Chapter 46
“In fact, the Tower Master asked to see you.”
“Did he?”
“You don’t seem surprised? I thought you’d be overjoyed.”
If rumors spread about meeting the Tower Master, it would change one’s standing within the academy. Even more so if fortunate enough to become his apprentice.
However, Ian was not particularly interested.
Above all, the Tower of Magic was an unsettling place.
They offered no help when his parents were struggling with their research.
Thus, unlike other mages, Ian managed to grow without relying on the Tower of Magic.
‘Unless they come and ask me a favor first.’
Ian did not have any intentions to bow down and seek them out.
If they came to his estate, he might consider meeting them once.
Of course, Jessica had no idea Ian harbored such extraordinary thoughts.
“You can meet the Dean of the Department of Magic so easily; meeting the Tower Master should be easy too.”
“Hahaha!”
Jessica laughed heartily. It was an astute response to a foolish question.
“So, what do you say? Want to visit the Tower of Magic?”
“No, I’m really fine. I don’t know about Senior Isera, though.”
“Why?”
“I want to focus on my studies right now. I have assignments to do, and it wouldn’t look good to move around restlessly.”
Jessica had intended to advise Ian to focus on his studies, but there was no need anymore.
She nodded in agreement.
“Alright. But if you change your mind, let me know anytime. Although I don’t particularly favor meeting the Tower Master myself, I think a tour of the tower would be fine.”
“Thank you for your consideration. I’ll take my leave now.”
As Ian stood up again, Jessica reached out to have him sit back down.
“Why are you in such a hurry? I’m not finished talking yet.”
“I find it surprising that there’s more for me to be amazed about.”
“Well, that’s true. It’s not about anything else, but about the patent on potion manufacturing.”
Ian had been awaiting this topic.
Since applying for the patent, there had been no contact from the patent office.
He had been waiting patiently as it might take a long time.
“A person I know at the office mentioned that a decision on your patent will likely be made soon.”
“Do you think it’ll go well?”
“Of course. The lead professor may have some issues with personality, but who would dare dispute the research results guaranteed by the academy?”
Upon closer listening, it appeared that Dean Jessica and Professor Frost might not get along. However, they didn’t seem to be on bad terms; in fact, they actually appeared to get along quite well.
“That’s a relief. I’ll have to reach out to the patent office soon.”
“Handle that as you wish and come to the Dean’s office tomorrow.”
“The Dean’s office?”
“It’s a bit unfair to just let it slide after bringing great wealth and honor to the academy, don’t you think?”
Jessica flashed a smile and rubbed her thumb against her index finger.
It was a worldly gesture symbolizing money, confirming she had seen the world.
“There is a research incentive given to academy students. The amount is 30 million shillings. Although there’s no precedent of giving it to a freshman at the start of the term, aren’t precedents meant to be created?”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you.”
“It’s not a small amount, 30 million shillings.”
“I’m aware.”
Ian thought about the principal and interest he needed to handle that month. In total, it was 29 million shillings.
Processing the patent for potion manufacturing and waiting for the compensation from transferring exclusive sales rights to the company would take at least a month. Thus, he needed to pay that month’s principal and interest.
‘In that case, I won’t have to sell the horse and furniture.’
He had planned to sell a few items from the estate for a quick fix, but with the scholarship awarded, that wasn’t necessary anymore.
It was like rain in a drought.
“Anyhow, don’t forget to come to the Dean’s office tomorrow. It’s modest, but I’ll invite the professors.”
“I understand. Thank you very much, dean.”
Only then did Ian manage to leave Jessica Dean’s estate.
By then, the moonlight was fully shining outside.
* * *
The next day, Ian received the certificate and research incentive at the Dean’s office.
It was Jessica’s modest award ceremony.
Several professors from the Department of Magic gathered in the Dean’s office to witness Ian receive his certificate and prize.
“Congratulations, Ian Oracle.”
“You’ve really accomplished something amazing, haven’t you? A new potion formula! Very exciting!”
“Continue to work hard in the future.”
“Thank you.”
Ian was more than satisfied, even though the ceremony was small.
He could put out the immediate fire and gain extra points for his student evaluation. There couldn’t have been a better outcome.
Moreover, the professors became aware of what Ian had achieved.
‘It’s only a matter of time before word spreads.’
Just as Ian was close to Professor Frost, the heirs of influential family had their own close relationships with certain professors.
These connections were established even before their enrollment.
These heirs received magic tutoring from childhood.
Wealthy families often invited academy professors to their homes.
Although it was illegal for academy professors to teach privately, magic knowledge could be transferred without formal classes. There were many ways to bypass the rules.
Soon, the noble families would hear about the remarkable things Ian had accomplished.
‘It might become a bit bothersome, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.’
After exchanging pleasentries with several professors, Ian realized one thing.
‘Strange. They haven’t mentioned anything about my paper on the Lightning Formula?’
None of the professors talked about the new formula.
It was arguably a more intriguing theme than the potion formula.
Since no one mentioned it, Ian could only conclude they were unaware of it.
And the reason was soon revealed to him by Jessica herself.
“Very few people know about your paper’s existence yet. The impact it will have on the academic world is not insignificant. The Tower of Magic will make a statement soon, so it’s best if you keep it under wraps until then.”
“Understood. Thank you for your consideration, dean.”
“You better prepare yourself. There will be significant repercussions.”
“In terms of repercussions, what should I expect?”
“You’ll face intense scrutiny from your peers. Surely, some friends come to mind?”
