My name is now Atur. Just Atur, no Notos, no Greyrat. In short, I've lost my family name.
I've heard that many nobles who renounce their families, like my uncle Paul, can still keep their Greyrat name, only dropping the Notos. But I decided to go all the way. If I'm giving it up, I'm giving up my noble status entirely, just to be cool. Anyway, to me, that 'Greyrat' name is 1/3 synonymous with Pilemon; I'd rather have nothing to do with it.
Speaking of Pilemon, surprisingly, my 'father' was furious and was about to drag me back home to Milbotts. But when he heard I had a debt of over 200 gold coins, he just left me alone.
A father's responsibility only goes so far, I guess.
In any case, I tried to calculate the amount Pilemon had spent on me over the past 6 years; it was somewhere around 27 gold coins. I've added that number to my debt and swore I'd pay him back in full. With no interest for late payment, of course. I'm already being merciful by not demanding compensation for emotional damages.
Anyway, from now on, I am a free man.
With a huge debt.
Well, at least I get to freeload at the Cluel's house. Tantris is also very happy to have me, saying the house is quiet and empty, so one more person is fine. He even offered to take care of my food and lodging. Of course, I refused. The Cluel family isn't that rich, and mooching off them isn't really my style.
I'm mooching off Master Reida instead.
"I can cover your food and clothes, kid, but not your tuition."
So I dropped out of school. Problem solved.
Even though Veronica and my harem—ah, I mean, fan club—were very sad. They even tried to pool money to pay for my tuition, but I refused. Taking money from kids like this is terrible. I don't want them to grow up and remember me as a scoundrel who scammed them of love and money.
Besides, dropping out also helps me completely avoid the nobility, stop the unnecessary classes, and focus entirely on what I need to do: train swordsmanship like a madman.
My goal of defeating Isolde is still there. I will never be granted any title above Advanced rank until I defeat that genius girl. Thinking back, I was pretty stupid to make such a binding oath, but what can you do?
Ah, I forgot another important person I need to update on: Ken.
He's unemployed. It seems my running away from home was the last straw that made Pilemon fire Ken. I heard Pilemon swore he would use all his influence to prevent Ken from working as a knight in any major organization like the Knights' Guild or the Royal Guard. But seeing him so calm, even casually going out drinking every day, I guess he's fine with it.
I was also quite surprised when Ken didn't show any particular reaction when I said I would renounce my status. Come to think of it, he was the one who dragged me out of bed when I was grieving over Mia so I wouldn't be sold into slavery. He was also the one who helped me with all his might to keep my identity hidden during the plan to rescue Tristina. All his actions seemed to say, 'I will do everything to help Atur maintain his position as the third son of House Notos.'
And yet, he was also the one who just shrugged and said, 'meh, good for you' when I said I was leaving home.
What a weird guy. I don't get him.
Maybe that's why he's bald. Balm peoples are weird.
...
But um… I don't actually have as much free time to practice swords as I thought.
The reason is the debt hanging over my head, as I mentioned.
Although Ken used some black magic so I haven't been torn to shreds yet, it seems there's some agreement between my creditors and me that I don't even know about. Basically, I can pay late, and it's fine if I don't have a clear status. As long as I pay two gold coins a month as interest, everything is okay.
Two gold coins on a debt of over two hundred means the interest is about 1% per month. The whole year comes out to 12% because they don't play the compound interest game, thank god. But seriously, what's so lucky? I'm now carrying a debt with an interest rate higher than on Earth, and I'm living as a 6-year-old kid.
Arrrrgggggg!
But this is all because of me, so I decided to get a part-time job to earn money.
Starting with being a teaching assistant for the dance instructor at the Royal Capital Academy. I earn one silver coin a month. Then there's the allowance from Water God Reida; I get another silver coin (only if I meet the monthly quota). After that is money from various odd jobs at the adventurer's guild; I earn almost one silver coin a month.
That's 3 silver coins. Still a long way from 2 gold coins.
