The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound

Chapter 226: Tuition Fees (2)

The season for paying tuition fees at the Colosseo Academy has arrived.

“Hey. Have you paid the tuition?”

“Tuition? Did our school even have that?”

“I think the housekeeper came and paid it for me yesterday.”

“I remember paying for four years at once when I enrolled.”

“How can you focus on studying when you worry about such trivial things?”

In most cases, this season comes and goes without many students even realizing it…

“What should I do? My father couldn’t get the tuition for this semester.”

“…Should I take a leave of absence?”

“Sigh, but it’s not easy to find a part-time job for this.”

“Do we have to worry about this for the entire four years of our studies?”

For some students, worries filled their faces.

The tuition fees at the Colosseo Academy were substantial, even for nobles, if their families are not well-off.

Even at the Colosseo Academy, known for being as challenging as plucking stars from the sky to enroll, there are inevitably some students who take a leave or drop out around this season every year.

So, Vikir is currently contemplating.

‘Come to think of it, it wasn’t a full scholarship for me.’

Perhaps due to his poor attitude scores, Vikir didn’t receive a full scholarship.

However, since about 80% of the scholarships were based on academic excellence, the amount wasn’t too burdensome.

This was unexpectedly possible because of the letter of recommendation from Professor Banshee, which Vikir neither requested nor expected.

“…Well, I don’t know anything.”

When Vikir went to thank Professor Banshee, the professor didn’t even lift his eyes from the book and merely grunted, paying no attention to Vikir.

Anyway,

“Even so, I have to find a way to pay the tuition without relying on the help of Baskerville or CindiWendy.”

Vikir’s steadfast refusal to use external funds is simple: he wants to avoid demon tracking. To avoid being traced back, especially when dealing with funds, financial transactions must be carefully hidden, often through anonymous accounts or cash hiding.

Vikir has seen too many hounds lose their lives due to being tracked during the process of acquiring funds.

“Unless absolutely necessary, minimize contact, especially with the most accessible source of funds. They must be kept hidden thoroughly.”

The best way to hide something is to act as if it doesn’t exist in the first place.

That’s why Vikir hasn’t contacted Baskerville or Cindiwendy for financial matters, preparing for the moment when a substantial amount is truly needed.

‘Thanks to Professor Banshee’s scholarship recommendation, I just have to make up the rest.’

Vikir muttered while fiddling with the tuition invoice.

The most effective way to acquire tuition funds is to directly earn them on the spot.

‘I need to find a high-paying short-term job.’

Vikir moved his steps to the central lobby of Lecture Hall A.

On the walls of the first-floor plaza, numerous flyers were posted, and among them were ads for job opportunities.

Already, high school students in need of part-time jobs were gathered in front of the bulletin board.

Then, Vikir spotted a familiar face.

Sinclaire.

She was gazing at the job s on the bulletin board with a contemplative expression.

“Hmm. It’s about a month until the tuition payment deadline… Should I increase my part-time jobs? I’m currently doing private Tutoring, working at a cafe, and library part-time… Should I take on another Tutoring session when I have some time on the weekends? No, but I can’t reduce my volunteer hours either.”

Sinclaire, the top student of the hot department, was dividing her study time while also juggling multiple part-time jobs.

…And not just a few!

Even observing her engaging in volunteer activities regularly, other students considered her a monster, sticking out their tongues in awe.

However, Vikir, although not overtly revealing it, was undertaking a more forceful campaign.

Every night, he was out assassinating those who would become enemies of the Human Alliance in the future.

However, assassination involves spending money, and it doesn’t bring in any income.

Moreover, Vikir, after collecting all the illicit possessions of his assassination targets, secretly deposited them in facilities like orphanages.

Since the time he met and parted ways with the puppeteer Dantalian during the Indulgentia incident, he had been engaging in such actions.

As a result, Vikir currently had almost no wealth. At best, he could afford the materials for the next week’s class.

So, regardless of the situation, he had to find a part-time job.

“…”

To avoid disturbing Sinclaire, Vikir stood a little way off. Then, he carefully went through the multitude of colorful flyers covering the bulletin board, ignoring most of the s.

‘Seems like they’re all distasteful.’

Ignoring most of the ads, Vikir continued scanning the bulletin board until he found a short-term job that suited him perfectly.

