A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 119

Thanks to Rod and Rize’s help, opening my account wasn’t difficult.

I did feel a bit sorry for the bank manager who rushed over in a panic because of their “appearance,” but there was nothing I could do.

However, I couldn’t increase Kara’s account limit. It seemed politically entangled, leaving both sides in an awkward position.

This was something everyone understood, and Kara accepted it, so we moved on without issue.

“It can’t be helped. Our people have done a lot, after all. Since it’s not been long since banks were introduced, it’s better to take things slowly.”

“Want to use mine?”

If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to share? I don’t think Kara would do anything strange with my account.

If anything, she’d protect it securely, ensuring there’d be no losses.

“You can’t. That violates the regulations, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. Unless proper procedures are followed, you absolutely cannot use someone else’s account. The reason we issue two bankbooks is to allow you to check transactions you might not be aware of.”

As expected, laws related to finance are very demanding. It seems there’s no way around this.

While I was quietly feeling disappointed, the bank employee glanced nervously in another direction.

After all the account setups were completed, Rod and Rize were chatting in a corner. The bank employee’s gaze was directed precisely at them.

Then, clearing his throat, the bank employee began explaining slowly.

“However, if a family relationship is proven, you might be able to use it. In the special case of Rize and Rod, they can use Sivar’s account.”

“Family…?”

Kara muttered awkwardly, seemingly caught on the word “family.” I wasn’t interested at all, though.

It seemed Rize and Rod were recognized as parental figures to me. Honestly, it wasn’t entirely wrong, so I didn’t deny it.

“Do you need anything?”

“You said family, but by any chance…”

“It has to be family on paper.”

“I see.”

It seems that without documentation, it’s not possible. I must be an unusual case.

In the end, I decided to manage the bankbook myself. Even when I asked Kara, she firmly refused, citing legal issues.

I don’t know if she trusts that I won’t spend much or if it’s because she’s meticulous about money.

Or maybe she thinks there’s no point in managing it herself.

“Wouldn’t it be better for the Saintess to hold one of the accounts? Since you’re living together anyway.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

Instead, I decided to entrust one account to Rize. Like Kara, I could trust Rize with it.

Here’s an interesting point: Rize hadn’t opened a separate account.

Having lived her life as a ronin and only recently settling down, her spending habits were surprisingly extravagant. Rod was similar in this regard.

“Then, Headmaster, where do you keep your salary? Surely not all in cash?”

“It’s less of a salary and more of a sponsorship fund. I receive one cheque worth a million silver coins every month.”

“Why so much… No, wait. Is that cheap?”

For the cost of embedding a “Sword Saint” in the Academy, a million silver coins is incredibly cheap.

After all, the Sword Saint is someone even a mob of Academy members couldn’t guarantee victory against.

Considering the role as the Last Bastion and deterrent, a million silver coins a month is quite reasonable.

“Saintess… No. I’m foolish for even asking such a question. Anyway, we’ll be on our way now.”

“You said you put Usk byproducts up for auction, right? That should bring in quite a bit of money.”

At the mention of a large sum of money, it wasn’t anyone else but the bank employee whose expression changed.

However, perhaps because of Rod and Rize’s presence, he seemed hesitant to speak up.

Anyway, since I’ll have to visit later for savings, we can talk then.

‘For now, Santia is still functioning just fine.’

The beginning of the finance industry lies in the scientific city of Santiago, naturally revolving around Santia.

It’s similar to the United States on Earth, not because it’s a superpower, but due to its currency minting technology.

In the past, people would scrape the surface of silver coins to make powder or carve them with knives, reducing their value in various ways.

However, the silver coins in this world are different. Like Earth’s coins, their surfaces are textured, making such methods impossible.

As a result, Santia’s finance industry naturally developed, starting with the production of silver coins there.

“After the auction ends, we’ll return to the bank and… Oh, right. Sivar.”

“?”

“Once we get back, I’ll give you some cash. Use it to buy yourself something nice to eat.”

It was while we were heading to the auction house after parting ways with the others. Kara, who was planning something, said this to me.

Since it was my money anyway, I nodded without hesitation. I might as well treat myself to something delicious.

Kara found me adorable and lightly pinched my cheek. But she didn’t forget to give a warning.

“Just don’t spend too much. Even though prices are low here, if you splurge, you’ll run out quickly.”

“Okay.”

“Good. Oh, and if a stranger approaches you, never give them money. Also…”

She was so thorough. I listened intently to Kara’s advice as we headed to the auction house.

‘What would she do if I really got scammed?’

I should try getting scammed on purpose someday.

*****

The Usk Auction surprisingly didn’t end quickly. This was because people from all over the world had come upon hearing the rumors.

Usk’s Hard Outer Shell alone fetched a considerable price, even without its Blade Fang.

Additionally, parts like its innards were used as alchemy and potion ingredients, so the auction inevitably took some time.

“Blade Fang for 2.8 million, 2.9 million. 3 million. 3.5 million. 3.5 million. Any higher bids?”

The Blade Fang fetched 3.5 million silver coins, 500,000 more than Kara had initially estimated.

After deducting the commission fee owed to the auction house, about 3.37 million remained. An enormous sum landed in Sivar’s hands.

“If you’ve opened an account, please write down the number.”

“Do I need to write down the password too?”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

As soon as the account was opened, nearly 3.4 million silver coins were deposited. In Korean won, that’s approximately 3.4 billion.

