Cancellation, Cancellation
The aftermath of the explosion died down shortly after. Enoch instructed Lakrina to use her magic to extinguish the remaining flames. He then called the guards through his communicator. The soldiers who arrived after receiving the report took the incident statement according to Enoch's testimony and swept away all the remaining debris, including the half-destroyed car.
The Ascuta, Enoch's personal vehicle that he'd only owned for three months, vanished without a trace.
"……"
"Um… Teacher…?"
"……"
"I-it's okay. Should I sing you a song to cheer you up?"
"……"
"You don't want that either…"
Enoch stared at his car being loaded onto the truck with dead eyes. Lakrina tried her best to console him, but unfortunately it did little good. The only thing blooming in his heart right now was one thing alone: endless rage.
Whoever you are, you'll pay the price for this.
"Let's go, Lakrina."
"Ah, yes! Where are we going now?"
"The commercial district. I need to get us new clothes first."
Enoch spoke in a stiff, matter-of-fact tone. Only then did Lakrina notice her own appearance. The neatness from earlier was gone; her clothes were torn in several places and stained with black soot. Walking into the academy like this would draw all sorts of attention. Especially since she'd already been admitted through special means. Enoch had no desire to create unnecessary trouble by attracting eyes.
While I'm at it, I might as well relieve some stress.
@
"Welcome, Enoch. You're back quite early."
"Good to see you, Master Belten."
The two had moved to the commercial district and found the tailor Belten. As always, Belten offered a handshake in greeting. Enoch clasped his hand and spoke in a firm tone.
"Belten, I'd like you to coordinate an outfit for Lakrina."
"Understood. Judging by your appearance, something must have happened."
"I apologize for not being able to explain. And… I'd like one for myself as well. Not from an employee or apprentice, but from you directly, Master."
"!"
Belten's eyes widened at the request. He was a tailor renowned not only in Magnusra but across the entire continent. Some of the emperor's own garments had even come from his hands. Commissioning him personally was no small matter—something impossible with ordinary sums of money.
"Enoch, are you serious?"
"It doesn't matter."
Enoch replied flatly. Belten's hands trembled as he removed his glasses.
"…Very well. I'll do as you ask. What are your requirements? Any particular nuance or concept in mind?"
"No, nothing like that. But there is something I do want."
"Something you want?"
Belten tilted his head. At that moment, Enoch raised his voice so that Belten and all the shop owners glancing their way could hear clearly.
"Everyone, listen."
-…?
"Here stands a spring that will never run dry."
Enoch opened his fire-scorched coat, connecting it to his inventory as usual. Bundles of cash poured out in a cascade.
-…!!!
"Master Belten will personally handle my outfit. However, everything else remains undecided."
-……
"I'm feeling rather materialistic today. Watches, necklaces, rings, scarves—anything that catches my eye is fine."
As he spoke, Enoch raised a finger, pointing straight at the ceiling as if to emphasize his words. The shop owners' gazes followed the tip of his finger like a wave.
"I have only one requirement."
-……
"Surprise me. The reward will not disappoint."
@
Enoch's sudden flex sent ripples through the air. Sensing the commotion, Belten quickly excused himself to begin his work. The first to move after him was the master of the neighboring watch shop.
"A pleasure, Enoch. I'm Galta, owner of Sandrion."
"Likewise, Master Galta. Do you have something prepared for me?"
"Of course. I've always found it displeasing that you only ever visit Belten's shop. I knew a day like this would come eventually."
Galta was a middle-aged man with wine-colored hair. After stroking his Pringles-like mustache, he beckoned to an employee behind him. Moments later, the employee returned wearing gloves and carrying a golden case. Galta accepted the case with a confident expression and opened it.
-Creak
"Take a look. This is an Answer Philip Brown Knives Steel. The movement consists of 100 wheels, 48 bridges, 460 screws, 80 springs, 120 mechanism parts, 86 jewels, 2 dials, and 19 hands. The gold case itself weighs approximately 420 grams."
"Oh?"
"With so many complications, the weight is considerable. Well? Isn't this quite satisfying?"
What Galta presented was the finest watch crafted by a master among masters. Not a single engraving was done carelessly. At its center, dark blue waves intertwined endlessly, as if containing the universe itself.
"It has caught my eye. How much?"
"15.4 billion Croils."
"I'll take it. No need for wrapping."
Enoch paid in cash on the spot. No installments—just raw cash. Galta's face split into a grin of pure delight.
"Hahaha! You're the one surprising me, not the other way around!"
