Chapter 75: Still No Clue (1)
Chapter 75: Still No Clue (1)
“Two weeks of disciplinary confinement, Mr. Schneider.”
“Oh, really? It could’ve been longer, you know.”
“…….”
“Oh, this is delicious. Where’d you get it?”
“It is oven-roasted chicken from a famous restaurant in the capital, Young Master.”
“Nice. Goes great with the beer.”
Professor Late, who had come in person to inform Patrick of the meeting's results, let out a deep sigh.
What kind of disciplinary confinement is this?
Confinement was supposed to mean reflecting on one's mistakes while refraining from careless words or actions.
At least, that was the usual definition.
It certainly wasn't meant to involve lounging around in one's room, feasting on gourmet food and alcohol brought by a butler.
“Coming to the capital was the right move. The food and drinks are so diverse and delicious. I guess this is why they say people should play in the big leagues.”
“What shall I bring tomorrow?”
“We had lamb yesterday, right? Is there anything made with beef?”
“I heard there’s a place near the Academy that makes excellent meat pies.”
“Really? Then, Professor. Could you issue a few more exit permits for this guy?”
“Again… Again?”
“Yeah. Oh, and I might need some too, so just give me a whole stack. You just need to sign them. I’ll fill in the dates myself.”
“An exit permit isn't something you just hand out in bulk like that.”
When Professor Late showed signs of hesitation, Patrick stood up, munching on a chicken leg, and slung an arm around the professor’s shoulder.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Professor, what’s with the formality? Between us? Hmm?”
“…….”
Patrick popped the chicken leg into his mouth and pulled it out. Professor Late marveled at the sight of the bone, stripped perfectly clean.
I didn't know it was possible to eat a chicken leg like that.
Then, Patrick spoke.
“Professor. I made you a 7-Star Knight, didn’t I? Right?”
“You did. And I am truly grateful for that. Howev—”
“A 7-Star. The Supreme Realm. A level that only one person in the entire kingdom had reached, and I just… poof, put you right there. Didn’t I?”
“That… is true.”
“Do you realize how great a favor that is? If it weren't for me, it would’ve taken you at least ten years—no, twenty… no, thirty more years!”
Why does the number keep going up?
Patrick looked at Professor Late’s dubious expression and continued.
“And as a result, you were the one who voluntarily said you’d repay the favor… so what can I do? It wouldn’t be polite for a mere student like me to refuse, would it?”
Polite?
Was the word 'polite' really coming out of the mouth of a student who currently had his arm around an Academy professor while subtly pressuring him?
Justin Late.
Could he, the man known to the world as the Indomitable Knight, tolerate such injustice…?
“Yes. You are right.”
He could.
When Professor Late agreed, Patrick beamed.
“Right? So, I’ll let you util—I mean, diligently repay your debt to me.”
I’m pretty sure this brat was about to say 'utilize.'
Patrick spoke to the professor, who looked like he’d just swallowed a bug.
“Then give me a bunch of those exit permits. I’ll call you if I need anything else.”
“Understood.”
Professor Late sighed and did as he was told.
What else could he do?
In truth, the debt he owed Patrick couldn't be repaid with such trivial favors. He had reached the 7-Star Realm thanks to Patrick; how could he ever truly settle that score?
And there was one more thing…
Even if he were to forget the favor and try to force Patrick to follow the rules, there was a problem.
What kind of monster is he…?
Before reaching 7-Star, Professor Late had no idea how strong Patrick was.
And now that he had reached 7-Star…
I still have no clue.
This was a serious problem.
Even with his senses sharpened significantly after entering the Supreme Realm of 7-Star, he still couldn't see the bottom of Patrick’s strength.
In fact, he could now recognize the true worth of the handsome butler standing nearby. The man was at least at the 6-Star level, just as Late himself had been. He hadn't realized it before, but he could see it now.
However, Patrick’s true skill remained an enigma.
And what that meant was…
It means there is still a massive gap between us.
Even as a 7-Star, Patrick Schneider was a powerhouse he wouldn't dare challenge.
Why on earth did someone with that kind of strength enroll in the Academy?
To have the professors teach him?
How?
Regardless, based on strength alone, crossing Patrick was no easy task.
So, what choice did he have?
It was better to follow along under the pretext of repaying a favor than to be outright coerced.
