The Healing Solaris Cleric-Chapter 286: Arkan Academy (2)

Kai agreed with the saying that money couldn’t buy everything in this world, but at the same time, he thought, "It can't buy everything, but it can buy most things."

The power of money was immense. After all, professors, scholars, sages, knights, and various other distinguished figures gathered in MID Online.

Of course, they were people whose names resonated throughout the continent’s academic world. Naturally, their pride was as great as their prestigious names.

"An academy, you say? I've received countless offers before, but... hmm..."

"Tying myself down to an institution that merely teaches students seems a bit..."

"Ahem. Knowledge is not something that can be bought with money."

At first, they had shown a negative attitude, but their attitudes changed after visiting the Arkan Territory.

"Th-the entire territory is being used as an academy facility?"

"Wooow! Th-this building is the music hall? It can stand proudly even when compared to an arts center!"

"My goodness... To think that it even rivals the imperial palace’s training grounds..."

They became captivated by the beauty of the dwarven architecture that Arkan Territory prided itself on.

This is different from any academy that has ever made an offer before.

Visit fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce.

Shouldn’t I at least do something meaningful, like nurturing future generations, before I die?

Once they were enchanted by Arkan Academy, getting them to sign the contract was not difficult.

"Hmm. I ended up spending quite a bit of money."

Kai spent 126,000 gold, which was more than the information guild had estimated. A staggering amount, equivalent to 12.6 billion won in Korean currency. However, he felt confident.

There's no need to be overly attached to money, but since I've invested, I must make this a success.

He was certain he would earn far more than he had spent.

Arkan Academy isn’t something I built to run for just one or two years.

As long as MID Online didn’t shut down, the academy would continue for generations as he intended to pass it down to his son, and his son’s son.

Besides, there was another major reason for founding Arkan Academy.

Through this place, I can build more and broader connections than any other player.

Of course, for that wish to come true, he had to recruit students well.

Most of the continent’s royal and noble families are already attending academies.

To bring them in, he needed to set conditions that would make them desperate to enroll. It was something that other players could never achieve, no matter how hard they tried, but for him, it was possible.

Because I hold the Solarian Church as my trump card.

The Solarian Church, the most influential religious order on the continent, carried immense weight with every move it made. Moreover, Kai was someone deeply loved by the Solarian Church’s one and only god.

"Shadow Shift."

After teleporting to the Solarian Church’s main church, Kai went straight to a private meeting with High Priest Albert.

High Priest Albert welcomed Kai warmly. "It has been a while."

"Yes, have you been well?"

Thanks to the Holy Blood Order’s achievements, the Solarian Church’s prestige had risen by the day, making the high priest even happier to see him than before.

"But what brings you here today...?"

"Didn’t you mention that you’ve been feeling bored lately when I visited regarding the Holy Blood Order last time?"

"Ah, yes, that’s right. Ever since the reorganization of the main church was successfully completed, I haven’t had much to do haha. Thanks to that, my daily routine consists only of drinking tea, praying, and strolling through the garden."

"You must feel quite lonely."

"Fortunately, you visit from time to time, so it’s not so bad."

As they chatted over tea, Kai finally brought up his main request. "In truth, the reason I sought to see you today is because I have a favor to ask."

"Oh, a request from an apostle! If it is within my power, I will do anything to assist you."

"Are you aware that I built a church of the Solarian Church in my territory?"

"Ah, of course. You visited last time regarding that matter. Is the construction going well?"

"In fact, it has already been completed. Thanks to the dwarves handling the work, the construction was incredibly fast."

"Already?!" High Priest Albert’s eyes widened in surprise.

"To be honest, even I was shocked at how quickly it was finished. So, regarding the favor I wish to ask..." A smile spread across Kai’s face, like paint spreading on a canvas.

***

The imperial palace of the Ogon Empire was the very heart of magic, filled with all sorts of magical spells. And a guest arrived to visit the emperor who sat upon such a throne.

"I pay my respects to Emperor Lumither, ruler of the Ogon Empire."

"What brings a priest of the Solarian Church here?"

In truth, the Ogon Empire and the Solarian Church were not particularly close. Wizards who pursued arcane arts were wary of a religious order that wielded power beyond logic. However, given the current state of the continent, distancing themselves from the Solarian Church would be foolish. Naturally, even the Ogon Emperor maintained a certain degree of interaction with them.

"I have come to deliver joyous news to Your Majesty."

"Joyous news...? From the church?"

As Emperor Lumither expressed curiosity, the priest presented a crystal orb he had prepared in advance.

"That will need to be verified first."

Only after the imperial wizards carefully inspected the orb did it reach the emperor’s hands.

"Ahem. And what is this?"

"It contains the joyous news I wish to share. Please take a look."

At the priest’s polite words, the emperor activated the crystal orb to play the stored footage.

"Hmm...?"

A three-dimensional hologram emerged, displaying a certain location. The mere sight of it was enough to inspire awe. A city where white and gold blended exquisitely, exuding an air of luxury. The footage, which had been taken from above the castle, now began showcasing the interiors of the buildings.

"Hm. Hmm..."

The emperor nodded, acknowledging the artistic beauty that stood out even when compared to his own palace.

Where in the world is this place?

He pondered, but he couldn’t guess where it might be.

"It's elegant. Luxurious."

