Chapter 83
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Before the Break (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Next day.
Endex's swordsmanship training hall.
"As I mentioned before, today we'll be evaluating the Three Sword Forms."
Swordsmanship Studies professor Gioli said to the seniors.
"You can challenge it as many times as you like. Feel free to go at it for the next three hours. I've invited your practice assistants to help out."
There were quite a few people beside him this time. Not university students, but teaching assistants.
"As I told you last week, the Three Sword Forms are extremely important. So today is essentially a mid-term check before the first-quarter evaluation exam. I'm giving you as much time as possible to practice."
For me, who'd skipped last week's carriage class, this was quite the aggressive progression.
"Once you've practiced to your satisfaction, head to the evaluation room. Anyone want to go right away?"
Gioli pointed toward the evaluation room as he asked. Gerkken raised his hand first, followed by Soliet.
"I'll do it."
"Yes. Come on in, starting with you, Gerkken."
Gerkken entered the evaluation room with Gioli. Soliet had already moved to stand in front of the closed door.
—Elise. You going first?
Kain, who'd been watching, asked Elise.
—What about you guys?
—We're gonna warm up a bit first. Look, Senior Galla's over there. Figured we'd cross swords with him.
Galla, by the way, was a pretty famous knight. The kind who showed up often on variety shows. Was it All Regulars? Or the one before that? He came out with his manager.
—You guys go ahead. I'll go right now.
—Got it. Hey, Esher. Let's go.
—Okay.
Kain and Esher seemed intent on practicing with that knight named Galla, so Elise took Soliet's spot next.
I naturally lined up behind Elise.
"...What are you doing?"
Elise shot me an incredulous glance.
"I'm taking the test right away too. What's the problem?"
"..."
Her face screamed utter disappointment in humanity, but she didn't say anything else.
Right then, the door opened.
"Good work. Head up to the second floor and rest."
"Thank you."
Gerkken had already finished his evaluation.
"Next, please."
"Yes."
It was Soliet's turn, and her evaluation wrapped up in just two minutes.
"Next, Elise."
Elise, who was next, came back out after barely three minutes.
"...What do you even think you can do? I heard you skipped last week."
She must've gotten a perfect score, because Elise was smirking as she pried.
"Just sit tight and wait. I'll be quick."
"Sigh."
She shook her head and headed up to the second floor.
I opened the evaluation room door. Without being called, I raised my voice.
"Here. Sion Askal."
"...Sion Askal?"
Gioli on the other side stood there with clear suspicion in his eyes. I gripped the Askal Family Sword confidently.
"Yes. Sion Askal."
"Your fundamentals are... truly outstanding. Feels like you've trained for years."
I'd demonstrated the Three Sword Forms—Eclipse Form, Chain Form, and Five Flames Form—in the evaluation room, earning Gioli's high praise.
"Sion Askal, perfect score. Head up to the second floor and rest."
"Yes."
I left the evaluation room and went up to the second floor. Naturally, only Gerkken, Elise, and Soliet were there.
Soliet was leaning against the second-floor railing, pretending not to notice. Gerkken was reading some book. Instead, Elise beckoned me over.
"Looks like you gave up on the evaluation? Come here."
Why was she acting like that? Was she planning to assassinate me or something?
"You seem suspicious."
"...Don't be stupid."
I sat on the sofa next to her. Soliet glanced our way ever so slightly.
Elise handed me a paper covered in numbers.
"What's this?"
"It's the theater production costs. Read it over and let me know if there's anything to discuss."
Stage costs, lighting, staff hiring fees... a bunch of expenses that added up to quite a lot, but I couldn't make sense of it.
"That's a lot of numbers. Got a three-line summary?"
"...The theater budget went over, so we've got an extra 20,000 ren in costs."
"Ah, pass. Your problem."
I hurriedly tossed the paper back.
"No, how did you mismanage things so badly? Lie down."
I sprawled out on the sofa.
"Haa..."
Elise sighed pityingly, and I shook my head—then flinched. Soliet was right behind the sofa I was on. She'd definitely been by the railing moments ago.
Elise levitated the paper back with telekinesis and said,
"There are 2,300 seats, so ticket sales should cover it."
"What? What is this, the opera house? Endex has a venue that big inside?"
Like some high school festival packing 2,300 seats.
The theater I'd gone to before had 4,000.
"You know Palette Theater? They do musicals and classical concerts there all the time."
"Never been. But can you actually fill 2,300 seats?"
Elise snorted. The laugh lines around her eyes twitched mockingly.
"The rumors are spreading pretty far."
"Rumors? Ah, about how my script is too good?"
Elise didn't answer that. No nonverbal agreement either.
"It's not every day a six-star prospect does a play."
She plugged herself instead.
"Oh, really? Anyway, if we fill 'em all—huh."
