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Chapter 48: Cunning Cat

Principals Office, Ivecar Academy.

While examining the list of incoming donation-based admissions, the principal noticed a separate piece of paper that had been set aside.

Hmm? Why is this one separated, Admissions Director?

Once again, numerous individuals had requested donation-based admissions. Many people, including teachers and students, had applied, but among the many letters they received, there was a separate piece of paper.

This applicant has donated a considerable amount of money as an admission fee, unlike the other applicants. Its an astounding sum of ten million gold coins.

It was a significant amount for the paper to be set aside by the admissions director.

The average amount was around two to three million gold coins.

Oh, ten million gold coins? Thats not a small amount. Is it from a noble family?

He is the eldest son of Count Whiskers.

Whiskers? Ive never heard of them before.

They are a noble family located in the western region, and he is the elder brother of Nathan Whiskers, who is at the Freya Academy.

Oh, the elder brother of Nathan Whiskers! But if hes Nathan Whiskers brother, he must be quite old, right? He should be in his twenties or older.

He didnt apply as a student, Principal.

Upon hearing that, the principals expression, which had been filled with interest, returned to its original state.

So, he aims to obtain an honorary teaching position.

Well its a little different. He sent a separate letter, and if you look at this, youll understand it better.

The admissions director handed the piece of paper to the principal.

It contained information about Ethan Whiskers.

Hmm, hes only twenty-one. It says he couldnt even hold a sword until recently? He was known for his frailty and even had the nickname Frail Young Master.'

The evaluations of Ethan Whiskers were mostly negative.

At the age when he should be growing and becoming stronger, he was famous for his frailty, so there were more negative evaluations than positive ones.

The Whiskers Count was not a highly renowned noble family either.

Nathan Whiskers may be considered excellent at the Freya Academy, but he shines alone within the family. The family background doesnt properly support him.

Most of the glory of Whiskers County lay in the past.

Now, the glory and honor had faded, and compared to other nearby territories, they lacked competitiveness.

Although we have the honorary teaching position at Ivecar, we cant appoint someone who lacks basic skills as a teacher. It would be different if they had skills.

The honorary teaching system was a widely discussed institution.

But for Ivecar, it was advantageous in many ways.

It provided significant financial support and allowed them to establish connections with noble families who had been granted honorary teaching positions.

However, that didnt mean they could give the honorary teaching position to just anyone.

If the recipient of that position acted recklessly, it would become a stain on Ivecar.

Thats correct. However, he was once called a swordsmanship prodigy.

Well, thats probably just theory. And even that theory is flawed. Its meaningless without practical experience. Isnt that right, Admissions Director? Besides, hes not from a central location but from a provincial noble family. Well, thats the end of it.

Yes, youre right.

Well, anyway, he sent ten million gold coins, so theres no point in refusing him. Lets send him an invitation for now. We can decide whether to grant him the honorary teaching position later.

Principal, theres more content in the letter he sent.

When the admissions director cautiously spoke, the principal furrowed his brow slightly.

Theres more? Is he making a request? If its something like that

Its not an application for the honorary teaching position.

Huh? If its not an application for a student or an application for the honorary teaching position, then?

He wants to apply for a regular teaching position.

With ten million gold coins?

The principal looked surprised.

No matter how much he donated for the admission fee, applying for a regular teaching position was a different matter. Regular teachers were typically selected through examinations.

It was on a different level than being a teacher in name only, like an honorary teaching position.

Hes underestimating our Ivecar.

Ivecar was a place where talented youths from high-ranking nobles to lower nobles, both from central and provincial regions, gather.

Because of Ivecars reputation, the teachers who instruct these children must be the best talents.

Teaching them carelessly would be a grave mistake.

Dont think that just because theyre children, their skills are lacking. They not only have potential but also some of them have awakened their potential and turned it into skill. If mediocre teachers come in, they will only torment themselves when dealing with such students.

The admissions director agreed with his words.

However, he couldnt speak recklessly, so he quietly waited for the principals words.

To which department did he apply?

The Swordsmanship department.

Ah, the Swordsmanship department

The Swordsmanship department was highly competitive even within Ivecar.

Not only the teachers but also the students were incredibly talented individuals.

To be admitted, one had to be far more competitive than the teachers of Archery or Spearmanship combat.

Of course, they were treated with the utmost respect as well.

The pride of our Ivecar is the Swordsmanship department, and he wants to pay a ten million gold coin admission fee and take the teacher examination for the Swordsmanship department. Hes quite an audacious fellow, isnt he?

He says he wants the authorization to take the examination. Its written that he intends to use the ten million gold coins as the admission fee.

By now, it was starting to seem quite amusing.

According to the contents of the letter, he used the ten million gold coins just for the purpose of taking the examination.

Ten million gold coins were not a small amount that could be easily thrown around.

It was a considerable sum that even a provincial count would find difficult to produce.

With ten million gold coins, we can offer him the opportunity to take the examination. Send a reply. Tell him to attend the Swordsmanship teacher examination at the Ivecar Academy on the specified date. However, make it clear that we consider it an application for the position of a Swordsmanship teacher, not an honorary teaching position. If hes not at that level, we will never consider hiring him.

* * *

Ah, youve come in person. Welcome, Count Yurahan.

Count Whiskers, its a pleasure to meet you. Im Marta Yurahan.

The reception room of Count Yurahan.

Count Yurahan and Count Whiskers exchanged greetings.

