Chapter 10.1 - Manipulating Fate (2)

After class.

Frondier, Sybil, and Aster were sitting together in a cafe on campus. 

Sybil sat at a round table, rolling her eyes and glancing around. In front of her sat the most reputable student in the first year, and the least reputable.

Aster Evans, a powerful and talented student who was well-liked by teachers and students alike.

Frondier de Roach, who always sleeps through classes, was lazy, and had no divine power or talent.

The mere sight of them together drew stares from people inside the café, and Sybil felt uncomfortable.

The stares were partly due to the fact that she was in the middle of it all, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

『Aster, why did you single me out?』Frondier's languid lips parted and he asked.

The question was one that Sybil had been wondering as well, so naturally her gaze shifted to Aster.

But Aster's eyes narrowed, as if he were surprised by the question.

『Why, you helped me.』

『I did?』 

『Mistiltane. Because you eased my worries.』

『.....It was a worry that would eventually have disappeared, but what.』

Frondier sighed.

『Ah, I heard that one.』

Sybil said with a twinkle in her eye.

Fondier's behavior at the meeting of the nobles was quite a famous event. The so-called Incident of the Human Sloth Frondier's Rant.

It was an absurd behavior that occurred at a gathering of prestigious people in the Empire. From his bravado about how he wasn't afraid of the gods and the divine punishment, to his recklessness in destroying trading goods.

In the end, Frondier's actions may have been for the good of his family, but his behavior was nothing more than recklessness.

『Fondier, are you sure you're not afraid of the Divine Punishment?』Sybil asked.

It was not a question of mockery or disdain, but out of pure curiosity.

Fondier looked at Sybil and answered,『Yes.』

『Is that it…..?』

『Huh?』

Sybil's mouth dropped open at the short answer.

『It's too dangerous to say something just to brag.』

『What kind of showing off can you do in that situation?』Frondier asked.

It seems like he didn't really want to show off, Sybil thought.

『Well, let's move on from that topic for now. There's something else we need to discuss today.』

Aster said, gesturing around the room.

『A third year and a teacher will accompany us,” Sybil explained, “We've decided who we're going to have, right?』

Yes. The three of them were here for a reason.

A dungeon exploration party has five people and at least two of them should include a third grader and a teacher.

『Who should we ask? The teachers are usually cooperative, but many third graders refuse. They're busy with their own work and it's annoying. Shouldn't we make a list from the beginning, just in case they say no?』

Soon after, Sybil and Aster mentioned the names of a few seniors from their third year, and Sybil eagerly jotted them down.

All the while, Frondier remained silent.

They didn't ask him how he was doing, partly because they knew he had a reputation for being lazy, but also because he looked surprisingly pensive.

『......I.』

After a long pause, Frondier spoke up.

『Senior Quinie.』

『......Huh?』

Aster repeated.

『By Senior Quinie, are you referring to Quinie de Viet?』

『Yes.』

Frondier nodded, and Sybil and Aster exchanged a glance.

Quinie de Viet.

A genius who revived a family on the brink of collapse at a young age of less than twenty years.

Her cold work ethic and ruthless determination, coupled with a genius for commerce, made her the ‘Little Devil,’ as they called her.

Frondier said, 『What do you think, if we establish a relationship with Senior Quinie from now on, it will be of great benefit to us in the future.』

『That's true, but.......』

The two exchanged nods of affirmation and trepidation.

Sybil spoke up, 『I don't think ......she will help us.』

That's right. None of them had a relationship with Quinie.

Quinie, on the other hand, was a profit-and-loss type of person. She wasn't the type of person you'd ask to join you at a dungeon party.

You have to give her something in return.

『As far as I know, Senior Quinie doesn't like 'obligation' or 'debt'. A simple promise to repay for accompanying her to a dungeon is not going to work for her.』

Aster nodded in agreement at Sybil's words.

Then Frondier's languid eyes tilted for a moment.

『If I were to bring you to Senior Quinie, neither of you would have a problem with it, would you?』

『......Fondier, are you going to do something reckless again?』 Aster's expression hardened.

Frondier smiled at his worried face.

‘Oh.’

Sybil was a little surprised by the smile.

Fondier's appearance itself was the epitome of nobility, so a smile on his languid face was quite a sight to behold.

『Don't worry. I'll make a good deal.』