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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Early evening.
I looked at the “Slave Training Center Establishment Application” in my hand with a satisfied grin.
With this, I had officially documented my seventeen slaves.
I had secured the administrative procedures to put them to work.
[Club Establishment Application]
▶Club Name: A Gathering of Those Who Study New Existing Orders by Focusing on the Perspective of Vision in Mechanical Discoveries
▶Faculty Advisor: Elena von Iliad Rosario
▶Activities: Research, Development, Extreme Training, Exploration
▶President: David Arsen
▶Vice President: Edgar Fix
The structure was perfect.
I had Elena as backup, and David, as president, would handle all the tedious administrative tasks. As vice president, I could reap the benefits without any of the responsibilities.
I would milk them dry for all the grief they had given me.
“Now then.”
I couldn’t afford to be idle.
A demon had appeared during the first outdoor class event, an unprecedented occurrence in my countless playthroughs.
‘At such an early stage…’
It was far too soon.
Demons usually appeared much later, around the second semester of the second year.
Yet, here they were, before the first semester of the first year had even ended.
Was my rapid growth influencing the world’s timeline?
‘…It seems likely.’
My relationships with the heroines had progressed much faster than usual, and I had even brokered peace between the Dwarven Allied Kingdom and the Empire, two factions destined to remain enemies until the world’s end in the original game.
My actions were accelerating the flow of events.
‘Perhaps the Demonic Cult will also appear sooner…’
The Demonic Cult usually emerged around the second semester of the second year, targeting the heroines for corruption.
The heroines possessed exceptional talents, making them prime targets.
‘I need to keep an eye on the Top 30.’
I had to monitor the most talented students. The Demonic Cult could approach them at any time.
“More work to do. I’m swamped.”
The accelerated timeline meant a busier schedule.
I had to attend classes, build my suit, craft weapons, develop a computer, and monitor the Demonic Cult’s activities.
‘At least one thing is off my plate.’
The monthly Equipment Evaluation was abolished.
I had already proven my skills, and my title of “Salvation” from the Dwarven Allied Kingdom made further evaluations unnecessary.
It would be absurd for nobles of equal rank to evaluate a Count.
‘Although, there’s one last one.’
The Dukes, who funded the academy, had insisted on a final evaluation.
They wanted an opportunity to connect with me.
They had only sent their vassals last time; now, they wanted to meet me in person.
‘This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.’
While it was an added task, it presented an opportunity.
A chance to showcase my work to all the Dukes at once.
As a commoner, I had to cater to them, but as a Count, I could negotiate on equal footing. I might even reel in a big fish.
“Hmm… what should I create this time?”
I needed enticing bait. Something as impactful as the air conditioner.
“…Nothing comes to mind.”
I couldn’t think of anything as revolutionary as the air conditioner, especially for the summer.
I decided to put it on hold.
For now, I had to focus on indoctrinating the SIBALSAEGI members.
I needed loyal slaves who would work tirelessly in my future research lab and factory.
“Fix, how’s the work coming along?”
“Weeooong~!”
But my slaves needed proper training.
They needed a basic understanding of physics.
So, Fix was currently compiling textbooks: General Physics, Modern Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Thermal and Statistical Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Mathematical Physics, Quantum Field Theory, Relativity, Astrophysics and Cosmology, Particle Physics, Solid State Physics, Solid State Field Theory, Optics, Quantum Information Theory, and Topological Insulators.
I had to elevate their knowledge to ensure they could follow my instructions.
‘They’ll resist, of course.’
They would complain about the workload, especially with their already demanding academic schedule.
-Kiiiing!
But I didn’t care.
My repulsor beam would handle any dissent.
People didn’t change easily, but perhaps that was because they hadn’t been motivated enough.
‘I need to offer incentives, too.’
But punishment alone wouldn’t suffice.
I had to dangle a carrot to make them endure the whip. What would entice them to willingly become my slaves?
…I knew exactly what. Something every man craved.
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Wednesday, last period: Stress Management and Sleep Techniques.
A silent war was brewing in the classroom.
The random team assignments had paired Ed and Isabella again, much to Enya’s dismay.
“Hehe. Looks like she’s openly targeting you now.”
Isabella glanced at Charlotte, who was also staring at Ed with a similar expression.
But Charlotte, still plagued by her timidity, quickly lowered her head when she noticed Isabella’s gaze.
Isabella chuckled and turned to Ed.
“Anyway, I look forward to working with you again. I slept really well last time.”
Constantly suppressing her emotions, Isabella struggled to sleep properly. She feared losing control in her unconscious state.
“…But it’s my turn to sleep this time.”
“…?”
Ed’s reply surprised her.
