Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Sealed Contract
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After successfully completing the transaction.
"You're late."
By the time he stepped out of the building, the sky was already growing dark.
It had taken more time than expected.
His companions were probably worried.
He headed straight for the academy.
'Training's probably over by now, right?'
With that thought, he approached the main gate.
There, he spotted two people.
Both were dressed in mages' robes, guarding the gate.
As befitting a prestigious academy like Asion Academy, it was under ironclad security twenty-four hours a day.
These were the mage staff on night duty today.
Flash.
Spotting him, one staff member cast a flash spell and asked,
"What business do you have?"
"Ah, I'm a student here."
He handed over the student ID he'd received earlier, and the staff member's wary gaze softened.
"Ah, I know you. You enrolled on the president's recommendation, right? Must be quite skilled."
"Haha... well, something like that."
"Go on in. I'll guide you."
The floating flash spell drifted ahead.
That must be the guide—follow it.
Before moving, he asked,
"Ah, by any chance, did those two mages who visited today leave? They're acquaintances of mine."
"You mean Kayla and Thompson?"
From the way he spoke, it seemed their enrollment process was already complete.
As expected of a top academy—efficient handling.
"Uh, hold on a moment."
The staff member pulled something from his pocket and fiddled with it.
It was a palm-sized tool he'd never seen before...
"According to the previous shift, they just moved to the academy dorms. You should head there."
The staff member replied quickly.
He felt more curiosity than surprise.
"What's that...?"
Pointing at it, the staff member explained,
"Ah, this? It's a mana communicator. With this, you can communicate with someone far away, even without knowing telepathy magic."
A mana communicator.
A tool he'd never seen in the game.
It felt somehow out of step with the era.
Was this how elders felt the first time they encountered smartphones?
"How much does it cost?"
"To buy one... probably around four thousand gold coins, give or take."
There was a reason he'd never seen one despite months in this world.
Four thousand gold.
An amount comparable to a legendary artifact.
Unless you were a noble swimming in wealth, no one would buy it lightly.
Of course, it was worth every coin.
'Basically paying for telepathy magic.'
It let you use a spell that required at least seventh circle indirectly.
'I should get a few.'
It would be incredibly useful for their party.
Second priority after Barundel's axe.
The price was a drawback, but money could be earned.
If that proved tough, he could borrow from the president.
They had enough if staff carried them around.
Anyway.
"Thank you."
Thanks to the kind staff's guidance, he safely reached the dorms.
Flash.
He bowed slightly, and the flash spell spun away.
Leaving it behind, he entered the dorms and soon saw a familiar face.
Kayla, chin propped on her hand at the dorm entrance, looking sullen.
"You're finally here?"
"Ah, yeah. Were you waiting?"
"Less waiting, more... worried."
"Worried?"
"You didn't come back for so long, so Uncle went out looking for you."
"What?"
Oh no.
The very thing he'd feared had happened.
"When did he leave?"
"Just now."
"Damn..."
Just now—they must have crossed paths with Thompson on the way.
But it wasn't too late yet.
He hurried back to the main gate and soon spotted Thompson arguing with the earlier staff member.
"I said I have to go out! Why are you blocking me? This isn't a prison!"
"...That's not it. Yuhaness just came in a moment ago. He's probably in the dorms by now..."
"Hah, I was just at the dorms and he's saying that? What the...!"
Things were heading toward a fight.
He spoke up before it escalated.
"Uncle."
"Huh? Number one! You really were here...?"
"See? I told you several times."
"Hahaha... sorry."
Thompson apologized politely, scratching his head awkwardly as he approached.
"...When the hell did you get back, number one?"
"Just now. We must've missed each other."
"Damn, and I had no clue!"
Slapping his forehead in embarrassment, Thompson asked abruptly,
"But seriously, why were you so late?"
"Ah, something came up suddenly."
"Something? What?"
"I'll explain slowly later. Let's head to the dorms first."
He led Thompson to the dorms, spilling the story under persistent prodding.
As expected, Thompson's reaction was explosive.
"...What? You almost got kidnapped?"
"I went in willingly, so technically it was confinement."
"Kidnapped or confined—same difference! Those inner district bastards commit crimes without batting an eye. I'll give 'em hell...!"
Thompson rolled up his sleeves, face red with fury.
What a mysterious man.
He could inspire both reassurance and worry so easily.
