Healing at the Academy convenience store

You’ve all been anticipating this moment, haven’t you? Shall we now commence Wolfram’s tale?

Even if I refrain from reminiscing about the story’s outset, where I couldn’t forget my past lover while engaging in playful banter with a middle schooler, all because of my belief that she was the reincarnation of that very lover—a story that occasionally shifts from white to red to black—I still had to craft my own narrative.

You might be curious about what I mean by ‘crafting a narrative,’ but there’s a purpose behind it. In this competition, each submission undergoes a ‘Stats Adjustment.’ In martial arts, the victor is determined by strength and endurance, while in magic, dominance is established through high magical prowess. But what about the Magic Craft category? Is it about the skill to create things?

No, it isn’t.

D/Z SAGA is an exceedingly peculiar game that meticulously attends to eccentric details, delights in incorporating Easter eggs, revels in establishing game settings, and scatters various elements throughout for the sake of divergent points.

And I absolutely adore it.

Setting aside my personal gaming preferences for now, Magic Craft has a rather ‘cunning’ twist from the developers, and it revolves around the presence or absence of a ‘Rhetoric Skill.’

If we examine the structure of the Magic Craft category, it unfolds like this: ‘The student’s submitted item takes the stage,’ ‘A presentation of sorts is showcased,’ ‘The judges express their reactions,’ and ‘The scoring results are revealed.’

So, regardless of how you analyze it, it’s a setup that demands some self-promotion. When you delve into the specifics, it becomes apparent why a rhetoric skill adjustment is in place.

[Um, so this is… cooked without… oil…]

[Please speak up. We can’t hear you.]

[Um, so this…]

[Don’t you have anything to add?]

[I-I apologize.]

Even now, a senior-looking student stammers and steps down. His creation is probably well-crafted, but it’s all in vain. For ‘socially awkward enthusiasts who spend their time crafting items in solitude,’ having to ‘present themselves’ is a nightmare. How could they be so unkind?

I came across this revelation in a straightforward manner.

I was curious if the Magic Craft category had some hidden strategy as well. So, I embarked on an audacious journey where I acquired the ‘Charismatic Commander’ skill and charmed both Eve and Regina. Consequently, I triumphed over Regina in the Magic Craft category during my first year.

And the skill that Wolfram possesses is ‘Royal Bloodline.’ I employed it when I wooed Zolf, and I’ll put it to good use once again this time.

“So, let’s commence Wolfram’s tale.”

Phew. There’s only one thing I need to do now.

“I am not a loser. I can present myself effectively. I have many friends. I am not anxious.”

Unwavering self-belief, coupled with the determination to ‘tell my story’ the right way, is my mission.

“I am not nervous. I can articulate my thoughts. I am the best.”

***

Martial arts. Magic. Magic Craft.

The Jephryn Student Competition takes place in all categories on the same day. There are valid reasons for this decision, not just the logistical complexity of running the event, but also considerations related to the academic calendar.

This is the second mystical arena, where the Magic competition unfolds.

It’s an auditorium with a structure that remains unyielding, thanks to the protective barriers established by the founding Emperor. Unlike the martial arts events involving physical combat, the Magic competition, brimming with allure and enchantment, primarily draws students who seek to unravel the ‘mysteries’ of Jephryn.

However, today’s Magic competition held a unique twist.

[The victor! Aila Tristar!]

[With just one shot! A single shot!]

[Once more, the young heiress of the Tristar family has triumphed!]

A solo performance by a third-year student. Undoubtedly, magic is a realm where a single prodigy can outshine a multitude of average wizards, and Aila has already transcended human boundaries in magical prowess.

Naturally, renowned wizards of a certain caliber abstain from participating in the Magic competition to avoid accusations of suppressing other students with their exceptional talents.

Nevertheless, applying such allegations to Aila Tristar feels out of place. She’s consistently held the second-highest rank throughout her school years and never clinched the top spot. Besides, she doesn’t seem bothered by such concerns.

However, her method of victory was nothing short of extraordinary.

[Black Obsidian: Short Hair: Fully Enhanced.]

Pop!

