Chapter 27
“Oho! Excellent! These are very good conditions!”
Professor Horace examined the contract with the Criminal Organization.
“How did you manage to get such conditions?”
Proud.
“With a heart that trusts people and a good-natured attitude!”
And the courage to trust a Criminal Organization and write up a contract!
“Oho! That is a strength always found in people like us, who deliver necessary goods to those in desperate need!”
“That’s right! Exactly!”
Pastel strongly agreed and tapped her Magic sword, thud-thud.
Lord Demon! Lord Demon! Look at this!
I told you Smuggling isn’t a weird thing to do!
“Is it really okay for a Professor to act like this with a Student? Do not listen to this guy. He is a wicked fellow. You shouldn’t Learn Strange things.”
Eing.
Pastel let it go in one ear and out the other.
The nagging entered one ear and went swoosh~ out the other.
“Are you listening?”
Swoosh-swoosh~.
“Oho! It really is exactly as the contract states!”
Professor Horace examined Pastel’s pile of boxes. When he opened a Cover, the box was full of Unprocessed Magic Stones.
“Just as my junior said, the commission is 0%!”
“Of Course! The people here are nice, so they keep their promises!”
But they do seem like somewhat cold people. Even though their opponent killed their comrade, they could still Strike up a friendly conversation.
Is it Inevitable since they run a Criminal Organization, just like Lord Demon said? Mourning the death of a comrade killed by the Opponent while in the middle of Persuasion would only Ruin the mood for Persuasion. The Calculation of Gains and Losses has simply overtaken their hearts.
Pastel shook her head.
Ah, my head hurts. This kind of worrying doesn’t suit me.
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing! Anyway, the people here are nice! Professor, you should trade here from now on too!”
“Hmm! I shall! The City’s security isn’t great, but the Organization itself seems Trustworthy.”
After finishing her explanation of the Organization to the Professor, she exchanged Greetings with Preston boss and left the Demon Realm.
She had heard the explanation that they would pursue Stable Organization Expansion now that they had recruited Kadin, but there was no need for her to stay and get involved.
On the way back, she engaged in Navigation alongside Horace’s airship.
“I will set up a Magic Stone Processing Company for my junior!”
Wow!
A 20% increase in profit was achieved through changing the Smuggled Goods and the company.
They encountered Pirate Ships a few times, but when Professor Horace confidently fired Magic Ppyongppyong into midair, the Pirates retreated with expressions like they had stepped in poop.
A miracle that made Pirates Retreat with a single use of Warning Magic before even fighting!
There was a World of Difference in power compared to Pastel, who had To Hold a Sword and went Eusyaeusya!
“Mages are Amazing! Magic Ppyongppyong!”
Finger Gun is going ppyong-ppyong-ppyong-ppyong!
“Hahaha! Would you like to Learn it too, junior?”
“I don’t have a talent for Magic, so…”
Ing.
“My.”
Upon arriving at the Sky Island, she was introduced to the company. Handing over the Unprocessed Magic Stones and receiving the processed ones, she was able to obtain a larger quantity thanks to the company’s low costs.
Pastel stacked up the Magic Stone Boxes and shouted.
“Waaah!”
She looked back at the Professor.
“Senior! Senior! This junior is touched! To Think you knew of such a cheap and high-quality company! You are the Perfect Talent for the role of a Delivery Person who delivers necessary goods to those in desperate need! A Veteran yourself!”
“Hahaha! You are a Perfect Talent too, junior! You’ll be able to become a Veteran!”
“Really?!”
I can become a Veteran of Smuggling!
“Woooow!”
The Professor and Student danced joyfully.
“Please do not take those words as a compliment.”
The Demon’s voice, sounding as if his insides were burning, could be heard.
Oing.
I can hear a Demon's Whisper from somewhere.
Gasp.
A Demon's Whisper - how scary!
I can’t let this be! I’m a good child, so I won’t fall for the Demon's Whisper! I’ll just let it go in one ear and out the other!
