kscans

Chapter 88 - Studying

"Phew…"

I set down my mechanical pencil and gave a small stretch.

On my desk sat a single thick book and a notebook. A student hard at work… unfortunately, that wasn't quite the case.

After all, the book's subject was 'Alchemy.'

Before the 'Day of Awakening,' the only people who would seriously study something like this would have been hopeless chuunibyou cases or maybe an occult journalist.

But things are different now, in a world where 'Dungeons' and 'Awakened Persons' are a reality. The government is now seriously debating whether 'Magic' and 'Alchemy' should be added to the school curriculum.

Both magic and alchemy are techniques usable only by Awakened Persons. However, since they are techniques, anyone should be able to use them under the right conditions, even without a specific skill.

In fact, I was living proof of that, having created a pseudo-Homunculus and a golem body just by reading this book. With enough knowledge and mana, it wasn't impossible.

Even online, videos were popping up of people who had used the knowledge published by the 'Alchemy Enthusiasts Club' to create their own Homunculi or pseudo-versions.

Their skills were sadly a far cry from those with actual skills, but the number of alchemists was, however slowly, beginning to grow.

…But the pace was slower than I expected.

Even among Awakened Persons, those who could handle alchemy were still few and far between. I’d heard that only a handful of practitioners were capable of moving a golem body with human-like dexterity, let alone using one in actual combat.

Of course, this was just what I’d found online. There were probably people out there who could do it but just chose not to go public…

The problem was that I, a person making and using a golem without a skill, was starting to stand out.

I’m pretty sure Aira-san and Erina-san have already noticed the discrepancy.

While ordinary Awakened Persons were struggling to follow the recipes posted by the Alchemy Enthusiasts Club, how was a student like me able to operate a golem in the 'C-Rank' tier?

Even if they had their doubts, they were kind enough to ignore them. Maybe Busujima-san and the others were, too.

It’s fine for now, since I’m surrounded by friends and acquaintances, but it would be a huge pain if a stranger started asking questions. Then again, trying to continue my adventurer career without Byakuren at this point was… difficult to imagine.

For the moment, I was organizing my notes, trying to figure out just how much knowledge was considered acceptable for a non-skilled person to have about alchemy.

I was cross-referencing information from the club's website and various theory-crafting sites with the contents of my own book, but…

Something felt strangely off.

Their recipes were correct. They matched what was written in my book, and they even had information on golem body frame technology that was identical to what I was using.

So what was this feeling of dissonance? I mulled it over as I reread the sites on my phone.

"…It’s too ‘stiff’ and ‘hard to understand.’"

After comparing my phone and the book over and over, I finally realized it. The Alchemy Enthusiasts Club's explanations were ridiculously complicated.

They were convoluted… a long parade of technical jargon, and on top of that, they’d include information you didn't even ask for.

No wonder the number of people who could use alchemy was growing so slowly. You’d need a basic foundation in alchemy to even begin to make sense of half of it.

Of course, they did provide explanations for each term, but the thought of studying an unknown technology while having to look up every single word was enough to make me want to tear my hair out.

On the other hand, it was amazing that Aira-san had managed to read all of that and absorb it as knowledge. Even so, she herself had said she couldn’t call herself a proper alchemist.

Compared to the club’s convoluted explanations, the book I had was incredibly easy to understand.

Just how easy? Easy enough that a middle schooler could pick up the skills to create a pseudo-Homunculus, build a golem body, and even perform a bit of 'lockpicking' while casually reading it as a break from studying for high school entrance exams.

…Although my transmutations did depend on a cheat sheet. I still can't do it from memory.

In any case, the book was so simple you could slap 'An Introductory Guide! Alchemy for Everyone!' on the cover and it wouldn’t be a lie. Better yet, it was laid out like a video game strategy guide, which made it pretty fun to read.

If there wasn't a risk of my unique skill being exposed, I'd publish it and make a fortune. It would be a guaranteed bestseller.

That said, the content it covered was truly just the basics of the basics. On the club's website, I'd occasionally find recipes that weren't in my book. Of course, the difficulty of those transmutations was also much higher.

It might be interesting to try some of those recipes when I get the chance.

Just as I thought that and picked up my pencil again…

The door was knocked upon, then opened without a pause.

"Kyouta, a moment."

"Whoa—hey, what is it?"

I hastily dismissed my 'Arcane Gear' book and turned around.

My mom let out a sigh of relief when she saw me holding a pencil.

"So you are studying properly. I was worried you were so busy with being an adventurer that you were neglecting your schoolwork. You have homework, don't you? Make sure you do it."

"Y-yeah."

"I hear being an adventurer pays well, but you can’t think of making it your only career. If you injure yourself, you won’t be able to continue… Besides, if you don't study hard, you’ll struggle when you enter the workforce."

"…But it’s not like you use math formulas at a company, right?"

"You can only build up your academic credentials while you're a student. It’s incredibly difficult to do it once you’re a working adult."

"Ugh…"

I think I remember hearing on TV that going back to college while working a full-time job was tough.

