Kays Translations

Chapter 75: Washing the Muscles and Cutting the Marrow

Merlin’s heart sank a little. Tch, these guys really struck gold this time.

Forcing a pleasant smile, he strolled over to the group of senior fourth-rank magicians and casually asked, “So, seniors… how’s the pearl milk tea? Tastes good, doesn’t it?”

The seniors—fourth-year magicians of considerable standing—immediately recognized their “boss.” One by one, they jumped to their feet respectfully.

“Good day, Boss Merlin!” one said eagerly. “This pearl milk tea is simply incredible. I can’t stop drinking it!”

Another chimed in, nodding with enthusiasm. “Yes! Especially these pearls… I don’t know what they’re made of, but they’re so chewy, so flavorful. I’ve never tasted anything like it!”

Chewy, eh? Merlin thought with a private smirk. If only you knew… those pearls were made from poisonous wild sweet potatoes that even pigs turn their noses up at.

Naturally, he couldn’t say that aloud. Instead, he chuckled warmly, masking his true thoughts. “As long as you’re enjoying it, that’s what matters. But remember, no matter how tasty something is, you shouldn’t overindulge. Drink too much and your stomach will swell uncomfortably. And don’t forget—it’s quite sweet. Too much sugar will make you gain weight.”

Inside, his thoughts turned sharp and irritated. I’ve said enough hints. You thick-headed lot still planning to guzzle down more? For the love of the gods, drink less, will you?

The seniors, however, were deeply moved. To them, Merlin’s words were the mark of a considerate leader who cared for their well-being.

“Boss Merlin,” one of them said, eyes shining with gratitude, “rest assured, our bodies are strong. But this milk tea is so delicious—we fear we may never get another chance to enjoy it like this. Would you mind if we had… just a little more?”

Would I mind? Of course I mind, you fools! Merlin grit his teeth inwardly. Outwardly, he remained the picture of generosity, spreading his arms with a magnanimous grin. “Not at all! Drink as much as you like.”

Drink up, then. Once you’ve finished draining my milk tea, I’ll be sure to drain every last drop of your magical power with extra work assignments. If I don’t grind you to exhaustion, I won’t be called Leo.

Meanwhile, students who had already dashed to the latrines began trickling back into the clearing. Confusion clouded their faces. They couldn’t understand why they all suddenly had diarrhea.

Logically, after days of grueling training, their bodies should’ve been hardened, resilient. Something like this shouldn’t be happening. Yet one after another… no, nearly everyone who drank the pearl milk tea had the same issue.

Suspicion began to spread like wildfire. Could it be… that the milk tea itself was the problem?

Dozens of uneasy eyes turned toward Merlin. A thought echoed in their minds: Did Boss Merlin use us as test subjects for some new product?

Merlin caught the shift in atmosphere immediately. No need to guess, children—you’re exactly my test subjects.

The tension thickened around the back mountain clearing, suspicion pressing down like a suffocating fog. If Merlin didn’t act swiftly, his prestige and reputation—carefully built until now—would shatter in an instant.

That cannot be allowed.

He coughed loudly, drawing attention, and then raised his voice. “Fellow students! Seniors! I know you’re all troubled right now. You’re wondering why, after drinking my pearl milk tea, you suddenly felt the urge to rush to the restroom.”

Dozens of doubtful faces turned his way.

“Yes,” Merlin said firmly, nodding, “you suspect that the milk tea upset your stomachs. But listen carefully—that is not the truth!”

Whispers spread through the crowd. Students exchanged glances, their suspicions barely veiled.

Merlin saw it clearly in their eyes. With a dramatic gesture, he clutched his chest as if the weight of their doubt had physically struck him.

Then he sighed heavily. “Ah… yes. Your condition does have something to do with the pearl milk tea.”

The clearing erupted.

“What?!” 

“So it really was the milk tea!”

“Boss Merlin admitted it!”

Shock rippled like a tidal wave. Some students even glared at Merlin with anger, their expressions dark and betrayed.

So he really did use us as guinea pigs? they thought bitterly. It must be those black pearls. That’s the culprit—definitely the pearls!

No one dared voice the accusation outright, of course. They were still working under Merlin. Losing their positions would be too great a price. Still, resentment smoldered silently.

As expected of nobles, a few thought with contempt. All the same—heartless and self-serving.

Merlin, ever observant, made a mental note of every angry, dissatisfied face glaring back at him. Good. I’ll remember each and every one of you.

But not all students were hostile. Some frowned, puzzled. Why would Merlin admit it outright? Even a lie would have been better than this. What’s he playing at?

And then, there were the few… the rare handful who trusted him completely, no matter what. To them, Merlin’s words carried an almost divine weight. Their belief bordered on fanaticism—Merlin was no longer just a boss but a guiding faith.

Among them were figures like Jean, Stacie, and Gallant.

Merlin marked these ones as well. These… these are the kind I need for my future enterprises. Loyalty above all else. Power and skill can be trained, but trust like this—unshakable, absolute trust—is priceless. These are the ones fit for management.

Straightening, Merlin raised his hand. His voice rang out again, filled with deliberate gravitas. “I know what you’re thinking. You wonder why I’ve done this. But listen carefully—what you experienced was not mere diarrhea!”

That claim stunned the students.

Not diarrhea? They blinked, bewildered. Instinctively, some glanced toward the latrines where evidence most definitely lay. If that wasn’t diarrhea, then what was it?

Merlin pressed a hand to his forehead dramatically, then pointed toward the crowd. His voice grew deep and solemn. “Do you know the meaning of the words—Cleansing the Muscles and Cutting the Marrow?”

“Cleansing the… what?” Murmurs spread. Most of them had never even heard the term before.

At once, Jean—the ever-loyal hype man—shot his hand up. “Boss! What does Cleansing the Muscles and Cutting the Marrow mean?”

“Good question,” Merlin said, praising him with a nod. Then, adopting the air of a wise teacher, he explained: “It is a process, achieved through special methods, that purges impurities from the body, clears the channels of energy, strengthens the constitution, and promotes overall health. It relieves fatigue, expels dampness and toxins, beautifies the skin, aids in weight loss… and more.”

He held his cup of pearl milk tea aloft with grave dignity. “And this pearl milk tea I provide… possesses the very power to cleanse your muscles and cut your marrow!”

The clearing erupted once again, louder than before, like a stone hurled into a still lake.

“Cleansing the muscles and marrow?!”

“That sounds so advanced!”

“I’ve never heard of it—but it sounds amazing!”

“Could it be true? Is Boss Merlin deceiving us?”

“No, wait! That sounds similar to some alchemical potions I’ve read about…”

“Yes! The Talent Elixirs! Those rare, high-grade items only master alchemists can craft. They improve magical aptitude, expand mana capacity, and strengthen the body!”

“Hold on, are you saying this milk tea is on par with a Talent Elixir?!”

“Impossible! Do you know what a single Talent Elixir costs? Two hundred thousand gold coins—and that’s when you can even find one for sale!”

The students’ voices rose in waves of astonishment, disbelief, and feverish excitement.

“What on earth is this milk tea?”

“What connection does it have to this cleansing of muscles and marrow?”

“And what does it all have to do with our… uh… sudden trips to the latrine?”

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