Chapter 62

<061. Black Market>

Another big fight has ended.

Well, it’s not really a fight, but we have to call it that to wrap things up and feel like it’s over.

“...Hmm.”

After the midterm exams, everyone generally relaxes, becoming more laid-back.

But it can’t be helped. The exams ended yesterday, and the final exams are still a long way off.

There are classes in between, but at Jeffrin, which operates on a credit system, you can move on to the next year with good grades in required courses and a few general education credits.

As for me, I got a good score on the mini-test and did exceptionally well in the Social Development and Magic course, so unless I completely mess up the final exam, the first semester will pass peacefully.

“...I don’t really need to worry about tuition, anyway.”

Thinking about the money I made from the student competition and the legitimate income I earned through fair transactions with the student council—well, it’s like putting wings on a tiger.

Yeah. Right now, I’m a flying tiger.

Anyway, with all that money, what am I doing now? I’m normalizing the convenience store.

If you ask where it’s broken and needs normalization, this convenience store was never normal to begin with.

Wooden shelves, shabby walls, and floor tiles—all of it had to be completely redone.

I sourced materials with a Handy Worker and used Partasch, who can use psychokinesis, to redo the wallpaper.

I’ve done manual labor and filled my belly at a barbecue house.

With my instructions and Partasch’s labor, there couldn’t be a more perfect result.

I promised Partasch a four-day vacation, and during that time, I was laid up with muscle pain.

Now, muscle pain is like family to me. I’d be more scared if it came late.

After getting up, I started arranging items on the convenience store shelves.

In the refrigerator, cream buns and drinks. On the shelves, I placed the lowest-grade recovery potions and feather potions according to the arrangement I remembered. I also included toys made with a Handy Worker and snacks made with a Magical Pastry Chef.

Of course, I didn’t forget to include drinks made from beans grown with potion cultivation. With all this, even if there are some shortcomings, it’s enough to recall a modern convenience store.

“Hmm.”

Ultimately, my proficiency in the Magical Pastry Chef skill has risen to advanced. If I max it out, I can learn the 8-tier Shining Pastry Chef skill.

My proficiency in Handy Worker and potion making has also risen to intermediate.

Now, all I need is for customers to come.

Still, this convenience store doesn’t get many customers besides a few regulars.

“Maybe it would be more profitable to supply the stores in Zone 1 or sell the rights to Ayla.”

No. No.

I didn’t open this convenience store with such a weak heart. I’m going to be the king of convenience stores!

“But, the lack of customers is something to think about.”

Hmm. I took a sip of smoothie with a straw and fell into thought again.

How can I attract customers? As I focused on this, I had a sudden realization.

“......!!”

A loud noise came from far away.

“Senior! Senior! Seni—ooh!”

“Is it you again?”

Hey, you.

Just shut up and go do your work.

***

Nephty, not in her school uniform but in a very light work outfit, was breathing heavily.

“Were you working on-site again?”

“Yes. This time it was a student council subcontract! The pay was good, and they strictly kept to the working hours!”

“...Hmm. That’s how it is with national commission projects. But remember, if you don’t follow safety protocols, you’ll be immediately dismissed.”

“...Senior, you know a lot about this?”

“Hmm.”

Well, I’ve had all the experience.

“Anyway, this time I was checking the bleachers on the student council’s orders!”

“Hmm. So?”

Nephty slightly bowed her head and whispered to me.

“I think I’ve found a huge money-making opportunity. We can make a big score.”

“......”

This pattern again.

Her eyes are sparkling, and her voice is filled with excitement.

“What is it? Did you find a real treasure this time, not some great ancestor’s treasure map?”

“No? Why would you say such a silly thing? If there was something like that, wouldn’t I have found it myself?”

“......”

I want to hit her, but I held back. I’d lose if I fought with her.

“So, what is it? Get to the point.”

“...Hehe. You want to hear it that badly? I can’t help it. Hehe.”

“Just go away. I can make money without you.”

