Chapter 43

<042. Companion of Treason>

None of the people in the hall could speak up in response to Wolfram's words.

A mere 5 minutes.

Yet the villain had captured the hearts of all the judges present.

Was it because of the intimidation that came with royal blood?

No.

Was it because the words spoken by the man named Wolfram von Loeningen had pierced everyone's hearts?

Yes.

They pierced through the skin, followed the capillaries, and struck the very depths, the heart.

Wake up.

Go on an adventure.

And offer all of that

【To our generation.】

That was the one sentence.

Three hundred years.

It has been three hundred years since the great first emperor, known as the God of War and the God of Magic, proclaimed that the artificial island of Jefrin would be a place where the empire's might and wisdom would gather, nurture itself, and lay the foundation for a thousand-year empire.

However, his successors were not as wise or brave as the emperor. Despite Jefrin providing numerous environments for all students to experience, humans chose to remain confined.

No one knows what lies beyond the land they stand on.

Why did they avoid adventure?

Because the students who graduated would eventually return to the empire and take on practical roles?

Because they couldn't risk their lives for mere curiosity?

Because the monsters far away couldn't invade the academy grounds?

No.

That wasn't the fundamental reason.

Humans are weak.

Life is comfortable.

So Jefrin didn't wonder about the outside world. Or rather, it couldn't.

【Follow me. I'll take you.】

Magical sweets.

A tool no one had ever thought of.

A buff activated by eating. An innovation that requires no prior spell.

Even just with recovery and support, the style of combat would change.

Even the slightest possibility made my heart race.

I didn't try to hide my racing heart. My heart told me not to.

The judges are professors.

They are Jefrin graduates.

All of them have a master's degree.

They spent decades learning magic and mastering swords, but it was never put to practical use.

They ascended to the position of professor, but their frustration grew as their knowledge was buried in a world that remained unchanged.

Now, they are being told about dreams by their aged bodies, long past their prime.

They are despicable. They are villains.

“By the way.”

The prince, who had lost everything and been cast into the abyss, calmly told the common people who merely hid and lived.

“My era includes you all.”

***

“I hope you will judge the essence of why the Magic Craft is held in Jefrin. Thank you.”

Saying that, he stepped down from the podium.

As soon as I stepped down, everyone clapped. It's funny to see these professors, who are supposed to be wise, clapping like seals.

A man who, during his orphanage days, talked his way into getting a belly full of sweet and sour pork from a kind aunt.

A man who, without ever setting foot in the field, still received a day's pay.

I can confidently say that no one can match my silver tongue.

Actually, the last line was a calculated statement to make the professors a bit happy but also a bit disappointed. So they're reacting like this.

Of course, there's a bit of irony in it.

There is, indeed.

I did well to understand Jefrin's situation through my conversations with Eve and Ayla.

This is a turning point. If things go wrong, all sorts of people will come to me like they're visiting a convenience store. I want customers, not knife-wielding robbers.

Of course.

Of course.

Ironically, I don't entirely lack such dreams.

Going outside the academy to gather materials?

Sure.

It's something I've always wanted to do.

Putting more magical tools in a convenience store and saying, “Do you have the hood of an Einherjar?” and “If there's no stock, I'll make it by next week.”

Holding Mjolnir and striking the Twilight Seven Stars to draw a magic sword?

I'd like to try that too.

But not now. Not yet.

Don't rush. Take it slow. One step at a time. I'm not in a hurry.

This is the sweet dream I sold to the judges. It might be shattered someday, and selling such dreams often leads to failed projects.

First, let's cleanly take the 5 million rin. Since there are five judges, let's consider it a million rin each for the dream. It's a win-win, isn't it?

“Alright. Let's get out of here before anyone notices.”

Just as I was thinking that and heading towards the waiting room.

“Prince... Can we have a moment to talk?”

“...”

Regina Siella spoke.

Just leave me alone, seriously.

“That...”

“I won't take much of your time. After seeing the item you presented today, I felt the need to talk...”

Really, it's so annoying. This annoying heroine.

You should go bother Kelthers or someone else.

“No.”

“If you give us the honor of a conversation, our Siella Trading Company...”

Just as I was about to refuse again.

“That honor I cannot give.”

A stronger refusal was driven into the waiting room.

***

The Magic Ceremony has ended.

The winner is Ayla Trista.

However, it didn't give her any sense of accomplishment.

Eve von Loeningen, with a magic power of 22, did not participate, and Regina Siella, with a magic power of 20, declared her participation in the Magic Craft.

Of course, her opponent in the final had a magic power of 19, equal to Ayla's, but that wasn't very important.

What Ayla had that her opponent didn't.

That was the efficiency of magic.

Until now, Ayla had won by striking a single blow to the forehead, while her opponent had relied on flashy magic.

So the match wasn't even.

She won, set a new record, and had time to spare.

Ayla, instead of receiving the trophy and posing for photos, complained about the aftereffects of the match and asked for the trophy to be sent to her dormitory, then ran off.

Her own victory wasn't important.

She wanted to see his fight.

And she wasn't late. She arrived.

