Became The Greatest Genius In History

Chapter 10 – Kraaack

‘Here, this month’s bonus.’

‘Thank you.’

All labor in this world deserves fair compensation.

Otherwise, one might face a terrible end like those malicious employers occasionally featured in the news.

Well, actually Porto pays the wages for the staff, but since the cost of living has increased recently.

I gave money to Dalfi.

‘The envelope feels quite light.’

‘Didn’t you say your current salary is 100,000 credits?’

‘Yes, but…’

Dalfi carefully opened the envelope.

And her expression showed surprise.

‘Why, why are you giving me so much?’

The amount I paid Dalfi was a whopping 100,000 credits.

Looking at the bills with the first king’s face engraved on them, Dalfi was speechless.

‘You’re more capable than the other maids. You also do a lot of work by yourself, so take it comfortably.’

‘But my duty is solely to serve you, young master, which is what I wanted in the first place. No matter how I look at it, this is too much…’

‘You’re doing more than enough. This is a reward for that.’

Dalfi’s pink lips quivered.

I thought it was quite refreshing to see her stunned and speechless.

No one wanted to be my personal maid.

Reasonably, it’s hard to find someone who wants to serve the youngest son who’s ostracized by everyone from the head of the family to his siblings.

Honestly, if I didn’t have memories from my previous life and Nob AI, it would have been me going to the battlefield instead of Felix.

Dalfi was the one who reached out to me first when I was in such a precarious position.

After the successor test, Porto increased my monthly allowance by more than tenfold.

The amount was 200,000 credits, which was a significant sum for me.

Among my siblings, perhaps only Uriel and Kenneth receive this much money from Porto.

Jeffer has the most money, but he’s an exception since he’s the only one running a business under his own name.

Anyway, Dalfi was more than deserving of this money.

Honestly, I’d like to give her more, but not knowing what might happen in the future, I could only apologize for not being able to give more than this.

‘Thank you….’

‘Good. I’m counting on you in the future as well!’

‘Yes, I’ll do my best.’

Dalfi and I smiled at each other.

‘Are you going to the academy today?’

‘Yes, the Red Tower Master sent a letter.’

‘Then I’ll prepare the carriage.’

‘Please do.’

I boarded the carriage prepared by Dalfi.

I didn’t hire a separate coachman.

It was because Dalfi was the driver.

Seeing how the stable keeper who manages Tristida’s horses nodded as soon as he confirmed Dalfi, this maid seems increasingly competent beyond imagination.

‘You know how to drive a carriage too?’

‘It’s a basic qualification for a maid.’

‘Being a maid is truly an amazing profession….’

Dalfi sat in the driver’s seat and led the horses.

I rested my bottom on the soft cushion and closed my eyes comfortably until we arrived at the academy.

‘We’ve arrived.’

After dozing for about an hour, I opened my eyes at Dalfi’s words and saw Tristida Academy.

I thought it might be the largest building in the Tristida territory.

I quietly marveled at this educational institution built on a wide, flat plot of land.

Dalfi got off the driver’s seat first.

Then, taking out a handkerchief, she scrubbed my face as I got out of the carriage.

‘Ugh.’

‘Please stay still.’

She fixed my hair, sprayed perfume on my wrist, and adjusted my tie.

She’s completely like an older sister.

‘Always keep your appearance neat. It would be a waste of your handsome face, young master.’

‘Alright….’

‘Then please wait a moment. I’ll go and leave the horses and carriage.’

While waiting for Dalfi, I looked around.

Tristida Academy.

There are eight educational institutions in the Kingdom of Yustina, and Tristida Academy is one of them.

Although it’s considered inferior to the Royal Academy, it’s a prestigious academy ranked among the top educational institutions in the kingdom with famous professors and new facilities.

For reference, except for Felix and me, all of Tristida’s children had attended this academy at some point.

Kenneth, Uriel, and Jeffer had already graduated, and I know that Haniel is on leave due to chronic illness.

As for the lung-diseased ones, Porto didn’t allow them to enroll in the academy, saying they would bring shame to the family.

Thinking about it again, it’s fucking depressing.

For that reason, I never thought I would come to this place.

Indeed, you never know what will happen in life.

As I was admiring the flowers in front of the main gate, I heard unsettled voices from around me.

‘Does anyone know that kid in the suit over there?’

‘It’s my first time seeing him, wait, he has a star-shaped mole under his eye?’

‘Eh, that’s the symbol of Tristida.’

Students holding textbooks looked at me.

With very uncomfortable gazes, that is.

