Chapter 78 For Growth [1]

Chapter 78 For Growth [1]

Tak. Tak. Tak—!

'...Is this enough? Or should I add more?' nove(l)bi(n.)com

It was a situation that left me stumped as I added more and more chocolate bars to the counter. It was slowly starting to pile up into a small mountain.

"C-cadet."

My actions seemed to have startled the cashier who looked at me with a flustered look.

I ignored it and placed another chocolate bar on the counter.

Tak.

This was an investment.

An investment for the future. Putting another chocolate bar on the counter, I met Kiera's gaze. Judging from her widened eyes, she too appeared to be at a loss for what I was doing.

I didn't feel like explaining everything, so I just said a few words.

"Bribe. I'm getting bribes."

It wasn't exactly a lie.

These were indeed bribes. Or perhaps a means to build up favor?

'Well, whatever... It's not like they're expensive anyways.'

It was about 0.5 Rend per bar. Doable.

"....Tsk. Whatever, I'm leaving."

"Hm?"

I turned around to see Kiera turn around and leave. Wasn't she going to buy something...?

'Is it because she doesn't want to wait for me to buy everything?'

That did make sense, but...

"Whatever."

Tak.

Not my problem.

I placed another chocolate bar on the counter. The pile became bigger. But is it enough...? It was an interesting question. I closely examined the pile before me and shook my head.

'Not enough.'

I was just about to place another one when the cashier stopped me.

"Cadet, that's enough."

He appeared quite flustered. Even more so than before.

I stopped then and looked up.

"Is there a problem?"

"Ah, yes..."

The cashier went on to explain.

"....If you end up purchasing so much, we won't have enough for the other cadets."

"So?"

How was that my problem?

"It's Academy policy. Like the cadet from before, if you buy too much, we might have to ban you from purchasing goods. Our store was established for the well-being of cadets, not profit."

"Hm? Ban?"

I thought back to the time when I had just arrived at the store. Kiera had indeed been arguing with the cashier over something.

I didn't expect it to be because of this.

"Yes, you will be banned. She's currently banned from buying any more cigarettes."

He tried to explain as politely as possible, but his voice came out rather strent. As if he was warning me.

I didn't put particular thought into his words.

My eyes wandered to the back where the cigarettes were.

'So she's banned from buying them...'

It would indeed do good for her to smoke less. Regardless of the world, it was bad for the body.

There would definitely be benefits to her restriction...

"If you're willing to stop here, it will be 102 Rend."

The cashier's voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I looked up to him. From his expression, it was clear that I couldn't buy any more bars.

I looked at the pile in front of me and decided that it was enough.

'Worst case, I'll buy more when the time comes.'

I rummaged through my pocket and took out my wallet. There, I took out a bill and a coin. Just as I was about to hand it over to the cashier, my hand stopped.

"Cadet?"

I pursed my lips and looked up slightly.

Thinking about it for a good while, I clenched my teeth slightly and sighed.

".....There's something else that I want to buy."

Only this time.

***

"Ugh..."

Sitting outside the store, Kiera groaned.

It was a shitty day.

Fiddling with her pockets, she touched the empty cigarette box.

"...I hate this fucking addiction."

Rather than smoking out of pleasure, she smoked out of necessity. For that reason, the thought of not being able to smoke was already starting to trigger her symptoms, and she had smoked just an hour ago.

".....I don't want to go."

Thinking about all the gazes she'd receive, and all the people that she'd have to entertain, Delilah's mood plummeted.

She'd much rather stay here and tend to the cadets.

Even that was less of a hassle than the Arcanum Gala.

To Tok—

All of a sudden, someone knocked on the door and Delilah tore her gaze away from the letter. She didn't need to see to tell who it was as her lips gently parted open to say,

"Come in."

"Excuse me."

A figure walked in.

Standing tall, and with impeccable features, it was none other than her little assistant.

Julien Dacre Evenus.

"....What's with the sudden occasion? I don't remember calling you here."

"No, it's not that."

Shaking his head, his steps stopped by the end of the desk. As his gaze bore down, Delilah met his gaze and frowned.

There was something odd about him today.

He reached into his pocket and slowly took something out.

Delilha's eyes widened slightly.

Tak.

"A chocolate bar...?"

Her eyes fluttered slightly. Then, recalling the conversation she had not too long ago, she understood and reached for it.

"You didn't have to."

"No."

He stopped her before her hand could reach the bar.

"Hm?"

"....This isn't for you."

Julien's cool voice made Delilah frown.

"Not for me? Then..."

"Not yet."

"....?"

Tak.

He placed another bar on the table and Delilah licked her lips. She looked up to him. Just before she could say something, he cut her off.

"I need help with something."

"Ah."

It was then that she understood.

Her nose wrinkled.

"....Are you trying to bribe me?"

His eyes shifted away slightly.

This guy...

"I'm not someone that can be br—"

Tak.

Delilah swallowed.

"It's not going to wo—"

Tak.

Just how many...

"...."

Tak.

"I-"

Tak.

Delilah swallowed.

There were a total of five bars before her. Five bars...

"Do you think I can't buy them for my-"

Tak.

Her lips pursed.

This guy...

Delilah shifted her gaze away from the bars and back to him. Her face remained plain, with little to no changes.

"What do you want?"

However, her voice betrayed her upheaval of emotions.

".....I'll listen first."

Only then did he smile. Delilah stared at his smile for a moment, her mind unable to process it. He looked... off? The smile. It didn't look very natural.

Why?

"Faster."

He flatly said.

".....I want a faster way to get stronger."