Chapter 41
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Enviable Guy (1)
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Roin succeeded in safely converting the skin, lotion, and creamswhich had nearly become worthless inventoryinto cash.
If I just use my head a little, I can make money this easily.
The products he had on hand sold out in less than ten minutes.
There were even trainees who hadnt been able to buy any, asking when hed sell more and promising to come back later.
As expected, the overwhelming majority of buyers were women.
The ratio was about eight to two.
If I play this right, I could make a fortune off this later.
Above all, having Roin as the model provided tremendous promotional value.
With skin smoother than most womens, when Roin stepped up himself, it was impossible not to be mesmerized.
It was the first time he realized he could capitalize on his looks in business.
The old me never would have even dreamed of something like this.
Model? Not a chance in hell.
Anyway, Ive made plenty of pocket money.
He no longer needed to ask the Leyden family estate to send him money until graduation.
Not that hed worried about cash since meeting Helond, of course.
If I pass the Mid Knight exam, I could sell Iroas products to the nobles and grow my funds.
Hed just let his skin reap the benefits of that money.
Because Im precious.
Just thinking about it brought a smile to his face.
The trainees had completed the Kingdom Territory Mission and the Team Mission.
What awaited them now was the Dungeon Mission.
They had experienced a dungeon mission once before during the Apprentice course.
But this dungeon was different.
Unlike the Apprentice level, they had to venture deeper in to clear the mission.
To prepare, the instructors headed out for a dungeon reconnaissance first.
Even veterans with experience always had to stay on edge in dungeons.
Barton, who had assembled a scouting party of Senior Knights,
moved to get a report from Bermin on their departure preparations.
The moment Barton appeared, Bermin and the instructors shot to their feet.
Preparations?
Bartons question was curt.
Bermin replied that they were nearly done.
About fifteen minutes.
Weve got time, so take it slow. Better to end perfectly and safely than rush it.
Yes, understood.
As the two conversed,
a man was crossing the school grounds alongside the principal.
A sullen-looking man with long black hair.
Bartons eyes narrowed.
That guy looks familiar.
As if hed overheard Bartons mutter,
Bermin turned his gaze toward the long-haired man.
Thats the guy called Aker.
Aker? The Tactical Golem maker?
Yes.
For the past three years, a certain company had persistently approached Loud Swordsmanship Academy.
Nut, the Tactical Golem manufacturer.
Thanks to their tenacity, Tactical Golems had finally been officially deployed at the academy.
Aker was one of Nuts Meister engineers.
However, the instructors and assistants working at the academy didnt welcome the introduction of Tactical Golems.
They had malfunctioned during the Apprentice Knight selection process, after all.
If Roin hadnt been there, it could have led to far greater casualties and damage.
Yet Nut continued pushing Tactical Golems on Loud Swordsmanship Academy.
Watching Aker chat amiably with the principal,
Bartons grim expression hardened further.
Bastards, every last one of them. Full of shit.
Of course, the subject was omitted.
The next day was the Dungeon Mission.
To enter the dungeon, teams of at least three were required.
Roin could handle it solo, but...
They wont let me in if its not three or more.
The school rules were more annoying than monsters or the dungeon itself.
At least monsters could be beaten down.
Rules were intangible, leaving no recourse.
If they say do it, Ill do it.
Better to follow regulations obediently while at the academy.
Hed have no reason to return after graduation anyway.
Three people...
One name came to mind first.
Just as he reached for the doorknob to find that person,
knock knock.
Someone knocked on Roins door.
Roin. You in there?
It was Reminas voice.
Roin opened the door and smiled at her.
I was just about to come find you. Perfect timing.
For the Dungeon Mission?
Roin nodded in affirmation.
Was gonna ask if you wanted to team up again.
Sounds good to me.
Remina accepted Roins proposal coolly.
Roin might be hard to control due to his extreme my-way-or-the-highway personality, but teaming with him guaranteed a dungeon clear.
Of course, every other trainee probably thought the same.
Thats why Remina had to ask Roin this.
Anyone else ask you to team up?
Oh, tons. Overflowing.
And you turned them all down?
Yeah. Might as well go with someone Ive synced with before. Makes it easier, right?
She couldnt argue with that.
