Chapter 71

The Foundation Day festival, which only happens once a year.

Although there was still about a week left, the regular ferries between the academy and the two continents had already increased considerably. Hundreds of people began arriving at the academy each day, and the atmosphere in the streets was already filled with the festive spirit.

Those hundreds would soon turn into thousands, and all those crowds meant money.

The Foundation Day festival was not only a joyful time for the whole Empire, it was also the most profitable period for Pellenberg.

“Move quickly!”

“There must be no setbacks at the festival!”

Bringing in goods, turning empty lots into festive streets, raising temporary structures—all the festival preparations were led by Pellenberg, who had officially been commissioned by the academy.

Although some other trade guilds were also involved, they were nothing compared to what Pellenberg had taken over.

“I didn’t expect them to give so much to the Golden Turtle Guild.”

Behind that was the influence of the rector.

That was precisely the promised reward.

A contract that assigned them the management of a large part of the festival and guaranteed lucrative rights.

Clearly, it meant: “I’ll give you the scraps, so keep the secret about the demon.”

“If they paid me, I have to make sure I deliver what I was paid for.”

It was compensation for information, but as long as everything went well, what did it matter?

Fernan decided to leave the matter of Andromalius behind and focus on what he had to do.

“Anyway, the approval should come out soon…”

An unofficial betting house on the results of the jousting tournament and the magic competition.

During the festival, this would become one of Fernan’s most profitable businesses.

“Hyde.”

“Yes.”

“Has the academy responded yet?”

“I was just bringing the reply.”

Fernan received the letter. It didn’t say much.

Dear student Fernan,
I see that you have intentions again this year. Under normal circumstances it would be impossible, but your contribution in saving lives has been extraordinary, so I have no reason to refuse.

Ah, and although it will only be during the festival, what do you think about the Golden Turtle Guild managing the official betting house?

“…Me managing the official betting house?”

Of course.

That said, if the complaints of visitors fill the academy, the festival will stop feeling like a festival. I trust you’ll know how to handle it.

Seems like you’ve grown greedy, but well, you saved the world, so it’s forgiven.

Don’t make another betting house. Just manage the existing one.

But if you cause problems by overexploiting, you’ll be held responsible.

That’s all. Everything else would have been perfect.

P.S. Since it’s an officially approved business, the tax will be 20%.

“He’s grateful, but he can’t give up money, huh?”

Of course, a mage and money are inseparable. Those who pretended detachment had already disappeared or were dead.

“Do we have to pay taxes?”

“Yes.”

“How much?”

“Twenty percent.”

“The rector was very generous. We’re just collecting something that was already served, and still the tax is that low.”

It wasn’t an incorrect observation.

“Compared to last year, this is much better.”

“Comparing to last year is a little…”

Last year, Fernan had run a betting house without permission, and when discovered, he had to return half his profits as a fine.

“Well, now that I have official management, I should expand the operation a bit.”

With enthusiasm, Fernan pulled out several blank sheets.

“Since he said to do it in moderation, I’ll limit how much each person can bet—should I also block those who use others to bet? No, I can pretend I didn’t know. Why block a way to earn more?”

Since he had to follow the model of “many sales, low margin,” he had to attract as many bettors as possible.

“What would be best? I’ll start by announcing it loudly…”

He could offer a prize to whoever guessed the most results.

Also negotiate with the winners to arrange meetings with them.

After all, most would be nobles, and they were desperate to meet new talents.

While the sheets quickly filled with ideas, Hyde quietly left the office.

***

“Good work.”

“…I’m exhausted.”

Rosalia, who had returned after hunting down the last corrupted, dropped half-reclined onto the sofa.

She brought a cigarette to her lips and lit a small spark with her fingertips.

Fuuuh, the smoke dispersed through the window.

“Now I can breathe. As expected, Golden Turtle’s stuff is good.”

“If you keep feeding yourself with that, your body will feel it in the end.”

“Then Golden Turtle can be blamed for selling me defective products.”

Proper satiety, fullness, and even a slight stimulating effect. What she was smoking was not a simple cigarette, but a type of disposable magical artifact.

“Why don’t you rest a bit?”

“Aaron.”

Rosalia cut him off.

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

The academy wished to resolve the incident with the corrupted discreetly. They couldn’t allow that chaos to affect either the festival or academic life.

That’s why Rosalia was simultaneously taking on her duties as a professor and as a member of the guard.

“The rector gave a direct order, so I have to do my best.”

Rosalia murmured without emotion after finishing her cigarette completely.

“But it’s interesting.”

She was reviewing some documents. They were about the class that had just ended. They were the combat records of each student, written by the assistants.

Broadly speaking, there was no problem.

Just as the rankings indicated, the students’ level matched their position.

But if you looked more closely—

“Aria Fridian’s movements have become more fluid.”

“The mana flow is more natural, and her casting speed has also increased. Looks like she made some progress during the break.”

“Probably.”

‘Maybe it was a realization reached during her fight against the corrupted.’

She kept that part to herself.

Since the matter of the corrupted was still highly confidential, not even the assistants had been informed. The rector had considered that, if the corrupted were infiltrated in the academy, it was more likely that they were assistants, students, or city residents.

On the other hand, it was unlikely that warriors, knights, or renowned mages like the professors would be replaced without causing an uproar.

Of course, nothing is absolute in this world, but the one who stated it was an Archmage, so its reliability was close to absolute. Precisely because of that, it was all the more interesting.

Because the rector never revealed what exactly those corrupted were. They only assumed that, considering the level of the students, they wouldn’t be excessively powerful versions.

And that was where her thoughts on the corrupted ended.

She called Aaron.

“How is the progress of the investigation?”

“There seems to be some progress.”

“Seems?”

“That was a mistake. There is, Professor. Although very slight.”

At that, a faint gleam of excitement appeared in Rosalia’s eyes.

“Submit a detailed report. I’ll review it immediately.”

“Isn’t the rector’s special mission more important?”

“It’s not that much. Almost everything is already resolved.”

They weren’t demons, just corrupted.

And on top of that, captured by students.

It was necessary to remain alert, but it wasn’t something that required giving herself completely.

She had already searched the entire academy and captured those who were hiding. That was enough. The rest of the cleanup wasn’t her responsibility.

“Besides, for me, this investigation is much more important.”

And also what she could gain from it.

“To be honest, it is for me as well. I’ll head to the laboratory.”

Rosalia waved a hand, dismissing him. Aaron left the office.

“…Of course it is. It’s very important.”

Aaron, with a slight smile, made his way to the laboratory.