Volume 3 Chapter 4 Thirty Million Yen
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”You little brats!” I spat, glaring at the wreckage of the fixed-wing drone. “You break the damn thing and then expect me to just say ‘whoopsie-daisy’? I don’t get paid enough to babysit a bunch of idiots like you.”
Being nice just made them arrogant. It was always the same pattern with these types.
In this world, if a professor wanted to use his students for “sexual processing,” nobody batted an eye. Back in my previous life, power harassment and sexual harassment were strictly forbidden. Here? I didn’t have to worry about that at all.
I’d been too soft on them. That was definitely why they’d ignored my instructions and trashed the drone. No more holding back.
”I’m gonna grab every last one of you and—”
I cut myself off, forcing my hands to scoop up the charred remnants of the self-destructed drone instead.
Pathetic.
The ball bearings, the copper plates from the magic capacitors—they might still be reusable, and I couldn’t risk them being swiped. I felt like I was cleaning up after a group of delinquents, and the stress was starting to boil over again. Meanwhile, the students were completely oblivious, lost in their own chatter.
”Once you’ve had your lunch, we’re doing Motor Core Basics right here at one o’clock.”
I shoved the salvage into my pockets and barked the command at the gossiping girls, letting the anger dictate my tone.
”What? Why? It’s the opening ceremony, so it’s only a half-day, right?” the chubby girl complained.
Right. They thought their duties for the day were finished. But I had a department meeting at three, so for me, it was a full day. Maybe I’d misunderstood, but I wasn’t about to correct them. Admitting I was wrong would be admitting defeat.
”I won’t force you to attend, but I’m not running this lecture again. If you think you can handle it without the material, feel free to skip.”
My attempt at bravado felt hollow.
”What’s a ‘Motor’?” asked the girl who looked like a Dwarf—Rosa, I think.
”You saw it earlier, didn’t you? It’s the device that spun the drone’s propeller. It’s an application of mana unlike anything you’ve seen before.”
If they didn’t want to attend, fine. How was I supposed to take their training seriously anyway? I didn’t even wait for their reaction; I turned on my heel, marched out of the old Pauman Laboratory, and fled into my own cramped, secondary lab.
”How long do you intend to keep us locked in this stifling room?”
I heard Pamela’s grumbling, but it was just white noise. Sweat was pouring off me. It wasn’t the heat; the reality of having committed my first real act of power harassment1 was wreaking havoc on my nervous system.
That was power harassment, right? Honestly, a bit of sexual harassment—just a quick squeeze—might have been the lesser evil. God, I really couldn’t shake the common sense of my past life.
What if they fought back? What if they all just collectively ignored me? The regret made my breathing ragged.
”Hey, are you even listening to me?”
”Huh? What? Oh, right… lunch.”
”Just what have you been listening to?”
This arrogant Pamela was a slave Elf Mage, a keepsake from my late wife, Henrietta-san.
”Lookin’ at you, it’s clear you failed to assert your dominance, innit? Serves you right, a nobody like you tryin’ to act like an associate professor.”
This foul-mouthed, stuck-up brat was also a slave. Kenze, the Amazoness who’d tried to kill me back in the day.
”You lot… I’m the one providin’ for your sorry hides, so could you at least try to be a little considerate for once?”
The complaints just flowed out of me.
”Ah, yeah, yeah. Poor little boy. Want me to squeeze my b**bs or somethin’?”
”I ain’t gonna get any joy out of squeezin’ b**bs that are hard and swollen with breast milk, you idiot.”
”You want me to kill you?”
Strangely enough, trading barbs with these two actually made me feel a bit calmer.
”Right. Let’s go look for a house tomorrow.”
”So we’re finally getting out of this hole?”
”Yeah, about time. Besides, I heard that homes belonging to nobles and vassals wiped out in the Haritz Rebellion are goin’ for cheap. They come with maids, servants, even carriages.”
I’d heard it from Professor Lizabel.
”I want one with a bath,” Kenze said. She’d grown up in the center of the continent where water was precious, so she’d been stunned the first time she’d used a bath. But she’d gotten used to it quick enough, and now she begged me to take her to the dorm baths every chance she got.
