Chapter 31

030. Siblings in Harmony (1)

The Next Day

I rested due to muscle pain.

Of course,

I also rested the following day due to muscle pain.

***

The next day, Ayla came to visit.

She poked me with her fingers while I was lying down on the shelves in the back office of the convenience store, and tilted her head.

"Are you okay?"

"···I'm, fine."

"I heard the story. They say you caused a commotion in the first-year dormitory, right?"

"Hmph. It's just the chatter of people who don't know anything."

"Is that so? From what I heard, it was a rumor that Wolfram von Loewen格林 convinced the graduate students, allowing the first-years to sleep soundly."

"···Is that what they're saying?"

"Yes."

Ayla chuckled and stood up.

"Besides, to bring even the first-years to your side, Wolfram. Your political acumen always amazes me."

"······?"

"Isn't the easiest way to create friendly forces to show a good side to those who are neutral or lack information? Neither the first-years nor the graduate students know about your misdeeds. It was a good judgment."

"······It's not like that."

"Yes. Your rebellion has already raised its first flag. I just want to watch it from the stage."

No.

That's not it at all.

"I'm tired. I'll go make something to eat."

"···What did you say?"

"Don't worry. I'll make something good for you."

"······."

With that, Ayla skipped out of the office.

No. What exactly is she planning to make? Can she even cook?

She might condense a potion and an energy drink and force-feed it to me, calling it the taste of rebellion. Or she might cook porridge with an energy drink, claiming it's good for me.

Countless experimental subjects flashed through my mind, too terrible to even imagine.

But with this powerless body, I can do nothing.

I am weak.

That realization hit me hard.

***

The Student Council Room.

"Phew."

At the peak of ten million Jefrin, the one blessed by heaven with talent, every time Yvonne von Loewen格林 exhaled, the entire student council shuddered.

Over the past few days, Yvonne von Loewen格林's state had been unusual. She would be lost in deep thought and then sigh, only to focus on work again and suddenly sigh once more. It was impossible to fathom.

As a descendant of the royal family and an iron-blooded enforcer, Yvonne, the righteous student council president, being like this was a cause for madness and jumping around for the council members, who were essentially in the position of subordinates.

Of course, they had some idea of the reason.

The ghost incident in the first-year dormitory.

Although it was reported that Yvonne had successfully resolved it, there was a rumor that the former student council president, Wolfram von Loewen格林, had been involved.

Whether it was just a rumor or if Wolfram had really been involved, and if so, how he had been involved, it would be good to find out, but Wolfram was also of royal blood.

Even if he had no political base or influence, the name of a prince was beyond the law. If he were to return to the royal palace and take revenge on the person who humiliated him, his career would be at risk.

And if he had connections with Rudica, an assassin from the Knight Department, it could mean not just the end of his career but his life.

In the end, the student council members, unable to do anything about the president's inexplicable sighs and the former president being implicated, could only tremble.

Except for one person, Yvonne's guardian knight, Sylvia.

In fact, Sylvia didn't want to step forward, but under the pressure of the silent majority, she had no choice but to ask about Yvonne's condition.

"Yvonne-sama, is there something troubling you?"

"Huh? ···Ah. Sylvia. Thank you. Is it something to worry about? It's nothing much."

"But your sighs are so deep that we are all worried."

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

The members shot her a look that said, "Don't say 'we,' it's just you! Don't get involved."

Sylvia responded with a look that said, "If it goes wrong, you're all in it too."

It was truly a heartwarming student council.

"Hmm? ···Ah. Yes, I've been sighing a lot lately. I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. If there's something troubling you, please lean on us."

"Hmm···. That's true. Then I have one question. This isn't my story but a friend's story···."

"Ah, I see. A friend's story."

Everyone in the room realized it was Yvonne's story.

"My friend has a bad relationship with someone. But they say they owe them a debt of gratitude."

"I see."

"But they don't know how to repay it. The relationship is awkward, and they don't know how to repay a debt of gratitude."

"I see. Your friend···."

The entire student council realized that in the previous ghost incident in the first-year dormitory, Wolfram had played a significant role, and Yvonne had attributed the success to herself.

[···No one would say anything if you attributed it to your own credit. I would only speak the truth in the face of the royal honor, and Nephthys would testify.]

Wolfram had chuckled at this suggestion.

[If I take credit for solving it, my reputation will improve. Your regime will be shaken. This time, I'll just be a ghost. Take the credit for yourself.]

[······.]

His calm demeanor showed no hint of obsession with power.

Wolfram treated her as if nothing had changed.

"Now···"

She took a few deep breaths, clenching and unclenching her fists.

"Maybe it can be solved with money. A debt of gratitude can be settled with money."

If money could cleanse the heart, she would become a demon of money.

Yvonne von Loewen格林 had been saving since she was young, had a considerable amount of wealth, and received a decent allowance.

Of course, she disliked unnecessary expenses, so most of her money was just sleeping in her bank account. She had also used some of her personal funds for student council operations, making it difficult to spend freely.

