Chapter 124
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 124
I looked up at Hildegard as I finished packing my things.
Her deep blonde hair was styled into elegant ringlets at the ends. She was tall, possessing a striking figure that even the academy uniform couldn't quite conceal. She carried a far more mature aura than even the fashionable Elena—though their personalities were worlds apart.
"What’s this?" I asked, stuffing a book into my bag. "Since when were we on speaking terms?"
She had treated me like I didn't exist until now, so her suddenly striking up a conversation felt suspicious. Of course, in a university-style curriculum like Union’s, it was common to know many students only by sight, but this felt different.
Hildegard shrugged at my cold response.
“This is a matter of necessity. By the way, do you actually think you can beat Meyer McDowell in the tournament?”
Meyer?
Was she actually rooting for me? I tilted my head.
“Weren’t you a member of the Noble Alliance?”
I had assumed they were all conspiring to knock me down a peg.
Hildegard scoffed, shooting back a sharp look. “Hah, don’t tell me you’re asking because you don’t know that Meyer and I are on bad terms? After the ruckus you caused in high society, there’s no way you wouldn’t know. I heard you lost your memory, and it seems the rumors were true.”
…Now that I think about it.
According to the game’s lore, the families of Grand Duke McDowell and Duke Astraia weren't exactly allies. They were reluctantly united by shared interests, but being part of the Noble Alliance didn’t mean they shared the same goals.
The rift between the two families began during the early days of the seven Magic Towers’ establishment. It started with a fierce competition to seize control of the Imperial National Industry.
The Emperor, deciding it was better to focus on one specific field rather than spreading resources thin, declared he would select a single Magic Tower to support as a national industry. The Cassandra Imperial Family’s own Mir Magic Tower already received the best treatment and was excluded, leaving the remaining six to compete for the spot.
The two most powerful factions—McDowell of Imperial Magic Engineering and Astraia of Astrology—clashed head-on. McDowell was developing magitech that fused magic with engineering, while Astraia was perfecting a technology that artificially bestowed ‘blessings’ by harnessing the power of the constellations.
It was a battle of philosophies: the technological advancement of humanity versus the enhancement of the individual.
In the end, the Cassandra Emperor chose the former. The prestige of the McDowell family and their Meister Magic Tower skyrocketed after being selected for the national industry. They were later granted the title of Grand Duke and significant autonomy.
It was only natural for the Astraia ducal family to harbor a deep-seated grudge. If the situation had been reversed, the continent’s history might have been vastly different—a world led by superhuman ability-users rather than one centered on magitech.
Of course, that was a feud between their families; I wasn't sure if Hildegard and Meyer had any personal animosity.
Having sorted through the lore, I spoke up. “So what? You want me to beat Meyer to a pulp for you?”
“…What a crude way to put it. Still, you’re not entirely wrong. I could even offer you a little help for your match against him.”
“Help, you say? I’m listening.”
I arrogantly crossed my arms and tilted my head, signaling her to continue. I already had a plan to beat Meyer, but there was no harm in hearing her out. I was curious about her true intentions and what this ‘help’ actually was.
“Of course, I’m not helping you for nothing. Give and take—it’s only natural, isn’t it?”
“…I don’t really have anything to give you.”
“There are a few things I’d like to ask regarding the summer training camp. You’re on the organizing committee, aren’t you? It’s nothing major; I just want you to pull some strings for a few minor conveniences, like class assignments.”
“Hmm, if it’s just that.”
That was well within my authority. From the sound of it, Hildegard didn’t want to be separated from her followers during the camp. If the groups were assigned poorly, they could be split into different rooms and forced to move separately.
A cute request.
She acted like a child. Well, technically, she still was one, even if she was treated as a proper adult in this world.
Now that I understood her motive, I decided to probe a little further.
“A way to beat Meyer… Are you saying you can overcome his Magic Armor?”
“I don’t know about overcoming it entirely, but I can lend you an artifact that would give you a massive advantage. What do you say? Do you accept?”
Fwip—.
Hildegard snapped open her fan, concealing the lower half of her face. Before answering, I asked for the name of the artifact.
“What’s the name? I need to know what it does before I decide whether to cooperate.”
“Hmm.”
After a moment of thought, Hildegard decided that revealing the name was harmless.
“It’s the Dagger of Liason.”
“…”
The Dagger of Liason…
As far as I knew, that artifact possessed a unique effect that temporarily nullified the magic of any target it pierced. It didn't work on living flesh, and its range was too narrow to dispel large-scale barriers, but it was incredibly useful in specific situations.
For example, against Meyer’s Magic Armor.
If I struck his Magic Armor with the Dagger of Liason, the magic-nullification enchantments engraved on its surface would be temporarily disabled. In that window, I could easily subdue him. That was clearly her strategy.
I slowly nodded. “Not bad.”
“You seem to know of its reputation.”
“Of course I do.”
“Then, my proposal is…”
Hildegard’s face brightened with a hint of expectation.
I gave her a thin smile and said, “I refuse.”
*
After the day's classes ended, I took a stroll through the night streets of Traum Street with Ciel for the first time in a while.
