Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 114
>Chapter Title: Shut Up, Shut the Hell Up
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A material exchange that connects heart to heart.
I was able to confirm that sentiment by receiving a small(?) token of goodwill from the headmaster senior.
Of course, it wasn't a smooth process at all.
“Two years.”
“……Six months.”
“Two years.”
“……Hoo, six months is the most I can manage. Let’s just settle on that here.”
“Two years.”
A tense negotiation with zero give on either side. In the end, the headmaster senior finally blew his top.
“You…… I said two years is impossible! You think it’s reasonable to treat the upper floors of Rapiter Library like your own home for two whole years?!”
Yeah, I get it.
Rapiter Library’s upper floors.
Not the middle or lower levels—the upper floors, for two years. It’s no wonder it felt like a burden. For a student at the academy, this was unprecedented.
But still.
“Then does it make sense that you gave me a one-time entry ticket?”
“……”
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. One time? Just one time? What am I, a tourist? You think you can brag about letting me in once?”
A little while ago, on my way back to Hazen, the ‘entry ticket’ suddenly came to mind, so I pulled it out to check.
And what do you know?
Rapiter Upper Floors Entry Ticket
— One Use
Written in the tiniest font: ‘One Use.’
I couldn’t believe it.
What was I supposed to accomplish in just one visit?
Even skimming the book titles would take a full day. And it’s not like I could come and go halfway through.
This wasn’t telling me to check out books—it was something else entirely.
“Th-that…… You little punk! Was that the only thing you swindled out of me? Spiritual medicine, and what was it? Even the Irekein Workshop fabrication rights! You took two things!”
“Ah, so that’s why the one-time ticket made sense to you?”
“……”
“Sigh, I should’ve just died in the Great Forest. Would’ve been easier on me. Did I claw my way back to life just for this treatment?”
His fists trembled. Murderous intent flickered in his eyes. Normally, things would stop here.
Push any further, and I’d taste a fist closer than the law—overwhelming violence.
But today was different.
I had the justification on my side.
“You know about that, right? I couldn’t even take the interpersonal combat exam.”
“……”
“Let’s see…… The interpersonal combat exam ended a week ago? Ah, well, I came as fast as I could. But I was still late.”
“Then I’ll arrange a makeup exam for you……”
“Ugh. Forget it, forget it. It’s my fault for coming back to life without a clue. My fault. I should’ve just croaked in the Great Forest. Right?”
“……”
“Aigoo, some people get core pains from aftereffects when it rains. Others live it up luxuriously at the academy.”
Of course, he probably wasn’t living luxuriously.
No. 1 had come back plump from breakfasts, while the headmaster senior looked haggard.
He must’ve been through some mental hell in his own way.
But I pressed on, pointing at the safehouse scenery.
“Some people get hit by the cold wind out there, right? Gold Horse Temple, Destrow, curses, whatever. Others sit cozy on a plush sofa, sipping tea. Kyaa. Jealous. So jealous.”
But that’s how human emotions work.
Even words started without much thought build up once the floodgates open.
Like right now.
“You said no particular order, but I nearly went first for real. Right?”
“……”
“What good is the Irekein Workshop if I’m dead? Ah! Is that it? Pocket money? Didn’t think of that. Should I give it back? Right?”
“……”
Fun. Thrilling. Making someone mad isn’t usually enjoyable, but testing limits is always fresh.
The headmaster senior gripped his fist so hard the tremor ran up his arm, making his whole body shake.
One more word and he’d explode? Oh? Still holding up. Then just one more?
A tightrope walk on the edge.
Of course, I couldn’t have done this alone.
In that sense, Shine was an excellent attacker. No…… aggro-puller.
It started timidly.
“Ahem, I died once, you see.”
But after tossing in one line, then two, he quickly shot through the roof.
Not crossing the line—he shredded it with mockery.
“Still, what’s that? Riheim, was it? That guy had some decent prospects.”
Comparing him to Senior Riheim, of course.
“They say young folks these days have no shame, and you’re the spitting image. How do you act so rudely to your friend’s benefactor?”
Dragging up the past. And that wasn’t all—he lumped in the mentor-disciple relationship and trashed them!
“Like master, like disciple. Goblins under goblins. Right? You slimy bastard. Don’t you agree?”
“……”
I stopped agreeing around here.
I didn’t nod, just stared off at distant mountains like it was someone else’s story.
Of course, no mountains were visible. This was the safehouse. Outside the window, only thick foliage.
“This is…… Did I save that priest just for this? Ah, come to think of it, I’m the lifesaver of the grand duchess too. Right?”
Shut up. Shut the hell up.
They say if you butt in at the right time and bail at the right time, you’re halfway to winning—but Shine was splitting it wide open.
Still, another thought crossed my mind.
Human curiosity at its core?
Former Master Knight vs. Archmage (Suspected)
A powerless Master Knight versus the academy headmaster, presumed archmage, in a pulse-pounding showdown!
Vampire versus human! A clash for racial pride!
Suddenly seeing it this way felt profound.
