NOVEL NEXT Chapter 347
<347 - Overflowing Sense of Justice>
Having been defeated by Oknodie, the once-reliable Deadcat had given up on targeting first-year students.
He has returned.
Now, he has targeted Jaku, who is not even an upper-class student.
“You… are truly impressive. Even using Disguise Technique just to establish a slave contract.”
“Haha. I thought any student who didn’t attend Professor Pinkberry’s [Basics and Understanding of Disguise] lecture would surely fall for it. This is the victory of thorough prior research, first year.”
“It’s an empty-handed effort. I’m not as capable or useful as you think.”
Despite Jaku’s insistence to save other slaves, Velocasio simply scoffed.
“It’s useless. What I want is to investigate the first-year organization. In fact, a clever first-year like you who attracts less attention is exactly what I need.”
Jaku felt an ominous feeling creeping in.
Could this guy be trying to find out about the [Organization that Plays with Oknodie]?!
“You need to investigate the [Camela’s Organization].”
“…”
Fortunately, it wasn’t Oknodie’s organization.
If it had been, Velocasio would’ve hastened his own demise.
The organization that plays with Oknodie is also broadly a subsidiary of the Foundation.
It wouldn’t be a safe organization to dig into for an average second-year with no backing.
“They’re known to stay quiet among themselves. Did they cause some trouble?”
“Staying quiet is the problem. They’re taking my assets and expanding their influence; it’s quite irritating.”
“What assets did you have?”
“Slaves.”
“…That’s absurdly shameless.”
From Velocasio’s perspective, investigating Camela’s Organization was utterly justified.
“The secret to my growing power is contract scams. Normally, a first year wouldn’t be allowed to touch a second year, but under the pressure of Oknodie, Jezel, and Arcadia, my influence has weakened.”
His influence had greatly diminished due to the so-called unfair snowball effect, and the minor figures that the Dark Trading Company couldn’t absorb were being snagged by the unexpected forces of Camela, even employing the same methods of contract fraud.
It infuriated Velocasio that Camela had stolen the slaves that were rightfully his!
‘Setting aside the scummy slave owner seniors, this information is surely needed for Oknodie as well.’
Twice dealing with the power Velocasio had already defeated wouldn’t be a problem at all.
Having him slightly involved wouldn’t cause Oknodie much trouble.
But being controlled by others is not a pleasant situation.
“You could’ve had your second years do the investigation better. Did you really have to use me?”
“The second years are busy.”
“The first years are busy too.”
“We are busier than you think.”
A hint of anxiety appeared on Velocasio’s face.
“The second years have begun to fear ‘retention’. Unlike when we were first years and could take point loans to advance, the loan limit has been adjusted, so we can’t take loans anymore.”
“Then why not just not take loans?”
“Do you think the fools who think they can advance just by studying will accumulate points to pay for it? Even if they have points, they are in a rush to advance and borrow from the Student Council’s line of credit.”
In a few months, the same will come upon Jaku, and he paid attention.
“Already loaned second years must diligently study to earn credits and work tirelessly to complete requests or challenges to earn points, and advance on their own strength.”
“…What’s the problem with that? Isn’t that how any student should advance?”
“That obvious approach is impossible due to the harsh course difficulty and academic schedule.”
Jaku realized a rather unexpected fact.
“So even though they’re under tight schedules, you have enough leeway to use first years as information gatherers.”
“I was already well-versed in enchantments and also a believer in the God of Contracts. For other students, it may not be worth the trouble, but for me, it’s manageable to squeeze in.”
Whether it makes sense or not, if one is struggling to keep up with regular lectures and assignments, there’s no way they have the leisure to engage in contract scams. Honestly, as much as he didn’t want to admit it, Velocasio was a model student among second years, excelling in his studies!
From Jaku’s perspective, he didn’t consider himself to have that much spare energy left over either, making his stomach twist indignantly.
“Do you think I’d spend my precious time helping you after hearing that?”
“Ha. You will have to. According to the contract’s prohibitive clauses, if you refuse my request, you’ll have to pay points. Do you really want to squander 10,000 points?”
“…”
10,000 points.
For a point-rich person like Oknodie, it’d be pocket change, but for someone like him who saves on even a single meal, it’s an astronomical sum.
Yet, it’s not like he’d be rushing to the Student Council for help in a situation he clearly can’t repay.
The Student Council, too, would likely judge that 10,000 points given so easily would serve as an essential life lesson not to carelessly touch things that others might pick up.
Proper help might be hard to come by.
“I suppose I have no choice then. I’ll look into it right away.”
But Jaku wouldn’t just passively comply.
Unbeknownst to Velocasio, who was devoid of suspicion, he set the meeting place and time.
“Is every first year either a monster or a weirdo…?”
At the agreed meeting time.
Just 48 hours later, Velocasio met Jaku again, and his face paled.
*
Velocasio’s contract comes with several restrictions.
━━━
□ Velocasio’s Contract
3. Restrictions.
① Confidentiality: You must not disclose to others that you have entered into a contract. Violation will incur immediate penalties.
② Diligence Requirement: If you don’t spend at least one hour a day on research, it is deemed as lack of intent to repay, and you must pay penalties.
③ Fine Payment: The penalty is 10,000 points, and paying the penalty will nullify obligations under the contract.
④ Performance-Based: If the investigation yields no results after one week, you must immediately pay the penalty.
