HTACS 63

Chapter 63

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“So, potions and snacks to go with them? And… uh, huh? Snacks to go with potions?”

“Don’t worry about it. Since it’s not alcohol, it’s fine.”

“Ah, if it’s not alcohol, you can have snacks with it. I see. Note, note.”

Eve’s eyes spun in circles as she stamped my approval and issued the permit.

“Separately, there are a few more things I’d like to sell—is that okay?”

“Y-yes. Well, since it’s not alcohol.”

“…I see. Also, the stall will be in the center of the plaza where the sports festival is held—is that okay?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Eve nodded with her spinning eyes, and with all the permits in hand, I left the student council room.

It worked far too easily.

I only used 【Imperial Bloodline】 once, and very briefly at that. And it worked immediately.

That’s because it’s a utility-focused skill—Wolfram’s bloodline is 1-tier.

It lightly pierces through the opponent’s magic defense. That’s what makes it 1-tier.

But even with this 1-tier skill, breaking through Eve von Lohengrin’s mental barrier is nearly impossible. Unless her own magic resistance was extremely low.

There’s only one reason her magic resistance would drop in a non-combat situation—when she’s used so much mana that she has none left to allocate to resistance.

“Is she getting better?”

“Mhm. Come to think of it, Silphia Evergreen Grove. I have one question.”

“What is it?”

Silphia called out to me, and I took the chance to ask.

“That kid Eve. Has she been exhausted lately?”

“…Her sleep time lately has been around two hours. Even when I tell her to rest more, she won’t listen.”

“Mhm. I figured.”

“That’s also why she let you through.”

“Hm?”

“Because Eve-sama seems to perk up a bit when you’re around.”

Silphia. Silphia.

That’s not perking up—that’s called irritability.

“Silphia Evergreen Grove. That girl probably won’t sleep long.”

“I know.”

She sighed as she said that.

As in the original, she’s Eve’s loyal retainer, and her every action is based on Eve.

But in the original, Eve didn’t sleep much either, and there was a sub-story (3) where Silphia and Kelterus worried about her and acted together.

The item you get there is unobtainable at this point, but there are other temporary measures.

“Silphia. Get some top-grade mana potions and make Eve drink one every morning.”

“…What? Giving me orders… No, that’s not it. Hmm. What’s the point of that?”

“Eve is blessed with mana, and she can move like that because she converts mana into stamina. Did you know?”

“……Ah. I see. Eve-sama’s stamina is…”

“12.”

“…Right. That’s right. Hmm. I see. That’s how it was.”

She didn’t know.

Eve converts mana to stamina through the 【Soul Change】 skill.

So if she uses more stamina than her mana recovery, she’ll actually collapse.

And that leads to the despair of 100,000 Zefflin—that was Sub-story 3.

Well, anyway.

“Eve’s stubbornness is hard to break, so if you’re worried, just get her some top-grade mana potions. It’ll help a bit.”

“…I’ll trust you. You really are Eve-sama’s sibling.”

“Mhm. Take care.”

“…Wolfram. No, um.”

“What. Hurry up and say it.”

“Your Highness Wolfram von Lohengrin. As a retainer of Her Highness Eve von Lohengrin, I offer you my gratitude.”

With that, Silphia bowed her head deeply.

“Don’t mention it. Take care.”

She may think I’m a jerk, but she’s still a necessary retainer for Eve.

We have no reason or need to get close, but still—she’s a candid one.

As I waved my hand and walked away, Silphia didn’t raise her head until I was far gone.

—

Now. With the sales permit in hand, there’s no time to hesitate.

“Popcorn machine setup complete, Senior!”

“Beverage machine ready, Senior!”

“Stall and Belle-manju preparation complete, Senior!”

But all that preparation was done under Nephti’s direction.

Fast and precise. No hesitation about where to place what.

“How are you so fast? And so accurate, too.”

“Hehe. Well…”

There was a case like this in Zefflin—when affection with a character rises, party synergy activates.

That’s why you always have to manage affection for your main characters.

When Nephti’s affection rose all the way, she provided close-quarters protection.

What kind of ability is it? Suppose the enemy’s attack is fast, and your ally DPS is “definitely going to get hit.”

Normally, Nephti would fail to defend.

But at that moment, systematically, she “guards one turn no matter what.”

And Nephti says this:

‘Because I’ve been working with junior Kelterus for quite a while.’

A quite memorable line. The trait is good too.

“I’ve been working with Senior Wolfram for a really long time! I’m so grateful!”

The Nephti before me answered in the exact tone I remembered—no, even brighter.

“…I see.”

“Yes!”

“I see. Let’s do our best together.”

“…Huh?”

“What?”

“Nothing. Normally, you would have said ‘do your best’… hmm. No. Yes. Let’s do our best together!”

Nephti dove back into work without wiping the smile off her face.

“Do your best.”

“Let’s do our best.”

Come to think of it, there is a difference.

“Yeah. Let’s do our best. Together.”

“…Eheh. Yes! Nep! Ready!”

