Ch.100Chapter 100

The meeting that began so suddenly ended with a grand vision for establishing a university for the hundred-year plan (?) of the North.

The merchants and mercenaries agreed to request support for the university’s establishment from their relatives and connections before leaving the palace…

Wendigo sat alone on the throne in the empty audience chamber, drumming his fingers on the armrest while grumbling to himself.

‘Now the university is the issue rather than Jurtur’s treasure.’

Life never flows as one intends.

Somehow, the small school he had envisioned to nurture talent for the forest had disappeared, replaced by the grandiose name of the North’s first university.

Of course, it would have been easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm.

As the master of the forest and the founder and sponsor of the school, if he withdrew his support, the university and everything else would come to an end.

… The problem was that even he didn’t think it was such a bad situation.

‘They say silver coins flow through merchants’ bodies instead of blood.’

Merchants were people who couldn’t give up their wealth even if their lives were in danger.

How often would such merchants band together and volunteer to provide financial support?

It was probably an unprecedented investment that might never happen again.

‘Right. Simply put, a university ultimately just needs enough money, people, and time to run, even if somewhat crudely.’

Modern universities had far too many ways for money to drain away, but at least the university they were currently planning wasn’t quite like that.

Of course, teaching Summoners or Witches would drain quite a lot of resources…

‘I can manage that somehow.’

Who would have thought that providing free educational materials for students who don’t even exist yet would bring more joy than risking one’s life in battle?

If they sourced building materials from the forest as much as possible, actively employed forest people, and collected maintenance fees from students…

‘… Assuming the merchants don’t suddenly stop investing, the losses wouldn’t be too severe even if it fails.’

Wendigo didn’t have high expectations for the university establishment, considering the worst-case scenario.

If operations became difficult, he could just shut it down and cherry-pick the talented individuals!

… From the investing merchants’ perspective, there couldn’t be a more wicked Djin than this.

* * *

Wendigo invited Gulmarg and Skadi Brynhild for a banquet.

He needed to revise his promise to Gulmarg due to the sudden expansion of the project, and Skadi needed to know why the witch school was about to transform into a university.

Wendigo cut a huge steak with his nails and put it in his mouth.

Wouldn’t eloquence improve with a well-oiled mouth?

“It tastes good today too. I should tell them to reward the chefs later.”

When Wendigo praised the chefs, Skadi nodded with a gentle smile.

It was certainly noticeable that the quality of food was improving daily as various spices were imported and the chefs continued their research.

However, while Gulmarg didn’t deny it was delicious, he chewed the meat with a blank expression.

“This meat, tasty but lacks muscle. Fat, delicious but no strength.”

“… You’re already plenty strong. I think eating something delicious would be better for your mental health.”

Wendigo was so dumbfounded that he sincerely advised Gulmarg.

Born practically to eat all living things, yet giving up gastronomy for muscles that might not even grow further.

For Wendigo, who lived for the pleasure of eating, this was incomprehensible behavior.

But Gulmarg firmly shook his head, then smiled as he chewed on eggs with their shells from a pile in the corner.

“Tasty things, occasionally is enough. Eggs, containing one life, good for muscles.”

“What… Well. If you like it, that’s fine.”

Wendigo was incredulous but quickly gave up trying to persuade Gulmarg.

It wasn’t harmful, and if he liked it, how could he dissuade him?

As Wendigo shook his head in incomprehension, stuffing a whole cabbage into his mouth and chewing, Skadi covered her mouth and giggled.

It was oddly amusing that beings revered by people were debating over mere food.

As the meal continued in a warm atmosphere, Wendigo rinsed his mouth with cold water and carefully began to speak.

“Skadi may have already heard, but I have something to tell both of you.”

“Something to tell us?”

“Ah, perhaps you mean the rumor about establishing a university?”

Unlike Gulmarg who had few opportunities to meet people, Skadi had many chances to hear what people were talking about.

Of course, the merchants weren’t completely certain about it either, so they weren’t without caution…

“They were talking excitedly about how this forest would become a historical turning point…”

“… Such exaggeration.”

Apparently, the bait of the North’s first university potentially being established was enough to make people’s tongues wag, as it wasn’t a common story.

‘I gave up trying to keep it quiet because I knew this would happen…’

But still, a historical turning point?

How could one show their face if the university closed down? How embarrassing would that be?

“I’m not sure about it being a historical turning point, but let me first talk about the university establishment. Please listen carefully.”

Wendigo crunched on a honey-glazed apple prepared for dessert while explaining what had happened the previous night.

By the end of the story, Skadi was pressing her cheeks with her palms, her expression a mix of excitement and responsibility.

“My goodness! So I’ll be the head of the university! Do you think I can do well?”

“If it’s you, Skadi, you’ll do fine.”

People tend to get excited rather than fearful when things become too grand in scale.

Having confirmed that Skadi was not opposed to establishing the university, Wendigo now looked at Gulmarg.

Come to think of it, this had all started as preparation to educate Jermy…

Somehow, he was now about to keep his disciple for years, so he couldn’t help feeling awkward.

“I’m thinking of suggesting that Jermy enroll in the university, but if you find it unpleasant, I’m willing to forget about it… What do you think?”

“??? I, not displeased. This, good for Jermy.”

