Chapter 7
"Then, allow me to explain—"
MP cleared her throat with a single "ahem."
"There are various ways to collect from your borrowers using 【Forced Collection】~. The simplest is a 'lump-sum payment,' where you collect everything at once~."
Right. I understood that much.
"But that's only for very small loans~. Usually, the amount owed grows until it's impossible to pay it all back at once~."
The three members of the 'Sky-Cleaving Sword' had a combined MP total of just under 3,600.
Their mana only recovered by 10% per hour, and even the 'Mana Recovery Bracelets' they'd acquired only restored about 1,000 MP a day each.
There was no way they could pay back a million mana all at once.
"So, you collect it in several payments~. There are two main methods: 'installment payments' and 'revolving payments'~."
I see, I see.
This sounded important, so I made sure to listen closely.
"First, with 'installment payments,' you decide how many payments there will be. The other method, 'revolving payments,' fixes the amount of mana paid each time."
Right.
Even after listening carefully, I still didn't really get it.
"What's the difference?"
"Hehe. It seems you're not familiar with this, Master. The full explanation would take a while, so I'll go into the details another time~. But, in a word—"
Seeing MP's expression turn serious, I focused on what she was saying, too.
"—'revolving payments' are the gateway to hell. No matter how hard you struggle to escape, you'll never get out of that pit~."
"O-oh, right..."
I felt some inexplicable dread.
Were revolving payments really that terrifying...?
"Well, I don't think you can make an informed decision just yet, Master~."
"Yeah, that's true."
It'd be difficult to choose one if I didn't understand the difference.
"So, let's go with the 'optimal plan.' Leave it to me~. I'll come up with the best collection plan for you, Master~."
"Sure, I trust you!"
It was obviously better to leave this to MP, the expert, than to me, an amateur.
My companions had just betrayed me, but for some reason, I didn't feel the slightest bit of suspicion toward MP.
I was certain she, at least, would never betray me.
"Wow, these guys are awful~. It's been a long time since I've seen borrowers this unscrupulous~. The only option is an 'optimal plan' with no mercy~."
I wasn't quite sure why, but MP looked happy.
"Then, of course, let's use 'revolving payments' without holding back~. Normally, you need the other party's consent to use 'revolving payments,' but those guys haven't made a single payment in five years, and they have no intention of paying at all~. In cases as bad as theirs, we can make an exception and apply 'revolving payments'~."
"I-I see..."
"At a ten-percent rate every ten days, they'd go bust right away, so let's make it around eight percent. And then, we'll set the amount of each payment to match—"
MP muttered numbers under her breath.
She was probably doing calculations I wouldn't be able to understand.
"It's done~. The hellish repayment plan is complete~."
MP announced something ominous with a beaming smile.
"The 'Sky-Cleaving Sword' currently owes a total of 2,678,078 MP. Of that, 1,435,837 MP is eligible for collection, since it's been at least a year since it was lent~."
"Mm-hmm."
"The interest is about 8% of the collectible amount every ten days—that's 114,924 MP~."
"Y-yeah..."
"So, let's collect 11,492 MP per day~. That's 99% of the amount they're able to pay~. This will leave them completely drained of mana, unable to do a thing~."
"O-oh, right... I don't really get it, but you're saying I'll get back 11,492 MP every day?"
"That's right~."
"And you'll collect almost all their mana, leaving them unable to use it?"
"Exactly~. Those good-for-nothings mocked and humiliated you, Master. Let's wring them dry to the bone and make them see hell~."
"O-oh, wow..."
MP raised her right fist triumphantly.
She was even more fired up than I was.
I followed suit and raised my right fist.
After seeing that, MP smiled brightly and—
"Then let's start 【Forced Collection】~."
At MP's instruction, I pressed 【Forced Collection】 on my status—hard.
〈You've activated the optimal 【Forced Collection】 plan against the 'Sky-Cleaving Sword'!〉
〈You received 531 MP in the initial collection! It's been stored in your Magic Repository!〉
〈You'll collect the remaining 10,961 MP as the target's MP recovers!〉
〈You've met the conditions for Skill acquisition!＞
〈You learned the Skill 【Mana Management】!〉
The voice announcing it on my status echoed through the small room—