Chapter 64

<063. Ssom Ssom Street Stall (1)>

"So, potions and snacks? And... huh? Snacks to go with potions?"

"Don't worry about it. It's not alcohol, so it's fine."

"Oh, if it's not alcohol, then I can have snacks too. I see. Note, note."

Eve's eyes spun as she stamped her approval and handed me the permit.

"By the way, is it okay if I sell a few more things?"

"Yes, yes. As long as it's not alcohol."

"·I see. The stall is at the center of the first square, right? Is that okay?"

"Yes, go ahead."

Eve nodded with her spinning eyes, and I, holding all the permits, stepped out of the student council room.

It's working better than I expected.

【Royal Bloodline】was only activated once, briefly. But it worked right away.

This skill is utility-focused, but even so, Wolfram's bloodline is Tier 1.

After all, it easily bypasses magical defenses. That's what makes it Tier 1.

However, even with this Tier 1 skill, it's almost impossible to break through Eve von Loewen格林's mental barriers.

Unless her magic resistance is extremely low.

There's only one reason for her magic resistance to drop in a non-combat situation: when she has used a lot of mana and has none left to resist.

"Are you leaving?"

"Hmm. Now that I think about it, Siphia Evergreen Grove, I have one question."

"What is it?"

"Eve. Is she very tired lately?"

"·Recently, she's been sleeping for about two hours. I've been telling her to get more rest, but she won't listen."

"Hmm. I see."

"That's also why I let you through."

"Hmm?"

"Eve seems to muster some energy when you're around."

Siphia, Siphia.

That's not energy; it's irritation.

"Siphia Evergreen Grove. Eve probably won't sleep much longer."

"I know."

She sighed.

In the original story, she was Eve's loyal supporter, and her actions were always based on Eve.

But in the original story, Eve didn't sleep much either, and in Sub-story 3, Siphia and Kelthers took action to address this concern.

The item they obtained then is impossible to get now, but there are still some stopgap measures.

"Siphia. Get the best mana potions and have Eve drink them every morning."

"·What? You're giving me orders... No, no. Hmm. What's the point of that?"

"Eve is blessed with mana, and she can move like that because she converts mana into stamina. Do you know that?"

"····Oh. I see. Eve's stamina is···"

"12."

"···Oh. That's right. Hmm. I see. That's right."

She didn't know.

Eve converts mana into stamina through the 【Soul Change】 skill.

So when she uses more stamina than her mana recovery, she really collapses.

And that leads to 100,000 Jefrin's worth of despair. That was Side Story 3.

Anyway.

"Eve won't easily change her mind, so if you're worried, get the best mana potions and make her drink them. It will help a bit."

"···I believe you. You are indeed Eve's brother."

"Hmm. Then, good luck."

"···Wolfram. No, wait."

"What is it? Speak quickly."

"His Highness Wolfram von Loewen格林. As a vassal of His Highness Eve von Loewen格林, I offer my gratitude."

Saying that, Siphia bowed deeply.

"Whatever. Good luck."

You might think I'm picking on her, but she's still a necessary vassal for Eve.

There's no reason for us to become friends, but still, I decided to be honest.

I waved my hand, and Siphia didn't lift her head until I was out of sight.

***

Alright. Now that I have the sales permit, there's no time to waste.

"The popcorn machine is set up. Senpai!"

"The drink machine is ready. Senpai!"

"The stall and belly manju are prepared. Senpai!"

However, all this preparation was done under Nefte's direction.

Fast and accurate, she didn't hesitate about where to place anything.

"How can you be so fast? And accurate?"

"Hehe. Well···."

This is what happened.

In Jefrin, when a character's affection increases, the synergy in the party also increases.

So, I always had to manage the affection of the main characters.

When Nefte's affection skyrocketed, she provided close protection.

The ability is such that, if the enemy's attack is fast and the ally's damage dealer is sure to be hit, Nefte will fail to defend.

But at that moment, the system ensures that 'Nefte will definitely defend for one turn.'

And Nefte says:

"I've worked with Kelthers for a long time.

It's a memorable line, and the trait is good.

"Senpai, I've worked with you for a very long time! I'm extremely grateful!"

Nefte, with her bright eyes, answered me in a tone even brighter than I remembered.

"·Is that so?"

"Yes!"

"I see. Let's work hard together."

"·Eh?"

"What is it?"

"No, usually you would say 'work hard.' ···Hmm. No. Yes. Let's work hard together!"

Nefte, still smiling, returned to her work.

"Work hard."

"Let's work hard together."

Thinking about it, there is a difference.

