Chapter 89
Chapter 89
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: 15 Shades of Bond
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Previous.
I once said that an 8th-tier skill marks the initial stage of gaining true specialization.
And the tier above that, 7th tier, is the entry point into a professional career. In other words, even as a newbie, you can confidently call yourself a pro anywhere you go.
For example, 7th-tier combat magic revolves around attribute magic.
You learn projectiles, enhancements, and control attuned to your element.
For support magic, 7th tier lets you acquire 【Ultimate Enhancement】, a mainstay even in the late game.
Anyway, 7th tier skills essentially signify your 'career path.'
So, what about Shining Patissier, evolved from Magical Patissier...
【Shining Patissier】
【7T】
Magic confections directly blessed by the Goddess of Snacks can now be created.
Make 'em and it's happy♡happy♡! Just thinking about whipping up sweets is pure joy for you! Now you can do it! The happier the smiles from those who eat them, the more my heart sparkles! Shine bright! Shining sweets filled with our hearts!
"Is this supposed to be my career path?"
Are you insane?
No, that can't be.
My career path is the convenience store.
Obviously, my future lies there too.
Let's be honest.
After finishing 4th year next spring, do I head back to the imperial palace? Grab some startup cash and open a store in the countryside? Or stay right here in Jefrin and run one?
Wolfram von Loengrin has options galore.
But sparkling shining sweets filled with our hearts? Not on the list!
"Is this the type of skill with that kind of description?"
There are skills out there with overly bubbly flavor text.
A closer read shows the top line is perfectly straightforward.
Shining Patissier isn't much different from Magical Patissier.
It's just making pastries. Nothing fancy to explain.
So the top is solid description, and the bottom... well, it has its own charm, but...
"It's hitting me right in the psyche."
Whew.
Whatever. Even if the skill's 7th tier, it doesn't mean I have to become a baking master.
Diversification is key—over-specializing would be a problem.
"Time to craft some other goods. Level up their gears."
Suppose I max out Shining Patissier alone.
Mastery skyrockets, reactions get even more effusive.
'This place makes the best pastries!'
'They make you happy♡happy♡!'
'Whoa! It's shiiining! My world! Dreamlike bliss!'
Such responses.
"Even if they accused me of spiking the treats, I'd have no comeback."
So, shift gears entirely.
If everything I make is top-tier, who'd complain about a little extra joy in the pastries?
Right? So let's whip up a bunch of killer stuff.
"Hmm. What to add next?"
I scanned the convenience store interior.
Pastries and accessories are baseline, but custom orders turn it into a mini restaurant.
Couldn't argue it's dessert-focused.
So now I pump cooking skills for happy-making meals too?
...I'd get dragged off for real.
Store-friendly staples...
I jotted items in my notebook, tapping the pen against it. Focusing on that sound sparked an idea.
"Ah, right. How could I forget this?"
This is Jefrin.
In the original story, Act 2 features a certain incident.
The midterms sharpie sabotage in the Magic Division.
The perennial runner-up 4th-year 'Milpieu' unleashes a grand spell amid cries of 【Begone, exams!!!】, conceptually corrupting every pen belonging to 4th-year Magic students.
All 'pens' in the building crumbled to dust. Outside, regular pens worked, but inside, you needed non-pen writing tools airlifted in.
Funny part? The 1st-year newbie 'Milpeumyu' and 4th-year 'Milpieu' are different people.
The chick 'Milpeumyu' hits expulsion at midterms.
4th-year 'Milpieu' pulls the stunt and gets the boot.
Extras recycling names, maybe.
"Proof the devs got lazy."
...Or maybe their disastrous naming sense left no room for girl name variety.
Anyway, irrelevant nonsense aside.
Thinking back, last midterms had no sharpie incident.
I can guess why.
4th-year Milpieu's exam subjects: Magecraft and Battlefield II.
Professor? Lantic Grace.
Yeah.
That wolf's advisor—and the prof now under palace investigation for 'grad student overwork.'
3rd years skipped exams for her personal issues, just assignments.
No way advanced 4th-year had them.
Jefrin Magic Division pens stayed safe.
And that's where inspiration struck.
"Ballpoint pens. I could make those."
What I wanted: writing implements.
Ballpoints, specifically.
"Sounds good, but... I'd like samples from around."
Trends matter with kids' stationery.
Ask colors, designs, test-make. Pure market research.
"Writing tools? We mostly use the standard issue."
"Standard issue?"
"Yes. I'm royalty, but funding's razor-thin. Personal stationery's beyond my station. I stick to what everyone else uses."