“Ah, wait! Senior! I’m serious. It’s a big deal, really?”

“Then don’t keep me waiting. Just say it.”

“Ahem. Yes, I understand. Where should I start? You know the academic schedule, right? With the midterms over, what’s left before the finals is...”

“The sports festival and the external field trip.”

“You know it well? Oh, right. You were the student council president.”

What’s with the past tense?

“Anyway, get to the point.”

“Do you know about the Jeffrin sports festival?”

“The magic department only sponsors it with money, while the knight departments fight and play. It’s more like a festival for freshmen and knights.”

“Yes. The magic department has the Great Demon Festival in the second semester, so it’s essentially a festival where freshmen and knights run around.”

“The magic department students have a lot of money and don’t like to move around.”

“Yes. And the big difference with the sports festival is that...”

“It allows outsiders to enter for a limited time.”

“Exactly!”

This is something Nephty has thought about quite a bit.

“So, you’re saying we should make a big profit during that time. When there are more visitors.”

“Yes! Especially since you have experience running a stall! Let’s make a big profit! We’ll become rich!”

“...Hmm.”

It’s not a bad idea.

Let’s do a big business with the external visitors during the sports festival.

After the midterms at Jeffrin, the sports festival takes place.

This event is, in a sense, a symbol of blessing.

The hurdles of the entrance ceremony, skill assessment, mini-test, and midterms.

Once you clear these, the number of students who leave Jeffrin from the finals onward is surprisingly low.

It’s a kind of selection process.

Unless Eve presses the expulsion button for everyone, no one gets expelled.

And Eve, while a bit precarious, is doing better than expected.

So, the Jeffrin sports festival is a celebration for the students who have become proper members of the academy and a stage where parents can see their children’s first growth.

Literally.

“...Cotton candy at amusement parks costs 7,000 rin each. Two bear ears make it 10,000 rin.”

“What’s that?”

“It exists. So, you’re saying we should make money with that? By setting up a stall or something?”

“Yes.”

“What do you want? It’s not just information, right? If you’re suggesting a partnership... you probably don’t have capital.”

“Ehehe.”

Smiling, Nephty grinned.

“No need to say it. I get it. Supply of goods, stall rental, sharing of sales revenue, and hourly wages, right?”

“...Isn’t mind reading a legendary skill? When did you learn such a skill, Senior...”

Well, I didn’t want to know, but your desire-filled face told me everything.

But, this information is incredibly helpful, and compared to the useless map you brought last time, this is much easier to profit from.

“Alright. I’ll do everything you want. 20,000 rin per hour. I’ll prepare the goods, and you just need to do business with the influx of customers. Any complaints?”

Nephty knelt on one knee and extended her right hand to me.

“Loyalty. Devotion. Integrity. I swear eternal loyalty to my lord on these principles.”

“Alright. My knight. Knight of Integrity, Nephty. Now, there’s something you need to do. If you refuse, there’s no contract.”

“Give me your orders, my lord.”

“First, swear to keep this a secret with your life.”

“My sword and heart are yours.”

“Good. Then, we need to visit the black market. I’ll prepare a black robe for you, and you need to wear it, put on a mask, and completely cover your face.”

“...Did I hear that wrong?”

You didn’t hear wrong.

Follow me.

***

There’s a black market behind the 4th Knight Department.

Every Jeffrin knight student knows about it, but not everyone comes here.

In fact, they are thoroughly taught not to come here, especially the freshmen who choose their departments in their second year.

“...Is it okay? Is it really okay?”

“It’s fine. It’s just a black market.”

“Ugh... What if we get expelled?”

Nephty was more seriously scared than I expected.

“Hmm. To be honest, it’s unlikely you’ll get expelled.”

“...Really?”

“Do you know why the black market exists and how it operates?”

“I don’t know.”

“Let me explain.”

At Jeffrin, all items can only be sold or consigned through ‘approved stores.’ However, to save even a little money, the black market was created because of the high taxes and consignment