Academy’s Genius Mage

“What do you mean ‘to tie up’?”

He was utterly shameless.

Felix looked at Ian with an expression as if he had never heard of it before.

However, Ian vividly remembered Felix’s threatening demeanor when he had come to see him just before entering the academy.

“Ah, Felix, don’t you think it’s a bit too late to feign ignorance now that things have spiraled out of control?”

Ian smiled as he took a sip of his tea.

Finally, Felix began negotiating, habitually rubbing his hands together.

“Are you perhaps referring to a debt?”

“Indeed.”

“My lord, that’s a misunderstanding! A debt is a debt, and business is business. They are entirely separate matters and should never be considered together.”

He spoke in a very cautious and gentle tone.

If only he had been like this when they first met.

Ian tilted his head slightly.

“It doesn’t seem like something that can be considered separately. After all, I developed a potion formula to pay off a debt I wasn’t even aware of, and now here I am, sitting in front of you, Felix.”

“Hmm…”

“Wouldn’t others think similarly? If the conditions are similar, they’d likely choose a more reputable trading company.”

“So, you’re saying that our Hamel Trading Company’s reputation isn’t good.”

“How could it possibly be good?”

Ian crossed his legs and stared intently at Felix.

“No matter how much I searched, it wasn’t there. The contract that was supposed to be with my father, wasn’t.”

“Well, as I mentioned before, losing a contract for safekeeping is more common than you think.”

“That much I understand. But this case seems a bit different.”

Felix felt as though he were standing in a courtroom he’d once seen.

Ian’s voice carried the weight and authority of a judge’s.

“According to the kingdom’s law, just as a debtor must repay their debt to a creditor, the creditor also has the obligation to prove the contract’s validity for debt succession.”

“Proof? Is there really a need for such? Isn’t it already evident?”

“A one-sided contract is evident? I thought even during our first meeting that it was incredibly sloppy.”

Ian had no intention of pushing too hard.

It was enough to make a slight threat.

He placed a moist cookie in his mouth and chewed. As crumbs fell, Ian brushed them off with his hand.

Felix couldn’t take his eyes off those crumbs.

They resembled his shabby appearance as they fell outside the robe.

Felix blinked, regaining his composure.

“In usual cases, it might be acknowledged. But regrettably, the bodies of my parents were never found. Therefore, the debt would only resume after clearly determining if it’s a case of disappearance or death.”

“But haven’t you inherited the title?”

“Titles and property are different matters.”

“Let me get this straight… Would you be saying it’s okay if all properties were seized?”

“What would you do with a shabby mansion with nothing in it?”

The family’s fortunes had drastically declined compared to ten years ago. Even if seized, it wouldn’t be worth the trouble.

Due to Ian’s unwavering demeanor, Felix could not reply hastily.

This was the issue Felix grappled with when he first started dealing with the Oracle Family.

Baron Lefevre, the debtor’s demise, wasn’t certain.

Although Felix claimed to Ian he delayed the collection out of moral obligation, in reality, it was a tactic to meticulously plan the operation.

After over ten years, upon hearing rumors that Ian had taken over the family, Felix promptly acted.

He concluded there was no longer any chance of Baron Lefevre’s return.

However, things got increasingly complicated.

‘Frederick. It’s all because of that damned old man that this mess has escalated to this extent!’

Felix cursed him, not exempting him even in death.

Felix might have removed a key witness, but not every variable was under his control.

Frederick-like individuals could surface anywhere at any time.

The success of the potion development only drove the final nail in.

‘If it goes on like this, there’s a high possibility of ruining the task.’

On the other hand, he wanted to burn the contract and erase the debt, claiming it was a mistake. However, this had become an impossible task.

Ian injecting mana into the forged contract had been beyond his expectations.

Now, that contract was securely kept under strict supervision.

In other words, he could not use the excuse of an error in the debt.

He could not avoid punishment the moment he attempted it.

‘In that case… there’s no choice but to somehow persuade this Ian kid!’

Having reached that conclusion, Felix smiled brightly.

He still thought there was a chance to turn this around. He believed it was merely luck that landed on Ian.

Felix still didn’t consider Ian’s skills to be genuinely behind the patented potion recipe.

“As a term of the contract, I will forgive the entire debt the Baron owes. We will even return the amount you have already paid.”

The sum of the principal and interest amounted to 3 billion shillings. This was already a massive amount.

Felix was also taking a gamble. If he didn’t settle the prior fake contract with this opportunity, the situation would likely fall apart completely.

Of course, he might lose favor with the company owner, but he had no choice.

For now, he thought it best to keep a low profile.

‘If the potion manufacturing contract succeeds and the business gets on track, I can appeal sufficiently again. My position will rise further!’

However, Ian simply dug his ears, feigning disinterest.

“It’s really awkward for me to say this, but those aren’t particularly interesting conditions.”

“Of course, we will ensure a good contract fee and royalties. How about planning the future with our company in this opportunity?”

“Bahamut Trading Company offered 5 billion as a contract fee.”

“Five billion… you say?”

Felix’s expression turned dumbstruck. Even forgiving the debt greatly was a high offer.

No place invests that much money in a business whose viability hasn’t been proven yet.