Kara, sensitive to money, clicked her tongue at the amount, but Sivar seemed indifferent, as if he didn’t yet grasp its value.

“Sivar, do you know how much this is?”

“Roughly?”

“It’s enough to eat cake every day for the rest of your life and still not run out.”

“Oh.”

Hearing this analogy, Sivar let out a sound of realization. Kara found his reaction adorable and burst into laughter.

Just in case, they went back to the bank to confirm the amount again. It was the same bank employee from earlier.

“Would you like to open a savings account?”

“Please explain in detail. He doesn’t know anything.”

“Understood. A savings account is…”

The bank employee explained in detail how savings accounts work.

He mentioned interest rates, special benefits for opening one now, and so on. In simple terms, saving money would make it grow.

Sivar listened quietly, but his expression remained blank. Anyone could tell he wasn’t interested.

After hearing all the explanations, Sivar’s response was brief.

“Later.”

“That’s what he says.”

“Understood.”

Both the bank employee and Kara thought the same thing upon hearing his answer. They assumed it was a complicated topic, so he’d take his time to think it over.

But that wasn’t the case for Sivar. His interest had long since shifted elsewhere.

Though he hadn’t spoken about it yet, he planned to invest when the time was right.

“Goodbye.”

After being treated with courtesy by the bank employee, they stepped outside. Kara checked the time as soon as they were out.

The auction had taken longer than expected, leaving the timing a bit awkward. Still, it was enough for Sivar’s snack time.

“Sivar, feeling a bit peckish?”

“Yeah. Something sweet.”

“Here, I’ll give you some money. 10,000 silver coins should be enough. Buy yourself something tasty.”

Kara handed Sivar 10,000 silver coins. Sivar rolled his eyes, gauging the situation.

He seemed to understand roughly how much 10,000 silver coins were worth. Or maybe it was just because Kara had given it to him.

Either way, Kara found it heartwarming. She patted Sivar’s back and encouraged him.

“Now you need to learn how to spend money. Go on, get something delicious to eat. It’s fine even if you spend it all.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Really.”

At Kara’s firm assurance, the corners of Sivar’s lips lifted ever so slightly. He seemed excited at the thought of eating something tasty already.

However, watching him, Kara grew uneasy. The Academy was a place where all sorts of people gathered.

For now, it was fine since rumors hadn’t spread, but as time passed, a con artist might approach him.

Perhaps someone might even approach him today. To confirm that possibility, she decided to send him off alone.

“I’m going.”

“Okay. If anyone strange approaches you, just ignore them!”

Sivar left to get some delicious food, and Kara quietly watched his retreating figure.

She didn’t return to the dormitory right away. Once there was some distance between them, she slowly began to follow him.

Partly to check how Sivar spent his money, and partly to see if anyone suspicious approached him. She couldn’t help but worry.

‘I hope he just eats something good and leaves it at that.’

As Kara trailed behind Sivar, she carefully scanned her surroundings, checking for anyone suspicious.

Fortunately, since the rumors hadn’t spread widely, no one approached Sivar.

Sivar, in the meantime, ate candy or ice cream here and there.

Contrary to Kara’s concerns, he was buying and eating things just fine on his own.

‘Was I worried for nothing?’

Thankfully, no one attempted to take advantage of Sivar’s kind nature.

Kara suddenly wondered if she was viewing the world too harshly.

“Oh? Sivar? What are you doing alone?”

“…Huh?”

That was until Ellie suddenly appeared. The moment Kara saw Ellie with Sivar, her expression hardened.

She wasn’t sure why. The moment she saw Ellie, an intense feeling of unease surged within her.

Of course, from Ellie’s perspective, she had simply run into him while browsing for herbs.

“Something tasty.”

“You were eating something tasty? By yourself?”

“Yeah. I got money.”

“Money? Oh, right, there was an auction today, wasn’t there? How much did you get?”

Ellie naturally stuck close to Sivar. Watching this, Kara’s mood plummeted.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the situation that followed made her feel even worse.

“That looks delicious. Where did you get it?”

“Should I buy you one?”

“Really? Is that okay?”

“Yeah. I still have plenty of money.”

Sivar ended up buying Ellie ice cream. Ellie, pleased by Sivar’s kindness, smiled brightly.

In contrast, Kara’s mood was plummeting straight down. She considered stepping in right then and there, but…

‘…Why does this feel so pathetic?’

She hesitated because she felt pathetic herself. Honestly, even just watching from afar like this felt pitiful.

It was like the Eastern proverb about making porridge only for a dog to eat it. She had given Sivar the money for his benefit, but Ellie had snatched it up instead.

‘She’s spending it recklessly because it’s not her money.’

That wasn’t true, though. Ellie refused every time Sivar offered.

But Sivar kept insisting. He even brought up the time he had bought her candy before.

For Ellie, it was an offer she couldn’t refuse, which resulted in this overly friendly scene.

‘Sigh… I’ll have to stay by his side next time.’

Kara sighed inwardly and made a resolution. Even so, she didn’t stop following them.

She wanted to turn around and leave, but her feet wouldn’t move.

Considering her usually straightforward personality, this was quite an unusual behavior.

Regardless, Sivar continued eating ice cream whenever he had the chance, seemingly unconcerned about diabetes.

[Faith Increases!]

“?”

For reasons unknown, it was a day that was sweet in more ways than one.