I Became the Academy Chapter 108

Chapter 108

“What kind of problem occurred?”

After finishing all my classes,

I imdiately headed to Daigon Village to et Regnil.

“My sword hasn’t been damaged, has it?”

“It’s nothing like that. Sir Gideon’s sword is, as you can see, perfectly fine.”

Just as Regnil said, the Mistcatcher in the forge looked almost the sa as when I last saw it.

“I was in such a rush that I didn’t explain properly, but there’s no problem with the sword itself. To be exact, there’s a problem with enhancing it.”

“What kind of problem?”

“It seems impossible to obtain the materials required for the enhancent.”

With a sigh, Regnil explained the situation.

“Do you rember which materials were needed to awaken the power sealed within the weapon?”

“The Thunderbird’s feather, the Wyvern’s tendon, and the Omukade’s shell. Those three, right?”

“Correct. I ordered the Thunderbird’s feather and the Wyvern’s tendon through a contact, but the problem is…”

“The Omukade’s shell. So you couldn’t get that one after all.”

“Yes. At least within the Arium Empire, there was no way to obtain it.”

I nodded at Regnil’s words.

Honestly, this was sowhat expected.

Just as he said, the Omukade’s shell couldn’t be found anywhere within the Empire.

Even in the ga, it couldn’t be acquired inside the borders, so my character had to personally travel beyond the Empire to get it.

‘I was hoping Regnil’s contact might sohow manage to find one, but… as expected, no luck.’

The Omukade was a powerful monster native to the far eastern edge of the continent.

And anything that ca from its corpse was considered an extrely valuable resource.

Because of that, the eastern nations strictly prohibited any export of materials related to the Omukade.

“According to my contact, the only way is to go beyond the Empire and acquire it directly. But even then, the issue is…”

“There would be trouble when reentering the Empire. The eastern nations would prevent anyone from carrying the Omukade’s shell out.”

“Exactly. My contact said the sa thing.”

In short, there was no normal way to acquire the monster’s shell within the Empire.

Well, normally speaking.

There was a way, though not exactly a legal one.

“I understand. And… if I were to sohow get that shell, would you then be able to awaken the sword’s power?”

“Of course. However, as I said, there’s no legal way to obtain the Omukade’s shell within the Empire…”

“Mr. Regnil.”

“Yes?”

“If I manage to bring back the Omukade’s shell within a few days… can you promise to keep that fact an absolute secret for the rest of your life?”

Regnil looked a bit startled.

“What do you an by that?”

“Exactly what I said. So… can you promise ?”

Feigning seriousness, I asked him directly.

He stayed silent for a mont before eventually nodding.

“…I promise.”

“Good. In that case, consider this a small fee for your silence.”

After pressing two gold coins into Regnil’s hand, I picked up the Mistcatcher resting in the forge.

“The Thunderbird’s feather and the Wyvern’s tendon — you said those two have already been ordered?”

“Yes, they should arrive at my forge within this week.”

“Then I’ll try to get the shell before then.”

“…Sir Gideon. But… how exactly do you plan to get that monster’s shell…?”

“I can’t say for certain. But really, isn’t it obvious?”

I gave Regnil a faint smile.

“When the legal way doesn’t work… there’s only one option left, isn’t there?”

After parting with Regnil, I went straight to the Academy Library.

If she was still the sa as ever, she would definitely be there around this ti.

“It hasn’t been long since exams ended, and you’re already studying hard.”

“…People like us commoners have to be desperate.”

A short girl with black bobbed hair looked up at

as she closed her book.

“With that desperate effort, I barely managed to enter the Academy. And if I want to succeed here, I have to work even harder.”

“You’re similar to

then. I’m quite desperate myself — to save my family.”

“…Honestly, you don’t look like soone who knows desperation.”

“No, I am desperate. If I weren’t, I wouldn’t have risked approaching you, Miss Serma.”

I smiled faintly as I looked at Serma.

“It’s been a while since we last spoke. Not since the start of the sester, right?”

“Yes, this is the first ti since then.”

“So, how have you been?”

“As you can see, quietly and diligently.”

“That’s good to hear. Then, if you don’t mind

asking… may I inquire about your father’s health?”

At my words, Serma glared sharply at , but I simply smiled back.

“…Do we really need to talk about that here in the library?”

“No, not necessarily. And Miss Serma, please don’t try to draw your dagger.”

I pointed to the hand moving under her skirt.

“I’d rather avoid being threatened in the library.”

“…Haah. Then shall we move? I’d rather not disturb the other commoners studying here.”

“Let’s head to a quiet corner of the hallway. We can talk there in peace.”

“Was the item I asked for delivered safely to your father?”

“It was. And just as you said before, he showed great interest.”