Though the latter overwhelmingly so.
Please don't cause any trouble...
"Calm down. It all worked out fine."
"So why'd they do that?"
Kayla, who had been listening quietly, asked.
He trimmed the unnecessary parts and hit the core.
"They said they need more support. Seems their forces are seriously lacking."
"...Hah, that's the reason? Really?"
Kayla sounded incredulous.
He understood completely.
Even he had been dumbfounded when he first grasped Varus's intentions.
'...I thought they'd try persuading me in the carriage, obviously.'
Who could've predicted they'd take him hostage to blackmail the academy?
Impossible for anyone with normal thinking.
It also meant Varus didn't see them as people.
Some things never changed, in a way.
'Just like in the game.'
Even after a hundred years, the inner district nobles' antics remained the same.
Their mindset was fundamentally different.
'...Maybe possessing a District 7 beggar was a blessing.'
If he'd possessed one of them, he might've been corrupted by their ideology.
Better off this way.
Anyway.
"In the end, we agreed I'd get support from the president."
"Support? Oh, supplies?"
"No, the president personally joining the war."
"...What?"
Kayla's eyes widened.
Thompson was just as shocked.
"...Number one, for real? The president joining the war himself? Is that even possible?"
It was understandable.
Tower masters, knight captains, and other leaders rarely stepped up unless in dire crises.
Asion Gail was no exception.
But nothing was absolute.
It could change based on circumstances or personal will.
"Guess we'll have to convince him."
Now it was time to see the results.
***
"Urgh..."
In the Asion Academy president's office.
Asion Gail, seated there, let out a groan.
Piles of documents towered before him.
Trying to clear the backlog was pure agony.
Researching magic or writing papers was so enjoyable—why was this so grueling?
He desperately wanted to go home right now, but...
"...No can do. Absolutely not."
Each time, Professor Jairen's cold expression flashed in his mind, sending chills down his spine.
As she had said.
-The academy and council run smoothly only with a diligent president. Keep delaying forever, and... I might have to delay renewing my contract too.
Delaying work might delay her contract renewal.
In plain terms: get it done quick, or no extension.
How desperate must she be?
Considering all the work he'd dumped on her, it made sense.
"...Gotta power through."
He couldn't lose a valuable asset over mere laziness.
As Asion Gail sped up, a knock sounded.
Knock knock.
Was Professor Jairen checking on him?
"...Come in."
He permitted entry with trepidation, but thankfully, it wasn't her.
"President."
"Ah, Yoo Han. Good, good..."
Asion Gail finally exhaled in relief.
"What's all this...?"
"What else? Documents I have to handle. Leading many means this weight."
"You weren't just procrastinating? I've never seen you work like this. Glasses too."
"...Ahem, what nonsense. I've never slacked once. Enough—state your business."
As Asion Gail urged, Yoo Han waved him off instead.
"Nah. You look busy—let's talk tomorrow."
He turned to leave.
Asion Gail called out in panic.
"Ah, no! You can tell me now!"
"...Pardon? You're busy."
"...I was just about to take a break. A moment's fine."
"You're procrastinating, confirmed."
"..."
Awkward silence.
Yoo Han took a seat.
"I went to the war command post today."
"War command post? What for? I thought you said inspection post earlier."
"Not by choice. Anyway, not important."
Slide.
Yoo Han placed something on the table.
High-quality parchment with writing...
Asion Gail adjusted his glasses and examined it.
"This is...?"
The contents were astonishing.
[Per this contract, Asion Academy President, hereinafter Asion Gail, is designated 'Party A'; War Command Post Commander, hereinafter Varus Garian, is 'Party B.'
Upon contract formation, 'Party B' shall prepay 10,000 gold to 'Party A.'
Upon successful fulfillment, after the war via [Prophecy of the Red Moon] ends, 'Party B' shall provide 'Party A' one 'magic-related elixir.'
Upon successful fulfillment, after the war via [Prophecy of the Red Moon] ends, 'Party B' shall provide 'Party A' one 'classified grimoire.']
A contract promising him 10,000 gold, a magic elixir, and a classified grimoire.
One side already bore a signature.
Varus Garian's precise name, with mana traces—undoubtedly drafted with a royal artifact.
No forgery.
Asion Gail stared at Yoo Han, dumbfounded.
"You... what the hell have you done?"
This kid never ceased to amaze.