Chapter 10. A Dream Is Only Worth It If It's Unrealistic
The next day.
After completing the training of the Thousand-Yuan Technique that I started at the crack of dawn, I opened my eyes with the sunlight.
'As expected...'
It was indeed a medicinal elixir.
The core located in my heart. The amount of mana nested within had noticeably increased.
The medicinal properties that had been absorbed into my body. Considering that only a tenth of the mana was melted from it, if all ten parts were melted, I could at least meet the basic requirements.
And perhaps due to the change in my constitution from the Fire Seal.
When melting medicinal properties into mana, there is inevitably some loss, but surprisingly, there was no loss at all.
Furthermore, the mana absorbed from the elixir is inherently somewhat impure, but even without a separate purification process, it blends with my existing mana.
In other words, the effect exceeded my expectations.
With a light feeling, I completed my internal observation and got up from the bed.
'By the way.'
The words Bianca said the previous day echoed in my ears.
'An academy...'
It was an unexpected proposal.
To suggest an academy to someone who isn't a member of the family?
Of course, there were reasons behind it.
'Demian.'
That guy was the problem.
- Originally, Demian's academy enrollment was last year. But the child strongly opposed it, so it was postponed until this year. However...
He ran away.
To the Black and White Zone.
At this point, it couldn't help but be a serious matter for Bianca.
'If I force him into the academy, he might run away again, and if I try to change his mind...'
There was no proper solution.
- That's why I'm asking for your help. Demian said he would be fine with Aster.
Of course, it wasn't a bad opportunity for me either.
'Academy, good.'
The world moves by blood ties, regional ties, and school ties.
Even if you don't know someone, if they're from the same region, they might treat you a bit better.
Blood ties go without saying. The noble families are tightly bound by blood.
School ties?
'The academy, indeed.'
They support each other, pull each other up, and push each other forward.
Even if you fall while running, if you check the name tag and find out you're from the same academy, they'll help you up.
It might look dirty from the outside, but the warmth you feel inside that fence...
It's good. It is good, but...
"Hmm."
I couldn't hide a feeling of discomfort.
'It feels like they're trying to pull my strings.'
There were no conditions.
The medicinal elixir had its reasons, but an academy? Even for the Blando family, an academy enrollment isn't something easily obtained.
Even if it could be obtained easily, it would be for loyal family members.
Yet, there were no conditions...
'What is it? There must be something.'
Tsk.
I clicked my tongue in discomfort and stopped thinking.
- I'll think about it.
I delayed my answer for that reason.
If I couldn't figure it out after thinking so much, it was pointless to think more.
I headed to the small training ground attached to the annex to shake off this complex feeling.
I was about to run and sweat...
"Aster!"
"...?"
An unexpected visitor approached.
A platinum-haired, unlucky-looking face. It was the collateral relative from yesterday.
"Yesterday, you dared to deceive me? You must have been prepared. The price for deceiving me is very high."
My mood was already bad due to the unprecedented discomfort, and now a troublesome fly had attached itself.
"Huh."
With rising irritation, I squatted down and firmly gripped the sand.
"So."
"What, what?"
"So, what do you want?"
The collateral relative visibly panicked and took a few steps back.
Then, perhaps feeling his pride wounded by his retreat, his face turned red.
"A, a duel!"
"A duel?"
"Yes!"
Right, a duel, he said.
My head was already a mess, so this seemed like a good thing.
Running and sweating can help relieve stress, but there's something better.
Hitting.
I needed someone to hit.
"Then, shall we start now?"
"Hmph. I don't know what kind of nerve you have, but remember, I'm not on the same level as those trainees. Don't underestimate the Blando family!"
"I've never underestimated it."
"Hmph, don't be ridiculous."
It seemed he had a great sense of pride in his family. He had come here, wasting his time, because the trainees were easily defeated.
"So, you're saying we can start now?"
"Yes... Huh!"
I threw the sand I was holding in my left hand into the face of the collateral relative.
Caught off guard, he rubbed his eyes.
But, still, a relative is a relative.
"You, you coward!"
He shouted and formed a force field around himself. It was clearly different from the trainees.
Sssss—
The force field formed quickly, several times more solid than the trainees'.
But.
"Too slow."
A brick, which I had been holding in my right hand since I grabbed the sand, flew straight and penetrated the forming force field...
Smack!
"Ouch!"
It hit the collateral relative's forehead precisely.
'As expected.'
The feeling of hitting a Black and White Zone vagrant or a trainee is different.
I threw a brick, but there's a certain satisfaction in it, known only to those who understand.
I felt it again.
'The satisfaction of hitting...'
A relative is the best.
"Ouch! Ouch! S, stop!"
In the peaceful training ground.
A hollow echo spread.
* * *
Click, scratch.
Despite it being early morning, Bianca, the mistress of the Blando family, was busy with work.
She was making decisions for the family's affairs in place of the family head, who was out.
But, why?
"..."
Even while handling the mountain of work, a smile was on Bianca's face.
There was no particular good news for the family.
Or, if she had to say, there might have been good news.
'Demian.'
The problem of Demian's academy enrollment was resolved smoothly, despite his stubbornness.
She thought it would be impossible, but...
It was clear who was responsible.
'Aster.'
The vagrant Demian had brought in from the streets of the Black and White Zone.
'He's a good friend.'
He had considerable talent.
His character...
According to Alfredo, he sometimes lacks manners, or rather, is bold.
But, well.
'At that age, everyone is like that.'
What she liked most was his eyes.
Even though he had lived in the Black and White Zone and knew Demian's background, his attitude never changed.
