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Chapter 51
Late at night, as if I were about to make some kind of secret deal, I carefully looked around before quietly showing Eliot the diamond necklace I had brought.
“W–What? You want me to cash this in for you?”
He stared into the box, clearly taken aback, then lifted his gaze to me with slightly dazed eyes and asked,
“Where did you even get this?”
“Hmm? Well, that’s obviously… Wait, why do you ask? Do I have to file a claim of discovery or something now for selling stolen goods?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Eliot alternated glances between me and the necklace, his voice slightly trembling.
“This necklace—it’s Diana’s.”
“What?”
Wait, how does he know that?
Well, I suppose a diamond necklace that huge and extravagant could be famous enough to recognize.
“Really? I just found it by chance in Vigo. It belonged to Diana? I thought it was one of Drante’s relics.”
I played dumb and muttered, pretending not to care, but Eliot still couldn’t take his eyes off the necklace, scratching the back of his head uneasily.
“So, can you sell it or not? Just give me a straight answer.”
“I can’t.”
Eliot answered firmly, and then continued right away.
“Kamon, I think you should return this to Diana. Immediately.”
“Huh? Why, all of a sudden?”
I frowned at his sudden change of attitude, and Eliot explained in a slightly shaky voice.
“This is called The Tear of Elune—a one-of-a-kind treasure on the entire continent. And also…”
He trailed off for a moment, then nodded as if steeling himself before continuing.
“She’s not my mother, but… it’s actually the only keepsake left behind by Diana’s late mother.”
“What? A keepsake?”
“Yeah. My father bought it as a gift for her when they were together. So, it probably means a lot to Diana.”
Thunk!
“Eliot, take it! You keep it!”
I shoved the box toward him in a hurry.
“What? Why me? You’re the one who found it, Kamon!”
He waved his hands defensively, refusing to take it, and I couldn’t help but squeeze my eyes shut.
‘Damn it, this is bad.’
Even if Diana is an absolute lunatic, if this really belonged to her late mother…
‘She’d go completely berserk to get it back.’
And if she ever found out that I was the one who took it?
…I’d have to hide this forever. I could never sell it.
“Eliot, no one can know I have this. Got it?”
“What? You’re not returning it? If Diana ever finds out, you’re seriously—”
“I said, do you get it?!”
“Y–Yeah, I get it. It’s a secret. Fine.”
He sounded slightly offended but still agreed, then sighed and added,
“But are you sure you can hide it? If that psycho really starts digging, she’ll find it in no time. You don’t have anyone to help you?”
“…”
Eliot watched me silently for a moment, then sighed deeply.
“Fine. It’s your choice. Just remember, you’ll have to take responsibility for it.”
“Of course. I’ll handle everything. Don’t worry. Anyway…”
I changed the topic, deciding it was time to move on from the necklace.
“Eliot, could you lend me some money?”
“Money? Why?”
He tilted his head, confused, so I explained my situation honestly.
“I need to pay next semester’s tuition and dorm fees. I don’t have enough right now, so I thought I could borrow some from you. It’s not a lot for you, right?”
Eliot Fren, heir to the richest trading family on the continent, nicknamed The Golden Prince—surely, academy tuition would be pocket change for him…
“Uh… about that, Kamon.”
Hmm? What’s with that look?
“I don’t think I’ve told you yet.”
The dark look spreading across his face sent a bad feeling crawling up my spine.
“What is it?”
“I had my assets confiscated.”
“…What?!”
I couldn’t help but shout in shock.
Seriously? I finally befriended a rich guy, and now this?
“What do you mean, confiscated?”
“After the failure at Vigo, both Diana and I got banned from using any family or trade funds.”
“Banned?”
“Yeah. Completely frozen. It’s basically a full seizure.”
He gave a bitter smile, and I just stared at him blankly.
Then he shrugged, as if to downplay it, and patted my shoulder.
“Still, it’s not that bad. It happened to both of us, so it’s kind of satisfying, actually. That crazy woman got hit just as hard as I did.”
He chuckled, but then frowned slightly and complained,
“Hey, Kamon, don’t look at me like that. I’m fine. Just because I can’t throw money around doesn’t mean I can’t live. Don’t worry about me.”
No, you idiot, I’m not worried about you—I’m worried about me!
“Anyway, I still get a monthly allowance for basic living expenses, so I’ll survive.”
Yeah, maybe you will. But I won’t!
I can’t even pay my tuition, damn it!
