Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Canteen Expansion (2)
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I'm out of money.
Liv stared blankly at her completely empty wallet for a while.
She cross-checked it against the household ledger she'd written by hand to see what had gone wrong.
There wasn't a single instance of overspending.
Living at Pharenchia Academy required a considerable amount of money.
Tuition for each semester, dormitory fees, grooming expenses like perfume and laundry, hiring private guards for some nobles, salon membership fees, tea party refreshments, personal research materials, and miscellaneous lab tools for classes.
Liv had cut everything except the absolute necessities and hadn't indulged in any luxuries.
And yet—
"Haa..."
A sigh escaped her lovely lips.
She had anticipated that expenses excluding tuition would be delayed due to the university's administrative processing.
The problem stemmed from the second-years' defeat in the recent magic tournament.
Without the prize money, the assets of the Greenwood Barony—which had no territory or vassals—amounted to just that palm-sized wallet.
At this rate, she might really have to go hungry.
'I haven't even finished studying yet.'
The desk where she sat was piled high with magic books and theory texts.
All of them had been read in just one day.
If only studying paid money proportional to the effort.
What a cruel world.
But there were people who simply couldn't understand Liv's situation.
Karen found it ridiculous that her friend was worrying about money.
After all, there were as many people at the academy who wanted Liv Lavre de Greenwood as there were stars in the sky.
"Just go to any professor and ask to be their assistant. You'd get research funding if you join a lab."
"That's..."
"Didn't Professor Fabret even offer to write a recommendation for Megrez Magic Tower not long ago? You turned down a project where the top authority in alchemy personally begged you to join."
"..."
As Karen said, Liv had turned down most of the opportunities that other students desperately vied for.
The reason wasn't a lack of confidence in her skills or financial security.
"You can't form and break mentor relationships lightly."
Over 90% of Pharenchia Academy's professors came from magic towers.
Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar, and Alkaid.
The seven magic towers of Penheim Kingdom—symbolizing the immutable celestial bodies in the Freium Mobile—were bloodthirsty in competing for even slightly talented individuals.
Naturally, their targets were the students enrolled at the academy.
If she learned magic in a professor's lab and formed a mentor relationship, Liv's career path would inevitably lead straight to that professor's magic tower.
Liv had no intention of spending her life honing her path of magic in a tower.
There was only one thing she desired—
To reclaim with her own hands the medal that the Greenwood Barony should have rightfully received from the royal family.
Of course, she hadn't told Karen that much.
It was purely Liv's personal matter.
"Don't tell me you don't like any of the professors?"
"..."
"Or are you aiming for the Chairman herself? Trying to inherit her unique path of magic?"
"Don't talk nonsense, Karen. People might hear you."
A mere student acquiring a grand duke's path of magic?
The Reincarnation Duke's unique path was inherited through bloodline, unlike the Roshiar path of magic, and its succession method was unknown.
Even Merak Magic Tower had never publicly named Lehel Darad's direct disciple, making it impossible for anyone to learn it.
In any case, Liv needed to find a way to make money.
She was intrigued by virtual gold through blockchain magic, which was trending among some magicians lately, but that required seed money to invest.
Lunchtime.
In the end, she decided to look into simple odd jobs she could do on campus and headed to the canteen.
The first thing that caught her eye was the faint traces left from removing posters.
Come to think of it, it was time for salons to open.
Any such gatherings were a pipe dream for Liv.
"Huh?"
Unlike usual, where posters were plastered densely, only one had survived today.
And it wasn't advertising a salon.
[Hiring Canteen Part-Timer.]
[Room & board provided (canteen bread). 4 insurances (rescue in emergencies) included. Hourly wage: 6 silver. Term negotiable.]
[Family-like atmosphere. Pharenchia Academy undergrads welcome.]
[Rip it off and you're dead.]
It was a part-time job notice perfectly tailored for Liv.
I put out a notice for a part-timer.
Once Bill sends materials via his merchant group, I'd need someone to mind the shop while I handled construction, so I decided to hire ahead of time.
But as expected, unlike Earth where I lived, there was no flood of applicants seeking work.
