Chapter 286
Chapter 286
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 286
Chapter Title: The Bavarian Tournament
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“Can you hear me? Wake up!”
Someone was slapping my cheeks. It wasn’t just unpleasant—it was downright absurd. I grabbed the hand and shot upright.
“Whoa!”
A human student looked delighted as I woke up.
“Phew, thank goodness. I thought you were dead. You okay?”
“…You thought I was dead.”
I swallowed my irritation and rubbed my cheek. Dead or not, the slaps to wake me hurt more.
“You weren’t breathing.”
“Me? Why…?”
“No idea! I just gave you some chest compressions, and you woke right up. Shouldn’t you go to the hospital?”
“…I see. Thanks.”
Something was off. I’d been perfectly healthy until just now, and I still felt full of energy. It didn’t seem like a real medical issue. Guessing from context… it must’ve looked like I passed out when I left and reentered this world.
“How long was I out?”
“Not long. I heard a thud like you collapsing and came over.”
So the spatial magic collapsed when I fell. My mana got pulled back, so that tracks.
More importantly, he said the chest compressions woke me right up.
Time doesn’t keep flowing here while I’m out in the extra chapter and back—it freezes until I return and starts again.
As I pondered, the student stood.
“I can go now, right? Get to the hospital!”
“Yeah, thanks.”
I was fine, so no hospital needed. I sent him off, then cast spatial magic in the alley to open my status window.
“Upgrade the skill first.”
One minute here was one minute out there. And with me vanishing from the spot, time still passed outside. It was bedtime, so low risk, but if Leona Elias barged in, explanations would be a nightmare. What, say I warped somewhere again?
Time Difference Lv. 1
― Current Time [Extra Chapter: Chapter 7] [1:1]
― Next Time [2:1]
― To Next Level: 1.0 EC point
Back when I first woke up and drank Leo’s blood, a point window appeared. I’d brushed it off then, no time to check, but now was the time.
“Check points.”
EC point: 1.0
After grinding two digits in Chapter 7, seeing just 1.0 made me chuckle dryly. I dumped it into Time Difference.
Time Difference Lv. 2
― Current Time [Extra Chapter: Chapter 7] [2:1]
― Next Time [10:1]
― To Next Level: 2.0 EC point
“…Nice.”
Next up, 10 minutes here equals 1 minute outside. Key is farming those 2 points fast. Gotta build this place up anyway for later use.
“Well, that’s why I’m here—to use it now.”
I had a plan.
Time Difference limited what I could do today, and real results here were iffy. Still, better than sleeping.
I pulled up past proposal windows.
Proposal 1. Find a job.
― Reward: EC point +1
Proposal 2. Find a host.
― Reward: EC point +3
Okay, 1 point down.
I’d had ideas for Proposal 1 before.
What job fits here?
Think. My starting point? Only one place.
I pulled out the newspaper I’d bought from a stand before and flipped to the classifieds.
[Live-in Maid Wanted]
[Experienced Stable Hand Needed]
[Fishing Boat Crew: High Pay Guaranteed]
[Vocational School Contract Teacher (2nd Semester): Ages 22-55, Grads Welcome]
[Berlin 2nd General Hospital: Nurses/Aides Wanted]
Varied options. Problem: no certifications, no experience, no time. Even if time stops here, it flows outside. No slack. For key info, pick info-rich jobs.
For brother intel or stolen items—any scrap—work where ruling family info flows.
Not this page. What I eyed before was elsewhere.
I flipped back. Ads section.
[Kingdom of Bavaria] [National Wizard Combat Magic Tournament]
This was it.
Start in Bavaria again. Time to rack up debts here too.
“Issue: it’s tonight, March 20th.”
Roster’s set, obviously. But the timing? Me dropping in on tournament day?
Yeah, rationalization checks out.
Still, I had to go. Not the matches—getting king’s notice. Any crazy stunt, sooner the better.
I shared Leo’s aversion to nonsense, but tournaments were annual. Miss this, I’m Prussia’s dog here too. Info yes, but politics risk. Bad call.
“Couldn’t even enter government buildings for combat wizards anyway…”
Georg Ascanien and Adrian Ascanien locked it all. Prussia out, rival Bavaria best bet over small states.
One more Bavaria reason. Recalled last article before coming.
Bavaria king’s birthday soon. House of Österreich-Este: Austrian-Hungarian archdukes. Empire borders Bavaria southeast. Chance to spot Archduke Este at birthday gala. Meeting him won’t catch thief, sure. But if Phleroma stole relic/jewel for magic/spiritual reasons… random gem theft? Link to jewel/house/person/Phleroma?
“…Overreach, obviously.”
Even I knew. No guarantee from this era. Couldn’t check real thefts, but eyeball potential hooks now? Worth it.
Realistically, Phleroma cash-strapped, stole for money. Why not Lombardy pipe? Endless nitpicks. Easier to loot Sapphire Phleur?
Less “catch thief,” more build world early, save sleep. No daytime dips.
“Something or nothing.”
Born from brother’s attack—farm time here, build base.
Time to move.
I looked skyward, deep breath, eyes shut.
“Ugh, you okay?”
Warp-dizzy, someone steadied my back. Warped to recalled Bavaria checkpoint. Thanked him, joined line. Bavaria thorough even then—wizard warp checks Berlin lacked. Passed passport quick.
“From America yesterday.”
“Yes.”
“For the tournament?”
How to play? Checkpoint question—not corner store. Wrong answer, proof demand.
Kept face neutral.
“Tournament? Lots coming for that?”
“Yes. Roads blocked—we escort. Show confirmation if competing.”
“Escort personally?”
“Out-of-Bavaria to Prater Island: warp with us.”
Prater: venue.
Hurdle already. Knew it.
“If I subtly leak divinity, tweak his mind favorably?”
No. No real confirmation—hurdles persist. Fool few, not hundreds.
Smiled, shook head.
“I see. No. Theater hopping.”
“Playgoer. Actor maybe?”
“Yes… no.”
Déjà vu. Munich, 12 years later—similar.
“Hair’s unusually long? Ha, mistake.”
“Yeah.”
“Go ahead. Enjoy.”
Got carry-on from other guard, warped Munich. Isar River ahead. Follow to Prater.
As Nikolaus, knew Bavaria combat venues rotated yearly. Island rare—records only, first live. Fresh.
“Right there, can’t go.”
Hate crashing day-of. Leo’d suspect, but I prefer legit. No begging. Back off? Prussia fed rep. No point being here now. Better max Time Difference, train to Vatican, knock on Holy See.
Plan B: most sensible crazy.
“First, convince committee.”
Nikolaus intel: which ministry runs it. 12 years? King same, no cabinet shakeup—worth shot.
Deep breath, snapped recalled coords. Minor nausea—success.
Grinned, eyed lobby.
“Into building’s the issue.”
No non-staff entry.
Regret the crazy, but do it.
Dragged carry-on casual. Guard approached.
“Where you work, sir? New face. That carry-on?”
“—Enter by the narrow gate.”
Leaked divinity slow, undetectable. Silent incant weak for spells, but no takedown needed.
Guard frowned, scratched head, awaited reply. Eyes focused.
“Sir?”
“Bavaria Council Chairman’s secretary. New, so unseen. Chairman sent for budget from minister.”
“That’s…”
“Right. Usually warp mail. But… extras for Chairman.”
Eyed carry-on.
“Legit, no worry. My card.”
No card. Smiled, offered passport. Guard scanned. Reread, eyed me. I tilted head innocently.
“Nothing odd. Says Bavaria Council… Administrative Secretary by name. Not enough?”
Incant again. His imagery shifted. Guard blinked twice blank, smiled mirror.
“No. Everett, right? Enter.”
“Thanks.”
