Partner
"What do we do? Should we really take a sponsor?"
"Don't talk crazy. If we do that, we'll end up sleeping with those fat noble pigs."
In a café near the academy, all the commoner students from Class A were huddled together, deep in discussion.
"Come on, even the Church picked some. Surely they wouldn't..."
"Idiot, the Church picks even more. A place that forgives all sins for money—what do you expect... Oh, Saintess. We weren't talking about you, Saintess."
One student chatting about sponsors noticed Perloché, who'd overheard the Church mention, and flashed a gentle smile as her face filled with fear.
"R-Right!"
Perloché, who'd been shrinking back, straightened up with a relieved expression.
"So... what now?"
"Yeah, if this keeps up, we'll just get kicked out of the academy."
The commoners, who'd been petting Perloché like a mascot, soon sighed and began fretting over their future.
"How about robbing a bank? Split the money 1/n..."
"Don't talk crazy."
One student tried a joke to lighten the mood, but another, sunk in gloom, cut it off coldly, making the atmosphere even chillier.
"What if we ask the Princess for help?"
"She doesn't have much to spare. She already gave us compensation after the Starlight Mansion attack last time. Though most of us blew through it."
"Then Professor Isolet..."
"She'd want to help, but a teacher's salary can't cover this."
"In that case, maybe the Saintess..."
"...Eek."
As all eyes turned to her, Perloché ducked her head and cried out.
"Sorry! I don't have any money!"
"...Ah."
"B-But if it's for you all, I could fight the Church if I had to and squeeze some out somehow!"
Perloché declared with resolve, but the commoners just shook their heads.
Whether the fragile, innocent Perloché could even extract money from the Church was doubtful—and even if she did, they'd end up on the Church's blacklist.
"Irina, what about reaching out to your old mentor?"
"That senile old coot hasn't answered my letters since I visited last time."
Even Ariane, asking with faint hope, bowed her head in disappointment, and the mood grew solemn.
"...There is one way."
In the heavy silence, Kania spoke softly, and everyone's eyes lit up.
It was Kania speaking—the one who'd clearly endured horrific torture over vacation as payback for screwing over Frey, her cheeks and neck still bearing red handprints.
"Take a look at this."
"What's this?"
"A contract proposed by Frey."
But at 'Frey' from Kania's lips, the students froze solid.
"Sign this contract, and Frey becomes your sponsor."
"You mean make us Frey's slaves?"
"It's better terms than any offers you've gotten so far."
She continued in a trembling voice.
"Pledge full loyalty. No rebellion. And... one 'meeting' per month."
"...So your young master wants the right to fuck us once a month, right?"
One student asked in a quivering voice, and Kania quietly replied.
"Among all the proposals, Frey offered the fewest meetings. The others all said 'whenever I want.'"
"Disgusting."
"This is the best solution I can offer. I'm truly sorry."
Even trusted Kania bowed her head, and the girls began sinking into despair one by one.
"Contract with Frey or leave the academy. Pick one?"
"Th-There must be some other way..."
"In other words, if we don't want to end up as street beggars, we sell our bodies to Frey."
One girl gave a hollow laugh and reached for the contract. The others stared.
"When I got the signing bonus from Frey, I bought meat for the first time in my life and went home."
Gripping the contract, she spoke in a shaky voice.
"Know what my only family—my little brother—said when he ate it?"
"........."
"'Sis is the best in the world.'"
She ground her teeth and continued.
"I promised him. That I'd succeed and become the real best."
In the hushed group, she picked up the pen to finish.
"...What won't we do for family."
She squeezed her eyes shut and reached a trembling hand to write her name on the magic circle-etched contract—but
"Great speech."
"Ack?"
Someone snatched it from behind. She whipped around in shock.
"Wh-Who are you? You're... Huh?"
Squinting suspiciously at the blurry figure, she tilted her head upon seeing Aris standing quietly beside them.
"Guys, this person's the one offering you a contract."
Aris addressed her and the kids at the table, but the girls scowled in unison.
What's the difference? They'll demand something anyway.
"I want just one thing from you."
The robed mystery figure rubbed their hands together.
"Every week at this time, gather here and report your situation to me."
"Huh?"
"About people bullying you, sick friends or family, complaints over poor meals."
The demand was absurd.
"And recent academy rumors, inconveniences as commoners."
"Um, excuse me..."
"Of course, I need some credit too... so I'll guarantee one-on-one meal requests. No physical contact, naturally."
The figure sat as they finished. One stunned student stood.
"Y-You expect us to believe that? We know contracts aren't commoner-friendly. You'll act nice now, then blackmail us with money later!"
"Just engrave the terms in the magic circle."
"We can fake that easy. I've been screwed before."
The others eyed the black-robed figure suspiciously.
"Fine, then. Advance payment on the signing bonus."
".........!!!"
But as they smirked and piled massive pouches of gold coins on the table, the students gaped in shock.
"Future payments based on your performance—I'll show via scroll if you accept. Sound good? Up for contracting with me?"
".........."
"By the way, I've already contracted with the boys."
