Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 28: Finding a Good Spot
Jean beamed at Merlin, unable to hide his admiration. As expected of someone from the family of his idol—so generous and broad-minded. Turning to the younger students, he chuckled.
“What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and thank Junior Brother Merlin. Not only does he let you help him slaughter chickens, but you also get paid for it. Back in my first year, I never had such luck. Isn’t this a fine way to earn some extra coin?”
The first-year students of the Beast-Taming Academy quickly bowed in gratitude. This was more than just help—it was a job, a chance to make money. Five copper coins might seem little, but for them, it was a whole day’s pocket money. After paying tuition, dorm fees, and other expenses, most could barely afford more than that for daily use.
Jean then explained, “Behind our Beast-Taming Academy lies a branch of the Emerald River. The academy uses the downstream waters to wash away much of the waste from magical beasts.”
“So we’re going downstream to slaughter the chickens?” Merlin asked curiously.
“Of course not. We’ll head upstream instead—the environment’s better there, no foul smells.”
With that, Jean led Merlin and the group of juniors toward the back mountain.
Sunlight spilled through the treetops, dappling the winding path with golden patches. The air was thick with the crisp fragrance of pine and damp earth. Merlin instinctively drew a deep breath, savoring nature’s embrace. He could faintly sense the subtle flow of magical energy here—what a wonderful place.
After less than ten minutes, they reached an open clearing. A clear stream wound its way across the land, its cheerful gurgle blending with the distant chirping of insects. Merlin’s eyes lit up at once.
“Senior Jean, does this land also belong to the Beast-Taming Academy?” he asked.
“Not really. While the academy uses the back mountain, it’s technically public land. It’s just too remote. Our academy is already far from the main campus, and this spot is even further out. Naturally, few people bother to come here.”
Jean then set his juniors to work along the riverbank, preparing two hundred chickens.
Merlin’s gaze sharpened. “So… this means anyone can use this place? Even live here?”
“Live? Well, yes, technically. But who would bother? Isn’t it better to sleep comfortably in a dormitory bed than camp out here?”
Jean watched the juniors work, swiftly slaughtering fat hens and sorting the parts exactly as Merlin had instructed. He nodded in approval. He’d come mainly to ensure no one tried to cheat Merlin, but from the looks of it, everything was being handled properly.
Merlin, however, had already made up his mind. He was going to move out of the high-class dorms and live here instead. Paying through the nose for those dorms was a waste. Besides, he’d need space and manpower for his future business ventures. This location was perfect—close to the academy, a pool of students to hire, and plenty of room to set up workshops. After all, it was public land.
Still, building a house was not something he could do alone. Ordinary folk couldn’t even step foot into the Arcane Academy without trouble. So he turned to Jean.
“Senior, do you know anyone in the academy who can build houses?”
Jean froze, staring blankly. Build houses? What kind of question was this? He glanced around, then narrowed his eyes as though piecing things together.
“I get it… You’ve taken a liking to this spot, haven’t you? You actually want to build here?”
“Exactly. I plan to move out of the dorms and settle here.” Merlin nodded firmly.
Jean almost wondered if his junior was insane. That was the high-class dormitory they were talking about—rumored to be luxurious beyond imagination, with the utmost convenience for classes. Why would anyone abandon it for this godforsaken corner of nowhere, just because the scenery was nice?
Unable to follow Merlin’s train of thought, Jean sighed. “If you really want to build, then you could always hire these juniors. Don’t underestimate them just because they’re freshmen—they’ve got skills.”
“Oh? They can build houses too?” Merlin was taken aback. Building a house was no small feat.
Jean laughed heartily. “The Beast-Taming Academy is never short on craftsmen. Most of these kids come from families of artisans. Naturally, they’ve learned their parents’ trades.”
He waved toward a boy working nearby. “Gallant! Come over here!”
The boy—Gallant—looked up from butchering a chicken and hurried over. Merlin recognized him at once. Wasn’t this the same lad who’d been so obsessed with eating chicken tails?
Pushing the boy forward, Jean said, “This is Gallant. His parents are house-builders by trade. Wooden cottages, stone houses, even fortress walls—his family can do it all. He’s been learning from them for years. Maybe building a full castle is beyond him, but a sturdy cottage or stone house? No problem.”
Gallant blinked in surprise. “Brother Merlin, you… want to build a house?”
“Yes. I want a personal lodge built here on this clearing. I’ll move out of my current dorm and live here instead,” Merlin confirmed.
Like Jean, Gallant couldn’t understand why anyone would leave the luxury dorms for this desolate place. But house-building was his “bloodline talent,” honed by years of practice under his parents’ tutelage. He had the skills, no question.
Before entering the Arcane Academy, Gallant had thought: If I don’t make something of myself here, I’ll just gather some brothers and go back to building houses.
It had been so long since he’d built one that his hands practically itched. Work like that wasn’t cheap, and who at the academy would need a house built anyway?
But now—finally—someone was asking.
“Brother Merlin, are you serious about this?”
“Of course. This is public land, after all. See that clearing by the river? I want to build a small villa there.”
“A… villa?”
“Yes. A three-story residence. Hard to explain, but once I draft the plans, you’ll understand.”
Merlin wasn’t an architect, but he intended to sketch out the exterior. As for the construction itself—that he would leave to professionals.
The moment Gallant realized Merlin wasn’t joking, excitement surged through him. “Brother Merlin, leave it to me! I’ll make sure it’s beautiful. I know plenty of classmates from builder families—getting helpers won’t be a problem.”
“Good. I’ll go back and work on the designs. Once they’re ready, you can calculate the costs and start as soon as possible. The sooner, the better. The term’s almost over, and I need a place to stay before the next one begins.”