Next day, chatting with Emily, who'd come to learn cooking.
Topic: Jefrin school supplies.
"Haimelody royals that stingy?"
"Yep. They calculate the exact average, deduct taxes, hand it over."
"Taxes too?"
"If you stick mildly to magic, funding goes up. But my path's cooking."
Emily shook the wok, face unchanging.
Hmm. Good sample, then.
"Emily. Custom stationery—what price would you pay?"
"...Hmm. Gotta buy? Standard's fine."
"Then..."
"No. If my teacher says buy, I'll borrow and do it."
This cool, pure loyalty is terrifying.
Don't say that with an ice-cold face.
"......"
"With my teacher, I can walk without doubt. Whatever lies ahead holds no fear."
Never mind.
She's no sample.
Next sample arrived, so I asked.
Nefti, here for Royal Guard lessons.
She spun my ballpoint, tilting her head.
"Made this for writing? You're suddenly crafting curios."
"It's a convenience store. Anything convenient, I make and sell."
"...Convenience store. Ah, right, that's what this place is. Yep."
Nefti. I might write your recommendation,
but your attitude toward my store's iffy?
"Question: what'd you think it was?"
"Uh, day-labor board cum diner cum tasty snack spot cum hangout with great seniors/juniors, unlimited drinks, senior on-site? Hmm?"
"And?"
"What is it? Fun place, sure."
"......"
Nefti tilted her head.
Done.
What do I even say? Back to business.
"So, buy this new ballpoint?"
"Nah?"
"......"
Instant no?
"Prototype. Test it."
"Feels pricey."
"Quiet. Trial use."
She scribbled smoothly on paper.
"Ooh. Wow. Amazing. Real deal. Luxury."
"Right?"
I'd mimicked a Korean classic: Manami 154.
Loved it in school.
"...Wow. Incredible pen."
"Sturdy, no jams. Rarely clogs."
I rattled off specs.
Nefti grinned, countering:
"So who treks here to buy it?"
"......"
No sample from you either.
You punk.
Last subject: perfect kid. Truly.
"Wow... Amazing, senpai."
"Mm."
Milmyu clapped over my pen repeatedly.
Yes. This reaction.
Not 'I'd pay anything' or 'Where do you sell these?'!
"Black's nice, but these 15-color ones are just too pretty."
"Good eye."
"Hehe... Thank you, senpai."
Post-Nefti rage, I'd gone beyond 154 to craft 15 color variants.
Each packed with sentiment.
Yi Young-jin's high school days.
Everyone toted pouches with computer sign pens, ballpoints.
One: Tech Hi. Hobby: collecting 'em.
Amassed tons. Worked part-time for it. Cheap Japanese junk—tip wrecked on desks—but obsessed back then.
Sophomore year epiphany:
'Graduation means army then site grunt work. Why buy these?'
Dumped on a college-bound friend. Back to Manami 154.
But.
Truth? Pissed me off hard.
Should've kept 'em. Swallowed whole if needed.
Why'd high school me think ditching dreams for slacker nihilist cool was peak teen edge?
"Market potential?"
"Yes. I'd buy."
Such a good kid.
This 1st-year Milmyu wants multiples. Act 2 'Milpieu'? 4th-year? Forgotten.
"Baking's improving, these pens... 15 colors?"
"Yeah."
"Wow... Magic enchanting, cooking, trains—you make so much."
"Nothing special."
Yes. This praise. This validation!
What I craved.
"I'm grinding to catch my dream too! ...Not easy."
Again. Self-deprecating drift.
Milmyu believes hard work pays off, but low self-esteem trips her.
"You won't quit, though?"
"...No!"
Good. That's it.
"Milmyu. Prototype—use it, give feedback."
"Huh?"
"Don't give up."
Unlike Yi Young-jin, don't quit.
She met my eyes steadily, nodded.
"I won't."
Yes.
Now she looks right.
Next day. Student council room.
Milmyu stood before Eve von Loengrin, a single form between them.
Eve read the calm face, the fire in her eyes.
"Seems you're resolved."
"Yes. Student Council President Eve von Loengrin, senpai. I've made up my mind."
"Thrilled for me. Vacancy drags on operations. As I suspected?"
"Yes."
Hand on heart, she exhaled deeply. Inhaled.
Pocket talisman—senpai's 15 colors—steadying her. Continued.
"Milmyu von Sabre, 1st-year General Division."
Can't settle for cheers and support anymore.
Want to stand proudly beside.
"Challenging the exam for vacant 1st-year top seat."
No more shaking.
Her eyes declared it.