Two months have passed, and I still haven't paid the full amount for any month. Each month adds at least 17 silver coins to the debt, which is more than 20 gold coins a year. By the time I'm old enough to earn real money, it will be at least 5 more years. That means I'll have another 100 gold coins added to the pile.
If this continues, my debt will just keep piling up, and I'll go bankrupt before I even grow up!
"I want to die!"
I slammed my head on the table in the adventurer's guild. Dozens of eyes looked at me like I was crazy, but then they just went back to their own business.
"How do I make money..."
While I was whining about this baffling question, a few adventurer groups appeared, turned in their quests, and then threw their arms around each other and went off to drink.
That's right, you have money, so you just spend it on booze... if you don't save, you'll go broke just like me.
And so I switched to 'hate the world' mode, praying that other people would fall into the same situation as me.
Luckily, I stopped in time. Even if I'm at the bottom of society, I shouldn't curse others. It's a bad habit. I have to stop.
"But… it seems like this is the best way to make money, isn't it?"
A bold idea suddenly flashed in my mind. Now is the time to execute it.
"Answer me this. Do you think I'm a gold mine, Atur? Or do you think my blood can turn into gold?"
Ken frowned at me. He really didn't think I would go and borrow money from an unemployed middle-aged man. But I really did go to borrow money from an unemployed middle-aged man, and I did it sincerely.
I even kneeled and pressed my forehead to the floor.
"Not at all. I would never see you as a gold mine. I see you as a wise investor, Ken." I started my fast-talk. "Just like how you invested in me, and now I'm a disciple of the Water God. Have I ever disappointed you?"
"Do you need me to count the times?"
"No, that's not necessary! Just give me one more chance! I have a great idea to make money! You need me to be able to pay my debts, right? Your honor is tied to that debt, after all!"
"Hmph..." Ken grimaced. He was clearly not convinced at all. "Atur, do you know that every time you have an 'idea,' you just sink deeper into debt? Are you planning to become the debtor of this entire Royal Capital?"
"Of course not," I immediately protested. "This time, I swear I'll focus on the business. And I don't need much, just these basic things!"
I stood up and gently handed Ken a list of what I needed, along with a radiant smile.
Ken took the paper and let out a loud "Hmm?". He didn't know what I was planning, but based on his expression, he probably thought it was less stupid than making a bomb and blowing up someone's house. The bald ex-knight didn't answer right away. He seemed to be reading and thinking, his lips muttering calculations, before letting out another sigh.
"I have no intention of participating in this, but I can try asking someone who might be interested."
"Really!?"
"Yeah. Let me try talking to them and see. But prepare yourself; the terms definitely won't be pleasant."
"I'll agree to any terms!"
Two weeks later, everything I needed was ready in front of the Cluel's house. A pile of wooden barrels, barley, and various other things. They even needed five carriages to bring all the stuff.
Isolde was the only one home when I received this shipment. She watched as person after person carried food and wooden barrels inside, arranging them in the empty rooms of the house, utterly bewildered.
"Are you planning to open a bakery or something, Atur?"
"Nope. I'm planning to do something much more interesting." I bared my teeth, grinning wide at Isolde's extremely worried look.
"You're really scary sometimes. Are you planning to poison the entire capital or something?"
"Poison the capital?" I was still grinning, wiggling my finger pretentiously. I was trying to imitate Benedict's Sherlock voice. "That would be too elementary, my dear Isolde. I'm going to poison the entire Kingdom of Asura with the sweetest, most noble poison they have ever tasted."
Not drugs, mind you.
"It's alcohol. It's distilled Shōchū!"
"Sho… chu?" Isolde repeated my words, clearly not used to the Japanese pronunciation. "A type of alcohol from another place?"
"Yeah, it's from my homeland."
Not my homeland Milbotts, with that old man Pilemon's crappy wine.
What I'm going to make, as I said, is Shōchū—a traditional and famous distilled liquor from my 'real' homeland, Japan!
The reason I chose alcohol, and this specific type, is because of its strength. I've tried checking all the wines and beers in this country, and they all have one thing in common: the alcohol content is only about 5-15%. Pretty light.
