Chapter 51

Lune Magic Academy.

This prestigious magic academy is where children from the age of ten, from great nations like kingdoms and empires, as well as from neighboring small and medium-sized countries, all vie to attend. A notable feature is that it accepts students regardless of their social status.

The reason it's called a "magic academy" rather than a "magical academy" is that in the past, magic was referred to as "magick," and the academy has a long history dating back to that era.

There are other reasons, but the main one is that the name from that time has simply been retained.

Lune Magic Academy is a three-year program, but only about 50% of the students graduate on time. The remaining 50% often drop out or repeat a year because they can't keep up with the classes. Additionally, 2-3 students per year die during practical exams fighting monsters.

Despite this, it's not an exaggeration to say that a bright future awaits those who graduate from the academy.

Tuition is five platinum coins per year. With an annual cost of 5 million, it would cost 15 platinum coins, or nearly 15 million yen, to graduate in the shortest time possible.

To be clear, this is just the tuition. There are additional costs for magical catalysts, textbooks, and equipment.

There is a cafeteria, but it's not free, so food expenses are also necessary.

Therefore, while it's said that anyone can attend regardless of social status, in reality, most students are children of nobles or wealthy merchants.

There is a system called the "recommended commoner quota," where commoners recognized as excellent by lords or nobles can attend for free and receive scholarships that don't need to be repaid.

About 10-20 students per year enter through this quota, but with a total of 200-300 students annually, the majority are still children of nobles or wealthy merchants.

Owl, a commoner, is somewhat of an anomaly for preparing his own funds to attend, but for him, 15 platinum coins is a mere pittance.

His financial capability is far beyond that of a poor farmer. Moreover, if he has a favor with the king, his background as a poor farmer's son is quite questionable.

While he earns money, he doesn't intend to spend much and prefers self-sufficiency, so he doesn't waste it.

Perhaps his habit of saving money stems from his past as a Japanese person or his experience as a poor farmer.

Currently, he is hunting jellyfish in the 37th floor of the dungeon.

"Master... I don't want to see any more jellyfish..."

"Luna... me too... Master, can we call it a day here?"

Shortly after returning to the village, Lebrant practically barged into the house.

The content, of course, was a request to secure jellyfish materials.

It seems that while I was away, he completed a water bed and sold it experimentally to a noble.

The news spread among the nobles, and it quickly gained popularity.

The price is a staggering 10 platinum coins, or 10 million for a super-high-end bed, but reservations are pouring in without stopping.

Recently, orders have even come from neighboring countries and empires, not just the kingdom.

So, I'm securing jellyfish materials at Lebrant's request.

Luna and Yomi are also involved, but the sheer number is demotivating.

The requested amount, including future orders, is 200. It seems that 150 are already expected to sell.

At 3 platinum coins each, it would be 600 platinum coins in total. Lebrant can't prepare such a large sum all at once, so he will pay gradually after selling them.

Well, it's good practice, and since I'm the one who started this, I accepted. I'll be busy once I start attending the academy.

After a week of hard work, I secured 220 jellyfish materials, 20 more as a precaution.

I've gotten used to the 37th floor, so I plan to explore the 38th floor when I have time.

"...Finally done. It's all because I sold them so easily to Lebrant. I'm sorry for involving you in this tough work."

"No, it's fine. ...I don't want to see jellyfish for a while, though..."

"Hehe, I want to take a bath with Master and relax."

"I don't want to see jellyfish for a while either... Let's go home, eat dinner, and then take a bath and have a good night's sleep."

"Okay."

While Luna and Yomi were preparing dinner, I went to Lebrant's place to deliver the jellyfish materials.

"Lebrant, I'll be busy preparing for the academy, so I won't be able to secure many materials."

"Understood. I've already stopped accepting reservations for the water beds and have some backup in case I can't fulfill them. Thank you, Owl."

"Then I'll go home since I'm tired."

In addition to the jellyfish materials, I also delivered several months' worth of feathers.

I don't even want to calculate how much I'll get, but I know it will be a lot.

It seems that during the winter, he tried various recipes and is already selling products like smoked meat. His action is truly impressive.

All that's left is to eat some good food and sleep.

On my way home, I chatted with the meat skewer vendor and delivered meat and charcoal.

