Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Spica
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"Senior! Did you hear? The sprout dueled with the president!"
"Yeah."
I still occasionally set up shop with my cart in front of the common department dorms.
And as always, the three chicks showed up clamoring for donuts, so I tossed them some and they started chattering away.
Today's story from Vanilla's mouth really perked up my ears.
"Yeah! They say the sprout was no pushover! She's Trista senior's little sister, right?"
"That's right. So where'd you hear that?"
"Oh, dwarves live in tribes, you know. Next year's freshmen include a kid from the Blue Hammer clan. Name's Gernbold."
"I see."
Come to think of it, there was a dwarf among next year's first-years.
Gernbold of the Blue Hammer was a lower tier than the donut killer in front of me.
That's why I usually preferred adding this donut slayer, Vanilla, to parties over dwarves when possible.
"So, did you hear how the fight went?"
"Uh... yeah. They say she summoned a golem? Eve the president had the upper hand the whole time, but they say the tactic itself got high praise."
Just as I thought.
Seeing her show war mage potential already meant next year's talent pool would be rock solid.
Plus, even with the forbidden zones unlocked, not everyone could go everywhere.
Blazing volcanoes and deserts were kid stuff. There were underground temples and sky sanctuaries too.
Having a war mage in the party would open up way more spots starting next year.
"If you marry Trista senior, you'll get another little sister! Man, I'm so jealous!"
Snap. Milmyu, munching donuts beside me, froze stiff.
What's up with her all of a sudden?
"Hiiing..."
"Milmyu! Snap out of it! Milmyu!"
Yogurt supported Milmyu as she buried her face in the table and started sniffling.
I didn't know the details, but Vanilla kept teasing her relentlessly.
"She really is Trista senior's sister. Amazing, just amazing. Bloodline talent doesn't go anywhere!"
Snap.
I stopped what I was doing.
If bloodline talent doesn't go anywhere, then what about me...?
"Vanilla."
"Yes, senior!"
"From now on, I'm only selling you two donuts a day. Don't even dream of more."
"Why!?"
Eve von Loengrin had no intention of giving up, even if Wolfram von Loengrin had stolen her prospective little sister.
'So what if she's not my little sister.'
'If I recruit her to the student council and we bond over work, we could still be like sisters!'
The sprout period was short. The absolute max extension was about two weeks.
If she could get a firm yes on joining the student council within that time, perfect. Even just maintaining a good relationship would be ideal.
And today was the day to introduce the sprouts to Jefrin's top students.
Who were Jefrin's top students?
No need to ask. The top and runner-up from each.
First-year common department.
Second-year and up: magic division and knight division.
Those with time among the school's highest-achieving talents participated in the sprout exchange event.
The plan was simple. Show them what it meant to be student council leaders of talent.
"Alright, everyone introduce yourselves. Not just your department—ideally, share hobbies, specialties, or aspirations too."
"Nepthelian, top of second-year knight division. Specialty: manual labor."
"Aila Trista, top of third-year magic division. Specialty: treason."
"Regina Cielra, runner-up of third-year magic division. Specialties: info gathering and all things tracking."
"Isolde Cruelle, top of fourth-year knight division. Goal: knight division grad school."
"......"
Did I pick the wrong lineup...?
Or is something wrong with this Jefrin...?
No. From second-year on, Wolfram raised them.
She raised the first-years herself.
Behold.
These are the first-years raised by Eve von Loengrin!
"Kelters, runner-up of first-year common department. Specialty... none."
...Not you.
People aren't just stats and scores, but hadn't this kid gotten way too much support just because his stats were good?
Eve averted her gaze from Kelters, whose eyes were starting to glaze over like rotten fish, and looked to the first-year top.
"Milmyu von Sabre, top of first-year common department. Specialty... effort."
Eve smiled and nodded at Milmyu's words.
Effort. Most who survived in this Jefrin put in effort.
Where else could you get this level of education in a lifetime?
But only a rare few could call effort their specialty.
Milmyu, who honed herself without giving up despite innately low stats, was truly the symbol of Jefrin's effort. Eve, who believed people weren't defined by stats but by what they learned, found those words deeply resonant.
Behold, sprouts.
Your one-year seniors. The first-year top got there purely through effort.
With that, Eve looked to the sprouts—or rather, Spica.
And soon, she saw Spica's gaze fixed on Milmyu.
To top it off, Milmyu was staring right back at Spica.
Milmyu stared at the sprout in front of her, recalling yesterday's chat with Vanilla and Yogurt.
Exhaling after the memory, Milmyu stared hard at the black-haired little girl before her.
She looked just like Aila Trista senior, but smaller overall, with even sparklier eyes.
'So cute...'
A kid who might take her spot as cute junior next year.
Couldn't let the cute looks fool her.
So... somehow figure this kid out...
'Figure her out and then what...?'
There, Milmyu's thoughts stalled for the first time.
Whatever, just figure her out first. With that vague idea, Milmyu approached Spica.
"Um..."
"Ah!"