I mean, the whole reason I was grudgingly attending high school while being an adventurer was for my academic record, just like Mom said.

"…Oh, dear. Here I am lecturing you when you’re already studying hard. I came here to cheer you on, but don’t forget to take breaks. Professor Arisugawa is teaching you etiquette tomorrow, and it would be rude to fall asleep in the middle of it."

"Okaaay…"

The door closed with a soft click. I waited until the sound of her slippers faded down the hall before letting out a sigh of relief.

"…Time to do my homework."

I closed my alchemy notebook and pulled a different one, along with a textbook, from my school bag.

…I’d been so busy with adventuring, alchemy, and playing games with Erina-san and the others that I hadn’t even touched my summer homework.

Sighing at the blank page, I opened my textbook.

Somehow, its contents seemed even harder to understand than my 'Arcane Gear' book.

＊　　　　　＊　　　　　＊

The next day.

At the Arisugawa residence.

"Wh-why is Yagawa-kun here?!"

The one who let out a cry of near-panicked surprise was Miyoshi Mia-san, Aira-san’s younger sister.

I had been invited over because their grandmother, Professor Arisugawa, was going to teach us etiquette and English.

Aira-san had uncharacteristically met me at the door, and just as she ushered me into the living room, I saw her.

Dressed in an outrageously lewd nun’s outfit.

The only parts that could be considered proper nun attire were the wimple with a black veil covering her blonde hair and a pair of white gloves.

A black leotard with a white collar clung tightly to her upper body, leaving nothing of her figure to the imagination. The curves of her magnificent, beyond-massive bust were on full display.

As if that wasn't wonderful enough, the garment was cut shockingly high at the hips. Her pure white thighs were visible all the way to the top, and I had no doubt that a view from behind would reveal a pair of powerful, fleshy buttocks making a bold statement.

Black thigh-high stockings covered her plump legs from mid-thigh down, the fabric at the seam pressing into her flesh and emphasizing its softness.

In conclusion: she looked like a cosplay nun straight out of an adult video or manga.

"Hey, um, please don’t look!"

Her face beet red, Miyoshi-san turned her back to me.

What a fantastic view!

Her flawless, perfectly round bottom was in plain sight. My prediction was correct.

───Such was the praise that flashed through my mind for all of 0.3 seconds.

With my thoughts accelerated by [Sage's Nucleus] and my kinetic vision enhanced by [Spirit Eye]…

I seared this magnificent spectacle onto my retinas.

Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad. And thank you, my skills. This power must have existed for this very moment.

"I’m so sorry!"

Apologizing, I also did an about-face.

And came face-to-face with Aira-san, who was wearing a truly wicked smile.

There was no doubt. This was premeditated. Anyone could see she was the mastermind.

"My, my, my. What’s wrong, Kyouta-chan-kun? Got a stomachache? You’re all hunched over. And Mia, you’re ‘hiding your chest but not your bottom,’ you know?"

"The saying is ‘hiding your head but…’ Wait, what do you mean, Nee-san?! You never told me Yagawa-kun was coming!"

"That’s because I didn’t."

"You should have!"

"Now, now. Think of this as a little thank-you gift to Kyouta-chan-kun, okay?"

Aira-san came to stand beside me as she spoke.

She, for the record, was in her usual tracksuit.

"Mia, you were saved by him and Erina-kun from Lefkos not too long ago, right? And all you did to thank them was exchange contact info. Plus, your only goal was to get us to make up. That’s just too pitiful, don't you think?"

"Guh…"

"Uh, I really don’t mind…"

"Which is why! Today, I’ve decided to let him feast his eyes on that ridiculously lewd body you know he looooves so much!"

"Wh-who are you calling a lewd body?!"

"A-and I really don’t—"

"Who? That’s obvious."

"Could you please listen to me?"

Ignoring me completely, Aira-san moved out of my line of sight with a smile still on her face.

Even with the wide field of view from [Spirit Eye], I couldn’t see behind me. Still, I could vaguely sense her location from the flow of mana.

Right now, she was taking large strides toward Mia-san.

"It’s my little sister, who for some reason is taller and bustier than meeeeeee!!"

"Kyaaaaaaaah?!"

That presence… Don’t tell me!

"N-Nee-san! Stop grabbing my chest out of nowhere!"

I knew it!!

"Silence. Tell me, when did you grow so much? When did you surpass my height and my bust length! Hmm?!"

"What’s a ‘bust length’?! B-Besides, you’re plenty big yourself, Nee-san!"

"───I don’t mind losing to anyone else. But I will not lose to my little sister!!"

Don’t you dare defile a famous line from a masterpiece.

"Stop messing… mmmph! Ah, no…!"

What was that sweet voice just now?!

"Hyaah! Is my sister’s chest some kind of monster?! Don’t tell me you’ve gone up another size!"

"P-please, stop! It’s still so early in the day…!"

What in the world is happening behind me…! [Spirit Eye], is this all you’re capable of?!

If I turn around now, my social life is over for sure. So see without looking. A paradise on earth is manifesting right behind me! Grow eyes on the back of your head!