—

Before the sports festival began, in the front plaza.

Passing through the Common Department and entering the First Knight Department where the field was, we secured the very first stall on the right—an incredibly prime location.

What’s the most important thing for making a killing at the Zefflin Sports Festival?

Good products, reasonable prices, good service? All good.

But the most important thing is—drawing attention.

“Hm. They’re doing pretty well.”

Wonderful aromas wafted from the surroundings.

After the Belle-manju scam last time, they must have gritted their teeth and prepared something that smelled good.

“But foolish. So foolish!”

When so many different scents mix together, nothing stands out.

And parents aren’t drawn in by sweet smells like this.

You fools—you still don’t understand the basics of sales!

“Go, Patrasche. Go and show them.”

“…Do I really have to?”

“Mhm.”

“…Hoo. Fine.”

Patrasche trudged out onto the path.

His dignified gait.

His entire body clad in steel armor, with a signboard rising high into the sky.

‘Potion for back pain, headaches, and stress relief.’

‘Zefflin Secret Recovery Potion.’

‘Good for your health! A difference every day!’

‘100% effectiveness guaranteed!’

‘First stall on the right in the First Plaza!’

‘Please find Wolfram’s Convenience Store!’

‘We’ll show you for sure!’

A wolf walked with a signboard tied to its waist bearing such messages.

A red wolf clad in golden armor, with a thick signboard that sparkled. Even wings attached. A meaningless dagger tied to its right foot.

As Patrasche walked with an imposing stride, Nephti approached and tilted her head.

“Senior. Is that really going to work?”

“Hm?”

“Patrasche-san, I mean. Hmm. From my perspective, it’s a bit too flashy. A bit overwhelming.”

“It’ll work.”

“R-really?”

“From ancient times, middle-aged men have loved gold armor, wings, and beast familiars.”

“……? Is there such history?”

“Of course.”

“??”

How would a high school girl know that?

Golden swords. Golden armor. Golden wings. Awesome familiars—at least beast-wolf level or higher.

Guys in PC rooms raising characters go crazy over that stuff.

It’s gaudy and flashy, with golden armor sparkling—it strikes the instinct of middle-aged men.

“If you can surpass that marketing, I’ll admit defeat.”

“…Well, I’ll trust you, Senior. Then I’ll go finish preparing.”

“Mhm.”

I believe in the genes of those middle-aged men.

Believe in the cool vibe imprinted in their genes!

—

Leaving the marketing to Patrasche, I headed straight to the inventory storage.

“Hoo. Let’s think. The people who come to buy this will drink it at first like medicine, not alcohol. Once they try it, it tastes like alcohol and makes them healthier—so first, it’s a potion. Then, it’s a liqueur. And after that, it feels like medicinal liquor.”

No matter how many times I think through the route.

The people who come to drink this alcohol—no, this potion—will think “a medicine potion sold in Zefflin might be good,” then have a cup, get pleasantly buzzed, feel good, and then feel even better because they’re energized.

So this shouldn’t target primary sales, but secondary sales. After drinking it, the energized middle-aged men will take it home to drink or give as gifts.

The goal is to spread the rumor that there’s an excellent medicinal liquor available only during the limited-time period when outsiders are allowed in.

What’s most important for that? Actual effectiveness? That’s already prepared. The most important thing is:

“Packaging. Wrapping.”

Think about it.

Receiving a potion in a single bottle.

Receiving it in a plastic container.

And receiving it in a red box with elegant gold lettering that says “Zefflin Secret Student Council Certified Recovery Potion.”

That’s completely different. Entirely separate realms.

So I need to set up boxes, wrapping paper, and paper bags—so it looks like a great gift, just like the red ginseng sticks from my past life.

**【Handy Worker】**

Activating the skill, I set up red dye, gold dye, and paper. It’s a bit rushed, but if I work all day, the quantity should match up.

“Oh my, the ace is here?”

“Huh? Did you come to buy something?”

“No. I just thought our money-crazed ace got herself a really good spot.”

“Oh, then buy something.”

“You’re really shameless!”

Hearing the commotion outside, someone was picking a fight with Nephti.

I paused from setting up the wrapping paper and stood up.

What now, really.

I’m busy as hell.

What troublemaker barged in this time?

Who’s bullying my part-timer?

—

Nephti tilted her head at the classmate before her.

“Then you’re not buying anything?”

“…Tch. A money-crazed person like you being the second-year ace is a disgrace to the Knight Department!”

“Hmm. A disgrace?”

Why would it be a disgrace—Nephti couldn’t understand.

Passing exams quickly and working is an open secret in the Knight Department.

“And I heard it’s an introduced part-time job? Isn’t doing it directly without going through the Knight Department a violation of school rules?”

“I only work with student council-approved companies, though?”

“…You never miss a beat. Ha, so shameless.”

Nephti tilted her head several times.

The girl before her—Trashy Garbage.

A top-ranking Knight Department student.

“This is why poor people… A money-crazed person like you being the Knight Department ace—I just can’t believe it!”

