Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 063
Chapter Title: Sweet Street Vendor (1)
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"So, potions and some snacks? And... uh, huh? Snacks to go with drinking potions?"
"Don't worry about it. It's not booze, so it's fine."
"Ah, if it's not booze, then you can have snacks with it. Got it. Note, note."
Eve's eyes spun in circles at my words as she stamped her approval and handed me the permit.
"Separately from that, I'd like to sell a few more things. That okay?"
"Y-Yes. Sure. As long as it's not booze."
"...Right. And the stall can go right in the center of the square where the sports festival is happening. That work?"
"Yeah, sure. Go ahead."
Eve nodded with her eyes still spinning, and I stepped out of the student council room with all the permits in hand.
This went way better than expected.
I'd only activated 【Imperial Bloodline】 for a split second. And it worked instantly.
This is what makes it a utility-focused skill. The bloodline Wolfram possesses is straight-up Tier 1.
To begin with, it breezes right through the opponent's magic defense. That's what makes it Tier 1.
Even so, with this Tier 1 skill, breaking through Eve von Loengrin's mental barriers is next to impossible.
Unless her magic resistance is ridiculously low.
And in a non-combat situation, there's only one reason her magic resistance would drop: when she's burned through so much mana that she has none left to spare for resistance.
"Heading out?"
"Yeah. Oh, right—Sylvia Evergreen Grove. Mind if I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
Sylvia called me back, so I tossed in a casual question.
"Eve's been pretty worn out lately, huh?"
"...She's been getting around two hours of sleep lately. I've told her to rest more, but she won't listen."
"Hm. Yeah, figured as much."
"That's part of why she let you through."
"Hm?"
"Eve perks up a bit when you're around."
Sylvia. Oh, Sylvia.
That's not perking up. That's high blood pressure.
"Sylvia Evergreen Grove. Eve probably won't sleep long."
"I know."
She let out a sigh as she said it.
It was the same in the original story. Sylvia's Eve's loyal retainer, and everything she does revolves around Eve.
But even in the original, Eve never slept much. In sub-story 3, Sylvia and Kelters team up out of worry for her.
You can't get the item from that anymore, but there are temporary fixes besides it.
"Sylvia. Get some top-grade mana potions and have Eve drink one every morning."
"...What? You're ordering me...? No, wait. Hm. What does that even mean?"
"Eve's blessed with mana, and the reason she can keep going like that is because she's converting it to stamina. You know that, right?"
"......Ah. Right. Eve's stamina is..."
"12."
"...Yeah. It is. Hm. Got it. So that's how it is."
She had no idea.
Eve converts mana to stamina via her 【Soul Change】 skill.
So if she burns through more stamina than her mana regen can cover, she just drops—bam.
And that leads to the Despair of the 100,000 at Jefrin Academy. That was sub-story 3.
Anyway.
"Eve's too stubborn to budge easily, so if you're worried about watching her crash, at least get those top-grade mana potions into her. It'll help a bit."
"...I'll trust you on that. You really are Eve's brother."
"Hm. Good luck, then."
"...Wolfram. Or rather..."
"What? Spit it out."
"Your Highness Wolfram von Loengrin. As a retainer to Her Highness Eve von Loengrin, I offer my thanks."
Sylvia bowed her head deeply as she spoke.
"No big deal. Keep up the good work."
She might think I'm a pain, but she's still a retainer Eve needs.
No reason for us to get chummy or anything, but she's honest, at least.
I waved her off casually, and Sylvia didn't lift her head until I was out of sight.
Alright. Got the sales permit, so no time to dawdle.
"Popcorn machine setup complete, senpai!"
"Drink machine's ready, senpai!"
"Stall and Belly Manju prep done, senpai!"
But all that prep was happening under Nefti's command.
Fast and precise. No hesitation about where everything goes.
"How are you so quick? And spot-on?"
"Ehehe. Well..."
Ah, right. There was this case.
In Jefrin, when you raise affinity with a character, party synergy kicks in.
That's why you always manage affinity for your main characters.
When Nefti's affinity shot way up, she provides close protection.
If the enemy attacks fast and your ally DPS is guaranteed to get hit, Nefti normally fails the block.
But with this, the system forces her to succeed on defense for one turn.
And Nefti says:
'I've synced up with Junior Kelters for a good long while now.'
Memorable line. Great trait too.