Completely Good Pastel, who listens well to adults.
Proud.
“Are you listening? You shouldn’t get close to a Professor like that. He’s a terrible fellow.”
The nagging went in one ear and out the other.
Proud.
“How on Earth did it end up like this? Did I button the first hole wrong? I shouldn’t have taught her about Smuggling…”
The Demon let out an agonized groan.
Lord Demon! Lord Demon! Don’t be in pain! It just happened the way it was meant to be!
For real.
Professor Horace approached.
“Junior! You said you were in a predicament with your Semester Report, right? It seems it’s time To Prepare. Time is tight, so you need to start right now.”
Gasp.
I had forgotten.
The journey to become the Top Scorer in Research Pastel!
There’s no way smart Pastel would miss the Top Scorer in Research title!
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“Senior! I’m trusting you! How can I become the Top Scorer in Research?!”
“Just trust this senior! As the Chief Officer of the Semester Report, I will give you the best Coach! If you follow my Coach, the Top Scorer in Research spot is yours, junior!”
Coach.
She Swallowed Dry Saliva.
They moved to the Professor's Office. Professor Horace’s face turned Serious.
“Students are mistaken, but the Semester Report is actually not evaluated objectively. The professors' subjectivity is heavily involved.”
Ooh, he’s a total expert.
Pastel also put on a Serious Face.
“If so?”
“If you include a topic and perspective that fit the professors' tastes, your score will shoot up. What is the Research Topic you are currently researching?”
Pastel Flinched. She subtly avoided his Gaze.
“Well, you could say I’m not ready yet because I’ve been busy delivering goods to those in desperate need.”
She blew an Awkward whistle.
I felt a bit guilty to say I was aiming for Top Scorer in Research when I hadn’t even decided on a Research Topic.
“I understand. I also tend To Forget my duties as a Professor while living the life of a good-natured Delivery person.”
“Why is this guy bragging about this to a kid? Do not associate with this guy. He is a truly wicked fellow.”
The Demon's Whisper went in one ear and slipped out the other.
“Senior…! This junior feels comforted!”
“Indeed, indeed. In fact, it’s not bad if you don’t have an existing Research Topic. You can just use my thesis. It should fit the professors' tastes too. Let’s see.”
Professor Horace Rummaged through his drawer. A Bundle of Papers was pulled out. It was a Bundle of Theses so thick it could be a Heavy book.
“It’s an excessive thesis for a First-year Student’s first Semester Report, but since your Rival is your Rival, you’ll need to do at least this much to become the Top Scorer in Research.”
The Bundle of Theses Was Handed Over.
“It’s an Unpublished Thesis.”
Gasp.
Pastel received it with trembling hands. The Heavy weight of the paper pressed down on her hands.
The Heavy weight of academics. - Fundamental Understanding of Magic Engineering Phenomena through Magical Principles: Theoretical Analysis and Application
Waaah.
Content I know absolutely nothing about!
“Hmm? He’s handing over his own thesis? Something is Strange. This Help is excessive. Could it be that this guy is currently in the Mindset of offering a bribe in advance to the young Marquis?”
The Demon was enraged.
“Young Kraft, this guy is a truly bad fellow. You must cut ties with him immediately. If you hang around a guy like this, you’ll end up learning wicked things.”
The Demon's Whisper was filtered in her brain. All the content disappeared, leaving only short phrases.
His own thesis, excessive Help.
Gasp.
Help was acknowledged even by Lord Demon.
Her hands holding the thesis trembled.
“Senior, is it really okay for me To Accept something like this?!”
He hands over his own Research Achievement.
Professor Horace gave a reliable smile.
“I can do at least this much for my junior!”
Pastel’s mouth dropped open.
“Senior…! This junior is touched! I will definitely become the Top Scorer in Research! I won’t consume your Research Performance worthlessly!”
“Indeed, indeed!”
Professor Horace Smiled Contentedly.
He Smiled Contentedly, as if he were highly satisfied with the fact that he had preemptively bribed the Marquis Excellency whose head was still soft.
