Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Race Within the Sky Island
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After a while since hearing the youngest's story.
I headed to the mini dungeon.
Whiiiing—!
"Ahh… Is this what refreshment feels like?"
Coming to Sky Island after so long, it really clears out my chest!
Normally, I only came here whenever something cropped up, so I'd never had the chance to leisurely sightsee.
But this time was different!
[Big brother, shall I guide you?]
"I'll just walk around alone for a bit."
[Understood. Please contact me if you need anything.]
"Take care."
Click.
Alright, now to find the top students from each year among the academy students.
And check what the exam is about.
Just as I was about to head to the edge of Sky Island.
Little kids swarmed toward me from around.
"Uncle Balrak!!"
"Hello!!"
"Oh~ If it isn't the little ones? You all doing well?"
""""Yes!!""""
Seeing the kids way more lively than last time was a real treat.
Yeah, kids that age should grow up running around freely like that!
While I was at it, and since it had been a while…
Hmm, maybe walk around with the kids a bit?
Rustle—
"Why are so many low spirits gathered in this outer area?"
"Yeah? Maybe there's a mid-level spirit nearby… Huh?"
"Yeah?"
These are the creeps who specialize in stalking kids, right?
They're frozen like stones now, though.
If word gets out that I'm here, it'll be troublesome in all sorts of ways.
Better to move with the kids before any big fuss starts.
"Kids! Wanna do it like last time?"
"Huh?! You're doing that again?!"
"We wanna!!"
These guys… they're pretty pumped.
Good. Let's go right now!
Soon, the power of the kids weakly linked to me began to amplify.
Woooong———!!
"Kyahahaha!!"
"It tickles!!"
"W-What the hell is happening?!"
"Wait a sec!! We didn't mean to attack you guys…!"
Boom!!
If you run into them in a dungeon, it's battle— what's this about a non-aggression pact?
Anyway, after the kids swiftly dealt with the creeps, we headed to the end of Sky Island.
Soon, clouds rolled over the vast blue sky.
Spirits and birds flew freely.
Looking at this scene now, this place really is a masterpiece.
But one problem arose.
"Eeeek! You guys are cheating!"
"Uuuuncle!!"
"""Waaah!!"""
Because they had so much fun last time, the kids swarmed around me!
Still, after I explained the situation, the good kids promised to play next time and dispersed.
"See you next time for more fun!"
"I'll tell the other friends too!"
"Yeah, too bad, but see you later."
I still can't believe these good kids caused so much trouble in the Spirit Realm.
Speaking of the Spirit Realm…
Now that the Demon King sent me a letter, I should reply at least somewhat.
Just ignoring the Spirit Kings' letters feels off too.
Problem is, I got nothing to say!
Their letters to begin with…
[Dear Balrak, are you well today as well? The birds chirp, the flowers bloom, beautifully….]
Just boring, pretentious drivel with no substance!
Plus, when I asked Zephyra about the Spirit Kings…
'Ahahahahaha…'
'Z-Zephyra?'
'Hahahahahahaha!!'
She just lets out that weird laugh.
Never talks about the Spirit Kings.
If there was some common ground, I'd have something to write, but nope—it's frustrating.
Sigh… Guess this is the life of a dungeon boss.
Later, I should ask the dungeon merchants to introduce me to someone who knows the Spirit Kings well.
*************
Zephyra had suffered in the Spirit Realm like a little sister tormented by older sisters who fawned over their boss like he was their crush.
But unaware of that, Balrak casually played with the low spirits and used magic tools to observe the students' exam sites.
"Kids!! Look at this!!"
"Is this that spirit grass or whatever?"
"I heard it's super expensive outside 'cause it doesn't grow at all…"
"Hey, us. Instead of sampling this, should we just sell it?"
"Oh."
"Oh."
"Oh."
Commoner students marveled at the money-making ops inside the mini dungeon.
"Hup!!"
"Kyarruk! Missed!"
"Take this!!"
Whoosh!
Bang! Boom!!
Students itching for battle took on spirits.
Screeech…
Clang!
"This is the Wind Orb, right?"
"Then what about these vials?"
"Lemme see… Rapid reagent scan says healing potions."
"Keep one for submission, drink the rest, then head to the sea side!"
"Huh? Why there?"
"I'm for it too. Gotta survey the farthest spot first for exam advantage."
