Financial Therapy

"I've solved them all!"

"......Already?"

Leaving the nightmare of the dungeon behind, I began carrying out the schedule that had been arranged.

Kang Hana, who had been worried after being startled by my shouting, tilted her head at my ear-to-ear grin but began the lesson with relief.

Her lesson ran from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Since everyone, following Douglas's orders, believed me to be a ten-year-old child according to the international age system, the lessons were conducted at that level.

But for someone like me, who had made it through university, the situation was far too easy. I had already stood out more than enough and had intended to restrain myself... but in the end, I accidentally went overboard.

She had been staring intently at the worksheet with a serious expression when she asked me,

"Lady Raebi."

"Yes?"

"Please be honest with me. You studied this in advance, didn't you?"

"Ah, no, I didn't?"

"......These aren't problems you can solve all at once just after being taught. I could perhaps chalk up the mathematics to having a good head, but solving all the other subjects as well is absolutely impossible."

Kang Hana looked at me suspiciously. She added that nobles had a higher level of education than commoners, and said that even ordinary elementary school students couldn't answer the application problems from earlier without difficulty.

Worried that the difficulty of the lessons might increase, I stammered out an excuse.

"Y-You got the history questions wrong!"

"Yes. Every three questions, you marked the number beside the correct answer."

"......."

She noticed that?

Unable to come up with an excuse, I shut my mouth. She set down the worksheet and placed both hands on the desk.

"......Lady Raebi. I already know very well that you're not ordinary. All your words and actions say as much. Except for the emotional parts, that is. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

"......Yes."

"I am here as the educator responsible for teaching you. This isn't some part-time job where I can simply pass the time. If you respect me, you need to be honest about your knowledge level, Lady Raebi."

......

I couldn't even think of a rebuttal. In particular, as someone who had lived my entire life on pride in my profession, her words struck me like a blade.

If someone treated my work as something to be done carelessly...

I would have felt miserable all day, too.

Moreover, educating noble children was such a demanding process that it required obtaining a special certification.

After taking a deep breath, I gestured for her to take a seat.

"Are you sure?"

"We've already finished today's portion, anyway. Besides, Ms. Jihye isn't here right now. Let's not make anything too stifling."

Kang Hana cautiously pulled out a chair and sat down.

Normally, this sort of arrangement would be impossible unless it were a formal interview.

With the nobility having only recently been restored, every element signifying the 'difference in status' was treated as important.

That was why there should at least have been a seat of honor, like in the meeting room earlier...

Still, it's fine as long as the two of us keep quiet, right?

"This is a secret from Ms. Jihye, right?"

"Of course."

Kang Hana smiled brightly.

With an expression that seemed eager to hear what I would say next, I opened my mouth resignedly.

"For starters, I'm far beyond an elementary school level."

"I knew it."

"But before that, I have one request."

"A request?"

"Yes."

Don't raise the difficulty too much just because you've figured out my level. No matter what anyone said, I had to make that clear.

Though I was a noble, I had decided to walk the path of a craftsman, so I refused to waste time needlessly.

Even if I didn't know basic arithmetic, I had no need to master calculus.

I explained my requirements to Kang Hana, and although she looked surprised, she nodded and answered.

"I understand. Then it would be fair to say that you're currently at a higher-education level or above, Lady Raebi?"

"Yes."

"......To be this advanced at your age. I'm quite curious about your background."

"Um... hehe."

I merely laughed and brushed the question aside.

As though she had expected that reaction, Kang Hana smoothly moved on without lingering.

"Anyway, I understand. Then we'll cover only the essential education at the level of the Hunter Academy... and focus on Gate materials science and magic stone engineering for the rest."

"Huh?"

"You're going to become an item-crafting engineer, aren't you? Once you've completed the essential courses through an accelerated program, we'll focus on that field."

"......Uh."

Gape—my mouth fell open.

I couldn't help but panic.

I had only meant that we should respect one another and take things easy, but wasn't Kang Hana practically burning with enthusiasm for teaching?!

And she knows about Gate materials science and magic stone engineering? Even though she's a non-Awakener?

If this went wrong, I might end up grappling with headache-inducing problems all day...

I hurriedly took her hand and spoke with earnest desperation.

"Sis... I don't need an engineer's license. I can make things just fine without one."

"That's true of other crafters as well. A license is merely the minimum guarantee of trust."

......It was hopeless. This woman intended to fulfill her duty to the very end, no matter what.

It was good that she was passionate about her profession, but this was troublesome. In the afternoon, I also had to study 'Noble Common Sense and Culture,' and that alone was already exhausting and headache-inducing.

I began racking my brain for some way out.

Then the situation from earlier flashed through my mind.

