Chapter 52: Cromwell Returns

“An unknown supplier?”

At this, Lomiu frowned.

At this point in time, any third party entering the market was no different from adding fuel to the fire ignited by Sylvia, pushing the already soaring prices to even more insane heights.

But Keishia didn’t seem to be lying. In her clear, university-student-like eyes, Lomiu could only see the joy of earning credits.

“Is that so? Then I’ve got to see this for myself.” Lomiu made a snap decision.

“Sure thing, big bro!”

Without another word, Keishia stored her materials into the supply box and immediately set off to lead the way.

The market was as bustling as ever.

But unlike usual, most of the alchemy materials counters had “Sold Out” signs hung at the front. Even the few places with some stock left had prices so high that they were simply out of reach.

And these were just the materials that usually saw little use.

One could clearly see just how fierce Sylvia’s buying spree was.

Keishia deftly led Lomiu around the main avenue, heading toward a secluded corner.

Here, a few students were surrounded by a small group, speaking in hushed tones about something.

They weren’t shouting or hawking their wares. The transactions were conducted very discreetly, almost like some sort of underground deal.

“That’s them.”

Lomiu glanced at the students Keishia pointed out and recognized one of the leading blonde girls—

One of Beatrice Cromwell’s followers.

And the buyers gathered around them were all impeccably dressed, exuding a certain air—a unique restraint and arrogance belonging to nobles from the capital region.

They didn’t look much like buyers; rather, more like members of an exclusive circle.

Lomiu stopped and didn’t approach any further.

Everything was obvious now.

These people were all connected to Beatrice, which meant the Cromwell family had stepped in as well.

But what did they stand to gain?

Lomiu quickly calculated in his mind.

The academy was on a floating island, with transport solely through exclusive teleportation arrays.

Any supplier not partnered with the academy would face exorbitant taxes.

And now, selling Silver Bell Marrow Fluid at this time—even though prices were high, compared to Sylvia’s monopolized peak price, they were definitely selling at a loss.

Once word spread, market prices would only keep climbing.

This was a sure-fire money-losing business.

The only benefit…

Lomiu’s gaze landed on the noble heirs gathered around the sellers.

Connections.

Using loss-making materials to win over the capital region nobles centered around Beatrice, building her prestige and power for the future.

“Spending this much for the sake of friends? Not simple at all… Is this really something that Beatrice would do?”

Lomiu didn’t believe that a girl who got swept away by his own charisma aura could have such meticulous thoughts.

She even got instantly defeated once by Ibuki Rei and Kafnir working together, nearly getting expelled!

“No way…”

Fanny and Liv, who had once been part of Beatrice’s circle, naturally recognized the girl over there and shook their heads repeatedly:

“If Beatrice had any brains at all, she wouldn’t have zero brains…”

Lomiu nearly burst out laughing. “But to be fair, this is a pretty grand gesture. Was she always throwing money around like this back when you were hanging out with her?”

“Of course not!”

The two girls chorused:

“All she ever did was go on and on about her ‘big brother.’ She never gave us the time of day!”

“My family’s an earl’s house, too—why is there such a huge difference!?”

Even though the complaint was pointless, Lomiu still caught the part that interested him.

“About that big brother of hers, I’m actually pretty curious. Do you know anything?”

He remembered: at the end of the class placement exam, Beatrice had also mentioned this ‘big brother.’

And… this person was someone referenced in the game’s plot, yet not fully revealed.

Most importantly—many in-game events had his shadow behind them.

An unknown variable!

Unlike the game, life gave you no do-overs. For matters like this, Lomiu absolutely refused to take any risks.

“No idea. She always avoided us when she contacted him, as if…”

The girls recalled Beatrice’s strange habits:

“As if whenever she contacted him, she had to do certain things first, and couldn’t let anyone see.”

“Yes, that’s exactly it!”

Just then, a faint humming sounded from everyone’s chest.

The academy brooches lit up.

[Academy-wide announcement: The first team capability assessment will officially begin next Monday.]

[Specific rules and events will be announced before the test, on the 14th of this month.]

“So that’s how it is…”

Lomiu pulled his thoughts back, putting aside the issue of Beatrice’s behavior for now.

The most important thing was still to beat Sylvia, then raise his strength and win the second assessment!

“The fourteenth, that’s… next Monday?!”

“You’ve got to be kidding! We haven’t even gathered all the materials yet!”

“How are we supposed to take the test like this? Does the academy want to eliminate us all?!”

Panic spread like a plague in an instant.

Keishia and her two teammates went pale in an instant, all color draining from their faces.

“B-Big bro…”

Keishia’s voice was shaking. The credits she had just earned seemed to turn into scorching hot irons in her hands.