At least it looked better than being blackmailed.
Thinking this, Professor Late chuckled and walked out.
Though I doubt he’d actually go as far as to openly blackmail an Academy professor.
He still didn't know Patrick very well.
*
「For the crime of causing a disturbance within the Academy, all parties involved are sentenced to two weeks of disciplinary confinement.」
This was the official notice.
In effect, it was a mutual punishment, meaning the incident would be treated as if there were no specific aggressor.
The first-year students of the Knight Department were secretly delighted when they saw the notice.
“That bastard Royist really got wrecked.”
“I heard he and his lackeys all jumped him and still got thrashed.”
“He hasn't even returned to the Academy yet, right? He must have been beaten pretty badly.”
“Maybe he’s just embarrassed? I heard he paid a fortune to get treated at the Temple, so his body should be fine by now.”
“He should be embarrassed. Honestly, I hope he just drops out.”
Royist wasn't exactly popular among the first-years.
While he had some skill, he was mostly seen as a spoiled brat who acted out because of the Marquis Panola family's backing.
Seeing Royist get humiliated by a mid-term transfer student and then hide away from the Academy was quite satisfying for them.
However, they did have concerns.
“Will the House of Panola just let this slide?”
“Even for Marquis Panola, wouldn't it be hard to interfere with Academy affairs?”
“The Marquis might be one thing, but you know his older brother is a third-year, right?”
“Ah….”
“I don't think this is going to end quietly.”
“Should we give the new guy some advice?”
“We’d have to see him first.”
“Oh, right. He’s under confinement too.”
The first-years were genuinely worried about Patrick.
It was, quite literally, the most useless worry in the world.
* * *
The downtown area of White Town.
It was a bustling district where brilliant magical lamps lit up the night streets and drunken people wandered about with cheerful faces.
Patrick was walking through the crowd as if he belonged there.
“Mmm. It’s good to be out after a while. People really should live freely.”
Why was Patrick, who was supposed to be under disciplinary confinement in his quarters, out and about?
Because Patrick was Patrick.
No matter how much delicious food and alcohol April brought him, lounging in his room was suffocating.
Normally, one is supposed to endure that suffocation and reflect on their actions during confinement, but…
“There’s no way I could do that. Even when Master forced me into secluded meditation, my record was only two days.”
He said it as if it were something to be proud of.
[You brat! How can you not even last three days? Three days!]
[I just need to get stronger anyway, so what’s the point of secluded meditation? If sitting in a room made you strong, every shut-in would be the strongest under heaven.]
[Did I put you in seclusion to get strong? I did it so you wouldn't cause trouble! You—! Where are you going? Get back here!]
“Looking back, those are such heartwarming memories. Right, Master?”
In what world?
Anyway, he had come out simply because he was bored.
However, there was a secondary purpose.
I should at least show my face.
Patrick walked toward a very large tavern in the heart of White Town.
It was a five-story building entirely dedicated to the tavern, a place that had recently opened in the capital.
[Red Dragon]
Seeing the sign, Patrick stepped inside without hesitation.
The Red Dragon.
This tavern had recently opened in the capital's downtown and was rapidly becoming famous through word of mouth.
It was because the place operated on a rather unique system for a tavern.
They only accepted members, and guests were escorted to higher floors based on their membership grade.
Naturally, the grade depended on how much money they spent.
Starting from the first floor, which was crowded with commoners, the quality and status of the guests rose as they moved up to the second and third floors.
There was a certain thrill in climbing the floors, which led people to spend even more money at this tavern.
And above all…
“Oh my, you’ve come again today.”
“Ooh, Madam.”
“I’m grateful you visit every day, but I’m afraid your wife might get jealous.”
“Hahaha. For the Madam, my wife’s jealousy is nothing.”
“You certainly have a way with words.”
The way she hid her face behind a red fan while flashing an alluring smile was enough to make any man’s heart race.
She’s so sensual.
I want to win her over.
Just once, if only I could….
In fact, this was the biggest reason the Red Dragon had become so famous.
It was the existence of the tavern’s Madam, who occasionally came down to chat with the guests.
A beauty whose elegance was perfectly matched by her radiant looks.
An alluring woman with fiery red hair and a small beauty mark under her eye that suited her perfectly.
