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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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‘Blue Light’ and ‘Alchemy.’
I decided on this combination.
While ‘White Light’ wasn’t a bad choice if I only considered supporting my allies, ‘Blue Light’ was more efficient for utilizing ‘Alchemy’ properly.
‘And Alchemy is the best subject for utilizing my traits.’
Alchemy was a multifaceted field of study.
It could heal allies with potions and create various consumable magic tools using magic stones.
However, despite its versatility, few alchemists fought on the front lines.
Firstly, they were essentially scholars and rarely sought combat.
Secondly, there was the financial aspect.
A well-made potion could replace a priest’s healing magic.
A scroll that produced a fireball could replace a mage’s attack spell.
But healing and attack magic only consumed the user’s mana, which regenerated over time.
In contrast, alchemical tools were one-time use.
They were rarely used as primary tools, only as substitutes for magic users in their absence.
It was essentially throwing money away.
‘But the ‘Greedy Prodigal’ can do that.’
The funds I had saved up over two years while handling tasks for the Lord and the dividends I received periodically from Theo were just a small part of my wealth.
There would be plenty more opportunities to earn money in the future, and I intended to use it all to strengthen myself and my companions.
‘…I considered crafting various equipment with Blacksmithing, but there’s a limit to how much equipment you can use at once. Besides, with Regret breaking her weapons so often, if I started crafting them myself, she might actually start treating them as disposables.’
Regret meticulously maintained her weapons in her free time, yet she had little attachment to them.
They were merely tools for achieving optimal performance, and she wouldn’t hesitate to expend them if necessary to win.
It was a relief that her weapon consumption had decreased after I gave her the ‘Ancient Guardian’s Longsword,’ which had exceptional durability, and ‘Feldhaus’s Summoning Gloves,’ which could summon throwing spears as consumables.
‘Of course, the cost of maintaining those is still significant, but I’m not going to craft them myself and hand them over to her.’
I didn’t mind spending money, but I did mind spending my time and effort.
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Saturday evening, after all the auxiliary classes had ended, I asked Regret and Fiore,
“For combat, it’s obvious that Regret will choose ‘Red Light’ and Fiore ‘White Light,’ but what about your auxiliary subjects?”
Regret answered without hesitation,
“Hunting.”
Fiore, who also seemed to have made up her mind, replied,
“I’m planning to learn Tactics, Oppa.”
I thought,
‘Regret’s choice is perfect.’
Hunting skills were always useful, and knowledge of concealing one’s presence, approaching enemies, and the ecology of magical beasts and monsters would be invaluable.
However, Fiore’s choice of Tactics was unexpected.
“I thought you’d choose Medicine.”
“I considered it, but I changed my mind after you said you were taking Alchemy, Oppa.”
“Why?”
I knew what she meant, but I pretended not to and asked again.
Fiore smiled brightly and replied,
“It’s more efficient to focus on a different area if someone else can cover your weaknesses.”
In other words, since I would be supporting with potions, there was no need for her to specialize in healing.
And that meant she had already figured out my future strategy just from knowing that I was taking Alchemy.
‘I knew she was smart, but this is even more than I expected.’
I had initially intended to recommend Medicine to Fiore, but I changed my mind.
As Fiore had said, even if the efficiency of her healing magic was slightly lower, I could compensate with potions.
And having a brilliant tactician on our side would make a huge difference.
Moreover, the roles of healer and commander, requiring awareness of the entire party’s condition and providing timely support, were highly compatible.
After our discussion about subjects, the conversation shifted to everyday life.
Fiore spoke up,
“By the way, have you two decided what you’ll do on Sunday?”
Regret shrugged.
“You should ask him.”
“Why?”
“Because I have to stick around you anyway.”
“No, you don’t have to be my bodyguard even at school. Is there really someone who would openly attack another student—”
“Even if it’s not a direct attack, don’t you think someone might try something if they get the chance?”
“…”
Regret gestured with her chin, as if telling me to look around.
I saw a group of five students whispering among themselves as they passed by, glancing at us.
I realized,
‘I can’t just focus on strengthening myself.’
The Midas family’s reputation was bad.
But strictly speaking, only the students from the Sphero Kingdom held a grudge against the Midas family.
Even then, the students from families close to the new royal family, while not exactly hostile, weren’t friendly.
The students from other countries were even less concerned.
Bern Midas’s ruthless money-making schemes were still confined within the Sphero Kingdom, and naturally, students from other countries hadn’t been affected.
Moreover, the students from the Sphero Kingdom accounted for less than a sixth of the total student population.
Excluding the students aligned with the new royal family, there were, at most, twenty people who held a grudge against the Midas family.
So, I had thought that as long as I focused on improving my strength and building relationships with the students who didn’t have a negative impression of me, there wouldn’t be any problems…
‘But if they’re already openly gossiping less than a week in, it’s only going to get worse.’
The speed at which my bad reputation was spreading suggested that someone was deliberately fueling it.
However, I couldn’t just confront the suspects or defend myself, because the Midas family’s misdeeds were undeniable.
Even if it was in a merchant’s nature to pursue profit, the Midas family’s methods of ruthlessly exploiting anyone they could were easy targets for criticism.
‘Honestly, there are plenty of noble families who have been doing worse for centuries, but what I do is romance, and what others do is adultery, right?’
So, what should I do?
The answer was obvious.
‘I’ll scrap the plan of selectively investing in promising individuals. I need to build up my numbers first.’
“How about we all go shopping on Sunday? Let’s invite Lotto and the others we worked with during the entrance exam. Regret, Fiore, you should invite anyone you know too.”
“Wow, that sounds fun! I’ll invite some of the kids from the temple.”
“…What are you planning?”
I grinned at Regret, who narrowed her eyes suspiciously, while Fiore clapped her hands in delight.
“We need to bond with our future friends, don’t we?”
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And so, the following people gathered at the shopping district the next day:
“P-Pleased to meet you!”
Lotto, the boy from the rural village I met during the forest exam.
“I came because you asked, but what kind of gathering is this?”
“…”
Pino, the spirited green-haired girl, and Lavaul, the gray-haired young man always engrossed in a book, both of whom I met during the Tri-color Ring exam.
“Hey, Regret. Didn’t you call me for that rematch? What’s with this sudden shopping trip…?”
Crow Vein, the disgruntled, frivolous-looking dual swordsman.
“Haha, Fiore said it would be fun, and seeing everyone here, I think she was right.”
Akasha, the female paladin from the temple, carrying a greatsword larger than herself.
Including myself, Regret, and Fiore, there were eight students in total.
Stepping forward, I addressed them.
“There are some familiar faces and some new ones, but let’s save the formal introductions for later.”
Gesturing towards the brightly lit shopping district, newly built for the Academy and seemingly awaiting new customers, I continued,
“Let’s have some fun. It’s on me.”
I loved being a vulgar nouveau riche.
Because I could shamelessly flaunt my wealth in ways others couldn’t.
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