Not to mention the boring, bitter taste of cheap beer, and if you're lucky, the slight sourness of the 'supposedly' high-class wines from Milbotts.
In comparison, they're nothing next to Sake, let alone Shōchū.
As someone who was quite the drinker during my depressed days in my past life, I refuse to live a life without Shōchū.
That's why I'm going to bring this 'cultured' drinking culture to Asura!
"I'll show this world what real alcohol is! They'll get so drunk they'll pass out at the table instead of breaking things! That is civilized drunkenness!"
After my grand declaration and explaining the wonders of Shōchū, Isolde just looked at me with concern. In the end, for some reason, she decided to help me out.
Maybe she also thought the idea of getting drunk without causing trouble was a good one? Or maybe she just wanted to see what crazy thing I was planning so she'd know how to stop me.
Whatever the case, we began with the first step, using the one ingredient that is indispensable for alcohol from Japan. A type of starch that isn't grown on this continent but must be brought from the arid desert continent of Begaritt—Rice.
Mwahaha! Rice exists in this world! Plus ten points for liveability!
The rice grains aren't white and round like on Earth. The rice here has a shape similar to South Asian rice; it's long and brown. After cooking, it's usually dry and has a certain chewiness. However, if you cook it with enough water, it can still become much softer and stickier.
After that, I decided to make Oyakodon and had a proper meal for the first time in over six years. Isolde looked at me with extreme concern, but she's probably seen me act weird like this so many times that she didn't say anything.
Ah, of course, my genius friend also praised the food. She wasn't as excited as I was, but at least I know there's someone else in the world with the same taste in food.
After the meal, I continued to cook rice. I have to say, I cooked a bit much for the household, specifically 2 large pots. Enough to feed ten people, even though there are only three of us in this house, including me.
And this is the official first step to starting my plan.
"Wait. What did you say we're going to do with this… 'rice'?"
Isolde looked at the pot of freshly cooked rice in front of her. Her usual calm, noble appearance was now completely replaced by an expression of worry, and even... disgust.
What am I planning to do with the rice you asked?
"Put it in your mouth, chew it until it tastes sweet, then spit it out into this pot."
I demonstrated, putting rice in my mouth, chewing, then spitting the mixture of saliva and well-chewed rice into the pot.
"Easy to understand, right?"
"I understand, but WHY!?"
Isolde shrieked, her composure once again destroyed by me. I don't know why, but I find this fun every time.
"Because I'm not sure if the koji mold will be successful, so I have to use this method."
To be precise, I'm making kuchikami-zake—also known as "mouth-chewed wine," the kind you can see in *Your Name*. It's arguably the simplest and most primitive version of Japanese wine culture. But if it's kuchikami-zake, it just doesn't taste right without a maiden's saliva. That's why I need Isolde.
"I don't understand what you're talking about anymore. But whatever, I'm leaving-"
"Isolde, do you remember a few months ago, you said you'd do whatever I wanted if I knocked your sword away?"
Isolde was about to leave, but my words stopped her.
"What..." Isolde froze like a log. She definitely hadn't forgotten. "You're planning to use that request for... *this*!?"
"That's right."
"You... you could use it for something more valuable! Like money! You need money, right? Or force me to do something... you know, like the things you boys are always talking about-"
"I don't give a damn about that stuff."
"You could even marry me if you want! I'm willing! Just please don't make me do that disgusting thing!"
Seeing Isolde on the verge of tears, I sighed and walked over to her. I placed a hand on my fellow disciple's shoulder and gently reassured her in my most soothing voice.
"Chew the rice, Isolde."
The voice was gentle, but the content was cruel.
In the end, she did as I said. But before she did, Isolde made two conditions.
First, I would keep this a secret until I'm in my grave.
Second, I would never ask her to do this ever again.
Actually, both requests were pretty easy, and I had planned on that from the beginning. This is just an experiment; after this, I'm determined to find real koji mold.
To describe the process of Isolde chewing an entire pot of rice and spitting it out, I can only think of that soup-eating scene with that one guy and the two people in black bodysuits.