Thanks to the hard work of his daughter and wife, he has saved a considerable amount of money and decided to buy a shop-house.

Indeed, the scale of a street stall is limited, and it's popular enough to sell out every day, so it's a good opportunity.

His wife also thanked me greatly, and his daughter, who is surprisingly cute, also expressed her gratitude.

I want to cherish such encounters in the future.

"By the way, the nearby butcher has received meat from the Four-Eyed Rampaging Bull."

"Really? Where is it?"

"Go straight from here, turn right at the 6th building, and the butcher is right there. If you say I sent you, they might give you a discount."

"Thanks, old man!"

If it's the meat of the Four-Eyed Rampaging Bull, I can't pass it up!

Maybe I can make sukiyaki with this meat.

The broth is made with mirin, soy sauce, sugar, and water. Since I don't have mirin, I'll use a mixture of honey and alcohol as a substitute.

I can probably make something similar with mushrooms, vegetables, and Wild Cook's eggs from the dungeon.

Hehehe, it looks like we'll have a sukiyaki party tonight.

"Is this it? I came on the recommendation of the meat skewer vendor! Do you have the meat of the Four-Eyed Rampaging Bull?"

"Oh, you're one of his acquaintances? Then I'll cut you some special pieces. How much do you want?"

"Um, 5 kg of recommended cuts, please! A total of 30 kg!"

"Wow! You're buying that much! Alright, leave it to me! Just wait a moment!"

After 15 minutes, the butcher brought a large amount of meat.

"Since it's a bit much, I'll give you the basket for free. The cuts are wrapped separately."

"Thank you! How much is it?"

"30 gold coins will do."

Considering 1 kg is 1 gold coin, it seems a bit expensive, but this meat is very delicious, so it's understandable.

If possible, I'd like to breed and domesticate them, but they are too aggressive.

Well, they are called Rampaging Bulls, after all.

"Alright, 30 gold coins it is. Thanks! I'll give you a discount, so come again!"

"Sure! I'll definitely come back!"

It's a variety pack of different cuts. I have to try them all!

I'll hide this meat and reveal it tomorrow.

That day, I ate the dinner prepared by the two of them, took a bath, and had a good night's sleep.

The next evening, the long-awaited sukiyaki party!

I was so excited that I couldn't focus on anything.

I planned to modify the magical catalysts for the academy to be less conspicuous, but I couldn't come up with anything and the day passed.

The thought of Four-Eyed Rampaging Bull sukiyaki makes my mouth water.

While Thunder Eagle might be a higher-grade meat, I personally prefer beef.

I prepared the ingredients and was about to start eating when there was a knock on the door.

Who could it be at this hour?

"Luna, I'm sorry, but can you ask them to leave if possible? It's a party tonight!"

"Understood."

I don't know who it is, but to interfere with my sukiyaki is unforgivable.

Being told to wait when food is in front of you must feel like this.

I had a dog named Momo when I was a child in my previous life. I used to make her wait as a matter of course.

Now that I think about it, I'm sorry, Momo. Momo was the name of the dog, a mixed breed but incredibly cute.

If I made her wait too long, she would push her nose against me in anger. Well, I sometimes made her wait just to see her do that.

"...Still, Luna is taking a long time."

Moreover, there are presences surrounding the house, and they are quite skilled. Could it be visitors...

When I went to check on Luna, it seemed like she was arguing with someone.

"You are not seeing anyone today, Master."

"Why not?! If you tell them Alice and Elizabeth are here, it will be fine!"

It's the Third Princess. And Alice and Albus are here too. Luna was trying to turn them away?

...It's a level where she could be executed for treason.

Luna was following my orders, but she can be a bit too serious sometimes.

"Um, what are you two doing here at this hour? And Albus too?"

The noisy lady-in-waiting from the previous princess is not here.

"Ahh, Owl! This maid is so inflexible!"

"No, it's because I asked Luna to do this. So, why are you here?"

The Third Princess joined the conversation.

"Why? I was trying to call you to the castle, but when I inquired at the Lebrant Trading Company, you weren't home. When I heard you were back, you weren't home again. So, I thought you'd be here at night."

Ah, I remember making such a promise. I forgot because of everything that happened.

"There are other things I want to talk about, but first, thank you for saving the capital, no, the kingdom. I was apparently ill too, according to my father. You saved me, thank you."

