Chapter 63

Chapter 063

Originally, the great nobles of the empire did not borrow money.

To be precise, they did not ‘personally’ borrow money.

It was simply not befitting the honor of a noble.

Of course, there were times when even great nobles needed money.

When that happened, merchants who had connections with the great nobles or those who wanted to catch the eye of the nobles would come of their own accord.

They would bow politely, chat about the world, praise the mansion, and compliment the family, and then, when they said something like, "I, a lowly person, wish to offer some money to the noble," the great noble would nod reluctantly, as if giving permission...

...and then it was up to the butler, who worked under the great noble, to discuss the details.

Given how things worked, most of the empire's great nobles did not know how to personally borrow money.

What about the young men and women who had just become adults from such families?

They wouldn't even know how to bring up the topic.

That's why Kaako Branch Manager Arien couldn't help but be shocked when a boy who clearly looked like a noble came asking to borrow money.

'Is he really from the Wodanaz family??'

* * *

Pilone Village was quite prosperous for its size.

The streets were bustling with people, and there were various types of shops that you wouldn't see in the countryside.

Moreover, there were many inns, more than enough for such a village, and the taverns were packed with people.

Not only Pilone Village, but other nearby towns and cities were also brimming with vitality.

The reason was simple.

It was because of the magic school.

The area where the magic school was located was naturally rich in magical energy.

A place filled with various dungeons, monsters, and rare materials!

Furthermore, the mages working at the magic school needed all sorts of materials and reagents for their experiments.

Who would bring these things?

Most mages were frail and would wilt as soon as they stood up from their desks.

Naturally, they had to hire adventurers.

With generous rewards, adventurers flocked in, and with the rapid gathering of materials and reagents, the mages were thrilled and conducted more experiments, hired more adventurers, and the imperial finance officer, upon seeing the bill, would angrily call for "Osu Gonadates!!"

In any case, a happy cycle was completed in this area, with a few exceptions.

It was also a stroke of luck for Yi Han.

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

"So, can you lend me some money?"

"Ah, no. Young Master Wodanaz, please wait... just wait a moment."

"Is it not possible?"

"No! It's not impossible. Of course, I will lend it to you."

The goat-like branch manager waved his hands frantically.

If the other party was from the Wodanaz family (and not a fake), lending was definitely a win.

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

Just forming a connection with someone from the Wodanaz family was a win.

Arien was determined.

'Fine. I'll use my own money if I have to...'

But as a merchant, he couldn't help but feel nervous.

How much would the other party ask for?

If it was more than Arien's total assets, he would have to quickly contact his superiors for permission...

"How much do you need?"

Yi Han hesitated.

Arien became increasingly scared as he watched.

How much??

"...Is twenty silver coins possible?"

"...Pardon?"

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

"......"

Arien was dumbfounded and then belatedly realized something.

The other party was wearing clothes that looked familiar.

It was the magic school uniform.

'A magic school student?!?'

Moreover, a first-year student. Knowing the strict and crazy rules of the magic school, Arien couldn't help but be surprised.

How did a first-year student escape??

'Ah... from the Wodanaz family.'

Arien unconsciously accepted it.

The person in front of him was truly from the Wodanaz family.

If not from the Wodanaz family, who could escape from the magic school in their first year?

'I never imagined a great noble would personally come to borrow money, but... it's the Wodanaz family!'

"Twelve silver coins?"

"Ah, no. That's enough."

* * *

Understanding the situation, Arien tried to make Yi Han feel comfortable.

He brought out tea and snacks and mentioned that he could lend the silver coins without any conditions, but Yi Han looked at him suspiciously.

"Ah, no. I don't have any ulterior motives."

"I think I should go to another place now..."

"Really! I was just being considerate because I thought Young Master Wodanaz might be short on money right now!"

Arien felt wronged.

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

The current situation should have been a touching one: "Money is no issue. I trust you, Young Master!" "Arien! You have a good eye. I will never forget your trust when I become successful in the future!"

"Ah. If that's the case... I don't have money, but I have something that could be worth money."

"?"

Arien tilted his head.

It was hard to believe that a first-year student who just escaped would have something valuable.

'Could it be a staff...?'

Arien inwardly smiled bitterly.

It was a common misconception among magic school students.

Last year, a third-year student tried to sell a staff but failed.

The basic staff given by the magic school wasn't worth much.

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

"......"

Arien's jaw dropped.

What madness...!?!?!!!

