Chapter 103: Aftermath (2)
Chapter 103: Aftermath (2)
Except for weekends or a few special circumstances, Academy students are required to live on campus at all times.
Back when this was just a game, I thought it was simply a technical limitation or a mechanic designed to keep the player focused on the Academy.
But later, when I heard the explanation from Carla, I realized there was a reason for it.
Apparently, students used to be allowed to leave freely, but accidents—both big and small—happened every time they went out, leading to a blanket ban.
For instance, some idiots couldn't break the habits they had back in their own territories and would act like total hooligans in the city.
Or a talented student who just came out to have some quiet fun would get ambushed by mercenaries or assassins hired by a rival estate.
Sometimes, cultists would even stage scenes to make it look like that was what happened.
The Academy’s original purpose was to clean up the remnants of the Evil God that the First Hero, Rahim, hadn't managed to finish off.
However, after nearly three hundred years of peace, that meaning has faded.
The Academy today isn't seen as a training camp for elites destined for the front lines; instead, it’s viewed as a stepping stone for achieving fame and the prosperity of one's house.
That’s likely why these problems keep cropping up.
Well… they’ve done a good job of fending off cultist terror for a long time, and they’ve even intentionally delayed clearing some dungeons just to keep harvesting materials from them.
It’s hard to imagine the cultists would have been gathering strength all this time to turn the tide.
After all, it wasn't just ten or twenty years—it was three hundred years of continuous peace.
I’ve digressed a bit, but the point is that most students stay within the Academy.
Because of that, various convenience facilities naturally began to spring up inside the grounds.
Market Street was one of them.
It was a commercial district where outside merchants, rather than Academy staff, were permitted to do business.
It was a street that sold food you couldn't get at the Academy cafeteria, as well as knick-knacks and luxury goods that weren't produced on Workshop Street.
“There should be a fan that meets your standards here, Elisha.”
“Oh? My tastes are quite high, you know?”
Elisha gave a smug smile as we reached the entrance of Market Street right after classes ended.
Perhaps it was because her complexion, which had looked haggard after being tormented all night, had long since recovered.
I asked Elisha, who looked visibly excited.
“So, which shop sells fans? Would a general store be enough?”
“They might sell them there, but… if you want to buy something proper, you must go to a clothing boutique, Master.”
“Really? I figured a shop allowed into the Academy would have a luxury item or two on display.”
“There might be, just as you say, Master… but they probably aren't the kind Elisha wants. The ones sold there would only be faithful to their function as fans.”
“Indeed. On the other hand, the items sold at a boutique are designed to complement even the most exquisite dresses.”
“Aha.”
I more or less understood.
For a normal fan, ten gold would get you a high-quality, well-made piece… but a fan meant to match a thousand-gold dress would have to be worth even more.
The reason Elisha wanted a fan wasn't because she was hot.
She wanted to use it as a sort of accessory, so going to a clothing store made sense.
As I nodded to myself, Elisha added in a cautious voice.
“Um… I’m not looking for anything too extravagant, so please don’t worry. Something like that wouldn't even suit the attendant uniform I’m wearing now anyway.”
“I wasn't worried about the price, so pick whatever you want. But you’re right, something too expensive probably wouldn't match your clothes.”
As expected of something provided by the Academy, the attendant uniforms were made of fairly good, sturdy material… but in the end, they were still just attendant uniforms.
They were inevitably a bit plain.
“Since we’re going, should I buy a few outfits for you two as well?”
“I’d love that, Master!”
“I would too, but… will there be an occasion to wear them?”
“Stupid Elisha! You can wear them at night! Or when we go out on the weekends.”
“Aren't you the stupid one, Carla? It’s not like we’re going for night walks, so why would I dress up—oh.”
Carla wagged her index finger with a clicking sound as if Elisha didn't know anything, while Elisha’s face turned bright red as she realized what Carla was implying.
I chuckled at the sight of them and strolled leisurely through Market Street.
Should we start with the biggest shop first?
*
I bought everything—not just the fan, but clothes for casual wear, clothes for the night, and even outfits for dungeon exploration.
Since we were already here, I figured I might as well get it all done.
I even picked up some snacks on the way back. We were passing through the street that sold raw materials rather than finished products when it happened.
“Hm?”
I only caught a glimpse from a distance, but those breasts were unmistakably familiar.
Fay Yarnshard.
How could I possibly mistake that chest?
I had recently asked her to focus on making magic equipment for me.
Was she here to buy materials?
I hadn't given her the next round of support funds yet, so she might have just been scouting items in advance.
Regardless, I had run into Fay in an unexpected place, so I raised my hand to greet her happily… but I was a step too late.
An unknown female student appeared and threw an arm around Fay’s shoulder. She whispered something to the startled Fay and led her straight into an alleyway.
“…Looks like there’s a bit of a problem. Carla, can you cast Silence?”
“Yes, Master.”
Woom.
Carla cast the spell immediately, no questions asked.
There was no need for Invisibility. Even in an Academy crawling with mages, turning invisible was too suspicious.
This was Market Street with a lot of foot traffic. It might actually draw more attention, so using only Silence was better.
Seeing this, Elisha tilted her head and asked.
“Yandel? Isn't she just meeting a friend to talk? No matter how much Miss Fay relies on your sponsorship, invading her privacy to this extent is a bit…”
“It’s not like that.”