A single, perfectly aimed shot right between the eyes. An incredibly precise manipulation of mana.

Simply by launching a Black Obsidian Spear, numerous ordinary mages are swiftly defeated.

[Aila TriStar! Three consecutive victories!]

[Her momentum is unstoppable. Truly remarkable.]

[But what’s even more astonishing is… Haha. She exhibits no arrogance in her triumph.]

[Indeed, in line with the name Black Obsidian, her expression remains icy. This only heightens the audience’s excitement.]

Nevertheless, she never cracks a smile.

She does not grow complacent with her success.

“……”

Typically an affable individual, Aila undergoes a complete transformation when entering combat.

She refrains from appraising her victories. She refrains from engaging with her opponents.

But it’s just the way Aila Tristar is.

Even in ordinary circumstances, she only bestows a smile upon those she respects.

Her emotions are reserved solely for individuals she trusts unfailingly.

This is the demeanor one instinctively assumes as the eldest daughter of the empire’s second-ranking merchant family, the formidable Tristar clan, known as the dual mountain ranges of gold.

Hence, the person Aila Tristar most recently smiled at and expressed emotions to is…

“I wonder how Wolfram is faring.”

With that thought, Aila shrugged her shoulders.

[Now, on to the round of 64!]

[The competitors appear quite fatigued. Keep pushing forward!]

Hearing the commentator’s voice, Aila unintentionally grinned.

“After all, Wolfram’s strategies are impeccable.”

Wolfram, who had raised a fledgling, possessed confidence in how to vanquish Kelters using Magic Craft.

So she casually inquired.

-How should I secure victory in Mashinje?

-Preserve your stamina.

-What?

-Contemplate defeating your adversary with a single decisive strike. Extended magical combat depletes stamina before mana.

‘Come to think of it, he was right.’

Aila’s stamina stands at 15.

While relatively high for a mage, she needs to utilize it judiciously, considering the upcoming battles.

Now, in the round of 64.

Five more rounds of combat remain.

[The next match features Black Obsidian Aila Tristar against Hwachang Balder!]

[This is a highly anticipated showdown.]

‘Alright. Let’s conclude the next battle with a single decisive blow as well.’

As Aila exited the waiting room, her thoughts were not consumed by information about her adversary but by the image of her fiancé, who was likely currently embarking on his rebellion alone.

***

As for the Magic Craft section, excluding those who voluntarily withdrew and failed the preliminary judging, approximately 40 works were vying for supremacy.

Truth be told, there was nothing particularly captivating. That’s just how Magic Craft is.

Usually, Regina takes the stage, and subsequently, she prevails, creating new waves.

And now, the 38th product presentation has just concluded, and the final contender, destined to overshadow all, has taken center stage.

It’s always the same. She claims the penultimate slot just before the end to captivate attention.

[Next up is Regina Ciela’s Magic Craft creation.]

[Miss Regina, what does your creation entail this time?]

With her cascading golden locks, she ascends to the stage, clutching a magical engineering microphone. Shortly afterward, a cart laden with magical engineering products rolls in, emitting a faint hum.

[The creation I’m introducing today is right here. It’s a wristwatch.]

[A wristwatch? Doesn’t sound particularly remarkable at first glance.]

[As you’ll notice, this wristwatch deviates from the ordinary—it lacks traditional hour, minute, or second hands.]

[So, how is the time displayed then?]

[We’ve adopted a method in which magical ink forms and erases characters. Take a look!]

[Impressive! The time is displayed in numerals!]

[Precisely. Furthermore, it features a luminescent function when you press the button at night. Not only that, it boasts an appealing design that will appeal to children. Most importantly, our internal tests have confirmed its 30-meter water resistance!]

‘Ah, that’s what’s being showcased right now.’

Sitting in the waiting room, I nodded as I listened to the presentation. Among the items to be added to Jephryn’s store in the second act, that watch is included.

I’ve put it to good use. Its function is to display the remaining time in ‘time-limited quests’ down to the second.

The problem is, it… breaks down very frequently. No, it’s actually a disposable accessory.

You end up using one per mission. Ugh.

Something specific comes to mind.

‘…So that’s it.’

