Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Late at night, as if meeting for a secret deal, I quietly showed the diamond necklace to Elliot, keeping an eye on our surroundings.
“You want me to convert this into cash?”
He stared at the necklace in the box for a moment, his eyes widening in surprise, then looked at me with a slightly dazed expression.
“Where did you get this?”
“Um? Well, of course, I… No, but why? Do we need to prove acquisition for fencing stolen goods these days?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Elliot, with a slightly trembling voice, continued to look back and forth between me and the necklace.
“This is Diana’s.”
“What?”
How did he know?
Well, considering a necklace with such a large and prominent diamond, it might be quite famous.
“Really? I just happened to find it by chance in Vico. I thought it was one of Drante’s treasures.”
I muttered, pretending not to know, but Elliot kept scratching his head nervously, unable to take his eyes off the necklace.
“So, can you sell it or not? Just tell me that.”
“No.”
Elliot replied firmly and continued.
“Kamon, I think you should return this necklace to Diana immediately.”
“Huh? Why suddenly?”
Frowning, I asked, and Elliot explained in a slightly trembling voice.
“This is called the ‘Tears of Elune,’ an incredible treasure with only one in existence on the entire continent. Moreover…”
After pausing for a moment, Elliot nodded as if making a decision and continued.
“Although not my mother, it’s the only keepsake left by Diana’s mother, who has already passed away.”
“What? A keepsake?”
“Yeah. When our father met Diana’s mother, he got it as a gift for her. So, Diana probably holds it dear.”
Thud!
“Elliot, take this!”
I quickly shoved the box into Elliot’s hands.
“Why would I take it? You found it, Kamon!”
Refusing the box, Elliot raised his hands, leaving me no choice but to close my eyes tightly.
‘Damn, did it come to this?’
Even if Diana is an insane lunatic, if it’s her deceased mother’s keepsake…
‘She’ll probably flip the world upside down to find it.’
If she finds out I’m the one who stole it?
…I’d have to hide forever. Selling it is out of the question.
“Elliot, keep this a secret that I have it. Got it?”
“What? You’re not going to return it? If Diana finds out, you’re really…”
“I said, got it?”
“Yeah, okay. I get it. It’s a secret.”
Looking a bit disappointed, he sighed and continued.
“But are you sure you can keep it hidden? If that crazy woman really looks for it, she’ll find out soon enough. No one else knows?”
“……”
After staring at me for a moment, Elliot sighed deeply.
“Okay. It’s your choice. Just know that you’ll have to bear the consequences.”
“Of course. I’ll take full responsibility, so don’t worry. Anyway…”
Having settled the issue of Diana’s diamond necklace, I changed the subject.
“Elliot, can you lend me some money right now?”
“Money? Why suddenly?”
Elliot asked, tilting his head in confusion, and I explained my current situation.
“I need money for next semester’s tuition and dorm fees. I don’t have any spare cash right now, so I’m hoping to borrow it. It’s not a big deal for you, right?”
Considering Elliot was a candidate heir of the continent’s largest merchant guild and part of an immensely wealthy family known as the Golden King, the tuition and dorm fees for a semester should be pocket change…
“Uh… Kamon.”
What? Why that expression?
“Didn’t I tell you yet?”
Elliot’s face darkened suddenly, and a sense of foreboding washed over me.
“Tell me what?”
“I’ve been disinherited.”
“What?!”
The unexpected news made me jump in shock.
I finally thought I had a wealthy friend…
And now he’s disinherited?
“Due to the failure in Vico, both Diana and I are banned from using family and guild funds.”
“Banned?”
“Yeah, we can’t use any funds. Everything is completely seized.”
Elliot replied with a bitter smile, leaving me stunned.
He continued, patting me lightly on the shoulder.
“Well, it’s not just me. Diana also got hit, so it’s not that bad. Actually, it’s a bit satisfying, seeing her get a taste of her own medicine…”
Elliot then said in a slightly resentful tone.
“Kamon, don’t look at me like that. I’m fine. Just because I don’t have money doesn’t mean I can’t live. You don’t have to worry about me.”
No, it’s not about you.
I’m worried about myself, you idiot!
“If Diana had taken my inheritance, things would be much worse. At least I get a living allowance every month. That’s more than enough.”
Elliot, you might be satisfied with that, but I’m not.
It’s far from enough, extremely insufficient!
I don’t have money to pay for tuition, what’s there to be satisfied about?
“Phew.”
For a moment, I felt my mental state waver slightly, but I shook my head firmly and took a deep breath to regain my focus.
‘It’s fine. It’s not like there was only one way.’
In the past, I would have cursed the world for screwing me over again.
But now, things are different.
“Okay, got it. Elliot, let’s meet again later.”
“Huh? Suddenly? You’re just leaving like this?”
“Yeah, I have something I need to do right now.”