"You've been working with me forever, Senpai Wolfram! I'm so grateful!"
The Nefti in front of me answered in that exact tone from my memory—actually brighter.
"...I see."
"Yep!"
"Right. Let's work hard."
"...Huh?"
"What."
"No, normally you'd say 'Work hard' ...Hm. No. Yeah. Let's do our best together!"
Nefti dove back into work without losing her smile.
Work hard.
Let's work hard.
Thinking about it, there's a difference.
"Yeah. Let's work hard. Together."
"...Ehen. Yep! Ready, boss!"
Before the sports festival kicked off, we passed the general department and entered the First Knight Department field. We snagged the prime spot: first stall on the right.
What's the most important thing for raking in a fortune at the Jefrin sports festival?
Good products, fair prices, great service? All good.
But the absolute key is drawing eyes.
"Hm. These guys aren't half bad."
The air was thick with amazing scents from nearby stalls.
Last time we hustled them with Belly Manju, so they came prepared with sweet aromas, grinding their teeth.
"But foolish. So foolish!"
Mixing all those scents together just muddles everything.
And parents aren't lured by sweet smells anyway.
These fools don't even know the basics of business!
"Go, Patrasche. Go show 'em."
"...Do I have to?"
"Hm."
"...Sigh. Fine."
Patrasche trudged out.
That proud gait.
Full steel armor, towering signboard.
'Potions for Back Pain, Headaches, Stress Relief.'
'Jefrin Secret Recovery Potion'
'Good for your health! Feel the difference in a day!'
'100% Guaranteed Results!'
'First Stall on the Right in Square 1!'
'Come to Wolfram's Convenience Store!'
'We'll Prove It!'
A wolf strolled by with that strapped to its waist.
A red wolf in gleaming golden armor, signboard sparkling, wings attached.
Even a meaningless dagger on its right paw.
Nefti, who'd wandered over, tilted her head at the majestic Patrasche.
"Senpai. Think that'll really work?"
"Hm?"
"Patrasche, I mean. From my view, it's too flashy. Kinda intimidating."
"It'll work."
"R-Really?"
"Uncles have always loved gold armor, wings, and fancy pets."
"......? Is that a thing?"
"Yep."
"???"
How would a high school girl know?
Golden swords. Golden armor. Golden wings. Epic pets—at least wolf-level familiars.
Uncles grinding characters in gacha games lose their minds over that stuff.
Flashy effects, shiny gold hitting that dad instinct hard.
"If they can top this hawking, then I lose."
"...Okay, I'll trust you, senpai. I'll finish prepping."
"Hm."
I trust those uncle genes.
I trust the cool-guy vibes embedded in their DNA!
With Patrasche handling the hawking, I headed straight to the stock warehouse.
"Phew. Think. People coming for this will treat it like medicine at first, not booze. They sip it, get a buzz and feel great, body full of energy—boom, first it's a potion. Then infused liquor. Then premium sake vibes."
No matter how I map the route, that's it.
These folks hear Jefrin potions are top-notch, try one, get tipsy and happy, then energized and happier.
So this isn't about first sales. It's about repeat and gifting. Dads taking bottles home or giving big gifts to friends.
The goal: rumors of an exclusive, amazing sake only available during open campus.
What's key for that? Actual effects? Got 'em covered. The real key is...
"Packaging. Wrapping."
Think about it.
Getting potions loose.
In plastic tubs.
Or in a red box with elegant gold lettering: Jefrin Secret Student Council Certified Recovery Potion.
Worlds apart. Totally different leagues.
So, like those fancy ginseng sticks from my past life—make boxes, wraps, paper bags that scream 'perfect gift'.
【Handy Worker】
Activated for crafting / Red dye, gold dye, paper setup
Activate the skill, set up red dye, gold dye, and paper. A bit rushed, but I can match quantities by end of day.
"Oh my, Ace is over here?"
"Huh? Here to buy something?"
"Nah. Just saw money-grubbing Ace snagging the best spot and had to say something."
"Oh, then buy something."
"You're so shameless!"
Noise outside—someone picking on Nefti.
I paused packaging and stood up.
What now, seriously.
I'm swamped.
Who let another Karen in?
Who's messing with my part-timer?
Nefti tilted her head at the classmate in front of her.
"So, you buying or not?"
"...Tch. A money-grubber like you as second-year ace? Shame of the Knight Department!"