"Eek!?"
"I wondered where I'd seen you—turns out I heard about you!"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Chick punch!"
"......? Huh?"
"Whoa! The real deal! I've heard so much from my sister! There's this revolutionary senior at Jefrin who does treason... I mean, revolution!"
"R-Really?"
"Yes! Low stats but rose to top through pure effort, and she even learned Trista-style self-defense! I respect that revolutionary way so much, I had to meet you! And aren't we alumnae already? Same Trista self-defense users!"
"Ah, uh."
"How about chatting over dinner at Wolfram senior's store tonight!?"
"Uh, ugh..."
Milmyu panicked, but she couldn't resist Spica approaching with sparkling eyes.
Far from investigating, the girl already knew everything.
'Help... Vanilla, Yogurt...'
She just squeezed her eyes shut, calling her friends' names.
Evening at the convenience store.
I set up a parasol and table with handy worker skills, laid out chairs, and filled baskets with snacks and dishes.
What was a convenience store without 2 a.m. smoked chicken warmed outside and cheap beer?
Couldn't do exactly that, but I aimed for a similar vibe.
Perfect timing today—great mood and opportunity.
Aila. Eve. Nefti. Milmyu and Spica too.
With temp member Spica added, it was ideal for parasol and table dinner.
"Senior's cooking is amazing! Thanks for the feast!"
"Dig in."
Spica especially loved the grape bean juice and meat dishes I made. She held meat in one hand, swirled her grape juice glass, and smiled lightly.
"Tastes great, and it's a feast fit for a revolutionary!"
"......Is it?"
Does she think wine and meat? Yeah, kinda fits now that she says it.
I couldn't help smiling at Spica—chattering with Milmyu, then Eve, whispering with Nefti, then caught and sat primly by Aila.
A far cry from main story Spica.
'Sorry, Kelters. I don't truly trust you.'
'You know exactly what happened to my sister... as the one involved.'
'I don't trust anyone who smiles and approaches. Especially not you.'
'So if you're recruiting for party, pay a fair price.'
'Fine. I'll join this expedition.'
Impossible to conquer, basic gear sucked, but her traits were unmatched.
Being Aila's sister pricked my conscience every use, but... yeah, this 'bright Spica' truly shone silver as her name implied.
"What? Don't bid on Spica Corp that I targeted!"
"......Drunk?"
"Not drunk! You didn't even serve alcohol!"
"True enough."
As I stared at Spica, Eve sidled up. When I asked her business, she hemmed and hawed, sighed deeply, and looked at Spica.
"Outstanding talent. For student council's future, I want her no matter what."
"Oh? Want to recruit Spica to student council?"
"Yes. You gonna interfere?"
"Student council's a good place."
"......Uh, yeah. Then... whatever."
I wanted Spica Trista to walk an even better path, not just rot at the convenience store.
In the main story, she toppled Aila via Kelters and ended up twisted somewhere.
Virgo's brightest star.
True to her shining silver name, I hoped she'd walk a bright path unchanged.
But hey.
That's that.
"That said, depending on growth, I plan to take her on expeditions."
"What? Taking that kid on an expedition!?"
"Her talent stands alone. Don't think you found her first. War mages are safest on the battlefield anyway. Send golems ahead and monitor from safety."
"......Ugh. True, but... a kid—what does she know? Isn't it harsh?"
"Hm."
No.
With my training method, she'd grow fast, and safest above all.
But convincing her was tricky.
"Anyway, Spica's going in student council, so no."
"Hmm..."
As I searched for words to sway Eve, I heard pattering footsteps from afar.
"I wanna go on the expedition!"
"Spica?"
"I wanna go on expeditions with Wolfram big bro, hang out, eat his cooking, and spark a revolution!"
I didn't get the last part, but Spica's eyes sparkled.
"Isn't it dangerous?"
"True love blooms in danger!"
"......Love?"
"Yes! Adventuring together, helping when in peril. That's where true bonds bloom!"
"Wolfram, you really..."
Eve narrowed her eyes at me.
I'd tilted my head at first hearing Spica liked me, but it made sense soon enough.
"What. Childish whim."
"Really? You..."
"Ahem. Even you at five said 'When I grow up, Wolfram...' "
"U-Ugh. Shut your mouth!"
I shrugged.
What can you do. Straight from the official setting booklet.
I hated even saying it.
Anyway.
A kid saying she likes a grown-up is just fleeting fancy.
Good cooking, good care—natural affection.
"Got it? Whims are like that. Embarrassing in hindsight, but no big deal then."
"Well... yeah?"
"That's how it is."
"Fine, whatever."
Only then did Eve nod like she got it, as a voice called Spica from afar.
"Spica! Where are you?"
"Ah, sister's calling. Gotta go."
"Mm."
Spica stopped short on her way, turned, and waved.
"Big bro! You have to take me on the expedition! Not sister—me!"
At that, Milmyu nearby flinched, and Aila let out a small sigh.
I waved lightly back.
What. Rest easy.
I'll carry for sure.