Surviving As A Mage In A Magic Academy [EN]: Chapter 63

In the past, important nobles in the Empire did not borrow money themselves.

To be precise, they didn’t ask for money directly, as it was seen as beneath the dignity of an honorable great noble.

Of course, even great nobles sometimes needed money.

In such cases, merchants who were friendly with the great nobles or who wanted to impress them would offer money on their own.

They would greet them politely, share stories, compliment their mansion and family, and then say something like, “I wish to offer a small amount of money to the noble.”, and the great noble would nod, acting as if reluctantly allowing it…

…Then, they would discuss the details with the butler.

Because of this system, most important nobles in the Empire did not know how to borrow money themselves.

Young people from these families, who were just becoming adults, certainly wouldn’t know where to begin.

That’s why Ariyon, the branch manager of the Kaaco Trading Company, was so surprised when a boy who clearly looked like he came from a great noble family came to ask for money.

‘Is he really from the Wodanaz family?’

Philone Village was quite prosperous for its size.

The streets of Philone Village were alive with noise and movement. The air smelled of baking bread and spices from the market stalls, mixed with the shouts of vendors and the chatter of people from all walks of life.

Moreover, inns, which would be sufficient with just one in such a village, were closely packed together, and the taverns were full of people.

Not only Philone Village, but other villages and cities near here were also full of vitality.

The reason was simple: the magic school.

The area itself, being the location of the magic school, was overflowing with natural magic.

It was a place full of various dungeons, monsters, and rare materials!

In addition, the wizards working within the magic school needed all sorts of materials and reagents for their experiments.

Who would bring these things?

Most wizards were so frail that they would wither away if they stood up from their desks.

Naturally, they had no choice but to hire adventurers.

As there were hefty rewards, adventurers flocked in excitedly, and as materials and reagents were quickly gathered, the excited wizards experimented vigorously and hired again, and the imperial treasurer, upon seeing the bill, would shout, ‘Bring me Ossoo Gonadaltes!!’ and rage…

Overall, this area was thriving and successful. It was a good situation for most people.

It was also fortunate for Lee Han.

Because with money, he could buy almost anything. It was better than not being able to buy things even with money.

“So,” Lee Han said, “I need to borrow some money.”

Ariyon jumped slightly. “Oh! Young master Wodanaz! Just a second, please! Wait right there!”

“Is it not possible?”

“No! It’s not that it’s not possible. Of course, I will lend it to you.”

Ariyon, the branch manager, was a goat-like beastman. His eyes widened behind his spectacles as he looked at the young boy.

If the other party was from the Wodanaz family (and not a fake), lending money was unconditionally beneficial.

He had no intention of going to the Wodanaz family to ask for the money back.

Just being able to form a relationship with someone from the Wodanaz family was a profit in itself.

Ariyon steeled himself.

‘Alright. Even if I have to use my own money…’

But as a merchant, he couldn’t help but tremble.

How much money would the other party demand?

If it was more than Ariyon’s entire fortune, he would have to quickly contact the higher-ups to seek permission…

Ariyon took a deep breath. “How much money do you need, young master?”

Lee Han paused for a moment, as if thinking hard.

Ariyon’s heart pounded. *How much could it be? His entire fortune? More?* He felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead.

“…Would twenty silver coins be possible?” Lee Han finally asked, his voice quiet.

“…Pardon?” Ariyon blinked, completely taken aback.

“Or even fifteen silver coins would be fine, if twenty is too much,” Lee Han added, a hint of worry in his voice.

Ariyon stared, speechless. Then, something clicked in his mind. He looked again at the boy’s clothes. They were rough and simple, but now he recognized them.

It was the uniform of the magic school.

‘He was a magic school student?!?’

He was even a first-year. Knowing the magic school’s insane strict rules, Ariyon couldn’t help but be surprised.

How did a first-year get out??

‘Ah… he was from the Wodanaz family.’

Ariyon started to believe it. This boy *must* be from the Wodanaz family. It was almost impossible for a first-year student to leave the magic school without a very good reason, and being from a powerful family like the Wodanaz family would be a very good reason.

‘I never dreamed that a great noble would come directly to ask for money… but it’s the Wodanaz family!’

“Twelve silver coins?”

“Ah, no. You don’t have to reduce it anymore.”

Having grasped the situation, Ariyon tried to make Lee Han comfortable.

He brought out tea and refreshments, and when he said that he could give him the silver coins without any compensation, Lee Han looked at Ariyon as if he was suspicious.

“Ah, no. It’s not that I have any suspicious intentions.”

“I think I should go somewhere else now…”

“I’m serious! I was just being considerate because I thought the young master of the Wodanaz family might not have any money right now!”

Ariyon felt wronged.

How could a first-year who barely escaped from the magic school have any money?

The current situation was supposed to be a touching scene like, ‘Money doesn’t matter. I trust you, young master,’ ‘Mr. Ariyon! You have a good eye. I won’t forget your trust even after I succeed in the future!’…

“Ah. If that’s the case… I don’t have money, but I have something that can be turned into money.”

” ? ”

Ariyon tilted his head.

It was hard to believe that a first-year who had just escaped would have something that could be turned into money.

‘Could it be his wand…’

Ariyon smiled bitterly inwardly.

It was a common misconception among magic school students.

He heard that a third-year student had escaped last year and tried to sell his wand but failed.

