Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Sophistication (2)
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Even in the capital of Edshilla, Verio Hills was one of the top upscale neighborhoods. A golden city built on golden land, where even most rich folks couldn't flash their business cards.
I was there.
"Proper class from the jump."
The moment I stepped out of the taxi, the scent of luxury assaulted me. Did they spray perfume instead of disinfectant in the cabs around here?
"......"
I walked quietly, holding back the urge to gawk like some country hick.
Verio Hills was decked out like a castle gate right from the entrance. The streets brimmed with restaurants, clubs, stadiums, high-end cafes, and even 'Adraka'—mana technique shops run directly by the Magic Tower. Hot spots everywhere.
One place caught my eye.
The luxury boutique Luxury Line. I strode right up and pushed open the door.
"Welc—"
The clerk startled at the sight of me. Probably the uniform. I kept a straight face and scanned the interior. Brands whose names I recognized just from hearing them.
"This. Mind if I try it on?"
I picked out a jacket from the 'Lumiere' brand. The kind of insane luxury item that went for 10,000 Ren per piece.
"Ah, sorry sir. Our shop doesn't allow fittings."
"Fitting rooms are right there. Three of them."
"Well... there are customers inside already, and we're members-only for fittings."
"Oh~ You look so pretty~"
Suddenly, the door to one of the fitting rooms swung open, a bright compliment ringing out.
I glanced over without thinking.
"Oh yeah? Wonder if this color suits me better~? Huh?!"
The customer from the fitting room, who had been grinning away, spotted me and her eyes went wide.
"...Sion. What the hell are you doing here?"
It was Rae. Skipping theater practice to do what here?
"What are you doing here?"
"Pissed you didn't give me the script. Skipping practice to shop. Strike day today."
Ah, got it.
The clerk beside me flinched and glanced between us.
"You two know each other?"
"Classmates."
Rae answered first, then clomped over and spun around with a flourish. Flaunting her sky-blue blouse patterned with the brand logo like checks.
"How's it~? Pretty, right~? Feeling like giving me that script now~?"
I pointed at the Lumiere slacks for the clerk.
"How much for this?"
"Hey. Ignoring me?"
Rae furrowed her brow.
"What's going on? Who else came?"
Another voice chimed in. The door to the second fitting room opened.
Another woman, and someone I knew.
Someone I knew, but she didn't know me yet.
"Rae. Who's that guy?"
Tall, nearing 180 in heels, slender and beautiful but with a somewhat imperious air—yet her snow-white hair lent her an air of profound mystery.
Her name was Seirin Siana Aventher Lucy.
Direct bloodline of the Aventher family, the former Chairperson's house.
"Oh, that's our classmate. Sion."
At Rae's words, Seirin pursed her lips.
"...He's Endex too? Then why's he so shabby-looking?"
"He's killer at Latynel though!"
Seirin was no easy mark. Best to steer clear if possible.
I refocused on shopping. Lumiere slacks, T-shirt, jacket. That ought to cover a 'formal occasion kill-outfit' set.
"This dress is nice. Wrap it up."
Seirin's voice pierced my ear. What brazen spending.
"Pardon? Ah, well..."
Her clerk hemmed and hawed like she had something to say. Seirin smoothed out the dress's wrinkles and frowned.
"What?"
"Um... you have a lot of unpaid balance, so for today, you'd need to pay..."
"What?"
In an instant, her right eye widened while her left twisted.
Her expressions were as vivid as ever. That chosen-one superiority complex and stubborn grit still intact.
"Ha! You've gotta be kidding me."
Of course, the Aventhers of Seirin were a prestigious house. But like all those old-money families obsessed with 'tradition,' their house rules were pretty unique.
Their succession motto: All or Nothing.
The family fortune went to just one heir, and the frontrunners were the twin siblings, Sieric.
Which put the Seirin here on the verge of getting zilch.
"What did you just say? Repeat it."
With blood that fine, no need to worry. She'd marry into another noble house or chaebol and land on her feet in no time.
In her past life, that's exactly what happened.
She hooked a startup guy who became a mega-conglomerate head, terrorizing the continent as the infamous 'White Witch,' only to crash in an affair scandal.
"Ah, sorry... but at least pay for today's items—"
"Oh~? Think I won't pay? Worried I'll stiff you on this pittance?"
Seirin swept back her snowy white hair.
"No, it's not—"
"It is."
She flashed a smile, then suddenly bared her teeth like a wolf and yanked the clerk's hair.
No amateur grip there.
"Eek!"
"You little bitch. You think I'd skip out on chump change like your tiny tits? Huh? Don't you know who I am? Answer me, you worthless slut."
"S-sorry— Eek!"
"Sorry my ass—answer, you ugly cow!"
Seirin whipped the clerk's head around, the poor woman flailing like a paper balloon. I thought about intervening but let it be. Not someone I could rein in.