Many guests came just to catch a glimpse of her.
Especially after hearing that the Madam only personally entertained guests on the fifth floor, people scrambled to frequent the tavern to earn their way up.
Her charm was that magnetic.
She wasn't just pretty and beautiful.
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Ma… Madam.”
She would spread her fan and whisper softly into a man’s ear, then skillfully pull back just as his hand tried to reach for her.
Every single action drove the men wild.
She was always just out of reach.
She gave just enough hope, only to slip away the moment they tried to grasp her.
It was as if she could see right through the psychology of men.
Her elegant yet seductive charm had already enchanted countless men.
Every man was supposed to be lost in her smile…
“Hey.”
…Supposed to be.
Why the hell is this brat here?
The Madam’s expression instantly soured.
Through the gap in the fan she had hurriedly used to cover her face, she saw Patrick letting out a deep sigh.
“I expected it, but I can’t believe you’re actually doing this….”
“Hohoho. It’s been a while, Young Lord.”
When the Madam spoke as if she knew him, the surrounding guests chimed in.
“Madam, do you know this boy?”
“Yes. He is the son of a precious individual I serve for business.”
“Ah, for business….”
“I see.”
At the mention of a business relationship, the other guests looked relieved. It was a sigh of relief that their Madam had not yet been won over.
The Madam fluttered her fan and said, “Come to think of it, you said you were coming today for an important matter, didn't you? I must have gotten the time wrong. Isn't that right?”
“…….”
“Young Lord?”
“Yeah, this isn't gonna work. You need a good smack—mmm. Mmm-mmm!”
“Hohoho. Young Lord. You mustn't discuss important business matters out here. Let’s go to a quiet place upstairs.”
The Madam moved swiftly to cover Patrick’s mouth, tucked him under her arm, and dashed toward the upper floors.
As she ran, her red dress fluttering behind her, the remaining guests could only stare blankly at the sight.
Thwack!
“Let go of me, you brat! You want to get hit?”
“Ugh… You already hit me.”
“Oh, right. Sorry. I should’ve hit you after I said it.”
“Uuuugh….”
You were going to hit me either way!
The Madam… no, Red, the Master of the Parmas Thieves' Guild, clutched his head in pain.
He looked at Patrick and asked, “Young Lord, weren't you under confinement after causing trouble?”
“I am. You’re well-informed.”
“Heh. We have Academy professors among our guests. No, that’s not the point. Why is someone under confinement at a tavern?”
“I just snuck out.”
“For someone who wants to be a knight, you sure treat the rules like trash.”
“A thief lecturing me on rules? Doesn't your conscience sting?”
“…….”
“What? What, you punk?”
Red had felt this before, but he could never win an argument with this kid.
The brat lacked common sense, yet he was incredibly silver-tongued.
And since he couldn't win with strength either, the conclusion was…
It’s so unfair. So unfair.
Letting out a small sigh, Red cleared his throat.
“Ahem. That’s all well and good, but why act like that out there? What if my identity gets exposed?”
“You’ll just be treated like a pervert. That’s all.”
“I told you, I’m not a pervert! This is a disguise for information gathering!”
“You seem to be enjoying it a bit too much for that.”
The waitress disguise from their first meeting was one thing. At the time, he needed to hide his identity because he was in danger of being killed by the traitor who murdered his father.
But even after that, he continued to cross-dress under the pretext of gathering information, and now he had even mastered the role of an alluring tavern Madam.
“You… you’re not actually into that, are you? I can respect preferences, but that doesn't mean I’m comfortable with it.”
“I’m not! You jerk! Do you know how many lovers I have?”
“Men?”
“WOMEN!!! You brat!”
Whack!
“How dare a kid talk back to an adult. So disrespectful….”
You’re younger than me! You!
“Ugh, it’s because you’re talking nonsense… sir.”
Red quickly changed his tone, fearing another blow if he spoke informally.
Then, Red turned serious.
“My cross-dressing is strictly part of information gathering. Even if people know our organization has expanded to the capital, who would imagine the Guild Master is dressed as a woman like this?”
“Fine, let’s say that’s the case.”
“It’s not 'let’s say,' that is the purpose!”
“Alright, alright. More importantly, do you have any new information?”
“Information… I do.”
“Oho, really?”
Patrick grinned.