Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

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So, how did things end up like this?

'Because we were caught there.'

Well, what else could happen?

Chloe and I were getting into the carriage Professor Alon had prepared when we were caught by the protagonist… Ruth.

She asked where we were going, and her eyes were so intense that I couldn't help but answer.

'It's understandable that she's upset.'

My quality of life had improved drastically since Ruth moved into the dormitory. Not only did she make breakfast every day and dinner when I came home early, but she even prepared late-night snacks.

On top of that, the interior and furniture had also been greatly improved, so Ruth's image in my mind was already like the Goddess of the Church.

But how would she feel when I didn't come home despite all her efforts?

It was natural for Ruth to come and question me. Well, that's what I mean from my perspective, secretly living with her.

Of course, it was different for Chloe.

"Do you think this is some kind of picnic? The Finance Di– I mean, Adam and I are going on official business. It's ridiculous for a mere student to interfere."

"You're acting like you're something special just because the Finance Director is giving you special treatment. Of course, there's no way the Finance Director would take you along. You must have forced your way in."

"…And what about you?"

She was riled up.

Chloe, her expression changing after being hit where it hurt, glared at Ruth.

How dare she, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Finance Destruction, glare at the protagonist who prevented the audit?

I was momentarily angry, but as a wise Finance Director and a Rank 1, I endured.

Her grip was surprisingly strong…

"I have a much deeper relationship with him than you."

"Have you ever walked through a hail of hair-loss potion with him?"

"…Did the Finance Director eat oatmeal for dinner yesterday?"

"What? Finance Director! What is she talking about…?"

"It's just that we happened to meet at the dining hall."

Ruth, Ruth. Why are you doing this?

I managed to get through it somehow, but it was clear that Chloe and Ruth weren't going to get along.

Well, it wasn't really my concern what kind of relationship they had.

"Please refrain from unnecessary arguments while I'm discussing business with the Count."

"I know that much. I'm not sure about this wo–man, though."

"I'll keep that in mind, Finance Director."

In the end, it was my decision to bring Ruth along. Honestly, I felt bad leaving her alone, and as a Rank 6, she was stronger than Chloe, so it was reassuring. More importantly, she was one of the few who knew about the financial crisis, so it would be easier to explain the situation if something unexpected happened.

And I was the one who would be working anyway. I was bringing Chloe and Ruth along as escorts and for appearances, so there wasn't much burden.

"U-um, Finance Director? The carriage has been shaking…"

"Please don't mind it and keep driving. My motivation to invest is dwindling."

"Full speed ahead!!"

It was Professor Alon who was driving the carriage. This wasn't a horse-drawn carriage, but a magic carriage.

If it were a long journey, we would take a horse-drawn carriage, but for the distance to the Beryl family, this was enough. With a mage like Professor Alon continuously supplying mana, we would arrive in about a day. Chloe could even help if needed.

'As expected, he's fast.'

Wasn't this almost as fast as a train? He couldn't maintain this speed because he had to replenish his mana occasionally, but mages were still convenient.

Professor Alon was desperate, perhaps because the share his brother promised him was quite significant. Considering the donation from the investment funds as well, he seemed quite desperate for money. Was it the same for Circe? Were Magic Department professors usually this obsessed with money?

Even better. It would be useful to remember this.

Chloe and Ruth glared at each other, arguing, then simultaneously turned their heads away or clicked their tongues. Although they were sitting across from each other, it was as if they were trying to pretend the other didn't exist.

A very uncomfortable time passed like that.

Chloe would make a snide remark whenever Ruth spoke to me, and Ruth would interrupt whenever Chloe spoke to me. This repeated until…

"W-we've arrived! The Beryl family!"

"Oh…"

We finally arrived at the Beryl family estate. It was an uncomfortable, awkward, and painful journey, but it was bearable because those few seconds with the Headmistress felt much longer.

But I heard they were ruined…

"Uh… well…"

"…Still the same, huh."

Even Chloe and Ruth, who had been growling at each other, seemed speechless.

It was understandable. Although Professor Alon proudly announced our arrival…

"Professor Alon."

"Is there something you'd like to say…?"

"Are we staying at this inn?"

"That's right! This is the best inn in the Beryl family estate, so please rest from your journey and meet with the Count tomorrow!"

The inn where the carriage arrived was quite old.

It wasn't exactly in ruins, but honestly, it was far inferior to even the dedicated dormitory at the academy. It was just an ordinary inn.

An ordinary dormitory at the academy was the best inn in the Beryl County.

'It's dinner time, but there aren't many houses with smoke coming from their chimneys.'

Moreover, while there were people in what seemed to be the market district, it was very small.

This was the most prosperous area in the Beryl territory, with even a lord's castle, so if the market district was this small…

'It's smaller than most baronies, barely a city.'

It made me wonder how they managed to scrape together the money to buy the rock salt mine and part of the territory.

Was this a life-or-death gamble for the Count?

"Is the location of the rock salt mine… over there?"

"That's right! We're already making preparations!"

