<269 - Power Consolidation>
“Thanks to you, I’ve saved my life several times. I won’t forget today. Oknodie. And April, you too.”
Andersen set his resolve firmly as they parted ways.
Today, he felt an overwhelming sense of shame.
During gathering, a moment of carelessness nearly led him to be ensnared by a monster.
He failed to realize the approach of the student on leave faster while chatting, neglecting the external perimeter.
He lacked the skill to retrieve April’s caught tail without being discovered from the carriage.
Surviving Mandela’s ambush had him barely hanging on.
‘I’ve got a long way to go.’
He thought that just managing to get by amidst difficult lectures should be enough, working harder than the grade average.
But that flimsy mindset was fundamentally changed.
‘If I can’t save those who need help through my own strength, I’ll just have to rely on something else.’
The help of a child, the help of a weaker woman.
After graduation, there would be the support of his family.
The support of the Western Noble Union.
In this manner, he would accumulate many forms of help and debt.
The more debts, the less personal freedom.
Building unwanted relationships and wasting time would gradually gnaw away at his life.
‘I’ll become stronger. Both body and mind.’
Andersen the Grand Duke’s power-up event ignited his enthusiasm to the level of [Great Success].
*
With his determination shifting, the surroundings appeared different too.
In Andersen’s eyes, the changes among the students were striking.
“When times are tough, the only ones who can really help are those close to us. Don’t expect a warrior to do anything for you.”
“Same goes for the princess. Of course, she’s a kind person who doesn’t easily abandon those below her, but there’s a limit to the benefits a team can provide.”
“In the end, the only ones who can truly help are those with similar motivations.”
First and foremost, the increased number of <5-man teams>.
In the upper class, due to the Dragon Principal, lower class students gathered in 5s, joining forces while observing the culture born from necessity.
“Grand Duke Andersen. This is unexpectedly great. We can split the materials for gathering and not have to steal from other students for the materials we need for lectures. Since we have a sufficient number, the chances of being robbed are slim.”
The noble offspring in Seoguyeon recognized its efficacy, establishing the 5-man team as a standard.
“Now, even if it’s still gathering, it’s the same that it takes time. Buying points from the Dark Trading Company makes it easier to invest time in training and studies, getting bonus points in lectures and making it a shortcut to earning more points.”
“Conversely, there’s nowhere else to buy the materials we happen to gather in excess for points other than the Dark Trading Company? Spending time selling them ourselves seems like a waste.”
The influence of the Dark Trading Company handling the purchase and sale of materials, the customers using the trading company, and the number of lower class students helping the trading company grew.
The advanced group of five, consisting of Jezel, Isabel, Son Ohchun, Dorothy, and Rockbell, became the largest force among the first years, establishing themselves as a formidable presence within the Dark Trading Company’s territory.
“What’s up with the 5-man team? Our Seoguyeon needs to aim for more.”
“Have you thought of something?”
“Like the Dark Trading Company, we plan to solidify our power and expand our influence.”
“Wow!”
“Awesome, Grand Duke!”
“Do you have any concrete alternatives?”
Unlike the students who were simply amazed, Yeltsin Brownie, the fourth member of Seoguyeon, adjusted his tie with a haughty gaze as he reflected on the current state of the first-year class.
“There are many first-years who have established their own groups outside the Dark Trading Company. There’s the [Camela's Organization], which is increasing its followers with a bizarre contract called [Pet Contract], consisting of 25 members. There’s the [Warrior's Guard], with 30 members, sensing the need for a supporting force for warriors. And there’s the [Jigoku Pirate Group], formed to deal with the annoying number of petty challengers, with 15 members. Each has a clear goal or means of cohesion.”
The [Camela's Organization] uses forced loyalty through contracts.
The [Warrior's Guard] has ulterior motives for benefits from the warrior.
The [Jigoku Pirate Group] harbors bad intentions to snatch both materials and points.
“Our Seoguyeon is simply a social club of the Western Nobles, and even that has seen many leaving since the fall of Princess Arcadia, hasn’t it?”
Originally a group of 15, Seoguyeon had now dwindled to just 8 members.
“What on earth are you saying, fourth place guy?”
“If you’re fourth place, your skills have halved.”
Yeltsin’s face crumpled under the taunts from the male students who took the second and third places in Arcadia’s absence.
While they spoke some undeniable truths, it wasn’t that the other socialite nobles failed to recognize and reflect the fact.
Since morale was low, they were merely avoiding pointless realities and building camaraderie.
In other words, Yeltsin was arrogant but utterly oblivious.
