Chapter 74
Elia received word of the sales intention from Lapis.
“Meaning, we should present the price ourselves?”
—That’s correct.
Elia chuckled faintly.
As expected, Marquis Fiorne was not an easy man.
Having spent decades in the capital’s political circle, he was not the type to hand over his family’s long-standing mansion so easily.
‘In other words, he won’t sell it to just anyone.’
In the past, the Duke of Javier had snatched the mansion away.
Too many rushed in to buy it when it went up for sale, making the competition fierce. In the end, Duke Javier won it.
‘Later, I found out the whole thing was orchestrated by him… and regretted it deeply.’
That incident had also been the trigger for her relationship with her daughter, Brianna, to fall apart. Even though it was her foolish brother’s fault that they lost the mansion, he had still pressured Brianna into marriage.
‘Brianna quit the Academy and ended up joining the revolutionary army I led.’
Brianna often said that not graduating from the Academy would remain her life-long regret.
‘This time, I’ll help you, Brianna.’
She had once received much help from her. Now Elia wanted to return the favor.
“Offer fifty thousand gold.”
That was fifteen thousand more than the amount Duke Javier had once paid.
—Understood.
“And also, anonymously cover Miss Brianna Fiorne’s Academy tuition.”
—Her tuition?
“Yes.”
—It will be done.
After ending the communication, Elia headed out to the training ground, her face bright with energy.
Today again, she was supposed to take self-defense lessons with Alexis. Because he taught her so earnestly and passionately, she couldn’t bring herself to say she wanted to stop.
He seemed to genuinely enjoy teaching.
So she decided to work even harder. Besides, it was also a good excuse to watch Noah training.
When she arrived at the training ground, Noah and Dmitri were sparring.
Noah was too busy dodging the ridiculously large greatsword Dmitri swung around to even greet her.
“Elly, shall we begin?”
Alexis approached her with a bright smile.
With him smiling like that, how could she say no?
“Let’s get into stance, shall we?”
“Yes.”
So, once again, Elia diligently learned self-defense from Alexis. Like with anything else, the more she practiced, the more her body adapted.
And today, the weather was especially bright and clear.
The Imperial Academy of the Adelheit Empire had been founded by the first emperor as an institution for academic pursuit.
Located in the heart of the capital, the campus was vast in scale.
The Academy was divided into four major faculties: Medicine, Military Studies, History, and Humanities. It also had special research institutes.
These research institutes studied monsters and magical beasts, and maintained an archive of ancient documents.
Mostly, the children of nobles enrolled, but talented commoners could also enter by passing special examinations.
It was a merit-based institution with a strict scholarship system.
Brianna was a student in the Military Studies faculty.
She was deeply interested in politics and strategy, hoping to become an expert in the field.
But recently, the Academy’s administration had sent her a notice:
[You have failed to pay three months’ tuition. If you do not settle the payment within this month, expulsion procedures will begin. Please remit the due amount by the deadline.]
The warning had been sent directly to her dormitory.
Tuition alone was 50 gold per month.
Dormitory fees cost an additional 30 gold.
So, with three months overdue, she owed 150 gold for tuition plus 90 gold for the dorm, a total of 240 gold.
Brianna shut herself inside her room, clutching her head.
“Ha… what a headache.”
She had written home a month ago.
But the reply she received was utterly ridiculous:
[We’re about to be forced to sell even the mansion because of debt. Handle your tuition on your own. Or quit—it may be the wiser choice.]
That was her father’s response.
“You bastard…”
Brianna knew full well it was all because of her one and only brother, Dylan.
That idiot must have caused such a disaster that even the mansion had to be sold.
“Useless piece of trash!”
She had worked herself sick, even bleeding from her nose, to enter the Academy. She had enrolled at sixteen, and now she was in her second year.
The Academy’s program lasted four years.
In just two more, she could graduate—but thanks to her foolish brother, even that was at risk.
So all she could do was curse.
Just yesterday, the dormitory supervisor had personally warned her that if she didn’t pay by the end of the month, she’d be forced to vacate her room.
Her irritation was through the roof.
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked at her door just then.
Brianna’s face tensed as she stared at it.
Was it the administration or the dorm supervisor again, here to collect?
Taking a deep breath, she carefully opened the door.
Avoiding it wouldn’t solve anything.
As she expected, an administrator stood outside.
Brianna swallowed dryly, waiting for what he’d say.
“Miss Brianna, an anonymous patron has paid your overdue balance as well as two full years of tuition. Here is a letter from the benefactor.”
“What? A patron?”
Dumbfounded, Brianna accepted the letter he handed over.
“Now that I’ve delivered it, I’ll take my leave.”
The administrator bowed politely and walked away.
Brianna stared blankly at the letter in her hand.
“A patron…?”
Closing the door, she sat at her desk and carefully opened the envelope.
[We wish to support your brilliant talent. May you graduate without trouble and achieve your goals.
—From an anonymous benefactor.]
Brianna pinched her cheek.
“Ouch. Not a dream…”
A sponsor had appeared out of nowhere.
“Who could it be?”
Her curiosity burned.
“Someone I know?”
But no one came to mind.
Knock, knock.
There was another knock at her door.
This time, it was the dorm supervisor.
Once again, news arrived that the anonymous benefactor had also paid her dormitory fees in full for two years, overdue included.
Collapsing onto her bed, Brianna hugged the letter with a sigh of relief.
Whoever it was, she was grateful beyond words.
“Thank you, dear anonymous benefactor. I’ll graduate safely and repay your kindness, no matter what.”
How could there be such a kind person?
To recognize her talent and support her—surely it meant she should train hard and become someone useful.
Brianna clenched her fist tight.
She resolved to work harder than ever.
For the sake of this benefactor.
Through Lapis, Elia received the report that the funds had been delivered to Brianna.
—It seems quite a considerable sum. Did you recognize her talent and invest in it?
“Let’s say that.”
—As expected of you, Guardian. Such insight.
All Elia wanted was for Brianna to achieve what she desired. She only hoped Brianna would live freely, doing what she wanted.
—Also, as you requested, we conveyed the offer to Marquis Fiorne.
“What did he say?”
—He demanded 200,000 gold.
“So, he wants to negotiate.”
—How should we proceed?
“Try negotiating down to 150,000. Tell him we can’t go higher than that.”
Thanks to the booming success of Florence and Beautiful Line, Elia’s accounts had already surpassed 500,000 gold.
Monthly revenues continued to climb steadily.
“And it’s about time we considered opening Florence and Beautiful Line branches. Look into the southern and eastern regions.”
—Already planning expansion?
“There’s an old saying: row when the tide is high. Now is the time to row without rest.”
—Forgive me, my lady, but… are you truly only ten years old?
“I am ten.”
—It’s just… the way you speak, it feels like you’ve lived far longer. Hard to believe.
That made her flinch a little—but it wasn’t exactly wrong.
After all, she was living her fourth life.
“I’m not like ordinary people. Just think of it that way.”
—Indeed. I’ll investigate the matter of the branches and report back.
“Mm, thank you.”
She ended the communication.
Rising from her chair, she flopped onto the bed.
Her body was ten years old, but her mind was that of an adult.
Sometimes she wondered if she could really be called a child at all.
Just then, someone knocked.
“I’m coming in.”
It was Noah’s voice.
He opened the door and stepped inside.
“The Duke asked me to bring this.”
“What is it?”
Noah set down a tray with a plate on the table.
“Cookies?”
The plate was piled high with delicious-looking cookies.
