Academy’s Genius Mage

Chapter 31

* * *

“If we’re talking about investigation…”

“To be precise, it’s about understanding the current status of the Hamel Trading Company. There’s no other way to determine if your family has fallen into a trap.”

This conclusion was consistent with what Ian had already deduced.

“It’s becoming common for large trading companies to seize the assets of powerless noble families. Although this used to be rare, now, as the number of nobility grows, such occurrences have become quite frequent. I suspect this might be one of those cases.”

This was rare during wartime when loyalty and honor were the most important.

However, now that the war was over, it was a time of peace.

In times of peace, unseen wars are fought.

The era where one could become a noble through achievements had ended. Now, anyone with wealth could become a noble.

As a result, incidents of corruption, fraud, and other activities that undermine the state from within have increased.

“I had guessed as much. Hence, I planned to trace the estates or properties of the Hamel Trading Company.”

“You concluded that you need informants.”

“Yes. I planned to use part of the profits from the potion project for that purpose.”

Ian was more convinced than ever.

‘Professor Frost and my father don’t have an ordinary relationship. For him to predict my father’s actions so accurately.’

While Ian did not know how this incident would end, he felt it was a wise decision to confide the details to Professor Frost.

Not only did it ease his mind, but it also gave him strength.

‘I thought I was alone, but I’m not.’

He still didn’t know who the people Professor Frost mentioned were—the ones waiting for Ian’s admission.

But the thought that someone might be watching over him somewhere boosted his confidence.

After a brief pause with his chin resting on his hand, Professor Frost spoke.

“First, you should wrap up the potion business. I’ll gather the informants in my own way.”

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous if you step in, Professor? If something goes wrong, it could cause problems later.”

“Either way, if I don’t do it, won’t you end up doing it?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“Tracking wealth changes isn’t much of an issue. It’s not as if a noble declaring bankruptcy is a state secret.”

“Understood. Then I’ll take action on my end.”

“Good luck with that.”

Ian bowed his head, sincerely conveying respect and gratitude.

* * *

Back at the dormitory, Milo and Edel had finished organizing the experiment equipment and were resting at the table.

“How did it go?”

Milo sprang to his feet, while Edel looked worried. The project had ended successfully, but it was natural to be concerned after being criticized.

“It ended somewhat strangely.”

“You don’t have to be too greedy, right? Submitting this experiment’s results as a thesis would be a great help. Cheer up!”

“That’s right, Ian. Don’t stress too much.”

Both of them tried to encourage him.

They suspected that Ian might have undertaken this project due to financial needs.

At the very least, Milo was well aware of the Oracle Family’s financial situation.

“Milo, does that mean you’re okay with not receiving a share of the profits?”

“Well, not particularly. There’s plenty of money at home.”

“What about you, Edel?”

“Having money is nice, but I’ve managed well enough without it so far. I’m just thrilled to have learned something new. I’m glad I came to the academy.”

The son of a baronet was far from modest, and the son of a commoner was perhaps too humble.

Ian couldn’t help but smile.

“Then I’ll take all the profits. No objections, right?”

“What?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Professor Frost said he’d give me all the royalties. His name will be on the patent, but all other rights have been transferred to me.”

“Gosh!”

Milo was left with his mouth agape.

Edel, although not fully grasping the situation, sensed from Milo’s reaction that it was significant.

“He’ll give all the profits to you?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re going to keep it all to yourself?”

“What’s the problem?”

“Did you always lack a conscience like this? The Ian Oracle I know isn’t that kind of person.”

Milo was so agitated that a vein popped out on his forehead. In contrast, Ian was full of composure.

“Can’t a recluse possibly like money?”

“Ha, this bastard really holds grudges!”

“Weren’t you the one who claimed that your house was overflowing with money?”

“Hey! I was just joking. Can’t we even joke between us?”

“You should know when and where to brag.”

Milo slumped his shoulders. He knew he couldn’t win this verbal sparring.

“I don’t mind. Ian can take it all for all I care.”

“Edel, you’re also a problem. If you keep being so kind and naive, you’ll only end up being used and discarded.”

“Oh… is that so?”

Edel didn’t seem to mind even if that was the case.

Ian took out some documents he had stored in his desk drawer. It was a contract he had prepared in advance.

The content was simple.

The revenue from the potion project would be divided according to specific percentages. Ian would take 50%, and the others would receive 25% each.

Ian gestured to his roommates.

Then he handed out the documents one by one.

“What is this?”

“A slave contract.”

Ian flashed a wicked smile. The two got goosebumps.

“Let me sign first.”

Ian signed at the bottom of the contract and imbued it with magic.

Then, he handed the pen to Milo.

Blinking his eyes, Milo asked Ian suspiciously.

“You’re giving us 25% each? What’s your real intention?”

“Leave it if you don’t like it.”

“I’m not getting sold off somewhere, am I?”

Even Milo thought 25% was too substantial.

If they earned 1 billion shillings, that meant he would get 250 million as his share.

“I don’t have the guts to sell off the likes of a noble’s son. If there are no more questions, just sign it.”

