Chapter 77

<076. The First Member>

In fact, just because our eyes met, it doesn't mean we can have a conversation.

There's a distance between the first and second floors, and I didn't get any particular feeling other than recognizing the red-haired person and their familiar appearance.

To be precise, it's not like I've never seen them before.

They were flying around like Jammin when I fulfilled Zolf.

I lost consciousness and fell out, and then the top student fell too, didn't they?

Actually, I don't think of that Kelthers as me anymore.

The feeling that they were a character I used to enjoy is gradually fading.

I have to live as Wolfram now, and no one in this world remembers me as Lee Youngjin.

I'm not a kid anymore; this is my second life, which should have been in my late twenties.

At this point, it's too late to express feelings like, "Oh, that's actually the character I used to play?" or "The memories from back then are still alive in me!"

I've lived through a lot, and I adapt quickly to my environment.

So, Kelthers is Kelthers, and I am me.

I turned my gaze away from that face, which no longer evoked any strong emotions.

But still, thanks to playing as Kelthers, I've memorized the character and have reaped many benefits.

"..."

Thank you, Kelthers.

Try to work hard at the public department.

***

After that incident, I returned to the convenience store.

"Hmm. No matter how I think about it, it doesn't make sense."

I made a lot of items to sell at the convenience store and developed products to overturn the weak distribution in Jefrin, but no customers come to my store.

Of course, this 8th Magic Department is so remote that it's partly because of that. Honestly, if it had been renamed the 9th Knight Department and accepted knight students, I would have made more money.

Still, I've worked really hard. I've tried developing various things and establishing supply routes... but that doesn't mean customers will come.

Especially.

The fact that the Black King Car, which I worked so hard to create, doesn't help attract any customers was a huge shock to me.

Why?

Wouldn't customers flock if transportation became more convenient?

If regular carriages are operating, why aren't they coming?

I looked at the Black King Car I made using the capital of Tristar, the core of a golem, and Partasch.

"It's impressive."

"..." Partasch admitted, "I also like the powerful appearance. The position of the engineer who drives this thing is quite appealing."

Partasch also smiled. We seem to get along better than expected.

Look at that majestic appearance: it's over three times the height of a person, a two-carriage train, entirely reinforced with black metal, and each carriage has eight wheels, totaling sixteen. It shines with magic engineering, and the driver's seat is occupied by a wolf in a suit.

Honestly, wouldn't you want to ride it at least once, just for the romance of it?

"If this doesn't work, I'll have to try various methods."

"Various methods? That sounds interesting. I'm looking forward to it."

"Hmm. Let's do it. Isn't it time to drive the regular service?"

Partasch smiled and nodded, then used telekinesis to put on the engineer's uniform and cap.

It wasn't a dog wearing clothes; it was a wolf in a suit, and the presence was overwhelming.

Kwaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-

I sent off the regular service, which made a deafening whistle by boosting the efficiency and output of the golem's core and the magic stone, and then I returned to the convenience store.

"I have many cards up my sleeve. I should try what I can."

I thought again while looking at my skill list.

Giving up is not too late until it's a situation where you have to give up.

***

Partasch is a show-off.

Or, to be more precise, all fairies have a show-off tendency.

They are free and playful.

The root of their mischief is a desire for people to take an interest in them as fairies.

But Partasch, this red wolf, was a gatekeeper inside Jefrin and also a nanny taking care of the fairy queen. As the saying goes, raising a child makes you grow up, and she unknowingly became a bit more mature.

In other words, she developed a taste for enjoying subtle attention rather than being openly petted, which is a bit... no, a unique preference.

And this Black King Car is the optimal working environment for Partasch.

She stands in a usual spot with the Black King Car and waits for about twenty minutes.

If no one gets on during that time, the regular service returns to the convenience store, and this process is repeated several times a day, five days a week.

"Wow, the Black King Car."

"That wolf up front, it's not just a wolf, but a summoned beast, a divine beast, right?"

"Really? President Ulfram uses a divine beast?"

The exclamations of the first-year students, who are typically around sixteen years old in human terms, gave Partasch a small thrill.

The owner is trying to gather customers using this magnificent carriage, but what comes back is a look of awe. Yes, who would dare to ride it, or approach the owner?

