Chapter 97
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 97
FWEEET—!
With the sharp blast of a whistle, the women’s triathlon officially began.
Splash!
One after another, the students dove in, cutting through the water as they forged ahead. Their streamlined forms were like dolphins slicing through the waves.
Vrooom—.
Alongside them, mana-powered boats and the shoreline tram kept pace to record their times. With water spirits stationed along the route to ensure the competitors' safety, there was no risk of danger.
"Let’s go."
I watched Ciel’s back for a moment as she surged forward, kicking up a spray of white foam, then turned and walked away. After seeing her off, I headed toward a nearby rest area with Yuliana.
Safety staff were on standby near tables lined up along the path. On the tables were fresh towels for the athletes and iceboxes enchanted with cooling magic.
Yuliana, examining one of the tables, frowned at the blue-colored drinks inside an icebox.
"Blue… Why is the drink this color? It looks so unappetizing."
"Unappetizing? You have no idea how good this is."
I walked over to the icebox and picked up a clear bottle filled with the vibrant blue liquid. This was an ion drink developed by the Alchemy Club, which I had sponsored specifically for the Sports Festival.
I had asked Freya to distribute this drink to every representative team before the opening ceremony. Since the Sports Festival was only running smoothly because of my efforts, Freya hadn't been able to bring herself to refuse my request.
Of course, she had initially rejected the idea, citing concerns about the drink’s safety. It was a valid point; there was always a risk of food poisoning or the inclusion of harmful ingredients.
But I had already anticipated that.
Knowing she would push back, I’d had professors from various departments analyze and verify the formula beforehand. When I presented her with their official certificates of verification, she had no choice but to concede.
Her aides had tried to talk her out of it at first, but they quickly changed their minds the moment they tasted it. When would people in the world of Myrillin Saga ever have experienced a tropical fruit flavor like this? It must have been a revelation for them.
As a result, this drink—which bore a striking resemblance to PowerXade—became the official sponsored beverage of the Sports Festival. The [Alchemist] label wrapped around the bottle would serve as the Alchemy Club’s brand. It was a fitting name, one that could expand into a massive line of alchemical drinks with various flavors and effects in the future.
Her curiosity piqued by the brilliant blue liquid, Yuliana glanced at me.
"Um, can I try one?"
"It’s for the athletes, but there should be some extras. Hey, is it okay if we take one?"
"Yes…! Of course, sir!"
The safety staff member waiting by the table nodded vigorously. His expression suggested I could take the entire crate if I wanted.
"Here, have a drink."
I handed her the bottle. With a look of lingering doubt, Yuliana unscrewed the cap and took a long gulp. She closed her eyes for a moment to savor the flavor, then her eyes shot open in surprise.
"Huh? This is actually really good!"
"Of course it is. Give me a more detailed review."
"A review…?"
"Hurry up."
Pressed by my demand, Yuliana focused on the lingering aftertaste.
"Hmm… a slightly tart berry flavor? It tastes like a tropical fruit. Surprisingly, it’s not that sweet. But there’s a slight fizz that tingles my throat. Is it carbonated?"
"Your assessment is more accurate than I expected. You’re right, it has a hint of carbonation."
"Really? If you produced and distributed thousands of bottles for the athletes, it must have cost a fortune, right?"
"I made it cheaply. There’s a secret to the process. Now that I’ve confirmed the drinks reached the stations, let’s move on."
I started walking again with a satisfied smile. Yuliana trotted along behind me.
"Where are we going now?"
"I’m planning to stop by the booth area. They’re selling a carbonated drink with a slightly different flavor than the one you just had."
Yuliana chuckled.
"That explains it. No wonder you emphasized the new products in the booth area during your speech. You had a hidden motive all along."
"There is no such thing as a public statement without intent."
"Sponsoring drinks for the festival, setting up a booth… You’re really going all out. Are you planning to start a business or something?"
"Yes. And not just at the academy, but across the entire continent."