Yeah, it was pretty traumatic, but I don't know why, I'm quite proud of myself. Because besides me, no one else can make a 10-year-old Water Saint genius cry and beg for mercy like that.
Anyway, the first step of the chewed wine is done. I put it in a place with suitable humidity and temperature to ferment and then started to prepare the second pot of rice into twenty batches of koji mold.
Usually, koji mold can 'randomly' appear if I incubate it correctly after the *Aspergillus oryzae* mold successfully takes over the batch of rice. However, there's also the possibility of *Aspergillus flavus, another type of mold, appearing and creating a toxin that could give a 6-year-old kid like me a mental disability.
However, I can still distinguish the two types of mold by their color and smell. If a white (or light yellow) mold appears with a faint, pleasant aroma, there's a high chance it's Koji. If it's black or blue, it should be thrown away as soon as possible.
The final result, after a week of fermenting the 'Holy Isolde Sake,' was that I had successfully created the first basic kuchikami-zake.
I began the distillation process carefully with the expensive equipment I had bought for making black powder. My goal is to create a special Shōchū from chewed sake, a rather heretical method.
Please don't try this at home.
"Alright! Let's go to hell!"
I distilled it the first time. The strong smell of alcohol began to spread through the flavorful steam. It condensed into a small, cloudy-colored amount, about a pitcher's worth. I had a liquor with about 20% alcohol content.
Pretty high, but this sour taste and cloudy color still aren't what I'm aiming for.
So I began the second distillation. The alcohol vapor this time was many times stronger than before. I swear I would have gotten drunk if I wasn't wearing my homemade gas mask made of a water-soaked cloth.
In the dim space of the Cluel family's basement, I could hear the *drip, drip* of each drop of alcohol falling into the glass jar. Drops of water as clear as filter-pure water, but carrying a special flavor that no place in the world had ever experienced.
The Shōchū is complete!
I couldn't hold back my excitement and tasted a drop of the alcohol.
"Oh my..."
The first thing that hit my tongue and then spread back up through my nose was a characteristic sourness and the smell of cooked rice, accompanied by a hint of honey. The sweetness began to spread, following every nerve fiber, sending shivers through my body. The warmth of the alcohol also made my body forget the coldness of the basement. A few seconds later, the aftertaste of the alcohol began to appear: the smell of cooked rice, smoke, and yeast, crudely mixed, but with a strange charm.
But I don't know why, while I was in bliss, I imagined myself licking Isolde's rice-covered tongue, and I snapped back to reality.
What the hell did I just imagine?
Feeling a slight headache, I thought I was already a bit drunk, so I stopped tasting and proceeded to age it in the stone jars I had prepared, which had roasted rice in them to create aroma. After a month, they would become a wonderfully fragrant liquor.
I gave half to Ken to take to my 'mysterious partner' to show him I wasn't joking. The result was another nod from Ken, and I got more funding to continue focusing on researching and creating koji.
Ah, of course, I also brought a little "Holy Isolde Sake" for my Master and the two Water Emperors to try. They were quite surprised by the unique flavor and its strength. However, based on their expressions, they didn't hate it and said this stuff was quite suitable for the hot summer when I mixed it with ice.
"But why is this called 'Holy Water Saint Wine'? Is there a special reason?"
Faced with Reida's question, I answered honestly.
"I was thinking a lot about Isolde when I made this."
And so, the liquor I was making now has an official name: Holy Water Saint Wine.
Sorry, Isolde.
To not make her any more upset, I decided to keep the rest and store it for myself. After all, this is the liquor that contains the divine saliva of Isolde.
I'll save it to give to her husband on her wedding day as an unparalleled gift.
I hope Isolde doesn't kill me then.
But thinking about her face at that moment will probably be hilarious, haha.
Anyway, Isolde didn't change much after that nauseating rice-chewing incident. She's quite professional, really hasn't mentioned the two keywords 'wine' and 'rice' this whole time, as if nothing happened.
Perhaps my Water Saint friend has truly brainwashed herself to forget that terrible memory.
It's great that she doesn't hate me, right?
But I don't know why, I kind of wish Isolde would glare at me with contempt. I don't know why.
Maybe because I was friends with Henry, I caught his disease.
Back to the koji batches. Their story wasn't as easy as the Holy Water Saint Wine. Most of the batches turned black and had to be thrown away. Only one batch had a white-yellow color and a pleasant smell. Although it wasn't as fragrant as I expected, I still decided to keep it and start the second round of cultivation.
After ten rounds of cultivating the mold to 'purify' it, and burning about 3 gold coins on rice, I finally succeeded in creating koji.
Finally, I could start the process of making wine. This is the step where I need that pile of barley I bought.
The reason is, although rice is the best ingredient for Shōchū, because it comes from another continent, even if it's not a high-end product, the price is still much steeper than barley. Besides, as someone who has finally learned from experience, I realized the local palate prefers barley over rice, so I chose to make the most suitable type of Shōchū, specifically, Mugi-Shōchū (Barley Shōchū).
The Koji mold was ready, so I started to roast the barley. This time, Isolde didn't care at all. As soon as she saw me in the kitchen, she ran out of the house to practice her sword, even though she had just finished practicing.
She's really afraid I'm going to do some other heretical ritual. Kinda cute. But unfortunately for her, this time I'm actually working seriously.
The aroma of barley began to spread throughout the Cluel house, a sweet aroma of baked bread from that common starch, which made me smile. When all the barley had turned a light brown, I turned off the heat and proceeded to the second step.
Before this, I had already prepared the primary moromi by mixing koji with water and wine yeast (from the original Holy Water Saint Wine) and fermenting it for a week.
Once the barley was roasted and fragrant, I mixed it into that mixture. As I stirred, the damp smell, like the air after a rain, let me know I was on the right track.
After another week of fermenting that mixture, with a constant, gentle *pop-pop* sound, the yeast had digested all the starch, and the enzymes from the koji had converted the sugar to alcohol! I opened the lid of the wooden barrel, and the smell of fermented grain—half sweet, half spicy, half intoxicating—shot up my nose! This is exactly Moromi!
Next is the distillation step. I could clearly smell the roasted barley and living yeast moving through the glass tube in the form of crystal-clear drops of water. The aroma was quite harsh, but if you inhaled deeply, the smell of barley, earth, smoke, and wood created an unparalleled sweet fragrance.
This time, I only distilled it once. The smell and color of the liquor were quite beautiful, as clear as I had hoped, so I immediately took it to be aged.
Exactly 5 months later, I was able to release the first sample.
"Even though I don't want to say this... you finally succeeded in making something that isn't a complete disaster."
Ken declared this as he placed a heavy bag of money on the table. Even though he's not showing it, I'm sure he's feeling very proud of me right now, hahaha!
"Not a failure? This is a brilliant plan!"
The entire first batch sold out on the very first day. It was all thanks to my marketing campaign through the Water God. The day I brought the Holy Water Saint Wine for her to try, I intentionally chose a day when the Water Emperors and other high-status people were nearby. Many other high ranking peoples in the Water God style main dojo ready to make the order.
And the result was that this first product was even more delicious than the original Holy Water Saint Wine. So, thanks to the proven quality and the scarcity of the product, the item's reputation rose to a new level.
"This is the total profit. 10 gold coins and 8 silver coins in total."
Ken poured the coins onto the table. The *clink-clank* of the Asura gold coins made my eyes light up. It's been a long time since I've seen so much money, and it's not borrowed money either! With this rate of earning, I'll pay off my debt in just two years, and after that, I'll even become rich! Hahahaha!
While I was cackling in my head, Ken took out four small pouches.
"This is the profit-share for your 'partner'." He put 5 gold coins and 4 silver coins into the first pouch.
Ah, reasonable. I remember in the terms, I have to pay 50% of the profits from this entire business plan to the person who invested in me. Makes sense.
"Next is 2 gold coins to pay the interest to your creditors." The next two gold coins were put into the second pouch.
