“Wow! That’s amazing! These are very good conditions!”
Professor Horace examined the contract with the crime organization.
“How did you manage to get such terms?”
Proud.
“With trust in people and a good, kind attitude!”
And the courage to believe in the crime organization and draft a contract!
“Wow! For someone like us who delivers what desperate individuals need, this is always a strength!”
“That’s right! Exactly!”
Pastel responded passionately, tapping her magic sword.
“Devil! Devil! Look!”
Smuggling isn’t something strange!
『Is it alright for a professor to interact with a student like this? Don’t listen to that kid. He’s trouble. You shouldn’t learn anything odd.』
Ehh.
Pastel listened through one ear and let it flow out the other.
The nagging came in one ear and swooshed out the other.
『Are you listening?』
Swoosh swoosh~.
“Wow! It’s just as stated in the contract!”
Professor Horace looked over Pastel’s pile of boxes. When he opened the lid, it was filled with unrefined magic stones.
“As the junior said, the commission is 0%!”
“Of course! These folks are kind and keep their promises!”
Yet they seem a bit cold. They can engage in friendly conversation even after the opponent has killed a comrade.
Is it because they run a crime organization like the Devil said? While persuading a tough opponent, mourning over the death of a comrade killed by the opponent would only hinder the persuasion atmosphere. Rational calculations have overtaken emotions.
Pastel shook her head.
Ah, this is giving me a headache. Such worries aren’t for me.
“Why is that?”
“Nothing! Anyway, these folks are nice! Professor, please trade here next time!”
“Mm! True! The city’s security isn’t great, but the organization itself seems trustworthy.”
After explaining the organization to the professor, he exchanged greetings with Preston Boss and left the Demon Realm.
He had heard an explanation about stabilizing organizational expansion since they had recruited Cardin, but there was no need for him to stay and get involved.
On the way back, he navigated alongside Horace’s scoff.
“I’ll arrange a magic stone processing company for you!”
Wow!
A 20% increase in profits through changes in smuggling items and companies!
Although they encountered pirate ships a few times, when Professor Horace projected a confident face and cast magic into the air, the pirates retreated with expressions like they’d stepped in something unpleasant.
A miracle that made pirates back off with just one warning spell before fighting!
The power difference was like night and day compared to Pastel, who would have to use her sword and go all out!
“Wow! Wizards are incredible! Magic pow pow!”
Fingers shooting out magic pow pow pow pow!
“Hahaha! Are you thinking of trying it too, junior?”
“I have no talent for magic…”
Oh.
“Oh dear.”
Upon arriving at Sky Island, he was connected with a processing company. By trading unrefined magic stones to receive processed magic stones, he ended up with a larger quantity thanks to the low company fees.
Pastel stacked the boxes of magic stones and shouted.
“Wow!”
She turned to the professor.
“Senpai! Senpai! This junior is moved! To think you know such a cheap and high-quality company! You’re truly a talent fitting the role of a delivery person who delivers the necessary items to desperate individuals! A veteran in every sense!”
“Hahaha! You too are a perfect fit! You’ll become a veteran!”
“Really?!”
I can become a veteran in smuggling!
“Wow!”
The professor and the student danced joyfully.
『Don’t take that as a compliment, please.』
She heard a voice that seemed to be the Devil’s anguish.
Oh dear.
She heard the whisper of the Devil somewhere.
Gasp.
The whisper of the Devil is too scary.
I can’t let this happen! I’m a good kid, so I won’t fall for the Devil’s whispers! I’ll let it in one ear and let it out the other!
Pastel, who listens well to adults, was feeling proud.
『Are you listening? Don’t get close to a professor like that. He’s a bad one.』
The nagging flowed in one ear and out the other.
Proud.
『How did it end up like this? Did I misstep at the first button? Did I unnecessarily introduce smuggling…?』
The Devil let out a pained groan.
Devil! Devil! Don’t be in pain! It’s just the natural order of things!
It’s true.
Professor Horace approached.
“Junior! You mentioned having trouble with your semester report, right? It’s about time to prepare. Since time is tight, you need to start right now.”
Gasp.
I’d forgotten about it.
The journey to become the research lead for Pastel!
Smart Pastel can’t miss out on the title of research lead!
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“Senpai! I believe in you! How can I become the research lead?!”
“Just trust me! As the top person responsible for semester reports, I’ll give you the best coaching! According to my coaching, the research lead position is yours!”
Coaching.
She swallowed hard.
They moved to the professor’s office. Professor Horace’s face turned serious.
“Students might be under the illusion, but in reality, semester reports aren’t judged objectively. Professors’ subjectivity plays a big role.”
Wow, he’s a total expert.
Pastel also took on a serious expression.
