Ch.122Chapter 122 – A Customer Visits the Repairman

Shannon stepped onto the temporary stage set up in the center of the festival grounds prepared by Glesius Academy.

“As always, the Glesius Academy Autumn Festival is held to promote harmony with the local residents. This year, unlike last year, we have special performances prepared, so I hope everyone will fully enjoy this festival organized by the Archenium at Glesius Academy. Now, I hereby declare the Autumn Festival open!”

Shannon skillfully explained the meaning behind the festival and declared its opening with practiced ease.

At that moment, pre-installed fireworks launched, scattering paper confetti and flower petals into the air.

People gazed at the flower petals and paper pieces floating in the air, their faces painted with anticipation.

As I had felt before, this world truly lacked entertainment.

The reason for the high birth rate in this world? After dinner, when the lights go out, there’s nothing else to do.

Going to taverns for gossip might be fun for a day or two, but when repeated daily, it inevitably becomes tedious.

That’s why people were so enthusiastic about festivals.

Every year, similar booths operate, but occasionally, some years offer booths that provide different experiences from previous ones.

“I heard the Count’s booth will have its first demonstration two days from now.”

“That’s right. If we opened from the first day, people wouldn’t visit any other booths.”

The booth I’m operating starts on the third day of the festival.

This was the result of my effort not to harm the businesses of other booth operators.

“I’ve always felt that you’re overflowing with consideration, Count.”

“Overflowing with consideration, huh…”

It’s not like I’m being considerate to the students for no reason…

Every action I take at the academy is ultimately part of my struggle to survive in this world.

If I were to charge exorbitant fees to use my abilities for a limited number of people, I could quickly become filthy rich.

But in that process, people might become jealous of me, and they could fall prey to the temptations of demon followers and turn against me.

I’m simply trying my best to avoid the worst-case scenario, so I needed to make as many allies as possible and minimize enemies.

“It’s time for me to go now. If anything happens, just call for the security team, and I’ll drop everything and come running.”

I nodded in response to the student security chief’s words.

After the student security chief went on patrol, I first headed toward the area where the magic department students had set up their booths.

‘Ah, but Mina and Elena’s booth is still far away.’

Although I had wasted some time slacking off, it was now 11:30 AM.

It would be at least three and a half hours before the booth with those two would start operating.

“What should I do and where?”

I was wandering around deciding which booth to experience first, but there were far too many people.

It literally seemed like everyone in the vicinity had gathered to participate in this festival.

I didn’t expect this many people to come…

‘Won’t it be chaos by the third day?’

Even considering that many people came because it was the first day, crowds typically thin out from the second day onward.

But what if advertisements spread that my booth would officially begin demonstrations from the third day?

‘I don’t think I’ll be able to handle it then.’

Ever since I ascended to the position of Count, I’ve been corresponding with various noble families.

They subtly inquired whether I would be operating a booth at this festival, but I deliberately gave ambiguous replies.

‘I mean, we’re not talking about some run-of-the-mill barons or viscounts, but at least counts or marquises who might visit—this definitely needs to be contained.’

This world isn’t one where natural rights or the class system are nominal; there are clear class distinctions. What happens if high nobles visit a festival where most attendees are commoners?

Wow, this could truly go down in history as the worst festival ever if handled poorly.

Of course, the nobles I correspond with aren’t morally bankrupt or arrogant; they’re people with reputations and respect among local residents.

So their presence wouldn’t necessarily ruin the festival, but it would make everyone uncomfortable nonetheless.

‘Rumors are circulating that I might even be able to cure baldness.’

Naturally, I can cure baldness with my abilities.

Not just temporary baldness caused by stress, but even hereditary baldness.

‘I can’t cure baldness for noble lords for free.’

I might treat commoners at a lower price because they don’t have money, but shouldn’t those with wealth pay accordingly?

‘On the last day of the festival, I’ll once again draw public attention through baldness treatments.’

That way, even demon cults or demon followers wouldn’t dare touch me carelessly.

Surely, there would be those who lure people with sweet promises of freedom from baldness.

If I could turn even those people to my side, I could prevent myself from dying a sudden, violent death while walking down the street.

‘Since I have quite a bit of time left, maybe I’ll take a nap somewhere quiet today.’

To enjoy the small indulgence of a nap that I couldn’t have because of Shannon’s interference, I walked deeper into the academy.

Since most students were busy with the festival, the academy interior was unusually quiet.

And I really like this kind of atmosphere.

A quiet place with a cool breeze blowing… isn’t it perfect for taking a nap?

Even during military reserve training, napping in the shade was the sweetest sleep.

‘Where can I find a suitable spot…’

I looked around for an appropriate place to take a nap.

And before long, a suitable location caught my eye.

“Oh.”

I didn’t know there was a small lake inside the academy.

There was a bench beside the lake, surrounded by dense forest with a gentle forest breeze blowing.

This is exactly the kind of place perfect for a nap.

Although the weather was a bit cold, the bracelet gifted by Epitrina maintained my body temperature at an appropriate level, so I didn’t have to worry about catching a cold.

I spotted a bench made from a log cut in half, with the flat part facing upward.

I sat on the bench and leaned back against the backrest.

“Ah…”

Then, as I closed my eyes, the gentle sound of the breeze gradually made me drowsy.

Strangely, I’ve felt more sleepy since the explosion incident.

Maybe if I ever meet the Emperor, I should ask if the imperial family has any good health tonics.

I mean, I cured his baldness, so wouldn’t he give me at least a tonic?

Hmm?

But there’s a strange forest scent coming from somewhere.

How should I describe it?

Like an air freshener that captures the essence of the forest?

‘I never expected to smell air freshener in this world.’

My eyes opened involuntarily at the scent of air freshener, which I was experiencing for the first time in this world.

The scent was coming from the direction of the wind.

And the wind was blowing from my right.

It was where the forest grew densely.

A forest-scented air freshener smell coming from the forest?

‘Oh damn, what’s this? Am I being ambushed?’

I stroked my bracelet in preparation for any emergency and looked to my right.

“Is someone there?”

“Hehe.”

As I looked to my right and spoke, I heard the laughter of a mysterious woman from somewhere.

“How interesting. I didn’t expect our concealment to be so easily detected.”

“Huh?”

What? Detected their concealment?

I just asked because I smelled something, that’s all.

“As expected of someone who doesn’t emit the scent of mana. You’re an interesting person, aren’t you?”

“Pardon?”

I became even more confused by the voice coming from an invisible source.

Wait, was someone really there?

“Well, since I came to speak with you, perhaps I should reveal myself now?”

With those words, leaves and flower petals swirled, and gradually three figures appeared where no one had been before.

Two had blonde hair with blue eyes, while the one in the middle had silver hair and blue eyes.

All three had elongated ears and wore tight-fitting clothes that revealed their figures…

‘Hmm…’

Compared to others in this world, the three had pitifully modest proportions.

They had pretty faces, but they were completely different from my type…

‘The one in the middle is… High Elf Grand Elder, Shreka.’

She was none other than the 6-star heroine, High Elf Grand Elder Shreka.

“My name is Shreka. I am the guardian of the World Tree and also serve as the Grand Elder of the High Elves.”

And with that, she introduced herself to me.