Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Netori or Die – Choose Now
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Netori or die. Pick one. Hurry up lol
Eventually, I made up my mind to head to the capital.
I've got to survive first.
Only if I live can I come back later to say hi to Nila and all that.
And honestly, getting backstabbed so many times in this village pisses me off.
Truth be told, if it weren't for people like Blan, Nila, or the stable owner, I never would've come back here again.
"Hahaha! Excellent choice! So now we're master and disciple, plus classmates!"
"......?"
Come to think of it, there's something bothering me.
I don't know when enrollment starts, but... I'm over twenty.
Does Prynar Academy accept adults?
When I asked, Gold blinked at me.
"Common sense says so, but Prynar Academy is special."
According to Gold, you graduate after six years, no age limit.
Though people over thirty are rare. Twenties are pretty common, he said.
"But there's a separate adult class. Sometimes adults end up in regular classrooms."
"I see."
I guess I'll be in a regular one.
By the way, Gold, Asita, and Clarit are still first-years.
"We're about to advance to second year! Normally enrollment's in March next year, but as a special mid-term admit, Dre—you'll be second year too!"
Super fast promotion.
"But Gold... sir."
I almost said "nim" but switched it.
He'd asked me not to before.
"Hmm. We should settle on how to address each other first."
Gold, who seems four-dimensional but is sharp, crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
Then—snap! He opened them and spoke.
"Dre! I want to call you big bro!"
"......Pardon?"
It caught me off guard.
Big bro? We're not even friends?
"Age aside, that's not the point! Someone strong enough to take down Prostia. And that rare sense of justice... I want to be more than business partners with you!"
"That's... much appreciated."
Gold's so straightforward. I like that.
But the justice bit is cringy—I never did anything like that—so skip it.
"I see you as someone worthy of respect and admiration! A man who stays and fights to the end, even when he could run alone!"
"That was just how things played out..."
"Not just that—you're mature! Clarit said even when Sor scratched at you nonstop, you never snapped unless you had to!"
"......"
"Can I call you big bro?!"
Something tugged at my chest.
Gold was dead serious.
Feeling burdened yet grateful that he thought so highly of me.
"Big bro might be a bit much... it'd feel awkward for your subordinates."
"I guarantee none of them qualify! They all know what kind of man you are and respect you! Kaishiru's iffy, though!"
Kaishiru's iffy, huh.
"If it's uncomfortable, I'll save 'big bro' for when we're alone! How about names otherwise?"
"Sure, that works."
I was gonna refuse for his men's sake, but his eyes said no refusals, so I agreed.
"Then from now on, casual speech between us!"
"We'll ease into that..."
"Got it!"
Cool guy.
My chest warmed with emotion, then Gold added:
"But drop the 'sir' and 'nim' right now when calling me! Feels like you're keeping distance."
"Understood. I'll work on it."
Gold nodded, satisfied.
"And big bro. The trip from Milf Village to the capital is in a week. That okay?"
"Fine by me."
I'll use that week to say proper goodbyes to those I owe.
Starting with the stable owner I hadn't checked on yet.
I'll prepare the best show of gratitude I can.
"Dre big bro."
"Yeah?"
The 'big bro' feels so weird.
Gonna take time to get used to it.
"Every student can have squires. Instructors can have squires and assistants too. I heard you can have two squires and one assistant... Want us to assign trained ones?"
"Ah..."
Squires, huh.
"What do squires do?"
"They attend you. Check your condition, run errands. Some manage diets. Think maids!"
Maids.
Sexy squires in maid outfits... mmm. Blame my brain's soaked in eroge.
Shook off the fantasy and answered.
"I'm good. I'll try solo first."
Honestly curious what constant service feels like.
But lifelong commoner—might love it at first, then get overwhelmed.
"If I need one, I'll find my own."
"Do that! If you want someone, tell me—I'll handle the paperwork!"
Reliable.
"Anything else needed for Prynar Academy enrollment? Papers or whatever?"
"Your docs are already submitted to Prynar Academy."
Wait, what? Without me knowing?
Identity leak?
Reminded me of holing up at home so much telemarketers stopped calling.
"You know? World might not know you fought Prostia, but word's out you repelled a dragon."
"Ah."
"Probably Clarit."
Clarit? Why her?
"I ordered my men to keep quiet. No leaks there. El doesn't blab, Asita looks shady but is soft inside. But Clarit would."
"Is that a problem?"
"Don't know her intent yet. She's no villain, so nothing bad... Just a heads-up."
Conscience.
I saved her life—why would she screw me?
...Plenty of scum would, though.
"Anyway, you're basically a dragon slayer now. Even in Prynar Academy for geniuses and elites, you'll stand out."
Gold stared at me with burning eyes.
"You'll handle it fine, big bro, but be careful. If it's tough, tell me or El."
"Thanks."
El.
Last night flashed back.
Her cute gestures. Pitiful expression.
Gold telling me to rely on her—proof she doesn't hate me?
"Oh, almost forgot— the guild's giving you a bounty too."
"Bounty?"
Gold.
Always sounds heavenly.
"There's a national disaster prevention reward system. Blocking something like Prostia means big money."
"Ah."
"And the dragon—Prostia moved elsewhere. Mentioned your name, seemed uneasy but wants to meet again."
Why meet...?
Revenge?
"What're your plans for Prostia?"
Prostia's specs are insanely strong. Hard to imagine tying her down quietly.
But a top-ten clan—surely they've got ways?
I'd said bring ten to fight me—must mean all ten clans.
Maybe together they can?
Wanna ask, but spilling clan secrets felt wrong.