To an outsider, it might look like she just ran into a friend on the street.
But I knew.
“Senior Fay doesn't have any friends.”
Therefore, this was not a normal situation.
“Pardon? What…? Um, isn't that a bit harsh, Yandel…?”
Elisha was taken aback, but since she had heard a bit about Fay’s circumstances before, she quickly accepted it and fell silent.
Killing our presence, we cautiously approached the alley, and only then could we see the situation inside.
Fay was cornered against a wall. A male and female pair stood surrounding her.
“You did well, doing as you were told this time.”
“T-Thank you.”
“You’re dismissed now.”
“Yes…”
The girl who had been dismissed was the one who had put her arm around Fay.
Judging by the color of her badge, she was a second-year in the Production Department just like Fay, but for some reason, their relationship seemed like that of a master and servant.
However, their relationship was none of my business.
What mattered was Fay.
Even if they weren't friends, they could still talk, so I had intended to just observe the situation in case it was nothing. But…
“You’ve been looking good lately. Your clothes are clean, you smell nice… and you even have the leisure to browse such expensive materials.”
There was no need for that anymore.
A blonde male student said those words while scanning Fay from head to toe.
It was obvious to anyone that he hadn't called her there for a good reason.
Fay, looking slightly intimidated and trembling, spoke up.
“W-What is this about all of a sudden? You said you had something to tell me about the rumors regarding my Junior.”
“Right. I did. Yeah. You. You’ve been getting sponsored lately, haven't you? Your grades are up, and you’re walking around with that annoying smile every day. That sponsor is that famous kid Yandel, right?”
“What… about it?”
“I guess I’m right. Then hand it over.”
“…What?”
“Oh, don't get me wrong, it’s not like I’m short on cash. Unlike some people, I get plenty of support from my family. I’m just borrowing it for a bit. Just a bit.”
The blonde guy chuckled as if he’d told a funny joke.
Even a three-year-old could tell he was mocking Fay.
As soon as I heard that, I immediately pulled a Recording Crystal from my inventory.
Extortion at the Academy? Is this guy insane?
It’s true that people say the Academy isn't what it used to be, but they aren't so far gone that they’d overlook something like this.
If I submitted proper evidence, I could get him a fitting punishment.
Carla and Elisha seemed to share the sentiment; they frowned but didn't step forward yet.
Instead, they began layering more presence-concealing magic on us to ensure we wouldn't be caught.
While we were making our preparations…
Fay, who was at a loss as to what to do in the face of the malice being shoved in her face, squeezed her eyes shut and shouted.
“N-No! I can’t! This is money I received! If this isn't important, I’m leaving…!”
Grab.
The blonde guy snatched Fay’s wrist as she tried to leave.
“Who said you could go already?”
“Let go! I already spent all the gold I was sponsored!”
“Is that so?”
The blonde guy seemed slightly disappointed for a moment, but then a greasy smile spread across his face.
“Then I’d like to borrow something else instead of money. For example… those big ‘pockets’ of yours.”
Wait, this piece of shit?
I wasn't the only one shocked; Fay stared back at him as if wondering if he had lost his mind.
“…What?”
“Don't look at me like that. Everyone found out because of the recent rumors. That you’ve been completely abandoned by your family.”
“That… is…”
“If that weren't the case, there’s no way you’d stay quiet about the rumors that you’re selling your body to a lecherous Junior for sponsorship, right?”
“…….”
“There’s no one in this Academy to protect you. No one outside, either.”
“Ugh…!”
“But I’m different. For a small price, I can make sure no one touches you until you graduate.”
He said this as he reached out to place a hand on Fay’s shoulder.
“How about it? It’s not like I’m asking you to turn down the sponsorship. It seems like a pretty good deal, doesn't it?”
“…Good deal, my foot!”
Fay recoiled in horror and slapped his hand away. She began shaking her captured arm violently, trying to break free.
“Don't touch me! A-And I’m going to tell the Professor about this, so let go of me right now!”
“Sigh…”
The guy let out an annoyed sigh at Fay’s intense reaction and raised the hand she had swatted away.
“Man, you’re playing hard to get. You must have put out for him plenty of times already, right? You big-chested mutt!”
Slap!
“Kyaak!”
Violence followed.
The moment I saw Fay’s head snap to the side from the slap on her cheek…
“I can’t watch this anymore.”
Forget the evidence. I let my surging rage take over and projected my mana with everything I had.
Clang—!
The stealth magic that Carla and Elisha had carefully layered exceeded its capacity and shattered with a loud noise.
And then.
“Gack… cough…!”
“Urgh….”
The mana that instantly seized the entire alley coiled around the necks of the two bastards and lifted them up.
Telekinesis magic.
The most primitive, and therefore the swiftest magic.
Its power was somewhat lacking in exchange…
But it was more than enough to restrain these two, who appeared to be from the Production Department, unlike a knight or a combat mage.
Under the gaze of Fay, who was staring at me with eyes wide as if she’d seen a ghost, I stood before the blonde guy.
Watching him struggle and wheeze as he stood on his tiptoes, a rough voice escaped my throat involuntarily.
“What did you just say?”
“Ke-heck….”
“Say it again.”
“Ack! Wheeze….”
Needless to say.
I didn't release the Telekinesis magic.