The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 18

“Um, so. What do you need me for?… gulp.”

Rebecca sipped her tea.

Is she thirsty? She gulped down the steaming hot tea like it was cold porridge.

“It’s Miss Anastasia who has business with you.”

“Anastasia… you say?”

Given the constraint of time, I jumped straight to the point without any preamble.

“…Yuto? On what basis do you say I’m Anastasia?”

“I know everything, so hiding it is useless.”

“Tch.”

I feel like she briefly showed her true colors.

But she quickly returned to her sheepish self.

What a brazen woman she is.

That’s why she’s suitable for a deal. I appreciate a merchant who speaks of inherent value without getting caught up in personal feelings.

Just look at how easily she can suppress her pride and lower her head. It’s much easier to use her than those pesky enemies. A hundred times, a thousand times more convenient.

“I’d like to sign an exclusive contract with Miss Anastasia.”

“Ex-exclusive what?”

“A contract. You like ‘superior-subordinate relationships,’ don’t you?”

Of course, I’m the superior. You’re the subordinate.

She’s a smart woman, so she should understand the situation.

“That’s ridiculous… I get what you’re after. So you want to exploit my reputation for your gain? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Exactly.”

Seeing her cheeky attitude, it seems she’s done her profit calculations.

But what a shame.

It’s called a deal, but it’s essentially a slave contract.

“Let’s discuss the terms of the deal.”

“Let’s see… huh? What’s this? Why is the profit distribution like this? 100 to 0 means I’m just a slave, doesn’t it?!”

“Would you like to change it?”

“Of course?! Do you think Yuto’s deals are that easy?”

“Well, the one who underestimated the deal seems to be Miss Anastasia.”

“What?!”

I pointed at the item listed at the very bottom of the conditions.

+ As part of the contract, the ‘superior’ will not reveal the identity of the ‘subordinate.’

“You, you… swindler!”

What an honor! If she hears it from that slippery-tongued snake, it would be the ultimate compliment. To cut off the trivial conversation, I brought out the items I had prepared and laid them on the table.

「Broken Condition」

「Kimonos of the Dogetsu」

「Soul of the Swordsman」

「Gem of Descent」

This is a great opportunity to see the true nature of Anastasia. The items I brought back from the descent are of such a level that they cannot be easily assessed. Without proper identification, their true value cannot be discerned.

…Indeed.

Her Topaz-like eyes shine brightly. Choosing this woman was the right decision.

“You’re insane!… What is your true identity? Where did you even get all of these? Each one is monstrous!”

“Calm down.”

I looked around the Inquisition Office.

There’s likely some form of ‘soundproofing’ enchantment for privacy. But just in case, I activated ‘magical perception.’

‘Looks like there are no eavesdroppers.’

Better safe than sorry. I needed to be cautious when dealing with Anastasia.

There’s no interference either.

I hastily continued the transaction.

“I’d like to register ‘Gem of Descent’ as a sale. For the rest, I’d like you to introduce me to a technician who can handle them.”

“Hmm… it’ll be difficult to handle items of this caliber without legendary blacksmiths…”

“Money is no object.”

I had plenty of cash from the Ingrid family.

As long as the Gem of Descent sells, I wouldn’t have to worry about finances.

“Uh, excuse me. There are things in this world that money can’t buy. If you’re aware of my main profession, you should know that.”

“I do. That’s precisely why I require Miss Anastasia’s network.”

“Your cunning…”

So, hurry up and stamp your seal, you brat.

She’s still hesitating.

I get it; it’s hard to make a decision when your mind’s always calculating profit. But losing to instinct is worse than a pest. Even if I’ve become a recognized pest, I wouldn’t admit it.

“By the way… I have to survive somehow, right? How about 80-20?”

“In that case, I’ll revise the contract terms as well.”

“For example…?”

“I won’t disclose Miss Anastasia’s secrets unless I’m asked directly.”

“And what if the one asking is me?”

“Well, I’d have no choice but to tell.”

“……Let’s stick with 100 to 0.”

It’s about time for that.

It was pointless to negotiate.

It’s still not over. If it’s going to be this simple, there’s no need for me to come personally.

“And I have another request.”

“What now…?”

“Please accompany me.”

“Accompany?”

“I need you to go to the dungeon with me.”

“Huh?”

There’s an epic monster that only appears when certain conditions are fulfilled. It’s the kind that requires a priest to appear. But that dungeon is extremely dangerous, and taking just anyone could lead to death. Taking an innocent priest would be irresponsible. So it’s more reasonable to take a priest who’s sinned a lot.

