Chapter 22: Preparation (3)

“Luke Richter… wins!”

Louise’s face was filled with evident confusion.
She probably never imagined that the duel would end like this.

After all, a duel typically involves both sides showcasing their magical prowess, testing each other’s skills.

Exchanging spells, finding ways to counter them.
In other words, it’s basically an upgraded version of a sparring match under a professor’s supervision, not a life-or-death battle.

But in this duel, I straight-up buried my opponent alive as soon as it started.

It’s no wonder they’re all reacting like that.

And then—

Creeeak—
A bizarre sound echoed, and the ground began to shake.

[4-star Magic: Dimensional Ray]

A powerful golden beam pierced through the stone tower and shot up into the sky.
Soon after, the Crown Prince shot up through the hole.

“You fing bstard…!”**

Oh, he’s really pissed.
I smirked and shrugged my shoulders.

“The duel is already over.”
“Nonsense! Who decided that? I’m still fine!”
“Obviously, the professor did.”

I knew this would happen.
But since I predicted it, dealing with it is simple.

“Van Beonar. Do you have any objections to my judgment?”
“I’m still perfectly fine!”
“No, the duel is over.”
“What do you mean…!”

Louise’s cold gaze locked onto the Crown Prince.
Immediately, he flinched and took a step back.

“One minute.”
“……”
“Van Beonar, you were stuck underground for a full minute.”

This is exactly why I insisted on having a supervising professor and an officially notarized contract.
Since it was obvious that he wouldn’t listen to me, I had no choice but to use the professor’s authority.

“If this were a real battle, could you guarantee your survival during that minute?”
“……”
“If you understand, then accept the result.”

He must be so angry right now that he’s on the verge of losing his mind.

To an outsider, it might look like I’m deliberately provoking the Crown Prince as if I have nine lives.

But surprisingly, this is actually the safer option.
Managing his anger rather than his inferiority complex helps him release stress more effectively.
This is a strategy I learned after countless head-smashing failures.

“Damn… damn… damn…!!”

Pfft.
Though it’s only a little, it does help me relieve stress too.
Isn’t this the true definition of a win-win situation?

“Haha, that’s a shame.”
“Luke Richter…!!”
“Since I won, it’s time for me to state my request, right?”

The Crown Prince’s face was steaming like an enraged bull.
But I ignored his anger and continued.

“I’m a bit short on cash at the moment.”

At the mention of money, the Crown Prince’s eyes widened in shock.
He probably never expected that I would ask for something as mundane as money as the prize for winning the duel.

“Please give me some money.”

“If you lost, just quietly hand over the money.”

“Hmph~”

I was humming while organizing the gold I extorted from the Crown Prince.

The amount of gold I squeezed out of him was a whopping 5,000,000 gold.
For me, it’s a huge sum, but to Van Beonar, it’s practically pocket change.

He’s probably grinding his teeth right now, feeling humiliated.
Thinking something like, “How could I lose to such a dishonorable tactic, and then he demands a mere pittance as his reward…!”

“Ah, the smell of money is amazing.”

At least now I don’t have to worry about living expenses for a while.
The next task on my list is to create a counterfeit Necronomicon.

The Pandemonium auction raid.
The problem is that even I don’t know the precise details of their attack.

In the game, students couldn’t participate in the auction due to system restrictions.
Maybe later, but at this point, it’s blocked.
I only know some fragmented information about the Necronomicon.

“I roughly remember what it looks like…”

The visual details are clearly stored in my head.
Since the official illustration of the Necronomicon was chosen through a player vote, how could I forget it?

The most crucial aspect of deceiving Pandemonium is the appearance of the Necronomicon.

The cover design, material, texture, and so on…
I have to replicate it as closely as possible to match the details they saw through Future Sight.

But that level of craftsmanship is beyond my poor skills.

In other words, I need someone else’s help…

“Guess I should visit Monica.”

Monica, the Alchemist.

When people think of alchemy, they typically think of potion making.
However, alchemy in this game has a slightly different concept.

In Eterna Online, alchemists are essentially glorified weapon enhancement providers.