When did a back-alley troubleshooter like me end up playing in such big leagues?
Crunch, creak.
Oh, explosion incoming?
Veins bulged on the headmaster senior’s forehead.
Shoulders trembling like aspen leaves. Face red as a ripe octopus.
Countdown: three, two, one……. Bam! Right then, the headmaster senior slammed the table and stood.
“Listening to you two, there’s no end to the bullshit!”
“Ah, yeah. Let’s go, let’s do it. I was curious anyway! Draw your sword!”
Cheap bastard to the end. Telling a mage to draw a sword.
But that made it more fun.
If the headmaster senior used magic, Shine wouldn’t last and would flop over.
Fights are always best in the mud.
“Then, I set the rules. Headmaster senior, for a fair duel—how about fisticuffs?”
“……”
“……”
What? Why?
Two pairs of eyes fixed on me. Lips slightly parted in disbelief. The headmaster senior stared like, what kind of guy is this? Shine let out a ‘Ha’ sigh.
“……Agree?”
No answer.
Not agreeing?
If it were me, with the stage set, I’d go all out.
There’s that saying: you grow by fighting. Sure, both reeked of middle age, but people should grow until death.
“Not fighting?”
The two exchanged glances. The headmaster senior extended his hand first.
“Hey, Shine, was it?”
“……Yeah.”
“Doesn’t feel like the time for us to fight. What do you think?”
“……Agreed. I lost my reason for a moment. Forgive what I said earlier. I know it’s not easy.”
“Not easy? It’s just a petty squabble. Best to brush it off.”
“Hmm, you’ve got a broad mind, unlike some.”
“Don’t know who you’re comparing me to, but it rubs me wrong. Apologize.”
“Sorry. I compared you to something I shouldn’t have. A hundred apologies.”
“Heh heh, no big deal. Everyone slips up.”
A strange camaraderie spread between them. The mood warmed inexplicably.
“……? Headmaster senior. Didn’t you hear? That guy’s a traitor vampire……”
“Pfft, anyone can have wild delusions. Right, Shine?”
“Yeah. Mine get a bit extreme.”
This guy?
He was snarky and gleeful earlier, now syncing up.
I stared at them blankly before opening my mouth again.
“……Two years.”
“Tch.”
“Make him understand. Do we avoid shit because we’re scared of it? Because it’s dirty. That guy latches on once he bites. Best to give a pat answer and end it clean.”
What the hell, you punk?
“Hmm, fair point. Alright, I’ll start you off with six months. If it’s not enough, we’ll talk then.”
“……”
Should’ve done this from the start.
Rapiter Library is the largest on the eastern continent.
Sure, the upper floors are smaller than the middle and lower, but no way to cover them in a few days.
‘Doubt I’ll use a full two years, though……’
Still, you never know.
Anyway, I got what I wanted. But…… why this bitter aftertaste?
“How about some tea? Got some good stuff in recently.”
“Hmm, not much for tea, but sounds pleasant enough.”
The two laughed merrily, like old friends reuniting.
What bullshit.
* * *
In the end, Rapiter access was set to a temporary six months.
Shorter than two years, but we’ll see after checking the upper floors.
And since he was in a good mood, he handled Reilly’s job right there—with heavy input from Shine.
“That guy talks too much.”
“Hmm. Not suited for guard duty.”
“Yeah. Famous even in Hamern Great Forest as the blabbermouth no one doesn’t know. But weirdly good at finding paths.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“Annoying as ‘someone,’ but a weakling. Still alive, so doesn’t that say it all?”
“Must be quite capable.”
Thus, Reilly’s new job.
Jenion Academy Tour Guide
“Don’t you need a job? I can hook you up.”
“Me? Not sure how long I’ll stick around. Got things to do.”
“Looks like you handle a sword well…… How about temporary instructor? Not full professor—just oversee the training grounds.”
“Hmm, no talent for teaching brats.”
“Heh heh, it’s fine. Temporary instructor, but no students will seek you out. More like training ground manager?”
“Not bad, then……”
“I’ll prepare a suitable identity. Quit whenever, easy.”
He even scored a job for himself.
Shine’s connections were ones even I’d never tapped. No blood, regional, or school ties—just pure network for a job.
Filthy noble houses. Filthy elites.
World’s gone mad. A vampire as academy instructor?
Well, ‘instructor’ in name only—a training ground manager—but still shocking.
Anyway, Shine left the safehouse satisfied after chatting with the headmaster.
Of course, Reilly wailed.
“Ah, aaah……”
Secondary shock. Reilly’s eyes lost to the world. The sliver of hope he’d clung to since the ‘semi-royal ticket’ snapped.
“Uahaha! This is the spot I specially prepared for you!”
“……Hang in there.”
“Ten thousand bastards……. You’re all the same.”
Cursing me and Shine together, Reilly staggered down and emptied his glass.
And so, evening arrived.
I pulled out the uniform stored in my subspace.
“Tomorrow, finally.”
What a tumultuous journey it had been.