* * *
It was an early weekend morning, and the surroundings were eerily quiet.
“Phew, this won’t be easy, will it?”
Even though I had spent a lot of time thinking and planning, the outcome was still uncertain.
‘But I have no choice.’
If things continued like this, I would be expelled from the academy before I knew it.
Thump, thump!
Without hesitation, I knocked on the closed door.
“Who is it? I don’t remember inviting anyone at this hour.”
There was a hint of irritation in the voice of the person disturbed from their weekend morning.
I knocked again, harder.
Thump, thump!
“Whoever you are, wait a moment!”
Soon after, with a loud creak, the door opened, revealing an old man with a bald head and a flushed face.
“Kamon? What are you doing here?”
“Good morning, Professor Phelan. I apologize for the early visit. I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
“Yes, a favor.”
I nodded, and Professor Phelan looked at me with a deep, contemplative gaze.
“So, should I let a student who suddenly shows up on a weekend morning into my house? Why?”
‘As expected, he’s grumbling.’
I had anticipated this and prepared accordingly.
“Yes, of course. I believe you would let anyone in, Professor. After all, you are renowned for your hospitality, saying, ‘Even if a guest has sinned, hospitality should remain blameless,’ as you wrote in your book.”
It was written in his own book, so he couldn’t easily refute it.
I feared I might be too blatant, but knowing Professor Phelan’s character, who valued his honor and reputation, it was more likely to please him.
“Hmm.”
Sure enough, I saw the corners of Professor Phelan’s mouth twitch slightly.
‘Got him. It worked.’
“Well, it seems you’ve read my book, so come on in.”
He moved aside to make space for me to enter, and I quickly walked past him into the house.
Thud!
“This way.”
It looked like Professor Phelan had been enjoying breakfast, as the table was set with a steaming cup of tea and some light pastries.
“Sit on the sofa.”
He gestured lightly with his hand and walked toward the kitchen, speaking again.
“Do you need anything to drink?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Good. I didn’t feel like making a new pot of tea anyway.”
Returning from the kitchen, Professor Phelan began adding a bit of milk to his steaming tea and stirred it with a spoon, looking at me intently.
“So, what kind of favor would make you visit me so early on a weekend? Sigh.”
Muttering in a disgruntled voice, Professor Phelan paused and sighed deeply.
“So, why did you come to see me?”
Realizing it was finally time, I took a deep breath and answered.
“Well, you see…”
“Yes?”
“I need money urgently.”
“What? Money?”
“Yes, I need to pay for next semester’s tuition and dorm fees, but I don’t have the money right now.”
I explained quickly, but Professor Phelan’s expression remained incredulous.
‘This is the crucial moment.’
I continued my explanation without stopping.
“If I can’t pay the tuition, I will be expelled from the academy. Although I’ve already been disowned by my family, and it wouldn’t be particularly shameful or regrettable to leave the academy, there’s something that bothers me.”
“Bothers you?”
“Yes. As someone who represented the academy’s magic society and demonstrated magic at the seminar, if news spreads that I was expelled because I couldn’t pay my tuition…”
I trailed off, watching Professor Phelan’s reaction. He seemed to be getting drawn into my story, shaking his head vehemently.
“No, that can’t happen!”
‘Perfect, that’s the reaction I need.’
With Professor Phelan reacting as expected, I hardened my expression and continued.
“Yes, I was worried that this situation might damage your reputation, even though it’s not your fault. That’s why, shamelessly, I came to you for help.”
“…….”
‘It’s working, he’s thinking about it.’
Giving him a moment to process, I saw his eyes flash with fierce anger—not at me, but at the situation.
When Professor Phelan’s face turned bright red, I seized the opportunity.
“So, Professor Phelan, I was hoping you could cover my tuition and dorm fees for next semester. Could you help me?”
“Hahaha, so that’s the problem.”
Despite his face looking like it was about to burst, he laughed heartily and downed his tea.
Gulp!
“Alright, I’ll solve that problem for you.”
“Really? Thank you…”
“But!”
Interrupting me, he spoke in a loud voice, his face still flushed.
“I believe you understand what it means to accept my help.”
Click.
He stared at me intensely, almost threateningly, as he set down his teacup and spoke again.
“So, don’t disappoint me in the future.”
His low warning made me nod quickly.
“Thank you, Professor Phelan. I will…”
“Enough, you can leave now!”
His voice filled with irritation, he dismissed me.
“Yes, I’ll take my leave then!”
Squeak, thud!
After some time had passed and I had walked a fair distance from the faculty residences.
“Wow, it really worked?”
I muttered in a low voice, then lifted my head, a wide grin spreading across my face as I shouted.
“Haha, I did it!”
It was pure joy and triumph, bubbling up from within.
Regardless of my relationship with Professor Phelan, I had achieved my goal!