# Chapter 41
—
Arthur held out the promised gold coins.
Jeannie, taking the pouch, began checking the count.
One… two hundred fifty.
Adding them to the 250 she had received as an advance, it came out to exactly 500 gold.
‘…Annoying as he is, he did keep his word.’
Muttering, Jeannie smiled.
It was a bright smile Arthur had never seen from her before, which made him tilt his head.
‘She really does love money, doesn’t she, Miss Jeannie.’
Many people like money.
Mercenaries especially tended to be that way.
But it was rare to see someone so genuinely happy about it.
Curious about the reason, Arthur asked,
“Miss Jeannie. Why do you like money so much?”
“…What?”
“I mean exactly that. Other people like money too, but you seem to especially love it. Why is that?”
Jeannie’s brow slightly furrowed.
“Then are there people who hate money?”
“Well… not exactly.”
Arthur’s faltering answer made Jeannie shake her head.
She had been about to reconsider her evaluation of Arthur after this incident, but apparently a lunatic remained a lunatic.
‘To toss out a question like that without a care… Well, I suppose this isn’t the worst he could’ve asked.’
Muttering to herself, Jeannie thought it over.
Normally she would have brushed it off, but maybe because the end was near, she suddenly felt that someone should know the conclusion of her life as a mercenary.
‘The problem is that “someone” is a lunatic…’
Then again, there was an upside.
Who would ever believe a lunatic’s words?
Having made up her mind, Jeannie spoke.
“I’m thinking of retiring after this job.”
“…!”
“That’s why I’m in such a good mood. Sure, I like money. But it’s not the money that makes me happy.”
Arthur, caught off guard, muttered,
“Ah… so you’re retiring, Miss Jeannie.”
“Yes.”
“Hm… that’s a shame.”
“…What is?”
Arthur answered with sincerity.
“Of all the mercenaries I’ve met, you’ve been the most professional. So the thought of you retiring… it feels like a loss.”
Jeannie fell silent.
She looked at Arthur with a gaze that suggested she hadn’t expected that.
“You’re not just trying to sound sincere while saying something empty, are you?”
“No. I mean it. You’ve been the most professional mercenary I’ve ever met.”
“Saying that won’t make me give the gold back.”
“You don’t need to.”
A small laugh escaped Jeannie.
Then she turned her gaze to the signboard of *Manners Make the Man*.
‘Well… I did work hard at this job.’
It had been to survive, but she had truly given it her all.
So the thought of retiring left her with a strange feeling.
But she quickly shook off the sentiment.
It had been too hard to leave any lingering attachment, and there were far more painful memories than fond ones.
Having reached that conclusion, Jeannie turned away.
“Send my regards to Sir Willet. And tell him I’m grateful for everything until now.”
With those words, Jeannie left.
Arthur watched her retreating back—just as Willet appeared again.
Arthur relayed Jeannie’s words as they were.
“She said she was grateful. And that she’s quitting mercenary work.”
“…I see. She had been struggling lately… looks like she finally made that decision.”
With a bitter expression, Willet lifted his head.
“She was a good mercenary. More professional than anyone. Which is why, in a way, it never quite suited her.”
Arthur smacked his lips.
If only Miss Jeannie could’ve heard those words.
At that moment, Willet made an unexpected suggestion.
“Make some time to visit the orphanage.”
“…The Athena Orphanage?”
“Yes. The children you saved this time, and even those from the Hazes incident last time, they’re all waiting for you.”
Arthur broke into a bright smile.
“I’d be glad to. Once things settle down, I’ll visit.”
Hearing the reply, Willet entered *Manners Make the Man*.
Watching him go, Arthur stretched.
“Hm… so the work is wrapped up, and now all that’s left is Arcane University.”
The corners of his lips rose.
“I wonder what the university will be like… Hopefully just as fun and profitable as the underworld.”
—
—
Time passed.
At last, the schedule for the first class was set. Arthur, packing the backpack and supplies Anna had prepared, left the mansion.
“Young Master, you didn’t forget anything, right?”
“Nope. You packed everything for me, Anna.”
“Ugh… Still, I can’t help being anxious. You absolutely can’t make a mistake on the first day. First impressions last a long time, you know. Especially at school.”
Arthur chuckled at Anna’s fuss.
‘She’s more nervous than I am. Is it really that tense for her?’
Still, he agreed with one thing.
First impressions did last.
From his experience, they carried a lot of weight in human relationships.
Which meant that on this first day, most students’ positions and images would likely be decided.
‘Don’t stand out. Just… blend in. Live a normal school life.’
Though he acted unfazed, Arthur felt nervous too.
He might now be close to normal, an ordinary person—but old habits from his past sometimes slipped out.
And yet, he was looking forward to it as well.
What kind of place would Arcane University be?
What was learning, truly?
Having never received any real formal education, Arthur’s curiosity about this was strong.
‘So the real challenge is not causing trouble… but I’m not sure I can control that.’
By then, the car had stopped at its destination.
When he stepped out, the four towers he had seen before came into view.
“They’re really massive… Why does a school look almost like the imperial palace?”
Clicking his tongue, Arthur walked on.
Unlike last time, he didn’t wander.
That was because the first class was to be held in the same location as his interview.
Relying on his abnormal memory, Arthur found the place and carefully opened the door.
