Naoki now regretted it, deeply regretted it. If given the chance to turn back time, he would definitely return to four days ago, stop himself from accepting Merlin's training invitation, and seriously ask what was going through his mind at that time. Did he feel his life wasn't enjoyable enough, or had he suddenly become a masochist, deciding to accept that training? Was his life not good enough?
Three days, just three days, and Naoki had already experienced how annoying this training was. The illusionary knight dolls Merlin created almost always attacked him at every opportunity. His life was like that of a villainous noble, always ready to strike with all sorts of dirty tricks!
The scheduled training sessions were still bearable—low kicks, groin attacks, or deadly strikes from behind were understandable. After all, this was real combat training; winning was what mattered. Naoki himself often used such tricks to fight back.
But outside of training hours, the doll would suddenly appear and attack him, including but not limited to: shoving his head into a bowl of rice while he was eating, suddenly opening the toilet door and stealing the toilet paper roll while he was relieving himself, or blowing up a balloon until it popped near his ear while he was sleeping... None of the things the doll did could be considered humane.
And when Naoki asked Merlin, the main culprit, about this, the answer was: "As a competent fighter, you must have the ability to remain calm and solve problems in any situation."
Honestly, Naoki wasn't sure if this training could solve any problems, but one thing was certain—his calmness was completely gone.
"So this is your reason for blowing up the lab just because of a little provocation?"
In Waver's room, looking at Naoki with dark circles under his eyes and a gloomy face like someone who had already given up, Waver sighed in despair.
The previous class was a basic potion class, which was supposed to teach students the basics of potion-making, fundamental potion theory, and identifying raw materials. Waver, believing that practice was the best way to learn, took the students to the lab to try making simple potions.
His intentions were good, and the teaching material wasn't a problem either. The potion being made was just a type that could react to specific magical energy, so there shouldn't have been any issues. But, like some people who can't live without seeing vulgar images, the young nobles once again showed their bad habits by mocking Naoki, who was struggling to control his magical energy output due to his bad mood.
"You think I wanted to? Who told them to pick a fight?" Naoki said irritably. "I was already in a bad state because I couldn't eat or sleep properly, so I was like a powder keg ready to explode. Then they came and mocked me, so of course I blew them up to vent my anger!"
If it were under normal circumstances, Naoki wouldn't have cared about them. After all, he was a fairly patient person.
But the problem was that his mood was terrible at the time. He was already annoyed from being constantly attacked by the illusionary doll, compounded by repeated failures in making the potion, making him extremely unstable. Add the mockery from those nobles—of course, he exploded.
And he blew up the lab, while also sending the mocking nobles to the hospital.
Waver propped his hand on the table and took a pose like Commander Ikari, then said in a heavy voice: "Naoki, I understand the reason behind your mistake today. If possible, I would also like to defend you. But in the end, you still blew up the lab, and as a teacher, I have to punish you."
"Okay, I understand. So what's the punishment?"
"Your punishment consists of two parts. The first part is the punishment from me as your teacher—Naoki, because you blew up the potion lab belonging to the Botany Department, you are prohibited from conducting any research related to potions for one year, banned from attending classes for one month, and must compensate for the damaged equipment and destroyed materials."
"I accept the first part, but as for the compensation..." Naoki frowned. "How much is it?"
"The exact amount hasn't been calculated yet, but a rough estimate... about three years of my salary."
"..."
Naoki felt he might need to run away. That was an amount he could never afford as a student.
Seeing Naoki's panicked face, Waver smiled wryly: "This is the price you pay for being impulsive. Although I understand your condition. Fortunately, the lab I borrowed was the most basic one, with no valuable items inside, so most of what you need to compensate for is the cost of the equipment."
"Yeah... even so..."
To pay the rent, Naoki had actually been working part-time, but his salary was barely enough to cover it. If there were additional expenses...
'Do I need to find another job?'
As Naoki was thinking this, Waver suddenly spoke again: "But you don't need to worry. I've already informed Professor Kayneth about this, and he has included your debt in the El-Melloi Faction's debt."
"Huh?" Naoki was surprised. "Including my debt in the El-Melloi Faction's debt? So this means... the professor is paying it for me?"
"Are you dreaming?"
Waver glared at him: "You still have to pay the money; the professor is just helping you avoid further trouble. The lab you blew up belongs to the Botany Department, and they definitely won't let it slide. But now the professor has taken responsibility for you, so you just need to pay the money."
"I see..."
Kayneth was willing to help him? Most Magi were selfish; all their actions were essentially for their own benefit. If Kayneth was willing to help Naoki, it was most likely not because he had suddenly become a good person, but because—
'He wants to force me to join the El-Melloi Faction?'
That was the only reason he could think of.
Naoki sighed: "I didn't expect Professor Kayneth to do this. I guess I'll have to visit him this weekend to thank him. But even so, paying off such a large debt isn't easy for me. Will I have to live in poverty for the next few years?"
"Not necessarily."
Waver smiled, then pulled out a document from the drawer: "For a Magus, money isn't a problem. Magecraft papers, collaborative research, investigation requests... there are many ways to earn money. I've even heard of a senior who sold his own bodily fluids to pay for tuition."
"Isn't that a bit disgusting?"
"But for a Magus, it's a high-quality source of magical energy."
"You're not going to make me do the same, are you? I have my dignity as a man."
"If you did, you could earn the money in a few days. But that's not what I wanted to say." Waver handed the document to Naoki. "As I said earlier, one way to earn money is through investigation requests. By completing requests from other Magus, you can earn payment. Additionally, you can also accumulate practical credits—two benefits at once."
"So—" Naoki took the document. "I'm going to be a 'problem solver' now?"
"Besides, you're also banned from attending classes for a month, so the timing is perfect, isn't it? The request you're holding now isn't from a Magus, but from someone connected to the mystical world. Actually, this is a request the El-Melloi Faction used to pay off debts, but since your debt is now included in the faction's debt, it's become your responsibility. This is a low-difficulty field investigation; even a Magecraft beginner like you should be able to handle it."
"Thanks for giving me an easy task."
Naoki smiled wryly as he opened the document.
The content of the request was as Waver had said. Due to some strange occurrences in the area, they requested the Mage's Association to send someone to investigate. Of course, the reward wasn't large either.
About the requester and the location of the request—
"Bersac Blackmore... Blackmore Cemetery... Huh?"