EP.3 Good Things Are Meant to Be Shared -1
My head was throbbing from the start. Who could've guessed that the enrollment fee and dorm fee were separate?
Luca, of all people, had gotten a full waiver, so of course I hadn't known.
Hold on.
Did that mean that massive sum had been deducted just for enrollment?
"The dorm fee alone was two million ross."
One thousand ross could buy a pack of instant noodles.
Doing the math... half a year's dorm cost was about two thousand packs of noodles.
"Chronos Academy ain't messing around with the prices."
No wonder the bank was packed with kids.
Living costs money. Food, shelter, clothes.
Especially in a place like this, money leaked out just from breathing.
Not many could afford that kind of wealth, so they had no choice but to borrow. Or maybe they had rich families bankrolling them.
"Loans, huh."
I'd considered it myself at first.
But it felt off. One slip-up, and I'd spend my entire school life paying off debt.
"The silver lining..."
This island had solid ways to make money. Just like the dean's words—Grow from the Everyday—there were plenty of ways to train and improve even in daily life.
"Two choices."
Take on debt and crash in the dorms? Or rough it outside while earning cash?
Most would pick the first, but I went with the second.
Me, Anton Salieri, street orphan turned survivor. I'd honed my own skills.
"Alright then. Time to go back to camping after ten years."
Back when the Steel Tower Master picked me up, I'd sworn never to sleep rough again.
But shit happens.
I calmed myself and checked the academy map.
The island had various zones, mostly buildings clustered around the center.
The outskirts caught my eye.
"Wild animals and thugs' turf, right?"
Or broke students' spot.
Those who couldn't afford the center or broke rules got chased out there. They banded together or went lone wolf.
I hated crowds, so finding a quiet solo spot sounded best.
"Somewhere peaceful and alone."
Glancing at the time—it was past seven already.
Stick around longer, and I'd freeze my ass off sleeping.
"Let's move."
I picked a spot and headed out.
Destination: Arachne's Forest.
Camping in the woods might horrify some, but it wasn't bad for me.
Forests were resource-rich. Fruits, water, wood—plenty.
The issue? Wild animals.
"Gotta plan for that."
From experience, beasts were better than shady humans.
"This Arachne's Forest?"
It was on the outskirts, far from the main academy building. Eerie vibe, no signs of people. Not a single footprint.
"Fire first."
Deep in, I spotted familiar grass—bug-repelling stuff from my street days.
And time to make a fire after ages.
"At least I've got a coin or two now."
Back when I had zilch, I'd rub sticks or steal matches.
Now I could buy 'em legit.
Pulled out matches from the shop pack, lit a few, tossed on dry grass.
Whoosh!
The flames caught quick, growing warm and cozy.
No freezing tonight.
"Now for food and shelter."
Too soon for that. Sleep in a tree, maybe...
"Fruits it is."
No time for hunting or fishing. Fruits for now. Protein sources tomorrow.
"Heave-ho."
Wish there were filling ones.
As I stood thinking that—
Flutterflutter.
Something flapping fast.
"..."
I perked my ears. Maybe a small bird—edible?
Flutter! Flutter!
Dart in hand, forged and aimed. About to hurl it—
- Whaaaaa!!
A spirit flew in from afar. Spirits lived here too?
But it was bawling its eyes out. Footsteps behind—I realized it was being chased.
Helping one spirit wouldn't pay big, but...
"Who knows?"
Might bring tasty rewards.
"Come on."
Normally, hide and watch.
Academy freshmen might outclass me.
Most probably would. Weaker than prelim dropouts? Nah.
But hunger won out.
Tap-tap-tap-tap...!
"Now."
My chains weren't as many as Luca's, but enough to bind.
"Bind."
"Kyaaah!?"
Chains shot through bushes, snagged something.
Chaser was female, apparently.
The spirit tilted its head at me, then approached slowly.
"It's spring, so strawberries as thanks. In season."
Pet the spirit, headed to bushes. Pushed in—green-haired girl thrashing.
"Gotcha, you."
"W-what is this!? Let me go!"
"Like hell. Why would I free a spirit poacher?"
Spirit poaching was illegal continent-wide and academy-wide.
Screw up, and your whole family crumbles.
So this one...
"You're mine now."
"What!?"
"Gonna be the foundation of my life."
Hand her to guidance council at dawn. Bounty should tide me over.
"Bounty hunter... nah, too tough."
Not all targets are scrubs.
"Let me go!"
"Nope. Sit."
"Grabbing someone out of nowhere and claiming them... you think I'll submit!? Guidance will make trouble!"
What the hell?
"Guidance troubles you, no?"
"Huh?"
"Spirit poaching's the worst crime. You know that."
Bent my index finger; spirit perched.
Wind spirit, glaring daggers at the poacher.
"How much did you scare it to run to me?"
Once, the continent shook over a court case. Judicial bullshit: victim's tears as evidence.
For humans, crap. We wear masks.
But spirits, low-grade ones especially? Tears are proof.
Good vibes or bad? They sense it.
Low-grades picky; if they approach, person's good.
And look.
"I'm no saint, but it's doing this? How bad did you fuck up?"
Spirit acting cute now.
"Be good till I hand you to guidance tomorrow."
"Unfair!"
"What?"
"I'm just a regular spirit department student!"
"Proof."
"Proof... my wallet's in my back pocket! Check it!"
Of all places.
"Tch. Stay still."
Had to fish it from her skirt pocket quick.
She blushed—shame now? Should've lived right.
"Spirit department. Second-year senior."
"Senior!? Hey, you! This how you treat elders!?"
"I judge. Frankly, dump you in the river—who'd know?"
Threat worked; she shut up. I compared ID and poacher.
Nia Greenwood. Spirit department second-year. Long dark green hair, amber eyes like embedded gems.
"Why's a spirit student out here?"
"That's what I wanna know."
"No counter-questions."
"Ugh... the spirit. I was chasing that spirit."
What.
"Poacher confirmed."
"Different! Totally different!"
"Then why chase it?"
"Well... okay, truth. No, I'll show you."
Nia struggled up, whistled sharp and merry. Echoed through trees.
"Spirits! Come! Anyone wanna contract with me!"
Teacher mentioned: Spirit mages signal, bond, contract.
Seeing it might clear her a bit.
"Oh."
Wind spirit flapped off my finger, hovered before Nia's face.
"Y-yeah! Contract with me? Please? Begging! I haven't contracted once yet!"
What?
"A spirit mage with no contracts—"
"Quiet! My life's on the line!"
Nia dove in, forgetting her spot.
Spirit neared, circled her head.
"Please contract—"
- Wind Blade.
"Wha—!?"
Spirit made blades on my hand? No—hers? Tossed light ones, ripping clothes only.
"N-no! Last outfit!!"
"..."
"Help, junior! No, please, junior!!"
What to call her.
Not poacher... yeah.
Idiot.
Calmed the spirit with a whistle—whoosh.
"H-how...?"
So easy—why couldn't she?
"Live nicer, senior."
"Unfair... so unfair!!"
Her wail echoed through the woods.
Saying that, I almost felt like the nice guy.
"You live in the forest?"
"...Yeah. Few weeks."
"Got a spot?"
"Kinda...?"
"Fire."
"Huh?"
"Where's your camp—fire."
"Why me?"
"Good things are for sharing."
Not really, but whatever.