Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Guinea Pig
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The system announced that Act 4 had begun.
To be honest, I had no clue what my story even entailed.
Think about it—I'd sunk 20,000 hours into the game purely from Kelters' perspective. For Wolfram von Loengrin, though, this was round one.
So, what was my story? What boss would rear its ugly head? What trials, adventures, and headaches lay in wait?
The sheer unknown of it all... just thinking about it sent a thrill down my spine.
"...Ha, haha."
I was practically buzzing with excitement, on the verge of losing my mind.
This world was still brimming with things for me to enjoy!
20,000 hours played? Screw that—this was Wolfram's first hour in the game!
To make the most of it, I needed to use every scrap of the remaining summer break wisely.
The second semester was right around the corner, which meant more research, more studying, pronto.
First up: prepping for classes.
Sure, I'd coasted through the first semester on killer grades, sucking up all that sweet academic honey.
But professors reset their evaluations somewhat each term, so from here on out, I had to juggle convenience store life and Jefrin Academy like a pro.
In other words, maximize every minute left.
But...
"...Kuh, ugh."
Ugh. Urk. Grrghhh.
I'd run around way too much—my whole body was screaming in protest.
Save me.
No, seriously.
I'm gonna die...
"Time to crash. Don't wake me."
"Didn't you say you'd hustle once you got back here?"
Patrasche stared at me pitifully, clicking her tongue.
Whatever.
What do you want me to do about it?
Can't hustle if I'm dead, right?
And so, I slept.
"Slept like a rock, huh? How many days?"
"Four straight. Tomorrow's the start of term."
"..."
My summer break.
Over just like that.
"Today's lesson ends here."
Once Advanced Magic Studies I wrapped up, I scanned the room. Something felt off from the usual vibe.
Who am I? Wolfram von Yi Young-jin, the mid-tier challenge-crusher from Jefrin, master of reading rooms and dodging every death flag like a pro.
The atmosphere was straight-up polarized... or more precisely, divided between the 'deceivers' and the 'losers'?
Some wore smug grins, while others had that defeated glaze in their eyes.
It was like the entire Magic Division had split into winners and losers...
"What's wrong, Wolfram?"
Aila, who'd been sitting right beside me, tilted her head and voiced her curiosity plainly.
"Everyone seems on edge. The vibe's polarized."
"Hmm? ...Oh, yeah. It's that time of year."
"That time?"
"Yep. After third-years finish their first semester and summer break... it's time to pick career paths."
"Intriguing. Tell me more."
"Oh? Didn't expect you'd care about something like this. It's pretty straightforward anyway."
Aila gave a quick rundown on why the lecture hall felt so tense.
【Most Magic Division grads end up working under some noble house, but nobles aren't blind.】
【If you're mid-tier at best—or not a standout specialist with real edge—you're not getting into a top house.】
【But heading to some backwater noble? Kiss goodbye to any shot at the capital your whole life.】
"Low-tier nobles snap up low-tier mages, sure, but no low-tier mage wants to blow their one shot at life rotting in the sticks."
"Same old story everywhere."
"...Huh? You've seen something like this before?"
"Nah, just rambling. So everyone's gunning for the capital?"
"Yep. They shelled out big for Jefrin's Magic Division—imagine grinding spells for efficient milking or whatever in some rural lord's fields. Gut-wrenching."
"Fair point."
"And the job market usually settles right around... second semester of third year."
"Hmm."
That clicked everything into place.
Mages with no real talent but big dreams fight tooth and nail through summer break. Anyone still jobless now? Farm mage life it is.
"Farming's not the worst. Try battle mage in a monster-infested territory—nightmare fuel. High-noble extermination squads at least pay expedition bonuses, but frontline territories? Pennies for risking your neck. Real soul-crusher."
"No other options?"
"Kinda. Pull up grades by graduation, rack up some achievement. That gets your resume in the door for imperial recruitment."
"Makes sense. No room for slacking."
I said that, but deep down I thought these Magic Division kids were whining from full bellies.
Then Aila's next words made my face harden.
"...Or go to grad school?"
"Now that's horrifying."
No more full-belly gripes.
Right then, I genuinely pitied the unchosen Magic Division students.
"Got it. Grad school or grade grind... everyone's losing it over studies right now."
"Yep."
Hmm.
Ah. This could actually work out great.
"Aila, mind if I ask a favor?"
"...Oh? What is it?"
Back at the convenience store, the part-timer was waiting.
"Senior! You're here!"
"Yeah. Beat me here?"
"Hehe... first day on the job."
"Fair enough."
Originally, Nefti would've been the first to apply, but she'd locked in as full-time Royal Guard. Now the store's part-timer was Milmyu.
Of course, if you ask why we need a part-timer when no customers show, yeah, store ops are light. But I had other hopes for Milmyu.
"How're the first-years holding up post-break? Chaos?"
"Hmm... less chaos, more fired up. Survived a semester at Jefrin, reported back home—probably got tons of family pep talks. Whole 'let's do this!' energy."
"Gotcha."
First-years, huh.
"Why'd you ask?"
"Nothing big. I'll dive into new product dev in the office. Handle customers if any pop up, come ask if you're stuck."
"Got it, senior!"