Except for a few chosen ones, such crazy humans are rare.

And today, one of those chosen ones got on the train.

"..."

"Oh, Partasch. You must be working hard."

"Are you going to the owner? Get on quickly."

"Well, I don't think I'm working that hard."

"Since there are no customers, let's depart right away."

"Have you eaten? By the way, what do fairies eat?"

The conversation didn't really connect, but there was nothing to be done.

Ayla Tristar.

This human woman, determined to be the owner's companion by human law, couldn't understand what she was saying because she wasn't part of the owner's clan.

The conversation didn't connect, but she was a human who spoke to me freely and had strange habits, and at the same time...

"To sum up, the flyer is..."

I started explaining.

The flyer is a piece of paper that describes what the convenience store is and what it sells, which is distributed. The free gift is something given to those who receive the flyer, and the membership card is a kind of membership certificate that will be distributed to regular customers.

Especially, Ayla's expression became cautious when she heard that the membership card I made myself was required for points to be accumulated.

"Ulfram. I'm the landlord of this store, the eldest daughter of Tristar who has a supply contract with you, and I want to make a request as your partner."

"Go ahead."

"Give me the first membership card...!"

"Hmm. Sure. Here you go."

Anyway, the card that consumed a lot of skill and mana was soon placed in my palm, and on it was the member number '000001' for Ayla Tristar.

"Hehe. I'm number one! Then, is number zero Ulfram?"

"No, that's the real first card."

I shrugged, and Ayla took the card and turned it around.

Is she that happy?

"With this, I'm also a member of Ulfram's!"

"Yes, you are."

I couldn't say anything at once.

Because an unexpected system message appeared above my head.

[Ayla Tristar has accepted to become a party member.]

[Your first party has been formed!]

[Party member limit: 2/2]

[Would you like to view the party items?]

[Enjoy your life in Jefrin with your party!]

[First party bonus granted!]

"......Huh?"

"Why are you like that, Ulfram?"

"No, it's nothing."

I hurriedly read the system message I hadn't finished reading.

[If the recipient of this item declares they want to become a party member, they will be recruited into the party.]

[However, if the trust level is 'Dislike,' 'Hate,' 'Loathe,' 'Kill,' etc., even if they are accepted, they cannot be added to the party.]

No doubt about it.

This is the system window that appeared when Kelthers recruited party members in the first round.

In the game, you just called up a list and invited someone to the party. Is this how it's changed to giving a membership card in Ulfram?

"Why are you like that, Ulfram?"

"No, it's nothing. I just need to think for a moment. Can you leave me alone?"

"..." Ayla nodded. "It's okay. You're thinking about who to make a member, right? ...But the first one should be Ayla Tristar, your ally!"

"Hmm."

"Finding a comrade in rebellion isn't easy, right?"

Well, that's true, but it seems she's misunderstanding something?

But it's also true, so it's kind of frustrating.

However, I had to admit it honestly.

My party is limited to two members, and the first party member is Ayla.

And, sigh, I looked at the party window.

[Party member limit: 2/2]

In other words, if Ayla doesn't break or refuse the membership card, the party won't be disbanded.

But I can't clearly judge what benefits forming a party with Ayla would bring.

The first step is to disband the party. I need to set up the party items, and anyway...

"Ayla, about that membership card."

"Yes. Hehe. I'll take good care of it. I'll make a protection barrier with black crystal and keep it in my chest pocket."

"..." Why? Why are you doing that?

"Because Ulfram recognized me as the first comrade in rebellion. I'll keep it close to my heart."

No, please don't.

First, let's disband the party...

"I'm really happy!"

"......"

"At the Tristar mansion, when I said I would wait for Ulfram, I might have hurt you, right? ...Saying 'wait' is an uncertain statement."

"Umm."

"But Ulfram gave me this card."

"That, that's because..."

"Isn't it saying that I'm the first comrade in rebellion, no matter what?"

"......"

No, that, that's not it.

"I'll take good care of it. Thank you, Ulfram."

"..." Hmm. "Sure, do as you like."

"Okay!"

Sigh...

Well, if you're happy, that's fine...