episode_0038

The incident began a few days before the midterm exams.

‘All the things I’ve neglected…’

Early in the morning, I sat on my dorm bed, organizing my status window. I left the status itself alone—I always look at that—but there were things hidden at the bottom of the screen that I hardly ever saw.

I dragged the small window down.

『Ongoing Character Scenarios』 -[Yuri]: Progress ♥♥♥♥♡ (Clear!) -[Lulu]: Progress ♡♡♡♡♡ (End Game…) -[Eve]: Progress ♥♡♡♡♡ -[Aspi]: Progress ♥♥♡♡♡ -[Natalia—

Wait a minute…is she in there too?

It’s not impossible, but I feel a bit guilty using her for my…sexual gratification.

I hadn’t paid attention to the character scenarios for a while, and now they filled an entire page of the status window.

Should I be happy or upset? The upside is that I can spend a night with all of them; the downside is that I *have* to spend a night with all of them to complete the scenarios…

Hmm, maybe a skip function will be added later?

I entertained some futile fantasies and dragged the status window further down.

『Inventory of Reward Items』 -[Key to the Underground Cellar of Ancient Ruins] -[Mana Superconductor]

Unlike ordinary items that are treated as simple objects, reward items have slightly different properties. The most noticeable advantage is that they can be stored in hyperspace, like using an inventory.

Whoosh-

Thanks to this, I can just keep them in my pocket without taking up any space or worrying about losing them.

Even if I did lose one, because they’re treated as bound items, it automatically returns to my inventory if I haven’t used it. The system prevents others from exploiting them; it’s pretty convenient and reliable.

‘That means they’re really important items~’

Click-

I opened the small box Yuri had procured.

The elegant metalwork adorning the exterior…it felt like a gift box exchanged between nobles or royalty, suitable for a present.

If I placed the [Mana Superconductor] in the soft cushioning inside and secured it with a ribbon…the perfect bribe to make Professor Priest gasp.

Hugging my excitement and the gift destined for her, I set off for the academy.

. . .

“I’m sorry, the professor is very busy right now.”

I was turned away at the door.

Instead of a warm welcome, only one lab assistant came out to tell me the professor wasn’t there and to go away.

I gritted my teeth and held out the paper bag containing the gift box.

“I brought something I thought the professor would like…”

The assistant slightly rolled their eyes.

“Ah, yes…you know our lab doesn’t accept food, right?” “I’ve never heard that…anyway, it’s not food.” “We don’t handle jewelry or valuables either.” “Of course.”

It was a bribe, but being treated like some sleazy bribe-giver made me a little annoyed.

I wondered if I should follow official procedure. But given the current atmosphere, it would likely take almost a month just to get my request processed. The academy is efficient, but the research labs operate on a completely separate system—they do whatever they please.

There’s nothing else for it. I only wanted to show it to the professor…but to get past this ironclad employee, I had to reveal the value of the item inside the box.

“You seem to have a misunderstanding; this isn’t that kind of valuable. It’s an item whose value is immeasurable in monetary terms, something that will cause a huge stir in the magical world.” “Yes, yes. Most people say that. ‘A groundbreaking invention,’ ‘invaluable,’ etc…they all say whatever they can.”

Hmm, maybe they have their reasons…I thought for about three seconds before deciding it was none of my business.

“Fine, I’ll say it straight. It’s a special magic stone. It has extremely high mana absorption, and it currently holds a strange type of mana.”

Startle-

Seeing a real magic-related item, different from what they expected, the lab assistant was clearly taken aback.

Their body, which had been half-turned away, swung around to face me; they unlinked their arms and straightened their legs, previously angled casually.

They pushed their glasses up slightly.

“Hmm…we are researching that type of magic stone, but we already have more than enough ordinary ones for data. Have you measured the absorption rate? If it’s over 60%, we might—”

Grin. I gestured for the assistant to lean closer.

Whispering-

“…Are you serious?” “~If you don’t believe me, you can check it yourself.”

Holding the paper bag at my fingertips, I gently swayed it.

