Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 50
>Chapter Title: 310 Gold
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Meanwhile, at that moment.
Three academy students were stepping out of a high-end restaurant located in the heart of the city of Hazen.
They were students who had received weekend outing permits from their supervising professor: Debei, Pacon, and Clia.
They were the same three idiots who had been thoroughly thrashed by Aster just before the Tower of Trials incident.
As they left the restaurant, Pacon glanced back and let out a sigh of admiration.
“It was... incredible.”
“...Yeah.”
Clia nodded in agreement with Pacon’s awe.
The three had been invited to the restaurant by Evelin.
They had just finished their meal and were on their way out.
But the place was so luxurious.
Even for them, born into well-off families and accustomed to every luxury the south had to offer, their jaws had dropped.
“Did you see that coffee pot earlier? It was from the Physys Workshop.”
“Physys Workshop?”
“Yeah. They say it’s the best besides the three great workshops. I got a good look— all the artifacts were Physys-made.”
Luxury items that they would boast about owning just one of were casually scattered everywhere.
“And I heard the head chef was a former imperial chef.”
“...No way. Does that mean we ate food fit for His Majesty the Emperor?”
Even the head chef was no ordinary figure.
And that wasn’t all.
The teacups, saucers, even the complimentary water— nothing was ordinary.
It was truly another world.
The two were chatting like that when they turned their heads.
“Debei.”
“...”
Debei was standing there, completely entranced for some reason.
Pacon shot him an envious glare, then exchanged looks with Clia.
“That guy’s totally lost it.”
“He went off to a private room with Miss Evelin and clearly ate something amazing.”
“Hey, Debei! Say something. What did you eat? Huh? What was the private room like?”
Only then did Debei snap out of it at Pacon’s call.
“...What?”
“You ate separately with Miss Evelin earlier. What was so good that you’re spaced out like this? Did you eat dragon meat or something?”
“...What did I eat?”
Debei stared blankly for a moment before his eyes refocused.
“What I ate... there was a lot.”
Of course, it wasn’t actually dragon meat.
In a world where no one even knew if dragons existed, how could they procure dragon meat?
But it was true that he had eaten a lavish meal.
However.
The conversation after the meal had been so shocking that it shattered any sense of bliss.
- Give me one more chance... It’ll be irreversible. Are you really okay with that?
After the Tower of Trials.
Evelin had turned cold.
Even though the Tower takeover had failed and turned failure into something else, Evelin’s standards were merciless.
So, he had bowed his head and secured a second chance.
But unlike the first, this opportunity was insanely dangerous.
No, in hindsight, the first one had been dangerous too.
‘Who would’ve thought gathering bracelets wasn’t just a simple test...’
He had his suspicions even back then.
Gather as many bracelets as possible? It was hard to make sense of.
If it was for passing the Tower of Trials, she would’ve specified an exact number.
It was just “the more the better.”
And today, he finally learned the hidden truth behind it.
‘...Grade broker.’
Taking commissions from certain noble houses to boost academy students’ grades?
Of course, the Tower bracelets weren’t exactly against school rules.
Form a team, distribute the bracelets—who could complain?
If money changed hands? Plenty of ways to deny it.
But.
‘This time...’
It was on another level.
- I hear the midterm exam questions will be finalized by next week at the latest.
Evelin, who had informants in the academy or knew the internal schedule.
- No way...
- No way what? What are you trying to say?
- You’re not telling me to steal the exam papers, are you?
- Have I ever said that? Don’t talk about something that could get us in big trouble. I’m just talking about my business. I hope you’ll help with my business, Debei. That’s all. Got it?
No direct mention, but it was effectively an order.
Steal the exam papers being prepared next week and bring them to her.
‘This... this is really...’
Way too dangerous.
Part of him wanted to back out right here...
Gulp.
Debei glanced back at the restaurant and swallowed hard.
‘She definitely won’t let me off easy.’
He’d heard this much— backing out now?
She could retaliate against him. No, against the trading company his family ran.
Goldrin—no, Evelin had more than enough power for that.
But that thought didn’t last.
‘No, actually, this could be the perfect opportunity.’
What did Evelin get from these noble commissions? Not goods.
Nor did it seem like securing trade partners for Goldrin Trading Company.
He hadn’t seen her full intentions, but through these jobs, Evelin aimed for connections with noble houses.
The bonds themselves.
Sharing corruption to forge tight ties—it was common in merchant circles.
So...
‘If I handle this properly...’
He could form that kind of relationship too.
Holding each other’s dirt, helping so neither falls.
If that happened...
Gulp.
Debei swallowed thickly again.
But this time, the meaning was different from before.
Of course, if it failed...
‘I’d take all the blame and crash into the mud.’
Evelin spilling the hidden truth was preparation for that.
No, not preparation.
More like instructions on how to act if caught.
Make it look like there’s no backer.
Act like he’s the mastermind, then quietly take the fall alone.
