Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Netori or Die: Choose
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"You write it like this here."
"Oh my~ Thank you."
A woman clasping her hands delightedly after listening to Repelt's explanation.
Her age... mid-twenties? Early twenties?
Honestly, she just looks about my age.
I'm not clueless.
Judging by Repelt and Asita's cautious reactions, she's clearly someone important.
Every movement is so leisurely and graceful—textbook noble.
So, how high up is she?
If she's making a Hart Clan knight captain like Repelt tense up, maybe one of the Ten Great Families?
She must have felt my unabashed stare because she turned to look at me.
Our eyes met, and she gave me a gentle smile.
......Pretty.
Not just pretty—there's a warmth to her that puts you right at ease. That kind of vibe?
A type I've never encountered before.
In this world or my old one, everyone I got tangled with was a total asshole or bitch.
"Dreng."
A voice laced with chill.
Asita grabbed my neck and twisted it with a creak.
I could have resisted with my strength, but her soft touch on a beauty like her? I let it happen.
But why's she acting jealous?
She brought her boyfriend along...
I shot her a sharp glare without thinking, and she flinched with a little whine.
"H-Hurry up with the procedures already."
"Understood."
I'd planned to just watch today, but there was something to do.
I thought Gold had handled everything, but apparently some things needed my personal touch.
Dormitory residency application.
I figured it'd be some instructor or student vetting process, not dorm signup.
But Asita's explanation made a bit of sense.
Basically, the campus crawls with powerhouse faculty and geniuses—any intruder gets crushed no matter what. But the dorms? Just students and attendants. Wide open for trouble.
Hence the strict screening to keep out bad apples.
Of course, it's probably just an excuse to dig into identities.
Students can freely enter dorms by explaining at the gate, even without applying. If they really wanted ironclad security, they'd block that too.
Still, if it's necessary, I filled it out.
Then magic scanned me, poked and prodded...
Thought it'd be quick, but it dragged over an hour.
Finally, just personal details left.
But then I hit a wall at current address.
...I got no home?
What's this coordinates thing?
"If you're staying at the Hart Clan estate, just put that as your address."
"I see."
Luckily, Asita helpfully explained.
Coordinates are basically magic zip codes.
I was inwardly impressed by how clearly she broke it down.
Thought she was a total airhead, but she's surprisingly sharp.
She caught my gaze and gave me a what? look.
The more I think, the less she seems like the type for that casanova douche.
Eh, circumstances, I guess.
Doesn't change that the guy's handsome as hell.
Asita's gorgeous, so she's probably gotten plenty already?
...Thinking about it sours my mood.
Even though she's not my girl.
"Just so you know."
"Yeah?"
"Ours is a platonic relationship, Dreng."
"? You and me?"
"No. Medeus and me."
"Medeus and you?"
Finally realizing I was messing with her, Asita lightly smacked my chest.
The way she controlled her strength and pulled back at the end? Adorable.
I love how she always respects boundaries, even now.
"......Um, by any chance, to me?"
Ah, but isn't this an opportunity?
I need physical contact with Asita.
She's destined to fade away someday, dissolved by mana.
Infuse her with my power through touch to change her constitution.
Perfect natural chance.
The moment I gently gripped her hand still resting on my chest...
"Hyat?!"
Asita jolted like she'd been shocked.
I slipped some of my energy into her body in that instant, but she yanked her hand away too fast—couldn't infuse as much as I'd hoped.
Looks like the "oh my~!" reaction skill is still alive and well when I hold her hand.
"P-Pervert! There's a pervert here!"
"Between hand and chest, which part's the real pervert?"
"Gender! It depends on gender!"
No sexism now.
"Ughhh. You're not using some weird skill, Dreng, so why does it feel so...?"
Eh? She can sense that?
"B-But why do that now?"
"Do what?"
"That... your mana? Or Prynar? Anyway, it felt like you injected something into me..."
Uh, wait.
She noticed?
Thought I'd hidden it.
Tough to respond.
Whatever I say, I'll sound like a creep.
"Ahem."
A cough that somehow sounded menacing.
Repelt was glaring at me, eyes narrowed.
Beside him, the gentle woman covered her mouth, going "oh my oh my" as she glanced between us.
"I-It’s a misunderstanding! Dreng grabbed first!"
"No, I just grabbed to make her let go of me."
Us two, slandering each other like besties.
"Dre-nim. Are the procedures done?"
Repelt's voice was icy as a blizzard.
Ouch, my heart.
I fidgeted, peeking at him, but he snorted and turned away toward the entrance.
His mood lifted later when I promised sweets from the shop.
Sweets are the best.