Ultimately, the assistant was still a researcher. The possibility that what was before them might indeed be a ‘100% absorption rate’ Mana Superconductor…

They instantly became a well-trained dog.

“I-I apologize!! Right this way!!” “Thanks~”

They should have just done that from the start.

I followed their guidance towards the inner part of the lab.

Thump- thump-

Numerous researchers passed me on the way.

Analyzing academic materials, and realizing them magically. That’s all magic research is.

If someone’s work looks easy, that’s the mark of a master, right?

Exactly. Magic research is precisely that. Although it’s “just” recreating incantations, the process itself is difficult. Precision in writing and creative implementation must coexist with the rigid complexity of creation and ease-of-use.

I was a special case; born with a different body than most, I experienced explosive growth upon sensing mana. But conversely, I find the work of the researchers, building magic from scratch, somewhat admirable.

Enough sightseeing. We stood before Professor Priest’s office.

The assistant knocked.

“Professor, it’s me. A visitor has arrived…I think you absolutely need to see this.”

A gruff voice came from within.

-Ah, I’m busy right now! I told you not to knock, didn’t I?

“It’s not that kind of matter, Professor! We’ve received a special magic stone, which we’re having trouble evaluating…”

A long drawn-out sigh, “Haaah-,” came from beyond the door.

-Pathetic, really. You’re disturbing me because you can’t evaluate a mere magic stone?

One mountain after another. Just when I thought I’d gotten past the gatekeepers, the final boss refuses to fight.

Professor Priest is, without a doubt, a professor at the Nifrantz Academy. She’s particularly well-known in academia for her research on the essence of mana, the very foundation of magic, which bolsters the authority she wields with this stubbornness.

Even the earnest plea—no, the request- of her own handpicked employee isn’t working, so it’s unlikely a mere cadet’s words would even reach her ears.

Let’s go back to basics. She’s still a researcher; the mere mention of a superconductor is guaranteed to make her eyes light up—

—BANG!

“Excuse me.”

Before I could finish forming my thoughts, the male employee simply threw open the door.

“…?!” “It’s all lies that the professor is busy.”

I gave him some silent credit for this boldness and dedication; their casual acquaintance at least partly explains such an action.

“See, even now—” “—Ah.”

However, what greeted us through the open door was a truly busy Professor Priest.

Why past tense? The moment our eyes met, her busy hands froze.

“Ugh—”

Pants down, underwear around her ankles, sweating profusely, she was holding a suspicious pink object—

Further description is omitted to protect the victim’s privacy.

. . .

“Slurp-”

I calmed my shocked heart with a cup of warm tea.

The professor seemed to have also calmed down somewhat.

“That was an unexpected windfall.” “…What.” “I’m saying, without mentioning that fellow, his face was quite red. He probably won’t sleep easily tonight.”

And I poured oil on the dying embers.

“…!!!! Is that what you’re saying—” “That’s just how men are. He won’t forget today’s events. It’s only a matter of time before he becomes the professor’s eternal…dog.” “…….”

To the professor, whose redness hadn’t subsided, I added a final blow.

“So, next time, don’t try to deal with it alone, but use that fellow—” “Enough…”

The professor cut me off, quickly taking a sip of tea and burning her tongue. I made her a small ice cube while she frantically searched for cold water. It took a considerable time for the atmosphere to settle.

Why did I make such a round-about approach? It seems to be due to my personality—I have to say what I have to say.

. . .

“So, why did you come looking for me?” “You’ll see.”

Without any lengthy explanations, I placed the paper bag on the table.

I removed the small box that looked like a gift container from inside. After unlocking it, I carefully opened the lid towards Professor Priest.

Click-

“Th-this is…!!”

Her eyes sparkled like a child’s as she leaned towards the box.

Carefully holding it, she gazed into it for a while, as if in a dream, then…

Turned her head to me.

“There’s nothing here?”

?

As I moved towards her, I saw that there was nothing inside.

What? Where did it go—

‘—because they’re treated as bound items, it automatically returns to my inventory if I haven’t used it—’

…Ah.

I took out the [Mana Superconductor] from my pocket and carefully placed it into the box.

“Ta-da…”