Healing at the Academy convenience store

Ever since I passed the mini test, my academic life has been gradually changing.

First, there’s the matter of my schedule. I must admit that for the few days when Nephti took over the business, it was quite comfortable.

However, that doesn’t mean I’d relinquish all authority to Nephti. Building connections with graduate students seems crucial for my future, not necessarily for a rebellion like Aila’s.

In the undergraduate program, I may be treated as a villain, but in the academy, I am a generous merchant who procures delicious things from the morning. The stronger my connections with them, the more protection I receive.

Next, the convenience store.

The number of customers didn’t increase drastically, but it was better than I expected. Having a frozen food section allowed for an expanded range of beverages.

I refrained from releasing the energy drink recklessly since Aila might cause a fuss saying ‘It’s time for rebellion!’, but I did expand the selection of shakes and sherbets. With aqua beans and bubble beans, I should be able to make carbonated drinks. I’m currently researching the best ratios; they’ll probably sell well in the summer.

Candies and jellies with edible slime, black bread, valley-manju, and donuts are also among the additions. Since they can be refrigerated, it became more enjoyable to place various items on the food counter.

Food made with red vinegar is a special symbolic dish unique to Rudika, but I also enjoy it from time to time. I’m contemplating whether to name it red vinegar paste or just vinegar paste after removing the ‘red’.

Now that I’ve touched on the changes in my schedule and daily life, let’s discuss my academic life, which is equally if not more important.

First, the classes.

Surprisingly, really surprisingly, I’m managing to keep up with my major.

My grades may not be outstanding, but it appears I have enough knowledge to survive in this hellish Jephryn.

Of course, this is largely thanks to Aila’s private tutoring, but Wolfram knows how to acknowledge his own efforts. Good job, Wolfram. That’s all he needs.

Especially the eyes of Professor Lantica Grace, who administered the mini test for the wizard and battlefield subjects, are intriguing.

This year, Professor Lantica Grace, who is beyond the predicted age, is an authority in battlefield wizardry or something along those lines. Aila told me.

Then one day.

“Let’s end the lecture here for today, and could I have a moment to talk with student Wolfram von Roengreen?”

“Yes, Professor.”

The professor himself came to me.

Why is he calling me?

Why is he using honorifics?

It’s rather intimidating.

***

As I entered the dialogue room with the professor, he poured tea and smiled kindly.

“Wolfram von Roengreen, student… can I call you a student? Now that you are no longer the student council president.”

“Yes, it’s fine. Professor. I’m not the student council president right now.”

In Jephryn, the title of student council president carries weight.

Because he is a descendant of the royal family and the only one with a rank. These older professors don’t want to address him carelessly.

“Thank you for understanding. Do you remember the answer you wrote on the last test?”

“I wrote that large-scale escorts to protect wizards on the battlefield are a terrible waste of manpower.”

“That’s correct. But then, you offered two countermeasures.”

[One is to use a golem, granted with [Fortress: Guardian Protection: Steeling], as a barrier. However, when the enemy’s offense surpasses the golem’s defense, it poses a danger to the wizard.]

“That’s a common answer. It’s actually in use as well. But your second answer was very interesting.”

[Another is to prepare an artifact containing two magic spells.

3rd tier [High Magic: Protect: Mana Shield]

2nd tier [High Magic: Teleportation: Escape]

Recruit regular wizards to provide the mana needed for activation.]

“Actually, I thought it might be just a fantasy. Each wizard’s mana has a unique color tendency. If the manas of multiple wizards are collected in an artifact, it would just explode.”

“That’s correct.”

“But of course, you didn’t stop there.”

“So, I wrote that we should develop magic to turn all colors of manas transparent.”

“Yes. But that theory has been widely debunked by wizards. Reverting colored mana to transparent is akin to erasing already painted colors.”

“Indeed, that’s correct.”

“However, I’m not entirely sure if this is a good example, but in history, there was one person who wielded multicolored magic.”

“Yes, you are right.”

This person was none other than the first emperor, the great figure who established this academy island.

“It seems there might be a possibility of such magic when a descendant of that person suggests it.”

“I merely presented it as a hypothesis. The test question demanded logical thinking.”

“Hmm, I understand.”

Ah, I see.

It appears the professor is intrigued to see if I have a clue.

