Chapter 139
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 139
July 1st.
The end of June also signaled the conclusion of the ranked battle season.
I finished the season ranked 66th.
While not an earth-shattering rank, it was a staggering leap from my former self, who used to rot below the 7,000th mark. All those grueling hours of training and magical practice had finally borne fruit. Of course, the heaven-sent luck of pulling a ‘Legendary’ grade weapon certainly didn't hurt.
With this, I had taken the first step toward maintaining an average rank within the top 10—a mandatory requirement for keeping my seat as Student Council President.
And on top of that…
Trickle—
Warm black tea filled my cup.
“Is it to your liking?” Ciel asked.
She poured the tea with an expressionless face—or rather, one that held the faintest, most subtle hint of a smile. Her attitude, which seemed to have softened ever so slightly, was another positive change.
I looked down at the teacup and glanced back at her. “How would I know? I haven’t even taken a sip yet.”
“You should drink it quickly, before it gets cold.”
“…”
I shrugged, staring at the steam billowing off the liquid. One sip of this right now and I’d scald my entire tongue off. Urging me to gulp down tea this hot… I started to wonder if I’d been mistaken about her attitude softening after all.
In any case, I tore my gaze away from the cup, unfolded the newspaper, and checked the poll results.
The front page was dominated by the ‘Student Poll.’ Fortunately, it wasn’t a vote regarding my impeachment, but rather a survey to decide the location for this year’s summer training camp.
As expected, Full Moon Island had been chosen. It wasn't even close; it was a landslide victory.
It made sense. Not only was Full Moon Island a premier resort destination, but the other candidates were hardly appealing. Who in their right mind would vote to spend their summer training camp at the Western Front, the Great Sea of Trees, or the Winter Castle? The only other locations that garnered any real interest were the Imperial Capital and the Holy Kingdom.
Regardless, just as I and the other student council presidents had intended, the destination was set: Full Moon Island.
The Union, acting as the host, was likely already drafting the itinerary. I imagined they were preparing some sort of survival-oriented game, similar to the practical exams. I’d also received intel that they were coordinating with the Imperial fleet currently patrolling the waters around the island to ensure student safety.
I wasn't sure if such measures could actually stop a demonic attack, but it was better than nothing.
The Chairman will handle it.
Shifting my focus, I scanned the rest of the paper. There was an article about Zimmer taking over the basic swordsmanship class in place of Verdandi, a mystery-style column penned by Chloe, and various other updates regarding the Union.
Even the minor incident where I’d accidentally smashed through my lab wall and wrecked the Union’s main building exterior had made the news. The devastation was captured in a photograph: a shot of the outer wall impaled by a massive steel cone.
For now, the wall had been patched with enchantment magic, but I realized I’d eventually need to properly reinforce my lab if I was going to keep destroying it day in and day out.
As I continued scanning…
[Roen Devalis: Does He Leave His Own Maid Bloodied?]
“…”
Among the trending topics, an article about the ranked battles caught my eye. It claimed I had secured my victory by beating Ciel to a bloody pulp. Well, it wasn’t entirely false… but it certainly didn't do wonders for my reputation.
I scowled and snapped the newspaper shut.
Flap—
I reached into my coat, pulled out a small, jewel-box-like case, and handed it to Ciel.
“Here. Take this.”
Ciel stared at it with a deadpan expression. “What is this?”
“It’s a pill refined from the remnants of the Mad Dragon’s Heart fragment I processed for Zimmer. It’s excellent for vitality and stamina.”
I’d made the medicine using the powder I’d secretly skimmed off while refining the dragon heart. In the process, I’d managed to level up my alchemy and provide Ciel with a potent tonic. Two birds with one stone.
“Come to think of it,” Ciel remarked, “is this why you requested my constitution and origin attribute data the other day?”
“You could say that. I processed it specifically for your constitution, so you can take it without worry. Use it to heal the injuries from our match.”
Roen, the wicked employer so obsessed with winning that he beat his own maid bloody—but also the generous master who provided a dragon-heart pill for her health. Let’s call it even.
“With this, I’ll forgive you for what happened then,” I said.
“…”
Ciel accepted the pill but slowly shook her head. “I refuse. The grudge from that day… I shall remember it for the rest of my life.”
*
Zimmer’s office.
I visited him to deliver his portion of the Mad Dragon’s Heart pill and to discuss a few other matters.
“It’s been a while. Please, have a seat.” Zimmer welcomed me warmly, gesturing toward a chair.
After the usual formalities, I took a sip of tea and asked, “How has Jeremy been lately?”
“He’s been seen lurking around the Noble Alliance. It doesn't look like he’s plotting anything specific yet; it’s more like he’s trying to fill the void left by the merchant guild he lost. He’s been scrambling quite a bit.”
“Well, he suffered an astronomical loss. He has to make it up somehow.”
“Heh heh, that’s exactly why Jeremy’s faction is in such turmoil. With their funding cut off, complaints about his leadership are starting to bubble to the surface.” Zimmer let out a hearty laugh that felt a bit out of character for his usual stoic image.
I smiled back. “That’s good news for you and Prince Andrew.”
“‘Good’ is an understatement. A crack has finally formed in that bastard’s once-solid foundation.”
No matter how close Jeremy was to the throne as the First Prince, the succession was never a guarantee until the crown was on his head. The throne wasn't a seat one occupied simply by being born first.
