Kays Translations

Chapter 93 – Profits Beyond Imagination! Too Profitable to Believe!

In the practical combat exam, few first-year students could achieve what Merlin had—defeating a senior from the second year. For most students, simply lasting a decent amount of time against an upperclassman was enough to earn a passing grade.

As such, this subject wasn’t considered particularly difficult. A little effort, a bit of focus, and almost anyone could make it through.

However, things were very different for most of the noble-born students. Among the first-years in the Alchemy Department, barely half managed to pass their duels against the senior students.

Those pampered young heirs—raised in luxury, never having dirtied their hands—were utterly clueless when it came to real combat. Only a handful, those groomed from birth as family successors, managed to show any true skill.

The end-of-term grade for Practical Combat was important, but the sparring portion with upperclassmen only accounted for thirty percent of the total mark. The real test lay ahead—an expedition into the Monster Mountains. Passing that course meant one could confidently advance to the second year.

And that particular course… could be cheated.

The Academy openly encouraged students to form teams for their monster-hunting missions. This gave the weaker ones—those hopeless in battle—a convenient loophole. All they needed was a handful of gold coins, some magic tools, or rare materials to hire stronger students to “help” them complete their task.

The school knew. Everyone knew. And yet, it was quietly allowed.

Before Merlin’s arrival, this annual event had been a golden opportunity for the commoner students to earn a small fortune off the nobles. Prices varied depending on what grade the employer desired—higher ambitions meant higher pay.

Of course, none of this had anything to do with Merlin.

At the moment, his mind was occupied with something far more pressing—the operation of “Honey Snow Time”, the beverage stall under Stacie’s management.

Outside the dueling arena, a small pavilion had appeared at some point—tiny, hastily built, but bustling with energy. Three or four figures darted about inside, their movements quick and practiced.

From the pavilion, a cheerful yet hauntingly catchy tune echoed over and over:

“You love me~ I love you~
Honey Snow Time, so sweet and true~”

Again and again, the saccharine jingle rang out like a spell cast on every passerby.

This was none other than the Honey Snow Time Arena Booth, personally set up by Merlin himself. Though small, it had everything it needed—a miniature yet fully functional drink stand. It wasn’t spacious like a classroom, but for selling beverages, it was perfect.

Thanks to the flashy ads displayed on the arena’s crystal projection screens—and that maddeningly addictive song—the booth was now surrounded by a swarm of students.

“Here’s your iced lemon water! Please keep it safe!”

“This lovely lady ordered the Deluxe Honey Pearl Milk Tea Plus, Extra-Large! Packed full of pearls for maximum delight—enjoy!”

“Apologies! The ice cream’s out! We’re making a fresh batch right now!”

The young first-year girls behind the counter were dressed in adorable Honey Snow Time uniforms, their faces flushed from the rush of customers. One with freckles hurriedly sorted empty cups, her wand flicking in precise motions—slices of lemon and refined sugar crystals floated through the air, dropping neatly into each cup.

“We’re out of water!” one cried.

“Don’t panic—I’m casting it now!” another replied.

A sphere of shimmering water condensed in the air, guided by the girl’s spell, and poured smoothly into the prepared drinks. Nearby, a boy tending to the pearls waved his wand, murmuring an ice incantation. The air chilled instantly. Crystalline ice cubes formed midair like tiny sprites, cascading down and merging seamlessly into the lemon water, making each drink sparkle with frosty freshness.

“Hurry up! The customers are waiting!”

“Damn, why is the pearl milk tea selling so fast?!”

“Buy-one-get-one on lemon water! Get it while it lasts!”

Sunlight spilled warmly across the Arcane Academy’s courtyard. The scent of blooming flowers drifted through the air, mingling with laughter and chatter. Merlin sat comfortably on a wooden chair, a notebook in hand, quietly observing the scene.

Everywhere he looked, students carried Honey Snow drinks—milk tea in one hand, a free lemon water or a tempting scoop of ice cream in the other. It felt as if the entire campus had fallen under the rule of Honey Snow Time.

To his left, a boy in a blue robe sipped happily from his milk tea, the black pearls swirling lazily inside the transparent cup. He was laughing with his friends, discussing their exams between sips, every mouthful of the sweet drink painting contentment across his face.

To his right, a group of girls lounged together on a bench, chatting and giggling. Each held a cup of lemon water garnished with mint leaves, the fresh scent wafting in the air as they stirred the ice with their straws.

Even the professors—the usually stoic invigilators—were seen strolling by with Honey Snow ice cream in hand.

Merlin smiled to himself. Worth every coin.

The advertising cost had already paid for itself. After all, the materials were cheap—lemon, sugar, tea, milk—all locally sourced. Yet he was selling them for dozens, even hundreds of times their worth.

A simple lemon water cost one silver coin, even though its ingredients—a few drops of alchemically refined sugar, a lemon slice, and some water—barely added up to a couple of coppers.

Add a few mint leaves? That was Mint Lemon Water, two silvers. Add a drizzle of honey? Iced Honey Mint Lemon Water—five silvers!

As for the pearl milk tea… that was the true goldmine. Cheap milk, overused tea leaves, and pearls made from cassava fit for pigs, mixed with low-grade black sugar—and yet, it sold for a full gold coin per cup.

Add honey? Two gold coins. Add extra pearls? Three.

Cassava—something even pigs might turn their snouts away from—cost a copper for a whole sack. And here was Merlin, turning it into “black sugar pearls” worth a gold apiece.

Profitable! Too profitable!

And if someone happened to get an upset stomach? They’d probably think they’d undergone some kind of body purification ritual—and thank him for it.

Merlin chuckled inwardly. Truly, I am a genius.

Just then, he noticed a student wearing a hood, moving stealthily away from the crowd with several bags of drinks and ice cream in hand. The figure’s movements were secretive, almost suspicious.

Merlin frowned. That silhouette looked oddly familiar. Quietly, he stood up and followed.

Beyond the arena, a small patch of forest stretched into shadow. It was dim and quiet there—few students ever wandered so deep. Yet now, in that secluded grove, a group of hooded figures had gathered, whispering to one another.

One by one, their heads turned as the hooded student arrived, arms full of milk tea, lemon water, and melting ice cream. Their faces lit up with anticipation and relief, like travelers in a desert catching sight of an oasis.

Something was clearly going on here.

Merlin narrowed his eyes, curiosity piqued. Just what are they up to… hiding here with that much milk tea?

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter