03. Is Bari a Great Mage?
03. Is Bari a Great Mage?
+++
Morning classes ended.
It was more like a briefing on the current situation and a brief explanation about our future rather than actual classes.
Since almost all resources on the continent are poured entirely into The Tower, we have to climb it to survive.
Currently, we've occupied up to the 27th floor, with the 28th floor as the front line.
They say dozens get wiped out every day on the front line, and considering each one is a top-of-the-top expert in The Tower, it's insanely high casualties.
The part I didn't quite get was that the Academy training course is 3 months, with 1 month dedicated to selecting the trainees. In other words, they recruit three times a year.
If each batch produces 500 trainees, that's 1,500 per year, and of course, from The Tower's perspective, they're total newbies.
There seem to be Guilds that protect newbies, but only a tiny fraction of lucky ones get that benefit. Most scream and drop dead in an instant or perish while dealing with Celestial Race remnants or exploring Dungeons.
I hear less than 10% even survive to the front line...
Where the hell do all the fighters on the front line come from anyway.
With dozens dying every day, yet the front line holds and even slowly advances, it means those dozens represent ridiculously numerous warriors.
But can they sustain that with just 1,500 graduates per year?
No matter how I think about it, it seems impossible...
"Ha. Are they stupid or just incapable of thinking?"
"...."
It was an obvious question, but Yuina sneered at me like I was pathetic.
"Did you really think the Academy only exists here?"
She took a bite of the sandwich she brought (probably prepared by Luna) and flashed a mocking smile.
No, they didn't even tell me the Academy's name, just referred to it as 'Academy' like it's some universal term, so it's not easy to assume there are multiples! Isn't that obvious?
"This place has deep history and great symbolism, but there are actually quite a few Academies. Even Guilds run their own."
"I see."
Then just say that from the start.
As I thought before, this girl's surprisingly clumsy.
Awkward in almost every aspect.
Definitely a klutz.
"Shall we go to a cafe? We still have time."
When we were almost done with lunch, Eleonore suggested.
For some reason, lunch break here is a whopping 2 hours.
Even after finishing the meal, over an hour remains.
"Hmm. A cafe..."
"We have to stick together like this for at least a month anyway. The instructor too."
"...."
It's like the homeroom teacher and some students sitting together for lunch at school.
Seems absurd at first glance, but because of the contract, we have to be together 16 hours a day.
And at night, sleep in the same bed as Eleonore while Yuina watches.
Forced cohabitation.
At this point, practically lovers.
"If we have to be together all the time, wouldn't it be uncomfortable if we're not close?"
"Hmph. Why would I get close to a human who's soon to be my slave? It's a master-slave relationship, so some discomfort is necessary. On the human side, of course."
"Right. No need to get close to the guy who's about to become a Sex Slave. Just obey orders. Training might be different."
"Kuh... S-Sex Slave?!"
She gets pissed even though she started the provocation.
"A Sex Slave to me, a proud 『Noblesse』?!"
"That's the contract, right? If you don't touch Eleonore sexually for a month, you become my slave. A female slave's purpose is obvious."
"Uuuuu...!!!!"
Yuina turns bright red.
Well, she knew it, but it's just irritating anew.
"Bari, if our homeroom teacher becomes my slave, what training should we start with?"
"Indeed. How about starting with morning service? Being late would be disastrous."
"Right? And for lunch, hot outdoor play."
"Don't act like you've already won!! That won't happen, so don't worry!"
"As if. You think I'd ruin everything by not lasting a mere month?"
"You're a human male. You can't resist an 『Elf』's skin. Ditch the pointless hope and think about how to please me instead?"
Growling Yuina.
But to me, who knows the truth(?), it's just cute.
"Hmm. Ahem. Anyway, everyone, we have plenty of time, so let's have some tea."
Eleonore jumped in midway.
Mulkyeong!
My left arm was assaulted by supreme softness.
"Wh-what."
"If it's no good, just us two then. Okay?"
She links arms with me like we're lovers.
Suddenly, a dizzying scent floods in.
Elves usually have a herbal scent, but whether it's perfume or something special, this seductive aroma tickles my nose, unlike her usual one that tempts reason.
On top of that squishy sensation and her upward-gazing features.
Her sly smile chunks away at my patience.
"Ahem. Can't do that. Just the two of you? No point if you pull something without me there."
"Right? Instructor, come too. And Bari too."
"...."
100% sure.
These two plotted behind my back.
+++
"Dangerous."
I wiped the cold sweat trickling down my forehead.
Who knows how many times today.
I thought it was nothing much, but contrary to my expectations, it was pretty tough.
"Water here."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Finally, liberation(?) time.
By contract, we have to be together 16 hours a day, but that means the remaining 8 hours are free.
So after classes ended and we ate dinner together, I parted ways with those two women.
"Definitely. Those two plotted it."
"Agreed. Their attitudes were 180 degrees different from yesterday."
Eleonore was consistently friendly and clingy.
Whispering lewd words men like, calling me "Master," not hesitating on flesh-and-blood attacks.
The fact that she, who was cold as ice yesterday, flipped like this clearly meant Yuina put her up to it.