The Magic Craft competition doesn't attract many participants.

Even if they do participate, they just show off their work, get a few comments, and step back.

The reason is obvious.

Regina Siella is too strong. She never loses.

So in the end, it's always her show.

What kind of fight would Wolfram von Loeningen, who said he would definitely win, put up?

Ayla Trista, who had just won her first championship, was more curious about this than anything else.

When she arrived, Regina Siella's presentation was over.

She didn't know what Regina had presented. Probably something amazing, and the judges gave a perfunctory round of applause.

That didn't matter.

None of it mattered.

She didn't come here to see what the top student would present.

‘...I'm not late!’

It was the moment his presentation was about to begin.

And he said:

【I want to call these sweets tickets.】

【An opportunity to explore every corner of Jefrin, which has become stagnant and no longer thinks of adventuring outside.】

【A ticket to open the door and step outside after 300 years.】

【I want to offer this opportunity to our generation, to this era.】

“Aa, aa...”

She couldn't contain her emotions, moved and stirred.

This was Wolfram's rebellion.

Wolfram's vision of the future.

Giving wings to those who had forgotten the challenge.

Kicking open the world, venturing beyond the residential area, and embarking on an adventure towards the hidden treasures that the first emperor had undoubtedly planted.

Now everything fell into place.

“Yes. That's all... This is all... part of a plan.”

Why did he start his first business with ‘graduate students who had forgotten their dreams’ and ‘new students who wanted to dream’?

“Wolfram will become the one who weaves the threads and crafts the wings.”

Yes. And he will fairly give wings to them all.

He will encourage adventures beyond Jefrin and urge them to spread their wings beyond the residential area.

And soon, everyone will realize.

That without Wolfram von Loeningen's permission, they cannot spread their wings.

That without Wolfram's permission, the people of Jefrin cannot pursue their dreams!

【Follow me. I'll take you.】

At those final words, Ayla didn't nod.

She just smiled.

She was already one of those who would go with him.

One of the five stars of rebellion, chosen from the beginning.

So, what she needed to do wasn't just to follow.

It was to help his rebellion succeed by his side.

What did Wolfram say?

“Yes. That's right.”

Ayla realized what she needed to do, relatively accurately.

Rebellion should be secretive and grand.

The grand rebellion will be carried out by Wolfram von Loeningen.

So, she needed to ensure it remained secretive.

She needed to become a black onyx that absorbs all light.

It was a very easy, interesting, and enjoyable task.

“Then, shall we go congratulate Wolfram?”

***

I tilted my head at Ayla's sudden appearance.

That serious expression... where have I seen it before?

Oh, that's it.

The final phase of the 3-3 boss battle. The expression Ayla Trista wore in the final phase.

I still remember her lines from back then.

【If I lose this fight, it will be the end for me... But there is no future where I lose.】

【I will stake my entire destiny on this. Let's open the curtain on a magnificent rebellion!】

And the battle that followed was terrifying. Damn, it still gives me goosebumps.

But why is she making that expression now?

“Ayla Trista... Miss? This is a conversation between me and the prince.”

“No, that's not it. First, let me ask, Miss Siella, are you here to talk about the copyright and distribution of the Magical Sweets?”

“...You know about it. This is important business, so please step aside.”

“I'm sorry, but I can't do that.”

“...Why not?”

Ayla smiled as the victor and pulled my arm towards her.

Hey, what are you doing to a guy with only 2 HP, Ayla?

“The copyright and distribution of the Magical Sweets... belong to the Trista family, which invested in advance. No.”

Ayla continued, smiling widely.

“They belong to me, Ayla Trista. Those without authority, please step aside.”

“...Prince, is that true?”

Siella looked at me with a doubtful eye, and Ayla seemed a bit uneasy.

Is it true? Well, yeah.

“Unfortunately, Ayla is right. Step aside. Noble of the Siella family, you don't even have the right to be involved in this.”

“...I understand. If you change your mind, please contact me.”

Saying that, the annoying girl stepped back, her fists trembling.

Still, it's better to align with Ayla than to get entangled with her.

“Hehe. I won. Look at her. Hahaha!”

Saying that, Ayla covered her mouth and laughed.

She really looks like a villainous noble. How can she laugh like that?

While she was laughing happily, I had to bring up the necessary conversation.

“Ayla.”

“What is it, Wolfram?”

“I'm not planning to release this to the market right away.”

“...I know. Of course.”

“Do you?”

“Yes. Everything will happen on the night of the black moon, when the wings of rebellion will be spread. Right?”

“...?”

“I know everything. You haven't forgotten your promise, have you? Hehe. As expected, Wolfram.”

Saying that, she covered her mouth with her right hand and whispered.

What is she talking about?

But the final boss mode from just a moment ago had vanished, so I decided to play along.

“Yes. That's right. The time of rebellion.”

“Right? Right?”

“Yes. Rebellion.”

“Of course! Yes! I know! Leave the secret operation to me!”

“Rebellion, rebellion.”

“Yes! Yes!”

She really is a carefree kid.

How can she live so easily?