CHAPTER 136
CHAPTER 136
Facility Unlock?
“Do we really have to decide right now?”
“We’d like to discuss it among ourselves first.”
Karl and Rudolf refused to make a rushed decision.
At that, Sadia, who had been watching, stepped forward.
“No. Are you trying to collude? That’s collusion.”
“What do you mean collusion? We’re just students…”
Karl protested.
“And why would collusion be a bad thing?”
Lorenzo shot back.
In modern society, collusion is illegal because companies with monopolistic power deceive customers for unfair profit. But in this world, collusion wasn’t yet seen as inherently wrong.
‘But Sadia speaks as if it’s obviously bad. So it’s not just Magram—she also has a very modern mindset.’
Idnia took note of Sadia’s perspective.
“No exceptions. Decide right here, right now. If you choose poorly, just earn more points later and make up for it.”
Baroness Willem sided with Sadia and presented the available facilities.
“The facilities you can choose from are as follows:
Reading Room, Salon, Training Hall, Hunting Ground… these four are limited and exclusive.
Garden, Kitchen, and Alchemy Lab… each dormitory can own one of these.”
“Hm… then we need even more time. We should consult with the others—”
As Rudolf spoke, Sadia snapped:
“If you don’t decide here, your 50 points will be considered spent.”
“Wow, that’s outright tyranny.”
Some students muttered quietly.
“Hmph. I heard that.”
Sadia immediately cast Energy Drain on them.
“Gah?!”
“Ugh…”
“…Huh?”
“But… this actually feels kind of good?”
“It’s relaxing… like lying in a bathhouse… a pleasant sense of weakness…”
Even as their energy was being drained, the students felt a strange, soothing pleasure.
“Well, I’m not a demon… actually, I am. Anyway, you might think this is unfair, but it’s for your own good. Don’t think of it as coercion.”
It seemed Sadia, aware she was being forceful, had adjusted the spell to feel pleasant.
“Ahem. Professor Sadia, there are young students here. That kind of spell is a bit… excessive. In any case, please decide. The highest-ranking dorms, Zephyros and Notos, will choose.”
Baroness Willem urged them to proceed despite her discomfort.
‘Judging by the professors’ attitudes, negotiation isn’t an option. Even they know they’re forcing this.’
Idnia realized resistance would only backfire.
Rudolf seemed to understand as well. He glanced at Lorenzo, then spoke.
“We will choose the library.”
“You cannot unlock the full library at once. You may unlock the first-floor reading room. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
Zephyros students had been studying wherever they could—hallways, dorm corridors.
A proper study space was crucial.
‘Just like in the game—unlocking the reading room boosts growth and increases point gains. A wise choice.’
Idnia nodded inwardly.
“Then what will Notos choose?”
“We’ll take the salon.”
The salon was a social space—banquets, tea parties, even billiards.
Less ideal for studying, but perfect for socializing.
“Then Boreas will take the training hall—”
“No. Next is Eouros.”
Baroness Willem made it clear—Eouros ranked higher than Boreas.
“That’s very much like Dunais Academy,” Idnia thought.
“We of Eouros choose the kitchen.”
“…The kitchen? Just to be clear, that’s not exclusive. Each dorm can have one. Are you sure?”
Other dorms chose exclusive facilities.
But Idnia chose a shared one.
“We’ve been suffering because of the food. And our dorm is small…”
Her words implied reliance on the alliance.
‘In the original game, the alliance collapsed quickly. Lorenzo was one of the key figures behind it… Even without me, he’ll betray it. So it’s better if I appear as the victim later.’
Idnia wasn’t counting on the alliance—but she was setting the stage.
“Boreas, you’ll take the training hall?”
“Yes, please.”
“Then the facilities are unlocked.”
Baroness Willem waved her wand.
The fog covering the academy shifted.
“The facilities are now open. Enjoy your meal.”
Sadia released the Energy Drain.
“Enjoy? This food is terrible…”
“I’m starving, but I still don’t want to eat this…”
“I’d rather eat boiled broccoli…”
The students groaned.
Even starving, they couldn’t stomach the academy’s food.
‘Well, that problem is solved now.’
Idnia suppressed a smile.
Then—
“Lady Idnia?”
Sendia approached, along with several others.
“Yes?”
“About choosing the kitchen… shouldn’t we have picked something exclusive?”
“Cooking? We’ve never lifted anything heavier than a teacup.”
“Isn’t that what maids are for?”
“Cutting fish or chicken with a knife? That’s terrifying…”
The noble students clearly disliked the idea.
They also seemed doubtful of Idnia’s leadership.
“Let’s discuss this after the meal. Others are present.”
She glanced at Rudolf, Karl, and Lorenzo.
“Ah… understood.”
As they left, Karl scoffed.
“How shameless. Questioning their dorm leader? She earned over half the points herself.”
“Lady Idnia is giving her dorm members a voice—like a parliament.”
Lorenzo said, watching her carefully.
She had chosen a non-exclusive facility while claiming reliance on the alliance.
But given her track record, that wasn’t easy to believe.
“Do you truly intend to rely on the alliance?”
“Yes. We’re few in number. Why? Do you plan to betray it?”
“No. But misunderstandings pile up. Emotions sour. Who knows what might happen.”
His words carried weight.
Idnia almost laughed—but maintained an innocent expression.
After the terrible meal, the students were waiting.
Not just Sendia’s group—but all of Eouros, including Marie.
“Lady Idnia!”
“We heard about the facility… is it true?”
“The kitchen? What does that mean?”
“Let’s talk while we walk. Where’s the next class?”
“Mana visualization training with Baroness Willem.”
“Good. We’ll talk on the way.”
Once they were alone—
“Then let me ask you something.”
Idnia turned the tables.
“Are there students here who owe debts to Notos?”
“…What?”
Shock spread.
Those without debts were confused.
Those with debts were startled she knew.
‘If they come at me accusingly, my authority weakens. I need to dominate the conversation.’
Idnia deliberately took control.
“Lorenzo has no intention of maintaining the alliance. And when he makes his move, Karl will respond immediately. When that happens… can those of you in debt survive without relying on Notos’s black market?”
“T-that…”
“Then shouldn’t we secure exclusive facilities?”
Anxiety spread.
Eouros ranked third—but only because of Idnia.
They had fewer members.
The gap would widen.
The alliance was fragile.
Then why choose the kitchen?
“Even if we chose an exclusive facility, we only had two options: the hunting ground or the training hall. But if we took the training hall before Boreas… would Karl have stayed silent?”
“…Ah.”
Karl had already made his stance clear.
Touch what he wanted, and there would be consequences.
“The real game has already begun. It’s far more serious than you think.”
She looked at them calmly.
“The real competition starts now.”