The basic wand given by the magic school wasn’t worth as much money as they thought.

“Here is a ledger of debts owed to me by other imperial families.”

“……”

Ariyon’s jaw dropped so far it nearly touched the table.

What the heck!?!?!!!

“I was originally going to go around to the mansions with this, but the darn… no, the headmaster said he moved the mansion somewhere else.”

“Th-that’s right. If it’s something like this… it’s definitely something that can be turned into money.”

The ledger was as good as having money in hand. Even better, it wasn’t just about the money owed. If Ariyon returned the ledger to those noble families, they would feel grateful to the Wodanaz family and offer even more rewards as a thank you for the family’s honor.

Because that was the honor of the imperial nobility!

‘But…’

He was really tempted, but Ariyon drew a firm line.

“If you have that, it’s enough. I will lend you the money.”

“Then this ledger…”

“No. Please keep it, young master.”

“……”

At Ariyon’s words, Lee Han looked at him with an expression that said, ‘Did this merchant just start working today?’

Originally, when borrowing money, the person lending the money kept the item, not the person borrowing it.

Ariyon felt a slight surge of emotion.

‘I’m showing trust…!’

The reason Ariyon didn’t covet that ledger was simple.

That was practically a promise between the Wodanaz family and other noble families.

How much gratitude would the young master of the Wodanaz family receive later if he took that ledger to the mansions of other families?

Ariyon could gain profit if he took that ledger and went around to other noble families, but the Wodanaz family might not look favorably upon it.

-Isn’t that merchant tricking the ignorant Lee Han and taking the ledger?

Ariyon tried not to be misunderstood as deceiving the young master in front of him, even if it meant taking a slight loss.

Instead, he received misunderstandings like, ‘Did this merchant just start working today?’!

“Young master. Think about it. You are from the Wodanaz family, so what does it matter whether I have that ledger or not?”

“Is that so. Still, it would be better for you to have it…”

“…Shall I guide you around the village? You must need a lot of things.”

Ariyon changed the subject.

There were only a few things that students who had just escaped needed.

Lee Han nodded.

“I would appreciate it if you would. But you’re not going to guide me to a store connected to the trading company, are you?”

“…Of course not!”

Ariyon was starting to get confused about whether the boy in front of him was from the Wodanaz family or the Wodanaz Trading Company.

He didn’t have any of the naivety or innocence that was usually seen in those from noble families.

” ? ”

Ariyon, who was following Lee Han out of the room, realized that the refreshments he had brought were all gone.

‘Did he eat them all? That’s strange? He didn’t eat anything, did he?’

Ariyon tilted his head before noticing that Lee Han’s cloak pocket was bulging.

‘…Could it be… Nah… it can’t be…’

“How about this cream puff? It’s a dessert made by one of the best artisans in the village. The cream is filled inside this thin pastry, so even nobles are satisfied…”

“No, please recommend something easy to store and small in size.”

“……”

“……”

Lee Han acted as thoroughly as an imperial supply officer preparing for war.

No matter how delicious they were, he didn’t even glance at foods that were bulky, easily broken, or easily spoiled.

He only pursued maximum efficiency through maximum compression.

“This canned food is…”

“It’s a popular canned food in the Empire these days? Isn’t the design really pretty?”

“You can’t pack it tightly like this!”

“……”

Seeing Lee Han throwing it away without a second thought, Ariyon pondered.

…Should I recommend him to get a job at the trading company after he graduates from magic school?

No matter how he looked at it, he had the qualities of an outstanding merchant…

Lee Han picked out various groceries, calculated the volume and weight, and even personally chose the box to put them in.

“Just a moment, young master. You can’t take a carriage to school. The headmaster will punish us.”

“I know. I’m going to carry it myself.”

“…???!?!”

Ariyon wasn’t the only one surprised.

The other employees were also looking at him with expressions that said, ‘Branch manager, shouldn’t you stop him?’

“No. He must have something in mind.”

However, Ariyon didn’t waver.

He had to admit it now.

That young master of the Wodanaz family was a person blessed with the instincts of a seasoned merchant.

He must have something in mind!

“Let’s go to the tailor soon. I’ll have a suit made for you.”

” ? ”

Lee Han looked at him as if asking what he was talking about.

“Uh… aren’t those ragged… no, those clothes a bit uncomfortable?”

The clothes of the magic school students looked quite uncomfortable and rough. Even the employees could tell that much.

However, Lee Han didn’t seem to care much.

“They’re not that uncomfortable.”

“!?”

“Of course, it’s true that I need clothes, but…”

Ariyon was relieved at Lee Han’s following words.

So he was thinking about clothes after all!

“Instead of the tailor, let’s go to the fabric store.”

“…Don’t tell me you’re thinking of making them yourself…?”

“That’s right?”

“……”

Ariyon felt dizzy at the sight of Lee Han entering the fabric store and only looking for thick and sturdy fabrics.

Something was definitely happening among the new magic school students this year.

“Why is this the same fabric but cheaper?”

“The pattern is out of fashion…”

“Then give me the out-of-fashion fabric. Which of these fabrics is more resistant to water?”

Following the grocery store, Lee Han displayed dazzling skills at the fabric store as well.

Seeing him picking out only the best fabrics from among the many, even the seasoned fabric store owner and Ariyon, who was working as the branch manager of the trading company, had to admit it.

The one dominating this place right now was that young boy from the Wodanaz family!