# Chapter 34
—
The girl replied.
“Quite a violent answer for someone who’s come to ask a favor.”
“When you get older, bowing your head doesn’t come easily. Sometimes, threatening is simply more convenient.”
“I’m sorry, but I also have my own position to consider, Elder.”
“Yes, yes. Leading a group is always a troublesome task. That’s why I’ve brought a compromise.”
The white-bearded man produced a card.
The girl narrowed her gaze and asked,
“What’s this?”
“Five thousand gold. Converted into dollars, about twenty thousand.”
“…Do you intend to settle this matter with money?”
“If you don’t like it, then name something else. I’ve no particular desire to fight, you see. So long as you guarantee you won’t lay hands on my possession, I’ll gladly withdraw.”
At White Beard’s explanation, interest flickered in the girl’s eyes.
‘Just what sort of mercenary could make White Beard step forward personally?’
To some, he was a legend.
To others, a devil.
Yet no one knew his name or his true identity.
For nearly five hundred years, the old man before her had hidden behind the moniker of White Beard, and he possessed enough power to topple an entire kingdom with ease.
‘After all, Sky Island is an organization where only people of that caliber are admitted…’
Which is why she was puzzled.
Why would a man of such stature personally intervene over a single mercenary?
Judging from the reports of the Tacen and the Necromancer, the fellow did seem unusual—but not to the point of moving *him*.
The girl mulled it over for a moment before shaking her head.
‘Whatever the case, since he’s come this far, I should save him some face…’
This was not the time to clash with White Beard.
Much less with Sky Island itself.
And so, it was time to take a step back.
Having collected her thoughts, the girl accepted the card he offered.
“Since Elder has shown this much sincerity, refusing would be discourteous. I will not seek retribution for this matter.”
White Beard stroked his beard and muttered,
“My thanks. One day, I’ll repay this debt.”
“Think nothing of it.”
The girl bowed and gestured.
The mummified remains of Tartan floated up.
Then, without a sound, the girl left the room, and White Beard, now alone, collapsed into his chair.
“Good grief… To think I had to make such a request of that greenhorn.”
Grumbling, he lifted his gaze to the night sky.
The full moon, trapped among the stars, gleamed mischievously.
Staring at it with his hollow eyes, White Beard smiled faintly.
“So grow well, angel of Bayern. Only then will my efforts have been worth it.”
—
—
After leaving Willet’s office, Arthur shut himself indoors for a while.
The reason was the consumption of the Essence pills he’d received as payment.
If it had been just one mid-grade pill, it wouldn’t have required so much effort.
But there were three.
The mana contained within them far exceeded the amount in the ring he had currently formed, and so he had to pour out his mental energy to absorb them.
Thus began days of constant training and meditation.
On the day before he was to enter Arcane University, Arthur finally succeeded in weaving all the mana of the pills into his ring.
*Woooong—!*
A low vibration resonated from within his heart.
If before there had been only one, this time two rings resounded together in harmony.
‘Second Circle. At last, my rings are resonating.’
Arthur’s lips curved upward.
He had suspected it, but by consuming the elixirs, he had at last reached the Second Circle.
And this held great significance.
The First Circle was something anyone could achieve through effort.
But from the Second Circle onward, it entered the realm of talent.
Innate constitution.
And effort.
Only when both were present could the next ring be woven.
‘That’s why it normally takes so long… Usually about two years after forming the First Circle. But how much time did I just save?’
At least half.
Perhaps even a quarter of that time.
‘And I’ve already collected all five bloodlines… Two rings, too. Definitely faster growth than in my past life.’
At this rate, the time needed to reclaim the heights of his previous life would also be greatly shortened.
‘Now that I’ve returned to normal, even my luck seems better. When I was a lunatic, my luck was rotten beyond belief.’
Having settled his thoughts, Arthur went out with Anna into Arcane’s marketplace.
It was to buy the supplies he’d need before entering Arcane University.
“Young Master, how about this one?”
“Hmm… Doesn’t it stand out too much?”
“But all the Arcane students carry backpacks like this! I saw them myself—the design is nice, and it looks light to carry. I really think you should pick this one!”
Arthur inspected the bag Anna handed him.
Its coarse material didn’t look like it would wear out easily.
As long as it didn’t rip apart suddenly, it would do. He nodded.
“Fine, let’s go with this.”
“Yes! Then we’ll need stationery too… and clothes! Even if you’ll be wearing a uniform, we should buy hoodies and other things to wear underneath—there’s lots to get!”
Only after buying all the necessities could they finally return home.
Anna, who had been far more enthusiastic than the one actually entering the school, collapsed the moment they arrived back.
Watching her, Arthur turned his gaze to the calendar.
‘Finally, tomorrow’s the day… Arcane University. What kind of place will it be?’
He hoped it would be more fun than he expected.
