Chapter 42: Class Representative Ranking Battle (6)
Chapter 42: Class Representative Ranking Battle (6)
“You. Would you happen to be interested in receiving sponsorship from the Sylvan Magic Tower?”
“???”
Uhh… I don’t exactly have a hobby of shorting a crashing stock.
As I stood there blinking blankly, she must have taken it as a request for a more detailed explanation. Elisha hurriedly added more.
“Don’t worry. While the Sylvan Magic Tower is an institution where only Elves can belong, that doesn’t mean we discriminate against other races.”
“Uh, well, the thing is…”
“A talented mage should be able to spread their wings to their heart’s content. I simply felt that I could be of help to you.”
“…….”
What is this now?
Honestly, I’m a bit taken aback.
Elisha? Offering sponsorship? To me?
First of all, I was familiar with the sponsorship system itself. It was an element handled with quite some importance in H&A.
If you showed exceptional results in a certain subject, related organizations would take interest, and in some cases, offer sponsorship.
If you accepted, you’d receive a set amount of Gold every month, along with various forms of support related to that field.
For a mage, for example, they might give you grimoires or sell mage-specific equipment at a discount.
Beyond that, they might give you sub-quests to perform outside the academy on weekends or during vacations, or create points of contact with specific heroines.
You could think of it as the route to the ending branching out in countless ways depending on your sponsor.
Of course, it wasn’t all perks.
You might have to participate in Territory Wars on the sponsor’s side, or suffer disadvantages by being lumped in with the sponsor’s bad reputation.
Events and penalties could occur regardless of my will.
Furthermore, unless it was a special case, it was impossible to receive sponsorship from multiple parties or change sponsors…
The setting was that sponsorship for a commoner was an implicit recruitment offer.
In a world where rank, loyalty, and honor still held vital value, it meant that switching sides wasn't easy.
In fact, after the ending, the epilogue would roll out describing the protagonist’s deeds, and those lines would change by a sentence or two depending on the sponsor.
That was why one had to choose a sponsor carefully, and I had already decided where I wanted to receive sponsorship from.
I truly never expected to receive a sponsorship offer from the Sylvan Magic Tower here.
And for good reason—the Sylvan Magic Tower wasn't on the list of sponsors I’d found myself or memorized from strategy sites.
Setting aside the fact that it goes bankrupt and disappears in the early stages of the game, no matter what I did, a sponsorship offer never came from them.
First of all, Elisha, who was supposed to be the eyes of the Sylvan Magic Tower, placed no value on anyone who wasn't first place.
Even if you did surpass Elisha and take first place, instead of a sponsorship offer, you’d only hear her declare you her rival.
It was all because of Elisha’s personality and her obsession with being number one.
And yet, a sponsorship offer just came out of Elisha’s mouth first?
As I just blinked, unable to believe it, Elisha snapped her fan open with a thwack! and covered her mouth.
“Are you surprised?”
“Yes. Well…”
“Fufu. But there is ample reason, is there not? You said it yourself at the cafeteria the other day. That it hasn't even been a month since you learned magic.”
I suppose I did mention that.
As I silently recalled that memory, Elisha, who had regained her composure, continued.
“Others probably think you might have worked as a mercenary mage before enrolling, Yandel. That’s how unusual your performance in the duel was.”
Someone who knows very few spells but handles those few with mastery and seems accustomed to combat itself.
If it were me, I would have thought they were a former mercenary or adventurer too.
“To put it another way, I am the only one who truly knows your value. Naturally, shouldn't I stake my claim early?”
She spoke with a nonchalant attitude as if stating an obvious fact. However, there was someone else who was startled by this.
“St-Stake a claim?!”
Carla, who had been hiding behind me, jumped like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Then, like a mother protecting her cub, she began to growl warily at Elisha.
Seeing this, Elisha’s eyes curved into crescents as she began to smirk.
“Oh my? Do I hear a puppy barking somewhere?”
“Hup!”
Carla, who had made a mistake once before, covered her own mouth, but Elisha, who also realized she might have bullied her a bit too much, let out a chuckle.
“…is what I’d like to say, but I shall allow it just this once. You know better than Yandel how good of an opportunity this is, don’t you, Carla? Why don’t you explain it to your Master yourself?”
“Grrr….”
Carla looked up at me with an expression of being stuck between a rock and a hard place, whining softly.
I gave Carla’s cheek a playful tug, tucked her back behind me, and gave a polite bow.
“I appreciate the offer, but… it is far too generous a proposal for me.”
“I don’t think so at all. Why don’t you listen to what Carla has to say? Though she’s in the position of a dog now, she was originally on the side that provided sponsorships, so she’ll know exactly what I can do for you.”
