Chapter 78-2


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


    Although it was not a ce Baek Yu-Seol frequented since he had few friends and rarely had any studying to do, it was a cost-effective caf that attracted quite a number of students who were eithermoners 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, upied a table, it was natural that the students'' gazes naturally turned towards them.


    "Hey, those are the magicbat department kids."


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


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


    "Yeah, what''s amoner 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 ce 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 ce 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... its 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 pce, 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-Seolst saw him, and as their eyes met, he gave him a hateful re.


    He quickly forced a smile, trying to change his expression. Theckey 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 ces 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 sessor of the great Duke Atalek, boasting a thousand years of history, apologized to a meremoner.


    In itself, themoner should be satisfied.


    That was how it should be.


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


    *... 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 amoner. 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 g of Hong Bi-Yeon caused by Edmon Atalek.


    He was not an invincible and powerful figure. Of course, being a level ss 4 at neen was truly remarkable, but Edmons 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 woulde 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 didnt care about any influence or backing. He simply wanted to gradually consume him, helping Hong Bi-Yeon be 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 amon 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."


    Edmons eyes sparkled at his words.


    "However, if I win..."


    He regained his senses btedly and read the rest.


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


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


    "I don''t dislike it."


    "Wait a moment!"


    An Seminar.


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


    Only true prestigious families among magical elites could participate, and if one was deemedcking 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 An Seminar:


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


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


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


    In the first ce, the term ''Permanent Attendance Pass'' didnt even exist.


    It only appeared to be a Permanent Attendance Pass because the act of attendingst 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 couldntst 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 worldpeted to participate in the An 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 An 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 An 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 An Seminar for decades, which was a significant factor supporting their power.


    So, he nned 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 An 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 didnt mean he had any intention of losing.",