The Devil WithInn 271 Solomon's Stories 3

"Although we were strong magic users, what use is that if we do not have income, right? I may be a n.o.ble but I felt that the riches I inherited weren't rightfully for me and so I ended up donating them to all the people that have helped the Bertrand family as well as to every orphanage in Anemoly. It was the least I could do for everything my adoptive father had helped me with. And Salvia, she… she cut ties from her family to be with me and so, she ended up denouncing her n.o.bility and her lineage. That was why I figured to make the academy into something more legitimate and prestigious in order for us both to carry enough respect and power in society to earn a decent profit."

"So, I slowly started to form the academy into what it is now. Selling off nearly everything we had, we traveled to a mountain where Salvia believed to be the best place to practice magic. That mountain held a dense amount of magic particles from the different plants growing around the area. Most people thought we were crazy to have sold everything to buy the isolated property but I never did once doubt my pretty little wife."

Solomon looked over the distance as he recalled the stupefied looks of the land dealers. Those fools didn't understand why we made such a risky choice back then but when they finally realized, it was far too late and they could only glare at us in envy.

Hohoho, good times...

"After we bought the property, we had enough to spare to repair the abandoned manor that was originally found in the land. And in a few days, we finally were able to establish the very first academy. With the place done, one thing left we needed were teachers since my wife couldn't possibly handle our targeted number of people as students. So, we tried to look for more teachers that were as talented as Salvia. Of course, there was no one that could ever match my amazing wife but luckily the some of the orphans that Salvia used to teach volunteered. Having been taught by my wife, I knew that they'd be able to replicate, although not perfectly, the way my wife teaches so we opted to hire them. And so, with all preparations finished, it was time for the world to know about the Eldora Academy."

Solomon's eyes twinkled in delight as he recalled the ecstatic face of his beloved after she finally won the naming compet.i.tion for the academy. Well, he had to admit that his naming sense was quite disastrous. So much so that his son made such a disgusted face despite still being a newborn after hearing his suggestion for his son's name.

Hearing Inna's subtle cough, Solomon realized that he must've been distracted by his memories for too long and so he continued on with his little story.

"Ehem, where was I…, Yes, to spread the word about the academy, I decided to promote it as an exclusive magic academy in a place that held the most magic particles in the land. This was so that it could attract the n.o.bles and curious magic-users to want to know where and what it was about. And to increase their curiosity, I used the fame of some of the teachers that held notable achievements and prestige, advertising that these geniuses were products from the said academy and were now teaching there as well. Then for the finis.h.i.+ng touch, I used the guise of 'only accepting geniuses' to bluff about its prestige and exclusivity. With that, those prideful stuck up brats who think they're geniuses would delightfully take up the challenge. Also, many were intrigued by this idea of an academy since the country of Anemoly used to only partake in homeschooling taught by privately hired teachers or through volunteer work of some compa.s.sionate teachers."

"But the very first entrance exams were by far the strictest since it was overseen by my lovely wife. Hence, only a handful out of nearly ten thousand applicants was picked and most of them were commoners with ranks mostly at Starter. Seeling that I… I knew that it would ruin the Academy's profitability so I decided to persuade my wife to change her decision. She was the ones who picked those students but she picked them for their potentials, not for their current apt.i.tude so there was bound to be confusion and anger if the results were released as-is. And so, I decided without consulting her to change the results. Well, I had to think of the academy's reputation, after all."

Solomon suddenly shuddered in fear, making Inna so startled that she straightened up on her chair. She couldn't help but look wide-eyed as she antic.i.p.ated the reason for such a fearful look to appear in Solomon.

"Phew, goodness gracious, the horror… My wife went berserk when she found out that I accepted nearly three hundred people without her consent. That triggered our first argument ever and well... I didn't know what to do so I just snuck out the window and ran away. Being the great woman that she was, she caught me easily, and in her anger, she ended up clearing a huge part of the forest by punching off trees. It w-was quite a sight. In a span of seconds, the place filled with trees was flattened into a field. And, well, that field is actually where we are now."

Inna looked at Solomon in disbelief before looking around swiftly.

"You mean… this used to be part of the forest?! And she cleared this vast field in seconds?! By punching them off?!"

Solomon gave Inna a hearty warm smile as he puffed up his chest in pride.

"Of course! My wife is amazing, isn't she?! Save for the enhancement spell she made, she originally had strength almost like yours. A strength that could decapitate a person with a single slap."

Then suddenly, Solomon's loving expression dropped and he looked at Inna in playful disgust.

"Though my amazing wife would never behave in such a barbaric way like you do. And not to mention your abhorrent talent in magic... Even my wife, who is as benevolent as the heavens above, would think twice in teaching you."

Inna rolled her eyes at his unoriginal comment but she didn't take offense. She knew long before that the reason why he pointed out such things was mainly that he was worried about her.

"Heh, said the person who begged to be my master."

Solomon's eyebrow twitched angrily at her comment but he didn't let it foul his mood.