Academy’s Genius Mage

‘Something seems off, doesn’t it?’

He had settled everything related to his father years ago. There was no other concern except his safe return.

Yet, people from the trading company showed up with properly formal documents.

‘Looks like I have to delay going to school.’

He brought Felix and his deputy into the study.

A cold tension filled the study. Wilson, who had been at Ian’s side, didn’t know what to do.

“Wilson, please leave.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

Ian somehow managed to send Wilson outside, despite his persistence to stay, and faced the people from the trading company alone.

Wilson’s memories were stuck in Ian’s childhood.

So, it was inevitable for him to worry.

Just as parents see their adult children as still kids.

But Ian had endured years of hardship.

After his parents disappeared, he matured quickly. He read every book in the mansion, absorbing all the knowledge into his mind. Sometimes, he found wisdom by delving into ancient texts.

He might lack experience, but he was a well-sharpened weapon.

He just hadn’t had the chance to shine yet.

“It seems the butler is quite worried.”

“He has every reason to be. Uninvited guests usually require quite a bit of attention, don’t they?”

“Haha. That’s true.”

Felix, sitting with his legs crossed, exuded confidence.

Anyone who saw this scene would say that Felix, and not Ian, was the head of the Oracle Family.

As he gazed quietly at Ian, he tilted his head slightly.

“But… you are braver than I’ve heard. I was told that the new head of the Oracle Family never appears at external events.”

That was putting it mildly.

Rumors often labeled him as an incompetent coward. There were even talks that the Oracle Family would vanish into history with Ian as its last head.

However, Ian never paid any heed to such rumors.

Showing his true abilities out of sudden anger was not a good choice.

“Interesting. Where did you hear such stories?”

“Rumors are like travelers; they never settle anywhere but always wander around.”

“Let’s keep this simple. We’re both busy.”

“Agreed.”

Felix placed the documents he had briefly shown before onto the table.

“How much do you know about our trading company?”

“If it’s the Hamel Trading Company, isn’t it one of the top two in Sonokin?”

“You know well. Correct. But more precisely, we are not just one of the top two in the Kingdom of Sonokin, but the greatest trading company in the kingdom.”

Felix grinned as he spoke.

He seemed to take great pride in his association with the trading company.

Of course, such bravado didn’t stimulate Ian in the slightest bit now.

The important thing was the document on the desk.

The document was certainly related to his father.

“Our trading company doesn’t only buy and sell goods. Do you know what the virtue of a merchant is?”

“Investing in what’s valuable, I suppose.”

“Oh. You are indeed knowledgeable! Excellent. But why has someone as remarkable as you not shown yourself to the world until now?”

Those words were sincere.

At the same time, it was no different from mocking Ian. For he still hadn’t shown the documents he held.

“As you said, our trading company also invests in valuable things. These may be visible or invisible.”

“Your words seems to be going in circles.”

“Ha ha ha, understood. Let’s get to the point.”

Felix cleared his throat a few times and lowered his voice to a more serious tone.

“We are investing a large sum of money in the magical research sector, an amount that you, Master Ian, cannot even imagine.”

“I believe other trading companies do the same.”

“Who exactly they invest in makes a difference! Now, would you care to look at this document?”

Finally, the document was unfolded.

The title read “Research Investment Contract”.

It was often the case that mages, in need of money, borrowed funds from trading companies or banks for their research. This contract was prepared for that very purpose.

‘Are they here to lend me money?’

Ian felt skeptical, thinking he had wasted his time on this kind of business pitch. He also felt a sense of contempt for them having used his father’s name.

Yet something felt off.

‘What is this?’

The contract was not new. It bore the marks of time, and someone’s handwriting filled the blanks.

‘This isn’t a new contract. Someone has already completed it.’

Ian checked the amount.

‘Three billion shillings? That’s enough to sustain our family for a lifetime.’

It was such a large sum that he couldn’t quite grasp it.

At the same time, Ian’s eyes landed on the side with the signature.

In that instant, his body slightly trembled.

Because there was the name “Lefevre” and the signature his father usually used.

‘Is this a contract my father signed?’

Seeing Ian’s shocked expression, Felix smiled with satisfaction.

“Now do you understand? Why I called Mr. Wilson an incompetent butler at the entrance. The head of the family must not be aware of this, correct?”

“Is this really… my father’s signature?”

“Just look at the handwriting. It is obviously Baron Lefevre’s signature.”

Ian checked the date. The contract was written before his father’s disappearance, about a year prior to the incident.

But something still seemed off.

‘Even if that’s the case, why bring out this contract only now?’

One possibility dawned upon him.

‘Forgery?’

It was entirely possible. In fact, many trading companies exploited powerless noble families.

However, it seemed unlikely that such a big trading company would come out of nowhere and cause a scene.

‘There might be something I don’t know.’