“But it’s not over yet. If you submit that thesis as is, you’ll get caught. You have to do a Complete Revision in your own handwriting and writing style, junior. You also need to make an Adjustment to fit the format of a Semester Report.”
Ooh, an Expert’s advice.
“What are you really teaching a kid? Just how devoid of conscience is this guy?”
“From here on, you have to do it yourself. I’ll Coach you from the side, so let’s try To Finish it within the timeframe.”
“I will follow your lead!”
Pastel answered confidently.
Then she paused.
She looked down at the thesis, which was the length of a thick book.
Ing.
Wait a minute, do I have to rewrite this entire volume? Within the timeframe?
“D-don’t tell me I have to rewrite all this content? Not just copying it exactly, but doing a Reconstruction in my own writing style?”
“Of course.”
Professor Horace brought over a Bundle of Papers and a quill pen.
“Time is tight, so let’s start right away today!”
Waaah.
Pastel grabbed the Quill Pen.
She Frantically scribbled down the content.
Waaah.
The path to Top Scorer in Research is too arduous…!
Life is too hard for Pastel…!
#
Melissa stared blankly up at the noticeboard. The grades for the Research Field of the Semester Report were displayed.
Top Student, Pastel Love Kraft - A+
Second Place Student, Melissa Camelot - A+
Mother, father.
I failed to become the Top Student again.
I was really Confident this time, but I guess I was overly greedy. Did I forget humility because I was put on a pedestal as the Next Archmage?
Pastel walked over looking haggard. She looked up at the noticeboard, and her lips loosened into a Grinning smile.
“Top Scorer in Research, Pastel.”
Melissa looked at the unusually dry Pink Hair. She looked as if she had been staying up all night for days.
She Suddenly stroked her own Golden Hair. It was soft and moist because her Maid managed it every day.
Pastel rejoiced, then rubbed her eyes with a tired look. It was a haggard Appearance unbefitting a lively girl.
“It was a nightmare. I’m never holding a Quill Pen again.”
A Quill Pen Mark remained on the Girl’s hand. It was Clear, as if Hardship and Endurance had left their mark.
Melissa looked down at her own hands, the soft and moist hands of Nobles.
Suddenly, a realization struck her.
Ah, I didn’t put in that kind of effort.
I thought that being cared for, receiving Help, and basking in the sunlight Inside a greenhouse were effort.
The Next Archmage realized her arrogance without suffering a defeat. Cracks formed in the countless walls of Realms, and Future Realms became easier To Reach.
Having achieved, using only her Second Place Experience and talent, a realization that others couldn’t attain even if they invested their entire lives, Melissa approached Pastel.
She stopped at a distance where she wouldn’t step on her shadow.
“Kraft.”
Pastel looked back. Vitality gathered in her Pink Eyes.
“Ah, Melissa. Sorry, I was so tired I didn’t see you. I wasn’t Ignoring you. It was a mistake.”
Melissa opened her mouth.
“Both the Top Scorer in the Written Exam and the Top Scorer in Research must be results you achieved through Effort and Endurance that I can’t even Imagine.”
Pastel made a face that said, gasp, how did she know?
Then it changed to an expression of great disappointment at being found out as a hardworking Model Student when she wanted to be treated as a Genius.
I knew it.
Having seen through all her emotions and inner thoughts with deep Observation, Melissa was certain.
Kraft is a genius, but she also puts in the effort. It’s only natural that an Arrogant person like me would lose.
“I’ll admit it. You are someone worthy of the Kraft name. They say an Elegant Swan is actually paddling hard beneath the Water Surface. Behind an elegant result lies Arduous Effort.”
Melissa placed a hand on her chest and gave a short bow.
“Kraft, you are elegant.”
And she turned around.
The Sound of Shoes faded away from the noticeboard.
Left behind, Pastel widened her eyes.
“Melissa really seems like an eccentric person.”