Following Professor Alon's finger, who was now speaking politely and humbly, there was a place where large-scale construction was clearly underway.

It was at an ambiguous distance from the city, neither too far nor too close. The flow of mana was visible, indicating that several mages were working there.

"Student Chloe, what do you think?"

"…There are about ten Rank 5 mages. It seems like they're all working together to use magic beyond their individual ranks, rather than acting separately."

"Student Ruth, do you sense anything?"

"Nothing in particular."

"This is outside the academy, so you are allowed to use Sword Qi. If there's anything that threatens your safety, don't hesitate to use it."

"Understood."

By the way, I couldn't hear that voice anymore. I kept an eye on Chloe even in the carriage, but there was no sign of it.

Was the owner of the voice deliberately remaining silent, or could I simply not hear it anymore?

Unlike Professor Alon, who was about to enter the inn, I stood still outside.

"Finance Director?"

Professor Alon looked at me with an anxious gaze, but…

What could I do? Someone had come to greet us.

"Are you Finance Director Adam Keynes of Grandis Academy?"

"I am. And you, old man?"

"I am Norman, the head butler of the Beryl family. And… Young Master Alon."

"Butler Norman."

"The Count is overjoyed. Please follow me."

"…That's a polite attitude I've never heard before. I guess I'm a 'young master' in this situation."

"This way, please."

Head Butler Norman, ignoring Professor Alon's sarcasm, led the way.

I walked first, followed by Chloe, who seemed a bit nervous despite being a student and staff member, not forgetting her role as an escort, and Ruth, who was indifferent. Professor Alon, who had been sneering, soon trudged along at the rear.

It was fascinating how he would switch to a business smile the moment I looked at him, even though he was clearly expressing his displeasure.

Head Butler Norman led us to what was obviously the lord's castle.

It was a castle that didn't fit in with the deserted city, and there were surprisingly few servants compared to its size.

I was a VIP who came to invest in the rock salt mine that the Count so desperately wanted. Naturally, he would gather all the servants in the castle to welcome me, but there were so few.

As I entered, receiving greetings from the servants,

"Welcome, Finance Director Adam Keynes."

"It's an honor to meet you, Count Anton."

"Haha, there's no need to be so formal. Have a seat."

It was a reception room, well-decorated with various paintings and furniture.

Someone rose from the seat of honor. A middle-aged man who seemed to be around the same age as the Head of Academic Affairs, it was Count Anton Beryl.

From his appearance, his smile, and his voice, he didn't show any weakness. Even though he was the head of a declining family, he must have had much more experience and negotiation skills than me.

What should I do in this situation?

'Half the battle is won just by staying still.'

In the end, it was Count Anton who was desperate. If it were an equal situation, I would definitely be at a disadvantage in terms of skill, but it was different now.

Let's react as calmly as possible.

"I was surprised by your bold plan, Count. To think you would rebuild the collapsed mine."

"It was the thought of an arrogant and reckless fool."

"…Excuse me?"

"But I needed to make that foolish decision. For this damned territory."

I had expected a formal exchange of greetings, but…

Count Anton was bitterly criticizing himself and this territory from the start.

Chloe and Ruth, who were standing behind me, were even more flustered, and…

Someone stepped forward, despite knowing it was impolite.

"Brother!"

"Alon, it's been a while. I can still vividly picture you running away while cursing the family."

"Brother Anton, what are you saying! Cursing the territory that Father passed down to you, as the head of the family!"

"You're not one to talk after cursing it first. You're only interested in the benefits you can gain from the territory, not the territory itself."

"Even so!"

"Have you seen the chimneys outside? The market? The inn? It's more laughable than sad that you're saying this after not showing your face until the territory reached this state. We have guests. Shut your mouth."

"Brother Anton!"

Hmm, what was with this atmosphere?

Chloe was strangely calm, but Ruth seemed quite flustered by the sudden sibling quarrel. Especially since Alon had often shown a servile attitude towards me.

Alright then.

"Count, excuse my boldness, but may I ask a question?"

"I'm the one who should be apologizing. It's embarrassing to show such a sight in front of a guest."

"Did you plan this play beforehand?"

"What?"

"I'm young and inexperienced, so I'm not sure if this method is effective."

"…Oh?"

Count Anton's eyes changed. I thought it was just a friendly gaze, but it seemed like this was Anton Beryl's true look.

The way I knew that the argument between Professor Alon and Count Anton was an act was simple.

—…Such an obvious act. Even using a communication magic tool to give signals.

I heard a voice.

I didn't notice it at all. I just thought Professor Alon was getting worked up; I didn't know it was an act.

But the voice that suddenly appeared whispered to me as if to help.

'It could just be a hallucination, but…'

We were in a favorable position anyway, and even if I was wrong, I could just apologize. Since Count Anton was the one who was desperate, he would let it slide if I bowed my head and said I seemed to have misunderstood.

But now that it was revealed to be true,

A quiet wariness appeared in Count Anton's eyes.

"How did you know?"

