Ch.264264. Would you like to unwrap this bundle?

“Still with the sour faces today, I see?”

It’s already been a month since we started training.

As soon as I enter the underground training hall, the Guardian candidates glare at me with fierce eyes.

This too had become routine.

By now they should understand my intentions, so why are they still so twisted?

With my hands on my hips, I spoke.

“Well, that concludes all of our training.”

Lillian took a step forward, giving me a suspicious look.

“You’re going to say it’s a joke again and then hit us, aren’t you?”

Ah…

Come to think of it, I did joke about training being over a few times, didn’t I?

No wonder there’s no reaction…

Is this what they call reaping what you sow?

I plopped my behind down on the underground training hall floor.

“Everyone, sit down.”

Hearing my words, the Guardian candidates slowly sat down on the floor, their eyes still full of wariness.

With a satisfied expression, I continued.

“Until now, you’re the first group to digest so much training in such a short time. I, your instructor, can’t hide my joy that all of you have kept up so well without a single dropout.”

Once again, Lillian’s face turned pale.

“Why are you pretending to be so kind? Is this some new form of torment? Just be your usual self.”

“How hurtful. Why would you say that? Everything I’ve done to make your lives difficult was to make you stronger.”

“…Fine, let’s just start training already.”

For two weeks, we focused solely on physical training, and then began incorporating magic training as well.

Everyone had a strong desire to learn.

It couldn’t be helped.

After all, they had witnessed magic they’d never experienced at the Academy right before their eyes.

The problem is that unlike physical training, I can’t clearly teach magical education.

Didn’t I also naturally acquire magical talent through the system?

Of course, I have magical calculations in my head, but expressing them is quite tricky.

In other words, while teaching magic, I’m also training in magic myself.

“I’m serious, we’re really done.”

I said with a straight face, and a glimmer of hope appeared in Lillian’s expression, but still not fully convinced, she raised her chin.

“So what happens to us now?”

“For now, it’s better to give you three days of rest. Rest is also a form of training.”

“…And after that?”

“Soon we’ll establish the Guardian Corps.”

“A-Already?”

“Yes, then we won’t have to attach the word ‘candidate’ before your titles anymore.”

“I-I feel like we still have so much more to learn…”

The Guardian candidates who always ground their teeth with fierce determination now wore complicated expressions, as if they realized training was truly coming to an end.

Seeing this, I smiled gently and continued.

“Now we’ll need to focus on hunting magical beasts to gain real experience. Of course, you’ll all need to continue your individual training as well.”

“…Will Lady Clara be satisfied with us?”

“Don’t you know best? How much you’ve changed from a month ago.”

“That’s true…”

“You probably thought I was quite harsh. But that’s okay. I’m quite used to being disliked while teaching training.”

At that, Bianca, who had been quietly listening all this time, tilted her head.

“I’ve actually grown to like you more, young master.”

“…Huh?”

“Even at the Academy, no one taught us so earnestly. Of course, there were moments when I had some unpleasant thoughts because it was too hard, but at least I’ve grown to like you more.”

“You mean you’ve come to respect me?”

“No. I said I like you more.”

As expected, every time I see her, she reminds me of Lady Miria Alphonse, who’s currently at the Alphonse estate.

That unsettling feeling of not knowing what she’ll do next.

The tension of not knowing what words might come out of her mouth.

Truly a woman who chills one to the bone.

I cleared my throat awkwardly, averting my gaze slightly.

“I admire your tenacity as well.”

As I tried to change the subject, Bianca urgently called out to me.

When I turned my head, she closed one eye slowly and then opened it.

“My offer is still valid, so let me know anytime.”

The Guardian candidates who didn’t understand the context all tilted their heads simultaneously, while Lillian, with a reddened face, quietly spoke.

“…Me too.”

As expected, there are no normal people here.

To quickly change the topic, I put on a serious expression.

“And I promise that someday I’ll bring down Headmistress Giselle, who pushed you all into the abyss, so trust me and wait.”

The Guardian candidates nodded in unison with resolute eyes.

Just then, Pedericks appeared in the underground training hall.

He approached me and set down a large bundle he was carrying.

“Young master, I’ve brought it.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Then, Pedericks covered his nose and looked around.

