Ch.3636 – Security Screening of Imported Items

<36 – Security Screening of Prohibited Items>

Gift Academy exists on a special “island.”

Entry and exit are only possible through <Dimensional Gates>, which have effects similar to spatial transfer magic circles that are semi-permanently activated.

There are many nominal reasons for this.

For the safety of students, they say.

To prevent outside intrusions, they claim.

These are excuses that only make players snicker.

‘I’ve died at the Academy more than once, and intruders keep getting in no matter what. What kind of intrusion prevention is this?’

The real reason is much simpler.

Nobles and commoners, humans and non-humans.

It’s to tame uncivilized barbarians who refuse to recognize others as equal intelligent beings and discriminate against those even slightly different.

Wealth and power enjoyed in society.

They thoroughly exclude outside influences to create an environment where students can focus on developing their innate talents.

It starts with the prohibition of magical equipment.

Equipment is confiscated, except for medical devices necessary for life support, control equipment for emergencies, and rescue equipment for emergencies.

“This is a prohibited item.”

“Oh dear.”

Giselle’s magic backpack was, of course, prohibited from entry.

“Hahaha! You cheated with equipment during the exam, and now you’ve been caught red-handed after admission, boss.”

“Your large staff can be possessed, but if you want to use it for purposes other than personal training, you need separate permission for use on campus. I’ll only give you possession permission.”

“That’s too harsh!”

Son Ocheon’s large staff became merely decorative.

Essentially the same outcome.

“The same applies to Isabelle’s belongings.”

The security screening mages at the Academy’s checkpoint mercilessly packed all sorts of possessions into the luggage storage compartments without a shred of mercy.

Naturally, all the items I had packed during my few days of rest were also confiscated.

“I’ve never seen such unusual requested items for Academy admission.”

The security screening mage laid out a compass, a luminous stone wrapped in cloth, a rescue mirror in a case, metal rods, and knives with an incredulous expression.

The contents looked more like those of an adventurer than the belongings of Isabelle, who was being inspected next to me and actually came from an adventure party.

“Are you here to explore a dungeon or something?”

“Well, I am an adventurer after all.”

This is exactly why I’m wearing the basic adventurer outfit that doesn’t consider style at all.

Just as it’s natural for a chef to carry a wok and cooking utensils, it’s natural for an adventurer to carry adventure tools.

Even if people think I’m unusually prepared, they’ll just think, “Well, that’s what adventurers do,” and move on.

‘If I prepare it, I’ll eventually find a use for it.’

If the Academy is identified as a dungeon, it’s definitely an <Ultra-large><Living Hell><No Escape><Ultra-high Level Zone>.

It’s only natural that the world’s finest talents and most skilled individuals swarm an educational institution that trains the world’s best talents.

Even the professors are lined up with people stronger than the bosses of ordinary outside dungeons.

It’s only natural that the Academy’s education is harsh.

As they say, prepare in advance—I need to get ready for the distant future.

“You’re confiscating all of this?”

“It’s an unavoidable measure. For necessary items, you must either make them yourself within the Academy, have them provided, or earn points to get usage permission.”

“Points?”

But this, a curious feature appeared.

Points—aren’t those what I received when arriving at the entrance exam?

“The scores you received in the entrance exam will also be converted into points.”

In the game, a point shop appears in the Academy once every few months.

With the reality patch, this has changed into currency used for bringing items into the Academy.

“You can check your points with the magic watch distributed to all new students.”

Magic watch.

A wristwatch combined with a smartphone that has various functions beyond its original time-checking purpose, including checking points, class schedules, and announcements.

<Point Details>

━━━

Early arrival bonus +55200

Advanced class 1st gate top score achievement bonus +100000

Advanced class 2nd gate early admission bonus +50000

Entrance exam score exchange +12200

━━━

Total 217400 points

As expected, it pays to do well on exams.

Points have accumulated nicely.

<Point Usage>

┗<Possession and Usage Permission Request>

━━━

Compass -50 points

Backpack -500 points

……

…

Luminous stone wrapped in cloth -2000 points

━━━

Total -10250 points

Wow, I can’t resist this.

Just as I was about to flex, a heavy despair like the bitter taste of society that suddenly appears in life one day returned.