Then another question popped into Reminas mind.
What about Jerka?
Why him all of a sudden?
You did a mission together this time. Word is you two meshed well.
Dont always buy rumors at face value. Thats how one turns into two, and two into four.
Fair point.
Remina gave a wry smile at Roin, who was full of sensible remarks today.
You, me, and one more. That should do it.
Got someone in mind?
Remina answered immediately, as if shed been waiting.
Theres one, but not sure what youll think.
From how you say it, sounds like hes got some flaws.
If were talking flaws, Roin was second to none.
He was the problem child of problem children.
Still, his grades were top-notch, so no real issue.
Remina finally named the third member she had in mind.
His names Luem. Ring any bells?
Nope. Not at all.
Roin only cared about things directly involving him.
Remina, looking unsurprised, shared a brief rundown on Luem.
Seventh year in the Junior course. Nineteen years old. Says this is his last shot at the Mid Knight exam.
Last shot after seven years?
Seven years.
The average time to pass the Mid Knight exam was four to five years.
Seven was late.
At this point, hed cling on just to not waste the effort invested.
Plus, the academy rank upon graduation determined ones starting rank in a knight order.
Graduating as a Junior Knight and enlisting as a regular knight was one thing.
But gaining Mid Knight qualifications for an officer commission? That was why everyone attended the academy.
Yet Luem couldnt muster the will for another try.
The reason for giving up was simple.
Hes broke.
Remina had assumed Luem was like Roina fallen noble without family funds.
But the real reason was different.
Merchant family. Their caravan got royally scammed midway, so no more support money for their son.
Not a noble, huh.
Not just nobleseven kids from well-off merchants or commoners aimed for knighthood via the academy.
Become a knight, clear kingdom missions, rack up merits, and climb the social ladder.
Knighthood was the ultimate life-changer.
But without money, that chance slipped away.
Seven years and still no pass? Doesnt that mean he lacks talent?
Thats how Roin saw it.
But Remina disagreed.
Last time, Luem and I were on a team mission. He put on the most standout performance. Stuck with me, so I thought of teaming with him again.
Hmm, really?
Remina had a good eye for people.
Even back in the Apprentice course.
Maybe trust her judgment this time.
As long as he didnt pull any troll stunts.
That was Roins condition.
Got it. Bring that Luem guy on board.
Then Ill submit the roster to the instructor today.
Okay.
Team assembled.
Goddamn academy. Gotta graduate quick.
Having to go through this hassle every mission.
Roin just wanted out.
Only one day until the Dungeon Mission.
The night before, after final checks with the instructors, Barton received a sudden summons.
Senior. Principals calling for you.
Me?
Yes. Better head there now.
......
Barton nodded heavily in silence.
A bad feeling gnawed at him.
Entering Principal Ovals office,
his premonition proved right.
Tomorrows the Dungeon Mission, yes?
Yes, Principal.
Im thinking of deploying a Tactical Golem for this one.
Bartons eyebrow twitched violently at the words.
Principal, Tactical Golems dont fit this Dungeon Mission at all. More importantly, cramming something that bulky into the dungeon is impossible. No room to move.
Force it in, and the whole dungeon could collapse.
Citing various reasons, Barton openly opposed using the Tactical Golem.
But Ovals stubbornness was equally fierce.
I heard from Meister AkerNuts developed a new Tactical Golem. Not the huge one from the Apprentice selection, but human-sized, almost exactly.
That was why Aker had visited the school.
Shouldnt it work fine for the Dungeon Mission? Solves the space issue you mentioned. Plus, we have to consider Nuts sponsorship money.
Oval licked his lips lightly as he spoke.
But that Nut Tactical Golem malfunctioned last time.
That was then. Its been flawless since.
......
Indeed, the incident happened only during Roins Apprentice Knight exam.
Since then, as Oval said, no issues.
Still, the instructors distrusted Tactical Golems.
But Oval thought differently.
If we use them right, itll make prep easier for you trainers too. How great is that?
Sure, the body would thank him.
But,
The minds the problem.
Could they train properly with that unease?
That worried Barton most.
Yet Oval showed no sign of budging.
A deep sigh escaped Bartons lips.
......Understood.
In the end, he raised the white flag first.