"Originally, I planned to visit the mansions with this, but... no, the principal moved the mansions to another place."

"That... that's true. If this is the case... it really is something valuable."

This was as good as cash.

Moreover, it wasn't just cash.

If he visited the families with this ledger, they would repay him in other ways for the favors done to their family members.

That was the honor of the imperial nobility!

'But...'

It was really tempting, but Arien drew the line.

"That's enough. I will lend you the money."

"Then this ledger...?"

"No. Young Master, please keep it."

"......"

Arien's words made Yi Han look at him as if he were a merchant who had just started working today.

Originally, when borrowing money, the item was supposed to be kept by the lender, not the borrower.

Arien felt a bit choked up.

'I'm showing trust...!'

The reason Arien didn't covet the ledger was simple.

It was like a promise between the Wodanaz family and other noble families.

If Young Master Wodanaz visited other mansions with this ledger in the future, he would receive much gratitude.

If Arien visited other noble families with the ledger, he might gain some benefits, but the Wodanaz family might view it negatively.

-That merchant tricked the naive Yi Han and took the ledger.

Arien was willing to take a small loss to avoid being misunderstood as deceiving the young master in front of him.

Instead, he received the misunderstanding that he was a merchant who had just started working today!

"Young Master, think about it. You are from the Wodanaz family. What difference does it make whether I have this ledger or not?"

"That's true. But it would be better if you kept it..."

"Perhaps I can show you around the village? You might need various things."

Arien changed the topic.

There were specific things that newly escaped students needed.

Yi Han nodded.

"I would appreciate that. But can you show me to a store not connected to the merchant guild?"

"...No!"

Arien was starting to get confused about whether the boy in front of him was from the Wodanaz family or the Wodanaz merchant guild.

There was no trace of the usual innocence or naivety that one would expect from a noble family.

"?"

As Arien followed Yi Han, who had just left the room, he realized that all the snacks he had brought in were gone.

'Did he eat them all? That's strange? He didn't eat anything?'

Tilting his head, Arien noticed that Yi Han's cloak pocket was bulging.

'...Could it be... No... it can't be...'

* * *

"How about this cream? It's a dessert made by one of the best craftsmen in the village. The thin dough is filled with plenty of cream, and even nobles are satisfied..."

"No, recommend something that's easy to store and small in volume."

"......"

"......"

Yi Han acted like an imperial supply officer preparing for war.

He ignored any food that was large, easily broken, or prone to spoilage, no matter how delicious it was.

He pursued maximum efficiency through maximum compression.

"This canned food is..."

"Is it popular in the empire these days? The design is quite pretty, isn't it?"

"This won't fit tightly!"

"......"

Seeing Yi Han discard things without a second thought, Arien pondered.

...Should I suggest he join the merchant guild after graduating from the magic school?

He clearly had the makings of an excellent merchant...

Yi Han chose various food items, calculated their volume and weight, and even selected the box to carry them.

"Wait a moment. Young Master, you can't bring a carriage to school. The principal will punish us."

"I know. I will carry it myself."

"...???!?!"

Arien wasn't the only one shocked.

Other employees were looking at him with expressions that said, "Shouldn't we stop the branch manager?"

"No. He must have something in mind."

But Arien was unfazed.

He had to admit it.

This young master from the Wodanaz family was blessed with the skills of a seasoned merchant.

He must have something in mind!

"Let's go to the tailor. I'll have a suit made for you."

"?"

Yi Han looked at him as if he didn't understand.

"Um... those rags... I mean, that outfit, isn't it a bit uncomfortable?"

The clothes of magic school students were quite uncomfortable and rough, even to the employees.

But Yi Han didn't seem to mind.

"Not really."

"!?"

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

Arien was relieved to hear Yi Han's continued words.

At least he was thinking about clothes!

"Let's go to the fabric store, not the tailor."

"Are you planning to make them yourself...?"

"Yes, I am."

"......"

Arien felt dizzy watching Yi Han choose only thick and sturdy fabrics at the fabric store.

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

"Why is this fabric more expensive even though it's the same material?"

"The pattern is outdated..."

"Then give me the outdated fabric. Which of these two fabrics is more water-resistant?"

Following his performance at the grocery store, Yi Han displayed his remarkable skills at the fabric store.

Even the experienced fabric store owner and Arien, who worked as a branch manager for the merchant guild, had to admit it.

The young boy from the Wodanaz family was the one in control of this situation!