Chapter 271: Wealthy Friend (2)
The next morning.
Vikir received unexpected news from a supervisor he encountered in the hallway.
“Student Vikir, someone’s here to visit you.”
Upon hearing those words, Vikir lowered the book bag he was carrying.
An unexpected visit. It meant a visit request that wasn’t scheduled.
Tudor, Sancho, Figgy, Bianca, and Sinclaire, who were on their way to the first class together, all widened their eyes in surprise.
Until now, Vikir had never talked about his Clan, affiliation, childhood, and such.
“Vikir, do you have someone coming to visit?”
“Of course, Vikir has a Clan. Isn’t that too much, Tudor?”
“Wow, He can skip the first class! So jealous!”
“Something’s up. The one who always lives strictly according to plans is getting an unscheduled visit.”
“Hey, who is it, Big Brother?”
While everyone was saying a word or two, keen-eyed Sinclaire asked with narrowed eyes.
“Maybe… that lady from back then?”
Upon Sinclaire’s words, Tudor, Sancho, Figgy, and Bianca all turned their heads abruptly.
When Vikir turned his head as if to say, “What are you talking about?” Sinclaire said suspiciously,
“Back when we were drinking on the rooftop cafe with Big Brother. There was someone who sent an owl to you back then. Could she be your girlfriend?”
At that moment, their friends erupted in a chorus of astonishment.
“What, what!? Vikir, you have a girlfriend!?”
“It’s possible. Considering Vikir’s looks, it would be stranger if he didn’t have one.”
“Oh my goodness! Vikir, you’re a traitor! You have a girlfriend outside of school! Is she from another school?”
“Wow, you’re amazing. Did you make one during the university league?”
Then, a chilling voice came from behind.
“If you’re going to gather like a herd, don’t stand in the middle of the hallway. Aren’t you obstructing the passage?”
Professor Banshee’s voice was heard, filled with almost disdainful expressions as he looked down at Vikir, Tudor, Sancho, Figgy, Bianca, and Sinclaire.
“Vikir, for an unscheduled visit, you must obtain the supervisor’s signature on the visit confirmation with the visit start and end times. Otherwise, it will be marked as an absence. You should know this much, right?”
“Yes.”
“Since your attitude is shitty and you’ve lost a lot of points, I mentioned it just in case. Remember this well.”
Having finished speaking, Professor Banshee pushed Vikir and the others aside and walked through.
“…Insiders, huh?”
He openly expressed his disgust with a facial expression that was almost hateful.
* * *
Vikir opened the door to the visitation room and entered. There, a woman with black hair and red eyes was sitting with her legs crossed, smoking.
“Long time no see, my brother!”
She waved her hand towards Vikir, brightly smiling. Despite Vikir’s narrowed eyes, the woman remained unfazed.
Cindiwendy.
She had changed the color of her eyes and hair and personally came to this academy.
“I decided to become an owl myself for this important message. How about it, brother? Doesn’t red eyes go well with black hair? Ohoho~ My brother~ I missed you!”
Seeing CindiWendy, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, acting overly friendly, Vikir joined in, his gaze cold and dry.
“Since when did I have a sister?”CindiWendy paid no mind to Vikir’s chilly gaze. She continued, “There are many important things in this message, so I decided to become an owl. How about it, brother.”
Vikir, thinking about the supervisor outside his room, reluctantly played along with CindiWendy’s act.
“Nice to see you, sister. Thanks for coming to visit.”
“Thank you, brother~ It’s only natural for a sister~ to come and see~ brother~ Yo-yo~ Look at how plump and soft your cheeks have become since we last met~ Ah, so cute~”
“…Don’t fuckin overdo it.”
“Got it.”
CindiWendy, instead of pinching Vikir’s cheeks any longer, removed her hand and raised it above her head.
Vikir asked, “How about the trading deal? Is it going well?”
As it was a business-related matter, there wasn’t much room for conversation beyond work.
CindiWendy nodded in response. “Trading with the natives is going smoothly. It’s progressing well step by step. We’ve already completed large-scale transactions three times.”
“That’s good. Then…”
Anticipating Vikir’s question, CindiWendy closed her eyes and shook her head slightly.
“We haven’t found their whereabouts yet.”
“…Is that so.”
A tribe that had somehow concealed its traces.
Vikir was puzzled about the sudden loss of contact with them.
However, leaving the academy immediately to venture into the distant Red and Black mountains was not a feasible option.
Vikir brought up the next matter.
“…What about the task I separately requested?”
“Sponsoring people from various walks of life, right? No problem with that. It’s either completed or in progress.”
