A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Investment (2)

***

Soul World is a game with various options.

This means that depending on my choices, the storyline branches in real-time, and those impacts continue.

If the collapse of the academy in the future is the end of an episode, countless events occur within that episode.

For example, a significant event affecting the story is Rod’s addiction. If not resolved, the story becomes more challenging.

Other notable points include building a rapport with Kara to solve future issues with the Tatars and ensuring the survival of Ellie, who always seems to disappear.

Choices that seemed trivial could come back to hit you like a giant hammer, causing unexpected situations.

“Ah, was I too abrupt? I should have asked for a chat first…”

Like her nickname “broke Iron Man,” she was a character destined for great success.

In other words, she was currently just a student with no connections.

‘Was she a second-year?’

She was a significant character, so I knew the basics. Her name was Jane Brennon.

She hailed from Santiago, the land of machines and science. Despite her intellectual appearance, she was a commoner.

Like her nickname “broke Iron Man,” she had exceptional skills in mechanical engineering.

But, as with many tragic geniuses, even the professors didn’t acknowledge her theories, leaving her with no progress.

“Can we talk? I couldn’t explain properly due to the suddenness, but please give me a chance!”

“Okay.”

“…What?”

She was startled by my easy acceptance.

Her slipping glasses showed her bewilderment.

‘It’s fascinating how this woman will turn dark later.’

If Ellie required attention to ensure her survival, Jane was a character who increased the difficulty level.

Even if I refused now, she would find an investor later, but that investor would be a jerk.

He would steal all of Jane’s research and make it his own.

Usually, e.

“What do you want to explain?”

“Oh? Ah, yes! Let’s move over there first!”

Jane hurriedly adjusted her slipping glasses and led the way. Despite her appearance, she exuded a nerdy vibe.

Her shabby shirt showed her poverty, but her chest was anything but.

She had no problem with basic living but lacked the funds to achieve her dreams.

“Wait a moment. Ice cream.”

“What?”

“I’ll buy some.”

“Sure! Take your time! I’ll wait!”

She was quite intense. I felt like I was attracting all the attention.

I bought two chocolate ice creams from the usual shop. One was, of course, for Jane.

When I returned to where Jane was waiting, I found her fidgeting anxiously. She seemed worried I would reject her.

‘Anyone else would probably refuse instantly.’

Jane’s personality was straightforward. She couldn’t speak in a roundabout way.

You could say she was similar to Ellie but more rigid.

Maybe it’s because we weren’t close yet. Her real personality was remarkable in many ways.

“Here.”

“Yes!”

Jane answered energetically as she accepted the ice cream.

She seemed unfazed by the blood-stained state of my appearance.

After giving her the ice cream, I retrieved Ragnarok and held it in my empty hand.

“Where to?”

“Th-that bench over there…”

Jane pointed to a bench in the square after licking her ice cream.

Typically, we would go to a café or restaurant, but she chose there probably because of my appearance.

“I’d love to go to a café, but I can’t afford it… Sorry.”

Oh, it was just because she had no money.

The saying that truly poor people can’t even afford a cup of coffee seemed true.

She wanted to show sincerity but couldn’t due to lack of funds.

I felt sorry for Jane’s poverty. I wondered how she had survived until now.

Clattering—

We sat on the square bench, and I placed Ragnarok beside me. Jane seemed to be contemplating what to say.

I decided to eat my ice cream while waiting for her to speak. It felt even tastier because the weather was getting hotter.

“Chomp, chomp, chomp.”

“…”

She was eating her ice cream like a meal, not nibbling but gobbling it down.

Even I felt awkward watching her. Could it be that she hadn’t had such treats in a long time?

“It’s delicious… How long has it been since I had ice cream…”

I decided not to dwell on her poverty anymore.

The academy provided minimal support, just enough to scrape by. Students had to earn their pocket money.

Ellie and Luna also went into the forest every week to earn pocket money. They couldn’t do that now, which was a problem.

Moreover, Jane’s field was mechanical engineering, so she likely knew little about herbs. She probably survived by doing odd jobs.

“Um, may I start explaining now?”

“Sure.”

“Thank you. Sivar, what do you think about machines?”

Starting from there, huh? I gave Jane my usual expressionless stare.

Most people wouldn’t think much about machines. There were various machines in this world, after all.

“Oh, right. You might not know…”

The problem was me. Rumors about me being a wild man who just entered civilization were probably all over the academy.

Jane was momentarily flustered because of it.

If I didn’t say anything, this would drag on. Since I’d been in civilization for a while, it was good to answer this much.

“They make things convenient.”

“Pardon?”

“They make our lives easier.”

“Oh! Yes! That’s right! Machines are like that!”

When I briefly explained about machines, Jane nodded enthusiastically.

She then started praising machines, mentioning magic trains, guns, and more.

