”

“One hit and you’ll fly away.”

“B-but my mana is 11!”

“Do you know any spells?”

“…Hing.”

Whether the two were holding mock battles or not, I kept activating Mixweet and making new cakes.

Please. Succeed.

The ingredient costs are getting dangerous now.

If I don’t get that 5 million rin, I’m in real trouble.

**【MI X WEET!】**

**【Calculating applied magic.】**

**【Dream-colored Great Success!】**

**【The two magics mix violently!】**

**【The pastry’s blessing shines brilliantly!】**

**【A single great blessing descends upon the pastry!】**

“Ha.”

Finally.

I finally achieved it.

How long I’ve waited for this message window.

“Wolfram? Are you okay?”

“Senior?”

Without answering, I gestured to Mille-feuille. She put the cake I offered into her mouth and swallowed without even chewing a few times. She was probably sick of sweets by now.

But her reaction afterward was on a different level from before.

“…Huh? Th-this. What?”

“What buff activated?”

“W-well, you see. This… what. Th-this…”

The greatest change of Mixweet.

A great success when intermediate and intermediate buffs break through the 3% probability and mix multiplicatively.

“It feels like my mana won’t recover at all. My mana has decreased. No, this is mana 0…?”

“Instead, you should feel something else. How is it?”

The greatest buff obtainable from 8T Magical Pâtissier boasts firepower so intense it can’t even be considered 8T.

“Y-yes. Instead, um… this is… like, this…?”

Instead of describing the change, Mille-feuille pressed her finger firmly into the table. With a *crunch*, her finger sank in.

“…Ah.”

As I expected—that buff had activated.

A buff that reduces mana to 0 and assigns half of it to strength and stamina.

Half-Berserk.

In other words, Mille-feuille’s stamina and strength now had an additional 5.5 points.

Future growth? Naturally, it’s delayed.

The buff duration is only 20 minutes.

But even if it’s just a fleeting moment—

At this moment, Mille-feuille—with stamina 14.5 and strength 13.5—can face Kelterus head-on.

A third-rate extra destined to be eliminated can stand face-to-face with the protagonist.

“So this is 14…”

“That’s where the top first-year Kelterus stands. Or maybe even higher.”

“…Yes. So this is how strong it is.”

A smile formed on Mille-feuille’s lips. A single teardrop welled in her eye.

Right now, Mille-feuille was clearly exhilarated by the omnipotence of the stat difference, and despairing at the frustration.

“Can you win?”

“…I don’t know.”

Saying that, Mille-feuille gripped the table tightly.

*Crunch*—the table crumbled. And scattered into dust in her grasp.

“But I want to try. Even if I have to clash thousands of times and turn to dust… I want to try.”

A good answer.

Looking at Mille-feuille, and at the table (what was left of it) scattering in her grip, I smiled.

“Pay for the damages.”

“Ah.”