—
—
And so, as the sun rose again the next day—
Arthur left his estate and stood before the gates of Arcane University.
Unconsciously, he let out a quiet exclamation.
“Oh… So this is a university.”
Arcane University.
Called the greatest educational institution on the continent, it was also the largest organization within Arcane itself.
—
Four soaring spires.
Countless buildings surrounding them.
Its sheer scale was beyond Arthur’s imagination—befitting its reputation as the continent’s foremost school.
‘This might as well be second only to the Imperial Palace itself.’
With that thought, Arthur walked on alone.
Unlike when he usually went out, Anna wasn’t with him this time.
The reason: only students and professors—or specially invited guests—were allowed entry into Arcane.
He had heard that under its strict rules, what had been achieved was nothing short of a miracle.
In fact, for a noble—especially the scion of a great house—to move about without attendants was almost unthinkable.
All the more so considering that even royalty and imperial bloodlines studied at Arcane.
‘So that’s why they say Arcane University is the best of the best.’
An institution where even members of the royal family obeyed the school’s rules.
That alone spoke volumes about Arcane’s prestige.
As Arthur marveled at the campus scenery, a sudden realization made him stop in his tracks.
“Wait… Where am I supposed to go?”
Looking around, there were signs everywhere, but none that helped him figure out his destination.
‘Should I just stop someone and ask?’
He lifted his head, pondering, when a strange voice reached his ears.
“Young Master, it’s been a while.”
Arthur turned.
A red-haired girl was staring straight at him.
“…Who are you?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I don’t think we’ve met before. Who are you?”
The girl’s ears flushed red.
“Elin Leverkusen… You don’t remember?”
“Elin Leverkusen…? Ah.”
Arthur let out a small sound of realization and smiled brightly.
“You’re Grand Duke Holan’s granddaughter. The one who got knocked out after I hit her.”
“…?”
“But Elin, did you enroll here too? Then could you maybe show me the way to—”
Arthur’s words were cut short.
At that moment, Elin walked right past him, heading elsewhere.
“…?”
Scratching his head, Arthur frowned.
Why’d she just walk past me?
Is she angry?
‘But no… She was smiling just a moment ago, wasn’t she?’
After a brief moment of thought, he shrugged.
Whatever the reason, one thing was certain.
If he followed Elin, she would surely lead him where he needed to go.
And so, Arthur began trailing after her.
—
—
Following Elin, Arthur arrived at the main building and realized this was indeed the place he was looking for.
“So this is Arcane University?”
“Bigger than I thought.”
“But isn’t there no entrance ceremony?”
“Why?”
“No idea. They say it’s tradition here. Getting in is hard, but leaving is easy. So there’s no need for a welcome. Always boasting they’re the best, acting like they’re the Imperial Palace itself…”
Students of his own age were scattered about, each waiting their turn.
After registering with the guide, Arthur blended in among them.
After about ten minutes, a staff member approached him.
“Arthur Bayern-nim?”
“Yes.”
“Your interview is ready. Please follow me.”
Arthur rose and followed her.
As they walked, she kindly explained,
“When you enter the interview room, Professor Natalie will be there. She’ll explain the rest.”
With that, she stepped aside.
Arthur bowed politely and entered.
Inside, a middle-aged woman with strikingly white hair greeted him with a warm smile.
“Welcome, Student Arthur Bayern.”
“Hello, Professor Natalie.”
“Oh my, how did you know my name?”
“The guide outside told me you’d be Professor Natalie.”
Nodding, Natalie gestured for him to sit.
Once he had, she spoke again.
“Though we call it an interview, it’s nothing grand. All I want to hear is what you hope to gain from this school, and what you’d like to do here. That’s the purpose of this session.”
At her explanation, Arthur calmly shared the answer he had prepared.
Listening attentively, Natalie smiled.
“A fine answer. You explained yourself clearly, and I can see your academic passion.”
Relieved by her smile, Arthur smiled as well.
“Thank you, Professor.”
“There’s a simple general knowledge test afterward. Once you complete that, you may go for today.”
She rose, and Arthur followed suit.
After a brief handshake, she directed him to another room.
‘I thought the interview would be the toughest part, but that was easy. All that’s left is the knowledge test?’
That would be simple.
Even back when he was a lunatic, he’d still had basic common sense.
Taking a seat, he was handed a paper by the proctor.
“If anything is misprinted, let me know. I’ll get you a fresh copy.”
Without replying, Arthur took out his pen.
The proctor moved away, and Arthur looked down at the first question.
\<General Knowledge Test – Question 1>
\[Amidst the thick of defeat, you capture a prisoner of war. How should you treat this prisoner?]
1. Kill them.
2. Spare them.
3. Treaty…
Blinking at the paper, Arthur muttered in surprise.
“Uh… Is there even a correct answer to this?”
—
