CH 69

The sacred tower topped Vikram’s list of interests, even overtaking magic and mage towers.

Linaa and Wiz seemed to feel some kind of pride in this unexpected fact.

“Maybe you are a scholar, so you must know the value of the Sacred Tower. The conversation will be easy.”

“Master. In a way, it is natural. Because divine power is superior to magical power.”

“Because there are far fewer people with divine power than wizards.”

“Well, of course. Master, you may take pride in your own academic scarcity.”

Frey wondered if the people who had been saying just two minutes ago that it was impossible to talk to an asshole like Vikram were right.

But She felt relieved, too.

‘If what you are most interested in is divine power, wouldn’t you want to work with me?’

But Frey was still a little worried.

The magician named Vikram in the original work was surprisingly ignorant and conscientious. As if he had given up important social skills to study only magic. She was worried about what would happen if he asked for ridiculous terms of employment.

“You seem to be interested in divine power, so the conversation should go well.”

When Frey said that, Vikram, who was hastily cleaning the messy room, agreed.

“I am a scholar. Researching what I want and putting the theory together is my first priority.”

Does that mean it’s him not yet crazy about money?

Anyway, it was a good sign that Vikram and Frey had two common interests.

As he guided Frey, Frey sat down and started talking.

“Vikram. I also noticed the infinite possibilities of divine power early on and researched it. We are looking for someone to do this with.”

“Oh…”

First, start with interest.

“I thought that if you were a person with outstanding talent in magical research, you would be useful in researching divine power, so I searched and searched for you—”

and a little splash.

“To be honest, I couldn’t believe it at first. Isn’t it? Why would the Mage Tower allow a talented person like you to go out?”

Finally, ask a few questions.

‘All of this was mainly used by merchants who tried to sell me absurdly expensive items.’

A sensitive early teen.

Frey was always pointed at, but she was easily passed over by merchants who said they acknowledged her existence and value.

‘When I asked a little question at the end, he would recite information he hadn’t even asked.’

Fortunately, my mother was alive and well at the time, so she prevented my impulse purchase.

‘I’m glad I didn’t buy all those useless things.’

Anyway, the way merchants used to talk to her, thirsty for recognition, worked for Vikram as well.

“Speaking of the Mage Tower, I have a lot to say.”

“I’ll listen, so please speak slowly.”

“For the people of the world, the Mage Tower is a pure research group that explores magic and the truth contained in magic.”

That’s right.

I also think so, knowing the true nature of Gelon.

“As you know, almost all wizards belong to the Mage Tower. The Mage Tower has set rules and prohibits wizards from making money using magic in private.”

“Yes. That way, the expensive scrolls issued by the Mage Tower will be sold.”

“Most wizards who are obsessed with learning are upright and frugal. But those crazy elders…”

Vikram had a lot of resentment, and veins appeared on Vikram’s forehead.

“In the front, he only wears rags, but behind the scenes, he spends money earned by his fellow wizards and engages in ridiculous luxuries.”

“Luxury?”

“yes. Wizards who have never entered the Council of Elders will never know how the Mage Tower steals money.”

Frey thought the Mage Tower was doing something wrong. But it was also the first time she had been told in detail what was going on inside.

“The magical power needed to make a scroll is usually provided by the wizards of the Mage Tower. You have to provide your allotted horsepower every month to qualify for the lab.”

“It’s like getting lab fees with magical powers, right?”

“Yes. The problem is that providing magical power takes a huge toll on physical strength and mental strength.”

I could understand this part without having to listen to specific explanations. If I also use divine power, my body gets tired and my mind gets dizzy.

“I’m concerned about the health of the wizards who have been continuously providing magical energy.

“As they say, wizards are mostly weak because they grind their bodies and minds for research.”

“Ah… ”

‘Did Vikram leave the Mage Tower because he was fed up with the Mage Master and Elders exploiting his fellow mages?’

Frey thought he might have a surprisingly good side, but he said with a blood clot around his neck.

“But the elders of the Mage Tower sold the scrolls made by the wizards and made a fortune while cutting my research funds!”

Contempt flashed in Vikram’s eyes through his shaggy bangs.

So, the reason he left the Magic Tower was…

“I am exploiting other incompetent bastards. Even so, why are they tampering with my research funds?”

“hmm.”

Apparently, Vikram was angry because the elders of the Mage Tower were extravagant with his ‘research funds’.

It was clear that the idiot’s research funds were more important than other wizards being exploited.

“I only found out after I became an elder. That the Lord of the Magic Tower owns as many as 15 horses.”

“Wow, that’s too much.”

