Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: 021. The First Seat of the Rebellion's Pentagram: Aila
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Before entering this D/Z SAGA, Yi Young-jin boasted that he'd tried every energy drink out there.
He'd guzzled them all without discrimination—Hot Seven, Blue Bull, Creature... so this taste was all too familiar.
It was a damn fine energy drink, masterfully crafted.
"A notch above Hot Seven, but just a hair below Creature."
This was the modern staple for those selling their future for the present.
"Never thought I'd taste something like this here."
Not great for the body, sure.
But it was exactly the drink I needed right now.
I filled two cups and brought them to the counter, where Aila had finished setting up her study materials with her magic tome spread out, waiting for me.
"Is that today's drink?"
"Yeah. It's still a prototype, so no charge."
"Oh? You sure that's okay?"
Aila took a sip, her eyes widening as she nodded.
"Mmm. It's sweet with a nice fizzy kick. That's the charm."
"Glad you like it. But don't overdo it."
"Why not?"
"It packs an awakening effect. Too much, and you'll crash hard."
"You can make magic potions too? Do you have a Pharmacy aptitude?"
Aila's eyes went wide.
Pharmacy.
A support-class job favored by alchemists—think pharmacist or potion brewer. It paid well and had a bright future.
Impersonating one, though? That could get messy. The student council cracked down on unlicensed fakes.
"Nah, no such talent."
"...Phew. Got it."
Good, she bought it.
"Better keep it under wraps for now. For the day we really take off."
Aila nodded like she got the full picture.
She knows what I mean, right?
She really does, doesn't she?
The Magic Division gathered only a handful of geniuses out of Jefrin's hundred thousand.
Even within that elite group, third-year vice-top wasn't a seat you could claim through talent alone without effort.
Naturally, our study session raged on with fierce intensity. Aila handled her own work while occasionally checking mine.
By the time we'd wrapped up a casual foundational knowledge test, her eyes widened again.
"Wolfram. Is this your doing too?"
"...What are you talking about?"
"How did you survive in the Magic Division with this level of knowledge? Another one of your schemes?"
Ouch. Right to the bone. Thanks.
"Hmm. This won't do. We need to start your studies from the basics."
"...Don't we have limited time?"
"Botch the mini-test, make it up on midterms. Better to build a solid foundation long-term. Start by reading this, Wolfram."
"Basic magic theory."
"Yep. I'll make problems based on it, so solve them."
With that, Aila began crafting the most elementary worksheet.
Watching her study, I was floored.
She studied with one hand, summoned her Black Crystal with the other to scribble problems on blank paper.
Studying, casting spells, making exams—all at once.
Was this even humanly possible? Was innate magic power of 19 on another level?
I couldn't ignore her kindness, so I cracked open the book and read slowly.
Basic elemental magic tome. Red for fire from mana source, blue for water, etc. Your innate mana color was fixed—you couldn't change it.
Soon, Aila finished her test problems. I solved them all, and she nodded.
"Around 70 points. Memory's solid. Low mana means no practicals, but theory can carry your grades."
After that monster performance, your praise rings hollow.
Aila chuckled at me, then tossed a random magic trivia question like a teacher sharing scraps with a student after class.
"Oh yeah, Wolfram. Mana color shows affinity, right? Brown for earth, red for fire. But not everything matches perfectly. Know why?"
Huh? That?
"Of course."
"Ah, really? Give me an example then."
"Your Black Crystal magic."
"......"
My instant reply left Aila wide-eyed, mouth agape.
Oh, didn't expect me to know?
Perfect. Time to dump all my game knowledge and shut down any mockery of my smarts.
"The Black Crystal house. Trista's color is so dark it screams dark magic, but it's actually ore magic—no relation to dark arts."
"You know your stuff."
"Black Crystal magic shimmers with an alluring deep violet hue up close. Anyone not blind would notice."
"......Ah, haha? All-Alluring? Y-Yeah?"
Aila flustered visibly, so I nodded, picturing the game graphics.
In Act 3 boss fight, assuming dark magic from the black mana? Wrap yourself in dark resist gear, and her spear guts you anyway.
Earth resist and physical resist were way better. That was Aila's key.
"Black Crystal mana is leagues beyond murky dark magic."
