Just because our eyes met doesn’t mean we were close enough to strike up a conversation.
There was also a difference in height between the first and second floors; all I could sense was the recognition of the red hair and a familiar appearance, nothing more.
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t the first time I had seen them.
They flitted around like a pesky bug when Zolf was to be consecrated.
I lost consciousness, fell out… and then I heard that the top rank had dropped out too.
In fact, I no longer believe that Kelters is me.
The idea of it being a character I enjoyed playing is also fading away.
I have to live as Wolfram now, and no one in this world remembers Lee Young-jin.
I’m not a child, and this is a second life given to me when I should have been in my late twenties.
At this point, it’s too late to express feelings like, ‘Ah, that was actually a character I played?’ or ‘Those memories are alive within me!’
My life has been too eventful, and I’m quick to accept things.
That’s how I’ve lived, and that’s how I’ve endured. Adapting to the given environment is a kind of specialty of mine.
So, Kelters is Kelters, and I am me.
Now, looking at that face that no longer stirs any significant emotion in me, I turn my gaze away.
But well, thanks to playing as Kelters, I memorized the character and did reap a lot of benefits.
“···Hmm.”
Thank you, Kelters.
Live well in the common faculty.
***
After that incident, I was holed up in the convenience store again.
“Hmm. No matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t make sense.”
I created a lot of products to be sold in the convenience store and developed items that would turn the weak distribution of Jephryn upside down, but no customers came to my store.
Of course, part of it is because this Zone 8 Magic Faculty is tucked away in a remote corner. Honestly, if I had renamed this place to the Zone 9 Knights Faculty and accepted knight students, I would have made more money.
Still, I worked very hard. I tried developing various things and established supply routes… But that doesn’t mean that customers who wouldn’t come would come.
Especially.
The fact that the Black King train I had made with desperate efforts didn’t help in attracting customers was a big shock to me.
Why?
Wouldn’t customers flock if the transportation became convenient?
Even if I operate the carriage regularly, they don’t come?
I looked at the Black King train I had created by grinding the capital of Tristar, the core of golems, and Patrasch.
“It’s impressive.”
“···Hmm. I admit it’s a powerful sight. The role of the engineer who drives it. I quite like it.”
Patrasch also smiled slyly. We got along better than I thought.
Look at its majestic appearance. It’s over three times the height of a person, a two-car train, covered in black metal, with eight wheels per car, a total of 16. Shining with magical engineering, and the driver’s seat is manned by a wolf in a suit.
Honestly, wouldn’t you want to ride it at least once out of romance?
“If they don’t come even after all this, I’ll have to try various methods.”
“Various methods? Interesting. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Hmm. So be it. Isn’t it about time to drive the regular service?”
Patrasch smiled slyly, nodded, and dressed in the engineer’s uniform with telekinesis, even putting on a hat.
It wasn’t a dog in clothes, but a wolf in a suit, and that was no joke in terms of impact.
Kwaaaaaaa-
After sending off the regular service that rang a tremendous whistle by increasing the efficiency and output of the golem’s core and the magic stone, I was holed up in the convenience store again.
“I have many cards in hand. I have to do what I can.”
I looked at the list of skills and thought again.
Giving up, there’s no rush to give up until the situation calls for it.
***
Patrasch is an attention-seeker.
Or, to be precise, all fairies have an attention-seeking streak.
They’re free-spirited and mischievous.
The basis of their mischief is akin to seeking attention for the existence of fairies themselves.
But Patrasch, this red wolf who acts as a gatekeeper within Jephryn and also serves as a nanny taking care of the Fairy Queen’s needs, has grown into something of an adult without realizing it. It’s like the saying that raising a child makes one an adult.
In other words, it developed a peculiar… no, a unique taste for enjoying subtle attention rather than being openly petted.
And this Black King train provides the perfect working environment for Patrasch.
Patrasch would stand at the usual spot, parking the Black King train and waiting for about twenty minutes.
If no one boards in that time, the regular service returns to the convenience store, repeated several times a day, five days a week.
“···Wow. The Black King train.”
“That wolf sitting in front, isn’t that just any wolf but a divine beast, a sacred beast?”
“Really? Does the former President Wolfram control a sacred beast?”
First-year students, which would mean they have seen around sixteen springs in human years, exclaim in amazement at the sight, giving him a tiny thrill.
