books44 Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Going to the Academy was always challenging for Ian.
At first, it was difficult because of the looks he received from people who treated him like Pongpong shortly after he possessed this body. For a while, it was hard due to the intense training and the relentless scenarios... he was just too busy.
Now that he had somewhat adjusted to the training and the scenarios.
“... I’m really going to die.”
It was simply exhausting because the icebox was heavy.
Couldn’t he just enhance his body with magic?
All of his mana was being used to maintain the cold in the icebox through a non-stop extraction-transformation combo, essentially turning him into a human outdoor unit supplying the chill.
Some cadets passed by him in carriages or magitech cars.
— Whoosh!
“... Maybe I should have bought a car.”
The thought of reducing the investments in Silvia flitted through his mind, but he shook it off.
His current financial management plan was perfect.
Sweat dripped down.
As he walked, the magic department building came into view.
“Ahhh! Please stop giving us assignments, Professor Violet!”
“Tell that directly to the professor.”
“Could you argue with that witch professor?”
The noisy first-floor lobby.
It seemed like afternoon classes were in full swing.
‘Come to think of it, I might be in danger of missing classes soon.’
A week off for Saint Gregory’s Day.
Then, he had another week off on his own.
The tight schedule in the North had made it inevitable.
From now on, he needed to focus more on the Academy.
It wasn’t because he was a well-behaved student...
——
【 Announcement 】
— Aether Promotion Information
> Comprehensive evaluations for the promotion to the Aether course are currently being conducted for students of each department.
> Based on these evaluations, additional assessments may be carried out...
——
The biggest academic event marking the end of a semester at the academy, the ‘Aether Class Promotion’, was about to start.
The Aether Class essentially represented Lichten Academy. Only the most outstanding students from each department were selected for the ‘Aether’ class, and having this qualification alone was enough to ensure recognition in society.
Originally, the main scenario was for all four heroines, including Emilia, who had been in the Aether class since admission, to gather in the Aether class through this promotion exam.
‘Sharon is almost impossible, and Lina seems slightly at risk, doesn’t she?’
Thanks to various incidents, it seemed likely that the main scenario might deviate slightly.
Well... since it was going to be held in a battle royale format, there would be variables.
‘I’ll probably meet Aria and Emilia both.’
He needed to start planning soon.
For now, he should focus on the snowflake fruit.
Money was always the best plan.
He arrived at the backyard of the Magic Department building after passing through it.
There was a building that looked like a container box.
The identity of this place, covered in vines and looking extremely nature-friendly, was the classroom where the 【Spirit Studies】 class took place.
Since he hadn’t registered for 【Spirit Studies】, he had another purpose for coming here.
He called out for the reason he had come all the way here.
“Ian! What brings you here?”
Lina ran out, turning back to fix her hair.
Then she stood about three steps in front of him, her green eyes sparkling.
She looked like a puppy seeing its owner come home after a long time. It seemed like only a day had passed since they returned from the North together.
No wonder she had many friends among the students.
“I need a favor.”
“Really? Sure! Just tell me anything!”
Lina answered with a bright smile.
With one hand, she was adjusting the black handkerchief around her neck.
‘... Come to think of it, she used that to wipe my sweat, didn’t she.’
At the time, he had been too distracted by meeting the Blood Witch, but thinking back, that was indeed the case.
Moreover, creating a club provided additional benefits like having a club room.
The problem was, a club needed members to be established.
“Lina, what do you think of the food at Lichten Academy?”
Lina blinked at the sudden change in topic before answering.
“It’s okay, I guess?”
“And the desserts?”
“To get a good one, I have to go out of the Academy and make a real effort. It’s difficult.”
“How about selling something like this right here in the Academy? Especially since the weather will be warming up soon.”
“...It would sell really well.”
Lina’s eyes lit up.
“So, I need you, Lina.”
“...Huh?”
Lina looked at him blankly, then lowered her gaze.
She pressed down on the handkerchief around her neck and tapped the ground with her shoe.
Seeing her misunderstanding, Ian added.
“I need an employee like you.”
“...An employee?”
“Yes.”
That was the reason he sought out Lina.
With her striking appearance and extensive network, she was the best sales assistant he could hire.
Plus, she was already doing part-time jobs here and there because she needed the money.
‘...Now that I think about it, how did she manage to follow me to the North?’
He wondered for a moment, but then Lina, who had been lost in thought, spoke up.
“Hehe... Of course, that makes sense! What was I thinking? There’s always a flow to a conversation. Right? Hehehe.”
She scratched her head and clapped her hands together.
“I actually just got fired from my part-time job for poor attendance. Not because I wasn’t working hard, but because I didn’t show up for a few days...”
...So she had just followed him to the North without a plan.
“Anyway, I can do it! Totally!”
“That’s a relief. Thank you.”
“No, I’m the one who’s grateful!”
Lina smiled brightly.
Seeing her like that gave Ian a strange feeling.
‘To think I’m hiring a heroine as a part-timer.’
In his past life, he had worked to support these characters on a screen. The feeling was peculiar.
Anyway, Lina was the best part-timer he could get.
He needed to keep her on board.
“Lina, I’ll pay you double the minimum wage.”
“Woof!”
“...?”
“Hehe! It means I’ll be loyal like a pet! Since Danya is like a cat, I’ll be the dog!”
“...What does that even mean?”
Lina made a surprising statement, then stepped forward as if she had planned it.
She turned her head and looked around, then whispered softly.
“You know, Master.”
“It’s probably ‘Boss,’ not ‘Master’.”
“Oops, slip of the tongue.”
Hehehe.
Lina’s small laugh was carried on her breath.
“If it sells well, will you give me a bonus?”
“Of course.”
“But you said you’d praise me in the North and never did, you know?”
Did he?
He had been so busy that he had forgotten.
“Do I have to give it to you this time?”
She twisted the handkerchief around her neck and took another step closer.
Lina’s breathy laugh felt strangely warm.
...It seemed like he had hired a somewhat dangerous part-timer.