Was heading to the place Gold and I hit yesterday, but Asita tugged me along to her favorite spot.
Interior's dimly lit, witch's cottage vibe.
Creepy exterior, but inside? Cozy and cute.
And best of all—cats.
One's perched on the table now, grooming its face with a paw. Pure healing.
Pet it?
Should be fine? I'm a customer.
Heh heh heh... Uncle's got lots of money... surrender your body to me...
Just as I reached out with lewd thoughts...
"Dre-nim, you need to mind your dignity more."
I dropped my hand at Repelt's words.
Right, still getting scolded.
Cat later.
Repelt declined to sit, saying he had to stand guard, but I forced him down, and now he was happily munching dessert.
He kept grumbling at me the whole time, but it was more cute than annoying.
Bought some for Asita too, of course.
She insisted on paying herself, but I said I'd cover it—pay me back next time.
I'd handed most of my cash to Lena's dad, but Gold's allowance was generous.
Maybe 'cause it wasn't originally mine. Or even knowing I gotta pay it back someday, I could blow it on these ridiculously pricey desserts without a care.
Man, it's delicious.
Asita nailed the recommendation.
Food's great, no annoying pricks around.
Worried there might be Prynar Academy kids—like Liyet or his goons—but false alarm.
Thud.
"?"
Someone kicked my chair on the way by.
I looked up, and a big lug glared down like, what're you staring at?
This fucker?
"Whoops. Sorry 'bout that."
"No problem."
Quick apologies matter when you're in the wrong.
Forgave him a bit.
Why only a bit? I'm not petty.
The bastard apologized all sarcastic-like.
If I weren't a law-abiding citizen, he'd be dead.
Endured it.
Two beauties eating was peak healing—no mood ruined by this crap.
But then more guys bumping my chair on purpose.
What the fuck.
Different faces each time—no point getting mad.
Creak. Scooted my chair sideways.
Not blocking path... table spacing's wide anyway, but just in case.
Problem: inching closer to the gentle woman.
She smiled awkwardly, troubled. I was too.
Repelt was glaring daggers.
Not just at me—he was eyeballing every bumper too.
Too blatant to miss.
Repelt looked ready to leap up any second.
Her getting pissed actually soothed me.
Man, she smells nice.
Still some distance, but this unnamed woman's scent is comforting.
"......"
"......"
Glares incoming.
Not just Repelt—Asita staring too. Creak, scooted the other way. Then another presence.
Stopped just before collision. Bang!
Loud 'cause he charged hard.
"......?"
Blatant provocation. Looked up—guy yelling in pain.
"Ow, that hurts!! Hey!! Where you even looking?!"
Me sitting, you standing—where you looking, asshole?
Still, endured. Law-abiding, remember?
Little more patience.
"Sorry."
"...Hmph."
Guy backed off, spooked.
Repelt rising with shield at the ready—normally goofy guy's sharp eyes scared even me. Him? Terrified.
"Shall we move?"
Dunno why, but bad vibes.
Couldn't stay in this shop longer.
"Um... just wait till the owner gets here."
Asita trusted the owner to handle it. Friends?
Who could make her say wait in this mess?
Thought it over, nodded.
"Got it. Gonna wash my hands."
Hands weren't dirty, but needed cold water for my hot head.
Rose and walked—bang. Charger incoming.
First apologizer guy.
Intent to ram me clear as day.
Twisted aside; he stumbled... spun, charged again.
Absurd—blocked with hand, he yelps.
"Oof!! Hey!! Why'd you hit me?!"
"......?"
What is this clown, a comedian?
"Not even gonna apologize?"
"Sorry 'bout that."
Bowed quick, headed to bathroom again.
Another incoming—shoulder twist dodge, mumbled "man" "sorry" sarcastic.
Obvious thug type snaps angry.
"Hey! Kid! Proper apology or...!"
Crack!
Bone snap, thug slammed to floor.
Endured a lot.
Women hate violence—even watching—so avoided it. Now? Fuck it.
More importantly, he tried to guard.
Saw my strike, if barely.
Trained guys.
"What?!"
"Who's causing a scene?!"
Rough-looking dudes jumping up everywhere.
Finally clocking the awkwardness? I'm the idiot.
Guy shop full of dudes.
Ah, women too, sure.
Like those corner girls—now hoods off, noble-looking.
Varied faces.
Panicked, excited for drama, here we go types.
Third group needs beating.
First, downed the "here we go" faces among the standers.
All saw my fists faintly—tried blocks/dodges, useless.
Thud! Crunch!
One punch per punk.
Nose bone shattering hand-feel? Divine.
Quit sword for fists?
"You bastard!"
Guy draws sword from nowhere.