“You must have had some intense training.”

“Why are you covering your nose?”

“The smell of sweat is overwhelming as soon as I entered.”

“Oh, really?”

“You won’t be training in the underground hall for a while now, right?”

“Yes, now that group training is over, individual training will be done outdoors.”

Pedericks, still covering his nose, diligently looked around.

“Hmm, then we’ll need to do some repairs. There are many cracks in the walls and damage here and there.”

“Alright, understood.”

“Since we’re on the subject, I’ll start tomorrow.”

Pedericks bowed respectfully and left.

As I stood up, the Guardian candidates also slowly rose to follow me.

“Lillian.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Would you open this bundle?”

Confused by my unexpected order, Lillian tilted her head several times before slowly moving toward the bundle.

“T-This is…”

Inside the bundle was none other than money.

I looked at the Guardian candidates with a smile curling at the corners of my mouth.

“You’re still Guardian candidates, but it’s been a month since you officially started working, so you should receive your salary, right?”

Lillian stammered with a bewildered expression.

“B-But we only trained this month.”

“It doesn’t matter. I consider that an investment for the future.”

“Then what is this…?”

Lillian pulled out a white paper.

There were eleven papers in total, including the money.

I straightened my back and held money in one hand and paper in the other.

“This money is your salary, and since it’s your first time and you’ve consistently followed the training for a month, I’ll give you a 100% bonus on your salary.”

As the Guardian candidates gaped in astonishment, I continued with a grin.

“So I used the 100% bonus I was going to give you to deduct from your debt. And these papers are certificates showing how much debt has been paid off and how much remains.”

Tears welled up in the eyes of all the Guardian candidates.

The same was true for Lillian and Bianca.

After a moment, whispers could be heard from the Guardian candidates who had gone to check their salaries and certificates.

-H-How much is all this?

-…Who was it that cursed our young master during training?

-Right, if you confess now, I’ll only take a few of your fingers…

-Not only did he train us, but he’s giving us double our salary for this month… Am I dreaming?

-With bonuses like this, we can pay off our debts quickly!

-I-I want to get paid quickly!

So financial therapy was the answer after all?

The fierce look that had remained in the Guardian candidates’ eyes instantly transformed into doe-like gazes.

“Lillian, what are you doing? Distribute the money and certificates to everyone.”

“Ah… yes!”

The Guardian candidates approached Lillian one by one to receive their money and certificates.

These were hopeful faces I hadn’t seen in Estella territory.

“Everyone received theirs, right?”

The Guardian candidates, still unable to believe the current situation, stared blankly at the salary and certificates in their hands, not even hearing my question.

Unable to bear it any longer, Lillian spoke up as their representative.

“We’ve only been training, yet we’re receiving salary and bonuses… I’m not sure if we should accept all this…”

“Are you saying you don’t deserve to be paid?”

“…We haven’t even done any proper work yet.”

“Hmm, what could possibly be the issue?”

“All of us, though now ruined, come from noble backgrounds. That’s why we all know how generous the salary you’re giving us is.”

The Guardian candidates who had been in a daze seemed to come to their senses, nodding silently in agreement with Lillian’s words.

I crossed my arms nonchalantly and smirked.

“That’s because you didn’t properly know about your parents.”

“…Pardon?”

“Our Alphonse family is one that invests generously in talented individuals.”

“…”

“You were young, so you probably didn’t know, but your parents also quietly gave plenty of bonuses to talented people behind the scenes.”

When I smiled playfully, Lillian, who had been holding back tears all this time, bowed her head deeply.

“…Thank you.”

And then.

The Guardian candidates, like Lillian, bowed their heads and each uttered a few words.

-I’ll train hard for your sake, young master!

-Young master, thank you so much…

-Even after I pay off my debt, I’ll stay in Lake territory!

-Young master… don’t forget that my offer from the inn still stands…

-Thank you for allowing us to live like human beings!

-I’ll strive to repay this kindness for the rest of my life.

After crying for a while, the Guardian candidates wiped their tears, raised their heads, and looked at me.

Meanwhile, I moved toward the door of the underground training hall and gestured outside with a nod, giving a “what are you waiting for?” expression as I spoke.

“Let’s go, now that you’ve got your salary, it’s time to go shopping.”