Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Luxury and Amusement in Winizden
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49
7
Red wine sloshed gently inside the thin glass.
Standing on the balcony of a high-rise hotel, wearing a bathrobe and swirling the wine in one hand—never thought that moment would come for me.
“Too cliché?”
It was hard to hold back laughter imitating the rich tycoon straight out of a movie.
Choco was already staring at me with a look that said, *What the hell are you doing?*
“Not my style, huh.”
I downed the wine in one go.
A slight buzz hit me, but I was far from drunk.
I set the glass down, and Choco climbed onto my shoulder.
I leaned against the balcony railing with Choco.
The lights illuminating the high-rise were feeble individually, yet scattered in countless numbers.
It was like the night sky’s scenery dragged down to earth, reminiscent of a modern city nightscape.
Hmm, as the saying goes, night views are built on someone else’s overtime.
All those countless lights were traces of wizards pulling all-nighters.
Especially the central hub of the Third Magic Tower shone brilliantly.
As expected of the lighthouse known as Winizden.
Gazing at the night view made it sink in that I’d finally escaped the academy.
I’d never stayed out overnight beyond the academy before.
Sure, I was dragged here against my will...
“The one who enjoys it is the pro. Might as well enjoy it while I’m here.”
I decided to think positively.
If I hadn’t been dragged along, when would I ever splurge in a fancy hotel like this?
No point in regretting it now—time to make the most of it.
Knock knock.
The door opened with a knock.
The hotelier wheeled in a cart.
In an instant, the room service filled the table.
Thick, freshly grilled patties in burgers, french fries sprinkled with just salt, pizza with cheese oozing out, and golden fried chicken.
Fast food familiar to me, yet out of place in a luxury hotel.
“Sometimes you just crave this stuff.”
Ever since arriving in this world, I’d only enjoyed fancy cuisine.
Still, human psychology makes you miss street food like cup tteokbokki from in front of elementary schools or electric mouse-shaped tonkatsu now and then.
Especially since my stamina had been drained dry among all these wizards.
Time to recharge with some high-calorie fuel.
Before digging in, I grabbed the pizza first.
Loaded only with cheese, no miscellaneous toppings, it looked greasy just to behold.
Of course, I’d ordered ice-cold beer too, so I chugged it down refreshingly.
“*Ahh...*”
Even the same beer went down smoother than the usual stuff.
I chewed into the pizza, cheese stretching long strings.
The meal didn’t yield much insight.
The only gain was my decision to help Dray Hoiman.
Whether it was the right call remained unclear... but right now, helping Dray Hoiman was the best option.
If left as is, the chances of him falling to corruption from the magic world’s ills weren’t 100%, but pretty damn high.
Dealing with fallout later would be a huge hassle.
Better to handle it now, even if it meant some legwork.
The method was simple.
Prove Dray Hoiman’s theories empirically so no one could dismiss him anymore.
Easier said than done, of course... but I had to try.
“Living day by day is nothing but hardship.”
At least I’d filled my stomach properly.
By the time I polished off the calorie-packed feast, Choco—sitting on the bed in a bathrobe—started dozing off with nods.
Must be nice being Choco.
Just sit there, get fed, get new clothes bought, no worries or cares—pure bliss.
...No, Choco must have his own struggles.
I shouldn’t assume without knowing.
Today alone, he got dragged from a walk all the way to Winizden.
“You’ve had it rough too.”
I tucked the unresponsive Choco into bed.
8
Winizden was the Third Magic Tower itself.
However, the city didn’t solely serve the tower’s functions.
In fact, of those entering Winizden, eight out of ten were wizards, one out of ten were adventurers or mercenaries on wizard commissions, and the last one was tourists.
Yet the areas tourists could access in Winizden were extremely limited.
They couldn’t approach the tower, and restaurants were confined to those near hotels.
Tourists couldn’t even learn magic and were only allowed to buy restricted magic tools.
It was barely worth touring, but rich nobles still flocked to Winizden for one reason.
Winizden Park.
The state-of-the-art amusement park, a proud showcase of the Third Magic Tower’s technology.
From roller coasters plunging from dizzying heights to carousels and Ferris wheels, even maglev bumper cars.
A dreamland packed with all the classic rides.
Why does a fantasy world have an amusement park?
I’d love to ask the devs, but per official lore, it’s a promotional spot to spread the Third Magic Tower’s achievements and a steady cash cow.
Anyway, the why doesn’t matter.
What matters is I’m here at the amusement park.
“Been a while.”
When was the last time I visited one?
It’s fun once you’re there, but lining up for rides is boring, and factoring in travel time makes it a hassle.
That’s why I rarely went.
No annual passes or anything.
As an adult, I lacked both money and time even if I wanted to.
Still, I liked teacups and carousels.
For some reason, the spinning sensation appealed to me.
I bought a headband with a big ribbon from a stall by the entrance and put it on Choco.
He wore capes and hats fine, but this was his first headband—feeling weird, he stretched his front paw to take it off.