"Ms. Hana."

"Yes."

"Let's make a deal. If you'll yield a little of your educational enthusiasm, I'll speak with Ms. Anna-ri."

Kang Hana's mouth closed. Her lips seemed to form the words, 'There's no need for that,' but her eyes clearly showed hesitation.

She seemed torn between her pride in her work and her sympathy.

"What do you say?"

"......Phew. Lady Raebi, you're not a child at all. You're a full-fledged merchant."

"Thank you for the compliment. So what's your answer?"

Kang Hana turned her head toward the entrance.

"I'll concede two months. After that, absolutely not."

"Four months."

"I suppose it can't be helped. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin expert-level Gate materials science..."

"Ah! Fine! Two months! Two months!"

I tried to bargain a little further, but she was no easy opponent. Before her briefly wavering resolve could change again, I quickly agreed, and she stood with a smile on her face.

Don't underestimate adults.

That was what her smile seemed to warn.

"But wait a moment. There's something I'm curious about."

"Why I cover for Ms. Anna-ri?"

Yes.

I nodded silently.

Kang Hana answered bitterly.

"I just happened to see it."

"See what?"

"How incredibly excited she was when she was chosen as an attendant. That's all."

......Wow, what a ridiculously fragile psyche.

Still, the fact remained that I had survived because of it. Without this deal, I would have fallen into an endless educational hell.

"Lady Raebi."

As I nodded in agreement, Kang Hana spoke once more.

With a gaze like that of a saint.

At the suddenly benevolent expression she put on, I stammered out a reply.

"Y-Yes?"

"......Jealousy is fleeting. If you're willing, please teach Ms. Anna-ri that appearances aren't everything."

"Whaaat...? Phew-"

......So it was jealousy?

"I understand. Of course, only if Ms. Anna-ri reflects on her actions."

Kang Hana nodded confidently and left. I could only guess that the two of them had had some sort of heart-to-heart.

As soon as Kang Hana left, Han Jihye, who had been waiting nearby, entered. I told her I had something to think about for a moment, then began clearing up the questions that had piled up.

What is the Sea People's Path? Information window.

Flash-

[Dungeon 'The Sea People's Path']

----------------------------------

An ancient

dungeon connected to the Horizon Gate.

It is divided into a total of six stages

and can be entered by those of B-rank

or higher.

The sea god 'Tiamat'

sleeps in the boss room.

----------------------------------

Recommended entry level: 60

----------------------------------

......The Horizon Gate?

I had never heard that term before. Was I supposed to interpret it as something like another dimension...?

Then how was I supposed to explain returning perfectly fine despite being injured so badly?

And the recommended entry level.

My level was currently 23. Entering a level-60 dungeon when I hadn't even properly allocated my remaining stats was practically suicide. The fact that I had come back alive seemed miraculous.

Since I had no idea whether it would pull me out again if a crisis arose, I decided to postpone reentering for now.

"Why display the message if this is all it does...?"

"Lady Raebi."

It was Han Jihye calling me. I closed the information window and turned to her.

"Oh, right! Sorry for getting distracted."

"Not at all."

"But Ms. Jihye, could I meet with Ms. Anna-ri starting now?"

"I'm afraid that won't be possible."

"Ah......"

Han Jihye's face stiffened completely. I spoke awkwardly.

"I suppose that would be a little difficult for you, Ms. Jihye. But I..."

"Wait, that isn't it. It's because an audience with Mr. Vincent has been scheduled."

"......Since when?"

"Right now. He's sitting in the reception room."

Huh?

***

"Oho! Did you do well with your multiplication and division?"

"Urgh..."

His voice was already brimming with the intention to tease me. I laughed awkwardly and lowered myself into the chair across from him.

After a simple noble greeting, he got straight to the point.

"Where's mine?"

"You're asking about the gift first thing?"

"Of course! Why else would I come right away?"

"......Before that, wait a moment. Why did you bring flowerpots again? Two of them, no less."

I noticed flowerpots larger than the ones I had received before standing at the entrance. I was too curious about his intentions not to ask.

But Vincent tilted his head and shamelessly denied it.

"I only brought one."

"No, phew...... Fine. Then why did you bring that one?"

"The room is so bleak. I gave it to make the place look prettier. Why, don't you like it?"

"I do... like it."

What did he mean, bleak? The room was clean and luxurious. What more did it need?

But this wasn't a situation where I could say I disliked it. I decided to let the headache-inducing issue go for now.

"All right, then. So, Big Brother, how much can you give me if I give you the toy?"

"Ah, about that. Why do you suddenly need money?"

"I have my reasons."

"Are you hiring a new attendant or something?"

......

I closed my mouth and remained silent.

