CHAPTER 126
CHAPTER 126
The Academy Opens
After riding the carriage for a short detour, they arrived at the northern end of the bridge, in the upscale shopping district, where the Mazdari Bank operated by the Medici family’s capital came into view.
It was a complex building with the bank at the front, a garden in the center, and the embassy at the rear. Its scale was comparable to the Betelgeuse palace that had now been turned into a zoo.
Unlike the Betelgeuse palace, which was located in the suburban district, this one placed the bank building in a bustling commercial area, with the embassy and garden situated behind it. In terms of land value alone, the real estate here was far more valuable than the Betelgeuse palace.
‘Hmm, even places that didn’t appear in the original game are implemented this faithfully. Well, this is a world where people actually live.’
Idnia admired how the Mazdari Residence, which had not appeared in the game because it served little purpose there, was built in a way consistent with historical detail.
A game is a simplified, deformed version of reality. Even if one claims to have seen everything in the game, actually walking this world, breathing its air, and living within it carried a completely different weight.
“The residence is located behind that Mazdari Bank building. It’s where the diplomats and bank staff live. As it’s primarily a residence, there isn’t much formally prepared, but we can arrange some hospitality for our guests. Please come in.”
Lorenzo spoke and first sent his four attendants ahead to prepare.
While they did so, the group was guided into the bank’s reception room and served refreshments.
“Ah… this is….”
Idnia almost reacted in surprise at the familiarity of the pastry served with the black tea.
Spoliate glazate, a pastry more widely known in Korea by a specific brand name.
‘NuneXne? Ah, right. You can make this with an oven and sugar.’
The pastry, made of puff pastry topped with sugar glaze and apricot jam, felt like something heavenly to the students accustomed to the harsh meals of Dunais Academy.
The reception room of the bank was also filled with ornate decorations—paintings and ceramics framed in gilded gold, along with vases and other objects.
‘From my perspective it feels overly cluttered, but this must be the aesthetic trend of this era.’
To someone from Earth like Idnia, the arrangement seemed excessively lavish and busy, but in this world, it was fashionable.
Even the children of gentry families who had money were visibly overwhelmed by Mazdari’s luxurious, exotic, and refined decor.
“Wow, coming here was worth it already. It feels like heaven. And I’ve never had such delicious pastries before.”
Marie expressed her admiration sincerely.
The other girls struggled to suppress their laughter at Marie’s unpretentious reaction, but her genuine delight and innocence pleased Lorenzo.
‘This is the problem with social circles. They’re so obsessed with propriety that they constantly put on airs. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a guest respond so genuinely and make the host feel good.’
Lorenzo burst into a rare genuine laugh.
“Hahaha. Seeing you all this happy makes the invitation worthwhile. Until now, whenever I offered guests something delicious, they would cover their mouths with fans and say things like, ‘I’ve heard southern cuisine is excellent, but even our chefs could make this. We’ll be sure to treat you to our cuisine later,’ only to secretly send servants asking for more. I’ve grown quite tired of that.”
“Oh, I apologize. Was I being rude?”
“Not at all. Your joy itself is deeply rewarding to me. This truly makes the invitation worthwhile.”
Lorenzo was sincerely pleased.
For someone weary of pretense and empty formalities, Marie’s honest and consistent demeanor felt refreshing.
‘Yes. It seems he’s finally recognizing Marie’s true worth. A merchant should be able to recognize the value of goods.’
Idnia felt pleased that Lorenzo appreciated Marie’s sincerity and puffed herself up slightly in pride.
At that moment, her eyes caught a painting on the wall.
It depicted a man wearing a golden crown, with a scimitar at his waist and holding an oil lamp in his hand…
“Professor Magram?”
“Pardon? Are you suddenly looking for a professor?”
Lorenzo looked at Idnia in confusion.
“Ah, that painting… wait?”
Idnia pointed at the portrait, but when she looked again, the image seemed to have changed.
What had appeared to be Magram at first now showed a black-haired man with a beard.
‘The painting changed? Or did I missee it?’
While Idnia was perplexed, Lorenzo explained.
“That is a portrait of the hero El Cid. He was the great hero who reclaimed the southern kingdom that had fallen to heretics and demons. Our Mazdari ducal lineage is related to him by blood, which is one reason Mazdari has been able to maintain dominance in the south.”
“El Cid… you say.”
Idnia had known about El Cid since childhood.
The southern hero, whose real name was Diaz, rose as a savior who liberated the southern regions that had been invaded by an alliance of heretics, demons, and eastern peoples. He achieved victory at the Battle of Devonia, a turning point in the southern liberation, but ultimately died from wounds sustained in battle.
Yet the portrait of that hero strangely overlapped in appearance with Magram in her mind.
