Chapter 463

"Miss Suzanna, when is the latest I can pay tuition?"

"Miss Roxy, the latest is the end of February. As long as it's paid in full before March arrives, you won't be expelled."

"I heard outstanding students can get tuition waivers. Is that true?"

In early February of the 409th year of the Armored Dragon Calendar, at the tuition payment counter of Ranoa Magic University, a blue-haired demon girl leaned over the counter, looking at Suzanna with hopeful eyes. As a second-year student about to advance to third year, Roxy's grades in all subjects last year had been extremely excellent.

"There is such a thing, but it requires a mentor's recommendation..."

"Can't you make an exception?"

"I'm very sorry, this isn't something I can decide."

Roxy Migurdia sighed, but didn't continue to make things difficult for her.

"I will pay the tuition in full before the payment deadline."

Roxy wondered whether to ask Teacher Evias, who was relatively friendly toward her, to write a recommendation letter to obtain a tuition reduction for the new school year.

However, she wasn't too interested in the magic circle magic that Teacher Evias researched.

Well, mainly it was too expensive.

The materials needed to draw magic circles — without sufficient financial power to support it, one simply couldn't go far.

A poor devil should just properly chant incantations and cast spells using their own magic power.

If she owed a favor and got pulled into the other party's research direction, she felt she would be poor for life.

【What about Teacher Naginas? Would he help me write a recommendation letter? He looks like a very serious person, but he often recommends relevant magic research books to me in the library. If it's him, he probably wouldn't make things difficult for me just because of my demon race identity...】

Roxy thought further, and the Water King-class magic research project he led happened to be exactly what she wanted to study afterward.

After all, she was a woman who would become a future Water God-Class Magician!

"Roxy, what are you thinking about?"

Just as the demon girl puffed out her small chest, feeling a little proud from imagining herself as a future Water God-Class Magician, her petite body suffered a sneak attack. Her white-haired catgirl roommate embraced her from behind, her head passing over Roxy's shoulder to rub against her face.

"Rene, stop ambushing me like this all the time."

Roxy raised her hand to push away the white catgirl's head.

"Who told my Roxy to be this cute and smell this good, meow~"

The white catgirl ignored the demon girl's resistance, leaned against the girl's neck, and inhaled deeply, looking just like a large white cat addicted to sniffing demons.

Unable to withstand her roommate's warrior physique, the demon girl finally gave up resisting, sighed, and asked: "So, what did Rene-chan come to find me for? Are you planning to invite me to go labyrinth adventuring together? I was just about to go to the Adventurer's Guild to pick up some commissions."

Those who study magic know — it burns money. Although Roxy, as an A-rank Adventurer, had decent earning ability at the Ranoa Kingdom Adventurer's Guild where commissions of all levels existed, she still couldn't bear the various material expenses consumed daily by studying magic.

These two years, Roxy attended magic university while working part-time at the Adventurer's Guild on holidays, but there were always people who, because of the Migurdia tribe's racial physique, treated her like a child and looked down on her, unwilling to party with her.

However, after becoming teammates with Rene, she also had a fixed adventurer party. Just the two of them could delve into labyrinths with not-low danger levels and obtain considerable harvests from within.

"Taking commissions — is Roxy very short on money?"

"It's a new year, I have to pay the new semester's tuition. Rene, aren't you short on money?"

"Not short, because I'm a special admission student. I don't need to pay tribute to the academy. On the contrary, I have quite a few little brothers in this academy, and they're the ones who need to pay tribute to me, the boss!"

Roxy: "..."

Ah, damn special admission students, damn beastman tradition of acknowledging a boss.

"However, if you're short on money, I just heard some good news for easy money from the Adventurer's Guild."

The white catgirl suddenly said.

"What good news? Is it an adventure commission? But if it's easy money, it'd be a high-quality commission. That kind of commission gets snatched up the moment it goes on the guild task board, right? It probably has nothing to do with students like us who only go adventuring part-time once in a while?"

Roxy said.

"No, this commission is special. I heard it started from the Nelis Kingdom side. There's a guy who, in the Adventurer's Guilds of cities he passes through, posts a 'Find Person Commission' — 【just go meet him and he'll give the meeting person money】."

"Get money just for meeting?"

Roxy listened, a bit stunned.

"Isn't that just a pure idiot?"

She retorted.

"Who knows, maybe the guy has money to burn."

Rene shrugged her shoulders.

"Could it be a trap? Like some cultists screening sacrifices or something."

Roxy was a bit suspicious. From her life experience so far, there was no such thing as free lunch in this world.

For example, before coming to the Ranoa Kingdom, an adventurer handsome guy who took a guard commission with her, fawned over her, and pursued her.

Result: pursuing her was fake. He was actually after the money for her to enter magic academy, planning to swindle her tuition to pay off his own debts.

"Who knows. But people really have received the money, and not just one or two — many people have received it."

Rene shrugged.

"Okay, even if there's some idiot with too much money, how much money could the other party give just for meeting once?"

Roxy was a bit suspicious, and she wasn't interested in commissions worth a few copper coins.

"I heard it's 1 Ranoa silver coin."

Rene answered.