"Let's work hard together. Alright?"

"···Hehe. Yes! Yes sir! It's ready!"

***

Before the sports festival, in the front yard of the square.

We passed through the common department and entered the First Knight Department, securing an incredibly good spot as the first stall on the right.

What's the most important thing to make a killing at the Jefrin sports festival?

Good products, reasonable prices, good service? All of these are good.

But the most important thing is to draw attention.

"Hmm. These guys are doing pretty well."

A strong, pleasant aroma wafted from the surrounding stalls.

After the last time I tricked them with belly manju, they must have clenched their teeth and prepared something fragrant.

"But they're foolish. Foolish!"

When so many different scents mix, it becomes confusing.

And parents aren't drawn by such sweet smells.

These fools still don't understand the basics of business!

"Go. Partasch. Show them."

"···Really go?"

"Hmm."

"···Sigh. Alright."

Partasch, the red wolf in golden armor, walked with a confident stride.

The sign on his waist read:

"Back pain, headache, stress relief potion."

"Jefrin secret recovery potion."

"Good for your health! Feel the difference every day!"

"100% guaranteed effect!"

"First square, first stall on the right!"

"Find Wolfram's convenience store!"

"I'll show you clearly!"

The red wolf, adorned with a golden sign and wings, even had a meaningless dagger on one foot.

Nefte, who had approached, tilted her head.

"Senpai. Will this really work?"

"Hmm?"

"Partasch-san. Hmm. From my perspective, it's too flashy. It's a bit overwhelming."

"It will work."

"R, really?"

"Since ancient times, uncles have loved golden armor, wings, and flashy pets."

"···? Is there such a history?"

"Of course."

"??"

How would a high school girl know that?

Golden sword, golden armor, golden wings, flashy pets. At least a high-level wolf.

Uncles who raise characters in private rooms go crazy over such things.

They are attracted by flashy effects and golden armor that sparkles, striking their primal instincts.

"If this fails to attract customers, I'll admit defeat."

"···Yes, well, I believe in you, Senpai. I'll finish the preparations."

"Hmm."

I believe in the genes of those uncles.

I believe in the cool vibes in their genes!

***

I entrusted the customer attraction to Partasch and immediately headed to the storage room.

"Phew. Let's think. People who come to buy this will initially treat it like medicine, not alcohol. They'll drink it and realize it tastes like alcohol and makes them feel healthy, so at first, it's a potion. Then it's an infused liquor. And finally, it's a medicinal wine."

No matter how many times I consider the route, it's the same.

This drink... no, this potion, is probably better than the medicinal potions sold in Jefrin. After one sip, they'll feel good and energized.

So, this isn't a one-time sale; it's a secondary sale. The energized uncles will want to stock up at home or give it as a gift.

The goal is to spread the rumor that there's a very good medicinal wine available only when external access is allowed.

What's the most important thing for that? Actual efficacy? Of course, it's prepared. The most important thing is:

"Packaging. The wrapping paper."

Think about it.

Receiving a potion individually.

Receiving it in a plastic container.

Or receiving it in a red box with elegant golden letters that say 'Jefrin Secret Student Council Certified Recovery Potion.'

It's completely different. A whole different level.

So, I need to set up boxes, wrapping paper, and paper bags that are as cool and impressive as the ginseng sticks from my previous life.

【Handy Worker】

I activated the skill and set up red dye, gold dye, and paper. It's a bit rushed, but if I work on this all day, I should be able to make enough.

"Oh, Ace is here?"

"Eh? What do you want to buy?"

"Not that. I just thought you were doing business in a really good spot."

"Oh, then buy something."

"You're really shameless!"

I heard a commotion outside and saw someone picking on Nefte.

I paused setting up the wrapping paper and stood up.

What's going on? Really.

I'm so busy.

Another troublemaker?

Who is it? The one causing trouble for our part-timer.

***

Nefte tilted her head at the classmate in front of her.

"Then, you're not going to buy anything?"

"···Tsk. A money-obsessed person like you being the second-year Ace is a disgrace to the Knight Department!"

"Hmm. A disgrace?"

Why it's a disgrace, Nefte couldn't understand.

Passing exams quickly and working is a public rule in the Knight Department, isn't it?

"Besides, you said it was a part-time job you were introduced to. Isn't it a violation of school rules to do it directly without going through the Knight Department?"

"I only work for companies approved by the student council."

"···You don't even flinch. Huh, shameless."

Nefte tilted her head several times.

The girl in front of her, Trashy Garbage.

A top student in the Knight Department.

"Because of people like you... I can't believe a money-obsessed person like you is the Ace of the Knight Department!"

