For some reason today I woke up with a pain in my back. Does sleeping on two chairs finally show the consequences?
After returning from the shopping yesterday, I immediately started to work with the core again. Like the day before, I managed to make a few centimeter long crack.
When no longer energy remained, I finally dedicated myself to unpack everything I bought. At that moment I finally realized.
I need some kind of furniture here.
The clothes I bought were just placed on a table among the tools. Books were thrown into a corner and the weapon was lying next to the forge.
"In an hour I should meet up with Caroline again and order my uniform. Till then, I should probably visit Polina."
It was already 10AM and the campus was bustling with students. Next week starts a new semester, so everyone is probably getting ready.
The only problem was that I stood out tremendously. Everyone was in their uniform and I was wearing a white shirt and black pants.
However, even if I stood out, no one approached me. I must thank their parents for not educating the annoying pests of society.
Soon I finally reached The Field Exploration Clubroom. Without hesitation I knocked. I heard how voices inside went silent. It appears that she isn't alone there.
"It's open."
"Hello~ Sorry for the intrusion."
Apparently besides her, there were two other students. One guy and a girl. The girl looked familiar, maybe a character, maybe not. As for the guy, not the smallest idea.
"Ren? What brings you here? If you came for the materials, there is none."
"Nope. I came here to repay and make a deal, Polina-senpai."
Was they discussing something important? Because they were looking at me strangely.
"Hello, I am Ren. Next week I'll be a first-year."
My introduction produced a reaction from two unknown students. The girl was clearly puzzled, while the guy suspiciously looked at me.
What did I do wrong? Oh! They don't understand how I can be here, if I am not a student yet.
"He has access. Better tell me, what do you mean by that?"
Thanks to her, there was no need for me to explain. However, it created another reaction. The girl was clearly interested while the guy was still looking at me like before.
Well, I don't really care. I boldly sat down on one of the sofa's next to the giant screen.
"Can you tell me how much you got from the items I didn't take? I don't want to remain in debt and I have cash on me now."
"Huh? So that's you!"
Suddenly the orange haired girl exclaimed while pointing her finger at me.
"Yes? What do you mean?"
"Polina-senpai told us that this year we have way less money than usual because of one junior. It turns out that it is you!"
"Not bad. You should become a detective."
"Hm! Do you really think that this kind of a riddle would pose a challenge for me? Do better next time!"
You know… I like her. She looks like a fun person.
"Greg, Monica, can you both take things from here? I'll join you when I'm done."
"Leave it to me, President."
"Okaay! Bye, Ren! I was glad to meet you!"
After leaving, Polina left her desk and also took a seat on the sofa. She took a sheet of paper with her.
"We gathered around 3 gold coins and 750 silver coins in items. But after you took almost all of them we were left with 560 silver coins."
"That's less than I thought."
"Of course, the core of Mantilia alone cost 1 gold coin. The claws of bloodhound each cost around 100 silver coins, then bone of-"
"You can stop. I apologize! But that's why I am here. Take this."
I gave her a little pouch filled with golden coins. The 50 gold coins I didn't deposit were supposed to be for her and her reaction doesn't disappoint.
"W-W-What? How much is in here!?"
"50."
"50 gold coins!? That many!?"
"You don't want it? Then I'll take it back."
"N-No! I didn't say no! Thank you very much!"
"With this you can throw a good party."
"Not only that. We can finally ascend some member equipment and be better prepared for the next exploration!"
She is happier than I expected. Is the club budget that low? This is the most important club in the academy, that shouldn't be a problem.
"Then let's talk about the deal I want to make."
"Yes, it surprised me when you mentioned it previously. But now I am curious."
"Of course, you would be. After all, I can bring you money."
No one will refuse free money coming to them. Even an elegant lady like Polina won't be able to refuse.
"I'll buy materials from the club. What do you say?"
"That's an interesting offer, but how often will you buy them?"
"Whenever you come back from the field exploration. I'll buy them higher than you can sell in the market. Also without taxes. And what I will not buy, you can just sell like you did before. What do you say?"