“Hmmm…”

Monica, the world’s most talented alchemist.
In the near future, she’ll become known as the continent’s greatest alchemist and inventor.

One of Monica’s most remarkable traits: Copying.
She is also known by another nickname: The Continent’s Greatest Con Artist.

Monica has mastered the art of creating replicas so indistinguishable from the original that it’s almost criminal.
At this point, she’s probably honing her skills even more by selling fake items.

Normally, I wouldn’t want to get involved with her, but right now, Monica is the only one who comes to mind.
I have to stop the Necronomicon from falling into Pandemonium’s hands at any cost.

“Let’s start by checking the library.”

First, I’ll meet her.
I can think about the details later.

Monica is practically a library dweller.
Going to the library to find her has become an unofficial, yet well-known routine.

‘She should be around here…’

The Eterna Academy Student Library, Hall of Knowledge.
From the outside, it looks like a grand castle, but the interior is even more impressive.

Endless bookshelves, soft lighting pouring down from the high ceilings, cozy sofas, cushions, desks, and chairs arranged throughout.
It looks exactly like a library straight out of a fantasy world.

“Please scan your student ID here before entering.”
“Alright.”

As I entered the library, a librarian blocked my way and held out a bracelet.
I took out my prepared student ID and tapped it against the librarian’s bracelet.

After verifying my identity, the librarian moved aside.
I also took my first steps into the library’s interior.

I need to find Monica as soon as possible and commission her to make a fake.
There’s really not much time left before Pandemonium’s raid.

‘Found her.’

At neck height, short blue hair swayed, dark circles under her hollow eyes, and thick-rimmed glasses.

She was lounging on a sofa, flipping through a book thicker than her forearm.

Without giving it a second thought, I walked up to her.

“Hey, you’re Monica, right?”
“…Who are you?”
“Name’s Luke Richter. I was wondering if I could commission something from you. Got a moment?”
“Oh, a customer, huh.”

With a faint smile, Monica adjusted her slipping glasses with her index finger.
After a moment, her expression twisted violently.

“Upfront payment of 5 million gold. If that’s not possible, kindly move along.”

Five million gold, huh.
Sorry, but I don’t have a single penny to spare for Monica.

“Sorry, but I don’t have that kind of money.”
“Is that so? Then get lost. You’re in my way.”

Monica’s cold response practically dripped with frost.
I ignored it and continued.

“That’s not gonna work for me.”
“So, you’re a troublesome customer.”
“Did you know? I recently heard an interesting bit of news…”

Monica is, quite literally, a monster born from capitalism.
She lives and dies for money, always calculating the best way to profit.

But even someone like her has a weakness.
And that is…

“I heard you’ve been selling fake replicas lately. Is that true?”
“……!”

Monica’s eyes widened in shock.

Monica primarily earns money through commissions and outsourced work,
but that alone isn’t enough to pay off her overwhelming debts.

As a result, she naturally stepped into the forbidden realm of fake item distribution.
However, creating and distributing replicas is illegal under continental law.

If caught, she’d face immediate expulsion and severe legal repercussions.

“Recently, you illegally replicated the Sky Staff sold in Terra, didn’t you?”
“H-How do you know that…!”
“You managed to sell it even though its performance was cut in half compared to the original?”
“……”

Monica’s face turned pale, as if she’d seen a ghost.
As I approached, she instinctively stepped back the same distance.

“Imagine how Principal Stella would react if she found out.”
“……”
“Forget expulsion—aren’t you curious how many lawsuits would be filed against you?”
“……What do you want?”

There’s only one thing I want.
For Monica to become my personal enhancement shuttle and replica creator.
That’s it.

“Let’s make something together.”
“Damn it…”
“And of course, no commission fee.”
“What? You’re telling me to work for free?”

Work for free?
I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

“Nope. In exchange for your labor, I’m generously keeping my mouth shut.”
“How is that any kind of payment?”
“Take it or leave it.”
“You…!”

That’s what you get for being a habitual scammer.
You’ve brought this on yourself.

“Fine, so what do you want me to make?”

Smirk—
Finally, she’s cooperating.

“Let’s make a fake.”
“…What?!”

Successfully recruited Monica.