Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Singing Contest
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Elgrid was originally just a modest little town.
But once Aios Academy set up shop there because of its bustling traffic routes, it exploded into a major city overnight. In the best light, it was a hub of culture and freedom—but that also meant it was crawling with incidents and accidents.
With the sea to the north, maritime trade flourished with foreign lands, and the kingdom's friendly policies made it easy for outsiders to settle down.
In short, Elgrid was where countless races and all sorts of people gathered.
And where you have that many people, all kinds of weird crap is bound to happen.
"Ugh, what’s that smell?"
Hayun pinched her nose with her hand, frowning as she scanned the alley.
"I heard they do it on purpose. To keep foot traffic down."
The alley reeked like sludge, with hardly any signs of human life.
"Want a handkerchief?"
I shook my head at Hayun's offer from beside me. The stench was nasty, but I could handle it.
"Here, Rin. Use this."
"Thanks."
Hayun handed one to Rin, then pulled out another. I'd wondered why she carried so many, but Rin explained it for her.
"You carry two handkerchiefs around?"
"Actually, I have way more."
She fished them out of the small pouch on her waist. Each one had a unique design—clearly handmade.
"They cut my living expenses, so I'm trying to make some cash selling these. I've got a knack for it."
"Whoa, these are pretty."
She'd said that little pouch she called a wallet last time was her own work too.
Rin started asking prices and details, and Hayun happily explained to her potential first customer.
"Hey, we’re all here."
Deep in the alley, by a trash bin, stood a guy with a cigarette in his mouth. Not the same brand as Demalico's, though.
'You don't smoke this around kids 'cause it's dangerous, huh?'
I rolled my shoulders and stepped forward. The man spat as he eyed us.
"Beat it, kids. You get hurt in here, it's not my problem."
"We heard we could crash here."
"......"
He took a long drag, sizing us up now that he knew we weren't clueless. Getting impatient, I cut to the chase.
"We're friends of Demalico."
"That loose-lipped bastard. Told him to keep his mouth shut, and he goes blabbing to his little pals? Tell him he's banned from here."
He threatened us to scram, saying he had nothing for us. I nodded in satisfaction.
"Okay, this is definitely the place."
"What?"
A dull thud echoed as the man faceplanted, out cold.
Hayun and Rin stared at me in shock, but I just shrugged and headed inside.
At the alley's end was a shabby door.
It looked like it led into a building, so I yanked it open. Inside was a bar counter for booze and some guys shooting pool.
"Hm?"
"What the—academy brats?"
"Remi can't keep this dump in check anymore?"
Apparently Demalico had never made it this far in; the vibe turned hostile the second they spotted us students.
I leaned back and murmured to the two girls behind me.
"You two know the happy birthday song, right?"
"Huh?"
"Yeah......"
As they shot me confused looks, I stepped in and shut the door behind me.
"Just sing it."
If anyone ambushed from outside, the singing would cut off, and I'd handle it.
Click.
The lock engaged, and the thugs smirked at me.
"Who the hell's this punk?"
"Thinks he learned some crap at school and it'll work here?"
"Yo, check out that sword."
Through the door crack, Rin's voice floated in amid their threats.
"Happy birthday to you."
"W-We really singing?"
"He said to."
Rin belted it out without hesitation, Hayun joining in after a pause.
I could easily picture the two girls leaning against the door, singing away. A chuckle escaped me.
Bang!
Happy birthday to you~
Crunch.
Dear~ Daniel~
Screeeam!
Happy birthday to you~
Screech.
"Done. Let's go in."
I checked a mirror to make sure no blood on my face—just in time for the song to wrap.
The girls slipped inside, dazed, stepping past the groaning thugs sprawled on the floor.
"Argh!"
"Oh! S-Sorry!"
Hayun yelped an apology after accidentally stepping on a hand. Guy's arm was broken anyway—must've hurt like hell.
"I roughed up the first floor, so next is the second. Run if shit hits the fan, got it?"
"Hmph."
"......"
Hayun grimaced without answering; Rin just stared at me silently.
"Rin?"
"No."
Her face said she wasn't backing down.
"If you run, I'll run then too."
I could tell arguing was pointless, so I turned toward the stairs to the second floor.
Commotion echoed from above—they'd probably caught on from the screams downstairs.
Didn't matter, though.
Second floor.
Third.
Fourth.
The girls behind me didn't lift a finger, just trailed along. I didn't even get grazed.
'Way easier than hunting beasts, that's for sure.'
In my past life, I only fought monsters that lifted house-sized boulders one-handed, shook the earth with footsteps, or multi-cast spells. Humans on equal footing? Breeze.
"Whoa......"
"Daniel, you're amazing."
Hayun gawked in awe; Rin hopped excitedly, cheering me on.
A bit embarrassing, but anyway.
Fifth floor—door flew open to incoming arrows.
I moved to swat them away, but they clattered harmlessly to the floor before reaching us.
"How dare you......"
Rin dropped her protection spell, unleashing her bloodlust. Inside loomed a hulking one-eyed brute, cigarette dangling from his lips, crossbow in hand.
"All my guys taken down by punks like you?"
"You're the boss here?"
"Heh, unbelievable."
He flicked his cig to the floor, stomped it out, and nodded arrogantly.
"Yeah. I'm Javallanko, head of the Bellon Trading Company."
"'Trading Company' my ass......"
I swallowed the rest, mindful of the girls behind me.
"Any thug with a pill stash calls themselves that now?"
My taunt landed—his eyebrow twitched—but he didn't charge blindly.
'Oh?'
From his thick arms to his cocky-yet-ready stance and balanced build.
'Not your average street boss, huh?'
Unlike the downstairs idiots who just swung tools around.
"Looks like some noble's kid itching to test school tricks. Big mistake."
Javallanko drew a massive curved cutlass.
Common weapon for sailors—not rare around seaport Elgrid.
'Ex-pirate?'
I guessed as I lunged, no need for dueling etiquette.
Krunch!
He raised his cutlass to block my sword.
"Ngh?"
Heavier than expected—a vein popped on his neck. He swung back hard to hurl me away, but.
Thwack.
I twisted midair, slamming my heel into his jaw. The giant staggered with a thud.
Meant to rush and finish, but distance opened up—so I hurled my sword instead. It sank into his shoulder.
"Gah!"
He stifled the scream through the pain, but I was already there—gut punch, tripping kick.
Down he went.
"Whoa."
Clap clap clap.
The girls watched like it was a spectacle.
"One of you fetch the guards. Round all these bastards up."
"I'll go."
Fast-footed Hayun bolted. That was the plan bringing her, actually.
Send her for guards while I interrogated.
But somehow there was an extra. Rin stared blankly at me and the groaning Javallanko.
"Rin, shut the door and wait outside a sec."
What came next was brutal—and not for students' ears.
Trust earned, she nodded and headed out, pausing to ask.
"Should I sing?"
"......If you want."
She grinned mischievously and shut the door.
Mountain~ bunny, bunny~
Simple kids' tune fit her clear voice perfectly. With that, I stomped Javallanko's hand and snapped his fingers.
"Gaaaaah!"
The melody and screams blended sweetly.