Chapter 11

010. Siblings in Good Faith

After Ayla's visit and my decision on the future plan, I took a two-day break from school.

Fortunately, it's still the seasonal semester. Really, it's fortunate.

“Ugh, ughhhhh.”

The delayed onset muscle soreness. The bleeding from when I went to pick beans with Nefte and Beans has come back.

I swear, it wasn't that hard. But Wolfram's pathetic physical condition couldn't even handle a two-hour walk and a bit of bean picking.

“Physical... 2”

If I don't do something about this damn physical stat, I might die. I had that thought, but there's nothing I can actually do about it.

“Quests that definitively increase physical stats only appear in the latter part of Act 1...”

But from what I've checked, D/Z SAGA hasn't even started Act 1 yet.

Act 1 will likely start around next month, as the story progresses with the arrival of new students.

Jefrin Academy ends in December and starts in April, with a winter break and a free training period in between.

During this time, you can seek out professors for lessons or train yourself.

It's a kind of seasonal semester.

In my case, since I'm majoring in magic, I went to find a way to keep up with the classes, but I thought I should probably give up on the seasonal semester.

“...If I go, I'll really die.”

This damn physical stat is the problem.

First, the convenience store.

Let's start by settling the convenience store.

***

The next day.

From early morning, I pulled a cart in front of the magic building, placed candies and cod soup as usual, and waited for customers.

“Ugh... ugh... soup... please...”

“Eat it yourself.”

“Yes... I understand...”

The graduate student, who couldn't even speak properly, ladled the cod soup and took a big breath.

“You look more tired than usual. What happened?”

“...The professor took us to a drinking party after the semester ended.”

“...Ah. That can happen. You must have had a tough time.”

“...”

Graduate students are like the professor's parts. If called to a drinking party, you have to go. But that doesn't mean you can skip lab the next day.

Of course, it varies by professor, but this one must have a tough professor.

“You can have another bowl.”

“...Thank you.”

Saying that, the graduate student drank the cod soup.

After finishing, wiping his mouth, and patting his stomach, he looked at me and smiled.

“What is it?”

“No, I just thought Prince was a decent person, different from what I heard.”

“Riling up the Knight and Magic Departments, buying weapons at ridiculous prices, purchasing magic books even if it means being scammed, and eventually getting his hands on the royal family's secret... a fool, right?”

“...I apologize.”

“No, I'm not blaming you. You're right.”

That was Wolfram.

A collection of inferiority complexes. A fool who tries to reach for what he can't have.

Wolfram might have loved swords and magic, but swords and magic didn't love him. A fool who couldn't face that harsh reality.

“I don't know much about what kind of president Wolfram was, as I only stayed in the lab...”

“He was the president as rumored.”

“...Is that so? But you don't seem like that. This cart, it's like a street stall, isn't it?”

“I don't have big ambitions anymore. I just want my convenience store to succeed and learn some skills to graduate.”

“...What is a convenience store?”

“A place that sells these kinds of items.”

“...Ah. A grocery store, I see. I never thought Wolfram would open such a place. I'd like to visit. Where is it?”

“8th Magic Building.”

When I said that, he widened his eyes and asked.

“...Really?”

“Yes. It's in a corner of the 8th Magic Building.”

“Who in their right mind would open a store there? Even my dementia-stricken grandfather wouldn't... I'm sorry.”

“...No. I know. You're right.”

“K. Hmm. Anyway, it's too far. I'm sorry. I don't think I can visit.”

“...Yeah.”

“But if you keep this street stall here, I'll come every morning. Yes.”

“...”

Is he trying to encourage or comfort me?

When I stared at him, he paid and hurriedly returned to the research building.

Damn.

“Is the location that bad?”

No one answered, but I knew the answer.

“A. How can someone open a convenience store there? Haha.”

Knowing it was the problem.

***

When I returned to the convenience store, someone who wasn't a customer came.

Ib von Loewen格林.

Seeing her standing there, I frowned.

“What is it?”

“I didn't come because I wanted to.”

“Then leave.”

“I have a reason. Please open the door at least.”

“...”

Once inside the convenience store, Ib sighed and sat down.

“I'll quickly state my business and leave, Wolfram von Loewen格林.”

“Okay.”

“I'm here for the handover.”

“...Handover?”

“Yes. I originally intended to kick you out and handle it myself, but since you're insisting on staying at the academy, I'll do a half-hearted handover. This is your duty, you know.”

“Fine. Just do it and leave.”

It wasn't a big task.

The next student council had already been decided when they tried to oust me, and all I had to do was confirm the budget usage.