If all colored mana could be transformed into colorless mana, it would create an impenetrable magic barrier, rendering all other magic useless. It’s a tempting idea that could reshape history and leave a profound impact. But if it was the prince who purposely dangled this bait? It’s quite unbearable.

“I formulated the theory just assuming I had answered the multiple-choice questions correctly.”

“I see, I see. Understood.”

The professor seemed disappointed.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes, please take care.”

As I turned away, I pondered over that magic.

Wouldn’t it be an absolute cheat skill capable of nullifying all magic and empowering oneself?

So, does such magic actually exist?

Haha.

Of course, it does.

It sits at the pinnacle among the tier one magics.

It’s a spell reserved for only two individuals in this game.

And that is the greatest miracle, attainable only after completing all kinds of hidden quests and reaching the late stages of Act 12.

The hero of light, Kelters, who dedicated everything to magic.

And,

Eve von Roengreen, blessed with an innate magic power of 22.

It’s a legendary ability she can wield only by forsaking her humanity.

***

The next morning.

I was greeted by Nephti.

“What’s up?”

“Um, may I sell in front of the magic department instead of you, just for today?”

“Nephti, where do you spend all your wages?”

“I lost three wooden swords while practicing my skills yesterday.”

Ah, that can happen.

If I remember correctly, Jephryn’s wooden swords cost around 10,000 Rin each.

“There’s no special hourly wage, you know that, right? It’s 8,720 Rin per hour.”

“… Of course!”

What’s with the hesitation?

Anyway, the wage negotiation was settled, and Nephti ran off, driving the cart.

“Should I go back to sleep?”

Since I don’t have a lecture today, I took a leisurely nap. When I opened my eyes, Nephti was back.

“What is it now?”

“Oh, no. I finished selling. I came to get my hourly wage calculated.”

“Ah, I see.”

Let me check.

It’s 26,160 Rin for three hours.

I handed her three 10,000 Rin notes, and Nephti’s eyes sparkled.

“Thank you. You truly are a descendant of the royal family, Mr. Wolfram! I was worried when you only promised the minimum wage… This Nephti doubted Mr. Wolfram for a moment!”

“I understand. Stay loyal in the future.”

“Yes! By the way, something strange happened while I was selling.”

“A strange thing? Did a graduate student scream, sob, shout, and dance naked?”

That would still be within the normal range, right?

“No, initially I was taken aback by the outrageous behavior of the graduate students, but now I’ve grown accustomed to it. However, that’s not what’s troubling me. I heard a rumor about a professor.”

“A rumor about a professor?”

“Yes, they are claiming to have obtained top-secret information from the royal family. The name was something like Lantica or Lantis.”

“Ah, Lantica Grace.”

“Yes, that’s it. They are pressuring graduate students to conduct this research, adding even more workload. One student was so overwhelmed that they broke down and ran away, expressing a desire to regress back to their freshman year.”

“That’s not regression; it’s a mental disorder.”

Indeed, it must have been horrifying to witness such a scene. It’s a relief that Nephti went to work instead of me.

“And there’s also a plan to abduct an undergrad into the grad school.”

“What?!”

“Well, it’s all just rumors. But the sobbing and escape of the student were real.”

“I see. That’s disturbing.”

“Yes.”

…

Well, anyhow, she brought valuable information.

“Here’s an extra 20,000 Rin, Nephti.”

“I will serve you with utmost devotion and loyalty. My belief is solely yours.”

“Okay.”

She received 30,000 Rin, and I handed over a bill of 50,000 Rin, causing Nephti to chuckle.

Leaving her behind with her foolish expression, I fell into deep thought.

The opponent is a professor obsessed with achievement and honor, squeezing everything out of the graduate students. It seems this professor even has plans to forcibly enroll me in the graduate program.

‘The only option is to fight!’

So, they dare see me as prey and challenge me?

***

“Hello, senior.”

“Hello.”

“Let’s order.”

“Two strawberry doughnuts, and what will you have?”

“I’m trying not to gain weight… two sugar doughnuts without cream!”

“Two strawberry and two sugar ones. Got your order. Eating here or to go?”

“To go.”

“Me too, to go.”

“Got it.”

The next day.

I moved my vehicle to the freshman dorms.

No, this is not running away or escaping.