I’d felt awkward using the dorm’s facilities after getting kicked out, but I loved a good soak, too. I had no objections.
”Buying it is fine, but just how much is your annual income, exactly?”
From what I understood, it was seven million Yen, but since I hadn’t signed an actual contract yet, I needed to confirm it at the office.
”Seven million Yen? For a nobody like you?”
”What’s with this ‘nobody’ talk?”
”‘Nobody’ is exactly what you are.”
”I bought you for eleven million, don’t you mock me.”
Dealing with these two always ended up with me getting sidetracked.
”Alright, let’s go eat lunch.”
”Yeah, feed me properly.”
I took my loud-mouthed slaves to the dining hall, where some of the women from my lab were gathered for a meal.
It was awkward, but I deliberately sat down nearby, and the women scurried off.
Ugh, my stomach hurts. The future of this lab? I can only see a future where I’m completely alone.
After eating, I sent the slaves home and stopped by the office to have my bankbook updated. Everything—profits from blueprints, military stipends, etc.—was deposited here, and my Kingdom Office-related expenses were handled through this account as well. Authorized vendors could get paid this way too.
”The end-of-month processing hasn’t been completed yet.”
Right, since today was a holiday, they hadn’t been working. Since blueprint deposits always came at the end of the month, I didn’t care about the rest as long as that was fine.
”That’s fine. Could you do it anyway?”
”Understood. If you come back tomorrow, we can do a proper update at the Joint Government Building.”
The wait times there were ridiculous. When I asked about confirming my annual income and housing assistance, the deputy office manager came out from the back.
First, my salary.
”Associate Professor Larry, since this is your first month, your base annual salary is 6,904,300 Yen. Divided by thirteen months, your monthly salary is 531,100 Yen, which will be deposited on the 25th of every month starting this month (September). From January of next year, your base annual salary will be 7,013,500 Yen, and your monthly salary will be 539,500 Yen. You also have a military stipend of about 200,000 Yen. Your dependent allowance and your personal Poll Tax are deducted over there by the military payroll department.”
An associate professor’s annual salary was roughly seven million. Just as I’d heard. Since I got kicked out of school, I lost my student exemption and had to pay Poll Tax this year.
”I envy you. My two sons reached the age of majority and still haven’t left home. It’s hard to make ends meet after paying their Poll Tax.”
The Poll Tax for a commoner at the age of majority was a flat one million Yen per person per year. It was half that for servants and maids, and half that—250,000 Yen—for slaves.
For a family of four, that was four million just in taxes. Even if they made as much as me, over half their income was gone to taxes. That was rough.
Servant/maid and slave Poll Taxes were the employer’s or owner’s responsibility, paid in the month of tax collection where they resided.
In my case: me, Kenze, and Pamela in the Royal Capital was 1.5 million. In Strock Village: Teressa, Monica, five maids, and one servant was 3 million. A total of 6.5 million.
Don’t be shocked, but almost my entire annual salary as an associate professor just evaporated.
Additionally, for military personnel and staff, their personal Poll Tax was deducted from their monthly stipend.
Ed (in the Military Academy) said it was because you never knew when you’d die. But Louise (Magic Armored Division) told me that if you went to war, the Poll Tax was exempted and refunded, so I figured there was another reason.
Thinking about it, I could manage here in the Royal Capital, but the village was the real problem. The temperatures were a bit lower this summer. I had debts, but if there was any surplus, I needed to send it back.
Next, I brought up the housing issue.
”Right. You need to find a place quickly. We have problems with you sleeping and living in the lab.”
Yeah, I got it.
”You know the Joint Government Building by the South Gate, right? There are authorized agents on the second floor, so go look there tomorrow.”
The Gothic-style building directly inside the gate was indeed the Joint Government Building. I’d been there for my marriage registration and death certificate for Henrietta-san, and Pamela’s transfer registration, but I’d never been to the second floor.
As I finished talking to the deputy manager, my bankbook was returned. I flipped through it, and my jaw dropped.