The owner tries to attract customers with this magnificent carriage he drives, but what comes back is a gaze of awe. Right. Who would dare to ride this, and who would go to the owner’s side?
Except for a few chosen people, there usually aren’t such adventurous individuals.
And today, one of those chosen individuals boarded the train.
“······Hmm.”
“Oh my, Patrasch. You’re working hard.”
“Are you going to the owner? Hurry up and board.”
“Ah, I don’t really have it hard.”
“Then it seems there are no guests, so let’s depart right away.”
“Have you eaten? By the way, what do fairies eat?”
The conversation doesn’t quite match up, but it can’t be helped.
Aila Tristar.
This human woman, designated by human laws as the owner’s companion, doesn’t belong to the owner’s clan, so she cannot understand what he’s saying.
Even though the conversation doesn’t quite fit together, she speaks freely and has a strange habit of making odd remarks, and at the same time,
“Let’s go, Patrasch. I want to see Wolfram’s face soon.”
“Don’t pet me. It ruins the fur. Tsk. I set it nicely with psychokinesis, hey. Stop that!”
She was also a peculiar human who would pet his head as she pleased, without any sense of fear towards him.
***
After much deliberation, I realized what was lacking in this W.R.
It was promotion.
Our convenience store lacked far too much promotion about what it sells and what items one could buy at a benefit!
Patrasch said that not even a child who believes in fairy tales would ride the Black King train, but I see it differently.
The reason no one rides the grand Black King train is that they don’t precisely know where its destination is and what it sells.
“···That’s why we need to promote. It’s inevitable.”
“Is that so? What are you making now?”
Aila, having sipped her smoothie, looked on curiously with her round eyes.
“Flyers for promoting the convenience store and free gifts for distribution. And finally, membership cards.”
“Uh, um? Wolfram’s words are sometimes hard to understand. Can you explain?”
I nodded my head.
Comparing it with the common knowledge Aila has, I would be able to tell what is common sense and what is not.
“In short, the flyers are…”
I began to explain.
Flyers are to be distributed to describe what the convenience store is and what it sells, the free gifts are to be given to those who receive the flyers, and the membership cards are a kind of membership certificate to be distributed mainly to regular customers.
Aila’s expression became serious after hearing the explanation that membership points can only be accumulated if you have a card that you created yourself.
“Wolfram. I am the landlord of this store, and as the eldest daughter of Tristar who has a supply contract with you, and finally, as your partner, I have a request.”
“Go ahead.”
“Please give the first membership card… to me!”
Hmm.
Well, since she’s the landlord, it’s not that difficult.
As I nodded, Aila’s face brightened noticeably.
“So what’s with the card?”
“Look carefully.”
Actually, the card isn’t all that special.
It’s not like there’s a card reader; it’s more like a certificate that proves that one is a member of this convenience store.
I refined a thin metal plate with [Handiwork], and then engraved letters on it using [Accessory Making].
Accessory Making is that thing. It’s been a really long time since I used it when Zolf was consecrated. I wonder if that guy Zolf is doing well with his graduation project.
[Accessory Making is activated.]
[Creating a member card!]
[Creation Successful! Card number 000001 has been created!]
[This item…]
“Wolfram!”
As I was reading the system message and reminiscing about old times, Aila’s voice interrupted me before I could finish reading.
“Is that for me, Wolfram? It’s mine, right?!”
“Hmm. Yes. Take it.”
Anyway, the card that had eaten up a lot of my skill and magic power was now placed on the palm, and the member number ‘000001’ card for Aila Tristar had been created.
“Ehe. I am number 1, right! So, is Wolfram number 0?”
“No, that’s the very first card.”
As I shrugged my shoulders, Aila took the card and spun around with it.
Could it make her that happy?
“With this, I am also a member of Wolfram!”
“So, it seems.”
I couldn’t finish my sentence in one go.
Because after that, an unexpected system message appeared above my head.
[Aila Tristar has accepted to become a member of your party.]
[A first party has been formed!]
[Party capacity 2/2]
[Would you like to view the party details?]
[Create your party and enjoy life in Jephryn!]
[A special bonus for your first party will be awarded!]
“······Huh?”
“What’s wrong, Wolfram?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
I hurriedly followed the system message with my eyes, which I hadn’t finished reading just before.
[If the recipient of this item declares their intent to become a party member, they will be recruited into the party.]
[However, if the trust level is ‘Dislike’, ‘Hate’, ‘Loathe’, ‘Murderous Intent’, etc., they cannot be included in the party even if they acknowledge it.]
It’s certain.
This was the system window that appeared when Kelters recruited party members in the first round.
In the game, you just had to call up the list from the roster and invite them to the party. Has it changed for Wolfram, now to hand over a membership card?
“Wolfram, what’s wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing. I just have something to think about. Can you leave me alone for a moment?”
“···Okay. That’s fine. Are you considering who to make a member? …But the first one is your ally, Aila Tristar!”
“Hmm.”
“Finding companions for rebellion isn’t easy!”
Isn’t that right, though it seems like there’s a bit of a misunderstanding?
But then again, it’s annoyingly accurate.
However, I had to admit it honestly.
Currently, my party is limited to two members, and the first party member is Aila.
And then, I sighed and looked at the party window.
Clearly written [Party capacity 2/2]
That is, unless Aila breaks or refuses the membership card, the party will not be disbanded.
However, I can’t clearly judge what benefit forming a party with Aila right now might have.
For now, the answer is to disband the party once. I also need to set the party options, anyway…
“Aila, about that membership card.”
“Yes. Hehe. I’ll treat it preciously. I’ll create a protective shield of black obsidian and keep it in my chest pocket.”
“···What? Why are you doing that?”
“Because Wolfram recognized me as the very first companion of rebellion. I’ll keep it closest to my heart.”
No, please don’t do that.
First, to disband the party once…
“By the way. I’m really happy!”
“······.”
“At the Tristar mansion, the words I said to Wolfram, when I think about it, could have hurt you, right? …Because telling someone to wait is an anxious thing to say.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“But Wolfram, you handed me this card.”
“That, that’s because…”
“You told me that no matter what, I’m the first member of rebellion, right?”
“·····················.”
No, that, that’s not it.
“I’ll keep it safe. Thank you, Wolfram.”
“···Hmm. Well, do that.”
“Yes!”
Sigh···.
Well, if you’re happy with it, that’s good enough for me…
Just because our eyes met doesn’t mean we were close enough to strike up a conversation.
There was also a difference in height between the first and second floors; all I could sense was the recognition of the red hair and a familiar appearance, nothing more.
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t the first time I had seen them.
They flitted around like a pesky bug when Zolf was to be consecrated.
I lost consciousness, fell out… and then I heard that the top rank had dropped out too.
In fact, I no longer believe that Kelters is me.
The idea of it being a character I enjoyed playing is also fading away.
I have to live as Wolfram now, and no one in this world remembers Lee Young-jin.
I’m not a child, and this is a second life given to me when I should have been in my late twenties.
At this point, it’s too late to express feelings like, ‘Ah, that was actually a character I played?’ or ‘Those memories are alive within me!’
My life has been too eventful, and I’m quick to accept things.
That’s how I’ve lived, and that’s how I’ve endured. Adapting to the given environment is a kind of specialty of mine.
So, Kelters is Kelters, and I am me.
Now, looking at that face that no longer stirs any significant emotion in me, I turn my gaze away.
But well, thanks to playing as Kelters, I memorized the character and did reap a lot of benefits.
“···Hmm.”
Thank you, Kelters.
Live well in the common faculty.
***
After that incident, I was holed up in the convenience store again.
“Hmm. No matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t make sense.”
I created a lot of products to be sold in the convenience store and developed items that would turn the weak distribution of Jephryn upside down, but no customers came to my store.
Of course, part of it is because this Zone 8 Magic Faculty is tucked away in a remote corner. Honestly, if I had renamed this place to the Zone 9 Knights Faculty and accepted knight students, I would have made more money.
Still, I worked very hard. I tried developing various things and established supply routes… But that doesn’t mean that customers who wouldn’t come would come.
Especially.
The fact that the Black King train I had made with desperate efforts didn’t help in attracting customers was a big shock to me.
Why?
Wouldn’t customers flock if the transportation became convenient?
Even if I operate the carriage regularly, they don’t come?
I looked at the Black King train I had created by grinding the capital of Tristar, the core of golems, and Patrasch.
“It’s impressive.”
