Surviving as a Mage in a Magic Academy Chapter 63 (Patreon)

Chapter 63

it was a well-known fact that the great nobles of the Empire did not borrow money. To be precise, they did not 'directly' borrow money, as it was deemed unseemly for their honorable status.

Of course, there were times when the nobility needed money, and during such times, merchants who were either friends of the nobility or eager to curry favor would conveniently appear. They would courteously greet, chat about worldly affairs, praise the mansion, commend the family lineage, and then humbly offer, 'It would be an honor to offer some money to you, noble lord.' The noble would then nod in reluctant agreement, giving the impression of granting a favor.

Following this, the details would be sorted out with the noble's steward.

This customary practice meant that most of the Empire's nobility did not know how to borrow money themselves, let alone the young boys and girls just reaching adulthood from these noble families. They wouldn't even know how to start the conversation.

Therefore, Arien, the branch manager of Kaako Trading Company, was utterly astonished when a boy, unmistakably of noble descent, came to borrow money. 'Is he really from the Wardanaz family?'

—

Philonae Town was remarkably prosperous for its size. The streets were bustling with people, and various types of shops uncommon in the countryside lined the streets. Inns, more than enough for such a town, were closely packed, and the taverns were full of patrons. This lively atmosphere was not just limited to Philonae Town but also extended to nearby villages and towns.

The reason was simple: a magic academy. The area, being the location of the magic academy, was naturally abundant in mana. It was filled with dungeons, monsters, and rare materials.

The mages working at the academy needed all sorts of ingredients and reagents for their experiments. Who would provide these? Most mages were too frail, barely able to stand up from their desks. Thus, hiring adventurers was inevitable.

With substantial rewards on offer, adventurers flocked to the area. The swift gathering of materials and reagents excited the mages into conducting more experiments and hiring more adventurers. Upon seeing the expense reports, the Empire's finance officials would rage, demanding to summon 'Os Gonadaltes.'

This cycle had created a happy loop for nearly everyone involved in the vicinity.

It was also a stroke of luck for Yi-Han. With money, almost anything could be bought, which was better than not being able to buy something even with money.

"So, please lend me some money."

"Ah, wait... just a moment, Young Master of the Wardanaz family."

"Is it not possible?"

"No! It's not that it isn't possible. Of course, we will lend it."

The satyr branch manager frantically waved his hands. Lending to the Wardanaz family (assuming he was not an imposter) was undoubtedly profitable. He had no intention of asking the Wardanaz family to repay the loan. Merely forming a connection with someone from the Wardanaz family was a benefit in itself.

Arien braced himself, willing to even dip into his personal funds. As a merchant, he couldn't help but feel anxious. How much would the noble ask for? If the amount exceeded Arien's entire wealth, he would have to quickly contact his superiors for approval.

"How much do you require?"

Yi-Han hesitated, making Arien increasingly anxious.

How much could it be?

"...Would twenty silver coins be possible?"

"...Excuse me?"

"If not, maybe fifteen silver coins..."

Arien, initially stunned, belatedly realized something. The person before him was clad in a familiar attire, which he soon recognized as the uniform of a magic academy.

'Was he a student of the magic academy?!'

Moreover, he was a first-year student. Knowing the insane strictness of the magic academy's regulations, Arien couldn't help but be shocked.

How did a first-year manage to slip away?

'Ah... he's from the Wardanaz family.'

Arien found himself unwittingly accepting this explanation.

Only someone from the Wardanaz family could possibly leave the magic academy in their first year. He had never imagined a noble would directly approach him to borrow money, but given it was the Wardanaz family, it made sense.

"Twelve silver coins?"

"No, no, you don't have to reduce it."

—

Realizing the situation, Arien endeavored to put Yi-Han at ease. He brought out tea and snacks and mentioned that he could lend the silver coins without expecting anything in return. Yi-Han, however, looked at Arien suspiciously.

"No, no, it's not what you think."

"I think I should go elsewhere..."

"I assure you! I said that because it seemed like Young Master Wardanaz might not have money at the moment!"

Arien felt wronged. How could a first-year student who had just escaped the magic academy have any money? He had envisioned a touching scene where he would say, 'Money is no object. I trust you, Young Master,' and the lord would reply, 'Arien, you have a good eye. I won’t forget your faith in me even when I rise to prominence!'

"Oh. In that case... I don't have money, but I do have something that could be worth money."

"?"

Arien was puzzled. It seemed unlikely that a first-year student who had just left the academy would possess something of value.

'He wouldn't sell his staff...'

Arien internally smirked. This was a common misconception among magic academy students. Just last year, a third-year student tried and failed to sell his staff. The standard-issue staff from the magic academy were not worth much.

"Here is a ledger of debts owed to me by various noble families of the Empire."

"..."

Arien's jaw dropped to the table in shock.