"So, how was it? Manageable?"
"So far... but it was pretty intense."
I get why Elves are called the race of beauty.
No, toned down, race of beauty—more like the epitome of sexual objectification.
Not just pretty faces; their figures hit everyone's ideal type. They look pure and innocent on the outside, yet they ooze massive sex appeal.
And Eleonore.
Judging by Pantre and Louis's reactions, she's outstanding among them, and now she's charging forward to seduce me.
As a human, it's overwhelming.
"Definitely tough stimulation for solo-since-birth Sihwan-nim."
"......You gonna keep teasing me about being solo since birth?"
"But it's true. Not teasing—long-time solo folks just have low sexual immunity."
"Ugh... I'm not solo since birth—"
"Yes. You've conquered many women and had sex. In the 'game I made for you.'"
"Even a game you made is basically identical to reality, right?"
Full virtual reality, no less.
Not some monitor game.
"You really think that? If I purified shit water right in front of you into pristine grade-1 clean water, could you drink it without hesitation?"
"......No."
"Humans are dominated a lot by 'perception.' No matter how identical to reality virtual reality is, knowing it's not real means tons of experience there doesn't guarantee real-world immunity."
"Ugh...."
"Above all, you know it yourself, Sihwan-nim. You talk big, but you're 'solo since birth.'"
"St-stop... Fine, I get it...."
Getting hit with fact missiles like this leaves no room for retort.
Because it's true.
Eleonore's stimulation is incomparable to the game's.
Because it's real reality, not a game.
In real reality, an Elf is launching a flesh assault, and if I wanted, I could do whatever. That's why it's driving me crazy.
"Sigh. Come to think of it, a month is... You set it, Sihwan-nim, but way too reckless."
"B-but a month should be doable, right?"
"If you'd made this bet after a month, it might've been easier."
"Huh? Why?"
"Other trainees join then. You're the trainee rep now, and trainees obey the rep, so if needed, just grab anyone and do them."
"...."
"That way, the odds of touching Eleonore drop at least."
"...."
True...
Kinda harsh, but super effective if the goal is just getting Yuina.
"There's a red-light district in the city back alleys, or something?"
"Hey. Even so, first time there feels off."
"...From my perspective, it means nothing, but if you say so. So what'll you do? Kidnap?"
"Why do you only think in extremes? I could just hit on someone."
"...."
Bari's eyes narrowed.
"Sorry, but with your personality, Sihwan-nim, success probability is zero."
"...."
+++
Tok.
"...."
"...."
In the thick awkward silence, the two women sat facing each other, sharing tea.
No, only one was awkward.
"For a human, you're holding out pretty well."
Kkadeuk.
Yuina ground her teeth, still unable to calm down, and picked up her cup again.
It was already empty.
"I'll pour more."
Luna hurriedly refilled her tea.
"Eleonore."
"Y-yes...."
"Can't you do it more thoroughly? He's just a human male."
"...."
I almost cursed but barely held back.
An Elf can't dare offend a 『Noblesse』's mood.
"You can be more sure in bed, right? Just a human male. You're an Elf female."
"O-of course."
Contrary to Sihwan's guess, it's not a bribed relationship.
A one-sided command relationship.
Makes sense—Yuna is 『Noblesse』.
Nobility itself, revered simply for existing. If, god forbid, she became a mere human's slave?
Big difference from "ah" to "uh."
By contract, Sihwan and Yuina are the subjects, so at a glance, it looks like human Sihwan held back his lust well. But flip it: 'Elf Eleonore failed to seduce one human male, so 『Noblesse』 Yuina falls to slavery.'
Yuina's status isn't cheap enough to watch that idly.
Might even be a highest committee-level incident.
Excluding captures by Celestial Race, no historical precedent of 『Noblesse』 becoming another race's slave.
'If that happens... I'm really dead....'
If it ends with her alone, lucky—her family gets shattered at least, and worst case, the entire 『Elf』 race expelled from The Tower in a historic event.
She was just there...
Eleonore's body trembled as she hung her head.
"...Don't tremble so much. I know it's basically my fault."
Seeing her pitiful state, Yuina sighed and had Luna fetch a small box.
"This is...?"
"My sincerity."
"...."
Opening the box the size of a bill revealed a single coated bill inside.
"...!"
10,000 gold.
Considering ordinary Tower residents earn about 10 gold a month, not pocket change.
Realizing the gravity, Yuina borrowed big from her family, risking massive fallout.
Of course, she hasn't reported this insane bet yet.
"Even if I fail and become a slave, I'll somehow prevent the fallout from reaching you. And if you succeed in seducing him, separate reward too. Ah, don't overthink it. Just sincerity."
She quickly added the last bit, lest it seem like 'hush money.'
She must've felt bad for the trembling Eleonore.
Of course, she wasn't in great shape either.
Not trembling, but fidgeting restlessly all the same.
If this fails, Eleonore takes a big hit too, but naturally, Yuina herself shatters most.
Becoming a mere human's slave, and the master Ryu Si-hwan is prime age male. What she'd suffer is obvious.
Plus... if her family finds out...
"Ugh... Gonna puke...."
Her face turned blue.