Sebastian, and also Ophelia.
And then there was Zickhardt. Rumor had it he set the fastest record for clearing the recent dungeon practice.
But Ian wasn’t worried prematurely.
He believed if there was no way to avoid it, he might as well enjoy it.
‘I’m particularly curious to see how Ophelia’s going to react.’
Politely bowing to Jessica, Ian stepped out of the Dean’s office and contacted the Hamel Trading Company to repay the principal and interest.
“Ah, baron! You’ve worked hard this month as well. We’ve received 29 million shillings in full.”
Felix had sent a representative to the academy.
The representative, with his characteristic business smile, encouraged Ian.
“Hang in there next month too! 29 million shillings isn’t a small amount, right? If you need help, feel free to contact us anytime. Haha. Until next time.”
The representative got into the carriage, his belly jiggling as he did.
‘Let’s see how long you can keep smiling like that. Next time, Felix, you might have to come personally.’
With the receipt tucked into his coat, Ian headed straight to the salon.
He had learned belatedly that each department had a salon they used as a hideout. The one nearest the Department of Magic’s lecture halls was that place.
He wouldn’t have gone if he could help it.
He was already short on study time and didn’t want to get entangled with Sebastian’s group.
However, Milo and Edel had started becoming attached to that place, making it difficult for him to decline.
‘It’s important to build connections, as I’ve been advised. I guess I have no choice.’
Recalling Jessica’s advice, Ian flung open the salon door.
It was bustling with students from the Department of Magic.
Not just freshmen, but seniors were also sitting around, chatting and laughing.
He looked around, wondering if Isera was there, but she wasn’t in sight.
“Why are you so late?”
“The conversation took longer.”
Milo and Edel were already waiting with tea ordered. Ian requested an additional drink.
“Congratulations on the award. Ian, you’re really something!”
Edel seemed as delighted as if it were her own achievement.
The two had been the first to know Ian would be receiving a scholarship.
“It’s really not a big deal.”
“Exactly. Is it really that big of a deal?”
A sharp-tongued comment was thrown in.
Ian and his friends turned their heads simultaneously in that direction.
Ophelia stood with her hands on her hips, glaring with a fierce look. Her partner in crime, Sebastian, was with her.
“Potion making is such a lowly task. I can’t believe an award was given for brewing such a drink. Didn’t you just add some juice at best? Hmph. It seems like the academy has reached its end.”
Edel clenched his fists tightly.
To him, aspiring to be a future healer, the remark that potion-making was lowly was offensive.
At that moment, a warm hand overlapped with his.
It was Ian’s hand.
“How can you speak so rudely?”
Ian had stepped in. His simple but penetrating words silenced the surroundings.
“Pft, rudely? Did you just say rudely?”
“The convenience of someone is made of another’s hardship. I suppose you don’t drink mana recovery potions? You must have excellent recovery skills. I doubt you’d taint your noble mouth with something so lowly.”
“…… Argh!”
“It’s not profit but loss, isn’t it?”
“Ha ha ha!”
Milo clutched his stomach, laughing.
Other students who had been eavesdropping also burst into laughter.
Thanks to that, Ophelia’s face turned red.
It was the first time in her life she faced such humiliation.
‘Huh?’
Then Ian’s glasses caught sight of something.
A blue haze, like the sea, began emanating from Ophelia’s body.
‘What is that?’
It was strong mana.
However, it felt quite different from typical mana.
That haze had some specific pattern.
It resembled letters elongated and fluttering, implying some hidden meaning.
Most importantly, Ian’s family glasses weren’t supposed to observe the flow of mana.
‘It feels like mana, but it’s an energy different from mana?’
Such a spectacle was unprecedented in his life.
“Stop it, Ophelia. If you can’t congratulate him, at least don’t slander him.”
When Sebastian soothed Ophelia, the haze disappeared as if it were a lie.
Ian blinked and tried to focus again, but it was nowhere to be seen.
The powerful magic that had dominated the salon vanished in an instant.
“Congratulations, Ian Oracle. I got caught off guard and was outdone this time. I was eyeing that scholarship too, but you beat me to it.”
With a slick smile, Sebastian extended his hand for a handshake. What did he mean by this? Ian took his hand for now.
“I was just lucky. You can get it next time.”
“Haha. Of course, I should. By the way, there were rumors about your prowess in the recent dungeon expedition?”
“Rumors are just rumors.”
“They say you took down a golem and secured the magic stone? I heard Zickhardt did the same. They speak of amazing folks like you two, thinking at least you’re on the same level, right?”
“Magic stone?”
“You took down a golem and secured the magic stone?”
“Why did magic stone suddenly come up?”
The mention of a magic stone stirred the surroundings. The other students hadn’t considered it.
‘As expected of Zickhardt. He’s not someone to be underestimated so easily.’
Ian didn’t have any personal connection to him, no grievance nor acquaintance.
But he had a hunch they would be entangled deeply in the future.
He couldn’t forget the sly smile Zickhardt had directed at him during the mana assessment session.
“Milo is quite interested in magic enchantment. The magic stone is quite handy, so we secured it.”
“Is that so? Still, we did our best too. How about a little wager on the results of this practice?”
“That’s childish.”
“You’re not chickening out, are you?”
Such great confidence he had.
And Ian really disliked that oily smile.
“Who’s chickening out?”
Ian placed 1 million shillings on the table, the amount left from what he had paid earlier.
“1 million shillings on our side.”
“Deal!”
Sebastian’s check also landed on the table.