“Yes. Perhaps the scimitar and oil lamp reminded you of Professor Magram. Those items were commonly imported from the east, so the artist included them to suggest his connection to the east.”
“El Cid…”
“If it interests you, I could gift it to you.”
“Pardon? Oh, no. A painting of this caliber must be extremely expensive. And I don’t even have a place to hang it at home. It would be a waste.”
“Haha, it’s nothing that grand. It’s quite a common painting. Moreover, this is not a direct depiction of El Cid himself, but rather an imagined representation. It has little historical value.”
Lorenzo said this, though he looked ready to gift it if Idnia expressed interest.
Then Karl spoke up.
“Gifting a painting to a ducal lady? It’s not something you’d hang in a dormitory. Wouldn’t a good meal be better right now? Conveniently, I can already smell food.”
Indeed, a pleasant aroma of food was drifting up from the residence’s first-floor kitchen.
“Understood. Then allow me to demonstrate the full culinary skills of the southern people.”
As expected of the southern kingdom, which led global trends, the cuisine was outstanding across the board.
Even to Idnia, a person from Earth, the southern kingdom’s food was impressive.
‘This would easily be worth paying for on Earth. To think this level of flavor without MSG or chicken stock.’
Even Idnia, who had experienced a wide range of foods on Earth, was impressed. For the students accustomed to the brutal meals of Dunais Academy, it was beyond compare.
“Then, what shall we do after lunch?”
“I’d like to buy some necessary items before returning to the dorm, but… I left in a hurry and don’t have any cash.”
As Rudolf expressed his concern, the other students nodded in agreement.
“I can lend cash to those who don’t have any.”
“There’ll be interest, of course, right?”
Karl asked skeptically, prompting laughter from Lorenzo.
“Haha, of course not. If you repay it on the same day, there is no interest.”
He did not say there was no interest at all—truly fitting for the son of a financial family.
“Then while the cash is being prepared, shall we take a short rest? We have card games and billiards here. Or I can introduce you to the artworks and collections. I don’t partake myself, but cigars and water pipes are also available.”
Lorenzo offered the typical amusements of nobles in this era.
Zephyrus students’ eyes lit up at the mention of billiards, and some stood up to head toward the table. But Idnia had other priorities.
“Rather than that, let’s talk about the alliance. The alliance is still valid, correct?”
“Yes. If Zephyrus is the first to acquire the facilities, we intend to make them available to everyone free of charge.”
“Haha. You were leading overwhelmingly in first place, but once you started getting overtaken by sheer numbers, your thinking changed, didn’t it, Lady Idnia?”
Karl accurately struck at Idnia’s weak point. As he said, when she was ahead, she had little concern. But once the standings shifted due to the influx of stores backed by large numbers, she had no choice but to reconsider the alliance.
“We don’t worry about it among ourselves. Even if we compete, we understand each other. But what if demons enter the picture?”
“Demons?”
“What are you saying?”
“Did you see them at the imperial palace? They came seeking goodwill… There’s a possibility they may participate in Dunais Academy’s academic programs.”
“Demons enrolling in Dunais Academy? That’s absurd. If His Holiness the Pope were to hear of it, it would be a disaster.”
Lorenzo reacted strongly.
However, Idnia’s expression remained doubtful.
“Would it really be so impossible? If anything, it seems His Holiness may have anticipated this situation.”
“What… do you mean?”
“Let’s be honest, Lord Lorenzo. You and your subordinates are reporting to His Holiness, aren’t you? The incident of demons visiting the imperial family as guests has already been reported, hasn’t it?”
“Ah. Lady Idnia, that kind of statement is… difficult.”
It was widely assumed by the Crown Prince, Karl, and Idnia that Lorenzo was reporting various matters to the Holy See.
However, even if something was an open secret, asking about it directly was impolite.
Idnia chose to risk that impropriety because the demons’ movements were progressing faster than she had anticipated.
“Even if demons attempt to influence Dunais Academy in some way, we will naturally prioritize our alliance above all else.”
Just then, Lorenzo made that declaration.
“Excuse me, Lord… an urgent message.”
A servant carrying tea from the salon arrived with a letter.
“Please excuse me.”
Lorenzo accepted the letter, his expression darkening as he stepped outside.
After a short while, he returned with a grave face and looked at Idnia.
“Lady Idnia. How did you…?”
“Pardon? What do you mean? What happened?”
“Ah, no, it’s nothing. Everyone, the cash is ready.”
Lorenzo lent cash to the students who needed it.
Since staff were still working within the residence, the group felt it appropriate to repay Lorenzo’s kindness by borrowing the money and heading out to the streets.
That evening, when the students returned to the Wizard Ball stadium to head back to the academy, they were met with unexpected news.
Starting the next day, auditors would be accepted from among demons, elves, dwarves, and the mages of the Blue Tower.