“We… we just exchanged all our credits for materials…”

“Don’t panic.”

Lomiu patted her shoulder, his voice steady, though his eyes glinted with excitement.

“Having materials now is exactly right. When you can’t buy anything with credits, then they’re useless.”

“The only thing you need to care about is when to use them.”

“Oh?… Oh.”

Keishia replied with half-understanding, lowering her head as if deep in thought.

Lomiu no longer concerned himself with the trio, and threw his focus into the situation at hand.

Just as he had predicted, right before the ‘Talent Development Program’ began, the academy released news of the next test.

“If it’s all about cutting, is my dull knife really any gentler than Sylvia’s sharp one?”

Now, aside from paying sky-high prices to buy materials from Sylvia, everyone had only one option left.

Lomiu’s interest-free loans.

Unfortunately, the gifts bestowed by fate already had their price marked in secret.

The list he had given to Annie wasn’t some potential evaluation table—it was a ‘hunting list.’

All those named on it were the powerful SSRs from his game memories—those who could one day threaten the position of first seat in a team.

As for everyone else… If they managed to get a blind box full of leftover scraps, they should thank classmate Kafnir for his ‘generosity.’

*****

Eastern Dormitory Area.

Ibuki Rei felt like she could barely breathe.

Outside her dorm room, the crowd was so dense it was nearly blocking off the corridor.

“Please, everyone, maintain order!”

Ibuki Rei had to raise her voice, a trace of hidden fatigue in her tone, “

‘Talent Development Program’ loan slots are limited. We will prioritize evaluation of each student’s potential…”

Her words only stirred the crowd into greater clamor.

“When is the evaluation? The test is next week!”

“Ibuki Rei, please, just give me one more chance!”

Seeing so many anxious faces before her, Ibuki Rei took a deep breath.

To hell with it, time for the blind boxes!

As Lomiu had instructed in advance, she announced loudly:

“To thank everyone for your trust and support of the First Seat Team, and to help more students get through these tough times,

Lord Lomiu has decided that all those who showed up today but did not pass the loan review for now may receive a free ‘Thank You Blind Box’!”

“Each blind box contains alchemy materials personally funded by Lord Lomiu. It’s not much, but we hope it will help everyone, even a little!”

The crowd fell silent for a split second, then exploded in excitement.

“The rumors are true! He’s really giving stuff away?!”

“So many people showed up today—aren’t they going to go bankrupt?!”

“The First Seat Team is so responsible—they’re lifesavers!”

With a smile on her face, Ibuki Rei kept things in order: “Please, everyone, line up in order. The mansion is a bit small and can’t fit so many people all at once…”

My poor floors!!

I just waxed them last week, and now look at what you’ve done!

Never mind muddy shoes, but why are you wearing knight armor? That’ll scratch the wood!

Personal funding? It’s all just leftover scraps from alchemy anyway.

She waved a hand, signaling the waiting attendants to bring out the boxes of beautifully wrapped blind boxes.

“As the first to respond to the program and actively complete a commission, Miss Keishia will receive our very first Thank You Blind Box!”

Ibuki Rei’s voice rang out clearly.

Already stationed at the very front of the crowd as per Lomiu’s arrangement, Keishia walked out, overwhelmed by the envious, jealous, and resentful stares.

“M-Me?”

“That’s right, go ahead and pick one.”

“Then… number seven! That’s my lucky number!”

Ibuki Rei nodded and pulled back the curtain.

Behind the curtain, the dazzlingly wrapped boxes looked exceptionally valuable, drawing everyone’s gaze.

“My, my, that’s a big prize!”

Feigning surprise, Ibuki Rei took the box down and handed it to Keishia:

“Looks like fortune is on your side.”

“R-Really?!”

Keishia accepted the box and, under the eyes of countless students, nervously opened it.

The next second, everyone gasped in shock.

There were no so-called scraps inside.

Lying quietly in the box was a full bottle of Silver Bell Marrow Fluid, shining with a silvery gleam in the sunlight!

And it was a huge bottle—not the stingy, regular-sized ones!

“Oh my god! That’s Silver Bell Marrow Fluid!”

“And so much! How many credits would that be worth?!”

The crowd went wild.

If anyone had doubted the ‘Talent Development Program’ before, now every trace of doubt vanished.

This wasn’t some cheap handout—it was a true lifeline!

Keishia was completely stunned. She stared at the bottle in her hands, then at Ibuki Rei, her face flushing with excitement:

“Thank you! Thank you so much! Big bro, he… he really is a good person!”

“…”

Watching the overexcited girl, Ibuki Rei was left speechless.

Hopefully she’s not serious.

Wait—no, it’d be even worse if she was serious.

Still, as far as publicity goes…

No wonder His Lordship insisted she draw the grand prize.