Academy’s Genius Mage

The salon of the Royal Academy.

In the kingdom of Sonokin, as in most countries, salons were known as small-scale social gatherings.

People gathered here comfortably to enjoy desserts, tea, and wine.

Naturally, all the furniture, including tables and sofas, was of the highest quality. After all, there was no noble in the world who wanted to sit on a lower-class sofa.

Occasionally, there were days when works by famous artists were displayed.

On those occasions, many reputable nobles gathered.

Art was one of the few high-class hobbies that could display both wealth and refinement.

Therefore, nobles tried to associate closely with well-known artists and sometimes even sponsored them.

However, not all nobles were interested in art.

Is there not a saying that life is a real battle?

Of course, there were those interested in artworks, but it was also a great opportunity to establish acquaintances with high-ranking nobles.

Occasionally, music concerts were held in the salons.

Cultural gatherings like poetry readings or book discussions also often took place.

In short, a salon was a space where one could sit comfortably to foster camaraderie, while also being a cultural space to enhance knowledge and cultivate oneself.

Thus, the Royal Academy had several salons on campus to provide a comfortable space for the students.

*Ding!*

As the door opened, the waiter bowed his head.

“Welcome.”

Ian Oracle had just stepped into one of the salons of the Royal Academy.

Located closest to the main entrance, it was a place often used not only by students at the academy but also by regular nobles.

Commoners were, in principle, prohibited from entering.

However, those who regularly sponsored the Royal Academy or donated above a certain amount were granted access.

Ian looked around. Felix was waiting at a good spot by the window.

“It feels like we’re meeting after quite some time, baron.”

Recognizing Ian, Felix folded his arms inwardly and bowed courteously.

The Hamel Trading Company was also one of the sponsors of the Royal Academy. Felix, holding a significant position there, could freely enter and exit this place.

“How have you been?”

Ian greeted him comfortably as he took his seat.

A momentary silence.

Felix began to keenly observe Ian’s face.

“Is there something on my face?”

“Hahaha, no. It just seems like the atmosphere feels a bit different from when we first met.”

“The weight of the cloak and staff is quite heavy.”

This was a metaphor for the history and tradition of the Academy not being so easy to bear.

Felix nodded in understanding.

“But isn’t it an honorable task?”

“Whether it will be an honor or a disgrace remains to be seen.”

“You’re still as cautious as ever.”

Felix sat down.

He immediately took out some documents from his possession.

One was a contract personally signed by Baron Lefevre, Ian’s father, and the other was a repayment statement.

Ian placed his hand over the signature part of the contract.

He felt his own mana.

“Where do you intend to keep the contract? I’ll follow your opinion, baron.”

“I plan to store it at Goldmine Bank.”

“Hmm, goldmine? That’s not a bad choice.”

Goldmine Bank was the continent’s most trustworthy bank where anyone could safely deposit their money.

Naturally, they handled notarizations and valuable safekeeping services as well.

Ian’s choice was straightforward.

‘I can’t trust banks smaller in scale than the Hamel Trading Company, nor can I trust places heavily invested by them.’

Thus, after thorough calculation, Ian realized there was only one optimal bank he could choose.

“Then, I will notarize and store these documents later. Would you like to accompany me?”

“There’s no need for that. I can stop by later to verify the documents. The rules for leaving are rather strict, you see.”

“Understood.”

Infusing mana into a signature was convenient for this reason — it easily prevented the forgery of the original.

Ian then checked the repayment document.

‘It’s worse than I anticipated.’

The loan amount stated in the contract was 300 million shillings.

However, the principal and interest Ian had to repay had ballooned to a total of 1 billion 50 million shillings.

He had suspected as much, but seeing the actual schedule of monthly payments made his head spin.

1 billion shillings was an amount unimaginable for lower nobility with no fief, like his family.

‘Well, it’s not surprising since it’s been in default for over ten years.’

Ian clicked his tongue.

Simultaneously, Felix grinned broadly.

“You’ll need to pay a total of 1 billion 50 million shillings over 36 months. That rounds off to about 29 million shillings a month.”

29 million shillings.

It was no small amount. Especially not as a monthly repayment.

So, Felix watched Ian with an intrigued expression.

What expression would a cornered Ian show?

Despair, frustration, or perhaps humiliation.

He expected at least one of these.

He had dealt with numerous noble debtors before.

Every one of them had thrown away their noble dignity, clinging to his pant leg and pleading.

To give them just a bit more time.

Or, begging to spare their lives.

Eventually, Felix realized something. That money was more important than noble dignity. That there was nothing money couldn’t do in this world.

“But.”

Contrary to his expectation, Ian gave a relaxed smile.

“Is there a separate penalty for early repayment?”