”Minus… fifteen million Yen!?”
I blurted it out. I gathered stares from everyone around me, but this was the second time I’d had a massive amount of money withdrawn without notice, and it wasn’t something you get used to. Honestly, have the decency to explain before you take my money.
”Miss, do you know what these symbols in the breakdown mean?”
The negative balance included notes about the Arsenal Bureau and some cryptic codes.
”Ah, that? Did you take any equipment from the Arsenal Bureau on the day of the Haritz Rebellion? It looks like a deposit for that.”
Crap!
That was the fixed-wing drone those little brats just smashed! You’ve gotta be kidding me. I helped suppress the rebellion, didn’t I?
Looking through the rest, there were a few income entries, and while the remaining balance wasn’t in the negative, things were looking pretty dire. I was trying to buy a house, for crying out loud. I hoped I wouldn’t end up unable to withdraw money like last time. I asked the woman, who was looking at me with pity, one more question.
”So, if it’s a deposit, that means if it’s lost or broken, I just lose that payment, right?”
”Well, the deposit is used to cover losses or damages, but usually, there’s a separate claim for damages—it’s typically the same amount as the deposit.”
So, because of the brats’ momentary playdate, I was on the hook for double the deposit? Thirty million Yen? That was over four times my annual salary here.
Damn it!
Just squeezing their b**bs wasn’t enough. I was gonna violate every single one of them.
* * *
Back in the lab-slash-bedroom, the anger didn’t subside.
”What’s wrong? Your face looks pale. Did you eat poop or somethin’?”
I didn’t have the luxury to deal with Pamela’s jokes.
”Why are you so angry? If there’s someone you want to kill, I’ll help you plan it.”
Kenze’s jokes didn’t sound like jokes at all.
”Can’t be helped. If you’re that excited, let me jerk you off once. Get your c**k out.”
She started loosenin’ the strings on the side of her tunic.
”No, well, I have to go soon.”
”What? You’re serious? It’s boob time.”
Kenze pulled a magnificent breast out from between the loosened strings and leaned over the jar where the child was, lettin’ it dangle.
”Ahh.”
”Don’t make misleading noises.”
”Don’t bite.”
Damn it. I wanted to do it, but there was no time.
I grabbed some magic thread and a few pieces of wood from the material shelf and walked out of the room, headin’ toward the laboratory diagonally across the hall.
I thought the lab was empty, but to my surprise, everyone was there. Honestly, I was a little happy.
I walked to the blackboard and, without looking at the women, sketched out the diagram. I laid out the battery-style Amber, the magic iron sand, and the magic thread connecting them, complete with a switch.
”When I flip this switch, the magic iron sand will glow. Why is that?”
The question must have been too simple; they just stared at each other.
”Hai!” Romy raised her hand. I gestured for her to go ahead.
”Because the Mana flowed.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t look so smug over something that basic,” I muttered. “And the type of Mana?”
”Monomer.”
Well, at least she’s spent six months in this laboratory for something. Plus, Romy has her name on the blueprints for those Mana-charging designs that don’t make any sense.
”Correct. Monomer it is.”
I confirmed the answer and altered the drawing. I sketched a cylinder where the Mana iron was, with the magic thread wound tightly around it.
”This cylinder is wood. What happens if I do this?”
Romy raised her hand again, but I shook my head. “You already know the answer, Romy. I want to hear from someone else.”
”Does the wood turn into charcoal?” Rosa, who looks like a Dwarf, answered.
”Nah, that ain’t it,” I said. A few other opinions were tossed out, all incorrect.
Finally, I took a piece of wood, wound the magic thread around it, and connected it to the Amber.
”Nothing is happening!” Claudia, the chubby one, complained.
But as I brought the wood—now magnetized by the Mana flowing through the thread—near another piece of wood, it snapped together.
”Whoa, it stuck!” someone shrieked in surprise.
Still, half of them were too slow to react, just sitting there with vacant looks.
”See for yourselves,” I commanded.