Go beyond your limits.

───Click.

"What is all this commotion?"

"Ah."

With the sterile sound of a door opening, two women entered the room.

One was Professor Arisugawa, dressed in a white shirt and a navy long skirt.

The other was Erina-san, wearing a kimono the color of autumn leaves, tied with a yellow obi.

I sensed the disappointing college student freeze completely behind me.

"…Aira."

"Oh, whoops! I was just about to go for my daily run! See you later, Baba-sama!"

"Is that so? Then let’s have a little ‘TALK’ later."

"…O-kaaay!"

I don’t even know where to begin with my comebacks anymore.

＊　　　　　＊　　　　　＊

Miyoshi-san returned, now dressed in a blue shirt and white jeans, and we were all made to sit in chairs in the living room.

Well, all except Aira-san, who was sitting in seiza on a zabuton cushion on the floor. A waterfall of nervous sweat was pouring from her, but was that disappointing college student going to be okay?

I, on the other hand, was not okay. With Miyoshi-san and Erina-san sitting on either side of me, the awkwardness level was at its maximum.

Part of it was being seated between a beautiful woman and a beautiful girl, but there was also the fact that I’d just witnessed Miyoshi-san’s compromising situation. What kind of expression was I supposed to be making…?

"Lately, I feel that my busy schedule has kept me from spending enough time with my granddaughters."

Ignoring my tension, the professor, standing with her arms crossed like a statue of a guardian king, began to speak in a calm, measured tone.

"Because of that, I was worried that you two might be engaging in unladylike conduct in front of others."

"U-um, Obaa-sama."

"Yes, Mia. What is it?"

Professor Arisugawa turned to face Miyoshi-san, who had timidly raised her hand.

Miyoshi-san's cheeks were flushed, and her gaze flickered toward me for just a moment.

"Um, it’s not that I normally dress like I was just now…! In fact, I would never wear something like that ordinarily…!"

To Miyoshi-san's frantic explanation,

"There is nothing wrong with dressing in such a fashion. I simply wished you had considered the time, place, and occasion. Mia, no matter what hobbies you may have, I will always love you as my granddaughter…"

Professor Arisugawa offered a smile filled with profound affection. It was the beautiful love of a grandmother for her grandchild.

But I’m pretty sure that’s not what Miyoshi-san was looking for right now!

"Guuuh…!"

Miyoshi-san, utterly defeated. She fell silent, red to the very tips of her long, pointed ears.

In response, Professor Arisugawa's eyes twinkled.

I see, the professor knows exactly what's going on, doesn't she? And she’s teasing her granddaughter on top of it.

She wasn’t as far gone as Aira-san, but perhaps she, too, had a surprisingly playful personality.

"Let’s return to the subject. While I have been neglecting my family for my work, thanks to Yagawa-kun and the others bringing back various data and drop items as adventurers, I now have the time to reconnect with my granddaughters."

Professor Arisugawa’s gaze moved over each of us in turn.

Her eyes finally landed on Aira-san, and she clapped her hands together lightly.

"So, I thought this would be a good opportunity to hold a brief etiquette course for all of you, for the sake of your futures. Since this is your first time, Yagawa-kun, let’s start with something simple."

"Y-yes, ma’am."

Aira-san had been terrified of the professor’s etiquette lessons, but I wasn’t sensing any intimidating aura.

In fact, the atmosphere was so gentle that even with my shyness, her presence was putting me at ease and calming my nerves.

…Inversely proportional to that, however, the sweat on Aira-san and Miyoshi-san’s foreheads seemed to be increasing.

Erina-san placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Kyou-chan."

"Huh? What is it?"

She beamed.

"I’ll pick up your bones for you!"

"Wait, what???"

───One hour later.

"…"

Slumped over the table, I didn’t have the energy to move.

I was tired. So, so tired.

Physically, I was fine. But my mind and spirit had been pushed to their absolute limits.

"A-are you alive, Kyouta-chan-kun?"

"…Somehow."

"I think you did very well. Yes… truly."

"Nice fight, Kyou-chan!"

"Thank you… very much…"

The professor was now clearing away the silverware she had used for the lesson. Despite demonstrating the proper form countless times, she didn’t look the least bit tired herself.

My brain felt like it was about to boil. Had there ever been a time in my life where I had to be so conscious of every nerve in my body while simultaneously cramming in new knowledge? No, there hadn't.

We were taught table manners, since they were easy to remember and widely applicable… but even as I lay here, completely drained, I could feel the knowledge I had just painstakingly absorbed trickling out of my ears.

Will a day ever come when I can say I’ve truly ‘mastered’ this?

"Kyouta-chan-kun. I should tell you now, Baba-sama is both persistent and a perfectionist. Today’s lecture will be repeated as many times as it takes, until you either run away or reach a level she finds satisfactory. After that comes the next step."

"…cough."

"Kyou-chan?!"

I coughed up imaginary blood, and my consciousness faded for a moment.

Studying… is hard.