[New students cannot request possession permission.]

[New students cannot request usage permission.]

“???”

그림의 떡.

un château en Espagne.

A pie in the sky.

The despair of seeing something but not being able to eat it.

False hope tormented me.

“How frustrating…”

“I’m sorry. There’s more to be frustrated about.”

The security screening mage added my candy pouch and stone pouch to the prohibited items.

As tears of injustice were about to flow, Isabelle came over and patted my shoulder.

“Mage, may I have a word with you?”

Giselle, unable to stand by any longer, called the mage aside.

What could they be talking about?

After a serious conversation for a while, the mage who seemed to suffer from a disease where he would die if he didn’t put every object into the prohibited items box took out the candy pouch and stone pouch.

“I apologize. If you had such circumstances, you should have mentioned it earlier… I’ll return these to you.”

“Circumstances?”

“Oknodie. In situations like this, you just say ‘thank you.'”

Well, what does the reason matter?

He saved my precious candy from Leaf and my small treasure pouch of stat stones.

“Thank you!”

I bowed deeply with my hands folded over my stomach, expressing my sincere gratitude.

Giselle accepted my bow with a very pleased expression.

To think she likes this kind of greeting.

Giselle really is old.

But I decided to hold back from teasing her about being a mature student, fearing my pouches might be confiscated.

* *

“How did the inspection go? I hope there aren’t any terrorists bringing bombs or students smuggling communication magic devices like last year.”

“There is something unusual. A report about Group A new student Oknodie.”

Monk Myungho approached with a childlike smile that didn’t match his age.

“Oknodie. I’ve been paying attention to that student as well. She was certainly someone who could have gained early admission from the first test. What’s the report?”

“The child is undergoing poison resistance training, and if her poison candy is confiscated, it could cause serious problems with poison control and physical balance.”

“…Are you saying the child is eating such dangerous poison?”

The security screening mage broke into a cold sweat.

Though Monk Myungho was smiling, the pressure emanating from him was unsettling.

It felt like facing an enormous monster.

The tension rose as if one wrong move would result in death.

Only after seeing the mage’s thoroughly tense appearance did Monk Myungho realize his mistake and release his aura.

“My training is still insufficient. To have my emotions disturbed to this extent. I’m ashamed to show such an unseemly side.”

“N-no, not at all. I was quite shaken myself.”

The security screening mage finally caught his breath.

Controlling his energy with a single breath.

He truly was an extraordinary monk from the East.

To receive such attention from this monk.

It meant that new student Oknodie’s qualities were also extraordinary.

“The child apparently has a habit of eating stones.”

“Eating stones?”

“The report suggests it might be a mental disorder resulting from harsh training breaking her spirit. It said that if we hastily take away the stones, her mind might collapse…”

“My goodness.”

What a pitiful child.

“Her body depends on poison, and her mind on mere stones. The hardship and sorrow of a life without independence or self-respect is too heavy for a child to bear!”

Monk Myungho felt compassion for all beings.

He felt others’ pain and sorrow as his own.

Druids commune with nature.

Spirit users commune with spirits.

Mages commune with mana.

Swordsmen commune with their swords.

Like masters of many professions, he too had achieved spiritual communion.

The monk communes with worldly beings.

Beings refer to all living things that experience life.

Therefore, the monk’s power of communion is deeper than that of masters of any other class.

“Could you keep this matter confidential from other instructors, professors, and superiors?”

“Monk Myungho. I understand your concern, but in principle, all unusual matters must be reported upward.”

“I will take responsibility and watch over her. When one is utterly devoted, sincerity will naturally resonate. If beings cannot consider each other with hearts of resonating compassion, what purpose do laws and rules serve?”

They prohibit and regulate those who don’t fit the standards.

Although they follow the Western principle of elitism, harsh laws that don’t tolerate even the slightest flaw only plunge all beings into misery and suffering.

The security screening mage wanted to support Monk Myungho’s sincere concern.

His conscience wouldn’t allow him to oppose a true adult who was willing to take responsibility to help a pitiful child.

“May you be safe.”

“Peace be with you.”

The two adults made their decisions with joined palms.

One decided to forget everything and remain silent.

The other decided to shoulder all burdens and take responsibility.