“What about that?”
“If the topic and perspective fit the professors’ tastes well, grades shoot up. What’s the topic you’re currently researching?”
Pastel flinched. She averted her gaze slightly.
“Well, since I’m delivering items to those in need, I might say I’m not quite prepared yet.”
She whistled awkwardly.
It’s a little embarrassing to aim for the research lead without having even established a research topic.
“I understand. I’ve also forgotten about my professor duties while living as a wholesome delivery person.”
『What is this idiot bragging about to a child? Don’t associate with him. He’s truly a bad one.』
The Devil’s whisper flowed in one ear and out the other.
“Senpai…! This junior finds comfort in that!”
“Indeed. Actually, not having an existing research topic could be a good thing. I can write my paper directly. It should match the professors’ tastes as well. Let’s see.”
Professor Horace rummaged through a drawer. A thick stack of papers was pulled out. It was such a hefty collection that it felt like it could be a thick book.
“It would be excessive for a first-year’s semester report, but considering the competition, this should suffice for you to become the research lead.”
The stack of papers was handed over.
“Unpublished papers.”
Gasp.
Pastel received it with trembling hands. The heavy weight of the paper pressed down on her hands.
The heavy weight of academia.
―A Fundamental Understanding of Magical Engineering Phenomena through Magical Principles: Theoretical Analysis and Application.
Ahh.
I don’t know anything about this content!
『Hmm? You’re offering to hand over your own paper? This feels odd. Such excessive help. Is this kid really thinking of bribing the young viscount in advance?』
The Devil was enraged.
『Young Craft, this kid is truly a bad one. You should sever ties immediately. If you associate with such a person, you’ll learn bad things.』
The Devil’s whisper was filtered in her brain. All content disappeared, leaving only short sentences.
My own paper, excessive help.
Gasp.
Even the Devil acknowledged the help.
Her hand holding the paper trembled.
“Senpai, is it okay for me to receive something like this?!”
To hand over one’s research achievements.
Professor Horace smiled confidently.
“For you, I can do this much!”
Pastel’s mouth dropped open.
“Senpai…! This junior is moved! I will definitely become the research lead! I will not squander your research results!”
“Indeed!”
Professor Horace smiled with delight.
He seemed very satisfied, as if he had successfully bribed the still impressionable young viscount in advance.
“But it’s not done yet. If you submit that paper as is, you’ll get caught. You’ll need to revise it all in your own handwriting and style. It also needs to be adjusted to the format of the semester report.”
Wow, he’s giving expert advice.
『What exactly is he teaching? How can he lack a sense of morality this much?』
“You’ll need to do that part yourself. I’ll coach you from the side, so let’s finish it in time.”
“I understand!”
Pastel replied confidently.
Then she hesitated.
She looked down at the thesis, which was as thick as a book.
Ehhh.
Wait, am I really supposed to rewrite all this? In my own style and without directly copying?
“Surely I have to rewrite all this content? Not just copying it but reassembling it in my own style?”
“Of course.”
Professor Horace brought a feather pen along with the stack of papers.
“Time is tight, so you need to start immediately from today!”
Ugh.
Pastel grabbed the feather pen.
She scribbled the content in a frenzy.
Ugh.
The path to becoming the research lead is too tough…!
Life is too difficult, Pastel…!
#
Melissa stared blankly at the poster. The results of the semester report’s research field grades were displayed.
Top, Pastel Lovecraft – A+
Second, Melissa Camerott – A+
Mother, Father.
I still didn’t become the top student.
I was really confident this time, but I guess it was overreaching. I must have forgotten humility after being hailed as the next grand mage?
Pastel walked over looking disheveled. She looked at the poster and her lips curled into a smile.
“Research lead, Pastel.”
Melissa, behaving unusually, observed Pastel’s disheveled pink hair. She looked like someone who hadn’t had a good night’s sleep.
Suddenly, she touched her golden hair. It was soft and humid, as a maid took care of it every day.
Pastel seemed to be enjoying herself, but then rubbed her eyes tiredly. She looked far from the lively girl she’s supposed to be.
“It was a nightmare… I will never touch a feather pen again.”
The marks of the feather pen remained on the girl’s hand. The imprints of exhaustion and endurance appeared starkly.
Melissa looked down at her own hands. The soft and moist hands of a noble.
Suddenly, a realization struck her.
Oh, I didn’t work that hard.
I mistook being cared for and receiving help while basking in the sun in the greenhouse as effort.
The future grand mage realized her arrogance without defeat. Cracks formed on countless walls of levels, making the future levels easier to reach.
While others would spend their entire lives to gain realizations, Melissa felt she could conclude with just her second position and talent alone as she approached Pastel.