It’s not about recruiting graduate students; instead, I want to sell to the newcomers who have the potential to rise to the top tier in the main story. It will be more valuable for my future.

Recruiting graduate students with their status abnormalities such as 【Obsession】【Fear】【Mental Illness】【Depression】might be challenging, but the freshmen do not have such issues. They are all full of potential and enthusiasm.

Soon, the first act of the main story centered around Kelters will begin.

‘Aila completely crushed Kelters, and it was perfect.’

Normally, Kelters would hit Aila, fall down laughing, and Aila would then unleash her anger, saying ‘You thought I’d let you hit me? Me, Aila Tristar? A commoner… Unforgivable!’

But this clear victory means she won’t be hostile to Kelters, screaming “Eeeeek!” and she probably won’t really start a rebellion… although I would like to believe so. Regardless, it’s certain that a huge change will come in Act 3 of the story.

Although Wolfram, who only has about a 40% chance of winning even when fighting edible slimes wandering in the Act 1 map, Eastern Forest, may not participate in the main story, it’s crucial to gather as much information as possible.

That’s why I started this business with my vehicle among the first-year students to gather information, but…

“Did you have a good meal?”

“Huh? Yes, I enjoyed it!”

“Thank you. Alright, I’ll be going now, senior!”

The first-year students hurriedly fled, even packing up their donuts before I could inquire further.

I wondered why they were in such a rush. If the donuts weren’t tasty, they wouldn’t come to buy them, but still, why the haste?

They weren’t like high school students skipping study sessions to indulge in snacks.

The answer to my question came effortlessly and directly.

“Well, Wolfram, your seniors in the guild have forbidden anyone from buying or eating anything from your stall.”

An unexpected and unwelcome guest arrived.

***

Eve von Roengreen stared at me in disbelief, as if I were a fool.

“They banned?”

“Yes, because of the things you did last year, the upperclassmen haven’t forgiven you, and the word has spread.”

“I see.”

It was a fair reason.

I nodded, surprising Eve even more.

“…Aren’t you shocked? You’ve been trying to change, but you’re still branded.”

“I am shocked.”

Although it’s not my fault but Wolfram’s, for now, I am Wolfram.

And…

“Even so, some first-year students are sneaking out to buy my snacks. It means that my treats are enticing enough to make them ignore the senior’s ban.”

“To see it that way… Ha.”

Eve shook her head in disbelief. 

“If you’re not here to buy something, then leave. This is a shop, and we don’t welcome those who aren’t customers.”

“…Fine. Give me one set of each flavor.”

“Sure. Order received.”

“I’ll take a cup of candy too. Is that alright?”

“Pay for it.”

“Of course.”

I nodded, and from behind me, I heard the sound of her munching on candy. And then…

“Hehe.”

A cute and eerie voice echoed.

Logically, it might sound cute, but it sent shivers down Wolfram’s spine.

Why on earth would Kelters, who’s on the noble path of becoming a guardian knight through the Magic Department route, find her attractive?

Unless he’s out of his mind, it’s simply impossible. Truly.

Ah.

Well, if I can’t gather information from other first-year students, I could inquire with Eve.

What is Kelters up to now? Who is he trying to win over?

Surely, Kelters wouldn’t have abandoned all reason and gone down the Eve route.

As I continued cooking, I casually asked Eve.

“By the way, Eve.”

“Hehe… Huh? What is it?”

“Do you remember who became the freshman valedictorian this year?”

“Freshman valedictorian… Uh, um. That’s… um…”

“Hmm?”

“Oh, I remember now. Cool, Coolpis? No, it was a name like that, delicious…Kel, right?”

“Kelters.”

“…Right, Kelters. Yes. What about him?”

“…It’s nothing.”

I turned away from Eve, pretending to be busy making donuts. If she had seen my expression at that moment, she would’ve found it peculiar.

The fact that there has been no connection between Eve and Kelters up until now.

In other words, it means that the Magic Department route has been completely shattered.

The Magic Department route is known for its moderate and traditional storyline, with Princess Eve as the heroine.

And the collapse of the Magic Department route means, from Kelters’s standpoint, he’s either taken the Knight Department route, which is notoriously packed with bad endings, or he’s ventured into the Hidden route, known to be an even greater hell.