Vikir had previously asked CindiWendy for something. It was about sponsoring various individuals such as artists, soldiers, mercenaries, high school students, small shop owners, and low-ranking soldiers.
CindiWendy grinned.
“I met each and every one of those people and delivered the sponsorship funds. For those with children, I’ll support them through university education, and for those who need jobs or skills, I provide tailored welfare. There were those in precarious livelihoods and those in need of hospital fees due to illness, too. Everyone has received the necessary support.”
“Well done.”
“But what’s the connection with those people? I did some investigation myself, but there seems to be no relation to you. They don’t even recognize you.”
CindiWendy’s question was natural. They were Vikir’s former comrades and benefactors before his regression.
“People I hope never to see again.”
Vikir said with a bitter smile. CindiWendy silently observed his reaction.
Eventually…
Thud!
CindiWendy handed a bag to Vikir.
Opening it, Vikir nodded. Inside were several jagged gold bars and a jewelry box.
“This is the military fund you asked for. I only included enough weight for easy carrying, as you mentioned.”
“Thank you.”
“Exchange it for cash at the designated underground market. But the best option is to use it bit by bit.”
After nodding, Vikir pushed the bag aside.
Soon after, CindiWendy revealed the real reason for today’s visit.
“The head of the Bourgeois Clan is a demon.”
Vikir had somewhat anticipated the content.
But hearing the details from the one who had investigated it made the weight of the situation different.
“Understood. That should be sufficient.”
CindiWendy frowned at Vikir’s words.“That money won’t be enough against the Bourgeois Clan, will it? Don’t you require more?”
CindiWendy had sworn loyalty to Vikir.
‘Whatever you do in your lifetime, I’ll make sure you never lack money.’
That’s why CindiWendy wanted to keep that promise now.
“Is the purpose of raising me not for this moment right now?”
Money should be dealt with money. CindiWendy was preparing to help Vikir fight against the Bourgeois Clan.
However…
“This should be enough as seed money.”
Vikir decisively stated.
CindiWendy’s eyes narrowed.
“Is it because of the source of the funds?”
Vikir nodded.
The members of the Bourgeois Clan often auctioned invitations to lunch or dinner, setting a cost for entry.
But having money didn’t mean anyone could buy it.
Money with an unknown origin was not accepted.
Earning money is important, but how it is earned is also a crucial factor. Members of the Bourgeois Clan have strict criteria when selecting meal companions, and money of unknown origin is unacceptable.
“The source of the money must be clear, and it should be interesting enough to capture their interest,” Vikir emphasized.
This was why Vikir refused CindiWendy’s financial support.
“This isn’t the kind of situation where I can use your help. Just wait a bit longer,” Vikir explained.
CindiWendy shrugged her shoulders. “You’re such an unpredictable man.”
“…,” Vikir remained silent.
“You have this wealthy sponsor, yet you’ve never asked for money. It’s really intriguing. You’re different from other insignificant men.”
Vikir responded briefly to her curiosity, “Money is just a means; it cannot be the goal.”
“My father used to say that a lot when he was alive.”
“He was a good merchant.”
Vikir nodded briefly. The Bourgeois Clan before him was a significant mountain, but after it, there were even larger mountains.
The sword named CindiWendy was not yet drawn.
Meanwhile, CindiWendy still looked puzzled.
“So, how do you plan to deal with the Bourgeois Clan without my help?”
“I’m not completely refusing help. But…”
“But?”
“Rather than receiving fish, one should learn how to catch fish.”
When CindiWendy raised an eyebrow, Vikir lowered his posture and continued, “There is a plan, but there are many loose ends. I’d appreciate it if you could point out weaknesses and provide additional personnel and information.”
“…So, you’re seeking financial advice?”
Vikir nodded.
Soon after, a flyer fell before CindiWendy.
[Mock Investment Contest]
The flow of the economy is created by humans, but it cannot be predicted by human power alone. However, the intuition of a very small number of geniuses is connected to even the grandest trends. If you think you are included in that very small number, please pay attention to this poster. This competition will be held at the place known as the ‘Spine of the economy’ and will lead you to the big stage of the business world.
Target: All academy students
Application Period: Within a week after the distribution of the poster (*The poster will naturally disappear after a week.)
Sponsored by: Bourgeois Clan
It was a poster for a mock investment competition.
“With the money you gave me, I plan to…,” Vikir started explaining a strategic investment plan that could capture the attention of the Bourgeois Clan.
And when CindiWendy heard those words, her expression turned incredulous.
“…Insane! That’s a scam!”