Academy’s Genius Mage

Felix had been having the worst experience after meeting Ian.

He had been with the Hamel Trading Company for over 20 years. Including his early years running errands for other companies, he had spent about 30 years in the field.

However, what had happened this time was the worst he had ever experienced.

He wished it were a bad dream.

‘To think that someone like me, called the Grim Reaper of the Hamel Trading Company, was toyed with by such a brat…’

The very thought made his blood boil.

It was a humiliating moment.

A wet-behind-the-ears lad had boasted about signing a contract with the Bahamut Trading Company, claiming he wanted to gauge the value of their research.

But Ian’s mockery did not end there.

He demanded that they rescind the contract under Baron Lefevre’s name and admit their fault at the company level.

What was even more unacceptable was the condition that required them to publish an apology advertisement in all media outlets of the kingdom of Sonokin for a month.

Everything else aside, the last clause was utterly unacceptable.

If that were to happen, it wouldn’t end with just government sanctions.

‘The Hamel Trading Company would suffer irreversible damage!’

The foundation of operating a trading company was ‘trust’.

If it were revealed that they had tried to cheat a noble family, the losses would be immeasurable.

The problem was that Ian was not an ordinary noble.

Until recently, he had been the heir to a fallen noble house, but now he was the rising star of the Academy.

Moreover, this patent issue was unsettling.

‘The Bahamut devils wouldn’t chase after a dry well. Especially if that scoundrel Woodward is involved directly…’

The fact that Branch Manager Woodward had moved swiftly and personally kept nagging at his mind.

‘If I miss out on this contract, everything is over!’

Felix felt darkness closing in around him.

He had faced countless crisis like this before, but this was the first time he couldn’t see a way out.

The phrase “The longer the tail, the more likely it is to be stepped on” came to mind.

Had he relied too much on exploiting fallen nobles?

A wave of belated regret washed over him.

However, he had no intention of sitting idly by waiting for the end.

He had to find a way.

“Master.”

A heavy voice called to him.

Felix did not need to turn around to know who it was.

The man wore an old and dirty robe.

His physique was formidable, and his gaze was sharp.

The daggers at his waist were even sharper, with fresh bloodstains that had yet to dry.

He was a man who possessed all the virtues of an excellent assassin.

“Back at last, sire? I heard the gist of it. How did it go?”

“Let’s talk inside.”

His loyal right-hand man and assassin, Dimon, immediately sensed that things had not gone well.

The two men entered the building of the trading company.

Had things gone well, Felix would have gone straight up to the Master’s office to report with a slight smugness, but everything had gone awry.

No, “awry” wasn’t sufficient.

This was akin to a natural disaster. There wasn’t much he could do.

‘Even madness should have its limits! How dare the heir of a fallen family threaten me?’

Felix ground his teeth in frustration.

Even after sitting down, he couldn’t spare much attention for Dimon, who had followed him in.

Dimon stood quietly, waiting patiently for Felix to regain his composure.

“Dimon.”

“Yes, Master.”

“How long have we been together?”

“It’s been 14 years and 6 months now.”

He remembered the duration down to the month, without a hint of hesitation.

Loyalty radiated from him.

Felix felt a small measure of consolation.

Accidentally hiring a war orphan, Felix hadn’t anticipated he would grow into such a talent.

“I am in a very serious bind right now.”

No new places or significant terms were introduced in this segment.

“Isn’t life always like that? The bigger the crisis, the more you gain.”

“This time, it’s a bit different.”

Felix sighed. Things had gotten tangled from the very beginning.

“Do you remember the Oracle Family?”

“Of course, I remember. It’s related to that old man we got rid of recently, isn’t it?”

It was the moment the identity of Frederick’s killer was revealed. Dimon grinned wickedly.

“The corpse was dealt with well. It’s a bit regrettable that we lost track of that bastard who was tailing us then, though.”

“Where did that bastard come from?”

“I don’t know exactly, but judging by his skills, it seems he’s backed by someone quite powerful. I’ll look into it more.”

Felix, nodding, brought up the main topic.

“It seems the head of the Oracle Family has caught wind of something.”

“What exactly has he noticed?”

Instead of answering, Felix clicked his tongue.

Dimon finally understood why Felix was so visibly worried.

“Then the business contract won’t be easy, will it?”

“Impossible conditions were set.”

Felix explained to Dimon all the conditions Ian had proposed.

He was more trustworthy than the head of the Hamel Trading Company. He was practically a foster son to him.

There was no choice but to trust him.

Dimon was his sword.

In other words, all the evil deeds Felix had committed were known to him.

“What a madman! And you just stood there after hearing that? Even if you’d twisted his neck, it wouldn’t have been enough.”

“That can’t be done. After all, the company owner is personally looking into this matter.”

“How is the company owner?”

“He’s very angry.”

Felix smiled bitterly.

Dimon, who had been lost in thought, took a step closer.

“Master, do you really see no way out?”

“For now, there’s nothing. Even without considering the absurd conditions he set, we can’t compete with those Bahamut guys. The deposit difference alone is 5 billion.”

“What if we view it from a different perspective?”

“A different perspective?”

