Chapter 40

Aila couldn't help but be surprised that the person she had recruited was Nefte.

Originally, Aila was the antagonist in the Magic Department, and Nefte was in the Knight Department... the protagonist.

Protagonist?

Anyway, she fell into thought for a moment but soon realized it was a good combination.

Aila was wealthy, so she could exploit Nefte's soul. For Aila, from a wealthy merchant family, it was a good card to play.

"Hmm, I see. You're going to have a match with Kelthers."

"Yes, yes."

"Very good choice. I have memorized all of Kelthers' stats and skills."

"Really?"

"To be precise, I have memorized the stats and skills of all the promising students who have the potential to enter the Knight Department. This way, I can provide proper guidance when they enter the department."

While in Jefrin, skills and stats are generally open and checked every six months, Aila hadn't expected Nefte to memorize them all.

However, considering that in the original story, Nefte played the role of a good senior who guides Kelthers, it made sense that she had put in this much effort.

"Then, let's think about Kelthers' stats and skill distribution and have a mock duel."

"......Yes! I'll do my best!"

Milmieu's spirited response echoed in the convenience store.

With that, Nefte and Milmieu left the convenience store for their duel, and Aila followed closely behind.

Before leaving, Aila smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up.

"What's her intention?"

"It means don't get angry if she takes that cute chick away."

Oh, I see.

Aila even whistled a tune as she left the convenience store. While I was tidying up the recipes and activating Mix Wit, the door to the convenience store opened.

"Is Wolfram here?"

"......No. I have no intention of dealing with someone who interferes with others."

"Thousand guests, ten thousand comings, more is better. Isn't that the slogan of the hospitality industry?"

"Good people don't come, bad people do. That's the slogan of Wolfram."

A blood relative whose name was written on the household register. It was Eve von Loewen格林's visit.

***

Eve entered the store and her eyes lit up at the snacks on the table.

"Is Wolfram the mountain of snacks...?"

"Hmm? Ah, yes. I'm preparing something."

"Preparing? Is this the preparation?"

"Yes. ...It's a big preparation."

At that, Eve's eyes widened, then she smiled brightly and turned to me with a gentle smile.

You're really something.

Why are you splitting it?

So I asked.

"What are you grinning about?"

"No, it seems Wolfram has finally become human."

"......What?"

"Talking about running a convenience store, which is nothing like you, or entering the Magic Craft competition, I thought you were seriously considering dropping out. But you've finally found your calling!"

"......"

"Yes, Wolfram. You may not be good at anything else, but you have a subtly high skill in making snacks. It's great to see you finally finding your calling and pursuing it. Wolfram, you are human. If you're human, you should live like this. How long are you going to inconvenience everyone with your ridiculous antics? I've really worried a lot, but it's a relief."

"......"

"Now, leave the academy and return to the royal palace to become a direct pastry chef. Then, you'll be with the one in heaven..."

"Eve."

"......What? I'm trying to compliment you for the first time in a long time, so don't ruin it. Anyway, since you've decided to live like a human..."

Compliment?

Compliment? Is that a compliment?

But before I could argue about that, I needed to clear up the misunderstanding.

"Stop talking nonsense. Eve. I have no intention of leaving the academy or becoming a pastry chef. And I'm entering the Magic Craft competition."

"......What?"

"The mountain of desserts in front of you is the magical tool I'm entering in the Magic Craft competition."

"......Have you finally gone mad?"

Look at the way she talks. Really, would you say that while choking back tears?

***

Since there was no point in arguing with Eve any further, I gave her one of the desserts I was making to shut her up.

"Such a bribe..."

"Shut up and eat it, or get out."

"Mmm."

Eve ate the cake with a fork right there and then, and a moment later, her eyes widened.

"......Huh? This is..."

"Buff-type snack... No, Magical Sweet."

"Cute name. But that's not it. This... enhancement effect? I'm not sure, but resistance... No, it's an instant effect. So... If I guess, it's... enhanced detection of all fire magic?"