“…Don’t you remember? You slept through the last evaluation and got a zero for the practical.”
“Ah.”
She had forgotten.
She was supposed to wake up after a short nap and then help her partner sleep, but she had slept through the entire period.
“So, let’s do it the other way around. I’ll sleep first, and then I’ll help you sleep.”
“…Alright.”
She agreed.
She couldn’t afford another zero. Ed lay down on the bed. When Isabella just stared at him, he tilted his head.
“Aren’t we starting?”
“……”
Isabella’s ears were flushed red. She cleared her throat.
“…Move over.”
“…?”
“I want to… try your method. The one you used last time.”
“……”
Isabella, who usually avoided physical contact, was offering to hold him. Ed felt his face flush.
“O-Okay.”
He quickly moved over, giving her space to lie down.
The situation was awkward, but he wouldn’t refuse. He had loved her in his past lives.
‘…Past lives? No, playthroughs.’
He corrected himself. This was a game. He had only experienced her through a monitor.
-Rustle.
He heard her movements, the sound of the sheets against her skin. His heart pounded. She was right behind him, about to hold him.
He felt his body heat up.
“……”
But she didn’t move. She was there, but she wasn’t doing anything.
‘Is she hesitating?’
He realized she was unsure whether to hold him.
He imagined her blushing, fidgeting.
He wanted to turn around and see her, but he couldn’t.
He had been able to do it before, fueled by the memories of his past playthroughs, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it now, in his right mind.
“I’m hugging you!”
With a strange declaration, her arms wrapped around him.
Her soft arms encircled his waist, and he felt the gentle pressure of her chest against his back. A jolt of electricity shot through him.
Her warm breath on his neck made him dizzy.
-Squeeze…
Her hands were tightly gripping his shirt, damp with sweat. She was nervous.
“Let’s begin.”
But her voice was calm. She was trying to hide her nervousness. It was so like her. A normal girl trapped in a witch’s life.
“The world is covered in snow.”
She began reciting the same imagery he had used to help her sleep.
‘…This isn’t bad.’
It felt familiar, comforting. Her embrace, her warmth, her breath – all reminiscent of his past playthroughs.
“We’re together, inside a cave.”
They had reached the cave, sheltering from the blizzard. She described the warmth of the fire, their bodies huddled together.
-Squeeze…
She held him tighter, immersed in the imagery.
-Nod… Nod…
Ed started to doze off, the memories of his past playthroughs blurring the lines between reality and the game.
-Whoooooosh…
His consciousness shifted.
He was back in the snowy landscape, holding Isabella’s lifeless body.
The ground was littered with demon corpses, but more were approaching.
There was no time to mourn.
-Raaaagh! Haaaa!
He roared, swinging his sword in a frenzy.
He was surprised by the intensity of his character’s emotions, but he dismissed it.
His memories could be altered since he was now inside the game.
-Aaaagh… Aaaaagh…
He was screaming again, his body covered in demon blood, his arm and chest pierced. He was screaming for Isabella.
-Ding.
A bluish hologram appeared before him.
A message box with the words: [Administrator Mode Activated].
‘What’s… that…?’
He felt an overwhelming drowsiness. His character was laughing maniacally, shouting something at the void.
[…! ■■■! My settings…! ■■■■■! ■■ ■■…]
‘What… what is he saying…?’
His consciousness was fading.
He couldn’t understand his character’s words.
His body was enveloped in light. He was trembling, making strange noises, a mixture of laughter and sobs.
‘I’m… so… sleepy…’
Just as his consciousness was about to fade…
-Flash!
…a torrent of images flooded his mind, thousands of pictures flashing by in a fraction of a second.
Among them, he saw a futuristic building with a sign that read [■■■ Research Lab] and a lab uniform with a name tag: [Professor Ha Doyoon].
‘Professor…?’
That last image was strange.
Ha Doyoon was his real name. Why was he a professor? He was a mechanical engineering student.
He must have seen it wrong.
‘Yeah… I saw it… wrong—’
But before he could finish the thought, his consciousness blinked out. It was as if someone had flipped a switch.
“……?”
He woke up, his mind blank. He saw Isabella’s slightly annoyed face.
“…You slept well. Even with me holding you.”
“…What time is it?”
“Class is over. You were sleeping so soundly, I couldn’t wake you.”
“Ah.”
“Heh. We’re even now. I’ll be going then. See you next week.”
Isabella quickly left the room. Ed yawned and stretched. He tried to recall his dream.
“…Just a dream?”
He couldn’t remember anything except his character’s anguish over Isabella’s death.
He scratched his head and got up.
Wednesday classes were over. He had free time until Sunday.
Time to train his SIBALSAEGI slaves.
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