“Ah, really? Then why didn’t you inform

sooner?”

“My father received the item three days ago.”

Serma calmly explained the situation.

“As soon as he examined it, he showed strong interest in you, Sir Gideon.”

“In a good way, I hope?”

“Yes, in a good way. Originally, I was going to inform you right away, but my father told

to wait a bit.”

“Oh? Why?”

“He said he wanted to send a gift to you personally.”

A gift, huh.

Well, considering that man’s personality, that made sense.

“Since he received a fine elixir from you, he said it was only right to return the favor. He’ll send the gift through

by next week, and along with it, I’m to deliver his contact information to you.”

“I see. I appreciate his gesture, but I’d like to contact him directly — as soon as possible.”

“Contact your father… right now?”

At my words, Serma wore a troubled expression.

“He’s planning to reach out to you soon anyway. Can’t you wait until then?”

“If I’m going to et him eventually, I’d rather get it over with sooner.”

There was no real urgency.

I just wanted to end this eting with that man as quickly as possible.

‘eting the king of the black market… is sothing that could very well cost

my life.’

Rather than waiting nervously for his call, I wanted to deal with it right away.

“My father isn’t soone you can easily contact…”

“Just try reaching him through the crystal sphere. If it works, great. If not, then oh well.”

“I don’t see why I should…”

“Take it.”

I tossed a gold coin to Serma.

She fell silent for a mont, then took a crystal sphere out of her pocket.

“I’ll try to contact him. Please wait a mont.”

“Take your ti.”

As expected from a rchant’s daughter, she really loved money.

Keeping a fair distance from , Serma used the crystal sphere to contact soone.

After exchanging a few words with the person on the other end, she approached again and handed

the sphere.

“Here. Take it.”

“Serma’s father… Mr. Clergy, I presu?”

“That’s right. So, have a proper talk.”

Saying that, Serma stepped away again,

as if to show she had no intention of eavesdropping on my conversation with Clergy.

I exhaled softly and spoke toward the sphere.

“Mr. Clergy, it’s a pleasure to et you.”

— Not at all, Baron Kyrgram. The pleasure is mine.

A polite voice ca from the crystal sphere.

Polite, yes — but I knew better than anyone how dangerous the man behind that voice was.

“Hm, Baron Kyrgram, you say…”

— …Did I perhaps say sothing wrong?

“No, not at all. It’s just… that title feels awkward to . Could you just call

Gideon?”

— Of course, Gideon. I just heard from my daughter that you wanted to contact

directly.

“That’s right. But before that — how did you like the gift I sent you?”

A hearty laugh echoed through the sphere.

— Hahaha! Yes, I was quite pleased. I haven’t seen such a flawless elixir in the last ten years.

“I can continue to provide elixirs of that quality.”

As I spoke to Clergy, I quickly sorted my thoughts — recalling his personality from the ga and preparing my next words.

“Mr. Clergy, I’ll be direct. I know about Tazera, your organization. And I want to make a deal with it.”

The sphere went silent for a mont.

— …A deal is always possible. As long as the proper price is paid, our Tazera works with anyone. Normally, such matters are handled by our officers or underlings… but in your case, I think I should handle it personally.

His tone was still polite, but sharper now.

— After all, Gideon, you already know who I am, don’t you?

“You’re the leader of Tazera.”

— Very few people know that. Even within Tazera, most are unaware. I’m quite curious how you found out.

“There are ways to know. Judging by your reaction, I’ve caught your interest, haven’t I?”

Just contacting Clergy was dangerous enough — but considering the help I needed from him, this was a risk I had to take.

The risk was high, but the benefits from dealing with him were far greater.

“Anyway, to get to the point — I’d like to et you in person for the transaction. Would that be possible?”

— …Think carefully, Gideon.

His tone now carried a clear threat.

— I appreciate the perfect elixir you sent . As thanks, I’ve prepared quite a generous gift in return. Once you receive it, I suggest you lose interest in

— and I’ll do the sa for you.

“As I said, I want to do business with you, Mr. Clergy.”

— Haa… I’ll say it one last ti. Think carefully. A baron — especially one from a fallen noble family, according to my research — can be erased from existence with a single command from . Are you truly willing to risk that just to make a deal?

“Yes.”

Backing down here wasn’t an option.

Even in the “Underworld King” route, when confronting Clergy, confidence was essential.

“I have an item I need urgently, and I intend to continue trading with you in the future.”

— Hmm… It seems this isn’t a conversation fit for a crystal sphere.

His voice softened, the sharp edge fading away.

— This Saturday evening — are you free?

“I have no plans for now.”

— There’s an excellent restaurant in the capital. Let’s et there. My daughter will guide you to the place.