At the robed figure's low murmur, the girls nodded as if possessed—even Perloché, who'd pledged to the Church.
"Then..."
Surveying the dazed girls, the mystery person smiled brightly.
"...Who wants to dine with me?"
......
"So in conclusion... Isolet, wouldn't the Imperial Knights' vice-captain position suit you better than academy professor?"
"I told you, I'm not joining that damn Imperial Knights."
"How about instructing our Holy Knights? Our pride, the 'youngest Holy Knight,' truly admires you, Professor."
"Flattering, but I don't want to join a corrupt group that buys off sins with money."
Isolet, summoned mid-chat with Frey, was fielding love calls from both Imperial and Church reps.
"Keep raising your price? Vice-captain's fine, right?"
"Our Church can offer honorary captain. Seems no choice, though."
"I've said it over and over: I'm content as academy professor."
But as Isolet kept refusing, the minister and priest scowled and turned to threats.
"This was an offer. Keep refusing, and we can't guarantee favors."
"Firing you as teacher is child's play. Bywalk protection? You're disowned now."
"Haa..."
Worn from the endless talk, Isolet mussed her hair and buried her face on the desk.
"Marquis, urgent news."
The Imperial marquis smirking down at her frowned as his subordinate burst in.
He'd nearly broken her spirit—just a bit more, and she'd be mine.
"We lost all of Class A."
"What!?"
He shot up, bellowing.
"See? The Church acts on the Sun's will. Even Sunrise royals must follow..."
"Priest, we failed to secure Class A."
"What did you say?"
The priest, calmly advising beside him, froze too.
"So the students picked a third party—not Imperial or Church?"
"How? Who?"
As they yelled at the subordinate, a voice cut in.
"Simple reason."
Someone entered.
"I crushed them with money."
The marquis and priest eyed the black-robed intruder, then spoke in unison.
"Challenging Imperial authority?"
"Fearless of the Sun God?"
The robed figure chuckled and addressed the dazed Isolet.
"Professor, step out a moment."
"Wh-Who are..."
"Please. Business with them."
Normally sharp-eyed and defiant, Isolet just nodded quietly and left.
Hours of persuasion and threats had frayed her—and something familiar emanated from the robe.
"Yawn..."
As Isolet exited, the robed figure slouched in a chair, feet on the desk, yawning.
"Think you'll get away with this?"
The marquis growled. The figure laughed.
"The ones not getting away are you."
"What?"
"Dispatching a marquis and priest for talent, only to lose to some nobody? Emperor and Church will love that."
The marquis scoffed.
"Think we can't track you? In days, your tail's ours. Still smug then?"
"Yustiano the Back-Alley Emperor surrendered his turf to me hands-down. You punks?"
Their faces cracked at the casual retort.
"You're the one who shook the Empire this morning?"
"Yeah. Proof enough?"
He flashed a plaque signed by Count Yustiano. Their expressions soured further.
"Oh, and those detection and appraisal spells you've been spamming..."
Fizzle...
"Useless. Magic Tower Lord or Pope won't unmask me."
He activated a top-grade appraisal scroll from his robe. Their faces paled from green to blue.
"In short, you're done."
Sneering, the robed figure drove it home, then spoke lowly to the sweating pair.
"Because if you go back like this, you're finished."
"N-No, I..."
"No excuses. Think I don't know your profiles? You two planned and ran this op. Failure's on you."
No openings in his words—they bowed their heads.
"So from now on..."
Frey in black robe smiled triumphantly.
"...it's who impresses me more."
"What?"
He pulled his feet down, propped his chin, and whispered.
"Simple. You've got all Class A coins right here."
"Y-You mean..."
"Yep. Whoever recruits me lives."
Rubbing his hands, Frey concluded.
"Hmm, anyone generous enough to donate to my 'charity foundation'...?"
The two men instinctively knew: they'd stepped in it deep.
......
"Phew..."
Today felt truly satisfying.
Commoners teary-eyed, thinking heaven finally rewarded their hard work with unexpected luck.
Isolet thanking me with her old bright smile.
And the marquis and priest straining to impress, pledging huge donations to the foundation.
Of course, I'd squeeze them dry and use them as bargaining chips with the Empire and Church.
Plus, I ordered them to hand over data on all sponsors—including that trash groping the girls' hands.
To reward their 'warm hearts,' I'd plant succubi as gifts—under Frey's identity.
"Frey!"
"...Hm?"
Lost in thought on the academy hall, I turned at the call.
"Oh, it's Perloché."
Spotting her approaching with her usual vacant expression, I tilted my head.
"What's up?"
"I have news for you!"
She crossed her arms sternly.
"Starting today, you and I are partners!"
"Right, got it... What?"
Expecting nonsense, I half-agreed—then doubted my ears and asked again.
"For the second semester, you and I are partners!"
Her repeat left me blank as I pondered her words.
"You know the privileges partners share, right?!"
'Impossible.'
'Partners' was Blacktail Fantasy 2's unique system—forcing interactions all semester.
Crucial: Perloché and I couldn't be partners per the prophecy.
...A bug?