Ch. 78.2

It was a cafe located in Stella's Star Tower.

Although it was not a place Baek Yu-Seol frequented since he had few friends and rarely had any studying to do, it was a cost-effective café that attracted quite a number of students who were either commoners or from wealthy households.

The location was chosen by Hong Bi-Yeon, and it seemed that there were quite a few students gathered around, studying or chatting. It appeared that they intentionally sought attention by drawing focus.

As Baek Yu-Seol and Hong Bi-Yeon, an unlikely pair, occupied a table, it was natural that the students' gazes naturally turned towards them.

"Hey, those are the magic combat department kids."

"They're in the S-class of the first year..."

"That's Princess Hong Bi-Yeon, right?"

"Yeah, what's a commoner like him doing with her?"

While they chattered and whispered, Hong Bi-Yeon remained absentmindedly gazing out the window.

"Are you not going to order coffee?"

".... I'll place the order."

Perhaps no matter what kind of coffee or tea was prepared, it wouldn't suit her taste. However, he knew what kind of coffee Hong Bi-Yeon liked.

Baek Yu-Seol got up from his seat and called the waiter over to the counter to place the coffee order.

"One iced Americano, and..."

"Yes, and?"

"A Demitasse cup with Crystal Magic Coffee Machine, rapid preheating for about 5 seconds, using Tarevika Rainforest High Mountain beans, French Atalbica roast, brewed with deep and slow drip extraction for over 3 minutes. Please add half a teaspoon of thick toad sugar and one shot of espresso."

".... Excuse me?"

"Should I repeat it? With the Crystal Magic Coffee Machine..."

"Oh, um, wait a moment. It's not that I want you to repeat it... the order is just... um..."

"It's not possible?"

"Well, um... it's possible..."

The waiter let out a deep sigh and shook his head. It was because the profit they could gain through this bothersome process was meager.

Baek Yu-Seol also knew that he was being troublesome and causing unnecessary trouble, but what could he do?

The princess liked that.

After waiting for a while, the barista came out holding an iced Americano and an espresso with a face that looked like he was chewing on feces.

Baek Yu-Seol took it and went back to the table, handing it to Hong Bi-Yeon, who looked surprised as she opened her eyes wide.

The quality of this coffee would surely be much lower than what she used to have in the palace, but still, it was a coffee she liked, so it was understandable that she would be satisfied.

"..."

She closed her eyes and savored the coffee with a rather satisfied expression. Even though the price of that coffee would be no more than 8,000 credits at most, the way she sipped it so elegantly and gracefully made it seem like she was drinking a million-credit coffee.

"Hmm, it's about time."

Afternoon, 1:29 PM.

One minute before the appointed time.

Right on time, the door of the cafe opened, and Edmon Atalek walked in.

"..."

"You've arrived, senior."

He looked ten years older than when Baek Yu-Seol last saw him, and as their eyes met, he gave him a hateful glare.

He quickly forced a smile, trying to change his expression. The lackey that he used to carry around all the time was nowhere to be seen.

Edmon cautiously approached with careful steps and surveyed the surroundings. It seemed like he didn't like crowded places like this, but since Baek Yu-Seol chose this location, he had no choice but to follow.

"I've ordered two Americanos and one espresso. Oh, by the way, it's your treat. Pay up now."

"... What?"

"You're not going to pay?"

As Baek Yu-Seol reached out his hand and urged him, Edmon took out a 10,000 credit note and handed it over.

What a windfall.

The Americano only costs 5,000 credits.

Baek Yu-Seol made a profit.

He took a seat in front of Baek Yu-Seol and remained silent, bowing his head for a while.

Baek Yu-Seol inserted a straw into his Americano and sucked it loudly.

Sip! Slurp!

The coffee quickly disappeared, and he intentionally checked his wristwatch.

"Well, if you've called me, say something. I've finished my coffee, so I'm leaving now..."

"About what happened back then..."

Finally, as if feeling impatient, Edmon opened his lips.

"... I apologize."

The successor of the great Duke Atalek, boasting a thousand years of history, apologized to a mere commoner.

In itself, the commoner should be satisfied.

That was how it should be.

It was more than enough in itself, so it should be accepted.

'... Maybe that's why you apologize so casually and carelessly, thinking that's enough?'

Baek Yu-Seol said in a somber tone. "Is that it?"

"... What?"

"Is that the end of it? I'm leaving."

"Wait, what do you want from me?"

Urgently, Edmon looked around the room. All eyes were focused on him.

"Why are you asking me that?"

"You, you...!"

Edmon stumbled in confusion, then spoke again.

"I'm truly sorry! I deeply regret and reflect on ignoring you as a commoner. So, if I take back what I said before... can't we?!"