“It suits you perfectly.”
Praised by me, he put it back on.
And it really did suit him well.
“Shall we take a lap around?”
Nod nod.
Choco hopped onto my shoulder.
Winizden itself had strict entry permits, so the park had fewer visitors than expected.
No lines—perfect for riding freely.
Today, Bailey and I were splitting up.
We had until the train back to the academy, so it worked out great.
“What should we ride first?”
Could a raccoon even ride these?
While I pondered, Choco stretched his paw toward the kids’ roller coaster.
If he wants to, fine...
I asked the staff, and they said Choco could ride too.
Fantasy world—impossible becomes reality.
Choco and I took the front seats side by side.
As soon as we sat, the chair and safety bar adjusted to Choco’s size.
Already excited, Choco was tapping the safety bar with his paw.
Clunk—the roller coaster started.
Kids’ ride, after all. Didn’t go high, not very fast.
Before we could enjoy the breeze, it returned to the start.
“How was it?”
No response from Choco.
His soul had fled; he lay limp on the seat, pale as a ghost.
He wanted to ride...
I scooped up the terrified, dazed Choco.
Finally snapping to, he trembled like a nutcracker, clutching my arm tight.
“Let’s do something less scary.”
Choco nodded vigorously, headbanging-style.
To calm him, we hopped on the carousel.
Upbeat music played as the horses slowly spun.
Choco flinched at first but soon realized it was just circling in place. Standing on my lap, he raised yesterday’s new staff high.
Imitating a mounted wizard?
With a ribbon instead of a witch hat, he didn’t quite look the part.
But cute, so I said nothing.
The carousel stopped.
Choco looked back at me wistfully.
“Got something more fun.”
That perked him up.
Energized, he leaped off the horse and pawed the ground like *Lead the way!*
Too smart for his own good, listening so well.
I took Choco to the bumper cars... or bumper boats in Broken World terms.
We boarded the maglev boat-shaped vehicle, and illusory waves rocked around us.
I sat Choco on my lap.
No explanation given, but he grabbed the wheel and steered wildly.
Of course, with his strength, he couldn’t manage, so I turned it from behind.
Loving how the boat followed his inputs, Choco focused on driving for a while.
Bump into someone, and his wild side kicked in—he went berserk ramming everything.
A fluffy raccoon rampaging? More cute than scary.
Rides are always over too quick compared to wait times.
The bumper boats stopped soon, but Choco regretfully pawed the wheel.
I picked up Choco, his intent to ride again plain as day.
“Let’s grab a snack.”
His eyes sparkled; he hugged my arm tight.
Was I raising a raccoon or a kid...?
One thing’s sure: Choco’s no ordinary raccoon.
I’d believe he walked bipedal, read newspapers, and spoke fluently when I’m not looking.
I sat with such a Choco on a bench.
Freshly fried churros with cinnamon sugar for me, cotton candy and water for Choco.
Choco peeled off a chunk of cotton candy with his paw and dipped it in water.
Trying to wash it, I guess—but wet cotton candy’s fate is sealed.
It melted away softly, and Choco stared in dismay.
Raccoons instinctively wash food in water, huh.
Seeing this, Choco really is a raccoon.
A truly bizarre one.
“That melts if you dip it in water.”
Unbelieving, Choco grabbed another piece.
Dipped it super slowly—and of course, it dissolved.
Stunned, he took another, staring at the water in conflict.
Shakily stuffing it in his mouth instead—heartbreakingly adorable.
Still liked sweets, though; he ate the cotton candy steadily.
“Sometimes this hits the spot.”
Next time, maybe bring someone else.
Who to invite... gotta think about it.
“Having fun, I see.”
Someone plopped down beside me out of nowhere.
Blond hair, blue eyes—nothing distinctive.
“Who are you?”
“After all this time, you don’t recognize me? Hurtful. But natural—I look quite different from back then.”
No clue, even after racking my brain.
Not someone I know.
I tilted my head, and he added casually,
“Anirja of the Dark Valley—ring any bells?”
My hand gripped Deathwise’s hilt first.
Anirja of the Dark Valley—that name was unforgettable.
“Whoa, whoa. Not here to fight today.”
Anirja raised his hands small.
That grinning face differed from the Anirja I remembered.
But that was a puppet shell, and this man before me was another puppet.
“Then why are you here.”
In this space, drawing my sword would be faster than chanting.
Hiding Choco behind me, Anirja leisurely groomed his nails.
“You’re so exceptional. Here to scout you.”
“Get lost.”
“A bit harsh? At least hear the terms...”
Shunk.
Deathwise pierced Anirja’s chest.
Normally fatal, yet not a drop of blood—he just smiled brightly.
“Guess it’s not time yet. I’ll withdraw for now. But remember: don’t put too much faith in Esterro Academy.”
Anirja’s body gradually lost strength.
Soon, like a puppet with cut strings...
No, he truly became a porcelain doll and toppled forward.