I handed it over to them. While they were busy fiddling with it, I built another one. Once they’d had their fill of testing the attractive force of the Mana Magnet, I moved on.
”I need a volunteer. Tura, up here.” I felt like some back-alley stage magician, pulling a mark from the audience to play along with a trick.
I had the petite Elf Mage hold the magnetized wood and brought the piece I’d configured for repulsion near it.
”Eh? Why?” The Elf Mage, who looks like a five-year-old, was genuinely shocked. It was cute. But, as one would expect from a student of the Academy, she was a cut above the rest.
”By any chance… is this the principle of a Shishi-odoshi2?”
I hadn’t even taught her about the magical magnetic fields within the coil, yet she grasped it instantly. A girl like this… you can’t go around groping her breasts. She’s completely flat.
”Exactly,” I said. “Can you perform a Shishi-odoshi?”
”Yes.”
”Then, show us. Keep the sound small.”
The nineteen-year-old who looks like a toddler hesitated, but she held out her left palm and created a small Fireball with her right hand to demonstrate the Shishi-odoshi. It’s a technique only an Elf Mage can pull off. The sound was muffled, but it still echoed like a drum being struck right next to you, and everyone gasped.
I had Assistant Professor Eida bring me some unused paper. I rolled it into a cylinder and wound more magic thread around it. The women watched, utterly transfixed, wondering what I was about to do. I flowed Mana into the thread, formed a small Fireball, and brought it to the end of the cylinder.
Bang!
The Fireball was sucked in, and a ringing sound—distinctly different from Tura’s—resounded through the room.
”I imagine some of you have seen an improved version of this.”
”When you saved us… during the Haritz Rebellion,” Levent the Dwarf pointed at the tube.
”Yes,” I replied. “That was a weapon… applying the principles of the Shishi-odoshi.”
The room started buzzing, but I ignored it. “Now, I will explain the principles behind all of this.”
I wiped the board clean and drew a single line. “When monomer Mana moves, a Magical Magnetic Field is generated…”
I translated Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule into a ‘Mana Law,’ moving from the Right-Hand Screw Rule to an explanation of the Switched Reluctance Motor—the same kind used in outboard motors and silver ddos. Surprisingly, everyone listened with absolute seriousness.
”Starting day after tomorrow, you’ll be building these motors. I want you to gather the data on how to achieve maximum efficiency.”
They were actually looking at me with sparkling eyes. Looking at them, my anger began to wither away. Still… I’m going to need to squeeze in some sexual harassment, like a little groping, if I can.
”Professor!” The little Elf Mage raised her hand again. “Is the fixed-wing drone also using the same motor?”
”Nah, it’s similar, but it’s a different beast.”
”I want to fly a fixed-wing drone. I want to see the ground from high above in the sky.”
A few others raised their hands, echoing her desire. But I couldn’t make it that easy for them.
”I can tell you about fixed-wing drones, but it’ll cost you fifteen million Yen. The one you broke this morning cost thirty million. I don’t work for free.”
At that amount, everyone was visibly shaken. The chubby girl who’d actually broken it hung her head, trying to hide her face.
”I’ll pay it.”
Eh? The petite Elf Mage had spoken firmly.
”Me too.” Rosa, looking like a Dwarf, stood up and said the same. I just realized… Rosa was a boku-girl.
Hey, hey, you’ve got to be kidding me. Fifteen million? That’s two years of my salary. Calm down.
”Well, wait a second.”
When I couldn’t find the next words, the Elf Mage continued, “My father manages an iron mine, so it’s fine.”
I-is that so?
”My family runs a fishery, so I’m fine too.”
Are fisheries really that profitable? I thought that would be the end of it, but—
”If I pool everything I’ve saved up, I can pay it.” For some reason, Katarina, the head research student who had always been openly rebellious toward me, raised her hand last.
You… you were saving that for when you got kicked out of school, weren’t you? For marriage, or to start out on your own. Spending that kind of money… it hurts just to watch. It’s making me feel miserable.
”Fine. Let’s talk it over properly after the holiday, the three of you and I.”
