Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Jefrin's Future
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After finishing the hearty meal, Rudika extended her hand to me.
"Wolfram. Rudika offers her thanks. It was superb and utterly satisfying. A meal beyond compare."
Was it that spicy? The knife-cut noodles made with red chili were spicy, sure, but compared to spicy chicken stir-fried noodles? Eh, not even close.
"I didn't think it was that spicy."
In response to my question, Rudika quietly shook her head.
"Spiciness wasn't all there was to it. The meal warmed the body and filled the heart. Rudika offers her deepest thanks."
"I see. Glad to hear it."
"Thanks for the meal. It was great."
"Nefti. Wasn't it too spicy for you? Or are you just good with hot food?"
I wondered if people in this world generally couldn't handle spice, and Nefti answered with a laugh.
"It was spicy, but pain is just sensation in the end. Using 【Guardian Formation: Will】 made it more bearable than I expected."
"You used a skill while eating?"
"It levels up the skill proficiency, doesn't it? Plus, they made the dough less spicy separately."
"Logical."
I nodded at Nefti's words.
She's an idiot, but maybe smart too.
"Wolfram. I have something to ask."
"Go ahead."
"Do you plan to reclaim the student council president position? Steal the throne from your sister and do wicked things?"
The question came out of nowhere, but my answer flowed naturally.
"Eve can handle the student council however she wants. I'm not interested anymore."
"Good. Rudika is satisfied."
She talks like a squad leader.
"Since she's satisfied, Rudika shall make a promise."
"What kind?"
"Wolfram is Rudika's benefactor, so Rudika will repay the true debt. If anyone bullies Wolfram in the future, Rudika will punish them."
An unexpected offer.
Her skill 【Hassan Style】 ranks mid-to-low tier 1, but only in specific stages.
Mid-to-low tier 1 is nothing to scoff at.
Tier 1 is the realm only those with innate genius can reach after extreme training and the right skill tree.
All Tier 1 characters have a second title: 'Battle Maker'.
That's the official dev explanation—it means build the battlefield around the 'Battle Maker'.
In other words, the devs officially said all allies below Tier 2 are just pawns for the Battle Maker. Tier 1 is that dominant and powerful.
Rudika's currently Tier 3, but raised right, she'll hit Tier 1. In maps needing an assassin, Tier 1 Rudika is stealthy, swift, and lethal beyond anyone.
And she'd protect me?
At least I won't get assassinated right in front of her.
"Looking forward to it."
"Leave it to me! To celebrate our new friendship, all-nighter festival tonight!"
"This Nefti shall join!"
"...No, I've got business to handle."
"Great! I'll buy out every item in the grocery store and devour them! Money's no object! Wolfram! Bring all the groceries you've got!"
"...Hah. Fine. Let's see you try."
Thanks for clearing inventory.
Really, thank you.
The next day, I collapsed from muscle pain.
Rudika. I won't forgive you.
Nefti. I won't forgive you either.
And the day after that.
"Ugh... ugh."
I mixed beans good for recovery and slept all day, barely scraping together enough stamina to attend class.
I grabbed a seat in the corner and listened. One of the major classes: Mages and the Battlefield.
"In modern warfare, mages are elite assets. Losing even one archmage can derail the entire battle, so they're usually guarded by at least a battalion."
The professor's lecture started that way and turned out more interesting than expected.
The perspective differed greatly from how I handled mages in the original D/Z SAGA.
First, no resurrection magic.
In the game, dead mages could be revived, but sadly, no such thing exists in real Jefrin. Whether it never existed or was deliberately erased, it's gone.
The game introduces resurrection scrolls mid-Act 3, but... if they existed here, noble families or even the imperial family wouldn't let succession happen. Who'd share power?
The founding emperor would've enjoyed eternal life.
Another difference: raising a single mage takes immense resources. Artifacts are pricey, mana-infused items even more so, and high-mana talents are rare.
So when a decent mage emerges, their kingdom goes all-in.
Nations scrape up even commoners with a spark of talent and push them into academies.
Post-graduation contracts for fixed years of service aren't unusual anymore.
Magic demands precise calculations as an advanced discipline and serves as artillery on the battlefield. It's prime talent for both military and bureaucrats.
In the game, great mages grew easily with investment and the right tree—not that rare.
Here, archmages are hard to produce, and the world thirsts for them.
The gap in perspective was intriguing.
Of course, not my concern as a convenience store owner.
On the way back to the convenience store after class.
A voice called from behind. Wolfram.
"Had a good weekend?"
"...What do you want."
A voice dragging along the ground, utterly gloomy—the voice of Black Crystal.
Aila Trista approached with hollow eyes, shuffling along.
"No big deal. New semester started, so I've been busy. Gotta keep up with classes."
"I see."
"Yeah. Especially with all the stares weighing on my shoulders. I never thought I'd feel burdened by that..."
"What do you mean?"
"The welcome ceremony match. Prof said it's been years since a third-year showed such overwhelming dominance."
"Is that so."
Word was Aila completely crushed Kelters.
Blocked with crystal barriers, predicted the charge, extended the barriers to seal him off, finished with a crystal spear thrust.