The reason was simple. No noble attending Pharenchia Academy had any reason to work for 6 silver an hour.
Still, it didn't completely betray my expectations—a few students did show up.
First applicant.
"I'll do it~."
"Rejected."
Hire Adella as a part-timer? This girl who can't even handle money properly?
Maybe as a mascot for the canteen, but as a clerk? No way.
Last time, I had no choice but to leave her in charge, and she helped herself to the bread, causing nothing but losses.
There are more people like Javert than Bishop Mireille in this world.
No shop in Pharenchia would hire her, already with two priors.
Next, applicant number two.
"...You're going to work here?"
"No?"
"Piy?"
Erzebet took a sip of the tea I'd made as a sample, then tilted her head with her extreme complexion.
"Then why are you here?"
"To pay for the popcorn Piy ate during the tournament."
"Piy—."
"And Piy says sorry for last time."
"Piy—."
Is she talking about targeting the canteen? Shouldn't Piy say that himself?
"Piy wants to know if you're connected to Terra Ernisten."
"Piy—."
"If you don't answer, he'll peck you."
"Piy—."
I took the money from Erzebet and sent her on her way.
I had no obligation to answer.
Next, applicant number three.
The moment I saw crimson hair peeking from under the counter, I sighed.
"Haa... Here for the job?"
"On the contrary, I'll hire you. Hundred times the hourly wage."
"Get out."
Not a single proper person.
After sending Darling away too, in the now-deserted canteen, I fell deep into thought.
Why was hiring one part-timer this difficult?
Canteen work wasn't demanding much.
Just diligent, meticulous, and reasonably polite.
Yes, the exact opposite image of Adella—
Knock knock.
At that moment, a cautious knock sounded.
Confirming the person visible through the glass door, I cheered inwardly.
"Um, you're hiring..."
"Hired!"
"Pardon?"
Anyway, hired.
Let's write the contract first.
Liv Lavre. Backwards, it's Rev Lavri.
Apart from her somewhat unique name, evaluations of her character and magic skills were top-notch.
Despite her nominal barony title and lack of backing, she was the student most frequently discussed by professors chatting on the bench behind the canteen.
Once she hit third year, proposals and tower invitations would pour in from magic towers and families. Maybe it was already happening.
Rev Lavri.
I wanted to hear why someone of such standing would come to this humble place.
"You really want to work here?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I need money..."
I'd asked why the canteen specifically, not such a basic reason.
As I stayed silent, the quick-witted girl flushed and answered again.
"Once you join a professor's lab, it's hard to leave freely."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Learning magic known only to tower magicians outside of classes means you're practically one of them."
Hm. I see.
Magic in this world was like cutting-edge tech in modern times, so tight security made sense.
Terra never hesitated to share her magic, but she was the exception.
"Then let's coordinate your schedule for canteen shifts. I'll teach you the work step by step."
"Yes."
"Construction starts soon, so I'll be busy—mind the counter then. After, we'll use the new build as a cafe, so work there. Do you know tea ceremony?"
"Yes, I learned in culture class."
"Your grade?"
"Perfect score."
Even her shy averted gaze was beautiful.
Yes, this is a proper student.
Chasing and biting thrown bread like a frisbee isn't the image of a magician at Penheim's top educational institution.
"All filled out."
"Hm..."
Contract done; only my approval left.
Truth be told, Baroness Liv had shown interest in the basement before, so she wasn't entirely safe.
She apologized later, claiming it was a misunderstanding, but...
"Is this okay?"
Black-canvas clerk apron.
Her waist was so slender she tightened the strings to the max, turning to me— who cared about that now?
Thinking about it, she didn't know what was in the basement.
The inner warehouse door would always stay closed, and even if found, guessing its buried contents was impossible.
And Greenwood— a family with absolutely no ties to the Holy Kingdom.
"Perfect."
With a part-timer secured somehow, things should ease up.
"Start tomorrow afternoon during your free period. See you then."
"Yes. Um, so... as the canteen owner, should I call you Master now?"
"..."
Owner like always would suffice.
It took considerable inner conflict for her to say that.