"That thing you're holding, isn't it a communication magic tool? I'm sure Professor Alon has one too."

"That's correct. My, my. I underestimated you because you're so young. I can't take you lightly. You're much sharper and quicker than my son, even though you're younger."

That's not true. I just knew because of the voice.

But it was a good thing that he misunderstood. I calmly looked at Count Anton, raising the credibility of the voice.

"You asked if this method was effective. It is quite effective. Having a childish sibling quarrel in front of a guest makes them think they have the upper hand. Especially since you even revealed the shame of your territory. And in negotiations, arrogance leads to carelessness."

"It seems you're quite close with Professor Alon. To even put on an act like this."

"That's not true. That guy only moves for money. Norman, give him the money and send him off."

"Thank you, brother!"

Clink.

Alon, receiving a bundle of money from Butler Norman, repeatedly bowed to Count Anton and me and left the reception room.

How should I put it, it wasn't that he was frivolous by nature, but he seemed to have a strong obsession with money. The reason he barged into my office at the entrance ceremony was ultimately to receive the investment funds.

Immediately after, Count Anton turned his sharp gaze towards me.

"You didn't seem surprised even after I mentioned the chimneys, the market, and the inn. You must have already seen it, right? Sometimes there are beginners who come to enemy territory without even grasping such things."

"Enemy territory, you're not wrong. But I am a VIP, am I not?"

"Such boldness from a young man. But you're right! This world revolves around status, power, and money. Unfortunately, I have nothing but money, with neither status nor power."

The head of a count family worse off than a barony.

He was above me, but still just an ordinary person, a Rank 2. Anton Beryl smiled warily.

"I suppose you came here tempted by the tenfold return."

"That was the initial trick, but as the Finance Director, it was a figure I couldn't ignore."

"To be frank, I am willing to pay ten times the investment."

"…Willing?"

"However, there's a condition."

Right, he wouldn't just give ten times the investment without conditions. If he did, he could go bankrupt again as soon as the mine was rebuilt.

The experienced and cunning noble raised a finger.

"There's only one condition. Installment payments."

"How many installments are you thinking?"

Installment payments, that was reasonable. It was a bit unsettling considering the academy's financial situation, but from a different perspective, it could be seen as a long-term profit generation.

It would be nice to receive ten times the amount all at once, but there were also advantages to receiving it in installments. I was worried, but this seemed feasible.

Of course, I had to carefully consider whether the mine could actually be rebuilt—

"──One hundred years."

"…Excuse me?"

"The Beryl family intends to pay ten times the investment amount in installments over the next 100 years."

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly as I said, and I have no intention of changing this condition."

What was this?

100-year installments? No, would the Beryl family even exist in 100 years?

His intention was obvious. He would pay ten times the amount, but only at a level his family could afford.

If they actually succeeded in rebuilding the rock salt mine, the Beryl family might regain their status as a proper count family in 100 years.

It might be a clever move from the Count's perspective.

'But not for me.'

And it wasn't like I could just leave.

"…There were Rank 5 mages working outside until late at night."

"You're quite observant."

"Where did you get the money for that?"

"Where do you think I got it?"

It was obvious. Since Alon was the seventh son, it was probably the fifth or sixth son who brought the investment opportunity. There was no way they could hire ten Rank 5 mages in this kind of territory otherwise.

That meant that another investor had already accepted Anton's terms.

They wouldn't have accepted just based on the tenfold return figure.

'That means there's a real possibility of rebuilding it.'

The 100-year figure was absurd, but if they could actually rebuild the rock salt mine, investing was the right answer.

But still, wasn't 100 years a bit much? I would be dead by then. The Headmistress… would probably still be alive.

'What should I do?'

It was a shame to miss it, but it was also awkward to accept.

In this truly chicken rib situation,

Head Butler Norman approached Count Anton, who was now smiling leisurely.

"Master, for a moment…"

"…What? They came at this hour?"

"What should we do?"

"Hmm… Finance Director Adam, I apologize, but another guest has arrived. Would it be alright if they joined us?"

"I don't mind."

This wasn't some kind of hunting bar; what was with joining a negotiation?

Of course, Count Anton wasn't doing this without a plan. He was probably trying to entice the new investor by showing them me contemplating the offer, and I, in turn, was planning to pressure him by seeing the new investor and making him think he had to invest quickly.

As things got more complicated, Head Butler Norman opened the door to the reception room.

"Greetings, Count Anton Beryl. I am Auditor Marcus, here on behalf of the royal family."

"Auditor Marcus Rutel! I've heard much about your reputation. First, please forgive my rudeness. This is the only reception room we have, so we had no choice but to join you. You must be meeting him for the first time, this is…"

"…Auditor Marcus?"

"Finance Director Adam?"

"…Hmm?"

What? Why was that devilish auditor here?

No, wait a minute, he just said he came on behalf of the royal family, right?

'Could this be…?'

My eyes met with Auditor Marcus's, both of us Rank 1s.

Grin.

The two professionals…

…smiled at the same time.