She stopped her steps, maintaining a distance to avoid stepping on Pastel’s shadow.
“Craf,”
Pastel turned around. Her pink eyes sparkled with life.
“Oh, Melissa. Sorry, I didn’t see you because I was tired. It wasn’t ignoring you; it was a mistake.”
Melissa opened her mouth.
“The lead in writing and research must have been results obtained after unimaginable effort and patience.”
Pastel’s expression turned to one of disbelief, as if asking, “How did you know?”
Then, her expression turned to one of disappointment, revealing that she wanted to be seen as a genius but was now uncovered as a diligent model student.
It was indeed as suspected.
With deep observation, Melissa perceived all the emotions and underlying thoughts.
Craft is a genius but also worked hard. Of course, I was defeated.
“I will admit it. You truly deserve the acclaim that comes with Craft’s name. It is said that an elegant swan diligently paddles beneath the surface. The beautiful result hides a challenging effort.”
Melissa placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head briefly.
“Craft, you are elegant.”
Then she turned and walked away.
The sound of her heels faded away from the poster.
Left behind, Pastel’s eyes widened.
“Melissa really seems like she’s from another dimension.”
She’s a friend whose ordinary way of thinking is hard for me to understand.
But still, since she’s my friend, I have to try to understand her!
“But aren’t swans supposed to just float without paddling? I don’t think they need to try too hard.”
『That’s right. They just float. Maybe she misread some fairy tale.』
It seems Melissa likes fairy tales.
Wow.
#
A senior with red, bloodshot eyes received the results of the semester report and was filled with elation.
He landed within the top 10 of his year.
This was thanks to using an awakening potion recently and continuously succeeding in high-difficulty battle requests.
With these results, it would be easy to receive support and investment from the trading guild. Born as a bastard, he was worried about what would come after graduation, but now he was at ease.
“Congratulations.”
An individual in a black robe from a cult approached.
“The side effects were present, but the effects were undeniable, right? Oh? Top 10? Well done?”
The senior flinched and trembled.
The magic stone awakening potion that was circulating in the academy had no side effects and also quite decent effects. Among the seniors, few had never taken it, to the point where it was rare.
This senior was no exception. Although the student council’s regulations were strict, he consumed the potion out of curiosity and was able to complete requests that were harder than usual.
Since then, he continued to take the awakening potion, raising his success rate in requests. After all, there were no side effects.
However, the senior began to have a thought at some point.
If a potion without side effects has this much effect, how effective would one with side effects be?
How many more difficult requests could he complete? How much higher could he rank? How much support from the trading guild would come in?
Then how much would my future change? What about my retirement?
Then the black robe came.
With an awakening potion that had side effects and addictive properties.
After much inner conflict, the senior drank from the poisoned chalice.
The side effects were real. Daily, his heart and muscles ached, and sometimes he felt dizzy. It felt like his lifespan was being cut short.
Yet, as if to chase away the side effects, an overwhelming effect unlike others appeared. He was able to complete countless high-difficulty requests. His rank rose sharply, and he soon ranked within the top 10.
The senior trembled as he hid his report card.
The black robe approached and casually patted his back.
“Hey, get some sleep. Surely with side effects, you wouldn’t have insomnia, so why are your eyes so bloodshot? Ugh, red.”
Eyes from within the robe peered at him.
“Are you anxious? Are you worried we might make some suspicious demands? Well, it makes sense. Suddenly being praised for your sharp rise in skill and if the awakening potion were to suddenly stop… How thrilling would it be to think about what would happen when your skills are exposed as fake?”
The senior trembled silently.
“Doesn’t it sound thrilling?”
The black robe tilted his head.
“Shall I make it thrilling for you?”
The senior was horrified.
“N-No! No, thank you!”
“That’s right? Don’t worry! We aren’t making any hard requests or anything. Just a slight nudge on internal security. Just a slight one. Here’s the to-do list.”
A note was handed over. The trembling hands of the senior received it.
“W-Why do you look like that? Don’t worry! Don’t worry! Do you think the Knight Corps and professors won’t be able to deal with it? Right? Those people are competent. Just focus on your own duties. Trust the adults, student!”
His back was patted.
The senior left, looking uneasy.
The black robe shook his head.
“I wonder if it’s alright to do this to students. The world is indeed harsh.”
Another black robe emerged from the shadows.
“Is it over?”
“Yes, it’s done.”
The subordinate casually replied.
Then he smirked subtly.
“Are you really not going to meet your daughter? Leaving family reunions behind, stealing only equipment? Wouldn’t the young Viscount be lonely without her father?”
The dry eyes locked onto the subordinate.
“I’m not interested. Focus on the job.”
“Understood.”
The subordinate shrugged his shoulders.