Dimon wasn’t the type to speak lightly. When he spoke with such confidence, it meant he had a plan.

“The reason this contract is difficult is because that bastard holds the authority, isn’t it?”

“Right. The patent holder is someone else. Professor Frost from the Department of Magic.”

“Then wouldn’t it be better to approach the patent holder?”

“Professor Frost has entrusted all rights to that guy. Apparently, there’s also a connection between Baron Lefevre and Professor Frost. With such an unseen bond, it’ll be tough.”

“That might not be the case.”

“Not the case?”

“We should create a situation where the patent holder has no choice but to come forward. Master, don’t you know how to untangle a complex knot simply?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s easier to cut it with a sword than to untie it by hand.”

Felix felt a thrilling realization as if struck by lightning.

To cut with a sword.

There was simplicity but also profound meaning in it.

“Ah! Why didn’t I think of that? Such a good method exists.”

“You’ve been tired from overwork lately. Actually, I’ve brought back some capable women from the Kingdom of Roland. Why not relieve your stress for the first time in a while?”

Felix raised his hand in refusal.

Dimon looked at him with surprise.

Felix was a model opportunist. He lived for money and women. Hence, he had discreetly been offering slaves up until now.

“It’s noisy times now, so we must conduct ourselves properly. Let’s delay that matter until later.”

“Understood.”

“I can entrust this matter to you, right?”

“I’ve been waiting for your word. I’ll ease your concerns immediately.”

“That bastard has a perfect shelter in the academy. I trust your skills, but… you must proceed cautiously.”

“Rest assured. I’ve never seen anyone survive with a pierced heart.”

Smirking, Dimon fiddled with the dagger at his waist.

What kind of scent would a mage’s blood have? Dimon indulged in a pleasant daydream.

A new week had begun.

Unlike usual, the students woke up a bit earlier and started their activities.

Ian and his friends were no exception.

Today was the election day for the student body presidents of each year.

Therefore, the students gathered in the auditorium before classes began.

“What a boring election. If there’s no competition, of course, you’ll get elected!”

Milo grumbled.

The candidates for the first-year student president were confirmed as Sebastian and Ophelia. There were no competitors.

Voting for and against would determine the president and vice president.

“That’s why you should have run without hesitation.”

“No way. I won’t be a first-year representative. I’ll run for the Department of Magic student president next year!”

The student council of the Department of Magic was a bit more complex.

There was a common first-year representative, and when they became second-year students and their major was decided, they elected a president for each majors. Since there were four majors, there would be four presidents.

The term for the first-year representative was one year, but the president in major division could be re-elected until graduation.

Additionally, a representative for the entire Department of Magic, encompassing all majors, was also elected. This representative could also be re-elected until graduation.

In other words, the student council of the Department of Magic comprised the student body president, major division representatives, and the first-year representative.

“But Ophelia is remarkable. After what she went through, I think stepping up in front of others would be difficult.”

Edel said.

Thanks to yesterday’s drinking session, they’d managed to exchange a few words with Ophelia, who seemed impossible to mingle with.

Edel’s potion offerings were indeed impressive.

Despite all the drinking, the three of them were headed to the auditorium without any issues, proving Edel’s point.

“Hmph! It would probably be harder to step back from this.”

“Why?”

“Because that would be like admitting your mistake. It’s a classic move to dilute your own mistake. You need to have a thick enough face to do politics.”

Milo seemed more intense with his resentment.

Ian nodded in agreement.

As they entered the auditorium, a considerable number of students had already gathered.

They all wore black robes and held staffs, which somehow gave a comforting feeling.

Among them, Isera was visible, and there was also Gaus, scratching his head while yawning.

‘Aren’t those seniors running for representative?’

They were objectively skilled people with a decent reputation on campus. However, when he checked the names of the registered candidates, they were unfamiliar.

‘Does this mean there are people superior to those seniors?’

Though he hadn’t chosen a major yet, he was curious about who the talented candidates might be.

At that moment, Gaus approached.

“Hey, newbie.”

“Hello, senior.”

“The thing you asked for should be done by tomorrow.”

“Already?”

Gaus put an arm around Ian’s shoulder.

It was a bit suffocating, but he was pleased by the news that it would be done by tomorrow.

“The magic stone you gave me performed better than expected. That’s why it’s getting done early. Though it’s a pity half of the magic is drained, it’s still a profitable trade-off for me.”

“Thank you very much.”

“But that muscle idiot is more useful than I thought?”

“He’d be happier if you told him that directly.”

“Compliments aren’t my thing!”

When Milo and Edel finished voting and came out, Gaus patted Ian’s back and left the auditorium.

“Did you vote for or against?”

Milo asked, hoping Ian had voted against.

“If you’re going to ask that, what’s the point of a secret ballot?”

“Boring guy.”

“Let’s go.”

The three of them left the auditorium.

Milo yawned widely under the warm sunlight.

“Ugh… Damn, it ended too early. What did I say? We could have slept a bit more.”

“You should be thankful you were woken up.”

“Where are you going?”

Ian separated from the group. He casually waved his hand as he moved away from the gaze of his two friends.

He found it somewhat awkward to say he was going to get stronger.