Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Win-Win Negotiation
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“Will you cooperate?”
The man who said that, Barus, already wore a resolute expression.
No matter what I said, the outcome wouldn’t change.
He probably planned to use me for a hostage situation and leverage that to force the academy’s help...
‘Which means he’d only release me after the war ends.’
In that case, I’d miss out on war participation rewards, and my growth would stall while captured.
An utterly unacceptable scenario.
‘That won’t do.’
To break the situation, I slowly scanned my surroundings.
Dozens of spear tips aimed at me.
The door locked tight, sealing the room shut.
Magic suppression devices to boot.
‘A frontal breakout is impossible.’
Taking down all these people and escaping in this setup was out of the question.
Even if possible, the aftermath would be the problem.
They could pin every false charge imaginable on me, barring me from ever setting foot in Asteron.
He seemed to have more than enough power for that.
So, I needed another way.
Ideally, one where we both came out ahead.
‘If possible, granting his wish is the best option...’
If that worked, there’d be no issues at all.
As long as I could get the academy’s elder-level mages to join the war.
Then Barus would have no reason to keep me hostage, and I’d claim my due rewards.
However.
‘As if that’ll be easy.’
Easier said than done—pure fantasy.
What could I possibly say to convince high-ranking mages?
They’d probably ignore me even if I groveled at their feet...
Probably...
Hold on.
‘...Could it work?’
Thinking it over, it actually seemed feasible.
I’d been imagining approaching academy high-ups I’d never met before, but that wasn’t necessary.
All I needed was to ask a mage I was already close to.
And one immediately came to mind.
Our reunion had nearly soured things, but in the end, he remained friendly toward me.
The academy head, Ashion Gail.
‘Anyone but him... but the head himself...’
I might be able to sweet-talk him into it.
Plus, his help could bring extra benefits.
Other high-ranking mages friendly with Ashion Gail or loyal to him.
They wouldn’t stand by while he alone joined a grand war.
They’d jump in on their own accord.
With my thoughts reaching that point, I began to speak.
“Yes, I’ll cooperate fully.”
“Good choice. As expected of a mage—quick on the uptake. We’ll make your stay comfortable...”
“No. Not that kind of cooperation.”
“...What do you mean?”
Negotiations thrive when both sides stand equal.
At Barus’s question, I casually leaned back against the chair behind me.
The dynamic had shifted.
From cursed hostage drama to a one-on-one business deal.
“You said high-ranking mages. Would 8th circle suffice?”
“That would work, but... you’re not suggesting you’ll request their support right now, are you?”
Startled, Barus’s tone rose slightly.
Instead of answering, I nodded toward the guards.
“Dismiss them first.”
“...”
Barus pondered briefly before deciding.
“Everyone out.”
“Yes, sir!”
Clatter, clank.
Thud thud thud!
The guards filed out in a rush at his single command.
Moments like this showed the perks of power.
With the room cleared, Barus spoke first.
“I hope this isn’t just bluffing. I can’t stand schemers.”
Shing.
As he spoke softly, he drew a slender sword from the wall mount.
Its blade gleamed sharply—a fine weapon at a glance.
Owning such a thing meant he knew his way around a blade.
Of course, no reason for me to flinch.
“No need to worry. I hate bluffs myself.”
“Is that so.”
Tap, tap, tap...
Returning to his seat, Barus drummed his fingers on the table repeatedly.
Staring straight at my face, he was likely reading my expression.
“Good. That doesn’t look like a lying face.”
“Because it’s not a lie.”
“Alright, then. Tell me—how exactly do you plan to bring in an 8th circle mage?”
Barus quickly decided to trust me, and I began laying out the plan step by step.
Of course, nothing groundbreaking.
The plan boiled down to asking the academy head.
“So, you have a connection with an 8th circle mage?”
“Yes. If I ask politely, he’ll agree. He’s quite fond of me.”
“Huh...”
“But there are a few conditions.”
“Go on.”
I set conditions because, no matter how friendly Ashion Gail was toward me, I couldn’t just take one-sided help.
