Regrettably, My Student has Money Troubles (3.1)

…

An Adventurer is nothing without their Tools.

Armor, Weapons, and Magic all constitute a massive part of every Adventurer's lifestyles.

So, as expected, such things are ludicrously, but understandably expensive.

Though Adventurers are needed to recover monster crystals, which the rest of the outside world needs, does that mean that they are trained, armed, and armored as well as they possibly can?

Hell no.

Society has never been based off a pro-bono system or even a logical system. If there is a need for something, someone will find a way to gouge people money for it. While in reality, it would make sense to have adventurers always at their best and bringing in thousands and thousands of tons of crystals everyday… well, as I said before, there's money to be made and so such a thing does not happen.

Instead, Orario is this world's most lucrative and expensive city because of the exploitation of Adventurers.

The immense machine of commerce churns ever onward in this world. Adventurers are the corporate slaves of this world. Cogs in a massive machine that services the rest of the world with magic fuel. Even more disgustingly, we are all practically bound to return our hard-earned Valis into the system itself, as all Familias network with the Guild and thus pay tribute to them in one manner or another.

We are all corporate slaves, tackling corporate objectives, and buying from corporate stores and subsidiaries.

By all means, it should be easy to write some manifesto or something to incite the Adventurers. They control the flow of Magic Crystals to the rest of the world. Not to mention the other magical resources that can only be found in the Dungeon.

However, that exploitation is the very root of the immense competition between Familias.

More power means more money. They can delve deeper into the Dungeon. Mount Expeditions that can recover what outsiders require. Then the Guild and actual foreign companies come in to buy them.

More money means more power. They afford the best equipment and supplies. They stay ahead of the competition. They return to the Dungeon with happy smiles and intent to kill for more and more money.

The powerful get more powerful.

The weak are left to hope for decent scraps.

The weak blame those with power.

Those with power can only stay powerful by playing the same game.

I would tear the system down from its foundations… if not for the single fact it worked in my favor. Grinding the first eleven floors, as I've done, can only be done by a person as horribly broken as myself. I rake in millions of Valis a day with the proper preparation. All the most magnificent and exquisite supplies are within my reach with good budget management.

In essence, this damned world has corrupted me into allowing their sick, vile, and disgusting system to continue… or, as I'm more inclined to believe, I'm just already used to the system and can use it to my heart's content.

The Hikigaya Revolution ™ can wait until I'm sufficiently disgusted with how ludicrously rich I am.

So… maybe in a few decades?

Heh, I like systems that are to my benefit.

…

"F-fifty five m-million Valis!?" Cranel cried out in horror as I forked over the aforementioned amount. Keep it down, Brat. We may be in Babel, the high-rise mall of the gods, but you'll still attract unsavory attention like that. It's like you want me to get robbed! "S-sensei, why are you spending so much on a single book!?"

"Going senile already, Brat? Is that white hair of yours not just for show?" I grunted as I stuffed my purchase into the folds of my cloak. Nope. Not risking putting it in a pouch. That final payment alone was a month of clearing entire sections of the first ten floors twice a day, something I can no longer do since I can only go as far as Cranel can. My bank account is still ludicrously large, but I can't spend it as frivolously as I used to. "You already forget why we're here in the first place? It's a Grimoire, Brat."

"Ah, another Spell, Sensei?" Cranel gave an noise of understanding. What are you doing? Stop acting cute. You're distracting me from my disappointment at your inability to pay attention. You distract me from what I'm supposed to do-. Wait why are you coming closer to me? My white-haired student stepped towards me, and lowered his voice in a whisper. My heart isn't ready for this! No~ "But, I thought you said that you already filled up all five of your Magic Slots, Sensei?"

"How are you able to remember something I said yesterday and not something I told you an hour ago, Brat?" I sighed and shook my head. Admittedly, I was impressed he could remember such an important fact. Knowing the abilities of other adventurers is integral to having a party. I was starting to train him in leading a party, now that he was properly killing and analyzing monsters by himself. Also, information like that sells for a lot of money and is very good for blackmail. "Yeah, that's true, but this Grimoire's going to change that." I patted the book inside my coat with a nod. "This one isn't a spell, but instead grants another Magic Slot. It lets me bring six spells into the Dungeon instead of five."

"Eh? Fifty-five million Valis for just for an empty slot?" Cranel cried out and I gave an amused snort. "Why are you laughing, Sensei?"

"It wasn't fifty-five million Valis." Cranel blinked confusedly as I informed him. My white-haired student's head tilted to the side and he crossed his arms. Taking into account how poor Hestia and Cranel were… well, I'm sure that my coming revelation would cause a rather hilarious action. "I paid fifty-five million Valis once a month for three months." I tapped the book inside my coat, and enjoyed the slowly paling features of my student. Yeah, I knew where this was going. "This 'just an empty slot' is worth a hundred and sixty five million Valis."