A chilling scenario.
But.
‘I’ll do it.’
Debei steeled his resolve.
“H-Huh? Debei. Where are you going?”
“I’ve got somewhere to be.”
Debei immediately cut across the alley.
- If you want to handle this job even more thoroughly, come check this place out.
- This is...
- I don’t know the details either. But they say there’s someone good at this kind of thing.
In a quiet alley, Debei unfolded the note Evelin had given him and started walking again.
Probably one of Evelin’s underlings there.
And he’d move like a puppet following their setup.
But so what.
‘Last time, that damn bastard ruined everything...’
This time would be different.
The memory resurfaced, and Debei ground his teeth until they nearly cracked.
‘That fucking bastard... I’ll never let him get away with it. Not in years, never.’
In a way, that lowborn scum had led to this mess.
Debei burned with hatred.
* * *
Purion led me outside the academy.
With Professor Jeira away, he got outing permits from assistant professor Yorbi and brought us along.
Damian and Chenbi stayed at the academy.
- Aster, have a good trip. I’ll look over some materials.
- Friend, bring macarons!
Chenbi waved happily now that hope was in sight, and Damian demanded expensive desserts.
Of course, I wouldn’t buy any.
‘Go suck a flea’s liver.’
I had no money.
Sure, I’d gained a lot this life, but never any real cash.
Though, thinking about it, I’d never really needed money.
‘Damian handled most of it.’
The benevolent Blandoga side had given some pocket money, but macarons weren’t cheap.
To satisfy Damian, I’d have to empty it all.
But.
‘This guy...’
I eyed Purion walking ahead.
Not my first or second time out like this.
Yorbi’s face earlier was definitely “you again.”
She issued the weekend permits without asking why— honestly, being an academy professor or assistant seemed like a dead-end job.
Dark circles heavy even on a weekend, holding down the fort.
Half that fatigue from cleaning up the just-ended Tower of Trials mess, sure.
Anyway.
“How long are we going?”
“Just wait a bit. We’re almost there.”
I took in Purion’s back with my eyes.
‘Feels like he’s always dragging me to out-of-the-way spots.’
Hazen was developed, but that didn’t mean no back alleys.
No, the shadows were as deep as the lights were bright.
And where Purion was leading me was unmistakably a back-alley path.
This feels like...
‘Heart’s pounding.’
That punchable back of the head.
Finally time to hit it?
With that thought, I kept walking.
“...?”
I tilted my head slightly.
‘What?’
Following Purion around the corner, a familiar face shone through the crowd far ahead.
Someone I recognized.
Just a glimpse and my fist was itching— more than for Purion.
“What’s up? Just a bit further.”
“Where to?”
I shot Purion a sideways glare.
“Just follow and...”
“Wanna get hit, or tell me?”
“...B-12 District, Building 13, basement.”
Purion gave up the destination surprisingly easily.
I clicked my tongue in disappointment.
‘Never even hit him, and he’s so compliant?’
A deeply regrettable reaction.
“Fine. Go on ahead.”
“...Why?”
“Business.”
“Toilet then...”
“Wanna die?”
Purion clamped his mouth shut again.
I poked him, but he didn’t snap back.
By looks and vibe, he should be haughtily spouting his status, spewing nonsense to provoke by now.
‘Why’s he like that?’
In class, he’s the perfect arrogant collateral bloodline. Weird.
Anyway.
“How long do I have? Tell me that.”
“Curfew’s at 6, so... by 5 at latest would be great.”
“Got it.”
Purion looked at me sullenly.
“What? Not going?”
“To enter B-12 District Building 13 basement, you need a toll. Got money?”
“Nope.”
I did.
But in these cases, you say no.
I eyed Purion expectantly, but he nodded indifferently.
“Yeah. I’ll cover yours too.”
“...Uh, yeah. Hurry off. Go.”
My enthusiasm cooled as I sent Purion away.
Then I looked toward the alley where I’d seen the familiar face.
‘If my memory’s right...’
Yeah. That guy.
‘320 gold.’
No, minus 10 then, so 310 gold.
Definitely him.
I expanded my senses max, searching the crowd for that familiar presence.
After a moment.
‘Found you.’
Why the hell’s this guy here?
Shady bastard.
And that last glare— definitely the type who doesn’t forget grudges easily.
So.
‘He’ll be trouble.’
Guys like that? Crush the bud when you remember. Good for mental health.
Ignore him thinking he’s not worth it, and he’ll stab you in the back at the worst moment.
That’s why.
‘310 gold.’
Not about the money.
Not the fist itching because of Purion.
Really, just that.
‘You’re doing one of two things today.’
Take 310 gold in punches. Or cough it up.
Of course, stripping that typical villain gleam from his eyes was a given.
In a way, this was a righteous Troubleshooter enforcing justice.
‘Moon, make me a righteous Troubleshooter again today.’
The sun was high noon.