She’s a friend whose way of thinking is hard for an ordinary person like me To Understand.
Still, since we’re friends, I should try hard To Understand her!
“But don’t swans just Float even without paddling? They probably don’t put in any particular effort.”
“That is Correct. They just Float. That kid must have read it wrong in a fairy tale book.”
Melissa must like fairy tales.
Wow.
#
The Senior Student with bloodshot eyes received the results of the Semester Report and was immersed in joy.
He had made it into the Top 10 of his grade.
It was thanks to recently taking a stimulant and consecutively succeeding in High-difficulty Combat Requests.
With these grades, it would be easy to Receive sponsorship and investment from a Trading Group. The situation where he was Worried about his post-graduation life due to being born illegitimate had been resolved.
“Congratulations.”
A Black Robe of the Church approached.
“Even though there are side effects, the results were definite, right? Oh? Top 10? You put it to good use, didn’t you?”
The Senior Student Flinched and trembled.
The Magic Stone Stimulant circulating in the Academy had no side effects. The effects were quite decent too, to the point where it was rare to find an Upperclassman who hadn’t taken a stimulant at least once.
This Senior Student was the same. Even though the Student Council’s crackdowns were strict, he took the stimulant that was traded secretly, out of curiosity, and was able to Complete more difficult requests than usual.
From then on, he steadily took the stimulant to increase his request performance, since there were no side effects anyway.
But at some point, the Senior Student ended up having this thought.
If a stimulant without side effects is this good, how effective would a stimulant with side effects be?
How high of a difficulty request would I be able to do? How much would my rank go up? How much sponsorship from the Trading Group would come in?
Then how much will my future Change? How much will my old age Change?
And the Black Robe came to him.
The holding of a stimulant with side effects and addictiveness.
After some conflict, the Senior Student drank from the poisoned chalice.
There were side effects. His heart and muscles ached every day, and his mind often grew hazy. It felt like his lifespan was being shaved away.
However, as if it were driving away the side effects, an overwhelming effect unlike any other came to him. He was able to Complete countless High-difficulty Combat Requests. His rank rose Instantly, and he entered the Top 10.
The Senior Student hid his report card and trembled.
The Black Robe approached and patted his back with an easygoing attitude.
“Oh my, get some sleep. There’s definitely no insomnia among the side effects, so why are your eyes so bloodshot? Ooh, so red.”
Eyes peered out from within the robe.
“Are you anxious? Afraid we might make some Suspicious demand? I suppose. You’re receiving high praise about your skills Suddenly improving and all, so you must be dying of anxiety wondering what will happen if the stimulant gets cut off, right? Isn’t it Thrilling to Think about what will happen if they find out your skills are fake?”
The Senior Student trembled without answering.
“Guess it’s not Thrilling?”
The Black Robe tilted his head.
“Shall I make it Thrilling for you?”
The Senior Student was terrified.
“No! No!”
“Right? Don’t worry! It’s not like we’re asking for a difficult favor or anything. We just want you to mess with the Inside security a little bit. Just a tiny bit. Here is a to-do list.”
A note Was Handed Over. The Senior Student who received it had trembling hands.
“Uh-oh, what’s wrong? Don’t worry! Don’t worry! You Think the Knights Order and the Faculty will be able to handle it, don’t you? Right? Those people are competent. Don’t worry and just do your job. Trust an Adult, Student!”
His back was patted.
The Senior Student left anxiously.
The Black Robe ruffled his hair.
“I don’t know if it’s okay to do this to students. The World is so harsh.”
Another Black Robe walked out from the shadows.
“Is it done?”
“Yes, it’s done.”
The Subordinate answered roughly.
Then he subtly raised the corners of his mouth.
“Are you really not going To Meet your daughter? You’re giving up on the Family Reunion and just coming out after the Seizure of the device? Won’t the young Marquis Excellency be lonely living without her father?”
Dry eyes stared straight at the Subordinate.
“I have no interest. Focus on the work.”
“I suppose so.”
The Subordinate shrugged.