Saw blade—drew mine from waist.
Shing.
"Eh."
Sword shatters, rolls on floor.
Finally gets it, terror-stricken.
Level gap too huge—no sweat.
"Wh-What. Not like we heard...!"
"What do you think you're doing?!"
Piercing girl voice.
Corner noble girls.
The one who spoke—I'd seen her face before.
Liyet.
Redhead girl who glared at me last during that argument.
"Those are our servants. What is this outrage...?"
Crack!
Before she finished, caved in the dumbstruck swordsman's nose.
Minion down nosebleeding; girl speechless.
Snapped back, yelled at me.
"You! Do you know who we are to pull this...!"
"Then who do you think I am?"
Strode to them fast.
Loomed cold over them—they clamped mouths shut.
All regret: this ain't it... or where's backup?
I'd downed all the backups—no help coming.
Redhead aside, others weren't that gung-ho anyway.
Now opposite table—new girls rise.
No memory of 'em.
Robes hint non-Prynar uniforms.
"What a scoundrel!"
"Report him to the authorities!"
Someone approaches the fussing girls: the gentle woman.
"Now, now. Let's calm down and talk it out. Seems like a misunderstanding..."
"Who're you, lady?"
"Beat it!"
"La-Lady...?!"
Even a gentle soul hurts at age jabs, huh.
Beauty half-shocked, half-pissed.
She looks like a lady...? Nuts?
I turned away in disbelief; redhead perked up smug.
"This is why outsiders suck! Always violent, no manners... guk."
Grabbed her throat.
Not my kink or anything.
But gripping her neck direct? Soft yet oddly tantalizing feel.
.....
Not the time.
"Knew you were messing with me, endured about three times. I'll own violent, but who's mannerless?"
"Guhk. Kk."
Didn't expect direct harm—girls paling fast.
Repelt approached.
Thought to stop me? Nope—slammed shield to floor beside me, glared around.
Full support.
"Who am I? Hmm. Nothing fancy, but Prynar Academy student and instructor hopeful. Might get canned for this, but oh well."
"Ahh..."
"And this beautiful knight beside me? Hart Clan knight—which means I'm a Hart Clan guest. Knew that and still pulled this shit?"
Pale girls shake heads no-no.
Unaffected opposite girls still yapping.
Shut mouths and they'd be cute... proves looks don't equal personality here.
This much hassle—even a saint like me gets pissed.
Our noble ladies ever traded barbs with plebs like me?
Dropped f-bombs?
"Causing this mess. Liyet an idiot? Or you minions acting solo?"
"N-No..."
Mention absent Liyet—redhead's face turns purple fast. Hilarious.
Just probing—jackpot.
Her attitude says Liyet's clueless.
This girl's solo act.
"Threatening nobles?"
"Broke Outsider Treaty. Arrest him..."
"Arrest? That's you lot."
Relaxed woman's voice echoed.
Issue: I sensed zero presence.
Drew sword on guard—Prynar flared, noble girls and rowdy dudes all floated up light.
Me too almost, but barely shook off binding mana.
"Oh my."
She widened eyes in surprise...
Witch.
No other word.
Stereotypical giant hat, boldly exposing collarbone, shoulders, cleavage; fur-trimmed neck, perfect exposure outfit top-to-bottom.
Purple base with geometric stripes, matching arm warmers.
Stunning face, haughty expression, long flowing hair perfect match.
Personally black hair ideal, but brown locks.
"Teacher!"
Asita jumped up yelling. Teacher?
"Call me owner here, Asita."
Witch stepped forward clack—normal move, but insane pressure surging from her.
"Prynar instructor? That's qualification enough to boast."
"......"
"Hi, Outsider Dre. Been wanting to meet you."
Witch lit pipe from somewhere, puffed, spoke.
"I'm Prynar Academy Magic Division Curses Instructor. Emilia for now..."
She pondered, smiled bewitchingly.
So captivating I gulped unwittingly—then she said:
"I'll say you're my comrade."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Clarit knew Asita had gone to meet Dre.
Also that Asita's boyfriend Medeus had tailed her secretly.
A bit worried.
She knew.
Acts cheery and normal, but how insidious Medeus really was...
Of course, if he crossed a line, she wouldn't stand by.
'Always such a nuisance in every way.'
Pictured Dre in her mind.
What're they up to now?
Probably with escorts—not alone.
Medeus off playing as usual, so maybe Dre's the only guy.
'Asita went to help with paperwork. Should I go next time?'
Purely considering Asita's position, but oddly, imagining strolling with Dre didn't feel bad.
"......What was I thinking? No, misconception. I didn't think that."
Clarit shook her head like it was absurd.