The Ivy Lodge is not located by the main road, but it is adjacent to a small village and a clear stream.

Dark massive granite is covered in vines, and between the pointed or arched small windows, arrow slits can even be seen.

Looking out from the window, the inner courtyard is an herb garden, filled with various herbs and spices.

For example, rosemary, sage, cabbage, onions, and of course, there are shrubs and flower beds, only they haven’t been meticulously pruned for a long time.

A pebbled path winds through the garden, leading to a pavilion with a marble table in the center.

Leading Silvanic, Guslet, and Senius, Valas was still introducing the history of the lodge.

"This Ivy Lodge was actually a Knight’s estate a few years ago.

However, this Knight was captured after joining Prince Kongdai’s lancers, and in order to raise the ransom, he had to sell the estate to local nobility to raise money.

Afterwards, due to commercial exchanges, this estate was sold to the Black Snake Bay Spice Company..."

"Oh." Guslet nodded while asking, "Hey, then how did you come to live here?"

Senius smiled somewhat kindly: "This is all thanks to Valas. These rooms were originally for senior employees."

"Ah, Valas, you’ve become a senior employee at the United Spice Company?" Guslet’s eyes lit up.

He couldn’t find a job after graduation and saw this as an opportunity for his junior Valas to support his senior Guslet.

Valas, however, shook his head humbly: "No, I’m not a senior employee at the United Spice Company.

I am a Secret Monk at the Gospel Court Commercial Division, and I just happen to manage the spice export section...

Don’t misunderstand, because I’m new, I’m sent here to represent the commercial division to take meeting notes. After that, people just came to find me.

Actually, with Dean Senius here, even without me, they would have made rooms available for Dean Senius."

"So, you manage the United Spice Company?"

"Well, sort of."

Guslet was at a loss for words, finally letting out a breath: "Valas, you truly have good fortune, what is your annual salary?"

"Guslet!" Silvanic shouted harshly, startling Guslet.

Valas, on the other hand, waved his hand: "It’s fine, we’re all friends here. I’m a junior Exorcist Monk, with an annual salary around 40 gold pounds."

That’s equivalent to two to four times a Knight’s salary!

As a Knight’s second son, Guslet was well aware of the value, let alone the power it entailed.

Thinking of himself following Silvanic for six years without graduating, and even after graduation unable to find a job...

Guslet felt like his throat was blocked by something, unable to breathe.

"It’s actually not much, the cost of living at the ry Court Barracks is high, as you know."

After hearing this, Guslet’s imbalance in heart finally eased a bit.

But Valas didn’t tell him about having half-priced dormitories, free meals at the Holy Seat Mansion, or daily distribution of spices and various coupons from departments.

Basically, what couldn’t be sold at Enqing Department Store was bought at low prices by departments and given out as bonuses. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Silvanic cleared his throat: "Alright, I know you two meeting surely have much to talk about.

Go ahead and talk, I’ll chat with Senius."

Knowing they wanted a private conversation, Valas and Guslet left together, leaving the two in the pavilion.

"How is it at New Bridge University?"

"Pretty good, like Doson and the others, they’ve already graduated and became reserve courtiers for the Governor of White Sand Land."

"That’s nice, White Sand Land is a good place, do they have experience managing glass workshops?" Senius’ eyes lit up, "Our Holy Alliance needs such talents, or write some experiences for us, give me a stone to cross the river."

"Ahem." Silvanic stammered, "I’ll write them a letter when I get back."

"Good." Senius picked up the red tea and took a sip, sizing up Silvanic, "You’ve aged a lot compared to before, sigh, I’ve also gotten old, not planning to take students anymore."

Silvanic picked up the teacup, but it was to cover the expression on his face.

To be honest, the last person he wanted to meet was Senius.

Now not only did he meet him, but he was also given two rooms to accommodate his students.

Damn, who would’ve thought that damn King Jiji would be such a fool, losing a hundred thousand troops in one battle against Horn.

When King Jiji arrived in Huaqiu City, he was placed in the Comfort Abode.

Silvanic even specifically went to visit, only to find tickets were needed, and there was robust bidding for front-row seats to see His Majesty the King waking up.

Within months of coming to Falan, King Jiji had gained a lot of weight, becoming a spectacle.

For a moment, Silvanic bore immense hatred for Charles VIII.

This wasn’t just a slap to King Jiji’s face, it was a slap to the face of all Leia people.

Still, the result was that the Holy Alliance survived, and not only survived but became a regional power.

Even Falan dared not attack rashly but had to concoct such a grand public debate.

Does choice really outweigh effort? This phrase echoed once again in Silvanic’s ears.

Silvanic put down the teacup, gazing at Senius before him, his voice slightly trembling.

"Brother Senius, since you are no longer taking new students, would you be interested in taking old students? Is Holy Machinery Court University short of teachers?"

Senius blinked; despite his appearance as a scholar in an ivory tower, he was an astute person.

He almost instantly guessed Silvanic’s thoughts, but he still asked, "Perhaps, not."

Silvanic got up, intending to leave, but reflecting on his dwindling funds and a student who had attempted suicide a few months ago, he had to turn back.

Standing in front of Senius, he seemed ten years older: "Brother Senius, earlier there were many people outside, I..."

Before Silvanic could act, Senius immediately took a step forward and supported him.

"What’s the meaning of this?"

"I want my students to transfer to your tutelage, the Falan people look down on us, targeting us in every way, and these students survive solely on my annual salary..."

Senius scratched his head: "Nowadays Holy Machinery Court University is stricter, if you’d come two or three years earlier, perhaps I could arrange something, but now I’m afraid it’s not feasible."

Silvanic was surprised: "Didn’t you send a letter earlier saying Holy Machinery Court was short on people?"

"Yes, but in these four years, Holy Machinery Court has taken in nearly five hundred Leia scholars and engineers; we have more scholars and teachers than students and now almost exclusively admit Holy Sect."

Silvanic felt as if struck by lightning, knowing Senius’s character, if it weren’t possible, he would say so directly.

"Is there really no other opportunity?"

Senius thought for a moment: "Long Embankment City is planning to build a new university, lacking a law school and literary college there.

These happen to be your strong suits; Black Snake Bay also needs notaries and judges, but this matter needs careful planning, first, get up..."

The two sat down again, facing each other and drinking tea, while Senius furrowed his brows, pondering over how to handle the situation.

Silvanic could only wait nervously, and amidst the rising mist, his nose suddenly tingled.

"Indeed, it truly is the case, choices matter more than effort..."