A little later, some distance from the old school building.
“I never thought the Golden Carriage would be used this way.”
“Relationships can happen anywhere, wouldn’t you say, Student Phoenix?”
I chuckled at the enthusiasm of Dean Ederson, who had brought a Golden Carriage—more accurately, a mobile carriage—close to the old school building.
“So, you’re really doing it here… bold choice.”
“It’s a mobile caravan. Though that’s not its original purpose, it can certainly serve that function.”
It’s similar to what people often call a camper.
Though it doesn’t reveal a magically expanded space when you enter, it has a bed large enough for two people, which is quite satisfying in itself.
“Do you need one?”
“It could be useful to bring along for practical classes.”
It would be expensive, but it’s worth the mana cost. If I modify the interior or commission a larger carriage—almost like a trailer truck—it would make staying in camp far less challenging.
‘Perhaps I’ll make contact soon.’
I relayed the discussion about remote classes to Esta.
‘By supporting Yurha indirectly through remote lessons, I might be able to use that as an excuse to gain a carriage in return.’
Esta likely passed on the procedures for remote classes.
Yurha would then quickly draft the budget for the equipment needed, such as magic pad to be installed in the students’ dormitories and the magic lines connecting them to the lecture hall.
Even if it’s a temporary facility, who knows what might happen later?
Even though it’s temporary, who knows what might happen later? Since there may come a day when remote lectures are unavoidable again, Yurha would likely seize this opportunity to bid for the installation work, profiting significantly.
Of course, Yurha’s rivals and other directors or the chairman of Silverstar would also be interested in this.
Winning wouldn’t be easy, but I believe Yurha will prevail.
‘It’s not like I let the scent of money drift for no reason.’
That Phoenix suggested something would lead Yurha to invest quite a sum.
And after winning the bid, she would come to realize.
The large quantity of magic stones required for the magic cables could be obtained much cheaper than initially thought.
“You.”
As I examined the carriage, engrossed.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
Boo-woong!
Ederson, the Mercenary King Lionheart, lightly stomped the ground, casting a barrier.
“Let’s talk man to man, not as an instructor and student.”
“Go ahead.”
“You, you’re not something dangerous, are you?”
“…”
The Mercenary King crossed his arms, staring at me. His green eyes glowed, clearly channeling mana to scan the mana within me.
“If you’re a being the Academy must ‘reject’, I’ll do so here and now, for the future of the students, the instructors, and the world.”
“Well, a dangerous being…”
What constitutes a dangerous being in this Academy, or rather, this world?
“Don’t try to dodge. Are you—”
“Do I look like an angel to you?”
An angel, indeed.
“….”
“Does it seem like I’m inhabited by an angel, that I follow one, or that I’m sent to this land by one?”
“Not an angel, but something similar?”
“Perhaps.”
I don’t deny it.
Nor do I disclose everything.
“I don’t particularly like that roundabout way of talking.”
“I can’t lie to the Mercenary King, but I also have my reasons for not revealing the full truth.”
“When do you plan on telling?”
“At least before I graduate.”
By then, I won’t be able to avoid saying it.
Before graduation, I will somehow bring down the Goddess and restore faith on this land to its rightful state.
“Rest assured. Though I can’t reveal the ultimate goal, both I and those who support me aim in a direction that I can share with you.”
I handed the gift box I had prepared to Dean Ederson.
“Things like Mana Skin or Kegel techniques, or the self-esteem boost for underappreciated male students. Those are the goals.”
“Abstract.”
“To put it simply, I aim to create a world with fewer negative emotions, so as many people as possible can live happily.”
“That’s not simple at all.”
“I told you, I can’t disclose the full truth.”
The truth.
“There is a serious distortion in this world.”
The Goddess is a TS yuri fanatic.
“This distortion will bring about the Apocalypse, and humanity will fall into decline.”
She aims to destroy humanity on Earth and transform all beings into angel girls.
“Yes, I am here to change that future. Right here, right now.”
I am the Demon King (proxy), risen from Hell to prevent this.
“I’ve taken action of my own will.”
“…”
“It’s only natural for you to be suspicious. You’ve probably investigated me for at least a week, if not longer. But instead of any background or clues coming to light, my actions just seem suspicious and hard to understand…”
I opened the lid of the gift box.
“Creating something completely outside established theories, something vastly superior to existing magic engineering, but in a way that seems specialized for… unconventional uses… must be making your head spin.”
“You know well.”
Mercenary King Ederson picked up the item inside the box.
“How did you know I prefer briefs over boxers?”