A $5 wristwatch sold in front of Nonsan.

An imitation mimicking famous luxury brands. A knock-off.

‘Counterfeit junk.’

That product. I wonder if they realize they’d mess up their reputation if they supply it to the royal family.

***

[Alright, we heard you. Next up is the final magic craft presentation. The presenter is none other than Wolfram von Roengreen!]

“He’s prepared something very special.”

“Hmm.”

“Oh my.”

As I was leaving the waiting room, I bumped into Regina.

“Did you see the product?”

“It’s fine. But is its performance stable?”

“······What?”

“As expected. Typically, when someone buys a watch, the demand decreases, so you’ve deliberately lowered its durability.”

“I don’t want to hear that kind of criticism.”

“Whether it’s criticism or not, ask your own heart as a merchant. If you’re going to supply the royal family, you should enhance the performance.”

“···Thanks for the advice. I’ll be going now.”

As Regina was about to leave, I stopped her.

“Aren’t you going to watch my presentation?”

“······.”

“Whatever. Make sure you collect the 2 million Rin later.”

“You seem quite confident about winning.”

Well, of course.

How could I lose in this rigged game?

***

And then I stepped onto the stage to present the item.

[Wolfram von Roengreen’s item is quite unique.]

[Yes, it’s a snack with a magical function he devised himself. It provides beneficial effects.]

[So, is it a Buff-type snack?]

[No, the registered name is Magical Sweet. What a lovely name.]

[The name is quite nice. Let’s hear the introduction then.]

“Before introducing it, let me first explain the function of these snacks. Take a look at the snacks placed in front of you.”

Holding the microphone, I gripped my trembling chest and began the explanation. Okay, it begins now.

“Your words are quite harsh.”

“Yes, indeed. Ahem. We are the judges. Could you please be a bit more expressive…”

Ah, these people really chatter a lot.

I activated my Royal bloodline skill and directed it at them.

“[First, try tasting it.]”

“…”

“Shall we give it a taste then?”

“Yes, I am curious about the effects it might have.”

And the moment they took a bite of the snack I crafted, everyone fell silent.

In the meantime, I took a sip of the mana potion prepared by Aila and activated my skill once again.

“[The smallest chocolate ball provides a Tier-9 wind resistance projectile. The stick-shaped cookie next to it offers a Tier-9 physical dodge. And the main cake dish provides a Tier-8 Half Berserk buff.]”

I swiftly consumed another mana potion afterward.

To be honest,

Tier-8 is rather challenging to use in battle.

This Magical Sweet also features an exceptionally nuanced skill.

However, what I’m aiming for is innovation.

It’s not solely about performance; it’s about introducing a new concept.

Aila remarked, [Who would want to venture beyond this world?]

Eve added, [You have no idea how much it would cost to organize an expedition to the Sleeping Mountain.]

That’s correct.

One characteristic of the D/Z SAGA that became my reality is that no one attempts to explore ‘beyond the world.’

Well, everyone values their lives, so why would they want to? As a result, magic stagnates, combat loses its edge, and there are no challenges.

I have no intention of downplaying the importance of life.

The cost of swords for safeguarding life has skyrocketed, and the notion of desserts has dwindled due to the difficulty in sourcing ingredients.

[Don’t you think humans have been living rather monotonously since they retreated after the advancement of magic?]

So, in this Magic Craft competition, I want to pull a fast one on them.

[Think about it. A snack that bestows a Tier-8 buff instantly without consuming mana. It only takes 5 seconds to consume.]

Why do villains in games sound so appealing?

Because they sell romance and adventure to ordinary folks and present an ideal. They may be deceitful dreamers, but they captivate someone.

[I want to dub this snack a ticket.]

[A ticket to explore every corner of a Jephryn that has long forsaken the notion of venturing beyond.]

[A ticket that permits you to step out the door after 300 years.]

[I wish to extend this opportunity to our generation, to this era.]

So what if it’s a modest ideal that takes advantage of the susceptible?

Isn’t that more like a third-rate villain?

[Follow me. I’ll lead you there.]

A five-minute limit.

It was ample time for a third-rate villain to hoodwink ordinary folks.