Listen to Gold first.
"No real plan. Prostia said once she pays her karmic debt on her name, she'll return home. Staying forcibly just leads to weakness and misery."
"I see..."
"That's the scale of such a being. Not solved in a day or two. Under my watch now, but soon passes to the clan heads."
Gold stood, grabbed a pot-like kettle and cups, set them before me, and poured.
I thanked him and sipped.
Gold drank too, then blurted:
"Personally, I'd polymorph her and enroll her in the academy."
"Why...?"
"Dragon school life together. Sound fun?"
"......"
This guy's got loose screws too.
What if she snaps and wipes everyone?
"She moves by duty, not understanding humans. But if she does... she might change."
"Doubt the academy accepts her."
"Exactly! That's my gripe! Equal chance for all but outliers... Hate that it's only proven geniuses!"
Gold spoke passionately.
Voice full of sincerity.
"......"
"There must be talents withering from lack of money or circumstance."
Yeah, Gold's mindset is different.
Hart Clan seems destined to thrive... but who knows.
No idea how long our bond lasts, but hope they flourish.
"Prynar Academy's full of students with subtle elitism too..."
You're a student...
I also heard about Nila and the merchants.
Gold took responsibility, canceled Kiss Merchant's forced fees, and funded compensation.
Happy ending.
Nila'll live happily with the shota elf.
Chatted more with Gold, then left my room.
He offered shopping, but I politely declined and headed out.
Prynar Academy.
Gonna be packed with nobles and elites.
If spotting them gives XP, maybe worth looking forward to.
"Hoo."
Even now, I hadn't fully committed.
Steal another's woman to hit level 100 in 88 days?
Is my life worth that trash behavior to survive?
But things to do back home... complicated feelings.
Kieeeak..
It's all your fault...
Dre... save me...
...Yeah, things to do.
Decide by end of day.
Die or don't.
Head to guild, get promised reward from Apiz.
The skill.
Apiz looked busy but taught me right away.
"The skills I'll teach are Surging Earth and Void Shield. Simple, versatile ones."
He demoed in the training hall—more gym-like.
Surging Earth: ranged sword strike. Like a ground projectile in fighters.
Can burrow and explode too.
Great for ambushes or checks.
Void Shield... pretty useful.
Floating magic shields around me block attacks. Shrinkable, auto-defends—easy against surprises.
Can even use as platforms in a pinch.
"I prefer close combat, but teaching my sword style might mess with your developing one. If you want later, I'll teach."
Apiz said even these take more than a day.
But I nailed them on second try.
One fail mixing Severing Sword.
"......"
Apiz looked shocked.
"...I meant time to mastery, not acquisition."
This cool guy's got a cute side.
I'll focus on these for the week.
On the way out, grabbed the disaster bounty at the port—fat stack.
Earth value? A hundred million!
This fortune in hand.
"Um..."
The familiar middle-aged clerk hesitated.
"What's up?"
"Normally it'd be more. Weird."
Sounded like higher-ups skimmed some.
I said it's fine.
Let it slide? Nah.
Tell Gold and Apiz.
Scarier than me swinging a sword.
As I left, a sarcastic voice:
"Well, aren't you living it up."
"Bentler."
Grinned at him chugging from morning.
Sarcasm for sarcasm.
"You look free. No jobs?"
"Festival's still on, bitch!"
He jabbed a finger at me.
"Punk. You hit me twice, right? Think strength is everything?"
"Isn't it...?"
"...Fair. Fuck."
Remembered fleeing Yuna here.
Everyone hostile then. Now, no disdain—at worst neutral.
And this guy's the one who helped me.
Pulled out ~2 million won equivalent and set it before him.
"Huh? What's this?"
"Buy a round at your shop."
"What?"
"Thanks back then."
Left stunned Bentler behind.
Now, time for real repayment.
To the stable.
Bought clean clothes, snacks too.
Fantasy world—sweets are pricey.
Wondered max gratitude: give all the bounty cash.
Hate to, but academy dorms cover room/board.
Repay my benefactor.
No cheap thoughts.
Followed memory, hit stable street quick.
Remembered getting kicked out, scanned angrily—locked eyes with someone.
He flinched, averted gaze. One who'd chased me off.
Hmph. Asshole.
Felt the changed treatment, reached my target stable.
No one with the horses.
Probably in the house next door.
Deep breath at the door.
Damn. Socially awkward me tenses now.
Resolved to knock—
BAM!
Door shook like breaking.
Thud inside, kid crying "Daddy!"
"......"
Opened the door.
Three thuggish bruisers ahead. Blond punk kid in chair, gaping at me—total prick face.
Fancy clothes.
At my feet.
The burly bearded bald uncle I'd met, coughing on floor.
Beside him, tiny pretty girl—elementary age?—sniffling.
"Who the hell are you?"
"......"
Ignored the punk, knelt to kid's level.
She flinched, thinking I'm with them.
"What happened?"
Panicked, but she spoke clearly despite trembling.
"Th-they left horses... said scratches. Demanding compensation. Ridiculous amount."
Karens, huh.
Sighed, stood.
"Hey? Deaf? Who're you?"
"Polite question first."
"What?"
Cracked knuckles.
"How many hits you want?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Asita rolled around in her guild room.
Lips pouted, she muttered unwittingly.
"Why hasn't he come."
Thought Dre'd drop by to hang anytime.
Where's he at?
Sulked, then bolted up.
If he won't come, I'll go—started dressing.
Then flopped back on bed.
'Why should I go first?'
A girl's heart is uncontrollable even for her...