Chapter 22 – Scammers and Deceitful Students (9)
“It seems you still don’t know the important things you must have in life. Just being born in this world won’t make you a man. You must have at least one of the three elements in life; status, wealth, and talent.”
“Yes, you’re right, father. It’s the stark truth.”
“I was born in the slums of the Orions. I was nothing at that time. But I have survived and earned my position and property solely on my own. I am doing this to give you a better life, son, lest you go through the same pains and sufferings I had.”
Interestingly, Baron’s speech, his apparel, and his manner of expressing himself made Jeongjin doubt if he really came from nothing.
“I know you’re gifted with rare ether sensitivity. Look, even students with feeble qualities could still achieve great achievements if they trained properly, right? So why didn’t you get a mana stone to harness your power when I filled your account with plenty of money to buy it? It only appears to me that you were not interested in improving your abilities.”
No, wait. Are you accusing me of not spending money right now?
While locked in bewilderment, Clayo’s smile froze.
“So, your account has been suspended. Only after the final exam when I see the results will I decide whether to release the hold on it or not,” Baron Asser said with a smile.
“!!!”
“…Is this too surprising?”
Jeongjin was a man that has already deprived of good fortune. But in this case, it would be more reasonable for him to leave his country where he was born than to find 400,000 dinars in his bank account.
‘Hey, you gave it already, how dare you take it back from me? What’s the commercial law that governs here? Should it possible for my parent to do that just because I’m a minor? If I had known it, I should have withdrawn all my money…’ Jeongjin was miserably complaining in his thoughts.
“You think it’s sudden? I think I’ve already given you enough time. Even if you ask for consideration, you cannot achieve something worthwhile without willpower. So, if I can’t see any achievements from you through learning— “
Jeongjin, who was concerned about how to resolve the hold on his bank account, couldn’t grasp Baron’s words.
“Can you repeat it?”
“What? If you fail, I’ll have you enlist as a private soldier. Seventeen is old enough to be in the military!”
Are you crazy?!
Clayo had almost driven to argue back, but he held his words by biting his tongue. He currently felt pained because his initial plan was to leave the country to avoid mandatory military service. He stuck in a predicament: whether it be after five years or tomorrow, he could very well land in the army anytime.
In the novel, an imminent war was bound to happen five years from now in this country. Hence, military service was mandatory after graduation and commissioned to become officers. However, Clayo’s weak body was unsuitable to become a private second class at the age of seventeen. He thought that he might fail the physical test because of his poor physical condition and his lack of ambition to consider himself a man who could bring up the impossible.
Father, you have driven me to the corner. I must avoid it by all means.
Finally, Clayo spoke in a hoarse voice after he straightened his back, facing a severe matter.
“How many steps do you want?”
“You speak as if you could make it happen. I guess the accident at the Tempus River was pretty life-changing, huh? For the first time in seventeen years, my second son is answering me directly in the eye!”
Baron’s words were praising him, but his countenance was still cold.
“Can I count on you to behave differently in the future?”
“Well, I wasn’t much different from the beginning. I don’t know what you have seen in me,” Clayo replied.
Baron’s eyes gleamed as he observed his second son. But the vexed Jeongjin wasn’t able to notice it.
“Make sure you’re in the top 30–at least. Don’t disappoint me anymore.”
“You mean you’ll unfreeze my account if I’m on top 30? So, what would you do if I’m on the top 20?”
For the first time, Baron, who was listening to his second son’s unfaltering reply – which was a rare occurrence – loosened his mouth and gave him a slightly warm expression.
“I’ll commend you for your efforts and double the amount of money after unfreezing your account. That is, only if you can make it.”
At this bargain, Clayo finally felt invigorated and replied, “Who knows, maybe I can.”
In an instant, his ether sensitivity was flowing through his invincible cheat the “Memory.”
“I won’t let you down, Father.” He thought.