On Friday afternoon, after the lecture titled "The Relationship Between Professor Schleim's Artifacts and Magic Circles" ended, a student came to me as I was tidying up.
"Adrias Cromwell?"
"Yeah, that's me."
"Professor Karen Diflen asked you to come to her office around 9 o'clock."
"Oh, really? Thanks."
I had actually planned to go see her myself, but it was convenient that she called me.
As I thought about what to do until 9 o'clock, I realized that I should go shopping since I had received a reward the day before.
"10 million Will. That's about 10 million won in Korean currency."
It was a rough estimate.
However, since this world was medieval, the cost of living and prices were divided dramatically. Luxury items and spices owned by the nobles were exorbitantly priced, but the prices of everyday items and common food for commoners were relatively stable.
I had already decided on what to buy.
Of course, if I had enough money, I would immediately buy back the ownership ring from Pyman the gravedigger, but 10 million Will was far from enough.
"I hope I didn't lose it after just getting it."
With that thought in mind, I boarded the mana train.
The destination was a bustling shopping district within the academy grounds called Alven Street.
As the name suggests, a considerable portion of the academy's shares were owned by the Alven family, who had shown that if magicians succeeded, they could become wealthier than anyone else.
It was Friday afternoon, right after classes ended, so there were many students wandering around Alven Street. In addition to students, assistants, academy staff, and residents living within the academy were also bustling about.
As the sun set and the evening sky darkened, it was a pleasant sight to see people smiling and chatting with each other.
Although I didn't join them, just watching them made me feel content.
"Those old guys, they find joy in anything."
Unknowingly, I found myself smiling and moving my feet.
Within the academy, there were various clubs and associations, and most connections were formed in those places.
While students in the same classes were competitors, it was natural to become close in clubs or associations that shared the same hobbies or interests.
If it weren't for the urgent matter at hand, I might have attended one of those meetings and lived a more sociable life.
As I walked further into the street, less sunlight entered, making it darker. However, contrary to the darkness, the atmosphere was vibrant and intense.
The sound of hammers pounding echoed from various places, synchronizing with the beating of my heart.
"I never thought I would actually see this place."
The blacksmith street, which I had visited hundreds of times in the game, and among them, the most favored blacksmith.
"My hammering is the best in the world."
Although the name was a bit peculiar, it was a blacksmith that lived up to its name.
There were quite a few blacksmiths on the blacksmith street, but based on my experience, this one was the best.
After checking the signboard, I nervously entered, eager to see what was inside.
To my surprise, I came face to face with an unexpected person.
"Ah."
"Huh?"
Diane Alven?
I was momentarily frozen due to the unexpected encounter, but I quickly bowed and pretended to know her.
Diane, too, looked surprised and maintained her poker face as she bowed back.
"Adrias Cromwell. What brings you here?"
I realized that this was the first time we were having a conversation.
Although we had crossed paths a few times before, each time we kept our distance unnecessarily.
Now that I had somewhat adapted to this world, I realized that such behavior seemed unnatural.
So I decided to treat her reasonably.
"Of course, I have to be careful not to trigger a death flag."
She continued to gaze at me with a cold stare, and I couldn't help but glance sideways.
At the counter, the blacksmith's assistant was meticulously packaging something that looked like a sword. Judging by its shape and size, it seemed like it was a sword.
"A sword. Diane Alven bought it. Who is it for?"
It was easy to deduce.
It must be a gift for her brother, Carlos Alven.
If that was the case, it meant that Carlos Alven would soon visit the academy, which meant that the terrorist attack was imminent.
Diane, who noticed my gaze, quickly turned her body to hide the sword.
Was she embarrassed about buying a gift?
"You, a magician, came to the blacksmith for what purpose?"
Did I have to explain?
But I didn't want to disturb her, so I simply answered.
"I came to buy a sword."
"A sword?"
"Yes."
Diane looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"What kind of sword do you need?"
"Recently, I had a close call. I came to buy a self-defense sword."
As soon as I finished speaking, Diane burst into laughter.
She seemed to be trying to hold it back, but her laughter, which she couldn't contain, burst out like a burst balloon.
"No, what kind of magician buys a self-defense sword? Are you trying to make fun of me?"
"I mean, how would I know that Yeonga is here and purposely making fun of you?"
"...What? Did you stalk me?"
"No, that's not what I meant."
At that moment, the man at the counter called Diane.
"Here it is."
Diane gave me a suspicious look and then hid the sword in her robe as she walked past me.
Ah, Diane Alven. My head hurts, really hurts.
"Adrias Cromwell."
What? She's still here?
"Let's pretend we didn't see each other here."
"Yes, understood."
Was there a need to hide it?
Well, if she wanted to. There was no one to tell anyway.
After she left, I was finally able to talk about my business.
The assistant at the blacksmith asked when he saw me looking for a sword.
"You came to find a sword? Are you looking for a custom order?"
"No, just among the ready-made ones."