But that's way off the original plot. In the game, Aila fails to block Kelters' charge. She fires a desperate maxed Black Crystal shot, but he deflects it, grazes her waist.
Just a light touch, but Kelters proves the first-year's potential and says:
'Heh heh... I... touched you.'
Then he collapses with a 'pik', and Aila takes it personally, constantly picking fights with him.
But this perfect victory... maybe...
Maybe Aila blossoms as the villainess and avoids defeat.
Odd feeling, thinking that.
"So, what's the problem?"
"So I thought about it. Aila Trista, proving the Magic Division's perfect win in years—isn't she riding the rebellion wave?"
"What are you talking about?"
Her words are sometimes—often—hard to follow.
"What else? Perennial runner-up Aila Trista finally claims top spot this year. My Black Crystal wings are ready to soar!"
"..."
She activated small black crystals, fanned them like a hand fan to cover her mouth, and smiled elegantly.
Third-rate villainess lady through and through. Considering who the third-year top is, that dream probably won't happen, but if she's happy, whatever.
"First battle: the upcoming pop quiz. Raise the rebellion flag here, hold top spot through year-end—the ultimate soar!"
How grand.
"So, got a way to beat the top?"
"Hmph. What do you take me for? Of course!"
"Do tell."
The third-year top is a monster even in D/Z SAGA. As far as I recall, Aila never beat her once.
"Study hard! That's it!"
"..."
Underwhelming for a rebellion, but straightforward.
"But there's a slight issue."
"What kind?"
"Big secret. Can you keep it?"
"Of course."
"Great. Trusting my fiancé Wolfram, I'll share my big secret."
Honestly curious. How rare to hear a secret not even in the setting docs from her own mouth.
Aila took a breath, blushed faintly, and whispered indignantly just to me.
"I can't pull all-nighters."
"........."
"Past ten PM, I just fall asleep."
"........."
"Ugh, um. Last year it was eight, so I extended two whole hours this year. Rebellion!"
"........."
Ah, I see.
What a grand rebellion.
"Impressive, right? Compared to last year, two more hours a day! In ten years, twenty more than others!"
"...Yeah. I see."
I said nothing more.
Couldn't.
Early semester, mixed feelings swirling.
Back at the store, I holed up in the office.
Though "office" might be generous—more like the bean room.
Growing, cloning, mixing beans. Close enough.
Reason for holing up? Simple. Conversation with Aila beforehand.
'I'm spreading rebellion wings this time. What about you, Wolfram?'
'What about me?'
'You take the same majors, right? Mini-tests together?'
'...What?'
I feigned calm desperately, but my hands shook.
I'm just a regular student now. Mess up, Eve notices, expelled.
Then imperial return with a knife end. An ending I've always wanted to see. Thanks.
"Like hell I'll die."
Can't die. Determination finds a way. I pulled every card I had.
Luckily, I had a trump for this trial.
Two things from the first day harvesting beans with Nefti in the Eastern Forest.
I recalled them.
One: Dexterity-exclusive stat boost 1.
The other: Energy Beans, Tier 7.
Normally mid-Act 2 acquisition. In-game effects:
【Afflicted with Frenzy status.】
【【Archer's Quality: Focus Enhancement】 skill activates at Lv.1.】
Super useful, so I grew them despite not using yet.
Steady nurturing paid off—stock's grown plenty. Good Melody Box and potion farming are the best.
Now with Dexterity at 10, time to use the ballooned Energy Beans.
"...Phew. Let's make it."
My Dexterity: 10.
Tier 7 mix bean success rate: about 60%. Prepared extras wisely.
Mix Energy Beans with status resistance beans, make mix beans, roast.
Not expecting miracles. Just doing my best.
"...Hmm. Close. Looks similar."
Filter the well-roasted beans through hot water.
Primitive drip coffee, from fuzzy memories.
Lv.1 cooking skill? Drinkable, but not tasty.
"But with this, I can stay up longer without sleep."
Made a few cups, waited for customers.
The customer who needs this most, with current Wolfram.
"Wolfram. I'm here. Why'd you call?"
"To introduce a new product."
Aila's face stiffened awkwardly.
"...Appreciated, and exciting, but forgot my rebellion?"
"This helps your rebellion. Try it."
Aila's eyes sparkled round.
"I see. A special drink."
"Yeah."
"Drink this, study better? Forced knowledge infusion? Never heard of it! Such a beautiful, flashy rebellion elixir. Wolfram, the most dangerous, secretive wing."
"No, it keeps you awake."
"Oh."
Aila nodded.
Aila, honey, you can't sell drinks like that. Probably dangerous drugs.
Aila sipped, face scrunched.
"...Bitter."
"Got sugar cubes."
"Thanks."
Three sugar cubes and milk beans later, drinkable. Aila smiled brightly.
"So, drink this, study long tonight?"
"Should work."
"Great! Report progress tomorrow. Expect me!"
She vanished toward the dorms like wind. Next day:
"Wolfram. That drink's amazing. Fell asleep at 10:30 last night!"
"...Good. Effective, then."
"Yes! Top spot's mine now. Let's start the flashy rebellion."
Aila beamed triumphantly.
Is it okay for someone like her to even be runner-up?
Jefrin's future looks bleak.