Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Peaceful Midterm Exam Week (2)
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"A gift."
Bill, who had returned with a wagon full of the materials I'd reordered previously, handed me something familiar from Earth.
"Hm? What's this?"
"Red ginseng. Sent from the family head."
"Why give this to me?"
"She just sent it. Said to eat it all and not leave any behind."
Ten fist-sized chunks of red ginseng, accompanied by a scroll enchanted with preservation magic. How was I supposed to finish all this?
I was a bit reluctant, but since it was good for my health, I didn't refuse. Back when I was younger, I wouldn't touch red ginseng or even red ginseng candy, but these days, getting older I suppose, I eagerly accept anything that's supposed to be good for the body.
Whether it's a fatigue-recovery potion, some ultra-pigmented dish perfect for dog days, or a germanium bracelet that supposedly emits negative ions...
The last one seemed a bit too simplistic, so I didn't wear it around. It was probably tucked away in some drawer—I'd find it if I rummaged.
"Tch, tell her I'll eat it well."
"Understood."
I quickly grabbed Bill as he turned to leave with his greeting.
"Oh, right. Think you can get me a sword? Something sturdy."
"A sword? Hmm... As much as I hate to say it, the swords supplied by the workshops contracted with our merchant guild wouldn't meet your standards, Sir Louis."
The Luhillen Merchant Guild handled the largest volume of goods in Pharenchia, but that included agricultural products and textiles.
For high-end items sold to a select few clientele—like perfumes, artifacts, or enchanted swords—there were specialists who handled those.
Bill suggested I check out the auction house.
Enchanted swords made from carved magic stones were priceless anyway, so he figured all the good ones would be there.
"Show them this token, and you'll get right in."
With the wooden pass-like token from him in hand, I headed to the auction house and was surprised by the crowd.
Unlike the underground auction in Alsas where Lehel had been held captive before, Pharenchia's was a bright, lively marketplace.
Circus acts and theater troupes dotted the area. Gambling was still going strong, with poker games in one corner.
And right on cue, a familiar head of white hair—
"Oh? Boss~!"
She must've jumped into a quick game she couldn't resist. Still with all five fingers intact, she spread her hand wide and waved as Lehel approached.
Her waist-length hair shimmered, contrasting sharply with her worn, stained robe.
"What brings you here?"
"Came to browse the auction."
"For goods?"
"Yeah. Looking to buy a sword."
Lehel's face drained of color at my words. Her shoulders slumped, and she started sniffling.
"Chairman?"
"Hic...!"
Lehel wiped her nose and dabbed at her teary eyes while glancing around. Then she began shrugging off her robe, folding it neatly.
She slipped one arm out of her thin blouse, pulling it down. Only when her tempting white belly came into view did I snap out of it and stop her.
"What are you doing!?"
"I-I'll do a good job. Sniff! Even in front of people, I'll strip completely and do it... Please, just not that..."
"No, what are you talking about! Calm down! Put your clothes back on!!"
Anyone watching would think I was coercing her. Sure enough, a few onlookers started murmuring and staring.
I hurriedly flashed the token at the auction guards and dragged Lehel inside, blocking her as she kept trying to bow her head to the ground.
"What is with the dramatics?"
"The world... is doomed... Sniff!"
Was I announcing nuclear development or something? I just wanted a sword for backup.
Her reaction made it sound like I'd given a total war speech declaring World War III.
"Like last time, you never know when the canteen might be in danger."
"Don't you think you holding a sword would be even more dangerous?"
"How is that dangerous?"
If you want peace, prepare for war. This world might lack nukes, but it was full of monster-like people slinging equivalent magic.
Mutual assured destruction, unlimited military buildup—that was the bridgehead defending Pharenchia's peace.
Parabellum. Search and destroy.
Beautiful ring to it, no?
"Since we're here, let's check out the auction. I was just gonna look if nothing good was here, but now that you're nagging, I kinda wanna buy one."
"No, don't! Hella... I've created hell myself...!"
History repeats itself, huh.
The Reincarnation Duke, who seemed like she'd never believe in gods, was praying in a way eerily similar to a scientist lamenting after witnessing a nuclear blast. Oh, that sword looks nice.
"Tch, too bad."
"Heek, heek, heek..."
As we left the auction house, I smacked my lips. Predictably, the swords up to my standards were way beyond my budget.
I'd planned to install defensive magic and intruder traps at the canteen too, so factoring that in, burning hundreds or thousands of gold on a sword felt wasteful. I didn't have that much spare cash anyway.