But she did have money. She had a lot of it!

"Phew. That's right. With money. I can settle it with money."

Wolfram von Loewen格林.

How much would be appropriate to repay the debt of gratitude to the man she had ousted from the presidency?

Yvonne hadn't yet determined the exact amount.

***

"Something you want? No."

"···No. Really nothing?"

The story so far.

As my muscle pain improved, I was considering changing the morning business when Yvonne suddenly barged in and declared she wanted to repay a debt. She asked how much would be enough.

What is this? What is she planning?

"Really nothing."

"···Phew. There should be something."

Why?

Why should there be something?

"Really nothing."

"But how can I repay a debt if you don't want anything! Please think about it!"

······.

I don't quite understand, but it seems I did something wrong.

What material compensation do I need now?

Nothing really. No, even if there was something, I wouldn't ask Yvonne for it.

After clearing Episode 1-1, I realized that a lot had changed due to my involvement, and the biggest change was in Jammie Coolpiece···. Kalters and Yvonne.

If Kalters hadn't grown, who knows what would have happened to Yvonne.

Let her grow properly, and I'll go my own way. Keeping a distance and living separately might be the right path for siblings. You should focus on growing and clearing the main story.

"Alright. Then I'll suggest a few things. First, the royal family is positively considering the rights of graduate students."

"Is that so?"

"Because of this, it seems possible to grant temporary permission to sell model diplomas and graduation rings to provide psychological stability for the graduate students."

"Really?"

"Yes. Since you reported how you convinced the graduate students, the royal family has approved a plan to sell handmade graduation rings and diplomas to the graduate students, even if just as toys. And you have the exclusive rights to do so."

Yvonne cleared her throat and huffed. Is this what she calls consideration?

It could be sold at a high price, but...

"The graduation rings and diplomas won't be sold at a high price. I'll practically sell them at cost."

"Why?"

"What good would it do to exploit the graduate students? A toy for peace of mind is enough."

"······Tsk. To make such a right decision in this situation, Wolfram."

Yvonne grumbled and sighed deeply, staring at me intently.

"Wolfram. Wolfram von Loewen格林."

"What?"

"I'll be honest. I feel a debt of gratitude to you."

Suddenly, she got to the point.

"So?"

"In this incident, I was useless. I only handled the aftermath. And you gave all the credit to me. That goes against the philosophy of Yvonne von Loewen格林. So I want to repay this debt."

"Is that so?"

"Let me ask one last thing. Is there really nothing I can do for you?"

What? Why didn't you say that from the start?

It's forceful, but this is typical of Yvonne.

Brothers and sisters should take advantage of each other whenever they can. That's what I learned.

To be a proper older brother, I shouldn't reject Yvonne's offer.

Let's see. What could be helpful...

Ah, there is one thing.

"This store."

"This grocery store?"

"Yes. We need to change that perception. This is a convenience store, not a grocery store."

"···A convenience store? I've never heard of it."

"A convenience store is a shop built where people gather, focusing on convenience. It sells food, stationery, toys, freshly baked bread, even fruits, vegetables, fried foods, and books."

"A multipurpose store, I see."

"Yes."

"It sounds profitable. But, Wolfram."

"What?"

"Doesn't anyone come here? Isn't the premise flawed?"

Exactly.

"···Ahem. Anyway, I first conceived this convenience store and swore to reach the pinnacle of this industry. But, Yvonne, no one recognized it as a convenience store. Everyone thought it was just a grocery store."

"Well, it's an unknown concept. ···So, Wolfram, you had this idea. Hmm. What for?"

"I want to make a sign."

"Ah, I see."

"I need good metal or wood for it."

"Is that so? That's great. I'll contact Yggdrasil or Maestro. What do you need?"

I had materials in mind.

Materials that had been useful in the main story, and there was no need to enter a dungeon.

Not metal sheets, but wood.

Materials that could be obtained within the Academy campus.

"I want to make it from the sacred wood, Elwood. Is that possible?"

"···What? What? Sacred wood?"

"Can't you get it from the Yggdrasil Autonomous District? I know it's a tree that can be bought for a price."

"Ugh, well, yes. But do you know how much it costs?"

"I don't, but didn't you say you wanted to repay the debt?"

At that, Yvonne clutched her chest and muttered to herself.

"Definitely going to take advantage of this, huh? Hmm. If I put the debt of gratitude on a scale, would it balance out? Last year's auction price was eight million... If I break my savings from age four... The Academy's operating costs will have a hole, ugh."

What is she muttering about?

"Can you get it? If you can't, it's fine."

"Y-Yes! I can get it. I can get it! Yes! I'll definitely bring the wood for the sign!"

Yvonne left with a pained expression.

I don't know how much it costs, but since my sister declared she would get it herself, as an older brother, I should accept her offer, even if it's a bit expensive.

The bond between the Loewen格林 siblings, studying at Jefrin, seemed to deepen, bringing tears of joy to my eyes.