“Phew…”
For a moment, my mental stability wavered, but I quickly took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.
‘It’s fine. This isn’t the only option.’
The old me would’ve cursed the world for being unfair.
But not anymore.
“All right. I understand, Eliot. Let’s talk later.”
“What? You’re leaving already?”
“Yeah, I’ve got something I need to do.”
Early Saturday morning, the surroundings were utterly still.
“Phew, this won’t be easy…”
Even after making my decision, I wasn’t sure it would actually work.
‘Still, I don’t have a choice.’
If I didn’t act now, I really would get expelled for not paying my tuition.
Knock, knock!
Without hesitation, I knocked on the closed door.
“Who is it? I didn’t invite anyone this early!”
The irritated voice from inside showed clear annoyance at having his peaceful morning disturbed.
So I knocked again, louder.
Knock, knock!
“All right, all right! Hold your horses!”
A moment later—
Creeeak!
The door opened with a squeaky sound, revealing a red-faced, half-bald old man.
“Kamon? What are you doing here?”
“Good morning, Professor Pellen. Sorry to bother you so early, but I came to ask you for a favor.”
“A… favor?”
“Yes, sir. A favor.”
Professor Pellen stared down at me with heavy, suspicious eyes.
“Do you really expect me to let in some student who shows up uninvited on a weekend morning asking for a favor? Why should I?”
‘Just as grumpy as expected.’
Good thing I came prepared.
“Of course you would, Professor. You’ve always said, ‘Even if a guest bears guilt, there is no sin in hospitality,’ right? You’re known across the Empire for being the most gracious host.”
It was a direct quote from his own book—he couldn’t exactly argue against himself.
Sure enough, I saw the corners of his lips twitch upward.
‘Got him.’
“Hmph. Well, at least you’ve read my work. Fine, come in.”
He stepped aside, allowing me to enter.
Thud.
“This way.”
The professor’s breakfast was already set on the table—tea steaming beside a small plate of bread.
“Sit there,” he said, pointing to the sofa, then moved toward the kitchen.
“Want something to drink?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Good. Saves me the trouble.”
Returning with his own cup, Professor Pellen stirred in a bit of milk and glanced at me.
“So, what could possibly be so urgent that you come knocking on my door this early?”
He grumbled, then sighed deeply before adding,
“Well? Out with it.”
I took a breath, preparing myself.
“Actually, Professor… I need some money.”
“What? Money?”
“Yes. I need to pay next semester’s tuition and dorm fees, but I don’t have the funds.”
I spoke quickly, but the look on his face was pure disbelief.
‘This is the critical moment.’
So I pressed on.
“If I can’t pay, I’ll be expelled. I’ve already been disowned by my family, so leaving the academy isn’t exactly shameful, but… there’s something that bothers me.”
“Bothers you?”
“Yes. As someone who represented the Academy’s Magic Society at a public seminar, if people hear that I was expelled for failing to pay tuition…”
I trailed off, watching his reaction. His eyes widened.
“No, that would never do!”
‘Bingo.’
Perfect reaction.
“Yes, sir. I feared my situation might unfairly damage your reputation. That’s why I’ve come to you—shamelessly, I admit—to ask for help.”
“…”
I could tell it hit him hard. His face darkened with frustration—not at me, but at the situation itself.
Finally, his reddish face flushed even deeper as I went for the final blow.
“So, I was wondering if you could possibly cover my tuition and dorm fees for the next semester. Would you help me, Professor?”
“Hahaha… So that’s what this is about.”
Despite his reddened face, he let out a booming laugh and drained his tea in one gulp.
Gulp!
“Fine. I’ll take care of it.”
“Really? Thank you so mu—”
“But!”
He cut me off sharply, his tone suddenly cold.
“You understand what it means to accept my help, don’t you?”
Clink.
He set down his cup and fixed me with a piercing stare.
“So don’t you dare disappoint me.”
The weight behind his quiet words made my spine stiffen. I quickly bowed my head.
“Thank you, Professor Pellen. I will never forget this favor—”
“Enough! Get out.”
He waved me off irritably, and I stood up at once.
“Yes, sir. I’ll take my leave!”
Creak—Bang!
After putting some distance between myself and the faculty quarters…
“Wow, I can’t believe that actually worked.”
I lifted my head, and a huge grin spread across my face.
“Ha ha ha ha! It worked perfectly!”
Pure joy burst from my chest.
Whatever happened between me and Pellen didn’t matter.
The important thing was—I’d gotten what I wanted!