Eve muttered something and then figured out what magic was on the snack, frowning.

"You know well. This is the Magical Sweet. It's a supplementary food that gives beneficial magical effects to the person who eats it."

"If so, could this be..."

"Yes. This is what I'm entering in the Magic Craft competition."

Eve frowned and then extended her right hand to the side.

"【White Light: Barrier: Cut】"

A shielding barrier?

Why?

Looking at Eve with a puzzled expression, she frowned and alternately glared at the snack I made and me.

"Wolfram. Did you really make this with your own hands?"

"Yes. I acquired the skill of Magical Pastry Chef."

"You made a snack that gives an instant effect when eaten in any battlefield?"

"Yes."

"What tier is the effect? Up to tier 9?"

"No. Currently, up to upper tier 8."

At that, she frowned even more.

Why suddenly?

It's really scary.

"So you're going to enter this in the Magic Craft competition?"

"Yes."

At that, Eve sighed deeply and frowned.

"Wolfram. As the student council president, I advise you. No, I warn you. Stop it."

"......What?"

"I'm telling you not to enter this. No, this is... Ha. Why now? Well, if you really want to, considering my growth, next year... Tsk. No, that's also dangerous. Anyway, stop it."

"Can I ask why?"

"You might die if you're not careful."

"What?"

At my question, Eve sighed.

"Wolfram. Do you know that Jefrin has a total of ten thousand students?"

"Of course I do."

"Do you also know that among them, only about seventy percent graduate from the first year to the fourth year without incident?"

"I know."

"But if something like this hits the market, it will be quite troublesome."

"Hmm."

"To put it bluntly, with this buff, test results will change. Those who should fail will survive, and those who should survive will fail... Of course, artifacts are generally treated openly, but this can change the results of tests that are strictly prohibited."

"So it can be used for cheating?"

"No? Everyone will try to cheat. Do you want to be targeted by ten thousand people, or even be found dead in District 8?"

Wow, that's really scary.

But I remember hearing something similar before.

Right. The energy drink incident.

They definitely said not to release it recklessly.

"I think it will take about two years to completely take control of the academy and wield full authority. At that time, I won't stop you from making it public. But... it's too risky to reveal it to the public now."

"......"

"I'll control the quantity and set the sales routes for you. Why don't you sell it then, Wolfram?"

At Eve's words, I fell into thought. Does this mean that revealing this will put my life in danger?

"But..."

Before I could continue, a familiar voice came from beyond the barrier.

"No, you don't have to worry. Wolfram is safe."

Then, the sound of a skill being cast followed.

"【Black Crystal: Single: Maximum: Destruction】"

The Black Crystal, which had one more effect than usual, began to scratch the barrier Eve had created with a sizzling sound.

Pfft.

The barrier, which had a mana cost of 22 and was made in three verses, could not withstand the attack of the Black Crystal, which was made in four verses, and shattered into pieces. Through the broken barrier, Aila walked in, making a clicking sound with her footsteps.

"I came to see Wolfram because the chick and Nefte were focused on training, and I heard an interesting conversation."

"......Aila Triestar. We are having a serious discussion about Wolfram von Loewen格林's future, so let's talk later."

"That's not possible."

"......What?"

"Wolfram's distribution and copyright of these sweets are under my priority negotiation rights."

Hmm.

Thinking about it, that's true.

I traded it for four boxes of mana potions.

At Aila's words, Eve seemed to have a headache and swept her hand through her hair, responding with a sigh.

"Aila Triestar. I understand that you want to monopolize good products because of your business acumen. But this is really dangerous."

"It's fine. Wolfram will make a lot more dangerous things in the future, and... I will protect Wolfram. Do you think I don't know the risks?"

"You know and still want to sell it?"

"Yes. If I take the hit, that's all there is to it."

"What?"

"Look. How many students will believe that Wolfram can make something like this? Or how many will think I'm using Wolfram as a front to make and sell it?"

At that