Chapter 114. Shut up, I said shut up
A material exchange that connected heart to heart.
By receiving a small(?) token of sincerity from the senior headmaster, I was able to confirm that sentiment.
Of course, it wasn’t a smooth process.
“2 years.”
“…Half a year.”
“2 years.”
“…Phew, half a year is the most I can arrange. Let’s settle it here.”
“2 years.”
A tense negotiation without yielding an inch. In the end, the senior headmaster exploded.
“This… I said 2 years is impossible! To stroll in and out of the upper floor of the Lafiterre Library for 2 years as if it were your own home? How could that even make sense?!”
Well, I understand.
The upper floor of the Lafiterre Library. Not the middle or lower floors, but the upper floor. To grant access for 2 years, of course, that would be burdensome. For an academy student, it was unprecedented.
But still.
“Then how does it make sense that you gave me a single-use ticket?”
“…”
“Good grief, I couldn’t believe my eyes. One time? Just once? Am I supposed to be a tourist? Are you planning to show off with a measly single entry?”
A while ago, while returning to Hazen, I suddenly remembered the ‘ticket’ and took it out.
And lo and behold…
[Lafiterre Upper Floor Entry Pass]
[1 time]
In tiny, miniscule letters, it said ‘1 time’.
I couldn’t believe it.
With just a single visit, what was I supposed to examine?
Even just skimming book titles would take a whole day. And it’s not as if books could be checked in or out.
So, what, was I supposed to just look at them?
“Th-that… you brat! Was that the only thing you extorted from me? What about the elixir, and, what was it! The Erecaine workshop license too! Didn’t you extort two things already?!”
“Ah, so that makes the single-use ticket reasonable?”
“…”
“Sigh, it would’ve been better if I had just died in the Great Forest. Did I really fight tooth and nail to come back alive just to be treated like this?”
My fists trembled. In my eyes, murderous intent surged like waves. Normally, it would have stopped at that point. Any further provocation would mean fists before law, an overwhelming taste of violence.
But today was different.
Because I had the justification.
“You know, right? I couldn’t even take the interpersonal combat exam.”
“…”
“Let’s see… Did it end about a week ago? Ah, I did come as quickly as possible, but in the end, I was too late.”
“Then I’ll arrange a make-up exam for you…”
“Ugh. Forget it, forget it. It’s my fault for thoughtlessly surviving. My crime. I should’ve just died in the Great Forest. Isn’t that right?”
“…”
“Ah, look at that. Someone gets aftereffects and their core aches whenever it rains, while someone else lives luxuriously in the academy.”
Of course, he hadn’t been living luxuriously.
Unlike Breakfast No. 1 who had grown plump and round, the senior headmaster looked gaunt.
He must’ve had his own share of troubles. But I pressed the advantage, pointing at the hideout’s scenery.
“Someone else braved cold winds, you know? Against the Golden Demon Knight, against Destrou, against curses and whatnot. While someone else sat cozily on a soft sofa, sipping tea. Kyaa. Enviable. Truly enviable.”
But people’s emotions are like that. Even if the first words are said without thought, once the floodgates open and you keep talking, emotions rise, like now.
“They say there’s no set order to going, and I really almost went first, you know. Hm?”
“…”
“What good would the Erecaine workshop be if I had died? Ah! Or was it that? Funeral expenses? I didn’t realize. Should I return it? Hm?”
“…”
Fun. Thrilling. I didn’t really enjoy pissing people off, but testing limits was always exciting.
The headmaster clenched his fists so hard the tremor shook up his arms, until even his body shivered. Would one more word make him explode? Oh? Still holding? Then just one more?
A precarious tightrope walk.
Of course, alone I’d never dare attempt this.
In that sense, Shine was an excellent striker. No… an aggro-drawer.
It started timidly.
“Hmm hmm, I did die once, after all.”
But after one comment, then another, she quickly soared through the roof. She wasn’t just tiptoeing the line, she was tearing the line to shreds with sarcasm.
“Well, anyway. That Riheim, was it? At least that one had promise.”
Not only comparing him with Senior Riheim…
“They say youngsters today have no shame, and you’re the perfect example. How could someone treat their friend’s benefactor with such a lack of manners?”
Dragging up the past. And more, slandering their entire mentor-disciple relationship!
“Like teacher, like student. Goblin below goblin. Isn’t that right? You vile brat. Don’t you agree?”
“…”
At that point, I didn’t agree.
I didn’t nod, just stared off into the distance as if listening to some other world’s tale. Of course, there were no mountains. This was the hideout. Out the window was just thick underbrush.
“My, my. I can’t help but wonder, why did I even save the scholar-man? Come to think of it, I’m the grand duchess’s lifesaver, am I not?”
Shut up. Shut up, I said shut up.
If you just know when to step in and when to step out, you already win half. But Shine looked about to split in half.
Yet at the same time, I felt another thought.
Maybe it was human curiosity.
Former Master Knight vs. Grand Mage (suspected)
A gripping clash between a Master Knight who had lost his power, and the suspected Grand Mage headmaster!
Vampire vs. Human! A duel staking the pride of races!
Thinking about it this way felt nostalgic.
