Chapter 144: Talent Scouting at the Academy
“Rest, be careful!”
“Lord Rest, please don’t stray too far!”
Upon informing Viola and Primula that I would be heading to the Royal Academy, the two immediately insisted on accompanying me. Since we arrived, they have stuck to my side like bodyguards, as if I were a high-profile figure in need of protection.
“Um… it’s not like we’re in a cage full of wild beasts; you don’t have to be that close…”
I chuckled wryly, feeling somewhat troubled. The reason for my visit to the academy today was to scout talent for territory development. We had already entered the campus and were walking towards the school building, yet for some reason, Viola and Primula were reacting excessively.
“Are you… on guard against female students approaching?”
“Exactly! We can’t know from where they might come, so stay alert!”
“Sister, there are two girls hiding behind the school building on the right!”
“Understood! Three more are approaching from behind. Be careful!”
“Are you two worried about assassins or something? Isn’t this a bit over the top?”
Just how much do they dislike the idea of women getting close to me? As someone who is the object of their jealousy, I can’t help but feel a bit pleased to be so loved.
“…It’s not that I mind. It’s fine if my husband or concubines increase. After all, I’m a noblewoman, and Rest is strong and amazing.”
“That’s true… The problem is when insignificant women try to approach you.”
Viola and Primula spoke with an unusually serious expression.
“If they are politically useful women, or those who can support Rest, then it’s okay for them to get close.”
“The issue is… those who are only after money and looking to become concubines.”
Viola glared cautiously at our surroundings, while Primula puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
“If they try to seduce Lord Rest and get him to support them… it would be a problem if they come looking for money, dresses, jewels, or mansions. We can’t let women who would only lead Lord Rest astray get close!”
“Ah… I suppose there are indeed people like that.”
At present, I have enough wealth to support a whole town, which must look like a delicious prize to the predatory women out there.
“I’ll be careful. I don’t want to fall into any strange honey traps.”
“Yes, please do. By the way… what are we going to do now? Should we head to the classroom?”
“Well… let’s wait in the cafeteria until lunchtime. There are bound to be students who don’t have classes during this time.”
Classes at the academy had already resumed, but I had no intention of attending. I am now a Count. As a member of the nobility, I need to prioritize territory development and management. Of course, I had received permission from the academy. It seems there are quite a few students who, due to family circumstances, don’t attend regularly, and some only maintain their enrollment without attending classes at all. While I’ve been assigned plenty of assignments in exchange for not attending, there’s nothing I can do about that. In fact… as long as I submit my assignments, I can still receive a “properly graduated” status without attending even a single day, which feels almost too generous.
(Being a noble school, I suppose they can be quite flexible about these things.)
“Let’s scout in order. First, we’ll approach my classmates. Then, we’ll look for students from other classes, upper grades, and those from different departments. For now… I think we should offer rewards and recruit people willing to help with monster hunting. Of course, since there are classes, it will likely only be during the holidays.”
Temporary part-time work would be fine. I’ll broadly recruit people willing to assist. For those who perform well, I can offer them the opportunity to become my vassals as a Count. When I last visited the academy, there were those who expressed interest in serving, but honestly, most of them probably just want to ride on the coattails of my success. Sifting through the mixed bag of talent to find those who can actually contribute… that’s what I intend to do.
“I’ll also try to gather people through the Ladies’ Association. There must be those looking for positions for their lovers or fiancés.”
“I think I’ll consult with the Student Council. I’ll see if I can reach out through the officers.”
“The Student Council… right. There’s also a way to approach the Executive Committee.”
The Student Council Executive Committee is an elite group among the students of the Royal Academy, particularly skilled in combat. They had been active as a rescue team during the recent Monster Hunting Festival.
“If it’s them, they should be accustomed to monster hunting. I’ll reach out to them later.”
The plan was set. Now, all that remained was to put it into action. I stepped into the school building, flanked by Viola and Primula.