NOVEL NEXT Chapter 138: Shifting Futures [2]
Most of the money spent by the academy went to Golden Turtle.
"But do you have anything special you do during the festival, young master?"
"I need to make money."
More important than participating in competitions or enjoying the festivities was not missing this peak season for commerce. Each day of revelry represented potential profit that, if neglected, would never return.
"Let's go to the betting house."
Gerhard had set up a temporary building right next to the stadium where the Magic Tournament and Jousting Competition were held, creating a betting house.
He had posted tournament brackets from the preliminaries on the wall, allowing anyone to place bets.
Entering, it was stuffy with the heat of people. Despite building it quite spacious, the crowded scene naturally brought a smile to his face.
"It's packed from the first day."
Getting rich overnight is something everyone dreams of, and betting at the academy was a legal way to do so.
Some call it gambling and despise it, but even such people tend to loosen up with the festival atmosphere and reasonable amounts.
Gerhard skillfully pushed through the dense crowd, occasionally nodding in acknowledgment to students or visitors who recognized him, making his way to check the brackets densely posted along the far wall.
"There are 256 participants in the Jousting Competition and 128 in the Magic Tournament."
The number of participants was always the same because the academy limited the numbers.
Originally both had 256, but the Magic Tournament had been reduced to 128 due to lower than expected participation.
"Ah, Senior, have you come to place bets too?"
Someone tapped Gerhard's shoulder. It was the brightly smiling elf, Ariadne Florian.
"An elf who gambles."
"Elves and gambling are inseparable words. How about it, want some advice? You don't know much about the first-years, right?"
"There's no one I don't know."
Gerhard shook his head and checked the betting slip Ariadne was holding.
[Magic Tournament - Round of 128
Ariadne Florian VS Keldric Erimis
Prediction - Ariadne Florian - 10 gold]
"Impressive confidence."
"I am the second-ranked in the Magic Department, after all. You should bet on me too. That's how to make money."
"Hmm."
Gerhard shrugged, but he naturally intended to bet on Ariadne as well.
What he had confirmed through the prophecy book was the top 16. The definite 16 who would reach the top 16, and combining the Jousting Competition and Magic Tournament, it was 32 people.
Aint and Luina, Veriana and Ariadne, and even Carlo.
Since all of them, even those who had changed a bit because of Gerhard, were included, there was no need to consider unexpected variables until then.
Gerhard received exactly 32 betting slips and placed the maximum bet of 10 gold each on all 32 people.
"Are those the likely candidates in your opinion, Senior? Can I copy you, by any chance?"
"If you pay a fee."
"...Are you a scammer?"
"If you want information, you naturally have to pay a price."
"...When you put it that way, I guess that's true."
After thinking for a moment, Ariadne nodded. Gerhard wouldn't bet on meaningless places.
Definite targets that would win money just by betting on them.
It would be foolish to refuse just because of a small fee when she could make money.
"Alright!"
Ariadne brought 31 slips and copied them exactly. Following her, Gerhard finished his betting and left the betting house to walk the streets.
"Hyde, you bet the same way."
"Me too?"
"Not just you, but all employees. Provide all the funds and take half of the principal and profits as a fee. I doubt anyone will refuse."
No one would dislike getting free money if the predictions were correct.
"Embezzling company funds is not allowed."
"I'll give it all from my money, so don't worry. Just make sure to write a clear contract."
"Yes, understood."
Hyde nodded without asking further questions.
'It's a bit disappointing that the maximum bet per match is 10 gold.'
It couldn't be helped. The academy opened the betting house for festival enjoyment, not for serious gambling.
'We need more people.'
The academy branch had only about a hundred employees.
"Call all the available Golden Pillar people and do the same."
"Yes."
"And also to the students sponsored by Goldenheim."
"Are you going that far?"
"When it comes to money, you should earn as much as you can when you can."
Especially since the company's funds and Gerhard's personal money had different meanings.
"Understood. Will you be returning to the branch now?"
"No, I plan to look around the festival for a bit. Also check if the shops I opened are doing good business."
He was talking about the stores opened through Golden Pillar, not the Golden Turtle Company.
Three hours later.
After confirming that ten stores and inns were bustling with people, Gerhard returned to the Golden Turtle branch with a satisfied smile.
"From tomorrow, I should meet some distinguished guests."
Among those who came for the festival were many prominent figures like high nobles or heads of merchant companies.
Gerhard intended to attend the banquets held throughout the festival one by one to build connections with them.
Especially.
"Hyde, bring me the list of those who came from the Pragia Kingdom."
"Pragia?"
The nobles of the Pragia Kingdom.
'I need to build connections with Pragia to create opportunities for smoother intervention. At least get minimal cooperation.'
To stop the demon, it was absolutely necessary.
But the next day.
"Senior! Two people lost? Well, 30 out of 32 is still correct, so it's understandable that two might be wrong. After all, a duel doesn't always favor the stronger one."
"..."
An unexpected variable had occurred that Gerhard hadn't anticipated at all.
Of course, someone could lose to a weaker opponent due to poor condition or a mistake.
Others, perhaps.
But the 32 people Gerhard had selected shouldn't have.
'...Someone who was supposed to reach the top 16 was eliminated in the preliminaries?'
Something had gone terribly wrong.
The future had changed, and he was about to lose money.
Cold sweat trickled down.