“What kind of dungeon is it?”

“It’s called Pandora’s Labyrinth.”

Anastasia’s beautiful face tightened with deep furrows.

“P-Pandora’s Labyrinth…?”

“Yes. It’s a high-risk dungeon where nine out of ten die.”

“…Group suicide?”

“Not at all. There’s something crucial we need to obtain there.”

It’s something we can’t procure any other way, so we have to go fetch it ourselves. However, Anastasia didn’t seem to be listening at all. She was staring blankly into space, drooling.

“Well… Yuto seems to have some thought process. You appear to be wealthy, so you’re recruiting quite a few high-ranking mercenaries to join you, I suppose?”

“Nope. Just the two of us.”

“Huh?”

Stop saying “huh” over and over!

It’s just me and you—— I pointed my finger at her, and she nearly fainted with her mouth foaming. What an embarrassing scene she’s making.

Has she forgotten that I returned alive from the descent? Anyway, the schedule has been set.

Tomorrow, we’ll start our march.

Late at night. The moonlight sneaked through the window. The soft curtain illuminated one corner of the table. A priest who had just woken up sensed a presence and turned her gaze to the desk. She spotted a colleague busy with something.

“Umm… Rebecca, what are you doing? Can’t sleep?”

Scribble, scribble.

“Huh? Rebecca? What are you doing up so late?”

Scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble, scribble.

Unable to tolerate it, her colleague got out of bed and approached Rebecca. Rebecca was repeating the same motion like a broken marionette. Holding a pen, she was scrawling something on paper.

「I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live, I want to live」

It was a heartfelt letter of despair.

Daylight broke.

The fragrant scent of spring wafted into my nose, refreshing me. It was a day too beautiful to be stuck in a dungeon, but with the items enticing me, I decided to hurry.

Wait for me, pretty things.

“Hey? Is that you, Yuto?”

“Oh, Ellie.”

But is this girl seriously pretending to be blind? Even if I know, it’s best to be cautious outside.

Realizing my silence, Ellie tapped her blindfold.

“I can tell roughly by the reverberations.”

“That’s Spirit Perception, I see.”

“Exactly. Even though my eyes are fine, I wear this blindfold.”

It would probably be more frustrating.

If you can’t see at all, you’ll give up and adapt. But if you’re covering your perfectly fine eyes, it would be difficult.

“But… where are you headed so early? You have quite a load on you.”

“To the dungeon.”

“To the dungeon? For a lower-grade dungeon, that might be tough for a trainee, don’t you think?”

The questions just keep coming.

Why’s she being so friendly?

I was about to give a vague response but stopped midway.

In the distance, I noticed my companions approaching.

Anastasia was walking over like a zombie, her eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. Ellie couldn’t hide her bewilderment upon seeing her.

“Wait… are you Miss Rebecca from the Inquisition Office? What brings you here…?”

“Just, kill me. I’m ready.”

“Wha? Miss Rebecca…?”

What an idiot.

Looks like I’ll need some awakening essence before entering the dungeon.

“Ellie, I must take my leave now. I have a long way to go.”

“Wait? Are you telling me you’re going with Miss Rebecca?”

“Seems that way. Well then…”

“Hold on a moment!”

“Yes?”

Ellie grabbed the hem of my clothes.

She flushed a deep red as she started stammering.

“What is it, Ellie?”

“C-Could I join you?”

“No.”

“Huh? W-Why not?! I could be helpful!”

“Helpful or not.”

Seems like she’s forgotten.

I haven’t forgiven her.

She humiliated me and falsely accused me. Would I let that go easily? Just talking to her feels uncomfortable. Plus, I have my emotions to convey regarding her ‘weakness’ and ‘uselessness.’

“Right now, Miss Ellie wouldn’t be of any help at all.”

“Y-Yes?”

“I’ll be going now.”

I turned my back on Ellie Ingrid and set off with Anastasia.

[‘Ellie Ingrid’ is obsessed.]
.
.
[Intense ‘Confusion’ added.]
.
.
[Experience Points are ‘flooding’ in.]
[Experience Points are ‘flooding’ in.]

I don’t know what’s been added.

But she needs to suffer more confusion.

She needs to shed that foolishness and train herself.

‘By the way…’

How long is this ridiculousness going to last?

“Just, kill me… I’m ready… kill me… I’m ready… kill me… ready.”

I decided to keep the awakening essence handy, just in case. I can’t have this happen too soon. Anastasia has to roll around in the dungeon.