"When does the meeting commission start? I can't wait already!"

Just meeting once gets the equivalent of one-twentieth of university tuition — who would dislike that?

"Judging by the route, in about two days, that idiot-with-too-money guy who posts meeting commissions everywhere will arrive at Sharia. But the meeting person's gender is limited to women, and the same person cannot repeatedly sign up to meet and collect money."

Rene answered. She wasn't very enthusiastic about this matter, because the little brothers around her were mostly male beastmen. Even if they wanted to fleece the idiot, there was no way.

"Rene-chan, will you go with me then?"

"Uh, if Roxy wants me to come along."

During the wait, Roxy also went to the Adventurer's Guild side to see if there were any other good money-making commissions, and also to inquire about the meet-people commission situation.

After all, Rene is a Beastman, and the Beastmen's habitual characteristic is that their brains aren't too sharp; Roxy was afraid this was a commission with a trap.

But after inquiring, Roxy felt at ease; the content of the meet-people commission for finding a Destined Partner was enough to see that the guy who posted this commission should be in a situation of spending money on a selection.

And a plain, unremarkable demon girl like her would probably just go through the motions, acting as a filler to take the money and leave.

*Slap~*

A palm slapped onto her forehead; Roxy's face turned somewhat shamefully red. She actually felt relieved at this moment for her plain, unremarkable petite figure.

"Roxy, why are you hitting your own forehead?"

The catgirl next to her looked somewhat puzzled.

"Nothing, I was just swatting a mosquito."

The demon girl's expression was somewhat regretful as she stared at her catgirl roommate who wore only a bandeau and had a deep cleavage.

If she could, she also wanted to possess a proud, upright figure like the other party, but the Migurdia Tribe really couldn't do it; truly hateful!

Sighing, Roxy continued checking the Guild's mission board for any good money-making commissions, preferably the kind that didn't require spending too much time to complete.

"We're almost at Magic City Xilia; the meet-people commission news was already passed over a week ago, so the people there should already be prepared."

Inside the spacious luxury carriage, Orsted looked at the Saiyan boy sitting cross-legged opposite, holding two tree branches in his hands, using two styles of swordsmanship to spar left hand against right hand, and spoke.

"I only hope that city won't have too many cross-dressing guys this time."

Broly stopped his hand movements and said a sentence.

"The meeting fee adjusted from three silver coins to one silver coin; those kinds of guys shouldn't appear again. Of course, if those kinds of guys really do appear, I don't mind making them into true 'women'."

Orsted didn't care much about monetary loss, but he hated being made a fool of; last time a group of males came cross-dressed to collect money, he broke their limbs and threw them out at the meeting venue.

Arriving at the Ranoa Kingdom's Magic City Xilia, the Adventurer's Guild Master had long been waiting here for the Major Donor.

The Dragon God put on a pair of sunglasses and walked out; although this couldn't offset the Curse on his body, it could reduce the immense pressure his fierce gaze would bring to outsiders.

【How terrifying a person!】

People's first feeling upon seeing Orsted was this kind of sensation.

【No wonder no thieves dare target the carriage; that sucker with more money than brains.】

And this was the second thought; as long as there was a suitable reason to explain Orsted's existence, general people wouldn't directly fall into panic wanting to flee from his side.

"Xilia Adventurers Guild Master, this is the fee I posted for the commission; I'll leave it with you for safekeeping for now. Hope Xilia's side won't have any freeloaders."

"Please rest assured, we are professionals. Even if some cross-dressers mix in, we absolutely won't pay them. Wishing Broli-sama success in finding his Destined Partner here in Xilia."

Orsted stood silently beside Broly; the negotiation was completed by Broly. The Xilia Adventurers Guild Master brought the two into the city, and driven by the generous reward, he arranged the best inn for Broly and Orsted.

The meet-people commission was arranged for the afternoon; before that, Broly and Orsted could sightsee around Xilia.

However, to avoid causing chaos, neither went outside; when the time was about right, they came to the Adventurer's Guild side.

And here was already a sea of people; a large number of dolled-up women craned their necks awaiting the money-giving sucker — no, the one spending money like water, with a very mysterious background, suspected to be a top-tier Noble or major merchant family's young master — to come over.

"Eh, so crowded nya~"

The catgirl stood in the crowd, feeling like there was nowhere to set foot.

"Can't be helped; the temptation of one silver coin brought almost all of Xilia's middle and lower-class women here."

The people who came ranged from old to young; even more excessively, even female infants in swaddling clothes were brought by their parents.

Because, inside the meet-people commission, the women to be met had no age restriction whatsoever.

Any household with a female, come meet for a face, get one silver coin; who wouldn't come? Whoever doesn't is a fool.

And some women from Noble or wealthy merchant families who weren't moved by one silver coin also came over in no small numbers to watch this lively scene.

Xilia's city guards maintained order; this matter had already been coordinated with the City Lord's Mansion. And with the dark mass of people, Broly only needed to glance once, and the Crystal Palace would know if there were any acknowledged Capture targets inside.