[Monster Hunting Part-time Job] – Hunt low-level monsters and easily earn money! With the members of a Hunting Guild, become a hunter too!

It was a part-time job involving defeating ecosystem-disrupting monsters with bounties on their heads and selling their byproducts.

Jobs of this kind were usually handled through hunting or mercenary guilds. One could visit the guild, submit or receive requests, and even request personnel dispatch if needed.

The difficulty level of the quests one could undertake was selectable, and depending on the guild’s nature, strength, and prestige, they could hire mercenaries ranging from warriors and mages to support roles like hunters, alchemists, cooks, blacksmiths, and even guides or porters.

One could also become a client or a performer of requests, employ mercenaries separately, or become a mercenary themselves. In essence, a guild served as a giant hub.

Of course, it was a bit peculiar that the compensation was clearly defined as ‘money.’ While the students of the Colosseo Academy were generally skilled, and various guilds welcomed them, there was no need for them to work with these guilds unless they had urgent financial needs, like Vikir at the moment.

* * *

After completing all his tasks, Vikir returned to the dormitory and found Tudor and Sancho in his room, enjoying themselves. The two were receiving private tutoring in weak subjects from Figgy.

“So, here, we’re revisiting the administrative definition of settlement. Now, the definite coefficients of income and expenditure performance for a fiscal year… The imperial family must submit the Imperial Settlement Report, verified by the Audit Office, to the Council of Elders… Each of the Seven Great Clan’s leaders compiles the settlement report of their funds for each fiscal year and integrates it into the Central Office Settlement Report…”

“Hmm, no matter how much I look at it, I just can’t adapt to administrative studies.”

“I find information science more challenging. It seems like I’m not cut out for office work.”

Tudor and Sancho were admiring Figgy’s abilities in administration, office work, and information analysis and compilation. Moreover, Figgy was good at teaching, explaining even the professor’s difficult words in an understandable manner.

So, Tudor, Sancho, and Figgy were focusing on studying together, and helping each other during practical and written exams. It was a win-win study situation.

In the midst of this, Vikir entered.

“Sorry to interrupt your study, friends. I just need to grab my coat and head out for a moment.”

Upon hearing this, Tudor, Sancho, and Figgy turned their heads with welcoming expressions.

“Oh! Vikir, perfect timing! You’re a genius, ain’t you? Help us out! I need to defeat that annoying Bianca this time!”

“Save me, Vikir! I need to avoid failing the next week’s written exam! I want to break the stereotype that big guys are only good for their size!”

“I have many debate topics I want to discuss with you, Vikir! Last week’s written exam had a controversy over the multiple correct answers in the last objective question…”

But Vikir firmly shook his head. The urgency of the next week’s written exam was less pressing than paying the tuition fee.

“I need to earn some money.”

Vikir briefly explained the situation, and his friends looked surprised.

Tudor, scratching his chin, said, “I thought you were a hidden aristocrat or from a ridiculously wealthy family since you’re good at both studying and practical skills. If the tuition fee is that urgent, I’ll just lend you the money, friend! Friends help each other! My family is well-off!”

Of course, Vikir declined. It was a matter related to his funding. He couldn’t risk causing trouble for Tudor just because a demon might trace the money back to him.

When Vikir declined, Tudor looked disappointed. “Huh? Why? If it’s burdensome, you can pay me back slowly! What if my family asks you to work for us after graduation? You don’t have to worry about that kind of thing. I’m not that kind of formal person! Well, my younger sister is making a fuss about bringing you home during the vacation and introducing her to you. It’s not just because of that!”

To that, Sancho and Figgy explained Vikir’s situation on his behalf.

“No matter how close friends are, it’s not good for money to directly exchange hands. It’s a matter of pride.”

“Yeah, Tudor. Vikir truly appreciate your feelings.”

Even the usually reserved Vikir nodded appreciatively towards Tudor, and then Tudor’s expression brightened again.

“So, how are you planning to get the money? Let’s brainstorm together! Is that okay?”

“Well, I already have a method in mind.”

Upon Vikir’s response, Tudor followed by Sancho and Figgy, perked up their ears.

Such grateful friends. Vikir asked them briefly, “Do you know a good place for short-term hunting work?”