Of course, in my heart, I wanted a custom order, but the price of custom orders was several times higher. Besides, the price of a sword itself was not cheap, so I didn't want to settle for a cheap one.
I looked at the displayed swords one by one, checking the weight distribution and grip. The ones that felt right were indeed expensive.
Still, since I was going to buy a sword, I didn't want to settle for something too cheap, so I chose one with a reasonable price.
"It's 3.4 million Will."
My hand trembled as I tried to pay with my card.
3.4 million... How much is that exactly? It's enough money to last me a year if I spend it wisely.
"Sir?"
I handed over the card but didn't release my grip, pulling the card as if playing tug-of-war.
"To make a payment, you need to let go, right?"
Even though the assistant's smiling face seemed to be clearly happy, it appeared menacing to me. Perhaps it was just my imagination.
Finally, the assistant forcefully took my hand off and quickly calculated the amount before returning the card.
"Payment completed. Please visit again."
Unintentionally, I sent a resentful gaze, and the assistant waved their hand as if signaling me to leave.
"Oh, by the way."
"Yes, sir. You're still here?"
"Do you have any free gifts?"
"...."
After tearing off the grinding stone as a free gift, I decided to have a meal while I was in the busy downtown area.
Although it seemed like a waste of money, I wanted to enjoy the feeling of being rewarded since I had only been eating cafeteria food until now.
"It's nice to have this kind of joy. How do people live every day, struggling between life and death?"
But it's not like I visited an expensive restaurant; it was an ordinary working-class restaurant.
It was dinner time, so there were quite a few students among the people wandering outside, and they were gathered at the restaurant, chatting and having their meals.
It felt peaceful.
It was unbelievable compared to the chaos at the Sura Chamber a few days ago.
People say that when you repeat the same experiences, the sensations become dull.
That's true. However, becoming dull and being forgotten are two different things.
I still remember when I killed Edel.
No, to be precise, I remembered every single moment of death that has happened so far.
I don't know if I'm extraordinary.
But I don't think of myself as a bad person.
"It's proof that I haven't become a monster yet."
It could be a simple self-consolation or self-deception.
Perhaps people already mistake me as a human even though I am a monster.
Well, whatever.
I looked at the food being brought to me.
"This is the Special Ten-Color Roasted Sipsaekjo seasoned with Mama's special sauce."
"Thank you."
Was the name of this place Mama's Paradise?
The chef seems to be Mama herself.
I tore off a leg of the roasted chicken-shaped dish and ate it with my hands.
And I almost shed tears at the unexpectedly nostalgic taste.
"Seasoned chicken?"
Of course, it wasn't fried food.
But maybe because of the seasoning, the taste felt similar to Korean-style chicken.
Thanks to that, I greedily devoured the food and called the waiter for an additional order.
"Yes, please wait a moment."
I looked around and realized that the students sitting at the table next to me were looking at me with pitying expressions.
Did I eat too hastily?
I promised myself to eat the additional order slowly, but as soon as the food arrived again, I realized that I was eating with both hands.
"This... It can't be helped. It's inevitable."
I placed a third additional order, but the waiter's expression showed an apology.
"I'm sorry, sir. The special sauce of the restaurant has run out, so it's sold out for today."
"Ah."
This can't be.
I sighed and reluctantly got up from my seat.
"The Sipsaekjo was delicious."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
As I was about to go to the cashier to pay, the waiter waved their hand.
"The customers at the table next to you already paid and left."
"What?"
I looked towards the entrance of the restaurant, but they were already gone.
Thanks to that, I ended up having a free meal, and I felt that the world was still livable.
But at the same time, I felt self-conscious.
How pathetic must I have looked?
After returning to the Department of Magic, I headed to Professor Caron's office in my free time.
I had about 30 minutes to spare, but I thought I should read a book outside his office and arrived unexpectedly to find that the lights were on in Caron's office.
Just in case, I knocked on the door and spoke.
"Professor, it's Adrias Cromwell."
The usual silence lingered, and after counting about 30 seconds in my mind, I heard a response.
"...Come in."
As I entered, I saw Caron sitting at his desk, checking his tablet.
"Isn't it still time?"
"I came early to wait, but I saw the lights on, so I knocked."
"Well, then wait."
I nodded and sat at the table in front of Caron's desk.
And I quietly started reading the book I brought.
"Adrias."
About 10 minutes passed when Caron called me.
"I heard you caught the Dark Mage this time."
"Yes, that's correct. Actually, I wanted to see you about that, but the investigation was in full swing, so..."
"I see. Stop babbling and speak."
After arranging his mana, Caron used an unknown magic that blocked sound throughout the office.
"Now speak."
"Can I just speak without holding back?"
"I used sound-blocking magic, so go ahead and speak."
Caron seemed like he wanted to hear everything from the beginning to the end, but it wasn't possible.
Before explaining the entire incident, I decided to strike first.
"Master, I think I acquired Codex Apocalypse."