That was all I could say. You lot… try valuing your money and your lives a bit more.
—
Summary:
Larry attempts to manage the fallout of his students breaking his drone, only to discover a massive financial penalty has been debited from his account. Struggling with the stress of his newfound professional life and financial ruin, he seeks solace with his slaves before preparing to address his next task. The chapter ends with his frustration mounting as he prepares to head to another lab.
The protagonist enters the lab to find his students present, leading to a demonstration of mana-based magnetic principles. After proving the effectiveness of the motor prototypes, he tests his students’ commitment by naming a high price for a new drone project. Three students—Tura, Rosa, and Katrina—unexpectedly commit to paying the massive fee, leaving the protagonist stunned and questioning their priorities as he heads to a tense faculty meeting.
—
Trivia:
The Poll Tax in this world is levied on all citizens based on age and status, with significant costs for slaves and servants.
Military personnel may have access to tax exemptions if they are sent to war, though the rules are ambiguous.
The Haritz Rebellion left many noble properties available at a discount, serving as the protagonist’s target for a new home.
Larry’s financial woes are compounded by the Arsenal Bureau’s hidden charges for equipment “deposits.”
Rosa is a boku-girl, meaning she uses “boku” to refer to herself.
The protagonist considers the students’ sacrifice of their life savings to be a painful, misguided decision.
The tension between Dean Elga and Professor Lizabel suggests a pre-existing conflict.
The protagonist feels a shifting internal conflict between his desire to dominate and his growing attachment to the students.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Rosa – A 14-year-old first-year academy student from the Marquis Sabaski territory who resembles a Dwarf. This cynical fisherman’s daughter is a headset-wearing “boku-girl” with a genius mind for drone piloting, motor tech, and combat coordination. While her talent attracts the Magic Armored Division, she is held by a “hag” and is a young subordinate struggling with the harsh realities of war.
• Pauman – A deceased Academy professor and former Magic Tool Lab head whose course load was inherited by Larry, Eida, and the protagonist. Known for questionable research, an exploitative nature, and a controversial history with female students, he previously mentored Katrina. His past magic ship project stands in stark contrast to the protagonist’s design, and he once renamed his lab to avoid conflicts.
• Ho – Ho, a comrade of the protagonist. A member of the military unit that defended Garao Village and was slaughtered alongside Marx-san.
• Pamela – An arrogant, long-lived Elven Mage of unknown age who wears white Gothic Lolita fashion. Formerly Henrietta’s slave, she is now Larry’s loyal, protective companion, assistant, and mentor on his military expedition. A sharp-tongued, stubborn academy student and Arsenal Bureau resident, she handles logistical equipment, confirms payments, and fiercely defends the protagonist, who must bring her home safely.
• Henrietta – Late wife of Larry and deceased Royal Magic Academy research student whose displaced consciousness became a parasite inside her daughter’s body. Eager for Larry’s return, she was the former owner of the slave Pamela, who uses her distinct scent and traits to identify mana sensitivity. Known for her degenerate or perverted nature, she died post-rebellion but remains a central point of reference.
• Kenze – An exceptionally powerful, muscular Amazoness slave from Tashkurgan and former deputy general under Earnest, she is a short-haired companion to the protagonist and Larry. Blunt, stoic, and foul-mouthed, she uses a dagger and bow. She shares a bed with Pamela, protects Larry—whom she once tried to kill—on his expedition to raise her offspring, and deeply dislikes Southern Continent Amazonesses.
• Lizabel – A newly appointed Magic Academy professor in her late thirties, this dignified, flirtatious, and manipulative noblewoman boasts a striking, voluptuous physique and wears revealing silk dresses. Sharp-witted and confident, she lives next door to the protagonist, eager to investigate their inventions. Known for a scandalous private life, she has a fierce rivalry with Professor Elga Dean, connections to Larry and Katarina, and deep knowledge of the Academy’s inner workings. She recently left her Resonance Systems Laboratory in unrest following property sales of fallen nobles.