“Early… repayment?”

“I’m asking what happens if I pay the 1 billion 50 million shillings all at once instead of in monthly payments of 29 million shillings. I’ve heard there are sometimes penalties for this.”

“……”

Felix’s face twisted slightly in disbelief.

It was such a preposterous notion.

Early repayment meant repaying the debt all at once without waiting for the term to end.

In other words, it implied Ian could amass 1 billion 50 million shillings in merely a month, which was outright absurd.

Felix had thoroughly investigated the Oracle Family.

And he concluded there were no connections capable of lending such a huge sum.

Convinced it was a futile struggle, Felix shrugged.

“Imposing a penalty would be too harsh, wouldn’t it? We would be grateful if you paid off the debt all at once.”

Ian nodded nonchalantly.

‘It’s just something that sounds good.’

For lenders, having someone repay a debt quickly wasn’t beneficial.

It was better for the debtor to be slightly overdue, accruing more interest, a fact Ian knew well.

But sometimes, pretending to be naive was the best way to avoid suspicion.

Thus, Ian asked no further questions.

“Then, I’ll repay slowly for now and seize the opportunity when it arises. I’ll contact you when the funds are ready.”

“Sounds good.”

“Please open a repayment account at Goldmine Bank. I’ll deposit the money there every month.”

“Ah, that is…”

Felix wore a perplexed expression. Ian tilted his head with curiosity.

“Is there a problem?”

“The repayment account is a bit tricky. You see, we’ve done the Oracle Family some favors. It would be best if you repaid in person.”

“That’s somewhat inconvenient.”

“I’ll send a carriage and courier to make it easier for you. Depending on the situation, we might even reduce the interest a little. On the whole, it wouldn’t be a bad arrangement.”

A foul odor filled the air.

Adjusting interest meant Felix could intercept the payment midway or use it for other purposes.

Ian suspected there might be more to it than met the eye.

‘So, he doesn’t want to leave evidence, is that it? That way, when they’ve devoured our family, they could even claim what’s already been repaid.’

However, Ian had plans of his own. Thus, he nodded willingly.

“Understood. Since you’ve provided such convenience, I should reciprocate.”

“Hahaha. You’re truly generous. Thank you.”

“Then, if that wraps up our discussion, I’ll take my leave.”

Ian, his business concluded, stood up without hesitation. However, Felix stopped him.

“Is there more?”

“It’ll only take a moment.”

Ian, feigning reluctance, sat back down.

“I heard an interesting rumor. You’re planning to purchase a thousand potion containers.”

Ian frowned.

Revealing emotions in negotiations was for novices, which Ian fully understood. He decided to turn it to his advantage.

“Has Frederick come tattling already?”

As Ian went on the offensive, Felix faltered.

“Oh no! That’s a misunderstanding. Tattling, you say? Not at all. Calm down for a moment… I only heard that you’re interested in containers we’ve made.”

Felix was referring to the potion containers obtained from Frederick’s general store, which seemed to be produced by the Hamel Trading Company.

“Go on.”

“I’m not sure how Frederick priced it for you, but if you deal directly with us, we’ll offer an additional 10% discount. How does that sound?”

“Hmm.”

Ian pretended to mull it over.

“If the intention was purely to make me repay the debt, they would have told me to pay the interest with the money meant to buy the potion container.”

There had to be different motives. That was the conclusion Ian reached.

‘I’ll have to think more about this matter.’

Anyone could lay a trap. The entire situation could be a trap, he surmised.

“I haven’t had the chance to try out the ones I acquired. They came highly recommended, but I still need to determine if they suit my purposes.”

“I see.”

“This isn’t urgent. Can I decide later?”

“Of course! We are always open to any offer. Please feel free to inform us.”

“Very well.”

Ian left the salon.

Feeling the eyes of others on him, he pulled his hood deeper to conceal his face.

‘They’re more sinister than I thought.’

He seemed the type who would do anything for money.

Ian deduced that it wasn’t only his family they targeted. They would be eager to prey on any powerless family.

‘If my hypothesis is correct, the Hamel Trading Company must have amassed considerable assets from other families. Their methods would be similar. The clues lie there.’

If it turned out they were indeed swindling, Ian intended to claim every bit of interest owed.

The groundwork had already been laid.

This included infusing mana into the contract and the matter of repaying the money. Reaching out to Frederick was part of the same effort.

Uncovering the truth wouldn’t be easy, but Ian wouldn’t give up. It was tied to the honor of his family and his father.

‘I may not know what the truth is yet, but if it’s discovered… I’ll claim a hundredfold. No, a thousandfold of what you attempted to extract.’

Ian’s eyes carried a cold intensity.

He turned and headed for the post office.