What madness was this!?!?!

"I originally planned to visit the mansions with this ledger, but... darn it... I mean, the principal moved the mansion elsewhere."

"That... that does seem like something valuable."

The ledger was as good as cash. But it wasn't just about the money. If he approached those noble families with the ledger, they would likely offer something in return for the favor done to their kin. That's how the Empire's nobility upheld their honor!

'But...'

Despite the temptation, Arien set a limit.

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

"In that case, this ledger..."

"No. You keep it, Young Master."

"..."

At Arien's words, Yi-Han looked at him as if wondering if the merchant had just started his job that day. It was customary for the lender to hold onto collateral when lending money, not the borrower.

Arien felt a surge of emotion.

'I’m showing trust...!'

The reason Arien didn't covet the ledger was simple. It was as good as a promise between the Wardanaz family and other noble families. If the Young Master of the Wardanaz family later visited other noble mansions with that ledger, imagine the gratitude he would receive.

Arien realized that while he could have benefited from touring the noble families with the ledger, the Wardanaz family might view this negatively.

-‘Did that merchant fool the naive Yi-Han and steal the ledger?’-

Despite a potential loss, Arien preferred to avoid any misunderstanding of having deceived the Young Master before him. Instead, he faced a different kind of misunderstanding, with the Young Master wondering if he had just started his job that day!

"Think about it, Young Master. You are from the Wardanaz family. What difference does it make whether I possess the ledger or not?"

"Is that so? Still, it might be better if you keep it..."

"Would you like me to show you around the Town? You might need various things."

Arien tactfully changed the subject. The needs of students who had just escaped were predictable.

Yi-Han nodded in agreement.

"That would be appreciated. But you're not going to guide me to stores connected to your trading company, are you?"

"No, of course not!"

Arien was starting to wonder whether the boy before him was from the Wardanaz family or the Wardanaz trading company. He lacked the naive innocence or carefree nature usually seen in nobility.

"?”

Following Yi-Han out of the room, Arien noticed that the snacks he had brought earlier were all gone.

'Did he eat them all? Strange, I didn’t see him eat anything?'

Puzzled, Arien noticed that Yi-Han's cloak pocket was bulging.

'...Could it be... No, surely not...'

—

"How about this choux cream? It’s made by a renowned artisan in the town. It's a dessert that even nobles are pleased with, filled with cream inside a thin pastry..."

"No, recommend something easy to store and compact, please."

"..."

"..."

Yi-Han acted with the precision of an imperial quartermaster preparing for war. He disregarded foods that were bulky, fragile, or perishable, no matter how delicious they might be. He sought only the utmost efficiency in maximum compression.

"This canned food..."

"It’s popular in the Empire now? Isn’t the design pretty?"

"I can’t pack these tightly!"

"..."

Watching Yi-Han swiftly dismiss items without a second thought, Arien pondered.

‘...Should I suggest he join the trading company after graduating from the magic academy?’

The boy clearly had the makings of an exceptional merchant.

Yi-Han meticulously selected various food items, calculating their volume and weight, and even personally chose the boxes to pack them in.

"Just a moment, Young Master. We can’t take a cart to the academy. The principal will punish us."

"I know. I’ll carry it myself."

"???!"

Arien wasn't the only one surprised.

The other employees looked at him as if to say, 'Shouldn’t you stop him, manager?'

‘No, he must have a plan.’

However, Arien remained unfazed. He had to admit it now.

The Young Master from the Wardanaz family was blessed with the acumen of a seasoned merchant.

He must have a plan!

"Let's go to the tailor next. We’ll get you fitted for a suit."

"?"

Yi-Han looked puzzled.

"Uh... That unifo... I mean, aren’t those clothes a bit uncomfortable?"

The clothes of magic academy students appeared quite uncomfortable and rough, so much so that even the staff could tell. However, Yi-Han didn’t seem to mind them much.

"It's not particularly uncomfortable," Yi-Han assured.

"!?"

"Of course, I do need clothes, but..."

Arien felt relieved upon hearing Yi-Han's continued words.

So, he did have some thoughts about clothing!

"Let's not go to a tailor, but to a haberdashery."

"You're planning to make it yourself?"

"That's right."

"..."

Entering the haberdashery, Yi-Han sought out thick, sturdy fabrics. Watching him select with such focus, Arien felt dizzy. Clearly, something unusual was happening with this year's magic academy newcomers.

"Why is this fabric cheaper, although it’s the same?"

"The pattern is out of fashion..."

"Then give me the out-of-fashion fabrics. Between this fabric and this one, which withstands water better?"

Following the grocery store, Yi-Han demonstrated remarkable acumen at the haberdashery. Choosing only the best from numerous fabrics, he impressed both the experienced haberdasher and Arien, who was managing the trading company's branch.

The young boy from the Wardanaz family was undeniably dominating the scene!