"H-hey, sis! Stop, stop! I'll pay for today, okay?!"
Rae jumped in instead, thrusting out her card.
"Oh, you don't have to."
Seirin released the hair instantly. The clerk crumpled limply to the floor.
"How much? Mine and sis's stuff too. Ring it up."
At Rae's question, the disheveled clerk mumbled.
"40,000 Ren..."
"Yeah, okay. Card here..."
"I'll get you next month~ Sis didn't bring her card~"
The psycho placed a hand on Rae's shoulder, smiling sweetly again.
"Aw~ Even if you don't... you can pay later, sis."
"You just said I don't have to pay?"
"...Huh?"
What a pushover Rae was.
"W-well, then Sion, I'm heading out~"
"...Yeah, bye."
Rae left with Seirin, and I handed my card to my clerk.
"Three sets of Lumiere. This stuff."
Meanwhile, at the small theater where Troubadour rehearsals were in full swing.
Elise was adjusting actors' movements from the storyboard, directing lines, discussing concepts—basically doing the director's job.
Not that hard. The storyboard visuals were so top-notch, just follow them.
[Saerto Centurion Black Card Approved]
[25,000 Ren Lump Sum]
[03/26 3:13]
"......"
Sion Askal had swiped 25,000 Ren.
A fair price.
Not the type to hold back peeking at reactions anyway. No manners or consideration to speak of.
[Trash: Yo, can I grab some food too?]
Elise fired back a reply.
[Do whatever you want]
Ding-ding-ding-ding—
Then payment alerts came flooding in, dozens nonstop. Setting up house somewhere? Buying a place maybe?
"What's with all these texts~? Elise, you... got a boyfriend!"
College student Shasha waggled her brows slyly. Elise's face went ice-cold in a flash, her features sharpening like spikes ready to stab.
"...Sorry."
"Don't say useless crap."
Shasha bolted, and Elise glanced at Miller, who was memorizing his script.
"Miller?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah. What?"
Miller turned to her.
"Can you tell me now?"
"Tell you what?"
"The Duke's backstory."
"Ah..."
Miller must've gotten it from Sion Askal.
The Duke had some secret in the play. She got the twist element, but why hide it from the lead actress—herself?
"Right before the show."
Elise narrowed her eyes.
"...For real. Won't affect your acting anyway, so no worries."
Miller said that, and Elise chewed her lip before turning away.
Wonder if this is how Rae feels without her script. Kinda irritating for no reason.
Ding-ding-ding—
Even amid that, the phone kept buzzing. What the hell was this maniac buying so much of?
Lakeside by the old building.
Shopping done, I was back, fiddling with the Askal Family Sword in the breeze.
Starting Tuesdays, I'd hone my swordsmanship. With the mana core absorbed, I had spare mana capacity—for training with an absolutely monstrous swordmaster.
Who?
Someone only I knew, who appeared when I closed my eyes.
Tuition: mana.
Time: seconds.
Best I could manage now was about 30 seconds of recall.
That tone, that voice—so familiar. A future Soliet Arkne, different from now.
I learned by watching her.
She never taught me swordsmanship directly, but if I could just mimic what I saw, no better teacher existed.
She'd beaten her own father at an age well short of thirty. Shattered Igridis, a monster in continental history.
My recall limit was just over 30 seconds. Mana capacity only allowed that much, and even a tiny imitation of her sword left me bedridden for a day.
Didn't matter.
Even if my body shattered learning just a single '1' in exchange, as long as I could chase after you.
I drew the Askal Family Sword.
Draw next: 'Forward'.
Simple in description. A sword that doesn't resist. Her Forward Sword triggered like a shot from an already-drawn state.
Never 'pulls.' Pulling the blade to unleash is Backward.
So her Forward Sword just pushes out.
Strange thing.
Most swordsmen, when cutting, pull the sword then swing: low to high, high to low.
Not Soliet.
Hers ricocheted like a bullet.
A sword skipping part of the 'slash' motion, blatantly ignoring physics.
Thus, the 'Severing Sword'.
Whoosh—!
"...Gah!"
One push, and my shoulder nearly popped. The sword sucked it in. Dantian mana drained nearly 50%.
I clutched my shoulder and sank down.
No time for that.
Crackcraaaack...
"What the."
The tree I'd test-swung at. The thick trunk was toppling.
I backpedaled a couple steps.
Craaaash—!
The tree, cleaved into thirds, speared into the lake.
"......"
I blankly watched the massive trunk bend like a fishing rod.
Habit kicked in. I opened the Notebook.
[110 / 135]
24-Hour Edits: +10
The first stroke of Severing Sword, 'Draw,' had gotten to zero cost through repetition. But this Forward Sword ate a whopping '10' capacity right out the gate.
"Cost performance... pretty good?"
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