Some students used items from ruins to explore new areas.
Plus, in a lush forest somewhere on Sky Island—
"Heh heh… Looks like academy students. Wanna check out my wares here…?"
"W-Why's a merchant here?"
"Shh! Everything except what's missing, so take a look. Heard it's a practical exam—don't you wanna get a leg up to move faster?"
"W-We don't have money…"
"No worries. I take spirit stones only."
Reclusive peddlers tempted students with devilish deals.
Watching the students enjoy the packed content prepared on Sky Island, Balrak smiled contentedly.
While Balrak searched for the strongest seedlings on one side.
A male student on another side prepped his weapon.
"Ah, Albert… You're really going after that?"
"Gotta try if it's my shot at the highest score."
"But that adventurer said even free knights struggle to catch it sometimes. Mess up, and we waste time."
"No big reward without risk."
"Sigh… Fine, as our top student says."
Albert ben Barche, top of the Empire Academy's entire 3rd year.
He moved with friends to catch the golden-glowing spirit—hardest to spot and catch on Sky Island.
But soon, a great opportunity hit them.
"Huh…?"
"What's up?"
"L-Look!! Over there!!"
A golden spirit bobbed away right in front of them.
Students froze a sec, then snapped to and chased!
"What luck is this!!"
"Focus! Surround it quick!"
"Got it!"
"I'll take right!"
Students tried encircling the golden spirit.
But the spirit wasn't dumb—it sped up.
"W-Why so fast?!"
"Damn!! It'll hit another Sky Island!"
"Run!!"
Thus began the chase for the golden spirit.
Trees whipped by.
Sky Island's edge neared.
Storm Altar to another Sky Island visible ahead, so students kept tailing.
But maybe 'cause the golden spirit flew so blatantly?
"Over there!! Golden spirit!!!"
"Eh?! For real!!"
"Chase!!"
Early skip scrolls, elixirs, abyss coins drop, etc.
Adventurers went mad for the jackpot money and joined.
"Huh?!"
"R-Rare spirit?"
"Only spawns here?!"
"Daring to attack one of our few protected species?!"
Elves, who'd dubbed it a protected species on whim, started interfering.
"That one's my big break!!"
"Elixirs!! Eliiiiixirs!!"
"Got it this time!!"
"Looks fun, count me in!"
Career-hungry free knights.
Warriors craving strength.
Hero party that barely missed last time.
Beastkin jumping in 'cause it looked fun.
Suddenly, a race erupted on Sky Island to snag the golden spirit.
Of course, some races just watched.
"What idiots."
"Tch, just run somewhere else. Kicking up dust…"
"Hey, bros. Time to crunch numbers quick."
Give up, and peace follows.
Short-legged dwarves stayed chill despite the uncatchable golden spirit.
The chasers saw it head to an outer island edge.
This Sky Island near the end—if it bailed to the sky, jackpot gone.
So pursuers sprinted desperately.
But something off?
The golden low spirit, blessed by Great Spirits, was buffed to match the horde.
Yet it seemed headed somewhere specific.
Plus, super unfortunately, a rare visitor hit this Sky Island.
Soon after.
"Uuuuncle Balraaaaak!!"
"Oh ho, you? Been ages!"
"Ah? You remember me?!"
"Hahaha! Of course!"
The golden low spirit hugged into its destination: Balrak's arms.
Tatatatatak!!!
"Damn!! Voices ahead?!"
"Eliiiiixirs!!"
"Why so many people!!!"
"No touching protected species!"
Pursuers crashed through brush to Sky Island's end.
Arriving at the wide-open cliff edge.
Pwapwapwa!!
"Hey!! Let's catch that spirit togeth—Huh?"
"Yo!! Why sto—Eh?"
"G-G-G-Gol— Yaaa… Uuugh…."
"S-Suddenly!! Wha— T-…"
Seeing the black-armored figure surrounded by low spirits, pursuers turned to stone.
*********
Who'd have thought the little kid who talked to me first time in the mini dungeon would come straight to me!
Ahh… Is this what emotion feels like?
Tears are welling up.
Plus, this kid glowing golden means it got tons of good kid stamps in the Spirit Realm.
Didn't expect newbies having fun on Sky Island to come meet me like this.
They'll meet me plenty after training and entering the main dungeon…
No helping it.
Boom!!
Guess I'll play with the newbies after ages too!