Galta burst into hearty laughter. That was only the beginning. Following Galta's lead, the other masters of the district approached Enoch one by one.
-I have a coat made from sable fur. The creatures ate apples and rolled around on them, so it carries a faint apple scent even from the slightest touch. Interested?
-How about a wallet? Nothing too extravagant, but there might be one that suits your taste.
-Are you perhaps considering purchasing a personal airship?
"Calm down, everyone. I can only understand if you speak one at a time."
Enoch quieted the approaching masters. Once the atmosphere settled again, Lakrina cautiously asked,
"…Teacher. I know asking this won't do any good, but I'll ask anyway. Are you really okay with this?"
"Okay with what?"
"The money. What if you run out later?"
"It's fine. My money duplicates itself."
"What?"
Lakrina frowned in confusion, clearly wanting an explanation. Enoch didn't bother giving one. He couldn't have, anyway. How could he possibly explain that his wealth came from the Golden Mage Orban's vault?
Orban monopolizes and profits from even the medical market where lives are at stake. He hoards that money in his vault, obsessed with raising his own magical prowess. It's better to scatter it into the market like this.
The Golden Mage Orban was a double-edged and dangerous figure. His magical talent was undoubtedly exceptional—his position as an Essence-level mage, just below Boundary-level, was no empty title. But everything else about him was problematic. He had practically monopolized the medical market where human lives hung in the balance. A troublesome enemy, an unreliable ally. Money in his hands would never be used for good. That was why Enoch felt no guilt. He was almost certain that whatever he did with it was better than leaving it with Orban.
"Teacher?"
"…Lakrina. I'll only say this once. Don't worry about money. My pockets aren't light enough for you to concern yourself with."
Enoch turned his back after saying so. Lakrina wanted to say more, but eventually shook her head.
Teacher must have his own plans.
She truly believed that. There was no way he'd spend hundreds of billions just to relieve stress. Even the noble emperor wouldn't do something so reckless. Though Lakrina had never met His Majesty, she assumed as much.
-Two hundred million, please!
-Four hundred million, please!
…Even so, this can't be good for the heart.
The amounts being called out kept growing. Lakrina briefly considered covering her ears before ultimately using magic instead.
-Ziiing
…Much better.
Lakrina's eyes turned cold. A frosty glint had settled in them. She was now using the side effects of magic in reverse—synchronizing herself with ice magic. Normally, this would have consumed her and altered her personality. But perhaps it was due to her training, or maybe her talent. Either way, Lakrina no longer lost herself to the magic as before. In fact, the opposite was true. To her now, the side effects of ice magic felt like a completed technique.
My mind doesn't waver like before. At this level, it shouldn't be a problem even in real combat.
Lakrina gazed at her surroundings with a frigid expression. Her consciousness remained firm amid the chaos. There was no shaking, not even the slightest change. Just as solidly frozen ice doesn't tremble, her mind had become as unyielding as ice.
It's noisy and chaotic. But my heart remains unshaken. Maybe I've gotten used to Teacher's spending habits.
-Two hundred and twenty billion Croils, please!!!
"……"
Lakrina quietly averted her gaze. She took back her previous statement.
@
Artemia, the empire's prestigious academy. Its chairman, Valtro Ulrigan, was currently preparing to receive a guest alongside the academy's president, Antony.
"…Chairman?"
"What is it."
"Did you say His Majesty the Emperor was visiting today?"
President Antony asked, sweating nervously. He was a Domination-level mage who had risen to the position of academy president. Yet even he found the current situation genuinely bewildering. Because a massive airship was landing without permission on academy grounds.
"The emperor? If he were coming, the entire faculty would be on standby."
"Exactly. That's why it's even more puzzling. Just who is this person visiting today?"
"I don't know either. That's what I'm going to find out now."
Chairman Valtro gritted his teeth and stepped away from the window. After donning his coat and checking his attire, he hurried toward the landing site.
Enoch… Thanks to you, I haven't been home for two days.
It was nearing the end of autumn. Normally, this would be the time for students who had finished the semester to prepare for the next. Yet an additional first-year student had been forced into enrollment. This was completely different from the usual policy of rejecting even noble requests if qualifications were lacking. Naturally, all sorts of complaints had poured in from nobles who had heard the rumors. With a sudden new student, rumors were bound to spread among the students. All responsibility fell on the chairman, who set the academy's direction, and the president, who managed its administration. There was nothing the two could do about it. They couldn't send ordinary teachers to deal with nobles. In any case, Valtro's anger was justified. He genuinely wanted to see Enoch's face.
That arrogant bastard… Let's see what kind of face he has.