• Al – Alberto (Al), a massive red‑haired man recently wed to Mary, lives near the Dish Basin. He’s a companion of Hans, helping intimidate and rally elders as a villager and leader.
• Larry – A 14-year-old Japanese reincarnated protagonist and cynical Royal Magic Academy associate professor who balances tactical engineering with intense administrative duties. Equally aged to Rosa, this debt-ridden, abrasive dueling champion designs advanced coilguns and drones. Currently recovering from injuries post-ambush, he is arrested while leading students to safety and interacting with the coven.
• Teressa – Blonde, short-haired, and blue-eyed, this elegant Gothic Lolita is a Getys House member, village head, and Larry’s pregnant wife/sister-in-law managing Strock Village. Formerly Iffens’ widow and Henrietta’s pupil, the motherly yet sharp woman is acquainted with the protagonist and Marie. Behind her cold, composed exterior lies a mischievous, vulnerable core with a sharp wit, manipulating shared Mana with Larry.
• Monica – Sun-tanned and slender with a missing front tooth, this tomboyish 15-year-old lives in Larry’s managed Strock Village. As Larry’s strong-willed wife, mother of twins (including Alisa), and a contact of the deceased Denis, she rules her house with bitter authority after losing her first husband at Vod Fortress. Direct yet emotionally intelligent, she surrendered her son out of fear but wet-nurses her niece Maria.
• Louise – A Magic Armored Division member who provides information on war exemptions for the Poll Tax. Reminiscent of Elga, she is expecting a child by the protagonist and taught him a military salute.
• Ed – A lanky refugee youth in simple farmer’s garb, Larry’s close friend and fierce protector is now a Military Academy student making claims about the Poll Tax and mortality. Formerly an associate of Captain Bours, he witnessed the Mauer Village skirmish, fled to Strock Village, and joined the militia to train spear-walls and ambush mercenaries, remembered for his quiet resolve to survive.
• Romy – A student researcher at the Academy under Larry’s care, she lacks raw ability but is brought along by the protagonist for a research task, appearing as their companion at a funeral. Within the laboratory group, her name is on blueprints for Mana-charging designs. She noticeably reacts to Larry’s stutter, reflecting her relationships with her mentor and peers.
• Claudia – A student at the academy described as chubby. A student from the local Royal Capital who inquired about the number of wives the protagonist has.
• Tura – Nineteen but physically resembling a five-year-old, this dramatic, highly emotional Elf Mage from a mining family is a Royal Magic Academy research student. Passionate about Earnest’s flying devices, she serves as his field assistant and attendant alongside Katarina, operating fixed-wing drones. Escorted to safety with Katrina, she is deeply impacted by others’ sacrifices for her protection.
• Eida – A 28-year-old Assistant Professor from Ulm Village with short dark brown hair, she is a mother of two who wears civilian clothes off-duty. At the Magic Academy, she serves under the Associate Professor, manages the lab and finances, supports Larry, and handles administrative and academic scheduling. She oversees research and uses a tough-love approach, frequently scolding the protagonist.
• Levent – A student at the academy who is a Dwarf.
• Katarina – A 29-year-old human female, Chief Researcher at the Royal Magic Academy, and lead Research Student in the Magic Laboratory. Diligent and nearing her thirties, she serves as Earnest’s attendant, manages the protagonist’s personal needs, handles expedition rosters, and assists with technical operations. Escorted to safety during a skirmish, she faces expulsion after being used as Professor Pauman’s sexual outlet. She is fascinated by drone piloting.
• Katrina – A research student and chief subordinate who becomes the protagonist’s attendant after missing an assistant professor role under Pauman. They monitor the group while helping coordinate aerial technology operations, acting as an associate who accompanies everyone through the battlefield.
• Dean – A professor whose office serves as a central hub for academic administration.
• Elga – An imposing, stern, and direct Magic Academy professor who serves as Dean and department head of the Simple-type faculty. A former battalion deputy commander, she runs a laboratory with authority over research students, golems, and the protagonist’s staffing, while maintaining personal attendants. As a prominent academic managing administrative affairs, she frequently finds herself at odds with Lizabel.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply