Chapter 36

<36 - Contraband Security Check> Gift Academy exists on a special ‘island.’ Entry and exit are only possible through a <Dimensional Gate>, which activates an effect similar to spatial translocation magic on a near-permanent basis. There are numerous nominal reasons for this. To ensure students' safety. To prevent external invasions. To a player, these seem like nothing but flimsy excuses. ‘How is it preventing invasions when there are instances of academy deaths each term and intruders enter with such frequency?' The real reason is much simpler. Nobles and commoners, humans and non-human species. It aims to discipline those untouched by civilized norms, who, at the slightest difference, refuse to acknowledge another as an equal sentient being and seek to discriminate. Privilege and power enjoyed in society. The academy creates an environment where external influence is completely excluded, allowing students to focus solely on nurturing their innate talents. This begins with the prohibition of magical equipment. Except for medical gear essential for life support, control equipment for emergencies, and rescue equipment, all devices were subject to confiscation. "Items not allowed for import." "Ah, drat." Giselle's magical backpack, of course, was also subject to the import ban. "Ha! Cheating in exams with your gear, and now at the academy door, you're caught hook, line, and sinker, my refined employer." "As for your sizable staff, you may carry it, but if you wish to use it for anything other than personal training, you must obtain separate in-academy usage permission. We will grant permission to carry only." "That's just outrageous!" Son O’ Thousand’s great staff was essentially reduced to decoration. Comparatively speaking, it was a case of six of one, half a dozen of the other. "Same goes for freshman Isabel's luggage." The security wizards at the academy's security checkpoint packed all sorts of belongings into the storage bins without an ounce of mercy. It was only natural that during my few days off, all the assorted items I brought would be confiscated. "I have never seen such unusual items requested for import upon enrollment." The security wizard laid out a compass, glowstone wrapped in cloth, a case containing a structural mirror and metal rod, and a knife, looking utterly bewildered. The contents of my luggage appeared far more that of an adventurer than that of Isabel, who was an actual adventurer and was being inspected beside me. "Did you come here to explore dungeons by any chance?" "Well, I am an adventurer after all." It was for moments like these that I didn't mind skimping on fashion for the ruthlessly practical standard adventurer gear. Just as it's natural for a chef to carry a wok and cooking utensils, it's natural for an adventurer to carry the right adventuring gear. Even if others see it as over-preparedness, for an adventurer, it's just what's done. 'If it's prepared, it'll be useful someday.' If the academy was categorized as a dungeon, it would surely be labeled <Colossal><Living Hell><No Escape><High-Level Zone>. The world's most outstanding talents swarm here, making it natural to attract the world's most skilled individuals. Even the professors could outmatch most external dungeon bosses in strength. Harsh education at such an academy comes as no surprise. One must prepare well in advance for the distantly unforeseen – an adage of forethought. "You're taking all of this?" "It is a necessary measure. You must either craft, acquire, or earn points to obtain permission for the essential items within the academy." "Points?" And then an odd feature appeared. Were these not the same points I had received upon arrival at the entrance examination? "The scores you earned on the admission tests will also convert to points." In the game, a point shop would appear in the academy every few months. With the reality patch, it turned into currency for importing goods into the academy. "Your point balance can be checked on your uniformly issued magical watch." Magical watch. A wristwatch with an auxiliary smartphone function, in addition to the primary function of timekeeping, it also allows one to check their point balance, lecture schedules, announcements, and more. <Point Details> ━━━ Early Arrival to Boarding Bonus +55200 First Place Bonus in Advanced Class Admission Test Gate 1 +100000 Admission via Regular Intake in Advanced Class Admission Test Gate 2 +50000 Conversion of Admission Test Points +12200 ━━━ Total 217400 points It really pays off to do well in exams. I had accumulated a substantial amount of points before I knew it. <Point Usage> ┗<Item Possession and Permission Request> ━━━ Compass -50 points Backpack -500 points …… … Cloth-wrapped Glowstone -2000 points ━━━ Total -10250 points I just couldn't stand this. Just as I was about burst into a flex, a heavy despair came thundering back like the bitter taste of life that befalls one suddenly. [New students are not eligible to apply for possession permissions.] [New students are not eligible to apply for usage