【New Capture Target discovered: Roxy Migurdia, current Happiness Value 3 (Expecting Money)】

Originally thought this time would also just be going through the motions, sprinkling a wave of Orsted's provided partner-finding funds.

Result: the Crystal Palace, which had no movement for the previous eighteen reincarnations, suddenly reacted.

"Eh, it's over already? Can we get the money now?"

After Broly discovered the Capture Target, the meeting venue began to disperse.

The Adventurer's Guild front desk ladies, each with a large bag of silver coins placed beside them, handed out money to the departing women.

During this, there were also cross-dressing males being forked out; apart from those kinds of people, every other person's face showed a sincere smile, because one silver coin equaled half a month's salary for the vast majority of Xilia's commoners.

"This money is so easy to earn; pity it can't be done repeatedly."

On the road back to the Magic University, Roxy said this to the cat-eared girl beside her, then saw the other's tail and ears suddenly stand up.

"What's wrong, Rene-chan?"

"Rene-chan sensed a terrifying enemy presence."

"Enemy?"

Roxy was puzzled; this was inside a city, where would an enemy come from.

"In the sky."

The white catgirl followed her senses and raised her head; Roxy followed and looked up, seeing two figures descending.

"Quite sharp senses, but I have no impression; shouldn't be anything too powerful."

Orsted glanced at the white catgirl and said a sentence.

Rene, however, had her hair stand on end from the Dragon God's gaze.

"Is it the Employer who posted the meet-people commission?!"

Roxy's mouth twitched, feeling she wouldn't be this unlucky, to actually be targeted by a bad person with ulterior motives.

"It's me. I'm Broly. I wonder if this Migurdia Tribe demon lady is willing to make friends with me, with becoming my wife as the final outcome?"

After Broly finished his self-introduction, he began asking questions.

"Can I refuse?"

Roxy took a step back, looking at him warily—or rather, at Orsted standing beside him.

"Huh?"

Broly was somewhat stunned, while Dragon God Orsted frowned and glared at the demon girl.

"As for the meeting fee, we can refund it to you."

Feeling immense pressure, Roxy hurriedly said, then took out the silver coins she had earned from completing the meeting commission from her pouch.

Broly: "……"

"Are you going to take her away by force?"

Orsted asked at this moment, but had already prepared to knock the demon girl opposite them unconscious and take Roxy away directly.

"Scare~"

"Don't you dare lay a hand on my little brother."

The white catgirl shielded Roxy behind her, looking ready to launch an attack at any moment.

Roxy also secretly took out her staff; if conflict broke out later, she would fight alongside Rene.

"No, I want to capture her heart, not attack her."

Broly refused Orsted's proposal—what good would taking her by force do? The Happiness Value on her would surely drop to nothing.

"By the way, how did things turn out like this? It feels like we've become bad people."

Hearing the Saiyan boy's words, Roxy's mouth corner twitched slightly.

Isn't this just the play of a rich young master bringing a fierce bodyguard to forcibly seize a commoner girl?

Orsted: "……"

"I think this is due to the curse on me. Here's what we'll do: I'll leave first, Broly, you talk to her yourself."

Orsted finished speaking and flew away directly.

Only after he left did the tense scene finally calm down.

Rene's fur gradually settled, and Roxy secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The pressure Orsted brought was truly too great.

But now there was only one boy opposite her, so Roxy felt no pressure; she silently put the small staff back into her pouch.

"So, my Roxy is your destined partner, meow?"

After Broly's explanation, the white catgirl Rene finally understood—they weren't bad people coming to block them, but a fellow coming to pursue Roxy.

"Even if you say that, but... you're too young, aren't you?"

Roxy didn't understand how she had been coveted; of course, being pursued was always a good thing, but the suitor looked even younger than herself, which was rather troubling.

Did she have a constitution that attracted younger suitors? Wind Young Master was like that, and this Broly Young Master before her was the same.

"Am I small? But I'm already thirteen years old."

Broly looked at the age recognized by Crystal Palace and didn't think he was small.

"Thirteen years old? That's just a little brat whose hair hasn't even grown in!"

Rene said.

"Anyway, this Broly Young Master, you're not my type right now. If you want to pursue me, please grow up a bit first before we talk."

Roxy refused him, then cautiously asked: "By the way, if I refuse you, you won't ask me to return the meeting fee, right?"

Broly shook his head.

"That's good."

Roxy patted her slightly puffed-up chest and looked relieved.

"Then, Broly Little Brother, bye-bye, meow."

The white catgirl waved at Broly.

"When you grow up, come talk to my Roxy about mating!"

She said it in a way that would shock people or she wouldn't rest.

She was covered by the demon girl beside her, who shouted, "What nonsense are you saying to a child!"

Seeing the two leave, Dragon God Orsted returned to Broly's side.

"How did it go?"

He asked.

"I was refused; she thinks I'm too young."

Broly replied.

"Then what will you do?"

Orsted asked again.

"A capture target always needs capturing; it's not like she'll agree just because I say so, right?"

Broly was not disappointed.

"What do you plan to do?"

"Let's put this matter aside for now. I plan to settle accounts with that Human God fellow. Orsted, are you interested in coming with me to beat up the Human God tonight?"

(Chapter End)