I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains Chapter 87

'... Are there really this many people?'

Ottbo was startled by the crowd, even more than he had expected.

He knew that the Magic Department and the Alchemy Department were the most popular at the festival.

After all, he'd experienced that popularity himself on the first and second days.

But from the third day, when outsiders started coming in, he hadn't gone.

For good reason: on the night before the festival, Ottbo had barely slept searching for the magic stone bomb, and on the first day he'd also lost sleep defusing it.

Then, on the second day, there was the direct confrontation with Miros.

Afterward, he still hadn't gotten a proper rest because of having to deal with the fallout and interrogations.

In the end, on the third day, he attended roll call while half-asleep, voted for the class representative, and spent the rest of the day resting in the dormitory.

So, after outsiders began entering, he didn't get to see how the festival had changed.

But to think it would become this crowded.

The Magic Department's exhibition, the highlight of the Founding Festival.

There were literally countless outsiders who came in just to see it.

'If I were Luca, I'd want to turn back too.'

Given how Luca usually acted, he must absolutely hate being in such a crowded place.

As expected, Luca's face was noticeably stiff.

'To be honest, I kind of want to go back too.'

He'd been looking forward to the festival, but after everything that had happened over the past few days, he was mentally worn out.

Even so, since this was his first festival, he forced himself to come out—but just looking at the crowd made his resolve waiver.

'Maybe it'd be better to just chat in Luca's hospital room?'

As Ottbo was thinking that, someone approached Luca and spoke up.

"Um, excuse me! You're Luca Traverse, right?"

"That's correct."

"Um... then... could we get your autograph and a picture, please?"

Amidst the noisy crowd, the girls' voices rang out clear.

Ottbo couldn't help but be impressed.

'Truly the most handsome among the Top Ten chosen by Monthly Party People...!'

Even in such a crowd, Luca's looks made him stand out instantly.

And the girls' boldness in immediately pulling out their camera after seeing Luca.

Everything about it was impressive.

'There are even rumors that a Luca fan club is forming in secret.'

There were rumors that even the girls Luca had defeated in duels found him more attractive and started a fan club for him.

There was even talk that a magazine just for Luca would come out someday.

He was quite literally a boy loved by all.

'I do feel a bit envious.'

Ottbo couldn't help but envy Luca, who seemed to have everything.

As Ottbo dwelled on these sad thoughts, Luca spoke.

"No."

"... What?"

The girls were taken aback by his short, resolute answer.

Luca frowned and turned away.

"I'm hanging out with my friend; don't bother us and just go."

"Wa, wait! We came all this way just to see Luca Traverse...."

"Let's go, Ottbo."

With that, Luca tapped Ottbo on the shoulder and walked straight ahead.

Ottbo, looking startled, hurried to follow him.

"A-are you sure about that, Luca?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... those girls said they came to see you... If you brush them off, won't rumors spread...?"

At that, Luca gave a faint smile.

"Could worse rumors really spread here?"

"Well...."

"Besides, 'coming to see me' is obviously nonsense. Unless they're crazy, how would they know when I'd show up and wait around here? If anywhere, they should be by the Swordsmanship Department."

If you wanted to see Luca, who was in the Swordsmanship Department, that's where you'd have to be.

"They were probably just wandering around in the crowd and, upon spotting me, decided to approach. Don't get fooled by girls like that, Ottbo."

"... Alright. Luca."

Ottbo's eyes shone with admiration.

'As expected of Luca. He's so cool-headed, even in situations like this! I need to be more composed too!'

Ottbo's devotion only grew stronger as Luca looked around.

"Where did those two go?"

"As expected, you're quite the lady-killer, Luca Traverse."

Milia and Isella, who had vanished at some point, reappeared from the crowd and immediately teased him.

Luca pouted in response.

"Why did you suddenly disappear?"

"If those girls saw us hanging out with you, it'd be troublesome. It's better to split up right away."

"Tch. Lead the way to the Arcane Science Department. I want to get out of this wretched place as soon as possible."

At his words, Milia took the lead as if familiar with the way.

"Follow me."

After pushing through the crowd, they finally arrived at the Arcane Science Department.

It was certainly located farther out than the Magic Department, and there were fewer people as a result.

"There are still quite a few, but... this is much better."

Luca finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Milia looked around.

"So, want to look around a bit? Luca, anything you want to see?"

"I don't even know what's here."

"I figured. Then let's start with the circles I've gotten friendly with?"

"Is this also part of your promotional activities?"

"Hehe, of course not."

He wondered if she was trying to use Luca's popularity for the benefit of the circles she'd gotten close to, but once they got there, it was more interesting than he'd expected.

"This is a food dehydrator you can conveniently use at home. It's perfect for getting rid of small amounts of food waste."

"Oh?"

"This is a dust collector. Much more effective at cleaning up dust than a broom!"

"Hm...."

"This is a magic-power heater that generates heat without fire! You can cook safely with it!"

There were many appliances that looked familiar.

People living in the capital or large cities seemed to have a civilization level similar to the modern world; now he could see why.

"There are actually a lot of handy products for commoners."

"Unlike the Magic Department, the Arcane Science Department is more business-oriented. They get less support, so they have to make more money."

"So they're targeting the market with the largest stake. These are inventions driven by demand."

Unlike the Magic Department, where money came in just by breathing, the Arcane Science Department didn't get much support unless it was for military supplies.