I started to speak but flinched again. Soliet was on the sofa right next to me now. Where'd she learn instant teleportation? Why was she closer every time I looked?
"There are 70 invite tickets total. Only 30 VIP seats. You don't have anyone to invite—oh."
Elise shrugged. Soliet had teleported within arm's reach.
"When did you get here?"
"Please continue."
Soliet pulled out her smartphone without a fuss. Probably surfing the community boards.
"...Anyway, you don't have anyone for VIP seats, right? So I'll handle it—"
"Hey."
I cut her off.
"If a bunch of VIPs show up, ticket prices go up? No, we haven't set them yet?"
"35 ren. Perfect sell-out covers the deficit."
"Exactly. Raise it a bit, pocket the surplus? Since I wrote the script."
"...Wow."
Elise gaped. She looked floored, breathing twice without a word. Like she'd caught a monkey greedy for bananas.
"Festival profits go to full donation?"
"Yeah, that's fine. But let me choose where it goes."
"...Your head's full of that crap. Fine, do whatever. But any fallout is on you."
Fallout? Did she think I was gonna launder the money or something?
...Honestly, not a bad idea, but I actually had a donation spot in mind.
The orphanage.
Libra Orphanage, relocated to the countryside.
I didn't know their facilities there, but it probably wasn't as cushy as before.
"More importantly, got any VIPs you're inviting? To bump ticket prices, they need name value."
"Got some. You'll be shocked if they come."
"...A bum in VIP seats would shock anyone."
Up close, yeah, he was a bum. But publicly, he was clean.
And his name carried enough weight to influence ticket prices.
"Um."
Soliet suddenly cut in.
"Could I get a ticket too?"
"...Huh?"
Elise and I turned to Soliet in unison. It was that unexpected. Soliet interested in a play?
"It's blowing up online."
Ah. Community boards again.
The once-a-year mana academy festival was prime community fodder.
"I could give you one, but..."
"Are invite tickets free?"
Soliet asked about cost first. Elise nodded reflexively.
"...Yeah. Invites are free."
"I'll gladly take it."
That was when.
"By any chance. Could I get one too?"
Gerkken, who'd seemed buried in his book, slyly raised his hand.
Elise let out a hollow laugh.
"Sure. You come too."
After Swordsmanship Studies class ended.
I stood in a payphone booth in Endex Park. I searched my contacts on my smartphone and dialed a number.
Riiiing— riiiing—
"Whew..."
—Hello?
"Oh."
The call connected immediately. I wasn't mentally prepared yet.
I cleared my throat a dozen times—ahem—khem—khmm—before speaking.
"Ah. Yes. Um... This is Arbilla Orphanage, right?"
—Yes.
Arbilla Orphanage. Reading Libra backward gives Arbilla—the new name of the now-defunct orphanage.
I asked quietly.
"...How're things? Doing okay?"
—Pardon?
"No, just curious if the kids are getting three meals a day."
—...Pardon?
This person kept repeating.
"Ah, you don't get it. Are the kids—Bell, Berry, those kids—eating three solid meals a day?"
—Ah~ Bell and Berry? Yes, they're doing well. Things are so-so. They get three meals even if snacks are out, but the playground equipment is pretty rundown.
"Well... then. You accept sponsorships now?"
I shifted positions as I spoke. My back and neck itched strangely.
—Sponsorships?
"Yes. Donations."
I scratched my collarbone while holding the phone.
—Yes. We do now.
For reference, the old Libra Orphanage days rejected all donations. Libra pride.
"Then just send me the account number."
—Ah, yes. 391-2031-1234 Arbilla...
I jotted down the number recited.
"I'll send some moderate sponsorship. Don't get your hopes up."
I didn't know how much excess profit the play would make, but enough for a new playground, at least.
—Okay.
"Hanging up."
—...
No reply. Guess I should end it.
As I went to hang up first.
—I've heard you're working hard.
"...Pardon?"
My whole body froze. Felt like I'd turned to ice.
—You can do it.
I just tilted my head. It didn't click at all, so I asked outright.
"How are the kids?"
—They're great~ Berry's the orphanage head now. She manages the kids so well with her smartphone. Sometimes even the teachers have to ask her for favors.
"Hm. Good to hear."
A hollow laugh escaped. I'd given it for control, not that it mattered.
"Well. Glad they're well."
I hung up without waiting for a reply.
I leaned against the booth for a moment. Staring blankly at the ceiling, I muttered.
"How'd she know just from my voice?"
I'd used a payphone just in case. Sure, with this Vanessa teacher, it's been about seven years...
"Ah, whatever."
I knew her voice too.
Ridiculous.
I chuckled softly. Stepped out of the booth and sat on a bench.
Now to prepare the letter.
To sell tickets high and make excess profit, I needed to lure that guy in.
A bit of flattery in a letter was nothing now.
But one letter might not cut it, so I'd draw a pencil portrait too.