Still, seeing all those rare items was a real treat for the eyes. For weapons... maybe just buy a bunch of iron swords from the blacksmith for one-time use.
"Um, this..."
Lehel tugged at my sleeve as I headed home. She offered me an auction item she'd bought with her leftover gambling money: a "Wind Orb."
"Take this and... don't buy a sword, please."
She looked like a sea otter handing over a cherished shell to a human. Should I accept?
"It helps you wake up refreshed in the morning. Rub it on your back, and back pain vanishes..."
"Thanks, I'll take it."
My back was fine, but it was good for health, so better to keep it. It'd come in handy eventually.
"You have 60 minutes. Cheating will result in a zero, so keep that in mind. Begin."
The first exam of the new semester started. Adella stared blankly at her name scribbled in the corner of the test paper, afraid to look down.
[Basic Magic Studies Midterm Exam]
[1. Academically define the phase changes in mana and karma due to co-lesion position using Verdun's Theorem.]
[2. Describe the three bases of magic arts, the differences in their ritual operation modes, and discuss output stability based on 1st-order magic.]
[3. List the six formulas for mana-karma mixing ratios in 'Reversal Rituals,' the two rituals implemented with them, and the meteorological conditions required to operate them in a 3D coordinate system.]
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.
.
60 minutes for thirty essay questions—no short answers in sight.
What the hell was all this? She couldn't tell if the black marks on the paper were letters or worms.
Adella had always thought she'd been play-acting as a fool.
That she'd fooled everyone, and if she wanted, she could reveal her true self—intelligent, cool-headed, like her big sister—for all to see.
But the nonstop scribbling of pencils around her and the incomprehensible test before her screamed otherwise.
You really are an idiot.
"Nooo~!!!"
"What was that?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing..."
"One more outburst, and you're out. Quiet down."
"Y-Yes..."
She quickly reined in her emotions. Crestfallen, Adella picked up her fountain pen with trembling hands and scribbled what she knew.
[1. Academically define the phase changes in mana and karma due to co-lesion position using Verdun's Theorem.]
— Verdun... is good at organizing... If hired as a cleaner at the canteen...
[2. Describe the three bases of magic arts, the differences in their ritual operation modes, and discuss output stability based on 1st-order magic.]
— Heaven, earth, man(?)
[3. List the six formulas for mana-karma mixing ratios in 'Reversal Rituals,' the two rituals implemented with them, and the meteorological conditions required to operate them in a 3D coordinate system.]
— Reversal charm... In front of the teacher...?
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.
Even she knew these weren't right. Clutching her head, Adella slumped over her desk.
Her prolonged method acting had left her magically illiterate, and worse, she'd skipped classes in her first year.
Did I actually become an idiot for real?
Alarms blared in her mind.
After submitting her nearly blank answer sheet, Adella cautiously approached Erzebet, who was in the same lecture hall.
She was lightly discussing the problems with other students.
"Princess..."
"Adella? What's up?"
As Adella approached, Erzebet picked up Piy from waiting outside the hall and placed it on her shoulder.
"How'd the exam go?"
"Not sure. More importantly, Princess."
"Yes?"
"You know..."
Twisting her fingers, Adella asked Erzebet—the one besides Louis who'd seen her closest up to now.
"Am I... an idiot?"
"?"
Erzebet tilted her head slightly, Piy along with it, puzzled by the odd question.
She took the original test paper from Adella's hand and carefully read her answers.
"Piy—."
"Piy, even if it's true, you can't say that to people."
"Piy—."
"Where'd you learn such rude words? From Louis, that jerk!?"
Erzebet warmly took Adella's hand and said,
"No, you're not, Adella. If anything, you're better than before."
"Huh?"
"Real idiots don't even know they're idiots."
"Eh?"
"Though you turned down Sir William's invitation, in hindsight, my judgment was shortsighted."
Judging a kingdom's future by family alliances alone was narrow-minded.
You had to consider the talents the next generation would inherit from their parents—
"Let's study bit by bit. For now, focus on the remaining subjects as best you can."
Not wanting to hurt Adella, Erzebet decided to help prevent her from having to repeat the year, however slightly.
'Phew, good. I'm not an idiot after all.'
Relieved by the comfort, Adella sighed in ease. Thinking back, her previous magic failure was due to not accounting for the reduced karma volume.
"Got it~!"
With a little effort, she could easily surpass that second-year, Liv Lavre.
Forgetting the exam she'd just taken, Adella regained her spirited expression.