However, perhaps Vincent caught something in my expressionless face, because he soon chuckled and nodded.

"Sure, fine. I've left a temporary account with Ms. Jihye, so once your ID card is issued, you can transfer it into your own account."

"Huh? Without even seeing the item?"

"Come on. After meeting you, April ended up with quite a nice item. That can't be a coincidence, right?"

......Had the rumor spread that quickly in just one day? How fast was information, anyway?

I had intended to tell him regardless. Rather than waste time, I asked Vincent for a private meeting, and he sent all the attendants out of the room.

I was sure I had heard that being alone with a man would be a problem, but even Han Jihye left without a word of complaint.

"Ms. Jihye accepted that so obediently..."

"Most of Douglas Kim's children have passed through her hands. Anyway, we'll discuss the details later. ......What on earth is going on?"

Vincent's voice suddenly changed. He fixed me with a sharp stare and leaned slightly forward.

He seemed to have sensed that something serious had happened.

I told him everything about what had happened with April.

"......You had a mind manipulation skill, too?"

After hearing the entire story and grasping the circumstances, Vincent pressed a hand to his forehead.

He wore an exasperated expression, as though he couldn't believe something new kept cropping up.

"No wonder that illustrious Baron of Athens sought you out first. You actually interfered with the mind of April, who was A-rank even if only barely..."

"Hehe."

"Don't laugh, you idiot. This is serious. Your way of thinking is clearly not at a child's level, so why are you so emotional about everything?"

"S-Sorry."

That's what I'd like to know, too.

"And just so you know, April acted that way because you rejected her request. She really wasn't planning to do anything to the ambassador."

Huh?

I looked up in surprise.

"Is that what it was?"

"Yeah. So think things through one more time before you act from now on. ...And why the hell didn't you tell me about the mind manipulation?"

"I forgot, I guess... I have so many skills."

"Nice job."

After that, Vincent unleashed a barrage of nagging that went on for quite some time. Since I had done nothing right, I quietly lowered my head and listened.

But the sermon showed no sign of ending anytime soon.

In the end, he only stopped talking after I promised not to do it again and promised to offer him another gift(?).

"Phew... I'm exhausted."

"Heh heh, that's why I'm telling you to act carefully."

"I know."

"But... hmm, ultimately, you did well."

"Huh?"

Vincent suddenly wore a sly smile.

When I asked why, puzzled, he said I would find out soon and urged me to hand over the gift.

Utterly exhausted mentally, I handed him an Intermediate Pygmy. He stroked the ring containing the Pygmy with satisfaction, then left.

I-it's lunchtime now...!

After leaving the meeting, I rotated my stiff arm.

I began checking the schedule to see whether I had any time to rest.

Then I noticed Anna-ri hesitating as she looked my way.

"Oh, right."

We had agreed to talk.

"......Um, Lady Raebi. If you're busy, may I cancel my vacation?"

Anna-ri lowered her head, her voice still thick with tears.

Seeing how cowed she looked reminded me that I had told her not to change what she had said.

So that's why she hadn't apologized or canceled her vacation...

"......"

I crossed my arms and thought for a moment.

Right... It was jealousy. Maybe this can be resolved easily.

In the outside world, D-rank was clearly higher than E-rank.

But she must have disliked that order being reversed simply because I belonged to a noble family.

If that was the reason for this trouble... re-educating her would be easier than I had expected.

"All right. Go ahead and cancel it."

"Pardon?"

"I said cancel it. The vacation is at your discretion, isn't it?"

Anna-ri's expression immediately began to brighten.

"Th-Thank you! I'll cancel it right away!"

Don't celebrate too soon. I'll work you just as hard as you worked Ms. Jihye and me. Forgiveness comes after that.

I gave her a faint smile.

"So I have some breathing room thanks to you. But these flowerpots..."

"Ah! Mr. Vincent sent the one on the left, and Ms. April sent the one on the right!"

April?

"Ah—why again?!"

"What do you mean, 'again'? Don't you like the gift I sent you?"

Eek... what was that?

I turned toward the chilling voice.

April, her hair tied into twin tails, was looking at me with a sulky expression. Han Jihye stood beside her with a troubled look.

"S-Sis, when did you..."

"I came because I have a proposal. I'd prefer to discuss it with just the two of us, if possible."

"......"

Visits between nobles normally required prior confirmation. And not through a text or phone call, but via a personally written letter.

The fact that she had come anyway meant either that we were very close, or...

Something urgent?

"Sis. I'm not stupid. For something like this, you should at least send a written notice first..."

"I'll give you 100 million won. It's hard to get personal spending money when you can't even enter dungeons, right?"

"Where shall we have our consultation, Sis?"