Yet, Grand Duke Andersen embraced Yeltsin.
“Don’t be too harsh. Yeltsin’s words hold truth. Everyone was unwilling to mention it due to discomfort, but our Seoguyeon has shrunk significantly compared to the start of the semester. However, losses aren’t the only thing we’ve faced.”
These eight shared a commonality.
A powerful strength that afforded them the luxury of not caring that their dozens of followers, once loyal to Princess Arcadia, had parted ways.
“The lectures we’re taking are the most challenging among the first years.”
Eight elites devoted to training diligently to avoid injuries during unexpectedly harsh lessons.
Their bonds had become vastly stronger than those of the original Seoguyeon.
“The new motto of Seoguyeon has already been set. Training. Without training, we cannot endure the lectures. It won’t be any different if it’s the second half of the semester or if it’s second-year students instead of first-years.”
“Then are we going to become an organization that prioritizes training?”
At Yeltsin’s question, Andersen affirmed.
“That’s the plan. Additionally, after a period of training, we’ll foster our spirits while verifying our strength.”
“Are we throwing a snack party at the snack bar?”
“I find that one-point jelly pretty good.”
“Are you an idiot? That’s jelly that drops from slimes.”
“Ew.”
“Even if it’s an academy mingling with commoners, your eating habits are too plebeian. As a member of Seoguyeon, maintain the dignity of a noble.”
The male student who had eaten jelly turned dejected under Yeltsin’s reprimand.
This time, Andersen intervened in Yeltsin’s criticism.
“No, that kind of pretense is unnecessary.”
“Grand Duke…? What do you mean, when you’ve always valued dignity above all else?”
“Dignity stems from strength. We have lived under the mistaken illusion that we could rely on the prestige of noble families as our own strength. But the reality is, we are just an ordinary group of first-years.”
“…!”
“What’s wrong with a first-year eating jelly to conserve points?”
“I was just curious about what commoners eat…”
As the jelly-eating male student stammered in surprise, Andersen reflected on his words.
“Look at the reality. The difference between you and the so-called ‘commoners’ isn’t that great. Compared to the differences seen between first and second years, or first and third years during the sports day, it’s minuscule.”
Yeltsin, the jelly-eater, and the other students finally shifted their gazes.
“Don’t think that just because time passes, you’ll naturally become second or third years. The Gift Academy is merciless. Those without qualifications cannot advance. Failing to advance and graduate is the humiliation and loss of face of a noble, isn’t it?”
“Your words are right, Grand Duke!”
“Therefore, we’ve decided. Since we prioritize training, we will lack time to gather materials. Thus, we must obtain the lacking materials from others. However, purchasing with points might lead to a shortage of points necessary for advancement in the long run.”
Yeltsin seemed less than enthusiastic as he asked.
“Are you suggesting we should also resort to piracy?”
“No. We will fulfill the role of a self-defense corps.”
“A self-defense corps…?”
“In addition to the Jigoku Pirate Group, we’ll utilize force to deter those seeking to steal materials for profit, claiming half of the expected goods as a labor fee.”
“…If we take so much as a fee, those who receive aid might become ungrateful.”
“I don’t care.”
“…Are you serious, Grand Duke?”
Andersen observed.
He knew how pitiful the weak students on leave felt when they were beaten from behind.
He thought about how desperately he had fought to survive.
Compared to that humiliation and disgrace, a fifty-fifty deal felt like nothing.
In time, everyone would realize.
Even leaving half would be seen as generous.
“This half of the ‘thank you fee’ will hopefully become a strength that attracts those wishing to join our Seoguyeon. So strive for it. Prepare to have the power to take half, while ensuring no one can complain.”
Yeltsin and the noble members of Seoguyeon accepted this rationale, but Andersen felt anxious, secretly thinking it was still insufficient.
Yet, the reason he didn’t press for more was due to his awareness of the [Foundation Scholarship Students].
‘Now we’ve begun to establish a profit model and gain strength. I wonder how formidable Oknodie, who is also bonding with upperclassmen, has become by now?’
Should they clash with them in strength, would they really win?
For now, they would fall short.
Thus, they must not lose the people’s sentiment.
“And when you see the cleaning maids on campus, make sure to treat them with respect and not just throw away trash carelessly.”
“Is it really necessary to be that considerate to mere maids?”
“Are you complaining?”
“Ah, no. Please don’t make that scary face… It’s frightening, Grand Duke.”
“I trust you’ll keep that in mind.”
Let’s build a force that isn’t behind Oknodie, and is also not embarrassing before April.