Inside the buildings, luxurious carpets were laid along every hallway, and famous works of art adorned the walls.

A museum, perhaps?

However, a training ground that rivaled the imperial battle arena, a grand concert hall that any musician would dream of visiting, and vast dining halls exuding a classical atmosphere did not align with the image of a mere museum.

As the footage ended, Emperor Lumither turned his gaze toward the priest. "Where exactly is this place?"

He looked as if he would purchase it immediately if it were available for sale.

Noticing this, the priest smiled and said, "This is the newly established Academy City."

"Academy... city?"

"Yes. It belongs to Baron Kai of the Kingdom of Rashion, and as you have seen, an entire territory has been designed solely for education."

“Ahem...”

To think that such a beautiful place was an academy.

The priest struck again, taking advantage of Emperor Lumither’s slight shock. "Every building in the city was designed by dwarves, and facilities such as the magic research labs and music halls were crafted through a collaboration between the masters of magic, the merfolk and the dwarves."

"I see. It’s beyond what one would typically call an academy." Clicking his tongue briefly, Emperor Lumither continued, "You are showing me this place because you wish to enroll the imperial prince as a student there, correct?"

"Your words are exactly correct."

"However, he is already attending a prestigious academy in the capital. I see no reason to send him elsewhere."

"In that case, please take a look at this."

The emperor examined the pamphlet handed to him by the priest, flipping it back and forth, before asking, "And what is this?"

"On the next page, you will find information about the faculty members of Arkan Academy."

"Hmm."

Without any expectations, Emperor Lumither turned the page, and his eyebrows twitched.

Leus, the Sage of Silver, Dr. Oran, who discovered the Mana Acceleration Principle... and even Zeroth, the Bard known as Celestial Voice? Wait, there's even the retired old man.

For reference, the retired old man referred to none other than his own mentor, who had once served as the chancellor of the Ogon Empire.

"And... hm!" Upon seeing something at the very end, Emperor Lumither’s gaze trembled. "Is this true?"

"Which part may you be referring to, Your Majesty?"

"Is it true that High Priest Albert is listed as the professor of Theology?"

It was true. Among the subjects taught at Arkan Academy, the position of theology professor was held by none other than Albert, the current high priest of the Solarian Church.

The priest smiled warmly. "Yes, he has personally decided to teach in order to spread his sacred wisdom."

"Just who in the world is this Baron Kai, to be granted such extraordinary privileges?"

"Before being a noble of the Kingdom of Rashion, Kai is the Commander of the Holy Blood Order."

"Hmm. The Commander of the Holy Blood Order, you say...”

Perfect facilities were followed by a perfect faculty. And yet, that wasn’t all.

Baron Kai, he is a brilliant man.

The reason he had invested such an overwhelming amount into just one academy was simple.

He intends to turn this academy into a miniature international society.

Before long, Arkan Academy would take on the fascinating appearance of a miniature continent. Not only the royals and nobles of two empires and three kingdoms, but also the heirs of prestigious families and major merchant guilds would enroll. Naturally, tensions and power struggles would be inevitable. However, Baron Kai used the Solarian Church—specifically, the high priest himself—to suppress conflicts beyond a certain level.

He's setting the stage, inviting them to test their heirs' abilities if they have the confidence.

Emperor Lumither let out a low chuckle. "Interesting."

Looking down at the priest, he briefly said, "I will send the Third Prince and the Ninth Princess."

"I am grateful for Your Majesty's bold decision."

The Third Prince was a key candidate for the next emperor of the Ogon Empire, and the Ninth Princess was renowned for her intelligence. Sending those two was essentially a declaration that the Ogon Empire intended to showcase the abilities of its successors.

"Is there anything that needs to be prepared?"

"The pamphlet includes the academy tuition, uniform costs, and student guidelines."

"A tuition fee of 1,000 gold per year, excluding uniform fees? That’s quite expensive."

"It will be worth the price."

At the priest’s words, Emperor Lumither unconsciously nodded. "Indeed. With those facilities and that faculty, it’s not an unreasonable price."

What was happening in the Ogon Empire was also unfolding simultaneously in other nations.

***

"What? Already?"

"Yes. The design has already been finalized, hasn’t it?" Kai replied.

"Well, it was, but..."

Han Jung-Woo’s parents still looked dazed as they stared at their son.

"Is this business really doable?"

"Mom, I promise I’ll pave a path of success for you."

"Honey, it’s not a huge amount. Let’s trust our son this once."

Each of his parents invested 2 billion won, officially launching their business in MID Online.

Ironically, the one who benefited the most from the process was none other than his older sister, Han Ji-Hye.

"Ji-Hye, let’s see how much you’ve learned from working in the corporate world all these years."

"Heh. Let me show you the skills of the youngest and most beautiful manager, once called the ace of Team 2."

At their parents' request, she promptly resigned from her stable corporate job and joined MID Online. Naturally, her role was to manage and operate the school uniform and sportswear business that their parents would be running.

"How many sets should we place for each order?"

When his sister asked with enthusiasm, Han Jung-Woo scrolled through his smartphone before replying, "150."

"What?"

"Let’s start with 150 sets."

"Are there really 150 students?"

"Yeah."

The tuition fees paid by those 150 students amounted to a staggering 150,000 gold. In just one day, Han Jung-Woo recovered all the money he had spent on constructing the academy and recruiting the faculty.