CHAPTER 171: 171. MORON

Elgar leaned forward in the comfortable private room of the Silver Hearth Inn in Avermoor, his voice careful but eager. "Should we begin extracting the mana crystals, processing them, and then supplying them?"

Leo paused and tapped a finger on the signed contract, his red eyes narrowing. "Not just yet. Hold off for a month. Declare that you are searching deeper for coal. Say that you have discovered a few difficult-to-extract mana crystals after a week."

With a sly and witty smirk, he leaned back. "Grade five crystals are used by the nobility and royals. The third grade will be promoted as a rare alternative. Because of scarcity, demand will rise.

Elgar raised his brow and nodded slowly, showing that he understood. "There will be a high demand for grade three crystals due to their limited supply, which will raise prices."

Erin’s tone was clear and knowing, and she matched Leo’s smirk. "That’s right. Profits would plummet if the market were overloaded."

The tiny black box on the table caught Leo’s attention. "We’re even establishing exports to Zarethune."

Elgar’s elegant face showed a look of surprise as his eyes widened. "Zarethune country?"

Sliding a sealed letter across the table, Leo grinned. "I’ve taken care of the trade arrangements, so don’t worry. They will guide you through all the details if you meet their contacts."

Elgar accepted the letter with awe on his face as his fingers touched the seal. How had young Leonhardt, a nobleman, negotiated such a daring trade with foreign power? His tone grew softer, almost deferential. "Young Lord Caulem, I’ll get things started."

Leo grinned more broadly, his voice full of subdued ambition. "All right. Slowly but surely, I intend steer the economy of this kingdom."

With the last details swiftly resolved, the meeting came to an end. Elgar got up and bowed slightly before making his way outside the inn to his waiting carriage.

As Leo, Erin, and Liana prepared to make their way back to the Academy, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone streets of Avermoor.

With a personal question brewing inside, Elgar stopped at the carriage door and placed his hand on the handle. He yelled, "Young Lord Caulem, a moment!" as he turned to see Leo leaving with Erin and Liana.

As Elgar approached, Leo halted and turned around, his red eyes curious.

"Something else, Viscount?" he asked in a composed yet perceptive manner.

Elgar’s gaze shifted to Erin before settling on Leo, and he spoke in an honest but hesitant tone. "Has something happened between you and my daughter Rin, young lord Caulem?"

Leo’s face froze, a moment of guilt flashing across it before being swiftly covered by his guarded expression.

Elgar continued, his voice gentle but inquisitive. "Your name used to appear in every line of Rin’s letters, and she was always thrilled about you. However, over the past month, she has been writing fewer letters and her words seem... hollow."

The memory of Rin standing on the Academy’s training grounds, tears streaming down her cheeks, her pink eyes full of pain as he faced her, his voice cold and angry, words sharp enough to cut, flashed through Leo’s mind a month ago.

Her sobs weighed heavily on his chest and echoing in his mind. He blinked, returning to the present with a steady voice that avoided the truth. "Viscount, it’s nothing serious. She’s just focused on the tournament. She’ll be fine."

Elgar sensed that Leo wasn’t prepared to say anything more, but he still looked at him with doubt in his pink eyes. "I hope so," he said in a quiet but uncertain voice, his father’s concern evident. He turned to his carriage, climbing in, the door closing with a quiet thud as the horses moved, pulling him away.

With Rin’s tears haunting him and a silent resolve growing beneath his guarded face, Leo stood motionless, his crimson eyes fixed on the fading carriage.

*******

In Avermoor’s fanciest restaurant, La Lumière, the grand dining room glowed with elegance. The soft clink of silverware mixed with polite chatter, and the air smelled of roasted herbs and rich wine.

Rin Valarune looked elegant as she sat at a table in silence, her noble dress glistening. As she tasted her food, the flavors bursting in her mouth, her pink eyes sparkled. Lucian Caulem and Velmera Saravelle were seated across from her.

Lucian had used his noble connections to secure a rare reservation for this special dinner, which he had organized to honor Rin’s incredible performance in the sparring match.

With her short blond hair glowing, Velmera sipped her drink and giggled softly. "Senior Rin, you’re practically glowing over that dish."

Rin swallowed another bite with impeccable manners, her eyes widening and her voice full of excitement. "I’ve never tasted anything like this food before! Nothing tastes this good, not even the chefs in my family!" Her joy grew as she took another tiny bite.

As he observed Rin’s happiness, which contrasted sharply with the rage she had displayed when she had left the arena two days prior, still upset with Leonhardt, Lucian grinned warmly, his gray eyes kind. In a quiet but earnest voice, he sampled his own food. "Senior, I wanted to appreciate your amazing progress. It’s my treat, so have fun."

Rin’s face lit up with a broad smile as she clasped her hands and expressed gratitude in her voice. "Lucian, thank you soooooo much!"

Lucian’s fingers paused on his goblet as he laughed softly, but a look of concern appeared on his face.

By inviting both to celebrate her development, he had hoped that this dinner would improve the relationship between Rin and his brother, Leonhardt. However, Rin’s resentment of Leonhardt had derailed that plan.

With hesitation in his chest, he glanced at her. Velmera took observe and gave him a gentle nod, urging him to continue.

Lucian set down his fork and spoke in a quiet but earnest tone. "Senior... can we talk about Leonhardt? I know he’s been an idiot, but he cares about you."

Rin stopped, her face growing cold, her pink eyes losing their gleam, her fork frozen in midair. Her tone was sharp and low. "Lucian, you can ask me anything, but not that. He is the worst kind of person."

With a serene yet optimistic tone, Velmera leaned closer, her gold gown rustling. "Senior, I have no doubt that a heart-to-heart would resolve the matter. All you two need to do is speak."

Rin’s voice was heavy with hurt as she put down her fork, which clinked sharply against her plate. "Not after he publicly humiliated me in that way."

Lucian’s voice was soft but inquisitive, and his gray eyes softened. "Senior, do you sincerely hate him?"

Rin’s fingers were tightly gripping the fork as she gazed down at her plate. She seemed to be venting her rage on her steak by giving it a sharp stab. In her imagination, she saw Erin Dranemount, not Leonhardt.

Liana had informed her that Leonhardt had become distant since Erin’s visit to the dorm, ignoring Rin, which resulted in an embarrassing public altercation over Elara Valcourt.

Her anger surged, but her voice softened, almost a whisper, as she took a bite. "Who said I hate that moron?"