The Acolyte of Spirits and Curses

"Uff..."

Climbing the tree, Liora grabbed the thick branches and pulled herself up.

"Why the hell did they put those marbles up there?"

She reached a cluster of leaves where the faint blue glow of mana-infused marbles was barely visible.

One by one, she plucked them free and slipped them into the small pouch at her waist. Five marbles in total.

Satisfied, she carefully made her way back down, dropping the last few feet to the forest floor with a soft thud.

She dusted her hands off and was just about to check the pouch when she heard footsteps approaching through the underbrush.

Klein walked toward her with the two golden bands in one hand.

Liora’s eyes widened slightly as she stared at the bands.

"...Two? You already took down two second-years?"

Klein stopped in front of her and held one of the bands out.

Liora took the offered band, turning it over in her fingers "You’re ridiculous,"

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her along with him "Come let’s go."

Liora stumbled half a step before matching his pace.

"We are teaming up?" She asked, glancing up at him.

With a nod, he replied "Yeah, kinda... just stick with me."

---

It was already nearing sunset.

The sky above the forest had begun to take on shades of orange and deep red.

One by one, first-year students emerged from the trees and made their way toward the large stone structure standing at the center of the trial zone... the designated endpoint.

Some looked exhausted. Others carried pouches heavy with marbles or proudly displayed a single golden band on their arms.

A few limped, nursing minor injuries from encounters with second-years.

Klein was standing directly in front of the wide stone doorway with his spear held loosely across the path.

A first-year young man with short brown hair and a slightly scuffed uniform frowned as he approached.

’Hm? What’s up with him?’ Seeing Klein blocking the way, he tried to step around him.

Klein shifted the spear just enough to block his path again.

"Pay the tax,"

The young man stopped short. "What?"

Klein pointed the tip of his spear toward Liora, who stood a few steps to the side with her pouch open and waiting.

"Put half your marbles here."

The young man’s frown deepened. "You’re joking. This is the endpoint. We’re supposed to enter freely once we reach it."

Klein didn’t move the spear "You can enter after you pay the tax. Half the marbles."

A few other first-years who had been approaching slowed their steps, watching the exchange.

Liora remained silent, holding the pouch open with a dry smile on her lips.

The brown-haired first-year stared at Klein for a long moment, clearly weighing his options.

Behind him, more students continued to arrive from the forest.

The first-year guy tried to argue "But... this is against the rules."

Klein raised his spear "Give me half the marbles, or I will beat you and take them all."

Liora tilted the open pouch a little higher, "He’s serious. I’ve seen him fight. You really don’t want to test it right before the time runs out."

"He is very scary if he uses the spear."

The brown-haired first-year’s jaw tightened.

Around them, more first-years continued to arrive, forming a loose semicircle.

"...Is he serious?"

"That’s Klein... the one from the duel."

Some looked annoyed. Others looked thoughtfully, already trying to decide whether they would pay or try to force their way through.

The brown-haired first-year exhaled sharply, clearly irritated as he looked back at Klein again, trying to measure him one last time.

But the earlier rumors, combined with the time limit pressing down on him, made the decision for him.

"...Tch."

He reached into his pouch with reluctant movements and pulled out a handful of marbles before tossing them into Liora’s open bag.

"Half," he muttered.

Liora caught them easily, giving a small nod as she adjusted the pouch.

"Good choice."

Klein shifted the spear just enough to clear the path.

The boy didn’t say anything else as he walked past, though his expression remained sour as he stepped through the stone doorway and disappeared inside.

The next first-year stepped forward, glancing at Klein, then at Liora.

"...Half, right?"

Klein gave a small nod.

The student sighed and handed over his share without argument.

One by one, the line began to move.

Some paid reluctantly.

Some with annoyance.

A few with quiet acceptance.

Every now and then, someone hesitated a little too long, and Klein would shift the spear just slightly, and it was enough to remind them of their options.

Behind them, more students arrived, only to slow down when they saw what was happening.