Milo also signed and infused it with mana.

Lastly, it was Edel’s turn.

Not realizing how substantial 25% was, he signed quietly without any questions, completing it with mana.

Thus, the contract among the three was fully executed.

“We’re not just going to sit and make money, right? So what exactly are we going to do?”

There was a rather vague clause in the contract:
— Actively cooperate in future projects conducted by Ian Oracle.

“For now, there’s nothing specific. Soon, a large distillation apparatus will be installed at the academy. Just come and help out then.”

“I wonder if it’s a position where a first-year student like me should step in.”

Even as he said that, Milo straightened up, knowing he played a critical role in assembling the distillation apparatus.

Of course, Ian couldn’t just let that pass unnoticed.

“What can a mere first-year do? I mean you can carry materials for the distillation apparatus. Don’t let your muscles go to waste.”

“Ha, I knew this was coming.”

Grinning, Ian handed out the contracts to his friends.

“Edel, figure out how to secure a large supply of herbs soon. You can ask your father for help.”

“Got it. But, um….”

Edel hesitated, and Ian tilted his head.

“You’ll keep what you said earlier, right?”

“What did I say?”

“That you’d clear all my debts.”

“Oh, right.”

Seeing such an innocent friend, Ian couldn’t help but laugh.

Once the patent rights are established and royalties start coming in, Edel will realize how meaningless this conversation was.

“Of course. A promise is a promise.”

“Thank you!”

“If you’re thankful, buy us dinner later.”

“Instead of that, let’s open a bottle of wine at the salon. We need to celebrate the project’s success, don’t we?”

For once, Milo made a reasonable suggestion, and the other two nodded in agreement.

Ding dong!

At that moment, an alarm sounded from the direction of the door. All three of them turned to look that way.

“What is that sound?”

“Did something arrive?”

Milo opened the door and stepped outside.

At the top of the mail slot, a glass orb was flashing blue.

“I think it’s a message.”

Milo tapped the glass orb lightly.

A mechanical sound was heard, and then a sheet of paper, the size of a palm, slowly printed out.

Surprisingly, the blank paper displayed letters.

Ian followed outside.

“What is it?”

“It seems like a notice from the Academy’s Internal Network.”

Inside the Academy, a large communication crystal was installed, with its network connected to each dormitory, lecture hall, research lab, and other buildings.

The paper that was just printed in room 307 was a memo created by the newly developed mana printer.

The mailboxes installed in each dorm room contained blank paper, and the method involves converting mana into heat to scorch the paper and engrave letters.

While the print quality wasn’t great and it couldn’t hold much content or enable long-distance transmission, it was convenient for conveying simple messages, so it was used within the Academy.

“I didn’t know something like this existed.”

Ian took out the paper and read it. Since it was short, he quickly grasped the contents.

“It’s a notice from the student council.”

Milo and Edel tensed up.

Ian, after checking the memo, read aloud the rest of the contents.

“They say they’re going to elect a first-year student representative soon. If you’re interested, you should apply.”

“Heh. The time has finally come!”

Milo’s eyes sparkled. His excitement was like encountering a beautiful woman in the salon.

“Are you going to run?”

“Of course! I didn’t make it into the top three in the mana assessment, so becoming the student representative is the least I can do, right?”

“It’ll be tough.”

When Ian remarked, Milo erupted in frustration.

“Instead of encouragement, you curse at me like this? All my older brothers have been class representatives. I’m already an outsider in the Department of Magic; I have to do something!”

“I understand your situation, but it seems the game is already over.”

“Surely you… aren’t thinking of running too?”

Ian shook his head. He absolutely had no such intention.

Even thinking calmly, there was no chance of winning.

Despite what happened at the magic training ground and during the mana assessment, he was merely an heir of a minor barony.

The student council president election was influenced by title and social status.

Of course, if the paper he co-authored with Isera were cited in the Magic Society and the potion project got back on track, things might change, but such developments would take time.

“In my opinion, Sebastian or Ophelia will take everything. Zickhardt seemed uninterested, so it’ll likely be a stage for just the two of them.”

“Well, indeed. Those two are strong candidates.”

Realizing the reality, Milo quickly felt downcast.

“You saw during the lecture, right? Everyone was scrambling to impress those two.”

Their background was impressive, and their skills were outstanding. From the perspective of an average student, it would be desirable to be on good terms with them.

‘Especially Sebastian, given his sociable nature, would undoubtedly win if he ran.’

Ian’s conclusion was that Sebastian might become the student council president, with Ophelia as the vice president, or vice versa.

“So rather than going through an embarrassing experience, just stay quiet. If you’re bored, try improving the distillation device.”

“I’m still doing it! Giving up without trying is not my style!”

“Do as you please.”

Ian, after putting the contract back into the drawer and locking it, picked up his Academy staff and prepared to go out.

“Where are you going?”

“To the patent office. I’ll be back before dinner, so decide on the menu.”

“Don’t you think you’re being overly diligent?”

“I need to row while the tide is high.”

Ian tucked the prewritten patent-related documents into his pocket and left the dormitory.