Ah.

Aha. I see.

This person has good grades. And comes from a well-off family.

So she has ‘everything in order.’

Most Knight Department students are poor commoners, but there are some variables.

First: ‘Those whose talents are ambiguous for learning magic.’

Second: ‘Those whose finances are ambiguous for supporting magic.’

In such cases, even children of noble families or merchant houses enroll in the Knight Department.

So what Nephti was experiencing now was venting.

It’s irritating enough to have come to the Knight Department, but on top of that, a poor commoner is holding the ace position—how unpleasant.

It happens often.

Bitter, but this is one side of Zefflin. If you’re poor… that alone becomes a weakness.

Even within the Knight Department, there’s a strict hierarchy.

The way to get through this smoothly is to bow your head and smooth things over. Very easy. Just as she was about to greet them as usual, pretending nothing happened—

“Hmm. I see. I don’t really get it, but I’m really sorr—”

“**【Don’t apologize.**】”

“…?”

At that moment, a familiar voice from beside her straightened Nephti’s head as she was about to bow, and held her back.

“Y-you are…”

“Tch. I came to see what was going on, and you’re doing something pathetic.”

“Hii…”

Ms. Garbage’s face turned pale.

She too knew who he was.

Wolfram von Lohengrin.

The worst student council president in history.

Ms. Garbage turned right around, ready to flee.

“**【No need to apologize. Stop.**】”

“Hic.”

“I don’t care if you run, but I’ll formally submit this as an agenda item to the student council. Trashy Garbage. Daughter of the Western Garbage Trading Company.”

“P-President Wolfram, you k-know me…”

“Yes. Because I’m the former student council president.”

“……I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was your shop, Wolfram-sama.”

“Hm. Interesting. If it wasn’t my shop, what were you going to do differently?”

“…Th-that is… I-I’m sorry.”

Ms. Garbage’s face turned deathly pale.

And at Wolfram’s following words, Nephti’s eyes widened.

“You don’t need to apologize to me, and I have no reason to hear it. But I am curious. Let me ask you one question.”

“……W-what is it?”

“I ask you this. While you enjoy good food and fine living on your parents’ money without worrying about tuition, able to focus entirely on training—Nepheterian earned money through labor. Roughly speaking, you’ve benefited by about eight hours a day. Is my calculation correct?”

“……Yes. Y-yes. Th-that’s right.”

“Yet you still couldn’t claim the top rank. So tell me—is the deficiency in the intensity of your effort, or your innate talent? Which incompetence is it?”

“……Th-that’s… that’s…”

“The answer is both. Understood? You’re just a mediocre nobody who can’t beat Nephti’s diligence or talent, so you can only feel jealous.”

“I-I’m sorry!”

“Get lost. If I see your face before me again, or see you near Nephti, I will officially submit a complaint to the imperial family.”

—

Garbage Trash disappeared like the wind.

Well, that was nothing.

But while it may be nothing to me, it might be something to Nephti.

“Are you okay?”

“……Yes. I’m fine.”

Nephti looked at me with dazed eyes.

Tch. She must have been pretty shocked.

“But, Senior, are you okay? Ms. Garbage has a lot of friends—if you take a loss because of this…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“B-but your sales, Senior…”

“Sales? Ha. More than that, the important thing is that you don’t get hurt.”

“…………………….Huh? Uh, ……Huh? Huh?”

Yes.

In my past life, when I worked part-time at a convenience store, the owner—a close hyung—always told me:

‘Youngjin. When the other side really crosses the line, just go all in. I can’t stand watching my part-timer get insulted. I’d rather take the insults myself.’

I was helped a lot by those words.

So I decided to live by this mindset: the owner protects the people who work at his convenience store.

“S-senior. Th-that is. Th-that thing? W-what do you… m-mean by that?”

Nephti’s face turned bright red and she started stammering.

What do I mean?

Well.

“I can’t stand my employees getting insulted. I’d rather take the insults myself as the owner. Think of it as employee welfare.”

“…………That’s a very Senior-like thing to say. Yes.”

The red hue on Nephti’s face faded and turned expressionless.

The pink aura that had been appearing just moments ago seemed to shift slightly toward blue.

This damn game. Is it bugged again?

“Well. I’ve always been consistent.”

“Yess. Yes. Well. That’s true. …Pfft.”

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. I just think it’s really nice to have a reliable senior.”

“More nonsense. Instead, look at that.”

“?”

I reached out and pointed across the plaza.

There—like the Pied Piper of Hamelin—was a winged, golden-armored red wolf, proudly walking this way with a crowd of middle-aged men trailing behind.

“Now. The customers are coming. Time to get ready to sell.”

“That’s a lot of them.”

“Yeah. Does thinking about the money they’ll spend get you motivated?”

“……Ahah!”

Only then did Nephti—with her usual sparkling eyes—look at me, at Patrasche, and then at me once more, and smile brightly.

“We can do this, right, Nep?”

“Of course! Boss!”

Now. Let’s do business.

Time to make money.