"Me too. I felt like I couldn't breathe and thought I might die, but I suddenly got better. Thank you, Owl."

"Ho ho ho, this old man was saved too. Thank you, Owl."

It seems they all know because of their status.

"No, everyone was saved because Luna and Yomi worked hard."

"Hehe, let's leave it at that. So, Owl, when will you come to the castle as promised?"

Hmm, it doesn't have to be today, but any other day is fine.

"Alright, I'll go to the castle the day after tomorrow. I need to prepare."

"It's a promise! Alice will be there too!"

"Finally, I can have some sweets, Elly."

"Hehe, yes! It was worth the wait!"

"Alright, then."

I wanted to eat sukiyaki quickly, so I tried to get them to leave, but it didn't work.

"Hehe, by the way, Owl. I've been smelling something delicious. Are you having dinner now?"

Gah... This princess has a good nose. To detect the faint broth smell is dog-like.

"...Yeah, I guess."

Zzzzz

The princess and Alice's gazes are intense. ...And Albus is even preparing plates and forks for three more people.

He's impressive to prepare without me saying anything, and he's trying to eat too.

...Sigh, well, I have a lot of meat, and it's better to eat it with everyone.

Besides, I kept them waiting.

"...Sigh. Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Really?!"

"I feel like I'm being rushed, but I'm sorry!"

In the end, we all sat down to eat, including Luna and Yomi.

I wondered if it was appropriate for slaves and butlers to sit at the table with nobles, but I didn't mind. In fact, I liked it.

"Hey, Owl, what is this sauce? It smells good, but I've never seen it before."

Well, it's the first time for the princess, so it's understandable.

"This is called broth. You cook the meat and vegetables in this and dip them in a beaten egg before eating."

"Like this? ...!!! It's delicious!! What is this!?"

Then I'll try. ...It's delicious! The Four-Eyed Rampaging Bull is the best! The half-cooked meat melts in my mouth with juicy flavors.

Eating it on a skewer is good, but this is another way to enjoy it.

"Ho ho ho, I've never tasted anything this delicious in my life. And eating raw eggs is a first for me."

It seems that in this world, eating raw eggs is not a common practice. But they ate it because they trust me.

"...The meat is already gone?!"

"It's because you didn't eat it quickly, Owl. Hurry up and bring more meat!"

Alice... Fine, I'll add 5 kg more.

It tasted even better because we ate it together. But I ate almost half of the meat I bought. ...I'll have to buy more.

"Owl, it was delicious. As a thank you, I'll tell you some interesting information. Do you want to hear it?"

"Huh? Oh, sure. I'd like to hear it."

"Try to sound more interested. ...We are about to take the entrance exam for the academy, right? The registration has already started, but this year, the academy is accepting 500 students, which is much more than the usual 200-300."

Huh, I heard it was 200-300, so it is about double. But why?

"It seems that the rumors of repelling the stampede and defeating an S-rank monster without damage have spread to other countries. As a result, the number of applicants has already exceeded 400."

"But why does the stampede and monster defeat matter?"

"There are several reasons, but the capital is considered very safe, and the rumor that attending the capital's academy will give you that much power has spread. That's why they are increasing the number of admissions. Other magic schools are probably panicking because of the decrease in applicants!"

I see. It makes sense that parents would want to send their children to a safer and better place.

"But what's so interesting about that?"

"Hehe, you're finally interested. But I'll keep it a secret. I'll tell you if you pass the exam. Well, you'll be fine, Owl."

Damn, I should have pretended to be more interested earlier.

But 500 students. That means a lot of different children will gather. I hope I have good encounters like with the meat skewer vendor.

"By the way, I haven't applied yet. What should I do now?"

"Ho ho ho, I've already taken care of it for you."

I owe Albus a lot.

"Oh, you did? Thank you."

"Not at all. I'll give you the details when you come to the castle the day after tomorrow."

I see. Now I can't escape. I have to go to the castle.

"Then, we'll be going. See you, Owl! Albus, prepare the carriage, please."

"Understood, Miss. See you, Owl."

After seeing them off, the several presences near my house disappeared.

Well, of course, they had guards.

The day after tomorrow at the castle... It's going to be a hassle.

I'll update bit by bit.

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