While scratching his head, he continued expressing his opinion, and Matilda said.
“I’m sorry, but we need a procedure to check records like grade reports, mana measurements, and operational abilities.”
“Yes, I brought them here.”
Theo took out documents from his bag and handed them over.
Matilda was surprised after checking his grades.
“…You’re a genius with perfect scores?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, where should I contact you?”
“Ah, I would appreciate a letter to the dormitory.”
“Alright. I’ll contact you later. You may go now.”
However, Theo didn’t leave, as if he had something more to say.
“Um… I heard that if I join the research, a large amount of funding would be sponsored.”
“Oh, actually, it’s not research that I’m conducting. But the amount can be negotiated as desired. The client has a lot of money.”
Theo seemed relieved at Matilda’s smile and replied before leaving.
“Yes, thank you, Professor.”

***

Theo had a sick sister named Maya. She suffered from a disease that gradually stiffened her muscles, and now she couldn’t even walk, confined to bed at home.
Theo entered the magical medicine department with the dream of curing Maya’s illness, but the high tuition fees were a problem.
Fortunately, the academy had a scholarship system, which eased Theo’s worries. He received full scholarships every time by maintaining top rank for all three years, but it wasn’t enough to cover Maya’s medical expenses, so he was also working.
After graduation, he could get a job at the Imperial Palace, Magic Tower, or a large medical institution, but the question was whether Maya could hold on until then.
Maya’s treatment was urgent.
Moreover, other classmates were fulfilling additional conditions for their future, such as participating in research projects, internships at famous magic-related companies, or studying abroad.
These were things a poor orphan commoner without parents couldn’t even dream of.
Most information about good opportunities circulated in nobility gatherings.
His social network consisted only of friends he met at the academy and through volunteer activities at the orphanage.
Fortunately, he met a good sponsor there, but that money also disappeared into his sister’s medicine and treatment costs.
Additionally, recently he gave a large sum of money to a healer who promised to cure his sister’s disease, only to be scammed when the person fled the next day.
So he tried to earn money by working at restaurants and as an academy assistant in his spare time, but it was far from enough.
That’s when Matilda professor’s bulletin caught his eye.

「Recruiting talented future magic talents.
Long-term project of at least 1-2 years with employment opportunities at House Roberg for participants.
Academic excellence.
Mana specialists.
Majors in magical medicine or magical engineering.
Monthly support for living stability as well as sponsorship funds.
Amount negotiable.」

It seemed trustworthy since it was a project conducted by the noble House Roberg.
The sponsorship and monthly living support funds, along with future employment connections, seemed like a dream opportunity for someone without connections like him.
Though he didn’t know what research he would be doing, his heart raced with anticipation.
Theo, who was quickly running to the dormitory building, stopped at the entrance.
“…Teacher Karina?”
“Hello.”
Jiana, who concealed her true identity with brown hair and glasses, greeted Theo warmly.
She was the head of the information guild who occasionally volunteered at orphanages and sponsored children from difficult financial backgrounds while hiding her identity.
She had met Theo during volunteer activities at an orphanage and became his sponsor.
“What brings you here suddenly?”
“I have good news.”
“Good news? Actually, I have something to tell you, too!”
With a happy face, Theo confided to Jiana that he had applied for research that could provide a large sponsorship.
She firmly pressed down on Theo’s shoulder and said resolutely.
“You’re going to participate without knowing the detailed research content or the identity of the client?”
“But you know my situation, Teacher. The doctor said he would only treat my sister if I paid her overdue medical bills. Right now, raising money is the most important thing.”
Theo said, biting his lip tightly. He looked very tired.
Jiana handed him a note and said something unbelievable.
“A little lady named Liria from House Roberg wants to meet you.”
“…Me? Why…?”
Theo asked curiously, but Jiana just shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t know the reason either. I guess you’ll find out when you meet her?”
“…What kind of person is this young lady?”
Curiosity and fear of strangers arose simultaneously in Theo’s eyes.
“She is a very grateful and extremely cute person who has also been a great help to me. What do you think, wouldn’t it be better to meet someone I vouch for? Especially since both are from Roberg. And perhaps you won’t have to worry about your sister’s medical expenses anymore.”
Jiana winked and tempted Theo.

***

The official events of the family meeting were concluded.
Liria promised to meet Tanya, Mari, Rona, and Rodrick, collateral nobles she had become friendly with, at the successor lessons before parting.
Some of the collateral family members who wanted to stay at the Roberg ducal castle remained longer, but most chose to return to their own territories.
Thanks to this, the bustling ducal castle became quiet.
Viscount Jade and his family were detained at the ducal castle until the investigation was completed and couldn’t return home.
Now Dmitri, Malcom, and Natasha would never bully Liria again.
Furthermore, it was a good thing that one of Osdel’s financial sources, who had been his minion, was cut off.
Nevertheless, his forces and helpers would still be everywhere.
Though she didn’t remember the entire original work, she knew the major figures.
Some who greatly helped Osdel become the family head were even in the temple and the Imperial Family.
To confront them, knowing the future alone was not enough.
To build her strength, she needs to gather as many keys as possible.
She had acquired the difficult Key of Heart, and though she couldn’t save Adrian, she learned his location.
‘I think I’ve obtained most of what I could get.’
Of course, there were moments of crisis.
This time, she managed to avert the crisis by attracting attention with a magic demonstration, but she needed to be careful not to have her abilities checked.
The unexpected attack was also a shocking incident for Liria.
‘I need to be careful even within Roberg. Enemies are everywhere.’
It would be better to be more careful during chaotic times when large events are held or when other people’s attention is dispersed.
Thinking about it that way, she could somewhat understand why Classid was overprotective of her.
Above all, the greatest gain from this family meeting was.
“Father!”
“…Liria, did you wait long?”
The heart of her one and only father.
When their eyes met, Classid’s eyes curved as he placed his hand on Liria’s fluffy pink hair.
‘My daughter is cute today too.’
Liria momentarily froze at Classid’s inner thoughts, which were completely different from what he said outwardly.
‘Huh? Did my father really just call me cute?’
He had never called her cute before.
Though he had stared at her with strange eyes, like now.