"You dream big. But isn't your family incredibly wealthy? Anyone who’s anyone knows that. Fertile lands, mana stone mines, a constant supply of monster byproducts… It’s prime real estate."
"Is that my money? That’s the family’s money."
"I wonder who it was that used to spend it like water?"
"That’s exactly why I’m trying to become a self-made man now."
"Aha."
Yuliana nodded as if she finally understood. I turned to her and asked, "By the way, why are you following me around? It’s getting annoying."
She hadn't even watched the opening ceremony, choosing instead to follow me to see Ciel off and now to check on my sponsored drinks.
At my question, Yuliana fidgeted with her fingers and looked away.
"Well… Her Highness went to rest, and the aides are handling everything else. I was bored."
"Following me because you’re bored? Are you interested in me or something?"
"What are you talking about?! Are you insane?!"
Yuliana shrieked at my little joke. My eardrums actually rang. I rubbed my muffled ear and frowned.
"If the answer is no, just say no. No need to scream."
"You should say things that actually make sense. That was deeply unpleasant."
"…Guess I can’t even joke around you. Scary."
I shrugged and spoke nonchalantly.
"Actually, I already know why you’re following me."
"What is it?"
I walked slightly ahead of her and said in a calm voice, "The map of predicted Dark Mana Stone locations I gave to Beatrice. You’re trying to dig up the source of that information, aren't you?"
"…!"
Yuliana flinched, her footsteps faltering. I had hit the bullseye. I glanced back at her and offered a piece of advice.
"If you plan to enter politics someday, you should learn to control your expressions first. Your emotions are written all over your face; it makes you far too easy to read."
"Wh-what are you talking about? Mind your own business! So, are you going to tell me the source or not?"
"Hmm, what should I do?"
I pretended to ponder for a moment before making a reluctant proposal.
"Now that Ciel is busy, if you can fill even a tenth of her shoes, I’ll consider it."
The heavy responsibility of filling in for the all-purpose maid.
"…Fine. Understood."
Yuliana followed behind me with a resigned expression.
*
Yuliana and I left the triathlon route and headed for the Sports Festival’s booth area.
The streets of Ishtal were lined with colorful international flags fluttering in the breeze. Beneath them, brightly colored club tents were set up on either side of the road. Members of the clubs that had opened stalls were shouting at the top of their lungs to attract passing students.
"Come try the roulette wheel!"
"Just for participating, you get a free meal ticket! We’ll even stamp your pamphlet!"
"Succeed in the challenge and win a scholarship grant! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!"
The streets were bustling with the calls of club members and students wandering around, soaking in the festival atmosphere. Although it couldn't compare to the Academy Festival—the Union’s largest event—a wide variety of clubs had still set up shop for the Sports Festival.
Given the nature of the event, most were simple booths focused on food or entertainment, but the streets were packed, creating a lively, festive mood.
Splat!
"Gah!"
The Self-Discipline Club had a member locked in a wooden stockade, charging participants to throw water balloons at them.
Wham—!
"Whoa!"
"Is that a new record?"
The Martial Arts Club had set up a punching machine and was holding a high-score competition with prizes for the winners. The Health Club’s arm-wrestling contest and the Archery Club’s dart game also looked popular. On the other side, there were booths catering to couples, offering tarot card readings and caricatures.
I smiled with satisfaction as I surveyed the vibrant scene.
Everyone’s working hard.
Since it was the beginning of the semester, their efforts to recruit new members using the festival as a hook were commendable.
"By the way, are you in any clubs?"
Yuliana shook her head.
"Me? No, I’m too busy with Student Council work. And as you know, I have a separate mission I’m carrying out under Her Highness’s orders."
"Why not join one now? The Alchemy Club I’m in."
"Isn't that the club that went bankrupt after you promised to invest and then backstabbed them?"
So the rumors had already spread.
"…It’s being rebuilt. As long as I’m sponsoring it, it will soon become the most prestigious club in Eredor. I think it would be good for you to join. Beatrice, too."
