Chapter 12: Because I Can Make Money

Chapter 12: Because I Can Make Money

"Professor Viktor, I... I can't do it."

Henie shook her head hurriedly, lowering her gaze, not daring to look at Viktor.

"Listen to me, Henie."

"These past few days, I've had you audit the classes for a reason - to learn how to teach a good lesson."

Viktor placed his hand on Henie's shoulder, clearly feeling her petite frame shiver slightly.

Henie looked up, her eyes filled with indescribable worry.

"Professor, I'm afraid I won't do well... it might affect your reputation."

"Reputation?"

Did he have a reputation?

While this might sound self-deprecating, he truly didn't care much about reputation.

Viktor gently patted Henie's back, calming her trembling body slightly.

The reassurance had its effect, and he spoke again.

"Go on."

He knew that no matter how much he said to Henie, this naturally timid little lamb wouldn't agree.

So Viktor chose to use a commanding tone rather than a negotiating one.

Henie knew she couldn't refuse the professor.

The professor would be... displeased...

Henie took a deep breath, steeling herself as she pushed open the classroom door.

The previously noisy room quickly quieted down, but when the students saw Henie walk up to the podium, they couldn't help but feel confused.

Where was the professor?

Why was his teaching assistant standing at the podium?

Feeling the students' gazes wandering over her, Henie felt immense pressure.

"Um..."

"The professor has something to attend to today, so... I'll be teaching in his place..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, the last two words barely audible even to herself, like the buzzing of a mosquito.

As her words fell, it was as if a bomb had been dropped into calm waters.

Following the explosion in the water, the fish began to chatter.

"No way..."

"She's just a teaching assistant, how can she substitute for the professor?"

"Forget about whether the professor allowed it, does she even have the professor's ability?"

"We want Professor Viktor to teach! If our grades drop, can you take responsibility?"

Henie was berated by many students, one sentence after another, until she could barely lift her head. She lowered her gaze, like a punching bag.

Her eyes darted around frantically, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Wuwu... Professor Viktor, I can't do it, I really can't...

Professor, please come back quickly...

"I'm... I'm sor-"

"Silence!"

The sudden voice startled Henie, and she quietly lifted her head.

At some point, Erica, sitting in the front, had stood up.

Magical ripples surrounded her, with an intricate and complex magic array floating before her.

Henie had seen that array before.

It was a silencing spell.

Except for the user, no creature within the controlled range could make a sound with their mouth.

"Assistant Henie, please continue."

Wuwu, Erica, thank you!

She was immensely grateful for Erica's help, while also feeling a bit guilty.

On the day the professor first arrived, she had spoken ill of Erica.

Who would have thought that this time, she would be the one to come to her rescue.

Next time during the exam, I'll definitely tell you the exam scope in advance!

Henie had already thought of how to repay Erica.

"Not bad."

Viktor was leaning against the door outside, fully aware of every move inside the classroom.

Erica's assistance surprised Viktor and left him quite satisfied, while Henie's fear was understandable.

He had originally thought to use the pressure from the students to help Henie grow quickly, but now it seemed the effect might be counterproductive.

But having Henie teach was also a necessary measure.

He was to leave the city with Gwen tomorrow, for up to half a month, or at least a week.

No matter what, if he wanted to keep his position as a professor, he couldn't abandon these students' courses.

So Viktor thought of Henie.

His course was originally written by Henie, so there was absolutely no problem with her ability.

The only concern was her timidity.

He needed Henie to overcome this on her own, to understand that she was capable of teaching these students well.

With Erica's help, the classroom environment quieted down.

Henie took a deep breath to adjust her emotions, and finally mustered the courage to start teaching.

She lectured on the content written in the speech draft, material she had long since memorized by heart.

Soon, Henie found her rhythm, becoming increasingly at ease as she taught.

Viktor, who had been secretly observing the whole time, nodded. When it came to teaching, Henie undoubtedly had talent.