If my memory serves me right, the club doesn't go on the missions that often. Around 5 times in a year. Most of the time they spend training and honing their skills.
I also still have left a few materials from her. Also now I have the core, so I am not that short on materials.
"This deal is great for the club, but why would you buy them? Do you use them for something?"
"I am a blacksmith. Buying items straight from you is better than in the store. I don't know what they do to them there. Their quality is just bad."
Of course, that is not the real reason. The main character is in the club and will attend those missions. Because he is there some high ranking monster can show up and be turned into the fine materials.
Also I have no idea where to buy materials…
"Seriously? I didn't expect that. Every blacksmith of our age works in factories with real blacksmiths. If I remember correctly we even used to have a Blacksmith club."
"You remember correctly. But this time, here is a real deal. Not some half baked blacksmiths."
"Haha… then I suppose you did create something from the materials I gave to you. You even got this much money."
"On point. So, do you agree to my offer or not?"
"Of course, I agree."
"Sweet. Then let's exchange numbers. You will inform me when you have something and I'll tell you when I am coming."
"Sounds good."
And like this I got another contact that is a woman. Feels like I am a playboy. Only females are in my contacts and not a single one of them are my mother or grandma.
"Then I'll take my leave here. You also had to do something, right?"
"Oh, yes. We are already preparing to throw a new year celebration party after the first day."
"You started to do it only now? Three days have left, isn't it too late?"
"Is it? We don't intend to do anything big. Just gather around with the old members and have snacks. Most of the planning will go for the welcome party for the new members."
"Sounds lame to me."
"Hahaha… maybe so. You can come if you want."
"What? I am not a member of the club."
"Does it matter? You now have a relationship with the club. A business relationship, but still there is a connection."
"Hm? Maybe I'll come. Don't know. I'll text you."
"Alright. I'm looking forward to hearing good news."
"Sure."
I want to see what kind of parties they have here. I know that they won't have alcohol. But that doesn't mean that it won't be fun. Parties without alcohol are fun too. Right?
***
"You are late."
"And where did your cute outfit go? I just wanted to let you know that I'm not particularly a fan of women's suits.."
"Why would I care? Let's go. We don't have all day. We better finish this quickly, I still have work to do."
"Hm?"
Is it me or is she acting way differently than before? She is too cold.
"Hey, Caroline. Did I do something wrong?"
"Why do you think so?"
"Because you are different today? You know, usually you are cute and frustrated all the time, but today you are just… cold."
"It's your imagination. Nothing has changed."
What? She didn't react when I called her cute? What happened to her?! Did I really do something that can change her this much!?
"H-H-Hey, C-Caroline. Maybe let's grab some sweets? I'll pay."
"I told you, we don't have that much of a time. Let's go."
She even refused the sweets?! Yesterday it worked perfectly! Why is it not working now!?
I couldn't bring myself to say anything else. The silence in her car also felt like choking me.
No, seriously, what did I do wrong? I know this situation very well. I have seen enough of this with my friends with their girlfriends.
Why am I in this situation in the first place?! She is not my girlfriend, so why is she mad!?
Is she even mad? I can't read her expressionless face!
"We're here."
The shop was in a completely different location than we were yesterday. Through the windows I saw different kinds of suits placed on mannequins. This must be a fancy store.
But that is not important now.
"Hey, Caroline, wait!"
I grabbed her by the hand and she turned to look at me. She still wore her expressionless mask, but by her eyes I could tell that she wasn't mad at me.
Her eyes are sad.
"Caroline, tell me. What happened?"
I know that this is just a world based on the game, but… somehow seeing her like this makes me feel strange.
"I-I told you, everything is fine."
"Caroline…"
I shouldn't force her. If she wanted to say something to me, she would.
"If you say so, then I'll believe you. But if you want to say something, remember that you can come to me anytime. I will not go anywhere."
I should probably work as a love guru. Said like a real professional.