"Hm. Shame?"
Nefti couldn't figure out why.
Wasn't blasting through tests and working the department norm?
"Part-time gig you got recommended? Skipping department channels is against rules, right?"
"Only approved by student council."
"...Not a shred of shame. Ugh, shameless."
Nefti tilted her head again and again.
Trash Garbage, the girl in front of her.
Top of the Knight Department.
"This is why plebs are... Can't believe a money-grubber like you is ace!"
Ah.
Aha. Got it.
She's got good grades. Rich family.
So she's 'well-off all around'.
Knight Department is mostly poor commoners, but exceptions exist.
One: Talent awkward for magic.
Two: Money not quite enough to push magic.
Nobles or merchant kids end up here anyway.
So this was Nefti catching heat.
Annoying enough getting stuck in Knights, then a poor commoner snags ace? Infuriating.
Happens often.
Bitter, but it's Jefrin. Poor? That's a weakness.
Even inside Knights, strict hierarchy.
Easy fix: bow head, smooth it over.
Just as she went to greet casually, like always.
"Hm. Got it. Not sure what, but really sor—"
"...?"
Then, a familiar voice from the side straightened Nefti's dipping head and gripped her waist.
"Y-You..."
"Tch. Came to see what the fuss was, and it's some petty nonsense."
"H-Hi..."
Trash's face went pale.
She knew who he was.
Wolfram von Loengrin.
Worst student council president ever.
Trash spun to bolt.
"Eek."
"Run if you want. But this goes on the student council agenda formally. Trash Garbage. Daughter of the Western Garbage Merchant Guild."
"W-Wolfram President, you know me...?"
"Yeah. Former president."
"......S-Sorry. I didn't know it was your shop."
"Hm. Interesting. If it wasn't mine, what then?"
"...Th-That... Sorry."
Trash turned blue.
Nefti's eyes went wide at Wolfram's next words.
"No need to apologize to me, and I don't care to hear it. But I have a question. Let me ask."
"......Wh-What is it?"
"I'll ask: While you've lived cushy on daddy's money, no tuition worries, full focus on training, Nepthelian worked for her cash. So roughly, you've had eight hours a day advantage. Right?"
"......Y-Yes. Y-Yeah. Right."
"Yet you didn't take top spot. So, was it lack of effort density? Or talent? Which incompetence is it?"
"......Th-That. Um."
"Answer: both. Got it? You're just a jealous midwit who can't beat Nefti's diligence or talent."
"S-Sorry!"
"Scram. Show your face near me or Nefti again, and I file a formal complaint to the imperial family."
Trash Garbage vanished like the wind.
Pfft. No biggie.
Might be nothing to me, but could be big for Nefti.
"You okay?"
"......Yeah. Fine."
Nefti stared blankly my way.
Tch. Must've spooked her bad.
"Senpai okay? Trash has friends—might hurt your sales..."
"Don't sweat it."
"B-But your revenue."
"Revenue? Ha. Way more important you don't get hurt."
"····································Huh? Wh-......Huh?"
Yeah.
Back in my past life working convenience store. My boss and bro always said:
'Young-jin, if they cross the line, smash 'em. Can't stand seeing my part-timer dissed. Better I take the heat.'
That helped a ton.
So, anyone working my store, I protect.
That's my mindset now.
"S-Senpai. Th-That... what... what does it mean...?"
Nefti's face went beet red, stammering.
What does it mean?
Obviously.
"Can't stand my staff getting shit. Better the boss takes it. Employee welfare."
"············Classic senpai. Yes."
The red flush faded from Nefti's face, hardening expressionless.
That pink aura just shifted a bit blue.
This game. Bug again?
"Anyway. I've always been consistent."
"Y-Yeah. Right. Sure. ...Pfft."
"What's so funny."
"No, just... having a reliable senpai is great."
"Quit with the fluff. Look."
"?"
I pointed across the square.
There, Pied Piper-style, a winged golden-armored red wolf strutted this way, uncles trailing behind.
"Customers incoming. Time to sell."
"A ton of 'em."
"Yeah. Thinking of their cash fires me up a bit?"
"......Ahaha!"
Nefti finally sparkled like usual, beaming at me, Patrasche, then me again.
"We got this, right? Boss?"
"Of course! Boss man!"
Alright. Time to hustle.
Gotta make bank.