The students also transitioned from initial doubt to confusion, and finally to surprise.

They realized that Henie's teaching rhythm was perfect, giving them a feeling.

It was as if Professor Viktor himself was teaching.

In the end, they were all immersed in Henie's class.

She ignored Vega's chirping and pricked up her ears to listen carefully.

"So I wanted to test if you have the ability to be a teacher for our class."

Henie froze on the spot.

"Professor, you... were testing me?"

Viktor gave an 'mm' and returned a faint smile to her.

Even though the upward curve of his lips was barely noticeable.

"Well done, I believe you can definitely become an excellent lecturer."

"Professor, wuu... wuwuwu!"

Seemingly receiving unexpected recognition, Henie finally couldn't hold back her emotions and burst into tears.

But Erica was still in a daze.

Eh? What? Viktor is leaving? How long until he comes back?

Somehow, hearing that Viktor was going on a long trip, Erica felt a bit lost.

In this twilight after class, she could learn so much knowledge from Viktor.

But if Viktor left.

It seemed she would have no reason to come here anymore.

Although Viktor wasn't really leaving, just going away for a few days, her mood was still somewhat low.

However, another voice echoed in her mind.

'Great, this jerk is leaving!'

"It's good that he's gone, if I don't see him, I won't be annoyed!"

She quickly adjusted her emotions and shrugged.

Even without Viktor's education, she was still that genius mage.

"Oh, right."

Viktor turned his head and looked at Erica.

"What questions did you bring today?"

"Hurry up and ask, once I finish teaching you, I can clock out."

"..."

He even remembered that she would come to ask questions.

As if with a 'crack', the psychological barrier Erica had just built up developed a fissure.

She lowered her head and walked towards Viktor with the questions she had prepared long ago.

But for some reason.

She seemed to become a bit absent-minded.

.......

In the evening, Lia walked into Viktor's study.

"The shop renovation is complete."

These days, Lia has been handling shop matters in the royal capital.

So recently, she hadn't returned to the estate, but was staying here directly.

However, she already had her own room here.

Viktor closed his book, wanting to discuss the price issue with Lia.

Lia said to him: "One thousand Geo."

This price, for consumables sold in the royal capital, was not cheap, but very reasonable.

This potion was definitely worth this price.

If they could sell fifty bottles a day, it would directly bring in fifty thousand Geo.

The cost was just one fruit, though uncommon, at most ten Geo.

This was truly a high-profit business.

Viktor nodded, this price was also within his expectations.

Any more expensive wouldn't be worth it, any cheaper wouldn't match its miraculous effect.

"Oh, remember to limit it to two bottles per person per day."

"Why?"

Lia was a bit puzzled. This magic potion was already expensive to sell, and it was questionable whether anyone would buy it at first. Why limit the quantity?

Wasn't he afraid the stock would pile up unsold?

Viktor gave his explanation:

"It's better to earn less money in the early stages, but spread the effect of this potion."

"Later on, the more people who know about it, the more we'll earn."

Listening to his explanation, Lia's beautiful eyes sparkled with admiration, marveling.

"I now feel that you're more like a merchant than I am."

It was as if she was getting to know Viktor for the first time in these ten-plus years.

She yawned, seemingly remembering something, and casually asked.

"Oh right, are you really going with Gwen to that... What volcano?"

"Mm." Viktor nodded.

"Alright then."

Lia muttered, waving her hand.

"Don't die out there, so I don't have to spend money to collect your corpse."

"I'm going to bed."

With that, she patted her cheeks and turned to leave Viktor's study.

Seeing Lia leave, Vega raised its head, its eyes regaining a humanized light.

"Your sister, is she worried about you?"

"I thought your relationship wasn't good."

"Indeed, it wasn't good, but it has improved in recent days," Viktor tapped the table, a blue potion appeared in his palm which he began to fiddle with.

"Why, how did you manage that?" Vega asked curiously.

Victor placed the blue potion on the table and explained with a single sentence.

"Because I can make money."