"...He’s taxing the entrance..."

"Is that even allowed?"

"...Do you want to fight him this late?"

"Fuck this guy."

That question ended most debates before they even started.

Liora’s pouch gradually grew heavier as she adjusted her grip, her eyes occasionally flicking toward Klein with a small, knowing smile.

"You’re terrible," she murmured under her breath.

Klein just smiled faintly.

Looking at him, Liora tilted her head slightly as her gaze drifted toward the forest behind them. "Looks like some power hitters didn’t join this event."

Klein glanced at her. "Power hitters?"

She nodded, folding her arms loosely as she leaned back a little "Yeah... there are ten Mythic-rank Arbiters in our year including you."

"But I don’t see any of the others here."

Klein hummed softly, his gaze turning thoughtful for a brief moment.

Before he could think further, Liora suddenly straightened and let out a low whistle.

"Wow... I didn’t expect this power hitter to show up."

Klein followed her gaze, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her approach.

"...Saintess."

Eleanor reached him with a faint smile on her lips "I heard that you are collecting tax to enter, Klein."

Seeing her, some first-year students looked hopeful, thinking that she would help them.

Because no matter what, Eleanor is the Saintess, and Klein will have to respect her.

Surely he wouldn’t push his luck in front of her.

With a nod, Klein replied "Yeah. Half the marbles."

Keeping her smile, Eleanor spoke "Seems like you are trying to get as many credits as you can, Klein."

Klein didn’t deny it "That’s the plan."

Her gaze stayed on him for a moment longer, then softened just slightly, "I can actually help with that..."

"Do you want to hear my plan?"

Eh? Liora was dumbfounded to hear this ’The Saintess... is helping him?’

Klein looked at her for a second before giving a short nod.

"...Go on."

Eleanor took a small step closer, her hands loosely clasped in front of her as she spoke.

"The final ranking isn’t just about marbles. The top three positions receive additional credits, and those rewards are significantly higher than what you gain from marbles alone."

Eleanor inclined her head slightly. "Then you also know that even if you gather the most marbles, you’ll still be competing with others who might take those top spots."

"But... if the top three positions are already secured by people you trust, then the competition becomes meaningless."

Liora’s eyes widened just a little as she caught on.

"...Wait."

Eleanor’s gaze shifted briefly toward her, then back to Klein.

"You take first, that girl there takes second. I take third."

"With the top three secured, the extra credit rewards stay within our control, and with the marbles you’re already collecting, your total gain will far exceed anyone else’s."

Her expression remained composed, "No interference."

Liora let out a soft breath, "...That’s actually insane. We will surely get extra credits."

Around them, the first-year students were taken aback to hear this.

They expected the Saintess to help them, but she just went and made a deal with him.

"...She’s not stopping him...?"

"She joined him..."

"What the fuck?"

"Man, fuck this."

"Let’s just give the marbles atthis point."

Eleanor’s smile deepened just slightly as she looked at Klein.

"If you’re going to play unfair, you might as well do it properly."

With a nod, Klein asked "That’s true, but can I really trust you, Miss Saintess?"

She smiled elegantly. "Oh my... no need to worry. We are from the same division after all." she said teasingly, bringing a hand to her lips.

"...Alright," he said quietly.

Eleanor inclined her head slightly, "Then we should be efficient. Time is almost up."

The next first-year stepped forward hesitantly, looking between Klein and Eleanor.

"...Half?"

The student swallowed, then reached into his pouch and dropped a portion of his marbles into Liora’s bag.

Liora gave a small nod, and Klein moved the spear just enough to let him through.

The flow resumed.

And no one in that clearing felt like arguing anymore.

More students arrived, only to slow down the moment they saw her standing there and those who had been hesitant earlier now gave up their marbles without a word.

Liora’s pouch grew heavier by the minute, "...You know, this might be the easiest second place of my life."

Eleanor glanced at Klein in the corner of her eyes, and her gaze softened in affection ’Obviously, I will help my Husband in anything.’

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