“···Hmm. I admit it’s a powerful sight. The role of the engineer who drives it. I quite like it.”
Patrasch also smiled slyly. We got along better than I thought.
Look at its majestic appearance. It’s over three times the height of a person, a two-car train, covered in black metal, with eight wheels per car, a total of 16. Shining with magical engineering, and the driver’s seat is manned by a wolf in a suit.
Honestly, wouldn’t you want to ride it at least once out of romance?
“If they don’t come even after all this, I’ll have to try various methods.”
“Various methods? Interesting. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Hmm. So be it. Isn’t it about time to drive the regular service?”
Patrasch smiled slyly, nodded, and dressed in the engineer’s uniform with telekinesis, even putting on a hat.
It wasn’t a dog in clothes, but a wolf in a suit, and that was no joke in terms of impact.
Kwaaaaaaa-
After sending off the regular service that rang a tremendous whistle by increasing the efficiency and output of the golem’s core and the magic stone, I was holed up in the convenience store again.
“I have many cards in hand. I have to do what I can.”
I looked at the list of skills and thought again.
Giving up, there’s no rush to give up until the situation calls for it.
***
Patrasch is an attention-seeker.
Or, to be precise, all fairies have an attention-seeking streak.
They’re free-spirited and mischievous.
The basis of their mischief is akin to seeking attention for the existence of fairies themselves.
But Patrasch, this red wolf who acts as a gatekeeper within Jephryn and also serves as a nanny taking care of the Fairy Queen’s needs, has grown into something of an adult without realizing it. It’s like the saying that raising a child makes one an adult.
In other words, it developed a peculiar… no, a unique taste for enjoying subtle attention rather than being openly petted.
And this Black King train provides the perfect working environment for Patrasch.
Patrasch would stand at the usual spot, parking the Black King train and waiting for about twenty minutes.
If no one boards in that time, the regular service returns to the convenience store, repeated several times a day, five days a week.
“···Wow. The Black King train.”
“That wolf sitting in front, isn’t that just any wolf but a divine beast, a sacred beast?”
“Really? Does the former President Wolfram control a sacred beast?”
First-year students, which would mean they have seen around sixteen springs in human years, exclaim in amazement at the sight, giving him a tiny thrill.
The owner tries to attract customers with this magnificent carriage he drives, but what comes back is a gaze of awe. Right. Who would dare to ride this, and who would go to the owner’s side?
Except for a few chosen people, there usually aren’t such adventurous individuals.
And today, one of those chosen individuals boarded the train.
“······Hmm.”
“Oh my, Patrasch. You’re working hard.”
“Are you going to the owner? Hurry up and board.”
“Ah, I don’t really have it hard.”
“Then it seems there are no guests, so let’s depart right away.”
“Have you eaten? By the way, what do fairies eat?”
The conversation doesn’t quite match up, but it can’t be helped.
Aila Tristar.
This human woman, designated by human laws as the owner’s companion, doesn’t belong to the owner’s clan, so she cannot understand what he’s saying.
Even though the conversation doesn’t quite fit together, she speaks freely and has a strange habit of making odd remarks, and at the same time,
“Let’s go, Patrasch. I want to see Wolfram’s face soon.”
“Don’t pet me. It ruins the fur. Tsk. I set it nicely with psychokinesis, hey. Stop that!”
She was also a peculiar human who would pet his head as she pleased, without any sense of fear towards him.
***
After much deliberation, I realized what was lacking in this W.R.
It was promotion.
Our convenience store lacked far too much promotion about what it sells and what items one could buy at a benefit!
Patrasch said that not even a child who believes in fairy tales would ride the Black King train, but I see it differently.
The reason no one rides the grand Black King train is that they don’t precisely know where its destination is and what it sells.
“···That’s why we need to promote. It’s inevitable.”
“Is that so? What are you making now?”
Aila, having sipped her smoothie, looked on curiously with her round eyes.
“Flyers for promoting the convenience store and free gifts for distribution. And finally, membership cards.”
“Uh, um? Wolfram’s words are sometimes hard to understand. Can you explain?”
I nodded my head.
Comparing it with the common knowledge Aila has, I would be able to tell what is common sense and what is not.
“In short, the flyers are…”
I began to explain.
Flyers are to be distributed to describe what the convenience store is and what it sells, the free gifts are to be given to those who receive the flyers, and the membership cards are a kind of membership certificate to be distributed mainly to regular customers.
Aila’s expression became serious after hearing the explanation that membership points can only be accumulated if you have a card that you created yourself.
“Wolfram. I am the landlord of this store, and as the eldest daughter of Tristar who has a supply contract with you, and finally, as your partner, I have a request.”
“Go ahead.”
“Please give the first membership card… to me!”
Hmm.
Well, since she’s the landlord, it’s not that difficult.
As I nodded, Aila’s face brightened noticeably.
“So what’s with the card?”
“Look carefully.”
Actually, the card isn’t all that special.
It’s not like there’s a card reader; it’s more like a certificate that proves that one is a member of this convenience store.
I refined a thin metal plate with [Handiwork], and then engraved letters on it using [Accessory Making].
Accessory Making is that thing. It’s been a really long time since I used it when Zolf was consecrated. I wonder if that guy Zolf is doing well with his graduation project.
[Accessory Making is activated.]
[Creating a member card!]
[Creation Successful! Card number 000001 has been created!]
[This item…]
“Wolfram!”
As I was reading the system message and reminiscing about old times, Aila’s voice interrupted me before I could finish reading.
“Is that for me, Wolfram? It’s mine, right?!”
“Hmm. Yes. Take it.”
Anyway, the card that had eaten up a lot of my skill and magic power was now placed on the palm, and the member number ‘000001’ card for Aila Tristar had been created.
“Ehe. I am number 1, right! So, is Wolfram number 0?”
“No, that’s the very first card.”
As I shrugged my shoulders, Aila took the card and spun around with it.
Could it make her that happy?
“With this, I am also a member of Wolfram!”
“So, it seems.”
I couldn’t finish my sentence in one go.
Because after that, an unexpected system message appeared above my head.
[Aila Tristar has accepted to become a member of your party.]
[A first party has been formed!]
[Party capacity 2/2]
[Would you like to view the party details?]
[Create your party and enjoy life in Jephryn!]
[A special bonus for your first party will be awarded!]
“······Huh?”
“What’s wrong, Wolfram?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
I hurriedly followed the system message with my eyes, which I hadn’t finished reading just before.
[If the recipient of this item declares their intent to become a party member, they will be recruited into the party.]
[However, if the trust level is ‘Dislike’, ‘Hate’, ‘Loathe’, ‘Murderous Intent’, etc., they cannot be included in the party even if they acknowledge it.]
It’s certain.
This was the system window that appeared when Kelters recruited party members in the first round.
In the game, you just had to call up the list from the roster and invite them to the party. Has it changed for Wolfram, now to hand over a membership card?
“Wolfram, what’s wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing. I just have something to think about. Can you leave me alone for a moment?”
“···Okay. That’s fine. Are you considering who to make a member? …But the first one is your ally, Aila Tristar!”
“Hmm.”
“Finding companions for rebellion isn’t easy!”
Isn’t that right, though it seems like there’s a bit of a misunderstanding?
But then again, it’s annoyingly accurate.
However, I had to admit it honestly.
Currently, my party is limited to two members, and the first party member is Aila.
And then, I sighed and looked at the party window.
Clearly written [Party capacity 2/2]
That is, unless Aila breaks or refuses the membership card, the party will not be disbanded.
However, I can’t clearly judge what benefit forming a party with Aila right now might have.
For now, the answer is to disband the party once. I also need to set the party options, anyway…
“Aila, about that membership card.”
“Yes. Hehe. I’ll treat it preciously. I’ll create a protective shield of black obsidian and keep it in my chest pocket.”
“···What? Why are you doing that?”
“Because Wolfram recognized me as the very first companion of rebellion. I’ll keep it closest to my heart.”
No, please don’t do that.
First, to disband the party once…
“By the way. I’m really happy!”
“······.”
“At the Tristar mansion, the words I said to Wolfram, when I think about it, could have hurt you, right? …Because telling someone to wait is an anxious thing to say.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“But Wolfram, you handed me this card.”
“That, that’s because…”
“You told me that no matter what, I’m the first member of rebellion, right?”
“·····················.”
No, that, that’s not it.
“I’ll keep it safe. Thank you, Wolfram.”
“···Hmm. Well, do that.”
“Yes!”
Sigh···.
Well, if you’re happy with it, that’s good enough for me…