One doesn't hold power because they are the heir; one is the heir because they hold power.
In other words, if that power evaporates, the succession becomes a question mark. The ruin of Jeremy’s merchant guild meant a massive crack in his power base. After all, the ultimate source of power is money.
“Ah, and Prince Andrew mentioned he’d like to meet you soon.”
“Oh? It seems you’ve been singing my praises to the Prince.”
“I told him that you are, at the very least, not as eccentric as the rumors suggest. And that you are capable. I told him you’d make a fine ally.”
“Excellent. I’ll be sure to pay him a visit when the timing is right.” I nodded and pulled a wooden box from my coat, sliding it across the desk. “Here is the single dose of the pill refined from the Mad Dragon’s Heart, as promised. You may open it.”
“…”
With a trembling hand, Zimmer reached for the box. It was a high-quality wooden case, and when he lifted the lid, a fragrant, profound aroma unique to such high-tier pills filled the room. Zimmer waved his hand, guiding the scent toward his nose.
“Hoo.” He closed his eyes, savoring the fragrance. With a look of pure satisfaction, he looked at me. “My thanks. To think I could finally obtain something I’ve sought for over a decade.”
“There’s no need for thanks. I was merely fulfilling our contract.”
I gave him what he needed, and he worked for me. It wasn't a matter of gratitude, but of two parties fulfilling their obligations.
“By the way, you processed this yourself? You have incredible talent. Are you well-versed in pharmacology as well?”
“Alchemy is a broad field. I’ve only scratched the surface. I had help from a friend as well.”
“‘Scratched the surface.’ You’re far too modest. Speaking of which, I heard your rank in the competitive matches has skyrocketed. You’re in the 60s now?”
“Well, that’s only natural.” I shrugged as if it were trivial.
My sudden ascent had certainly raised eyebrows among the students, but that was the extent of it. The skill I consistently displayed in the arena couldn't be dismissed as a fluke. No trick in the world could net someone a 15-win streak.
Of course, those determined to hate me still didn't believe it. They claimed I’d bribed my opponents or used some illegal artifact, but I didn't care. They were the type who wouldn't believe the truth if it hit them in the face. Wasting energy on them was a waste of time.
“I also heard you mercilessly thrashed your maid. It was in the papers.”
“…”
It’s not like I wanted to fight her that way.
Who would want to bloodied the maid who served them with such devotion? I had simply prioritized addressing the disappointment and the meaning behind Ciel’s actions over avoiding physical injury. Wounds heal; knots in the heart do not.
I let out a small sigh. “I suppose that’s just another misdeed to add to my list.”
“What’s one more? You’re already shaking hands with the ruler of the underworld, blackmailing a Union professor into a contract, and swindling hundreds of billions through stock manipulation.”
I smirked at Zimmer’s jest. “…I’ll take that as a compliment to my competence.”
We continued talking, moving from the basic swordsmanship lectures to the upcoming summer training camp.
“So, how are the preparations for the camp coming along?”
Information regarding the curriculum was strictly confidential. Since it factored into academic evaluations, the details were kept hidden from the student body. But for Zimmer, who was under my patronage, the rules were a bit different. He didn't hesitate to share.
“Hmm, I was just about to bring that up. I thought I’d give you a few hints about the test. Especially since this time, we’ve borrowed a ‘floating ship’ from the Mir Magic Tower.”
*
A few days later.
Stella Harbor, near the Union.
The docks were more crowded than I’d ever seen them. Tens of thousands of people milled about, and the flags of various academies fluttered in the sea breeze. These were the Union’s second-year students, all undergoing boarding procedures.
“What a spectacle.”
I turned my gaze from the sea of students to the massive vessel docked at the pier—or more accurately, hovering in the air above it.
It was a pure white ship, its scale and streamlined form defying description. Adding to its elegant, serene appearance, a deep blue gem was embedded like a massive eye in the bow.
The Magic Tower’s airship—the ‘Sky Whale.’
Even compared to a modern super-cruiser, its majesty was on another level. Furthermore, the interior was enchanted with space-expansion magic, allowing it to accommodate far more people than its exterior suggested. It was more than enough to hold all 30,000 second-year students.
This massive, beautiful vessel wasn't a product of modern magi-tech, but an excavated ‘Ark’ from a lost golden age. Although it had been recovered and put to use, most of its original functions were said to be beyond the reach of modern humanity. For now, it was best described as a ‘giant flying island.’
I clicked my tongue as I looked at the colossal shadow the ship cast over the pier.
“Well, I’ll be. We could just hold the entire training camp inside the ship itself.”
“Indeed,” Ciel replied. “I hear it’s equipped with every amenity imaginable. It would make a fine resort.”
“A resort, huh?”
It was true. With facilities like a swimming pool, a theater, and even a shopping mall, it was a luxury destination in its own right. But it was ill-suited for the specific test the Union had prepared, so it wouldn't be the final location.
Whirrr—
Guided by beams of light emitted from the hull, students were lifted one by one and transported inside. I watched the scene from a distance, hands clasped behind my back. By the time I finished chatting with Ciel, most of the students had already boarded.
Now, it was our turn.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
I joined the group of faculty members and, alongside Ciel, stepped into the light emanating from the Sky Whale.
Float—
As the light enveloped me, my body grew weightless, rising steadily toward the massive vessel above.