Took passport smiling. No card reaction.
Crowds expose fast, solo perfect.
Few steps, turned.
“Ah, tournament committee floor?”
“4th. Minister after?”
“Post-meeting.”
“Ah, yes. 4th left end. Visible.”
Matched intel. Smiled, stairs.
“Hope few up top.”
Many? Prussia aide… or farm pope points.
Self-mock, reached 4th left end. Empty—Prater shift? Quiet. Mana to ears sharpened.
[Squeak— squeak—]
Chair back. Stopped.
“Sharp.”
Knew someone there. Pro. Smiled preset, knocked.
Knock knock—
[Come in.]
Entered prompt.
“Ah.”
He gaped at me. Knew someone, not me—surprised.
Bright blond, sky blue eyes. Familiar features. King-like young human gawked. I kept distance, greeted first.
“Hello, Lucas Everett.”
“Emmanuel Wittelsbach.”
Grin instant, stood for shake. Royal courtesy:
“Royalty, as expected. Apologies for lack of formality.”
“Nah, just civil servant now. You’re no plain noble either?”
Sat, hands clasped, head tilt pre-empt.
“Familiar face, hefty mana. Anyway, ID.”
Hand out, smiling.
Smiled silent. Abrupt? Sorry after cheating up, but hard flow. No mind tweak yet—ask ID not boot? Knows what?
Reporting maybe. Prepped divinity, offered passport. Read long, eyed hair.
“Hair won’t flap in fight?”
“…”
“Here for tournament? Ha, too sudden?”
Pulled palm-sheet, copied passport, half-tore to me. Yellow warp coord slip followed.
“Forfeit slot—go now. Succeed? Mention me to His Highness.”
“…”
Emmanuel waved out laughing. Door flung like gust. Last, checked status.
Emmanuel Wittelsbach
Favor +2* [攻略able (Stage 1/5)]
Title: —
Stamina: +6.0
Mental: +6.0
Mana: +5.0
Skill: +7.0
Impression: +8.0
Luck: +5.0
Trait: Discernment (Lv. 3)
Discernment.
Eyed trait, his eyes. Leaned casual. Tilted brow at stare.
“…Will do. Thanks.”
Short thanks, out.
Squeak— click—
Hall stop, eyed coords. Laughed.
“Ah, this guy…”
No ordinary.
No reason issue permit. Why?
Caught divinity mind-tweak on guard. Sharp—obvious intruder in staff zone.
Calm Wittelsbachs like king/Leo, then Elias-type—shocked, but social flair. Hair bit compared passport photo/issue: ‘Caught your divinity wizard.’ Reassure ploy—too sudden.
Divinity wizards: ~10 kingdom. That’s ‘tell king my name.’
“Magic crime, then what?”
Elias-types unpredictable. Smiling calculation, not pure cheer.
Trusts Bavaria response maybe, but trait answered. Faith Doctrine undersecretary had it. Discerned nature.
Still wary. Wait—if tailed or issues, rewind. Separate world—no real Leo hit.
Warped coords. On-site committee office. Royal note—smooth reg.
Not real entrant— just forfeit insert, stamped.
Staff eyed odd. Late royal connect? Curious.
“Forfeits?”
“Five so far. Yours makes four slots.”
“Got it.”
Checked watch.
Two hours here. One outside.
“Done. Wait, called—go.”
Checked sheet.
20 teams, last. Rearranged forfeits.
“Match average?”
“Ten minutes start. Lengthens.”
“…”
Stroked chin, nodded. Chuckle. Job—points—home today? King gala ahead outside—start now.
Three hours passed. Amp magic called.
[Franz Lenbach, Lucas Everett.]
Entered field. “Field”—few mana officials, judges end. No royals? Royal Guard uniforms atop.
Whatever. Real royal bonus.
“End quick.”
Focus: end time. Room intruder disaster. Edgy.
Buzzer—familiar outside.
Beep—