But they really spent it like trash. Why did they buy a 7-tier magic book for 100 million rin? Are they idiots?

“How can someone spend money like this?”

“That's why you're the president, right? If I had been a bit wiser, I would have been the president this year. Do you think the embezzlement at Jefrin will affect the royal family?”

“...How can someone talk like that?”

“Hmm.”

That's true. I thought it was a bit much.

While checking last year's budget usage, the conversation gradually lengthened.

It was really, really a fantastic budget. I couldn't believe how someone could do this.

“Why did you buy this broadsword for 10 million rin! You can't even lift it! What am I supposed to do with this year's budget?!”

That, that.

I'm sorry, but that was Wolfram, not me.

If I had gone a bit further, I thought Ib might have used a Holy Light Blade to tear my guts out, so I quickly stood up.

“What are you doing? Sit down!”

“Hmph. I'm just getting a drink because my throat is dry.”

I quickly fled to the workshop at the back, opened a drawer with different types of beans, and lightly mixed strawberry beans, milk beans, and sugar beans.

【Combination successful!】

【Strawberry Shake Beans】

Ignoring the description that appeared, I took two cups of Strawberry Shake Beans out.

When the pale pink drink appeared in the transparent glass, Ib's eyes lit up.

“Hmm. What is this?”

“It's our convenience store's next main product.”

“Convenience store?”

“This grocery store will soon be renamed as a 'convenience store' dedicated to all students' convenience.”

“Are you now going to dedicate yourself to the students?”

No, it's for my selfish desires, ambitions, and glory.

But I didn't say that. A Holy Light Blade is a light-attribute single-target magic that ignores defense. If hit, you die.

Before Ib put the straw in her mouth, I stopped her with my hand.

“Why?”

“Drink it cold with a cooling spell. That's the proper way to enjoy it.”

“...Really? Shouldn't the convenience store serve it cold?”

“I can't do that.”

Ib paused for a moment.

She knows well that neither swords nor magic loved Wolfram.

An awkward silence fell, and a spell chant came from Ib's mouth.

“Freeze.”

The shake beans, now with a thin layer of ice, were tasted by Ib, who curled her lips.

“Hehe.”

“...That smile is really annoying.”

“Be quiet. A bit. ...Hehe.”

Her innocent smile.

Before entering the game, as Lee Young-jin, I was an orphan and had a longing for family.

But... seeing my little sister laugh innocently and cutely in front of me, it must be a genetic repulsion. Wolfram's body started to shiver.

“Hmm. It's not a bad taste. How much will you sell it for?”

“...Probably around 2,000 rin.”

“That's expensive. Isn't your current business in the magic building?”

“Right.”

“Then why don't you save it for the new student welcome festival?”

Ib tapped the cup.

“Not a bad suggestion. I'll keep it in mind.”

“You should be grateful when someone gives you proper advice. Thank you, really.”

Ib grumbled, and I silently took a sip of my shake.

I tried hard to suppress the shivers.

My shake was also cold by now.

Glancing at Ib, she avoided my gaze.

“I won't charge you for the shake. But buy some candy on your way out.”

“I don't have money.”

“You can buy it under the student council's name.”

“Who caused the budget deficit? And I buy candy with my allowance?!”

***

By the time the work was done, it was the middle of the night.

Not just dark, but pitch black.

Looking at the clock, it was past ten. Early spring at ten is very dark.

“Okay. I think I can somehow put together the budget.”

“That's good. Do your best.”

Ib sighed.

“Yes, Wolfram. The student council will be different from your time. I'll change the academy. So, just stay here and run your convenience store or something.”

“I was planning to do that anyway.”

“Then I'll leave. I need to draft the budget.”

“You're busy.”

I just shrugged and added a comment.

There's no need to offer to see her off.

If there's an attack, I'll die with one hit, and Ib will survive.

“Yes, I'm busy. I need to hold a grand and substantial new student welcome festival for this year's new students.”

Saying that, Ib bowed and turned around.

“By the way, I have one question.”

“Go ahead. Briefly. I'm busy.”

“Who is the representative of this year's new students?”

At this unexpected question, Ib's eyes widened.

“Why are you curious about that?”

“I'm just curious. I don't plan to approach them.”

“No, you... No, now that I think about it, you're not completely unrelated.”

“Hmm.”

“The representative of this year's new students is surprisingly a commoner. His name is...”

Ib then mentioned a name I remembered and that left a deep impression in my memory.

“Kelters.”

Soon, the main part of the game will start, with an unexpected addition of a convenience store owner.

***