I left Milmyu at the counter and hunkered down in the office for R&D.
Glancing out, she was tidying trays, cleaning, bustling around despite zero customers.
That diligence was exactly what I was banking on.
Hardworking, energetic, grinding even out of sight.
Alright then. Time to whip up that new product.
I'd already decided what to make for this situation.
"The wing-granting drink. About time to unleash it on the market."
Originally just for Aila, but no way I'd miss this opportunity—and she'd greenlit it. 【The Pentad of Rebellion's already complete with me, Rudika, the chirpy one, Nefti, and Wolfram, right? Something this tame's fine to release.】 Or whatever.
Didn't get the full meaning, but I was rolling with it.
Wolfram special.
The brew that revolutionized Aila Trista's all-nighters.
The one that let even Aila pull past 10 p.m. without crashing.
"The drink that grants you wings."
The next day.
I went straight to Eve von Loengrin and hit her with it.
"Huh? Low-tier mages without job offers...?"
"Exactly. Or more precisely, students desperate to boost graduation scores. Perfect for my clinical trial."
"Clinical trial...? What kind?"
"Brewed a drink. Fends off sleep, ramps up study focus."
"I see."
Eve von Loengrin barely mustered an 'oh, really?' reaction.
"Not interested?"
"Think I'd drop from top of the year over bombed notes?"
True.
Annoying as hell, but Magic Power 22 earned that flex.
"Anyway, wanna push this to kids in dire straits for grades—get feedback."
"I see."
(Note: The text repeats this section slightly, but I'll translate fluidly without duplication.)
"Ah, so the trial... Hmm. Not a bad idea. No side effects?"
"Plenty."
"And you're selling it? You're insane."
"What? Humans get tired without sleep—nature's law. You Soul Change too, but doesn't it always drain more mana than you recover?"
"Fair."
Simply put, if Eve's mana regen outpaces Soul Change costs—the thing that 【refills stamina with mana】—she could loop it infinitely and stay fresh 24/7.
But that defies this world's rules.
In short...
"This ain't an elixir."
"The legendary potion that permanently boosts stats? Myth, right?"
"..."
Nah, it exists.
Wonder where... Filtia's treasure vault had one?
"Whatever. It's a drink for kids trading future for now. Heavy drowsiness with frequent use. That's the main side effect—no biggies otherwise. I can share recipe and dosages."
"...Puts me in a tough spot."
"So, any poor souls desperate for grade gains right now?"
"Lemme see... There is one, but..."
She furrowed her brow at my question.
"Who? Spill."
"There is, but... you won't like her."
"Don't care."
"Fine? Okay then... my bad if it blows up. Got it?"
"Hmph. Think I'd blame you?"
Eve hit a button on her desk. The student council room door opened, and in walked...
"...You... summoned me, my liege...?"
"Yes, I did."
"Your command... anything..."
Silver-haired knight-lady with hollowed eyes under them.
Knight Division fourth-year runner-up.
Sylphia Evergreen Grove stood there, half-dead on her feet.
...Her?
Really?
As I explained, I caught Sylphia's ears perking up.
In the original story, Sylphia was famed as Eve's protector—I'd slotted her into parties plenty.
Cold-eyed type, but when hooked, her ears twitch first before she asks or shows emotion.
Meaning...
She was genuinely into the drink I'd described.
"Sylphia Evergreen Grove. You're already runner-up, aren't you? That bad for grades?"
Top spot was Isolde Cruel, of course.
"Ugh... Yeah. Normally it'd be fine, but..."
Eve pinched her brow and sighed deeply.
"There's context. It's long."
"Short version."
"Sigh. Bottom line: Sylphia's house didn't suck up to me. The elf houses that did..."
"Cierra clan."
"Right. But Sylphia's a knight sworn to me. Defied her family to pledge under me."
"Touching."
"Yeah. But there's one way she avoids disownment..."
"Royal Guard slot."
"Exactly. I could just name her as Royal Guard—done. But politics get messy. Cierra might doubt my motives... other princes and princesses perk up. Smooth it by having her snag top Knight Division spot, me deeming that top dog worthy of Royal Guard. Clean, right?"
Got it.
Stack merit for legitimacy.
"My shortcomings... sorry."
"No. Even as runner-up, you're my Royal Guard pick, Sylphia. What I want."
Now this was juicy development.
Original had Kelters as Eve's Royal Guard.
Probably 'cause Kelters shattered Eve von Loengrin's outdated worldview, drawing her interest.
No Kelters now, so Sylphia's the only viable pick left.
But per canon, Isolde never lost top spot, so Sylphia 【graduates averagely】.
"If merit's short, I'll grad school into Royal Guard duty!"
"...Walking into hell yourself?"
"Shut it. You know nothing, Wolfram von Loengrin! I... grad school hell... no... ughhh."
"No need to dive into hell. Contract with me—trade future for present."
"Devil's bargain. But fine. Contract accepted—even if this flesh corrupts, my noble spirit..."
"Keep whining, no drink. Show the provider some respect. Fourth-year runner-up Knight Division, jobless grad-school hopeful."
"...P-pleased to w-work with you...!"
"Good."
And just like that.
I reeled in my guinea pig elf knight for the clinical trial.