To use the tour ticket for the Deiarron Magic Tower I’d received from the Chairman, it would be best to have them both in the club. If they joined, it would also give the club an incredibly powerful backing.
"Her Highness too? I don't think she’d do it; she finds that sort of thing a hassle."
"It’s fine if she just puts her name on the roster. I have no intention of tying Beatrice down with mandatory attendance. Just tell her to think it over."
"Well, I can do that much."
After walking with Yuliana for a while, we left the activity booths and entered the food stalls, greeted by a wave of delicious aromas.
Sniff—.
The scent of smoked chicken skewers tickled my nose, making my mouth water. There were booths selling everything from buttered potatoes and grilled squid to fresh fruit juice and tteokbokki. It wasn't strictly related to the clubs' academic purposes, but festivals like this were how they secured operational funds and built camaraderie.
"…I’m hungry."
"Let’s grab a few things after we’re done here."
As we walked through the appetizing scents, I occasionally spotted people carrying drinks. Bubbles rose through a refreshing yellow liquid—clearly a carbonated beverage.
At the same time, I caught snippets of nearby conversations.
"They say that booth over there is selling lemon soda."
"Soda? Isn't that stuff incredibly expensive? For that price, you could eat at a restaurant."
"I heard it’s only 5,000 crone a cup."
"5,000 crone? For carbonated water?"
Listening to the murmurs of the crowd, we continued until a somewhat shabby tent came into view. It was a simple booth with a sign featuring a crudely drawn potion bottle.
It was the Alchemy Club’s booth: Alchemist.
"Yes! Please come again!"
When we arrived, a cheerful Trish was seeing off a customer. Despite the booth's humble appearance, there was already a significant line, suggesting the drink was selling quite well.
I read the sign posted in front. The text was highlighted with a bright red marker.
[MASSIVE SALE! Lemon Soda, only 5,000 crone per cup! Limited daily quantity!]
"…"
The wording of the sign exuded a strange sense of professional marketing and a burning desire for commercial success.
5,000 crone. The price is perfect.
A small glass of carbonated water usually cost nearly 50,000 crone. Selling such an expensive luxury for only 5,000 was bound to draw people in, if only out of sheer curiosity. It was a revolutionary price point—like selling a 30,000-crone chicken for 3,000. People would try it at least once, even if they thought it was a scam.
Considering the festival had only just begun, this area would be completely overrun by the time the promotional effect of the drinks I gave the athletes kicked in.
"Ah! You’re here!"
Trish, who had been busy serving customers with a party hat perched on her head, greeted me with a beaming face.
"How are things going?"
"Can’t you tell? It’s a massive hit!"
Trish pointed to the line of customers and a transparent box on the table. The box was overflowing with cash. At a glance, it looked like they had already pulled in several million crone.
"At this rate, we’ll make at least 30 million by the final day!"
Trish threw her hands up in the air, radiating joy. While not a staggering fortune in the grand scheme of things, seeing this kind of reaction from the start was a huge achievement. I was glad I’d listened to Trish and set up the booth.
"We’ll have to pull an all-nighter to brew more syrup."
"Yes, and we need to secure more bottles. Luckily, Ishtal distributed souvenir cups to the students, so we’re using those for now, but some customers want takeout. Also, it would be great if we could find a student who knows ice magic. People want their drinks ice-cold."
"Ice, you say."
"Yes."
Trish leaned in and whispered so the customers couldn't hear.
"…And if we pack the cups with ice, we can use less soda and syrup. It’s great for the profit margins."
"…"
She had become quite the merchant.
Regardless, Trish’s mention of needing ice magic caught my attention.
"Ice magic…"
I quietly turned my gaze to Yuliana, who was standing right beside me. If I recalled correctly, Yuliana’s magical affinity was specifically for the ice element.
"Wh-what are you looking at?"
Sensing the shift in the atmosphere as I stared at her, Yuliana tried to play it cool. But it was too late.
I placed a firm hand on her shoulder and smiled.
"Here she is. Our new ice maker."