“They took good care of them, saying that they were well-bred horses. Even if I sold just one horse, it would pay half of my research expenses.”

“Do wizards know about this?”

“I don’t know. What the Lord of the Tower and the elders say every day is, ‘A scholar should not be greedy for money.’”

While teaching them that there should be no desire for materiality, they are luxury with the blood, sweat, and tears of their disciples.

As an analogy, a university professor who has prospered in his business by using his graduate students as employees pretend he has no money and gives only passion payments.

But in fact, the professor had 15 horses with a huge amount of money.

‘I will be angry.’

My blood pressure went up as well, probably because I lived my previous life like that.

At the same time, why is Vikram so eager to take down the mage tower? It is fully understood now.

“Ordinary wizards will riot when they find out the truth.”

“Don’t talk. As soon as the Lord of the Tower and the elders said that I was acting extravagantly, they condemned me as an idiot and exiled-”

“Exiled?”

Vikram changed his words with a whimper.

“Haha, I said wrong. I came out on my own. Who can banish a talented person like me?”

“…”

“Is it real? You have skills like me, so even if you come out of the Mage Tower, you won’t be killed and eat well and live well.”

Although the condition of the basement is not good enough to eat well and live well.

She didn’t bother to say it because of Vikram’s pride. Instead, she hinted that she could solve his livelihood problems.

“Vikram. As you may have heard, Holt’s jewelry sales business has been doing quite well lately.”

“It seems like Your Highness had a lot of fun, to say it’s in pretty good condition.”

“So I’m going to try to expand my business with that money. We need a magic power management expert who knows the inside of the mage tower.”

“It’s a scout suggestion. It’s good.”

“If you promise to swear allegiance only to me, I will pay that ransom.”

When the topic of money came up, Vikram changed his attitude as if he had been arrogant.

“Then you have come at a good time, your Highness the Grand Duchess. I ran out of oatmeal two days ago, which I used to eat at three o’clock instead of rice.”

“….”

“200 gold coins as a monthly reward. Separate performance bonus. 3 years salary advance payment. On this condition, I will also sell my loyalty to Your Highness, Grand Duchess.”

200 gold coins.

As soon as Vikram called the amount for his own ransom, Lina and Wiz gasped.

Frey’s get headaches.

‘In my previous life, In Korean money,  200 gold is like as 200 million won per month plus a performance bonus?!’

Of course, Vikram, the youngest member of the Mage Tower, Frey would pay that much.

In terms of her previous life, it was not an outrageous amount since she was recruiting an executive from a large company. The problem is that the amount is about ten times higher than the ransom price Vikram Frey expected.

‘But I can’t strike Vikram’s ability and make a cheap contract.’

If Frey readily accepts the high annual salary he offers, Holt’s upper management will run out of cash. New investments are also going through the water.

Frey smiled and hid her trembling hands under the table.

“Thank you for suggesting me first. I will get back to you after a final meeting with my people.”

“I look forward to your positive reply.”

“Ahaha…yes.”

‘Let me see, How many gold coins will I get if I sell that dress I cherish the most…’

I smiled and got up from my seat.

First of all, I thought I should go to a dessert shop to recharge some sugar and think about it.

* * *

After Frey’s left. 

Vikram thought as he ate dried oatmeal crumbs with his fingertips.

‘I Should have found out how other people calculate their annual salary.’

No, If I have time to find out about such useless things, I should do more research.

Having come to his own conclusion, he headed back toward the desk.

At that time, a moving magic circle with a unique wave appeared. The noble and heavy voice He heard for the first time followed.

“Wizard Vikram.”

“…!”

Vikram widened his eyes as he saw Daniel Prause, the third research subject, who appeared in an instant.

“Your Highness Grand Duke Prause…?”

The Grand Duke was looking at Vikram as if he were intrusive. The vertically elongated pupils exuded life.

‘Oh. Is this a threat from a noble dragon…’

Of course, even that felt like a point of study to Vikram.

“I ask for forgiveness for rudeness. I heard a report that you tried to sell your allegiance to my wife.”

Daniel looked at the wizard, who nodded with a lethargic face.

Even if Daniel tried to deny it, this man was that man who smiled and talked to Frey in a wedding dress.

Perhaps her remarriage partner.

‘If I let it, special feelings will soon sprout between them.’

For some reason, he said, holding back his emotions.

“Vikram. I will buy you If there are any conditions you want, I will listen to them all.”

“Yes?”

“Instead, be loyal to me, not my wife. If you covet mine or covet what belonged to me, you will have to pay it back with your life.”

Daniel’s face hardened as he recalled the future Frey, who had been shyly smiling while talking to Vikram.