'He has a different capacity.'
So, she thought.
He's worth keeping around.
That's why she played a small trick regarding his academy enrollment, at Alfredo's request.
Knock, knock.
"Lady, it's Alfredo."
Bianca put down her pen and finished her work as Alfredo entered.
"Come in."
Alfredo entered with a stern expression, bowed, and asked with a tense voice.
"How did it go?"
"Hmm."
Their eyes met.
Soon, an unmistakable smile appeared on Alfredo's face, which had been tense.
"He didn't notice."
"Of course. He seemed a bit suspicious, but when I mentioned Demian, he seemed to understand."
"Excellent."
"He delayed his answer, but his reaction was positive, so..."
"He will accept it. I know the passion in his eyes, the fire in his pupils. Once he accepts..."
In a way, Aster's guess was correct.
Giving an academy enrollment to someone who isn't a Blando family member must have some ulterior motive.
Clearly, they must have been setting up something to pull his strings.
He thought so, but...
Strictly speaking, there was no such scheme.
It was just a preparatory stage for a scheme.
Alfredo's plan was this.
The Jenion Academy.
As befitting the top academy in the eastern continent, its tuition was not cheap.
Perhaps equivalent to half a year's living expenses for a commoner family.
For families with some means, it wouldn't be a significant burden, but for a commoner, and by Aster's standards, it was a huge amount.
Moreover, those who enter through a noble family's recommendation must pay several times the tuition.
"The first semester should be fine. We'll pay for it. But what about the next semester?"
Bianca didn't respond.
Alfredo hadn't asked for an answer.
Alfredo, as if possessed, continued to speak, puffing out his muscles.
"He will probably be anxious. Why? Because he will want to learn more. But it will be difficult."
Where would a Black and White Zone vagrant get such a large amount of money? It was an impossible idea.
"At that point, a hand of salvation will appear!"
The boy will be greatly moved.
He had once rejected that hand, but it was offered again.
"I will have a successor that day. His name will be Aster!"
Alfredo clenched his fists and savored the moment. It was a joy just to imagine.
After a moment.
"Ah! It's time. I'll go check if the meal is ready in the kitchen!"
Alfredo, recalling his strong sense of duty, hurriedly left the room.
Bang!
"Phew."
Bianca sighed immediately after.
Just a moment ago, she had been smiling with Alfredo.
But when he left, she shook her head as if giving up.
She disagreed.
'Will that work?'
It won't.
The Aster she saw was a free bird.
He didn't want to belong anywhere, and even if he did, he wouldn't be ordinary.
He didn't fit in the Blando family, or any noble family. He might join a mercenary group.
But, she didn't want to shatter Alfredo's dream...
'He says he'll pay the tuition himself, so...'
Alfredo, who offered to sponsor not only Aster's tuition but also future fees.
That's why.
But.
'He's worth keeping around.'
This was her sincere thought.
There are many ways to keep someone close.
You don't have to follow Alfredo's method of bringing them into your group and sharing the same bowl.
That's something to think about later.
Just then, she thought.
"..."
Bianca silently stared at the door Alfredo had closed for a moment.
A fleeting sense of pity.
'Alfredo, the poor man.'
Alfredo isn't a fool. With a little thought, he would realize the plan was flawed.
But, still, he was so confident, perhaps because...
'He fell for a similar method himself.'
According to the previous family head, it was the idea of the former butler at the time.
* * *
I finished my meal.
With a light feeling, I patted my stomach and moved to the open space attached to the annex.
'As expected, the Blando family.'
The food is amazing.
It was always good.
Dishes I couldn't even see as a troubleshooter were on the table...
Today was especially great.
A steak made from the loin of a one-horned mountain goat from the Rakkan Mountains, which is said to enhance mana.
A salad made from Kenti fruits, which boost concentration.
'Is this a bribe?'
It could be.
Since Demian's academy enrollment depends on me, they probably want me to make the right choice.
Or, perhaps they already think I've accepted.
A sane person wouldn't pass up such a good opportunity.
After all.
The Jenion Academy.
The top academy in the eastern continent.
Founded by a sage hundreds of years ago, it offers a vast amount of knowledge.
'No.'
It wasn't particularly important to me.
But.
'No matter how much I think about it, it's impossible for one person to fill all the books in the tower.'
Even if one person reads a lot, it won't exceed a small library.
But.
'With a modest sponsorship, I can fill the books.'
It's a modest sponsorship.
And the Jenion Academy is the best place to find such sponsors.
It's full of idealistic people, so where else could be better?
In fact, I had already made up my mind.
The Jenion Academy.
'I will enroll.'
There were certainly suspicious aspects.
Alfredo, who was clearly trying to pull my strings, and the tone of Demian's mother, Bianca, which clearly hinted at something.
But.
'No way.'
I am the future great sage.
No plan is the plan.
What does that mean? It means that by not making any plans, you can deal with all situations.
Is there a more thorough and meticulous mindset than this?
'Staying there, I can observe Laphite and find sponsors. Two birds with one stone.'
While walking down the corridor to meet Bianca, I heard approaching footsteps.
"Aster, you came just in time. The lady is looking for you."
It was the same servant.
He led me to Bianca, and I bluntly stated my intention.
"I will enroll in the academy."
"..."
Perhaps she didn't expect such a quick answer.
Bianca seemed surprised for a moment before saying:
"Good. Then we must prepare quickly. Please stay comfortable in the meantime."
And that day.
For some reason, I heard Alfredo's loud laughter from somewhere near the annex.