The Easiest Way to Make Money
“How is it?”
“Hmm. Definitely….”
I looked Elia up and down as she emerged from the bathroom.
“It's big.”
“Big?”
“Yeah.”
No matter how I sliced it, it felt way too big compared to her frame.
What do I do about this?
It had to be uncomfortable at that size.
“Hmm….”
The issue was that the clothes I'd lent her were bigger than I'd anticipated on her slight build. Even my smallest shirt looked comically oversized.
I racked my brain for minutes, but no clever fix came to mind.
“Can't be helped.”
So, as a stopgap, we'd just tough it out until her own clothes dried.
“I really should give you something more proper, though.”
“Hehe, this is fine!”
She had to be uncomfortable, yet Elia flashed a bright smile to set me at ease. I felt bad that a simple dress shirt was the best I could offer. The sleeves dangled so long she looked like a kid raiding her dad's closet.
“If you need anything while you're sleeping, just call me right away.”
“Yep!”
“Then good night.”
After tucking Elia into bed, I gave her a final wave before stepping out.
“Hehe, good night, Mr. Karl.”
Click.
I flicked off the light the moment I heard her reply, slipped out, and headed to the kitchen table.
Time to clean up.
I still hadn't fully cleared the shattered dishes from earlier.
Tak—! Tak—!
I grabbed the broom and started sweeping up the scattered glass shards.
Normally, I only cleaned once a month, but one houseguest had already turned my routine upside down.
“Whew.”
Once it looked mostly clear, I set the broom aside and caught my breath.
I always thought this, but a world without vacuum cleaners was brutally unforgiving. One thorough sweep left my wrist throbbing like it might snap.
As I stretched out my stiff muscles for a quick break—
Ding-dong—!
The doorbell rang.
“Who the hell…?”
At this hour, the only visitors to my place would be cops or bank collectors. Tilting my head, I approached the door. Thieves didn't politely ring the bell, after all.
Clunk—!
“Who is it?”
I cracked the door open and peeked out. A crowd of people stood in front of my house.
“Long time no see.”
At their center sat a blonde woman on a folding chair.
Thieves would've been preferable.
“Karl.”
Celestia Schwartz. The Schwartz family lady who'd hired me—and the one infamous in the original story for every vicious stunt against the heroine, Astria.
The villainess lady, in a nutshell.
Hmm….
Recalling what she'd done to Astria still made my blood boil.
She ranked just behind Hans on my least-favorite list in this world.
“That look again.”
Celestia let out a hollow chuckle, clearly displeased with my expression, and rose from her chair.
“Nothing's changed about you.”
She stopped right in front of me and continued with an amused grin.
“Why didn't you come find me?”
I'd suspected as much. She was the one behind the commission, coming here in person via Leopold—who knew her temperament all too well.
“Huh? Don't feel like answering?”
“...”
Her obsessive streak kicked in whenever she wanted something—she wouldn't let up until she got it.
“Well, skip it if you want.”
When I held firm, she laughed and flung my front door wide open.
“I'm in a great mood today.”
Then she marched straight inside—shoes and all.
Ha, just cleaned.
I had plenty to say, but bowed to the power of money and just watched.
“What're you doing? Sit.”
She plopped down at the table in seconds, eyeing me expectantly.
“Long time no see, Lady Celestia.”
I sat across from her, matching her unflappable vibe.
“You know why I'm here, right?”
“The commission?”
She'd clearly sulked over my no-show for the day, firing back the instant I sat.
“Yeah.”
Her glare was sharp, her words laced with venom.
“And you got to the capital hours ago without bothering to drop by.”
Classic power play to seize the initiative.
“Too much on my plate—first time back in ages.”
But I didn't bite.
“Liar.”
“...”
Propping her chin, she leaned in, eyes locked on mine.
“Whatever, not the point…”
She waved it off casually, took a sheet from her attendant, and slid it over.
“You've got work to do.”
I dropped my gaze to scan the paper.
Hmm.
As expected from her, nothing good.
Worst case, actually.
What she wanted me to do? Infiltrate the Academy.
“Can't do it.”
Celestia blinked in annoyance at my flat refusal.
“Hah?”
“Think I misheard. Say it again.”
“Can't. Not taking this job.”
“You joking right now?”
“No.”
My stance didn't budge. I was already dodging anything Academy-related—no way I'd waltz right in.
Her face twisted in irritation at my stubbornness. She signaled her attendants, who hustled in with several briefcases and plunked them on the table.
“How about this?”
The cases snapped open in unison at her command.
“Changed your mind yet?”
Each brimmed with stacks of cash—enough to forget debt worries for months.
Sip.
Tempting.
For someone scraping by on sporadic gigs like me, this was impossible money.
And on top of that—
“This is just the advance. Success means double—at least.”
It was downright obscene for mere upfront pay.
“I'll do it.”
Money's always right. And when someone swimming in it makes a demand, it's gospel.
“Knew you would.”
Late into the night.
Amid the glowing towers, I scanned the rooftop of the Academy's tallest building.
Sigh.
Couldn't help it—I was back here after all.
Thought I'd stay away for years.
Just wrap it up quick and bounce.
Linger too long, and nothing good happens.
Thud!
I dropped straight to the balcony one floor below and slipped inside through a carelessly left-open glass door.
Target: a professor's lab. Celestia's “toys” had been confiscated there—grab 'em and go.
—Just snag a few of my toys from the lab. Easy, right?
For me, with dozens of Academy infiltrations under my belt, it was like taking candy from a baby.
Pretty sure it's this way.
I dodged patrolling guards and reached the lab fast.
Creeeak—!
Papers strewn everywhere as always. I started hunting for the seized items.
Ugh, clean up once in a while.
Rustle—! Rustle—!
Piles of documents and mana stones buried everything—time dragged as I dug.
Lives like this?
Is grad school always this bad?
Grousing internally while sifting papers—
Clatter...
Something rolled across the floor between desks.
Jackpot.
The exact confiscated item I'd been after.
Lucky break.
Figured it'd take another half hour, but there it was.
Grinning, I scooped it off the floor and pocketed it.
Just slip out unnoticed now.
As I reached for the door—
Clunk!
“Professor?”
Dr-r-r—!
“Professor?”
Someone entered the lab.
Oh god, just keep going.
I prayed for the first time in forever as the voice echoed.
“Weird, I'm sure I heard something.”
The intruder was none other than—
Astria, the original story's heroine.
“Hmm….”
She scanned the room, then—
“You there—who the hell are you?”
Her eyes locked on my hiding spot as she shouted.