It still didn't stop. Ken took the remaining two gold coins and threw them into the third pouch. "This is to pay for other expenses, including sales tax, operating costs, hiring people, transportation, and the fee for the merchant's guild."
And one more gold coin, he threw into the last pouch. "This is my commission fee."
In the end, all that was left...
"Four silver coins. For you."
WHAT THE FUCK!
"Are you kidding me!?" I slammed the table and stood up. "I did everything, and I only get 4 silver coins!? And why the hell do I have to pay you a whole gold coin!?"
As if he had expected it, Ken had already covered his ears with his hands before I even slammed the table. With his face still expressionless, he replied calmly.
"You have to think about it this way: without me, you wouldn't even be able to pay the monthly interest. Now you have a whole four silver coins of spending money. Isn't that great?"
"But I did all the work! You and that investor guy didn't do a damn thing!" I still wouldn't accept it and slammed the table again. "And what the hell is a merchant's guild!? Why do I have to pay them!? This is robbery!"
"I think you should start reading the Asuran commercial laws. That's a fee that anyone who wants to do business in the Royal Capital has to pay."
Ken took a big swig of his ale before continuing.
"Listen, Atur. For a kid like you, this is already a great success. Stop crying and do your job. In a few years, when you're successful, you'll pay off your debt. When you have more money, expand the business, and you'll earn even more." Ken shrugged. "With a head like yours, you'll be rich sooner or later."
"If I earn more money, won't that 'investor,' you, and those 'Merchant's Guild' types just take more from my pocket?" I sighed.
"I call it 'cooperation and development.' Besides, I still haven't demanded compensation from you for making me lose my job."
"Tch..."
Ken had switched to guilt-tripping me, so I just gave up.
Besides, what he said was right. It was all in the agreement and the law. Arguing now is pointless. From the beginning, I was never on the winning side of this money-making game.
Maybe I should just be content with the money I've earned and focus more on more important things, like practicing the sword.
In the past few months, even though I've been focused on making alcohol, I haven't neglected my swordsmanship at all. The training sessions with Master Reida are truly beneficial and more painful than death, but I don't know why, I'm not making much progress.
Meanwhile, Isolde has gradually perfected her first secret art. At this rate, she'll become a Water King at around 16 or 17.
While I'll probably need at least another year just to truly become an Intermediate-rank swordsman.
Even though I don't want to, every time I compare myself to Isolde, I feel both humiliated and annoyed.
"Anyway, it's getting late." I picked up the four silver coins from the table, stuffed them into my pocket, and stood up. "I'm heading back. I'll bring you the new batch of wine next week."
"Mm."
I walked quickly to get out of the adventurer's guild. But just as I got near the exit, Ken called out.
"Ah, Atur."
I turned my head with some annoyed gesture. "What?"
"Are you free tomorrow? Your investor wants to talk to you."
Hearing that, I frowned. Even though I'm grateful to that person, I don't really want to meet him. A guy who dares to write a contract condition to take half the profits if successful, and if it fails, turn the investment into an interest-bearing loan... he's truly an unpleasant person. I'm not sure I'll get along with this guy.
And when I talk to guys I don't get along with, I tend to get the urge to punch them.
"Can I decline? I still have to practice my sword."
"Don't worry, it won't take long." But Ken wouldn't give up. He stood up and walked over to me. "This person has something important to discuss with you."
"I'm scared of talking to strange nobles." I faked an excuse. "I'm just a commoner now. If I say the wrong thing and get my hand or tongue cut off, I'm screwed."
"You don't have to worry about that." Ken suddenly smirked. "You already know this person. And he seems to be someone you'll get along with."
"Who is it?"
I don't think I'd get along with anyone in this noble circle. The only two people I could stand have already been sent off to somewhere in the north of this continent.
Ah, but wait, I think there's one more... A man with a very calculating face.
"Philip Boreas Greyrat, the mayor of Roa." Ken said, patting me on the shoulder meaningfully.
And I just replied with a pained, forced smile.
I think I've already guessed what 'important matter' my angel investor wants to propose.