Inside, students of his age who had arrived earlier all turned to look at him.
‘Oh…’
Arthur quietly marveled to himself and cautiously walked forward.
Students watching him began whispering among themselves.
‘Is that… Arthur Bayern?’
‘He looks… normal? Actually, kind of handsome?’
‘But I heard up until recently he was called the mute young master. Is that really Arthur Bayern?’
The rumors had said he was a cripple unable to tell right from wrong. Seeing him here was surprising.
But the moment Arthur put down his bag, the students turned noisy again.
Arthur Bayern being more normal than expected was surprising, but beyond that, there wasn’t much more to say.
“Hey, what club did you join?”
“Me? Obviously the swordsmanship club! The greatest sword, Lord Harnan, is there!”
“Oh… that sword genius from the southern kingdom?”
“Yeah. Seeing him in person was even more incredible. How can a royal have such skill?”
Listening in, Arthur muttered.
“Hm… the groups have already formed.”
It seemed the various programs of the past week had caused this.
Every student present already had their own circle.
Naturally, breaking into them wouldn’t be easy.
So Arthur didn’t try.
‘Better to stay quiet than risk messing up trying to make friends.’
If no one came to him, at least there was no chance of mistakes.
Nodding, Arthur let time pass meaninglessly—until the classroom door opened again.
Thud.
Just as when he had entered, the chatter stopped and gazes turned.
A soft murmur spread.
Mostly from the male students—and the reason was obvious.
The girl who walked in was strikingly beautiful.
“Whoa…”
“Isn’t that… the eldest daughter of the Hazel Corporation?”
“Yeah! One of Arcane’s top business families! That’s Yenika Hazel!”
“I’d heard she was pretty, but… damn…”
Black hair, skin so pale it looked almost translucent.
Her lowered eyes gave off a mysterious aura.
Considering she was only fifteen, it was impossible to imagine how much more beautiful she would become.
Enough to set ablaze the hearts of boys just awakening to romance.
While the boys were unable to take their eyes off her, Yenika Hazel, under the weight of all their gazes, approached Arthur.
“Is this seat taken?”
“…?”
“I was thinking of sitting here. Is it free?”
Arthur blinked before answering a beat late.
“Uh… yes. It’s free.”
As he moved his bag aside, Yenika sat next to him.
Arthur glanced at her sideways, puzzled.
‘There are plenty of open seats… Why sit next to me?’
Maybe she didn’t have friends either?
He turned his gaze back—only to notice around forty students staring at him and Yenika, blinking.
The reason was obvious.
It was a strange pairing.
Yenika Hazel, daughter of Arcane’s greatest magnate.
Arthur Bayern, heir of the empire’s most prestigious noble house.
A fitting yet unfitting combination.
As curious glances filled the room, the door opened once again.
This time, another girl walked in—her beauty no less than Yenika’s.
“Elin Leverkusen!”
“Wait, isn’t she the granddaughter of Holan Leverkusen, the imperial Sword Master?”
“Wow… I’d heard she was pretty, but she’s even more gorgeous in person.”
Whispers spread as the boys’ eyes clung to her as they had to Yenika.
Elin entered, glancing around until her eyes lit up. Spotting Arthur in the corner, she beamed.
“Young Master!”
Arthur, lost in thought, looked up—then muttered in surprise,
“Oh, Lady Elin?”
Elin, about to sit naturally beside him, paused.
“…Lady Elin?”
“Uh… yes? Lady Elin.”
“…That title feels a bit…”
Arthur, cautious, asked,
“…Did I say something wrong? Should I not call you ‘Lady’?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then?”
“When you say ‘Lady’ like that… it gives me goosebumps.”
Arthur fell silent.
Elin scratched her head and asked,
“Anyway, may I sit here?”
“…Ah! Of course. Please, sit, Elin.”
At his permission, she set her things beside him.
Students watching them blinked.
‘…What the?’
‘What kind of lineup is this?’
‘Elin Leverkusen, Yenika Hazel, and Arthur Bayern… all sitting together?’
Confusion, surprise, curiosity.
Those emotions swept through the class—when the door opened yet again.
This time, a man strode in and stood at the front.
Norse Heizen.
The most famous swordsmanship professor at Arcane University.
At his appearance, the murmurs died, and students who had been lounging casually hurried to their seats.
Taking the podium, Professor Norse’s lips curved upward.
The upright, eager gazes fixed on him were beyond what he had hoped.
‘It was worth being selective. This cohort is exceptional.’
Noble heirs were often thought of as arrogant troublemakers.
And that prejudice wasn’t entirely wrong.
But not all nobles were like that.
Arcane University only admitted the true heirs of noble houses—not the wastrels.
As proof, every student here, though different in their own ways, radiated enthusiasm.
Some even smiled, clearly trying to impress.
Norse, pleased at the sight of such promising disciples, was grinning—when Arthur blinked at the slip of paper in front of him.
\[Do you have time after class? There’s something I’d like to say.]
Arthur lifted his head and glanced sideways.
Yenika Hazel, eyes fixed on Professor Norse, sat next to him.
Looking back down, he reread the note.
‘She wants to talk?’
What could someone he’d just met possibly have to say?
As he pondered, Arthur stiffened.
‘Wait… could this be…’
He swallowed hard.
‘A love letter…?’
—