Obviously, this meant more people pursued military research, leading to fierce competition.

Consequently, some people gave up and turned to other fields.

If it wasn't for military goods, the other place to get money was from the merchant guilds.

Naturally, those distributing goods were keen on the scent of money.

And what the guilds chose was not to squeeze money from a few nobles, but rather from the pockets of many commoner households.

"Ooh~ Luca. You suddenly look pretty smart for someone in the Swordsmanship Department."

As Milia marveled at him, Luca snorted and looked around.

Seeing these products felt like experiencing modern civilization anew.

"By the way, what's the difference between these and alchemy? They seem similar."

As expected, it was Ottbo who answered.

"First off, the magic power formula is totally different. Magic formulas and alchemy formulas activate on entirely different principles."

"And what's the difference between magic and arcane science?"

"Magic usually involves magic circles, whereas arcane science typically relies on magic power circuits. The circuits are different from the ones inside our bodies."

Of course, Luca did not understand any of it.

'Aren't they all the same? They use magic power anyway.'

Whether he understood or not, Ottbo kept enthusiastically explaining.

"And magic tends to be characteristic at the family level. There's family-exclusive 'secret magic' they don't teach outsiders—like, in our family, our signature is drive magic."

"Huh? Isn't that Master Ottbo?"

"And... Eh?"

Then someone called out to Ottbo.

Ottbo, who had been animatedly explaining, stiffened at the sound of his name.

"It's been a while! Master Ottbo!"

"You're... Mr. He-Hejoldo?"

A skinny-looking man approached, wearing a friendly smile.

Ottbo greeted him with a face that was half delighted, half bewildered. Luca quietly whispered to him.

"... Who is that?"

"That's Hejoldo Madaka, the owner of the Hejoldo Trading Company that specializes in military goods. Our family does a lot of business with him."

The Gress family, originators of drive magic.

Since drive magic was used in armored soldiers, magic stone bombs, and other military supplies, the families were closely connected.

"Haha, I wouldn't call us a great guild. By the way, who is this splendid young man...?"

Hejoldo asked carefully, glancing at Luca.

Luca clicked his tongue, and Ottbo answered with an awkward expression.

"That's my friend, Luca Traverse, the second son of House Traverse."

"What? The famous Luca Traverse?!"

Hejoldo looked stunned.

He scrutinized Luca from head to toe, then said,

"Wow... As the rumors say, you really are stunningly handsome."

"Hejoldo, that's impolite."

"Eh? Ah, I-I'm so sorry! That was very rude of me..."

As Ottbo tried to handle his embarrassment, Hejoldo suddenly realized what he'd done—Luca was a man and from a swordsman family.

If a mere baron, whose rank could be bought with money, offended a count's second son, it could jeopardize future business.

Luca clicked his tongue and turned his head away.

"I'll let it go once since he's your acquaintance, Ottbo. There won't be a second."

"Luca...!"

"Th-thank you!"

Hejoldo bowed hurriedly again, then stole another glance at them before carefully pulling out his wallet.

"Please accept this as a token of apology."

"H-Hejoldo, you don't have to!"

"No, I must. For a merchant, a slip of the tongue is fatal. Unless I offer the minimum apology, I wouldn't dare face the Gress family in the future!"

Saying so, Hejoldo pulled out a card from his wallet, pressed it into Ottbo's hand, bowed deeply again, and hurried away.

Luca glanced at the card.

"What's that?"

"Oh, it's a continental universal cash exchange card. Judging by the color, there's at least 1,000 gold on it."

"Wow, that's generous."

According to the setting materials, 1 gold was about 1 dollar.

Assuming an exchange rate from ten years ago, 1 dollar was about 1,000 won, so 1,000 gold was one million won.

To toss out a million won as an apology was impressive.

"Hm... Maybe his father told him to give me some allowance?"

Ottbo scratched his cheek, looking awkward.

Luca asked, puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, this time Father was invited to the Magic Tower, so he said he couldn't come to the festival. I think he asked Hejoldo to deliver some allowance instead."

"... He had that man deliver your allowance?"

Luca looked doubtful at the explanation.

"Probably. It'd be awkward to hand it over in person. He's always given me allowance like this."

Ottbo shrugged, roughly stuffing the card into his pocket.

"Hm~ Ottbo, you're surprisingly useful, aren't you?"

Milia, who had been watching the situation, looked at Ottbo with interest.

Ottbo just made a wry smile.

"No, I'm not."

"...."

None of the others knew the details, but his emphatic answer made them drop the subject.

"... Is there anything else interesting to see?"

"Uh, yeah. Let's go over there."

"Miss, there are a lot of people. Please be careful."

Luca changed the topic and Milia quickly played along.

Ottbo, with a somewhat gloomy face, followed after Milia.

"... Tch."

Watching his back, Luca clicked his tongue and walked up next to him.

"Ottbo."

"Hm?"

"What will you do for the month when the academy closes?"

At Luca's question, Ottbo looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Uh... I have to think about going back to the estate. Livic still isn't fixed."

"Then will you stay at the academy?"

"Probably? Why do you ask?"

In response to Ottbo's question, Luca spoke flatly.

"You might die, but how about going on a journey with me?"

"... Huh?"

The premise was a bit odd.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

That's a nice way to invite your friend to go somewhere...

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】