Subscriber of the Gods Chapter 307 - The Most Important Thing

As is typical for high noble families, the Tschernkastel family also had a vast treasure vault.

It was a place where the wealth accumulated by the family over many years slept, and especially in the current generation of Chancellor Tschernkastel, who had risen to the position of Chancellor of the Holy Empire, an unprecedented amount of wealth had been amassed.

Of course, nothing had been accumulated dishonestly.

He had worked solely for the Holy Empire, without any particular greed for wealth accumulation.

Nevertheless, this much wealth had naturally piled up.

“He said to take anything you like. He even said two items would be fine if you want.” 

Nadia said.

“There are several family treasure vaults, but honestly, this is my first time entering this one. It only contains items that grandfather received as gifts from important people.”

Nadia, who had been speaking in a whisper, lowered her voice even more.

“There are even items bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“I’m not sure if I should take such precious things.”

“You are more than qualified.”

Creeeeak-

The massive door opened, revealing magnificent treasures beyond.

Precious metals and jewels piled like mountains. Behind them was even a hat made of gold.

“Wow, there’s even golden armor.”

Ethan’s eyes, sharply focused with the Eye of Horus, were fixed on something other than the gold and silver treasures.

“It seems you deliberately opened this particular treasure vault for me.”

Ethan smiled.

‘If I can recognize that, he means for me to take it, and if I can’t recognize it, he means for me to take something else precious.’

Of course, Chancellor Tschernkastel probably thought that he would be able to recognize it easily.

Ethan passed by the mountain-like piles of treasures without a hint of lingering attachment.

“I’ll choose this.”

What Ethan chose was a square box glowing blue. This was an artifact in the shape of a square box.

“…You’re choosing that?”

Nadia asked Ethan with an expression of incomprehension.

To choose that small thing, leaving behind all these numerous treasures.

Even to Nadia’s eyes, it was clear that powerful energy dwelled within it, but compared to the other treasures, it didn’t seem particularly special.

“Yes, this is exactly what I need right now.”

Nadia wouldn’t know yet, but this was the most crucial artifact needed to operate a magic fortress.

‘A magic fortress costs an enormous amount of money, as much as its scale and effects.’

Knowing how to make it doesn’t mean you can deploy a magic fortress.

As it’s magic with powerful effects, it requires tremendous energy to use.

‘Even if dozens of high-level magicians pour in mana, it can only be maintained for a few days at most.’

That’s why an incredible amount of mana-infused mana stones are needed to maintain a magic fortress.

‘It’s not like you can use just any mana stone either. Even intermediate mana stones aren’t enough to operate the fortress.’

This is because the efficiency of mana stones decreases.

‘But this makes it possible.’

As Ethan picked up the artifact, powerful mana began to concentrate.

This artifact, named the mana amplifier, was also known by another name: Melody.

‘It allows mana embedded in intermediate or lower mana stones to be used at 100% efficiency. The loss disappears. Not only that, but as the name suggests, it also has the effect of amplifying the efficiency of mana stones.’

By centering the magic fortress around this Melody, it can be operated sufficiently with low and intermediate mana stones. Furthermore, if high-grade mana stones are used, mana amplification occurs, allowing the mana fortress to be operated at a relatively low cost.

‘The Melody is probably being used in the magic fortress of the Tschernkastel domain as well.’

This Melody was probably a spare item. But for a spare, its quality was quite excellent.

‘Considering it was in this treasure vault, they might have been planning to use it when creating a new magic fortress.’

“I should thank the Chancellor once more. I never expected him to give me something so precious.”

Following the magic fortress creation method, now an artifact that greatly helps in operating the magic fortress.

This could be considered receiving an overly generous gift.

“You said this was your first time coming in here, right? And the Chancellor said it was okay to take two items. Then, Teacher Nadia, please choose the other item you’d like.”

“What?”

Nadia’s eyes widened at Ethan’s words.

“…Really?”

“Yes, really.”

The feeling of her heart pounding was clearly visible on Nadia’s face.

“Why, I haven’t done anything…”

“Aren’t we colleagues?”

Ethan said gently.

“There’s a saying that loving your colleagues is the same as loving your country.”

“What!? L-love?”

Nadia wore an extremely flustered expression.

“Besides, there’s an inter-academy exchange coming up soon. If Teacher Nadia gets a good artifact, you’ll be able to teach the students better, and then those students will surely achieve definite results in the inter-academy exchange. I’m not just giving it to you for nothing.”

At Ethan’s smile, Nadia quickly turned her body.

Then, as if she had her eye on it from the beginning, she approached a long staff. It was a white staff with a golden jewel embedded at the end.

‘She chose the Snow Sugar. As expected, she has quite a good eye.’

Based on the cold attribute, that golden jewel additionally emits electricity, and because it sprinkles electricity sweetly, its name is Snow Sugar.

‘It’s a clear reflection of the creator’s bad taste.’