permissions.] "???" A pipe dream. A pie in the sky. The despair of being able to see something but not being able to have it. I was tormented by this false hope. "I resent this..." "It's unfortunate. Seems there’s more for you to resent." The security wizard added candy pouches and stone pouches to the contraband. Tears welled up in frustration, but Isabel came over and comforted me by patting my shoulder. "Sir Wizard, can you spare me a moment?" Unable to stand it any longer, Giselle pulled the wizard aside. What were they talking about? After a serious conversation, the wizard, seemingly sick unless all the world's items were put into contraband, returned the candy pouch and the stone pouch. "I apologize. Had I known of your circumstances earlier, this could have been avoided... Here, I return these to you." "Circumstances?" "Oknodie, at times like this, it's just proper to say 'thank you'." Well, what does the reason matter? Thankful for Leaf's precious candy and my treasured personal stat stone pouch being saved. "Thank you so much!" With utmost gratitude, I brought my hands to my belly and bowed deeply in a full abdomen salute. Giselle received the gesture with a face full of pleasure. To be pleased by such a formality. Giselle must be getting old. But I refrained from teasing about being a mature student, fearing my pouches would be confiscated. "How did the inspection end without incident? I just hope we don't have a repeat of last year with terrorists bringing bombs or new students sneaking in communication magical devices." "There is a notable incident to report about a new student from Group A, Oknodie." Myung Ho Se approached with an innocent smile that belied his age. "Oknodie? That new student caught my eye as well. Certainly, a character who could have qualified for early admission after the first exam. What is the report?" "The child is undergoing poison resistance training and if we confiscate she poison candy, it could disrupt her poison control and physical constitution, potentially unbalancing her system." "You mean to say the child has been consuming such dangerous poison?" The security wizard broke out in a cold sweat. Myung Ho Se kept a smiling face, but the palpable intensity emanating from him was extraordinary, as if facing a great monster. A sense of tension rose, as if one wrong move could bring about a fatal bite. Noticing the security wizard tense up, Myung Ho Se let go of his intensity with a realization. "My practice is still lacking if I am disturbed by this much. I'm ashamed for showing such an unsightly side." "No, no. I was quite perturbed myself." The security wizard finally exhaled in relief. With just one breath, the energy ebbed and flowed at will. A truly remarkable monk, not to be underestimated because he hailed from the East. To receive such attention from a monk. It meant that the new student Oknodie was extraordinary indeed. "The child has a habit of eating stones." "Eating stones?" "It was reported that it might be a mental disorder developed from enduring harsh training. If we rashly take the stones away, her mental state might collapse..." "Alas." Such a pitiful child. "Her body relies on poison, and her heart turns to simple stones for solace. Such a burdensome and plaintive life is much too weighty for a child to bear!" Myung Ho Se felt Tongche Daebi, a deep empathy with all beings. The monks share the pain and sorrow of all living beings as if it were their own. Druids commune with nature. Spiritualists commune with spirits. Mages commune with mana. Blademasters commune with their swords. Just as masters from numerous professions do, he too reached a communion with the soul. The entity with which the monk communicated was the ordinary beings of the secular world. All living things relishing life are considered sentient beings. That's why the monk's ability to commune exceeds that of any other class in the world. "May I ask you to keep this between us and not report it to other instructors, professors, or higher-ups?" "Myung Ho Se. While I understand your sentiment, protocol dictates that all instances must be reported upstairs." "I shall take it upon myself to watch over the child. True devotion touches the heart when received with sincerity. What would be the point of laws and rules if sentient beings do not consider each other with a mutually empathic heart?" Prohibiting and regulating those who don't fit the standard. Even though we claim to follow the Western elite principle, a law that doesn't tolerate the slightest imperfection brings nothing but misery and downfall to all beings. The security wizard found himself wanting to support Myung Ho Se's sincerity. Facing a true adult who vowed to take responsibility to help the unfortunate child, his conscience would not allow him to oppose. "May you be safe." "Be at peace." Both adults made their determinations, palms together. One decided to forget all and remain silent. The other decided to shoulder all and take responsibility. Author's Note (Author's Postscript) Wouldn't it be fine if one is happy by themselves?