Her homeland, Santiago, was known for its scientific advancements, so such explanations flowed naturally.

“I love machines and want to advance them. My goal is to assist people with weak bodies using machines! To put it simply…!”

Jane’s explanation was about exoskeletons and mechanical prosthetics. Fantasy-like over-technology.

Given the illusions and items shown at the special training grounds, one might question why these were considered an ideal.

However, these relied heavily on ‘magic.’ In this world, magic manifested through language.

Like how AI can create images, it facilitated many things, with engineering playing a supporting role.

Despite Santiago’s scientific advancements, they didn’t completely reject magic. They harmonized it, reaching extremes in development.

“One migh with machines! I can prove it!”

Jane’s face lit up with excitement as she passionately explained. Her blue eyes sparkled behind her glasses.

Knowing the future, I knew she would achieve her dream. But to others, it might sound like nonsense.

Moreover, it required a lot of money. The future was so uncertain that no one invested, and even the professors didn’t support her.

‘If left alone, I might witness her strapping cannons to demons.’

I wondered if she knew about the game where the protagonist slashed through demons. It was famous for its love of chainsaws.

The inventions Jane would create after turning dark were just like the demons in that game. It was terrifying to imagine.

Especially attaching bombs to demons, causing significant damage.

“Aren’t you interested?”

Jane cautiously asked as I got lost in thought. She seemed discouraged by my lack of reaction.

I shook my head to reassure her. It was an interesting story.

It was overly ambitious, but with investment, Jane would prove herself.

“I am.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. I’m curious.”

“T-then, will you invest…?”

Her explanation was good, but her voice trailed off when it came to investment.

In Soul World, she practically begged, but this time was different.

Rolling her eyes and being hesitant, it seemed she was nervous about asking.

This showed that Jane wasn’t malicious. Her reasons for turning dark later were justified.

“…Do you know how important money is, Sivar?”

“I do.”

“Then you also know not to give money to strangers.”

“Yes.”

“Th-then why…”

She seemed torn between asking out of desperation and feeling reluctant.

But I had to invest now to build a relationship with Jane. I seized the moment as she hesitated.

“How much do you need?”

“Pardon?”

“Money. How much?”

“Well… To prove my theory, I need about 10,000 silver coins…”

10,000 silver coins are equivalent to 1 million won. It’s expensive for a commoner but reasonable for a noble.

And it was the price that would prove Jane’s genius. She could achieve innovation with just 1 million won.

Normally, we would make some agreements, but I didn’t think Jane would betray me. So, I stood up.

“Let’s go.”

“Go? Where to…”

“The bank. I’ll give you the money.”

“R-really?! Th-then, we should make a contract first…!”

“Later.”

Money first, then think. I stuffed the remaining ice cream into my mouth and headed to the bank.

Jane hurriedly got up and followed me, looking both anxious and hopeful. Her innocent expression was kind of cute.

“A-are you really giving it to me? To someone with no background or connections?”

“Yes.”

“Wh-why? Can I ask what vision you saw?”

Because I know what you’ll do in the future. I have to stop you from strapping machines to demons.

The words were on the tip of my tongue, but my poor language skills thankfully held them back.

“Just because.”

“Just because?”

“It looks interesting.”

I didn’t expect to make such a chaotic statement. But I had no other words.

Jane looked dumbfounded by my response. Her slipping glasses made her look more naive.

It wasn’t just empty talk. Her future inventions would appeal to a man’s dreams.

“I want one too.”

“For you too…?”

“Yes.”

Jane’s expression grew more complex. She must be feeling conflicted now.

I let her think while I headed to the bank. The first task was to withdraw money.

“Sorry, Sivar. You can’t withdraw without a passbook.”

“Oh.”

I needed the passbook. Rize had it, so how should I get it?

I told Jane to wait and returned to the dorm. I could wash my face quickly too.

Rize was busy with her physical training and didn’t pay attention to me. I could use this time to grab the passbook.

“Sivar, where are you going with the passbook?”

“…”

“If you need money, just tell me. I’ll give it to you.”

I got caught immediately. How did she notice when I was so discreet?

I looked around like a child caught stealing from their parents.

How could I persuade Rize? I had to give the investment to Jane somehow.

“Mechanical arm.”

“Mechanical arm?”

“Yes.”

The words that came out of my mouth were.

“She said she’d give it if I gave her money.”

“…How much?”

“10,000.”

“…”

I was as blunt as Luna. Rize would probably scold me harshly.

But Rize’s reaction was different.

“Alright. Go ahead.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s fine.”

I wondered if she was serious and looked at her face.

She smiled kindly in her Holy Warrior mode and added a bone-chilling remark.

“You need to experience this at least once.”

“…”

Why did it remind me of getting scammed in a certain game?

End of Chapter

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