"EEEHHHHHHH!?"

Hah, that little skit is hilarious, as expected.

…

"Sensei, if you're so rich, why do you live in a pub?" Augh, it was funny for the first few questions, but Cranel hasn't ceased asking questions since he managed to gather his wits. I had hoped that after our daily visit to the dungeon and arrival at the Hostess of Fertility he'd be out of questions. Nope. He had questions every time I checked up on him, during the breaks between monster hunting, and even now as we ate. I know I did wrong by shocking my poor student, but haven't I suffered enough? "Sensei, can't you buy a house with the amount of money you have? Can't you buy one of those villas in the outskirts of town? Hestia sama really wants to live in one of those!"

"I live here because it's well protected. Mama Mia's reputation keeps my stuff away from sticky fingers." I was barely able to keep myself from banging my head against the bar counter. I couldn't just stop answering Cranel's questions. Unwittingly, my student kept asking questions that were actually decent. Why don't we walk this street like we usually do? Why take alley ways? Why are we doubling back? All very good questions, with answers that could help him one day. "I can, but there's no houses as near to Babel, the Dungeon, or the Guild as the pub. No point in wasting money on places like that, those places just attract thieves."

"Then what about-."

"Aha, you're so lively today, Bell-kun!" Thank you, Flova-san. You have saved my life. If Cranel continued further, I'd have broken the counter with my head. Grand would've broken the rest of my body after that, I'm sure. Turning to the waitress in question, I gave her a grateful smile that elicited a wink in return. I usually hate clever, cute girls like you, but you're a blessing today. I promise to raise a flag between you and Cranel in the future. Would you prefer me to trip him beneath your skirt or to give you a chance to nurse him until he's healthy? "Did you and your Sensei do something exciting today?"

A good five minutes passed. I was able to enjoy my meal. Cranel accidentally flirted with Flova five times. Once per minute. Go forth, Harem Protagonist, steal hearts as you're meant to do! Ganbare, Flova.

"Hikigaya." Lyon caught my attention uncharacteristically today. There wasn't a single insult in her words. I turned to the blonde elf as Cranel sent Flova blushing madly because of a stray compliment. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten, Flova. She produced a letter from her apron and presented it to me with the slightest smile. I felt a chill go up my spine. What's this demon waitress holding in her hand? "A letter for you. It is from Wallenstein-sama."

The bar went quiet from a moment.

Oh, this bitch.

"EEEHHHHHH!?"

What the hell? Was this going to be a gag episode? Something to relieve the viewers after what happened in the previous episode? I mean sure, Cranel got a little beat up and found a reason to truly go into the Dungeon, but are all these gags really necessary? Everyone's eyes were turned to me, or more accurately, the envelope in my hand. Even though I already knew what was in it, no one else did, and it could be interpreted in any manner.

Worst of all, I couldn't fire back any insults. The attack wasn't something I was prepared for. Given the smug smirk on Lyon's face, the demon maid knew that as well! I'll get you someday! One day you'll be caught up in a situation just like this! You, with your student, and me coming across your student's crush's letter addressed to you! On that day, you'll regret the fact that you did this to me!

Dammit, Lyon did not win this!

"Sensei, you know Aiz?" Cranel looked upon me with tearful eyes. Oh, no! He's unwittingly unleashing his most powerful attack right at my weakpoint! He's gone all out, biting his lip, poking his fingers together, and fidgeting in his chair. Lower the strength of your cute attack before I accidentally profess my need to be forgiven by you! "Ummm… ah… Not that there's anything wrong with you knowing her, I understand why you kept quiet about her since I told you about how I felt-."

"Calm down, Brat. That woman's not interested in anything like that." I shot down whatever idea Cranel had in his head. No way am I tripping the Attractive Mentor flag. That usually, quickly leads to the Heroic Sacrifice Mentor. Like any sane individual, I'd like to avoid dying and drama. The latter more so if I'm truly being honest. At least dying ends. I turned to glare at Lyon, but she was already gone. Dammit, the devil elf escaped while I was distracted! "Wallenstein wants to apologize for scaring you off after killing that minotaur and how her Familia member acted towards you."

Cranel gave a noise of discomfort, still fidgeting.

"Listen, Cranel." I looked over my shoulder at my student. I ignored my more idle delusions and just focused on the young man worried that he wasn't good enough for the young woman he liked. Cranel raised his head to look at me, growing still as he registered the way I addressed him. I opened the letter, found what I expected on it, and simply gave it to my student. "It'll be a long road before you can stand on the same pedestal that Wallenstein stands on. You're Level 1 and she's Level 5. My advice? Explain the situation, thank her for saving your life, and work hard until you can return the favor."

"Y-yes, Hikigaya-sensei!"

The situation's still more messy than I'd like, especially with Flova still being in earshot, but so long as I made it clear that I was on Cranel's side… well, I didn't care much for anyone else.

No one else, after all, can get me home.