"...Uh, um. W-Wolfram?"
I unleashed game lore, and Aila panicked harder.
She's realizing my wisdom now.
See? I'm no fool.
Just got some wild knowledge. Lore nerd Wolfram reporting for duty!
"See? The Tristas endured scorn over mere color. Prejudice blinds you to truth."
"...Uh... S-Stop. Stop it... Just stop, Wolfram. P-Please."
I shrugged. I'd cried buckets seeing that Black Crystal spear impale my gut in her subjugation battle. The damage was busted.
"Black Crystal is deeper, sharper, more destructive."
"Th-Thanks... No, s-study!"
"Hm?"
"Y-Yes! Let's study! No time for chit-chat!"
"Aren't we already studying?"
"No side talk! Study. Right. Let's study! Hurry!"
"......"
What's her deal?
The session dragged into the late night.
We scarfed donuts and drinks for dinner. Aila, who'd seemed off, snapped back to focus, her calm eyes scanning the tome like the cool, intellectual rebel lady from Act 3 who shattered everything.
"This is vice-top level."
Worth some respect.
Around ten past ten, we wrapped up and packed our writing tools.
"Alright, I'll head out. Do the homework I gave you and review."
"Pretty late. Get home safe. Thanks."
"Wolfram saying thanks? Hehe. No worries."
"Hurry back. Isn't bedtime strict after ten?"
"Yeah. But this drink's effect is amazing. Hehe. Classic Wolfram."
With a wave, Aila left.
Over the next few days, our studies continued.
Meals were donuts and Wolfram's special energy drinks, naturally.
"Speaking of this drink. Planning to sell it at the convenience store?"
"Thinking about it. Why?"
"I've been wowed by your store's items so far. You know that, right?"
"Obviously. Except that fermented pasta nobody touched."
"That's not human food. Only the mentally unhinged would eat it."
Why so harsh on Rudika? True, but she bought it faithfully for 20,000 lin per bowl each visit.
"Anyway, this drink's dangerous."
"Dangerous how?"
"If grad students get hold of it? Wars over stock. Could turn to raiding."
"......That serious?"
"They're desperate to pass theses and snag degrees—lives on the line. Imagine this hitting the market."
"Grad students keel over from overwork?"
"Not the point."
What?
Really?
Then what is?
"Fair distribution? Profs mad they can't squeeze students longer. Unfair? One lab crushes rivals with results."
"......"
"This could upend Jefrin's grad programs. Treasonous."
That scary, huh?
This stuff?
"All the pieces are in place. Let's soar. You hold grad students in both hands and fly above the clouds."
Sounds kinda scummy.
"No plans for that. Impossible from the start."
"Huh? Why?"
"Material limits—five cups a day max."
"Ugh. Small-batch curse..."
"You get it."
"What if I back your production line?"
No.
Don't. Eve's spear guts me. Karma builds, Rudika slits my throat.
Okay, how to dissuade her...
"Rebellion demands secrecy. Flash comes last—like wings unfurling."
Will that work?
"...Ah, yeah. Got it. Totally! Wolfram, as expected..."
Aila grinned confidently, like she'd cracked my intent.
"Small-batch, five cups daily. Secret channels. Only five get it—Wolfram's picks."
"Uh, well."
"Hehe. Fits the villain I pegged you for."
Fine, whatever.
"Deal. Then your pentagram's first cup goes to me, Aila Trista. I reserve one daily!"
Pentagram what now?
As I reached to rein in her rampage—
Her next words froze my hand.
"Not asking for free, of course. I'll pay. But one a day, exclusive."
"Good. What're you offering?"
"Hm. Hmm. Well."
Aila tapped the table thoughtfully with her index finger, then continued.
"Cash means receipts, paperwork, taxes—risk of exposure. Better as 'donation.' Want anything?"
Item?
One thing I need.
"A mana stone freezer. Got spares?"
"Freezer... Yeah, super handy for a food shop."
"Maestro quotes 20 million minimum. Insane."
"Tough to craft. Not that ripped off."
I know. Trista's a merchant house; her price intel's solid.
"Can you swing it?"
"Oh? Asking if I can? Right now?"
Aila beamed radiantly.
"Who do you think I am?"
Fair point.
Who else?