Chapter 73

### Chapter 73: Conclusion (1)

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#1

I woke up quietly in the hazy dawn.

“...Ugh.”

A muscle ache, which I hadn't felt in a long time, lightly massaged my entire body. Maybe I pushed myself too hard.

But it was just the right amount of pain to feel good, so I didn't really mind. After all, it would soon be fine. This body is surprisingly resilient.

After splashing cold water on my body, the drowsiness that had been lingering in my mind was completely washed away.

I opened the blackout curtains to let the dim morning light into the room, quickly changed my clothes, and prepared to go out.

I wasn't heading out for a group project meeting at this early hour. It was only 6:20 AM. So, what was I planning to do...

I zipped up my tracksuit to the chest, squatted down at the entrance to put on my running shoes, and quickly opened the dormitory door.

Saturday. The weekend dawn was incredibly quiet. The air was cold and crisp. I crossed the empty park with a light jog, heading for Building 3.

After getting off the elevator on the 5th floor, I walked out of the exit and headed to the track to go jogging and running. Or rather, I started running.

My vision jolted up and down as a warm heat began to rise in my body. I ran around the track with a grin.

That's right. I had come out to exercise in the morning.

Physical strength is national power. To perform any task, strong physical strength is essential to achieve the highest efficiency. Even though it's scary to have a body that boasts ironman-like physical strength without doing anything, it wouldn't do to just sit around and do nothing. I should use what I can to the fullest.

“Huff... huff, huff... haaa.”

I ran about fifteen laps around the track, which was roughly the size of a large sports field. I didn't want to tire myself out to the point of collapsing, as it would affect the meeting I had later, so I maintained a steady pace until my body was warm and slightly sweaty. Still, my legs felt a bit sore.

Hmm. Just fifteen laps and I'm this tired. I'm really lacking. I guess I'll have to come here every day after this time...

I held the towel I had brought in my duffel bag, wiped my forehead, and looked up at the sky. After running like a madman, it was already past seven.

I should head back. I need to shower and eat breakfast.

I shook the sweat off my dripping hair with the towel and headed back to the dormitory.

Just as I entered the corridor of Building 1, I paused.

“...Huh?”

I tilted my head in confusion.

Looking ahead, I saw someone standing in front of what I presumed to be my room.

Knock, knock.

A maid in a frilly uniform, with a bob hairstyle, knocked on the door in front of her. Then she showed the same reaction as me.

Tilting her head, she muttered, “Is no one there?” and knocked again. Knock, knock.

“Excuse me, who...?”

I stepped forward at that moment.

The maid flinched and turned to look at me.

The emblem on the badge on her chest caught my eye first. It was easy to predict that she belonged to the Frontier Headquarters.

The maid confirmed my appearance and asked, “Are you Mr. Egidio Crani?”

“Yes, that’s me. What’s the matter...?”

In response to my answer to her polite question, the maid bowed elegantly and said, “I am Mithia d'Arnes, dispatched from the Frontier Headquarters. I have a message and an item to deliver to the new Epic Class recruit, Mr. Egidio Crani, and I apologize for the early hour.”

It is indeed quite early. What could the Frontier Headquarters want with me? I nodded and waited for the maid to continue.

As I waited, my eyes naturally fell on something in her hand. It was a square box with a very elegant engraving.

The maid suddenly placed a hand on her chest and bowed deeply to me. What’s going on? I was momentarily taken aback.

“The headquarters deeply regrets the series of events that occurred on March 19th, Saturday, involving Mr. Egidio Crani.”

I had a rough idea of what was coming.

“Due to the headquarters' clear negligence, the extent of the harm you suffered cannot be measured, but before formulating a detailed compensation plan, the headquarters wishes to provide a small advance payment as compensation. We are very sorry for the delay in our response.”

“Compensation...?”

“Yes.”

The maid nodded without changing her expression. As a result, I was the only one feeling bewildered.

Compensation, huh. I hadn’t even thought about it, so it was a bit sudden. Perhaps it was about the responsibility for the professor from the Frontier who had done something terrible to me.