Faced with a situation where he couldn’t act impulsively, Ian’s thoughts deepened.

“Mr. Felix, may I ask you a few questions?”

“As much as you want.”

“When did Wilson become aware of this matter? I mean the debt.”

“About a month ago, I believe. It’s understandable that he couldn’t bring it up to the head of the family; he must have been quite flustered.”

“You understand why it’s shocking, right? This contract was written more than ten years ago. Isn’t it rather odd to suddenly come and discuss the debt now?”

Felix’s expression changed dramatically. The smile disappeared from his face as he glared at Ian with an arrogant look.

That’s when his deputy stepped in.

“Mr. Ian, I fully understand your confusion. However, the contract was clearly executed, and the Oracle Family should still have this contract.”

“I have never seen a contract like this.”

“That’s strange. It must have been drawn up.”

Ian had no words to say.

Wilson had been in charge of organizing his father’s research lab. It was not impossible that it had been overlooked.

“Ha ha ha. Misplaced contracts are more common than you think. Don’t worry. As long as this contract’s terms are honored, everything will be fine.”

The deputy continued to explain in a kind voice.

Ian touched the contract again, contemplating.

This time, it was not an ordinary touch. A faint mana gathered at Ian’s fingertips.

“I don’t feel anything.”

“Pardon me? What do you mean?”

The deputy asked, and Ian raised his head to stare intently at Felix. Ian’s finger traced his father’s signature.

“My father infused mana when signing important documents. There should be a trace of mana left, but there is none. To be honest, I doubt this contract was really signed by my father.”

“Young Master, no, Master. You must be a bit disoriented… Infusing mana into signatures is not a common practice. It is usually done when all parties involved in the contract are mages. This is a contract with the trading company. Our company does not infuse mana except in special circumstances.”

The deputy answered in Felix’s stead, yet Ian continued to question Felix while staring at him.

“If that’s the case, why has there been no notice for ten years, and suddenly there’s a demand for the debt?”

“There were some circumstances.”

Felix replied this time.

He looked rather despondent. It was astonishing how diverse his expressions were, one might think he was an actor.

“Baron Lefevre was an excellent theoretical mage. His wife as well. Therefore, our company invested in their research to allow the Baron to explore more creative avenues. But what happened in the end? Didn’t they perish in foreign lands?”

“Mr. Felix. My parents are not deceased.”

“Oh, my apologies.”

Felix laughed awkwardly and leaned forward.

“And that is why our company postponed the repayment out of moral consideration. As a gesture of condolence. However, now that the Oracle Family has a new head and you have come of age, don’t you think it is time to settle the debt?”

It felt perfectly orchestrated. Like a well-written script.

Yet it was not something Ian could outright deny.

“If you still have doubts, I can give you more time. You may review the contract or proceed with legal measures. We believe we have fulfilled our moral obligations.”

Felix and the Hamel Trading Company were making a legitimate request on paper.

Their offer to proceed with legal steps indicated that this matter was far from being a scam.

“If you insist to that extent, I understand. I will inherit this contract.”

At that moment, Ian’s hand moved swiftly.

Blue mana emitted from his fingers toward the signature section of the contract.

“What are you doing!”

“Do not misunderstand. I am not burning the contract. I am injecting my mana.”

Ian intended to prevent any further tampering or concealment of the document.

While he would inherit the contract, he was also determined to uncover the full truth behind the matter.

“Is there a problem? After all, I am the one who has to repay it.”

“No, there is no problem at all. Hahaha. Well done.”

Felix beamed broadly and nodded.

To Ian, it felt like an uncomfortable smile.

“Considering the contract for the signee has been lost, wouldn’t it be prudent to have this document notarized and stored in a secure place?”

“Yes, that sounds good. Let’s do that.”

“I will decide where to store it.”

Ian reached a conclusion.

‘I need to investigate this contract further.’

His father was not one to ask for help from anyone. Even in the face of poverty, he was a person who overcame difficulties with passion and effort.

But that kind of person borrowing three billion?

It was unbelievable.

Thus, he infused his mana in the signature field. When it was proven that the document was forged, Felix and the Hamel Trading Company couldn’t back out.

“Then I will take it that there are no objections, and we will send the repayment schedule through a messenger.”

“Send it to the academy. I will handle the repayment personally.”

“You yourself, the head of the family?”

Ian nodded calmly.

Interest glimmered in Felix’s eyes. However, he thought Ian wouldn’t last long.

Just as many weak families had vanished quietly until now.

“Very well! Let’s do that. Today’s meeting was enjoyable. Let’s meet again soon.”

Felix stood up. Ian watched his retreating figure and thought.

‘If this contract is fake… I will return it tenfold, no, a hundredfold. Will you still find today’s meeting enjoyable then, mr. Felix?’

Ian called for Wilson.