‘He’s no pushover.’
From academy privileges to Kayla and Thompson’s enrollment, plus supplies for the war.
The academy head had already given me plenty.
‘Honestly, it’s starting to feel burdensome.’
What comes in must go out.
This was my chance to settle it.
I listed the pre-planned items.
“I’d like mana-related elixirs, one top-grade unpublished grimoire, and 10,000 gold coins under the guise of funding.”
“...What? You’re serious?”
Barus looked dumbfounded as he asked again, but I nodded without a care.
“Of course.”
Ashion Gail had reached 8th circle and ran both the academy and association.
Trivial things wouldn’t catch his eye.
This was the level to satisfy him.
I’d picked items tailored to his tastes.
First, mana-related elixirs.
‘No mage can resist those.’
Elixirs boosting max mana, regeneration, density, sensitivity, and more.
Varieties abounded, but their complex, time-consuming production made demand far outstrip supply.
In short, rare.
Mages swarmed them like possessed.
Money alone couldn’t buy them easily.
Ashion Gail was surely no different.
Whether he aimed for 9th circle or not.
Anyway.
‘Same with the grimoire.’
Asteron had a repository for grimoires deemed unfit for public release.
The “Forbidden Archive,” accessible only to royals and kin.
Those tomes held value akin to elixirs—not for effects, but contents.
Mysterious spells suppressed by the crown.
What better to sate a mage’s endless curiosity?
And finally.
10,000 gold.
Simple reason.
‘Money’s always king.’
Ashion Gail was famed for sparing no expense on the academy.
He always needed big funds.
10,000 gold could cover operating costs for ages—a massive sum he’d surely love.
All three appealed to the academy head.
This should convince him without issue.
Assuming Barus agreed.
But.
“That might be tough. Could you lower the conditions?”
Had the burden given him pause?
After long thought, he conveyed refusal.
Conditions too steep.
To me, it just sounded like testing the waters.
Lower what? This was already a steal.
“Think it over again. This is for securing an 8th circle mage.”
“But acquiring elixirs and unpublished grimoires isn’t as simple as you think. Even I need permission for the archive, and it’s more complicated than you’d imagine. 10,000 gold... honestly strains me too.”
Excuses aside, it didn’t balance for him.
But in my view, Barus had miscalculated.
“What, then? Actually hold me hostage and threaten the academy? ‘Join the war or he dies’?”
The result was obvious.
The academy and Asteron government would become irreconcilable foes.
Nursing grudges, waiting to devour each other.
Long-term, no worse choice.
“Questionable if burning bridges with the academy over a short crisis is wise. Your call, though.”
“...”
With that, I quelled my rising frustration.
Explanation enough.
Any sane person would decide right.
Fortunately.
“...Understood. We’ll do it your way.”
Barus was sane.
If a bit spineless.
Anyway.
“Wise choice. Good results await.”
“But one thing to confirm first.”
“What?”
“Tell me where all that goes. And who this 8th circle mage is. I need to know to decide. Ah, if their firepower falls short, we can’t cover the deficit.”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t named him yet.
“I can answer both at once.”
Anticipating Barus’s reaction, I spoke.
“The support items will all go to the academy.”
“...The academy? Not to you?”
“Yes, as compensation for his war participation.”
“Wait, you mean...?”
“Yes, exactly as you think.”
Barus could guess from there.
Only one 8th circle mage in the academy.
A genius who reached it young.
Current academy head of Ashion Academy.
Founder of body transformation magic.
My solid backer.
Ashion Gail.
Shocked by it?
“...Kuh, kuahaha!”
Suddenly, Barus burst into laughter, choking.
Even amid it, his gaze fixed on me with wondrous eyes.
“What’s so funny?”
“Ah, sorry. This situation’s just too amusing.”
Still chuckling, Barus rubbed his head.
“Heh heh, thought I’d snagged a greenhorn mage... turns out I’ve got a monster on my side. The potential’s already shining!”
For whatever reason, Barus seemed to take a liking to me.