Whatever it was, it felt good. The idea of receiving compensation made me feel like I had stumbled upon a windfall. Good is good, right? More money is always better. This is an immutable truth in any world.

“This is the entire compensation for Mr. Egidio Crani. It can be used at any payment location, both domestically and internationally, including the Principality.”

Swoosh.

The maid extended the box to me with both hands. A matte case painted in black and gold. I carefully took it, worried it might slip.

It was very light. I was sure it was compensation, but what could be inside? I thought about opening it, but decided to wait until the maid left and I could check it alone in my room.

“This is a new bank account set up based on Mr. Egidio Crani’s student ID registration information, linked to a deposit and withdrawal account with the compensation. There is no daily withdrawal limit, but I cannot disclose the exact amount in a public place, so I hope for your understanding.”

A bank account, then. That explains the light weight.

I felt like a child receiving a surprise gift on a special day. After all, it was compensation from the Frontier Headquarters. My heart couldn’t help but race a little.

Most importantly, I had always lived far from a lot of money. My throat involuntarily constricted.

“Thank you.”

“No, it’s nothing. I will visit you again as soon as the headquarters formulates additional compensation plans. And...”

The maid paused.

“Now that the compensation has been delivered, I have one more thing to say to Mr. Egidio Crani. This is part of the follow-up. Also, I am very sorry, but you must adhere to the scheduled date. It cannot be changed, so please keep that in mind.”

The maid continued.

“Mr. Egidio Crani, you are scheduled for a personal meeting with the Imperial Eye, Elena Krymore, this Sunday.”

“...What?”

“If you have any important appointments on that day, I humbly request that you cancel them.”

“No, I don’t have any...”

“That’s a relief. The location and time are as noted here. Please come to the headquarters at the designated time, and we will guide you to the meeting place. That’s all I need to convey.”

I was speechless at the maid’s words.

A personal meeting with Elena.

Who is Elena, really?

I was already worried about the atmosphere of the meeting, but at the same time, I felt a bit surprised.

After all, I had already planned to visit Elena. I didn’t expect this opportunity to come first. Maybe it’s for the best.

I nodded lightly, acknowledging the situation. I had to do something about it.

The maid bowed politely to me again. Just as she was about to leave, a door on one side of the corridor opened, and Gabriel, looking disheveled, stepped out, muttering, “Hmmm...?” He made eye contact with the maid with the bob hairstyle standing in front of me.

With crusty eyes, he froze, stiffening his body, then turned to look at me, who was standing opposite the maid.

Not understanding the situation at all, he let out a “Huh?” and then twisted his lips into a sardonic smile. He then closed the door with a creak.

Thud. The heavy sound of the door echoed in the corridor.

The maid and I stood there. The maid, acting as if it was none of her business, bowed to me again and walked out of the dormitory.

Left alone in the corridor, I thought to myself. Gabriel’s brain, which is usually muscular, completely loses its wrinkles when it comes to women, so explaining the situation to him would be pointless. I should just go in, take a shower, and invite him to eat breakfast together. I opened the door to my room and went inside.

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This time, I took a warm shower.

Anyway.

This Sunday.

...It’s tomorrow, isn’t it?

The end of the week seemed a bit uncertain.

Anyway, that’s one thing.

I lay on the bed for a moment, my body soft and refreshed, and examined the box the maid had given me.

It was so neat and elegant that it could be a decoration. But a box is meant to store something, so it would be rude not to check what’s inside.

However, I was in perfect condition, with no injuries, despite losing consciousness for three days. I didn’t expect a large amount to be inside.

Compensation is about making up for harm, and the harm I suffered wasn’t really that much. I didn’t even have PTSD or anything. How could I have thought about receiving compensation when I was so fine?

Swoosh. Thud.

I opened the case and checked the bank account, stroking my chin as I did so. My prediction was spot on.

It wasn’t a large amount.

[Remaining Balance: 300,000,000 LAT]

Instead, it was a huge amount.

“Wow.”

For reference, the monthly living expenses for a family of four in the Solar Empire is 4 million LAT.

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