First of all, congratulations on your great success. Once, Whiskers was considered a remote territory, but it has become an impressive place.

You flatter me. Count Yurahan has maintained his prestige from then until now, so it would be inappropriate to compare it to our territory.

In the past, his face would have turned red with humiliation and he wouldnt have been able to respond properly. However, the recent Count Whiskers was extremely relaxed.

Count Yurahan observed the change in Count Whiskers.

The current Count Whiskers was a completely different person from before.

Ethan Whiskers, did that frail young master make him like this?

The James Whiskers before him were a completely different person.

Youve come to meet our eldest, I presume?

Yes, our Yurahan merchant guild sensed potential in Young Master Ethans business and wanted to invest.

Count Yurahan smiled as he spoke.

Though he smiled, his words held a hidden blade. He made it clear that he came to invest in the novice Ethans promising business.

In response to those words, revealing the clear hierarchical relationship, Count Whiskers smiled back.

Hes indeed involved in a quite promising business. Thats why Ethan is a bit busy. Could you wait a little?

Count Yurahan felt a slight sense of displeasure. Until now, whenever he made someone wait, they waited. He hadnt made many people wait in the first place.

However, he wasnt foolish enough to let things go astray to that extent.

Sure, thats fine. I cleared my schedule for today.

Fortunately, it didnt take long before the door opened.

I am Ethan Whiskers. Its an honor to meet you, Count Yurahan.

I believe Ive seen you a long time ago, do you remember, Young Master Ethan?

Yes, I remember, Count.

Count Yurahan paused for a moment as he looked at Ethan. The impression of frailty remained as he had been informed.

A faint gaze, a slightly emaciated body, and an appearance that seemed delicate.

However, he felt a fundamentally different aura.

As Ethan naturally took a seat in front of Count Yurahan, Count Whiskers immediately stood up.

Im quite busy, so I will excuse myself. Ethan, make sure you show proper etiquette to the Count.

Yes, Count.

Ethan and Count Whiskers locked eyes.

Signals passed between them, leaving only Ethan, Count Yurahan, and their respective escorts.

Yerica, wearing a robe, quietly flipped her hood and stood behind Ethan.

Seated in his chair, Ethan fell silent.

Normally, Ethan should have spoken first, but he knew his position very well.

He was well aware that he was the one who came to make a request.

Now I understand.

Count Yurahan opened his mouth with a wide smile, revealing his teeth.

The leisure of Count Whiskers didnt come from business profits.

The leisure came from Ethan Whiskers himself, the first son of Count Whiskers, and everything he represented.

Young Master Ethan, I came to see you not for any other reason but because of your excellent business. Even after a brief look, its truly remarkable!

Thank you for the compliments. I feel a bit embarrassed to present it to a count who operates such a massive estate.

However, Count Yurahan had encountered countless individuals like Ethan. Moreover, Ethan was a novice.

A complete novice, to be precise. He had never been outside his territory before, and this was his first venture into business.

Beginners luck that led to a great treasure.

The beginners luck should be moderate.

If one obtained an overwhelming treasure from the very beginning, it turned into a disaster rather than a treasure.

If you further expand such a business, youll earn a fortune that cant even be compared to what you have now. Ive heard the stories. Its said that you can no longer wield a sword. Its a pity. However, your business acumen is impressive. It seems that talent of yours isnt going anywhere!

Ethan responded with a smile.

In response, Count Yurahan poured out words like a flowing river.

Subtle praises for Ethan.

Listening to them, it was as if the real Count Yurahan was acknowledging him, and it couldnt help but lift Ethans spirits.

Its just a small success. The scale isnt that large.

I know, I know. You lack money, right? But you possess exceptional business acumen. You surely want to grow this business, which is bound to succeed. Thats why I came to you, Young Master Ethan. The Yurahan family will support you with the funds.

Are you sure?

As Ethan showed interest, the Count continued with a smile.

No matter the amount. We, the Yurahan family, believe that your business will succeed unconditionally. Weve been waiting for someone like you. We will nurture your talent. Even if you fail, its okay. We wont ask you to repay the funds we provided. Instead, if you succeed, just share a portion of the profits with us.

It was an incredibly sweet offer.

There was no reason to refuse, as it was a very good proposal with no reason to decline.

Now you understand why I came to you personally, right? The Yurahan family wants to support you wholeheartedly. I see great potential in you. So

Count Yurahan once again locked eyes with Ethan.

However, at that moment, a shiver ran down the Counts spine.

A chill.

It was a gaze that seemed to penetrate through him.

A gaze that seemed to know why the Count had decided to support Ethan, why he was speaking vaguely.

I know. You see through everything.

The Count instinctively realized it.

That Ethan Whiskers already knew that the Count had come to devour his weight reduction workshop.

Perhaps he already had the power to protect the treasure?

But at the same time, the Count felt that he was overthinking too much.

Was he startled by that gaze and thinking too much?

As the Count began to feel flustered by his own thoughts, Ethan quietly spoke up.

Its a truly wonderful offer, Count. Really.

Count Yurahan could no longer read Ethans gaze.

The title of this chapter () have a meaning of "A colloquial expression used to describe someone who appears innocent or harmless but is actually cunning, clever, or crafty."

A little bit of announcement!

I forgot to tell you this in the previous chapter, I changed the name for Count Eurahan to = Yurahan.

Sorry for changing it and for making you all a little bit confused xD.

AND! One more thing it's just for those of you who already forgot who is this Count Yurahan. He's or his family basically known for being the richest Count.