Of course, if the Hamel Trading Company were in its former golden age, the story might have been different, but these days it operated defensively due to the indiscriminate attacks from the Bahamut Trading Company.

In such circumstances, offering beyond 5 billion was difficult.

“It seems like you don’t believe me. If you’re doubtful, you can check. Mr. Woodward is not the type to be so easily offended.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe… it’s just…”

“Combining the principal and interest was 3 billion, and I paid 29 million shillings… if you’re returning it, then it totals to 3.29 billion. So, you’re offering 3.29 billion as the contract fee, right?”

Ian wiggled the five fingers spread wide on his hand.

“I don’t see a reason to sign the contract when I can earn more. Wouldn’t anyone who can count choose the Bahamut Trading Company?”

“Um… excuse me for a moment!”

Felix said as he stepped out.

Ian paid little attention and continued enjoying his dessert.

After a brief moment, Felix returned, some dampness lingering on his face, as if he had washed it.

Sitting upright, Felix lowered his head.

“Five billion is truly difficult. But I must say that the contract fee isn’t everything. With the various facilities and connections Hamel Trading Company possesses, I am confident it can be a great opportunity for the Baron as well.”

“Wow, I didn’t know Felix was such a courteous person. Ha ha ha!”

Ian smiled broadly and dusted his hands.

“Our discussion starts at five billion.”

“Sigh…”

“It doesn’t seem like a situation in which you should be sighing.”

“My apologies!”

Felix bowed his head again.

“That’s why I mentioned Mr. Woodward. There’s no point for someone without decision-making authority to come out and waste both our time and breath.”

Despite the blatant remark, Felix didn’t have the energy to retort. It was true after all.

He didn’t have the authority to disburse 5 billion all at once. For such a sum to move, the head of the Hamel Trading Company needed to act personally.

Unlike the Bahamut Trading Company where the management rights were actively shared with the members, power in Hamel Trading Company was concentrated in one place. Everything was under the company owner’s possession.

“In addition to the 5 billion contract fee, there are other conditions. Want me to relay them?”

“Please, share them.”

A glimmer of hope appeared on Felix’s face.

However, Ian planned to completely crush even that hope.

“First, officially acknowledge that the contract with Baron Lefevre is void. Also, admit that the Hamel Trading Company was at fault in the process, and make them subject to the authorities’ punishment.”

“That is nonsense!”

“I haven’t finished speaking yet.”

Ian was ruthless.

But he intended to become even more ruthless in the future.

Cruelty doesn’t require stabbing with a sword or burning with magic. Sometimes, words can be the most cruel of all.

“For a month, place advertisements in all newspapers in Kingdom of Sonokin, apologizing to both the Oracle Family and Baron Lefevre. All costs should be borne by the Hamel Trading Company.”

“Do you think that would be possible?”

Of course, it was an absurd demand.

If things went as Ian stated, it wouldn’t end with a minor punishment.

The Bahamut Trading Company could join forces with the Royal Family and completely annihilate the Hamel Mercantile Guild.

With an innocent smile, Ian replied.

“Why should I worry about that? Whether it’s possible or not is Felix’s problem, because Felix doesn’t have the authority to decide. Shouldn’t you report it to your superiors?”

“Baron Ian!”

“With that, I’ll take my leave. Thank you for the tea.”

Ian left the salon immediately without paying for the tea.

* * *

“So, he finally cut to the chase.”

Milo mumbled.

This wasn’t a conversation to be had in the dormitory room, so Ian and Milo came to a nearby open space.

“It would have been nice if Wilson had been there.”

“You’re really a ruthless guy when you think about it.”

“Isn’t it okay to be a bit greedy if you can return what you’ve received?”

Milo had listened to all the explanations from Ian. During that process, he once again realized Ian’s extraordinary nature.

People gain experience by maintaining relationships with others.

Reading texts and writing theses are completely different from negotiating with people.

The former can be done alone, but the latter cannot.

Meeting and mingling with others was something Ian hadn’t done much of until now.

Nevertheless, Ian handled all issues smoothly as if he were a veteran living his new life.

“That’s why they say you’re in your second life.”

“What’s that?”

“Your new nickname! Recently, it changed from Lucky Seven to Second Life.”

“Suddenly?”

“Since you’re doing so well in everything, there’s a scholarly theory you’ve returned to the past as a mage. I’m looking forward to what your next nickname will be.”

Ian chuckled.

Having good nicknames was never a bad thing.

“But what if the Hamel folks accept those conditions? You can’t do business with people like that.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. They’re conditions they can never accept.”

“Why?”

“The current atmosphere isn’t good. If they cause a problem now, the momentum might completely shift to their competitors. They won’t take that risk.”

“There’s nothing easy in life, huh. So you’ll end up signing with Bahamut after all. Will you meet the Hamel folk again?”

“I have to.”

“Seems like a waste of time.”

“I need to meet the company owner.”

“The company owner… Hamel Gestring?”

Ian nodded.

There’s a saying that if you want to catch a tiger, you have to go into its den.

“Before that, I have something to do. Come with me.”

“Where?”

“A meeting with Senior Gaus.”

Ian had it all planned out.