Calling her a dog. That’s a bit harsh.
What flashed through my mind was the image of Carla shouting in the street, “I am Master’s faithful slave! Woof!”
I shook my head to clear the memory from a few days ago before continuing.
“I’m sorry, but I already have a place in mind.”
“Hmm… are you perhaps concerned that the Sylvan Magic Tower only accepts Elves? Rest assured. As the next Tower Lord, I can use my authority to create a position like an external advisor. …With Carla around, the work wouldn't be that difficult either.”
Carla flinched at the mention of her name, and Elisha gave her a meaningful smile.
Wait, could it be…?
Is she aiming to naturally make Carla her subordinate as well by bringing me under her?
Yeah. Thinking about it carefully, that seems right.
Otherwise, there’s no reason for Elisha—who never offered sponsorship in the game even if you showed more impressive feats than I have now—to act like this in just one day.
Of course, she couldn't just sponsor anyone.
No matter how much of an external collaborator position it was, I was still a human, not an elf.
If she recommended someone incompetent, she’d only end up being criticized.
But I had already been assigned to Class A despite having just learned magic, and hadn't I taken second place in today’s duel?
Then the story changes.
It’s a gain to pull a talent like this to our side even if he is human! It’s not like we’re bringing him inside the Tower; he’s an external advisor!
It becomes possible to persuade them in such a way.
…Wow. I can’t say it out loud, but that’s really insidious.
As I stared blankly at Elisha, her long ears flickered up and down as she avoided my gaze.
I guess she has some self-awareness that it’s a bit embarrassing.
“Wh-What is with that look!”
“It’s nothing.”
Well, regardless, it’s a sponsorship I can’t accept.
As I said, sponsorship for a commoner is a type of recruitment offer.
Even if I didn't feel a sense of belonging to the Sylvan Magic Tower, the outside world would view me as part of it.
It’s not like I’d be completely tied to the Magic Tower, but I’d only get support for three months, and if things went wrong, I might even be investigated alongside them when the Sylvan Magic Tower falls.
The math just doesn't add up.
Most importantly, I have a reason why I must receive sponsorship from the place I originally aimed for.
Not simply because of Gold or various benefits, but for a desperate reason that directly affects the ending of this world.
So, my answer was only ever going to be one thing from the start.
“I apologize again, but I must decline your proposal.”
“…Why? I thought this was a truly excellent offer. If you’re thinking of raising your price further…”
“No. It’s not like that; I really have a place I’ve already decided on.”
“Just where could it be…? Since you’ve slighted me this much, surely you can tell me where?”
At Elisha’s slightly sharp voice, I spoke in a deliberately solemn tone.
“It is the Temple of Righteous Light.”
“…Pardon?”
“I happen to be quite devout.”
“…….”
Needless to say, the part about being devout was a lie.
How could I truly hold faith in the gods of this world when they were characters I first encountered in a game?
However, it was true that I needed the sponsorship of Righteous Light.
Depending on the sponsor, you could receive exclusive sub-quests, and the Temple of Righteous Light was the place that requested the most cultist subjugation missions.
And.
If left alone, they were a denomination that would be counter-attacked by those cultists and undergo a proper Fall from Grace.
…If you ask why everything is falling apart, there’s nothing I can do.
This world is destined for destruction from the start. Until now, it has merely gained a brief reprieve through seals.
Even that is coming to an end now.
I’m already in a state where I’m not sure if I can really pull this off or not.
I absolutely cannot allow the Fall from Grace of the Temple of Righteous Light, who should be a reliable ally.
Perhaps my strong will was conveyed.
Elisha, who met my eyes, flinched for a moment before clearing her throat awkwardly.
“Ahem. If that’s the case, I suppose it can’t be helped. But please remember that our Sylvan Magic Tower is always reaching out to you, Yandel.”
With those final words, Elisha scurried away.
As I watched her go, Carla, who had been behind me, suddenly stood on her tiptoes and pressed close.
Press.
The heavy weight of her chest against my back. Her unique, refreshing scent. Her warm body heat.
I felt Carla’s presence with my whole body—something I’d briefly forgotten due to the hectic duel and the complicated conversation with Elisha.
Carla, practically hugging me from behind, whispered.
“Master, Master.”
“Yeah?”
“Should I do a priestess cosplay for you next time?”
“…….”
A proposal as unexpected as Elisha’s sponsorship. But this time too, my answer was as good as decided.
“I’ll get a priestess outfit somehow.”
Considering it’ll probably get ripped, I’ll need about three of them.