⑤ Mandatory Loan: If your points are insufficient, you must promptly obtain a credit loan from the Student Council to repay.
━━━
Confidentiality. Diligence Requirement. Fine Payment. Performance-Based. Mandatory Loan. Light but unignorable restrictions are linked together like a chain.
‘As expected, the restrictions are minimal. This must have been condoned by the Student Council.’
The Student Council is composed mainly of third and fourth years.
Though he had occasionally heard of their existence, he had a hunch they wouldn’t be reliable.
The size of a paper airplane, the clarity of the minuscule print would leave one squinting to read, and it made one think about how terribly complex and suffocating terms would have been if they had been written on a gigantic poster instead.
‘Whatever it is, it means there’s a
Nonetheless, the paper airplane contract isn’t that bad. Instead of asking the Student Council for help, Jaku decided to seek out the [Organization that Plays with Oknodie] first.
‘If I act differently than usual, someone might suspect and realize I’m under a contract.’
Jaku approached other scholarship students in the organization’s lounge to greet them.
“Nice to see you. How is everyone doing with your assignments?”
The scholarship students looked at each other in disbelief, shocked.
“That rude Jaku said hello?”
“Did he hit his head or something?”
“…”
The unexpected friendliness was a good move, but the scholarship students felt an indescribable unease and quickly left the lounge.
“Tsk. Sharp-eyed fellows.”
If it’s not someone with whom he has some level of rapport, then there’s no willingness to help.
Jaku sought out the training room where several members were sweating and training.
“Your skills have really improved. At my level, I wouldn’t be able to handle you now.”
His overt compliments were unusual for Jaku, who would rarely utter praise toward others, and those who even knew him would inevitably sense the awkwardness, resulting in stares from all around.
“Poor guy. He must have gotten scolded by a professor a lot. That’s why you’re so out of sorts.”
“I get it. When a painstakingly prepared assignment is shot down, you really want to cry.”
Jaku was unexpectedly moved by the warm encouragement from Sandkooker and Rosgini.
Though he’d unintentionally received heartfelt comfort, it’s not what he was looking for!
“Jaku, take it easy today. It’s a day you should relax instead of training. Let’s just go for a 10km run together!”
“…Isn’t that just another way of training?”
Snapping back to reality from the silly comfort, Jaku readjusted his plan.
“Hey everyone, have you ever heard of the contract scams that this guy named Camela has been pulling?”
“Oknodie once mentioned that he’s a premium stock waiting to bloom next year.”
“…”
The first response was ominously foreboding.
Jaku’s attempt to change the subject was thwarted when Sandkooker, having broken the training mood, jumped in with interest.
“What are those guys up to?”
“They do something called pet contracts and once warned them not to be idiotic enough to fall for it.”
“Pet contract?”
“Seems it’s a contract that, like a mentor, helps with studies or assignments, but can demand compensation equivalent to the help provided in return.”
“What? That sounds like a pretty decent contract. I thought it would be something like the apprentice magician tower living contract where you pay 85% of annual profits to the tower.”
Are magicians really dealing with such contracts!?
“Such good conditions. The Red Magic Tower had a 90% cut.”
“Isn’t that excessive?”
“However, on the plus side, we do get free meals.”
“Now that makes sense. That could be considered a fair point.”
Amidst the touching tales of Sandkooker and Rosgini, the mob injected a note of skepticism.
“Then does the pet contract also have this profit-sharing attached? Given that it’s outright called ‘pet’, I have the feeling there’s going to be some incredibly harsh conditions.”
“Probably, right? I think it’s fair for dolts who agreed to such dubious contracts to get what they deserve.”
“Indeed. Fools who can’t even secure 5% or 10% profits surely deserve what they get.”
Having grown accustomed to unfair contracts at the magic tower, Sandkooker and Rosgini condemned the pet contractors while oblivious to their own situation!
“Don’t be too harsh. They might not have known. This could even be an opportunity.”
“Opportunity?”
“We help those guys.”
Jaku had his own calculations.
If he suddenly spouted words driven by overwhelming sense of justice, it would definitely come off as suspicious.
Someone will think he’s being manipulated or forced to act against his wishes, and it wouldn’t take long for them to realize he’s trapped in a contract.
Jaku’s attempt to indirectly reveal the existence of the contract!
His calculated sense of justice was met with the mob grabbing his hands excitedly.
“Damn, I trusted you, Jaku!”
“?”
Sandkooker patted Jaku’s shoulder.
“Hey, you’re actually pretty cool!”
“??”
Rosgini fiddled with his wizard’s hat, smirking slyly.
“Not bad. I was planning to use Oknodie later, but this brief respite from your sense of justice is something we can’t pass up! Fine, I’ll help you this once.”
“???”
Suddenly becoming a person overwhelmed by a surging sense of justice, Jaku led the trio to find Oknodie.
He was sweating bullets.
How did it end up like this?
No, it’s still fine.
Didn’t Oknodie say he planned to use them later?
If Oknodie steps in, this ridiculous situation could end immediately.
“Oknodie, please allow us to battle against Camela and make him pay the price for his actions for Jaku’s sake!”
At the shout from the mob, Oknodie breezily replied.
“Hmm, though I’m a bit sad that I missed out on the rewards I could have savored later, but since I ate a lot at Papa’s mansion, I’ll happily help out!”
“!?”
Due to Jaku’s earnest sense of justice, a clash between [Camela’s Organization] and [Organization that Plays with Oknodie] was about to erupt.