It wasn’t boxers; it was a triangular piece, something similar to what a swimmer or an underwear model might wear.
“Most of the Under Armor Miss Ludmila ordered for the Golden Carriage this time were briefs.”
“Isn’t this different?”
“To be honest, I thought it would suit you.”
In subcultures, it’s customary for muscular middle-aged men to wear briefs.
“Anyway, if you trust me, try it on. But if you’re going to wear it…”
I tapped my chest with my thumb.
“You’ll need to trust me completely.”
“…”
“If you want me to stake something, very well.”
I pointed my thumb down.
“I stake this.”
“I’ll trust you. Your words feel genuine.”
A man staking his pride.
There’s no stronger sign of faith than that.
“Phew. Then now… it’s just a matter of checking if this holds up against Mana Drain.”
“Oh, about that…”
I lowered my voice.
“There’s no need to be so cautious with the barrier here.”
“It’s that serious an issue? Something not shared with even Instructor Esta or my classmates?”
“What?”
Ederson’s eyes widened as he clutched the anti-Mana-Drain enchanted under-armor and the [Kegel Technique].
“Not even them?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“They’re women.”
I alternated pointing between Ederson and myself.
“We’re men, aren’t we?”
“… Are you saying you can confide in me?”
“To be frank, whether you’re the Mercenary King or the Dean, it’s not that I entirely trust you.”
I pointed outside with my finger.
“I trust Miss Ludmila because of her grandfather, who nurtured her into [Cutting Wind] and invited her here.”
“…”
“If I’m staking my pride, I use women to assess my trust in others. Regarding Ederson Lionheart, if Miss Ludmila Lionheart trusts him, there’s no reason for me not to.”
“Haha…”
Mercenary King Ederson let out a hollow laugh.
“You really leave me at a loss for words. I understand. Even if I’m drained by Mana Drain, if ‘she’ is there, she’ll continue my legacy….”
He wiggled his pinky finger, gesturing downward.
“Even if my mana is stolen and I’m no longer S-rank, I won’t blame you.”
“That’s exactly it, Mercenary King. Contrary to popular concern, there’s no need to worry. Even if it’s stolen, you can simply take it back.”
“What?”
“Shh.”
I held my finger to my lips and gestured outside.
“This is a ‘secret technique’ that I’m sharing solely with you, Instructor Ederson. While anyone could conceive of it, they’re unaware of the method, so they end up only losing.”
“What…”
“If word of this spread recklessly, the current chaos would double—no, triple. Are you prepared for that?”
“… Is it truly so critical? Compared to non-attribute mana, what’s the impact?”
“Non-attribute mana is nothing compared to this.”
“…”
“So, would you like to know how to counter the side effects you’re worried about?”
“That’s it.”
Dean Ederson gripped the Mana Skin tightly, his eyes fixed on me.
“If this is a way for those harmed by Mana Drain to recover their confidence and regain what they lost…”
“…”
“We’ve had a victim recently. That student isn’t suffering because they’re ashamed of being mana-drained; they’re tormented by the thought of not being able to meet their family’s expectations because their mana has diminished.”
Mana, in a way, is like one’s “annual salary”.
Losing mana before graduation is like being bound to a job with a maximum salary of 2,000 for life.
Forever.
“Can they be saved?”
“Of course. In fact, I’ve already explained the principle.”
“Already?”
“Yes.”
It’s simple logic.
“As I said, if something’s taken, you can just take it back.”
“Let me ask. What kind of beings are dream demons?”
“You mean succubi?”
“Yes.”
Since it was a pretty girl harem game, it was an element that made gamers hesitate for a moment when approaching it.
“What’s the gender of succubi?”
“There’s no choice but female, is there?”
“What would you call a male succubus?”
“A male succubus…? Do they even exist?”
“Precisely.”
In this world, there are no incubi.
“No way….”
“Yes. A change of perspective, no, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”
To put it bluntly.
“The most effective way to counter Mana Drain is to engage in Mana Drain on our end as well.”
If they absorb mana from us, we simply absorb energy back in balance.
“In fact, this is true ‘growth’ in the genuine sense.”
This “exchange” increases humanity’s mana.
“Let me ask you again.”
The Goddess eradicated this knowledge from humanity.
“Will you trust me completely?”
“What exactly…”
“It’s simple.”
I tapped my chest lightly.
“When a man and a woman genuinely love each other, humanity truly flourishes. All progress begins with love for someone of the opposite gender.”
Through love for the opposite gender, humanity can continue to evolve and thrive.
“I am an apostle of love, here to spread love across this land.”
People of the world—embrace Kyun-Kyun.