Gulmarg blinked his eyes as if he’d heard something strange and answered Wendigo’s question.

Surprised by his unexpectedly flexible attitude, Wendigo asked him curiously.

“Your disciple will have to study at the university for at least 2 years, possibly 4 years. Are you okay with that?”

“Jermy, not learn under me for long. Jermy, must learn human world after teachings end.”

Gulmarg smiled, showing his fangs.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to keep teaching Jermy while traveling together.

But how could an Ogre master’s teachings always be right for a human disciple?

“My teachings, taught because Jermy wanted. But Jermy, human, so teachings may not suit him.”

Gulmarg, who had lived alone with wisdom, always moved forward questioning whether his path was right.

Of course, the path wasn’t always correct; sometimes he took detours or changed direction.

If his own path wasn’t always right, how could he force that path on his disciple?

“I, must thank Wendigo. Disciple, can move forward with various learnings.”

“Jermy is truly fortunate. To have such a caring master.”

“Indeed. I can feel how much you care for your disciple, Gulmarg.”

When Wendigo and Skadi expressed admiration, Gulmarg cleared his throat and averted his gaze, seemingly embarrassed.

Wendigo moistened his throat with water, thought for a moment, and proposed to Gulmarg.

“Why don’t you teach people at the university instead? I think Jermy would like that too.”

“……”

Skadi and Gulmarg, who had been maintaining a warm atmosphere until just now, looked at Wendigo with incredulous expressions.

Is it even conceivable for an Ogre to teach humans…

‘Come to think of it, you’re already doing that.’

Realizing that the very person in question was Gulmarg sitting right beside her, Skadi turned to look at him with an intrigued expression.

When even Skadi, whom he had considered the most rational and normal person in this forest, started acting strangely, Gulmarg blurted out in astonishment.

“University, don’t know exactly but teaches humans. Wendigo, don’t you know humans fear when Ogre appears?”

Surely he must know that…

Gulmarg stared at Wendigo as if looking at a madman.

At times like this, Gulmarg was reminded once again that Wendigo was indeed a Djin.

* * *

Although he had addressed the issues related to Jermy, his original goal, and Skadi, who would run the school, Wendigo had honestly tempered his expectations for the university’s establishment.

While merchants, mercenaries, and forest people had united in determination under the deer skull, there was no guarantee they would keep their word.

Of course, the merchants would at least make a show of it to continue their dealings with Wendigo, but…

‘Mercenaries tend to be selfish, and forest people can’t do much.’

Excluding forest people who couldn’t leave the forest anyway, mercenaries were quite unreliable.

Logically, mercenaries had little reason to be enthusiastic about establishing a university.

If mercenaries might flee even from paid battles when things go wrong, why would they help establish a university by running errands?

Still, there was no problem. The merchants who promised to invest did so of their own will, not under coercion.

If they asked for forgiveness, he could just take compensation and build the school at the level he had originally planned.

Thinking this, he sat on the throne in the audience chamber to start his daily routine when…

Bang!

“My lord! It seems something serious has happened!”

“Geron. What do you mean?”

The door to the audience chamber opened, and Geron ran toward Wendigo with a surprised expression.

As attendants hurriedly followed him carrying bundles of letters, Wendigo sensed that something unusual had occurred.

“What’s happened! Has a Djin or Beast appeared? Or a strange god like Alfodur or Jurtur? If not that, then…”

“It-it’s not quite that serious.”

“?”

If not that serious, then was it not a big deal?

Wendigo looked at Geron quizzically, and he was about to object in disbelief.

He was about to object, but…

‘Come to think of it, the things that have happened so far were indeed serious.’

Killing Djin and Beasts, being invaded by the Northern Alliance, meeting gods and securing control of the forest.

From his lord’s perspective, the standard for “serious matters” was indeed strange.

Geron momentarily wondered if he was overreacting but quickly regained his composure.

“No, it’s about the merchants and mercenaries who recently said they would support the university’s establishment!”

“Yes, they did. Have they sent letters saying they can’t fulfill their promise? If so, it doesn’t seem like a big deal.”

Wendigo, who had been assuming the worst-case scenario, spoke dismissively, but Geron shook his head.

If that were the case, he would have entered the audience chamber not in surprise but in great anger!

“Please read this letter!”

“Let me see…”

As Geron unfolded the letter, Wendigo slowly read its contents.

Sending this letter through the introduction of Rodomel, a renowned merchant and respected brewer in the North, wishing to lend a hand in establishing the university…

“… It seems Rodomel has succeeded in persuasion. Are all those letters the attendant is holding?”

It wasn’t particularly strange for a merchant of Rodomel’s caliber to exert strong influence in the North.

And if other merchants and mercenaries joined him…

“No, my lord.”

Geron shook his head firmly and gestured toward the door. Then, attendants with hands full of letters entered one after another.

Geron took out a few letters from those brought by the attendants and began reading their contents after clearing his throat.

Those who wanted to participate in the grand project of establishing a university.

Those who boasted of their knowledge and abilities, asking for positions.

Those who offered large investments in exchange for their children’s admission to the university…

After reciting various letters, Geron looked at Wendigo and declared:

“We’ve received over a hundred letters with content like what you’ve heard. The problem is that such letters are likely to keep coming steadily.”

“……”