That staff has one more characteristic: when it emits electricity, the owner of the staff also feels a slight electric shock. There were rumors that the person who made that staff enjoyed that pain.

“Thank you so much, Teacher Ethan. I’ll never forget this kindness.”

***

The next day, after resolving the Tschernkastel family’s matter.

Ethan was planning to move very deliberately this second semester.

‘Now there are two academies I need to pay attention to.’

Originally, Freya Academy was the mountain that Ivecar had to overcome. In addition to that, the Vogue Academy of the Demon Empire would also be participating in this inter-academy exchange.

‘There’s a possibility that one more academy might join to make it an even number, but…’

The other academies that couldn’t make it onto the list of participants in the exchange are hard to consider as prestigious academies.

In other words, they’re too different even to match up.

‘The existing Goode Academy and Covington Academy aren’t rivals to Ivecar either.’

This meant that there would be a three-way battle for the championship spot between Ivecar, Vogue, and Freya.

Especially, Freya Academy was also the winner of the previous inter-academy exchange, and Kai Felix, who was grinding his teeth in frustration, was also there.

‘Kai Felix is a new teacher, though.’

Freya also had several teachers heading towards becoming masters like Claudie, and there was already one teacher who was a master.

Moreover, with Nathan Whiskers also at Freya Academy, this exchange would surely unfold in quite an interesting way.

‘But it shouldn’t just be interesting. We need to gain practical benefits too.’

In Ethan’s office.

For this reason, two teachers were in Ethan’s office.

“It’s been a while, Teacher Duty.”

On one side sat Claudie, and opposite him was Duty.

Duty was the magic department teacher who had confronted Ethan during the departmental exchange competition. He was the one who had raised the golden generation of the magic department, including Roanna, but currently, with Roanna’s departure, that position had been filled with a new magic department student.

“I didn’t expect Roanna to go to Teacher Ethan’s side. She’s quite an independent child.”

Despite having lost his prized disciple, Duty spoke with a smile.

He was no longer the sharp person he used to be.

During the departmental exchange competition, he had shown many impatient behaviors, but thanks to Ethan, he realized there was no need to be hasty.

He also newly realized that the teachers of the same school were not enemies, but colleagues working together to lead Ivecar forward.

Because of this, he didn’t feel particularly regretful even though his prized disciple Roanna had gone to Ethan.

After all, it would eventually become Ivecar’s strength.

“This inter-academy exchange. Is that why you called us?”

“Yes, that’s right. Although other teachers will also participate in the exchange, I think that the only teachers who can actually compete with Freya and Vogue are Teacher Claudie, Teacher Duty, and myself.”

“You’re overflowing with confidence.”

“You’re not denying it, though.”

“Because it’s true.”

The heads of the Knight Department and Magic Department were essentially outside the main force.

This was because they had already taken a step back from the front lines.

In the end, these three were Ivecar’s core.

Ethan and Claudie from the Swordsmanship Department.

Duty from the Magic Department.

These three teachers representing each department were Ivecar’s most powerful force.

“I’ve had to invite you to my office for this inter-academy exchange.”

“You must have a good idea?”

Ethan nodded at Duty’s words.

“I have my disciples, and so do Teacher Duty and Teacher Claudie.”

Even excluding Roanna, Duty still had the golden generation students of the magic department.

Those students who had been defeated in the departmental exchange competition had probably spent their vacation grinding their teeth in frustration.

“Until now, we’ve been burning with competition as rivals, but this inter-academy exchange isn’t about competition, but about uniting to compete with outsiders.”

Duty nodded at Ethan’s words.

“You all probably knew this, but there were things we had to turn a blind eye to. Since we’d return to being rivals after the inter-academy exchange ended, we didn’t even dream of exchanging information. Once a teacher’s know-how is leaked, it directly turns into a loss.”

Claudie slightly frowned. It was as Ethan said. The inter-academy exchange is literally a place to determine the superiority between academies.

Although there might be competition within the academy, the exchange was a place where internal competition should be put aside and unity was needed.

But until now, no one had done that.

The teachers didn’t try to collaborate, and even when the principal tried to create such an atmosphere, they didn’t show much enthusiasm.

The inter-academy exchange was temporary, but the competition within the academy lasted for a long time.

So there was no need to share one’s know-how to increase the academy’s competitiveness.

It might be called selfish, but it could also be seen as a natural choice.

“I.” 

Ethan said calmly.

“I don’t mind teaching my know-how not only to the disciples I’m in charge of, but also to the disciples of you two teachers. I don’t mind showing all my weapons to all students.”

Ethan’s words reached the two teachers with different meanings. Duty was once again greatly shocked, and Claudie felt a momentary wave in his calm heart.

“It’s not that important to distinguish whose disciple someone is. In fact, the inter-academy exchange isn’t that important either.”

Ethan knew well what was important.

“Raising excellent students. And making them capable of playing their part in the world.”

The eyes of the two teachers shone at Ethan’s words.

“That’s the most important thing.”