‘Isn’t that Esther Tristida…? The magazine said he was 15.’

‘The genius young master who solved the Millennium problem?’

‘Now that you mention it, he does look a bit like the photo.’

‘He’s really handsome… How about the loser of rock-paper-scissors goes to talk to him?’

Please just go on your way.

I’ll have you know that I’m an introvert despite how I may appear.

But, contrary to my wishes, people started gathering around me more and more.

‘They say she’s a talent who will revolutionize the magical world.’

‘I heard from my brother that after the hellfire recreation was verified, the Flame School has produced quite a few successful studies referencing it.’

‘She’s really amazing….’

Honestly, it would be a lie to say I’m not pleased by the attention.

In my previous life, I was completely ordinary, and during the 15 years I’ve lived as Esther Tristida, I was treated like an ugly duckling, so I couldn’t help but feel my shoulders rise with pride.

But it was all solved with the help of Nob AI, and my purpose was simply to survive the successor trial.

I hadn’t wished for this much attention.

It’s like being that awkward boy at a retreat who receives unwanted attention and is forced to take the microphone on stage and sing.

I started feeling suffocated.

‘Dalfi, when on earth are you coming back….’

I waited for Dalfi in a crumpled state.

***

‘Lady Ethila, how was your class today?’

As Ethila Bedford exited the lecture hall, Langlang took her textbooks for her.

‘Well, same as usual, I suppose?’

Ethila tilted her head.

‘Is there something on my face?’

She asked because Langlang was looking at her with a pleased smile.

‘I’m glad to see you’ve regained your spirits.’

‘Huh…?’

‘The other day, you were so dejected for a long time because of the Millennium Problem…’

‘When was I ever dejected?!’

Ethila let out a shrill cry.

‘I wasn’t, I absolutely wasn’t dejected! I was simply not feeling well, that’s all!’

They say strong denial is strong affirmation.

Langlang, who had observed Ethila more closely than anyone as she locked herself in her room for a week, hugging her knees and sniffling, simply smiled cheerfully as if to say ‘whatever you say.’

‘Ah, I see….’

‘Oh please, hah, who was dejected!! I wasn’t dejected, I really wasn’t feeling well….’

Ethila turned her head away primly.

‘I’m sorry, miss….’

‘Hmph….’

‘Please forgive me. Yes?’

Langlang skillfully soothed Ethila, whose lips were pouting.

It might be somewhat disrespectful coming from a maid, but to Langlang, Ethila was like a child born from her heart.

Having raised and cared for Ethila since she was a baby, she could proudly say that she was better than anyone else in the world at improving her mood.

When Langlang placed a sweet chocolate in her mouth, Ethila’s expression melted softly.

‘Let’s return to the dormitory.’

‘Hmm, let’s do that.’

As they were walking down the corridor to head to the dormitory, the two of them noticed a crowd of people gathered in front of the main entrance.

‘What’s that? Why are there so many people?’

‘Hmm…?’

They stopped at the window to observe the main entrance.

-…water… …there!’

-…over there… …help!’

It felt as if famous people like the Archmage or the King were visiting the academy.

The cause of the crowd was a boy who appeared to be around Ethila’s age.

He seemed a bit taller than Ethila.

Though his body was small and slight compared to an adult man, the formal attire suited for a gentleman fit him quite well.

As people commonly say, he had a small head, giving him good overall proportions.

His shoulders were fairly broad, and he had a remarkably handsome face.

He was a boy with fox-like charm that would make one stare absentmindedly if encountered on the street.

‘He’s handsome. Who is he?’

‘Hmm, I wonder…’

‘Black hair and red eyes.’

Ethila placed her hand on the window.

‘I’ve seen that face somewhere before. Hmm, who was it?’

‘I don’t think it’s someone you were close with, miss…’

Ethila remained there for quite some time.

She squinted her eyes with an inexplicable sense of déjà vu as she carefully observed the boy.

‘Black hair, red eyes, black hair, red eyes…’

And then, when a pretty young maid with a color resembling lavender came to take the boy away.

‘Esther Tristida!!’

Ethila shouted.

‘What?’

Leaving Langlang behind, Ethila started running.

Although she normally disliked exercise and particularly hated running, this was different.

‘Ugh!! Wait!!’

It was because she had business with the boy who had solved the Millennium problem before her.

‘Umm…?’

Langlang stared blankly at Ethila’s back as she suddenly began moving her legs vigorously.

‘I-I’m coming too!!’

She hurriedly followed after Ethila.