Ah.

Ah, I see.

This person has good grades and comes from a wealthy family.

So, she's 'well-rounded.'

The Knight Department is mostly poor commoners, but there are a few variables.

First, 'those whose talents are ambiguous for learning magic.'

Second, 'those whose wealth is insufficient to support magic studies.'

In such cases, even if they are from noble families or merchant families, they enter the Knight Department.

So, Nefte is just a scapegoat.

Being in the Knight Department is annoying, and it must be even more unpleasant to see a poor commoner as the Ace.

It's a common occurrence.

Bitter, but this is one aspect of Jefrin. Being poor... that alone is a weakness.

The hierarchy within the Knight Department is strict.

The way to handle this smoothly is to bow and defuse the situation. It's very simple.

Just as I was about to greet her casually,

"Hmm. I see. I don't know what you mean, but I'm really sorry... "

"【Don't apologize】."

"···?"

And then, a familiar voice from the side lifted Nefte's head and grabbed her waist.

"You... What's going on?"

"Tsk. I came to see what was happening, and you're just causing trouble."

"Hi... "

Trashy's face turned pale.

She knows who he is.

Wolfram von Loewen格林.

The worst student council president in history.

Trashy turned around immediately, intending to run.

"【No need to apologize. Stop.】"

"Hi... "

"Even if you run, I will formally report this to the student council. Trashy Garbage, daughter of the Western Garbage Association."

"Mr. Wolfram, you... you know me...?"

"Yes, I do. I was the student council president."

"······I'm sorry. I didn't know this was Mr. Wolfram's store."

"Hmm. An interesting story. If it's not my store, what did you plan to do?"

"···I, I'm sorry."

Trashy's face turned pale.

And Nefte's eyes widened at Wolfram's next words.

"I don't need your apology, and I have no reason to listen to it. However, I have a question. Listen carefully."

"···What is it?"

"Let me ask you. While you were living comfortably on your parents' money, worrying about tuition, and focusing on training, Nefte earned money through labor. So, if I estimate, you gained about eight hours of advantage over her. Is my calculation correct?"

"···Yes. Yes. Yes, it is."

"Yet, you couldn't become the top student. So, is it the density of your effort or the quality of your talent that is lacking? Answer me."

"···That, that is... "

"The answer is both. Understand? You are just a mediocre person who can't match Nefte's diligence or talent, and you're just jealous."

"I'm sorry!"

"Get lost. If I see your face in front of me again or near Nefte, I will formally file a complaint with the royal court."

***

Trashy Garbage disappeared like the wind.

It's nothing, really.

But while it might be nothing to me, it could be a big deal to Nefte.

"Are you okay?"

"···Yes. I'm fine."

Nefte looked at me with a dazed expression.

Tsk. She must have been quite shocked.

"But, Senpai, are you okay? Trashy has many friends, so if you suffer any losses... "

"Don't worry about it."

"But, but Senpai's sales... "

"Sales? Haha. It's more important that you don't get hurt."

"····································Yes? E, ·············Yes? E?"

Right.

When I worked part-time at a convenience store in my previous life, the owner, who was also a close brother, always told me:

"Yeongjin, if the customer really crosses the line, just punch them. I can't stand seeing our part-timers suffer. I'd rather take the blame myself."

I received a lot of help from his words.

So, I protect the people who work with me at my convenience store.

I decided to live with that mindset.

"Siphia, what do you mean? What's the meaning of that?"

Nefte's face turned bright red, and she started to stutter.

What's the meaning?

Well.

"I can't stand seeing my employees insulted. I'd rather take the blame myself. Consider it employee welfare."

"············Senpai, that's very... Yes."

The red flush on Nefte's face disappeared, and her expression turned blank.

The pink aura around her seemed to turn slightly blue.

This damn game. Another bug?

"Alright. I've always lived consistently."

"Y-Yes. Yes. Yes. What. That's right. ···Hehe."

"What's so funny?"

"No, it's just nice to have a Senpai I can rely on."

"Stop making nonsense. Look over there."

"?"

I pointed to the other side of the square.

There, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, a golden-armored red wolf with wings was walking confidently, leading a group of uncles.

"Alright. Customers are coming. We need to prepare for sales."

"There are so many."

"Yes. Thinking about the money they'll spend makes me a bit more motivated, doesn't it?"

"······Ah!"

Nefte, with her usual sparkling eyes, looked at me, then at Partasch, and then back at me, smiling.

"Can we do it? Yes, sir?"

"Of course! Boss!"

Alright. Let's do business.

We need to make money.