When did a trouble-shooter, once wiping asses in the shadows, end up playing in such big waters?
Crunch! Crack!
Oh, is it about to explode?
A vein bulged on the headmaster’s forehead. His shoulders trembled like an aspen tree. His face turned red like a well-boiled octopus.
Countdown, three, two, one… Bang! The headmaster slammed the table and shot up.
“I’ve heard enough! The things coming out of your mouth!”
“Ah, perfect. Let’s go, then. I was curious anyway! Draw your sword!”
What a petty bastard. Telling a mage to draw a sword.
But that made it all the more entertaining.
If the headmaster used magic, Shine wouldn’t last long before being sprawled out.
Fights are best when they get messy.
“Then, allow me to set the rules. Headmaster, for a fair duel, how about bare fists?”
“…”
“…”
What? Why?
Two pairs of eyes turned to me. Lips parted as if to say what the hell. The headmaster stared as though I were insane, while Shine let out a sigh.
“…Agreed?”
No answer.
No agreement?
If it were me, I’d take the chance to brawl to my heart’s content.
Don’t they say you grow through fighting? Of course, both reeked of middle age, but people should grow until the day they die.
“Not going to fight?”
The two exchanged glances. The first to extend a hand was the headmaster.
“Shine, was it?”
“…It is.”
“Perhaps this isn’t the time for us to fight. What do you think?”
“…I agree. I briefly lost my reason. Forgive my earlier words. It won’t be easy, but…”
“Not easy? Wasn’t it just a trivial spat? Shake it off.”
“Hm, unlike someone else, you have a broad heart.”
“I don’t know who you’re comparing me with, but that sounds insulting. Apologize.”
“My apologies. I compared what should not have been compared. My fault, a hundred times over.”
“Heh, no matter. Everyone makes mistakes.”
A strange camaraderie bloomed between them. Somehow, the air turned warm.
“…? Headmaster. Did you not hear? That woman is a traitor, a vampire…”
“Well, anyone can have wild delusions. Isn’t that so, Shine?”
“Indeed. My delusions are a bit much.”
This bitch.
She’d been gloating a moment ago, and now they were in sync.
I stared at the two before speaking again.
“…2 years.”
“Tsk.”
“You must understand. One avoids shit not out of fear, but because it’s filthy. Once that one bites, she never lets go. Best to give a proper answer and end it cleanly.”
What, you bitch?
“Hmph, true enough. Very well, then I’ll grant half a year for now. If that’s not enough, we’ll revisit it later.”
“…”
Should’ve just done that from the start.
The Lafiterre Library was the largest in the eastern continent. Even if the upper floor was smaller than the middle and lower levels, it was not a place that could be explored in just a few days.
‘Well, I doubt I’ll even need 2 years…’
But you never know.
Anyway, I got what I wanted. Though for some reason, it left a bitter taste.
“Well, shall we have some tea? I hear a fine batch has come in.”
“Hm, I don’t usually enjoy tea, but this sounds pleasant.”
The two laughed heartily, like old friends.
Utter bullshit.
* * *
In the end, the Lafiterre access was set to a temporary half year.
Shorter than 2 years, but for now, I’d check the upper floor first and see. Still, the senior was in a good mood, and right then and there, he arranged a position for Rayleigh. Of course, Shine had a big hand in that.
“That one talks too much.”
“Hm. Then he’s unsuitable as a guard.”
“Exactly. he’s so notorious as a chatterbox that even in Hamern Great Forest, everyone knows him. But he’s got an amazing sense of direction.”
“Oh? Really?”
“He’s a hateful weakling like ‘someone’, but the fact he’s alive speaks for itself.”
“Then his ability must be quite good.”
Thus was Rayleigh’s occupation decided: Zenion Academy Tour Guide
“Do you not need a job yourself? I could find a place for you.”
“Me? Who knows how long I’ll stay. I have things to take care of.”
“I see you wield a sword. How about a temporary instructor? Not faculty, just supervising the training grounds.”
“Hm, I’m not good with teaching kids.”
“Heh, it’s fine. Though called an instructor, no student will actually seek lessons. More like a training ground keeper.”
“That wouldn’t be so bad…”
“Then I’ll prepare some credentials. Leave whenever you wish.”
On top of that, she even secured a position for herself.
Shine exploited a network I’d never once been able to use. Not family ties, nor regional ties, nor academic ties, but a connection nonetheless.
Dirty noble families. Dirty vested interests.
What a twisted world. A vampire becoming an academy instructor?
Well, instructor in name, glorified groundskeeper in practice, but still shocking. Anyway, after the talk with the headmaster, Shine left the hideout satisfied.
Meanwhile, Rayleigh wept.
“Ah, aaah…”
Second shock. Rayleigh’s eyes looked as if he’d lost the world. The faint hope he’d held after the ‘Semi-Royal Ticket’ snapped in an instant.
“Wahaha, I specially prepared this position for you!”
“…Cheer up.”
“You sons of bitches… You’re all the same.”
Rayleigh cursed both Shine and me together, then staggered down to drown herself in drink.
And so, evening came.
I pulled out my neatly stored uniform from subspace.
“At last, tomorrow.”
It had been a truly tumultuous journey.