The European-style streets were bustling with a lively crowd. Students wandered about in small groups, enjoying the evening air.
“Oh.”
A few people spotted me walking confidently down the street and flinched, but the 'Miracle of Moses'—where the crowd would split in half to avoid me—didn't happen this time. It was a clear sign that my reputation was finally improving.
“Where are we headed now, sir?” Ciel asked, her hands full of shopping bags.
She had already made the rounds at several shops, conquering their dessert menus. I briefly considered offering to carry a bag or two, but then I remembered our roles and quickly dropped the idea.
I adjusted my sleeve and said, “I’m thinking of getting some clothes tailored. One new uniform and a set of casual wear.”
“Are you planning to have magical garments made?”
“Yes, it’s about time I got a proper set.”
Magical garments were a type of artifact. As the name suggested, they were clothes that had undergone extensive magical processing. The standard Union uniform was one such item; it was treated with a coating spell to repel stains and a weak enchantment to resist blades. Thanks to that, the clothes rarely wore out or tore.
Though, they had been no match for Demer’s claws.
Since one of my uniforms had been shredded to rags by his hand, I figured I’d get a replacement and, while I was at it, have some casual clothes made for everyday use. I had the funds, and now that I’d reached [Intermediate Alchemy], my choice of usable fabrics had broadened significantly. If I got a high-quality set made now, it would last me until I reached [Advanced Alchemy]. The timing was perfect.
Of course, to make it last that long, I needed premium fabric and the touch of a master tailor.
“We’re going to Altair’s Tailor Shop.”
*
Traum Street, 3rd Avenue.
Union had plenty of clothing stores, but Altair’s Tailor Shop was a cut above the rest. It was a hidden gem, known only to a select few.
Ting-a-ling—.
As we opened the simple shop door, we were greeted by a softly lit, elegant interior.
“Welcome!” a cheerful voice rang out.
I raised a hand in acknowledgment to the young boy behind the counter and looked around. Stylish suits of various designs were displayed alongside antique furniture. The dim lighting reflecting off the dark wood gave the shop an air of quiet sophistication.
The boy looked at me with bright eyes. “Do you have an appointment?”
“Yes, the name is Roen.”
“Yep!” The boy checked his notebook and beamed. “Confirmed. Please wait a moment. Grandpa! A customer is here!”
“Is that so?”
A moment later, an old man appeared from the back, his footsteps soft and measured. He was gaunt and weathered—an appearance that didn't quite seem to fit such a stylish establishment.
This was Altair, the master tailor.
He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, licked his finger, and flipped through his ledger. “Let’s see… Roen, you said?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm. Come on in.”
While Ciel stayed out front to play with the boy, I followed Altair into a small consultation room.
“So, you want a suit?”
“Yes, nothing too formal. I’d like something comfortable for daily wear.”
“Got it. Something with the feel of a uniform?”
“That would be perfect.”
Altair scribbled in his notebook and continued his questioning. “Since you’ve come all the way here, you aren't looking for ordinary clothes. You want magical garments, don't you?”
“Yes. I’ve written down the specific requirements here.”
“Good, good. This makes things much faster.”
Altair carefully examined the request form I handed him, his tongue clicking against his teeth. “Goodness, are you heading off to war or something?”
“Something… like that.”
The tournament season was fast approaching. To break into the top 100, I’d have to face literal combat machines. It was nothing short of a war.
I had requested enchantments for physical and blade resistance, haste magic, and counter magic. Normally, layering this much magic onto a single garment was nearly impossible, but it could be done to a limited extent depending on the quality of the materials. It was a necessary investment to increase my odds of winning.
Altair looked up. “This will be quite costly, and the materials are notoriously difficult to acquire. Are you sure about this?”
“Of course. How long will it take?”
“If I have the materials, I can finish it within a week. But the fabric you’re requesting isn't something I keep in stock…”
“The materials will be delivered to your shop tomorrow morning.”
The sooner the garments were finished, the better. I had already tasked Alfredo with securing the materials, and I’d received word yesterday that they had been procured. They would likely arrive via Gretel tomorrow.
“Oh? Is that so? Then I can have it done quickly.”
Altair’s eyes scanned my body from over his glasses as he jotted down notes. There was no need for a measuring tape or a fitting. Altair possessed a unique ability to perfectly gauge a person’s physique, posture, and range of motion just by looking at them once.
As I watched his eyes dart back and forth, I spoke up.
“And I’d like to purchase a few more items to go with the suit.”
“Just say the word. A necktie? A fedora? What are you looking for?”
Instead of explaining, I pulled a black business card from my pocket and handed it to him.
“A fine suit and attire are not the only marks of a gentleman,” I said.
In an instant, the look in Altair’s gaunt eyes shifted.
Shaaa—.
An extraordinary, heavy aura suddenly emanated from the old man.
“Well, now. It seems I’ve been treating a valued guest sent by Alfredo far too poorly.”
“Not at all.”
As I smiled calmly, Altair pressed a hidden button under his desk.
Clank—.
A section of the wall sank inward, revealing a concealed passage to a secret room. He gestured toward the opening.
“Let’s continue our conversation inside.”