Murmurs arose.

Students began whispering softly. The fact that Admon was going to genuinely torment him had spread widely on campus, so this situation was very confusing.

Actually, there was no need to go this far.

Under normal circumstances, that was.

Baek Yu-Seol wasn't the type to derive pleasure from such forced coercion. He had already achieved his objective satisfactorily.

However, the reason for doing this was... to suppress the death flag of Hong Bi-Yeon caused by Edmon Atalek.

He was not an invincible and powerful figure. Of course, being a level Class 4 at nineteen was truly remarkable, but Edmon's limitations ended there.

Further growth would stagnate, and he would likely live as a politician rather than a magician.

In other words, the threat emanating from Edmon Atalek was not a physical threat but a political one.

Therefore, he intended to gradually strip away his "political power."

It was impossible to bring him, who carried the great name of Duke Atalek, to a sudden downfall.

However, the day would come when his value diminished, and Hong Bi-Yeon could stand tall on her own...

At that moment, Edmon would crumble entirely on his own.

That was all he was aiming for.

Baek Yu-Seol didn't care about any influence or backing. He simply wanted to gradually consume him, helping Hong Bi-Yeon become capable of devouring him.

That was all.

"Well, what about doing it like this?"

He took out a piece of paper from his pocket. It was not an ordinary paper but a "magical paper," a mysterious paper on which anything could be manifested magically just by drawing.

Although the words sounded grand, it was just a common paper that one could buy at a local stationery store.

However, in the case of the content written on this, it might be a little different.

"A pledge...?"

Reading the contents he had prepared in advance, Admon muttered in surprise.

Yes.

It was a pledge.

Moreover, it was a "Magical Pledge."

"Let's make a bet. The event is 'Soul Chess.' If I lose here, I will withdraw my previous statement and exclusively supply items to the Adolveit Kingdom only through the Atalek Family."

Edmon's eyes sparkled at his words.

"However, if I win..."

He regained his senses belatedly and read the rest.

"Grant me the 'Permanent Attendance Pass' for Aslan Seminar."

"W-What...! Do you really think that makes any sense..."

"I don't dislike it."

"Wait a moment!"

Aslan Seminar.

A public debate gathering where the members of prestigious magical families with a long-standing tradition come together for scholarly discussions.

Only true prestigious families among magical elites could participate, and if one was deemed lacking in abilities, it might be impossible to attend or they could be expelled during the debate.

It was a ruthless debating society.

There were three conditions for attending the Aslan Seminar:

"Having attended last year and presented an excellent thesis to be recognized for participation the following year."

"Having a paper that can be presented in Aslan and receiving the transfer of attendance rights."

"Being one of the rising stars of this year's generation."

In the first place, the term 'Permanent Attendance Pass' didn't even exist.

It only appeared to be a Permanent Attendance Pass because the act of attending last year, presenting an excellent thesis, and guaranteeing attendance for the following year had been repeated for decades.

So, the attending families continued to attend each year, and although twelve rising novice mages joined each year, most of them couldn't last a year and ended up being expelled.

But did that mean it was easy to be among the twelve?

Not at all.

Even if it was just for one year, geniuses from all over the world competed to participate in the Aslan Seminar, considering it a great honor.

It selected only twelve individuals among all races, including elves, giants, angels, dwarves, and humans.

Thus, those who continuously attended the Aslan Seminar, maintaining their qualifications as desired by the world's genius mages, considered it as a form of 'power' in itself.

Why?

Because if they failed to demonstrate magical abilities at the Aslan Seminar, they would be immediately expelled and could never attend again.

Therefore, just by consistently attending with determination, it was more than enough to prove themselves as a 'prestigious magical family.'

The Atalek family had been attending the Aslan Seminar for decades, which was a significant factor supporting their power.

So, he planned to target that.

Of course, it was by no means a fair or reasonable deal.

Even if it was an item, it was the qualification to participate in the Aslan Seminar.

It was absurd.

However, there was an important point here.

"Soul Chess... Ha, it sounds interesting."

Edmon Atalek's skill in Soul Chess was already outstanding to the point where there was no one on campus who could rival him, and he even participated in world championships, showcasing his exceptional abilities.

He would ever consider his own defeat.

"... Alright. I'll sign the contract."

Finally, Edmon Atalek raised his finger with a confident smile. If he signed the contract with his own blood, the magical oath would be fulfilled.

"What happens if we break the oath?"

"Of course, I know. The moment the oath is broken, we lose all mana. That applies to you as well."

"Naturally."

… Baek Yu-Seol said that, but the truth was, he didn't have any mana to begin with, so breaking the oath wouldn't really change anything for him.

But that didn't mean he had any intention of losing.