It wasn't just Ironhand Lindsey who was in a hurry—his group of apprentice blacksmiths were even more frantic.
They quickly began packing up.
In a few minutes, they had gathered a large pile of belongings.
"Mr. Ironhand, is there something you're not telling me?" Daniel blocked his way. "Are you in debt or being chased?"
"Haha, how did you know?" Ironhand Lindsey scratched his thick hair. "My shop's location is too remote, and customers are few. Before I realized it, I'd fallen behind on the rent."
"How long have you been behind?"
"Hahaha, not too long—only three years," Ironhand Lindsey said. "I'm selling myself to you now, earning a bit of a wage to pay the rent, so my students won't end up homeless."
Daniel had initially thought it was a case of a ruthless landlord.
But now it seemed that if the landlord had let him delay for three years, they were already a very kind person.
"Uh..." Ironhand Lindsey said awkwardly, "I heard from some friends in the city that you've been quite generous lately, Daniel. Could I possibly get an advance on my salary?"
"Sure," Daniel replied. "But you're a 5-star blacksmith, and any one of your items would sell for a decent price. Your muscles show you're not lazy, so why are your finances in such bad shape?"
He needed to be sure that Lindsey didn't have any bad habits.
In any world, Daniel had zero tolerance for gambling or drugs.
"It costs a lot of money to train a skilled blacksmith," Ironhand Lindsey admitted without hesitation. "The materials my students use each month are a massive expense."
"Why not sell some of the items your students make?" That could at least help offset some of the costs.
"No way!" Ironhand Lindsey said seriously. "My students are only allowed to sell items once they've successfully become 3-star blacksmiths."
"Every item bears a blacksmith's mark. The higher the quality of their first item, the better their future items will sell, ensuring their livelihood later on."
"They're all orphans or wanderers I've taken in. This craft will be their only means of survival."
Daniel nodded.
He hadn't expected that beneath Ironhand Lindsey's rough exterior was such a thoughtful and caring heart.
A man like this, Daniel was sure, would never betray him once he joined Crossbridge Academy.
"Here's the employment contract," Daniel said. "All your students can join Crossbridge Academy."
"The academy will provide all the materials the students need."
Ironhand Lindsey was stunned.
He stammered, "Is that really possible?"
If they could enter Crossbridge Academy, not only would they gain more knowledge, but they'd also save a lot on expenses.
"It's possible. Those who wish to join can register at the Academic Affairs Office tomorrow," Daniel said. "Of course, after joining the academy, the academy's interests must always come first. I don't want to see any small factions forming."
"I promise!" Ironhand Lindsey thumped his chest, sparking a bit of electricity. "Daniel, I, Ironhand Lindsey, and all my students will be part of Crossbridge Academy from now on."
"Anyone who dares bully Crossbridge Academy—no matter who it is—we'll smash them into iron slag and melt them down!"
Daniel laughed.
This straightforward half-dwarf was quite amusing.
Now that the academy had resources and its main teachers were found, it would soon be rejuvenated.
Daniel was very satisfied.
Meanwhile, Ms. Isolde, the Logistics Director, was overwhelmed with worry.
In front of her was a large stack of various invoices.
She was used to facing such situations in the past, but back then, the desk was piled high with overdue bills and debt notices. Now, however, it was lists of various items.
"High-level training dummies, potions to enhance mana recovery, crystals to boost mana perception... too many things, too many good things!" Ms. Isolde fretted.
Daniel had cleared out both Dragonscale Bank and Silverscale Store, buying an enormous amount of goods, far beyond what the current students could use.
Even if they were equipped from head to toe, there would still be plenty left in stock.
What troubled her even more was that Daniel gave her a budget of one million mana stones per month to buy consumables.
"I can't spend it all! It's impossible to spend it all!"
"We could eat mana stones and drink magic spring water every day, and it still wouldn't use it all."
Ms. Isolde let out a howl of happiness.
She had never imagined in her life that she'd experience the trouble of having too much money.
At the same time, she was secretly thrilled.
With such a vast resource investment, it wouldn't take long for Crossbridge Academy to grow into something everyone could only look up to!
When that time came, neither Moonstone Academy nor Whisperwind would be their match.
"It's all thanks to Daniel," Ms. Isolde took a deep breath. "I must work hard! For the headmaster and for the future of the academy."
The next day.
Ms. Isolde was stunned as she looked at the three new teachers who had come to report.
She had seen the list, but she hadn't expected Daniel to work so quickly.
The three teachers were just as surprised when they saw each other.
As well-known experts in Riverside City, they all knew each other's identities.
"Emily, you're here too?" Ironhand Lindsey said in surprise. "Were you also shocked by Daniel's generosity and decided to join the academy?"
"Yes," One-Eyed Emily replied. "Of course, Daniel's strength is also quite impressive. But Synapsis, why would you, a shut-in, come out to work?"
"Heh, don't pretend," Synapsis said. "I don't believe you two didn't get beaten."
"We didn't," they both said in unison. "We respect Daniel from the bottom of our hearts. He would never hit us."
Seeing their amused expressions, Synapsis silently took out a bottle of vomit-inducing potion.
Logistics Director Ms. Isolde quickly stepped between them, pulling out the school rules and reciting, "Teachers are not allowed to fight with each other. If you really want to, you can apply to Daniel and have a fair competition in the academy's arena."
At the mention of Daniel's name, the tension between the three instantly dissolved.
They had just joined Crossbridge Academy and still wanted to make a good impression on Daniel.
Ms. Isolde breathed a sigh of relief.
She was very busy today.
Not only did she need to arrange housing for the new teachers, but today was also the day Crossbridge Academy distributed mana stones.
Students had already started lining up in the auditorium.
Their student uniforms were a bit shabby, but everyone was in high spirits. Having grown up together, they were as close as real family.
"I heard Daniel bought lots of new stuff. Maybe we'll each get a new mana stone this time."
"Haha, no way. Even having five people share a mana stone for training is already pretty extravagant."
"But where did Daniel get the money? I heard there are dark mages in the southern swamp who buy kidneys and livers for a lot of money. Could he have sold a kidney for us?"
"Wow, don't scare me like that! Headmaster, oh no, headmaster..."
The students were talking about all sorts of things.
They knew new supplies would be distributed today.
While they were excited, they were also worried for Daniel.
Their wildest hopes only went as far as owning a single inferior mana stone.
So, when they saw the piles of glittering items inside the auditorium, they were completely dumbfounded.
"Kids, don't rush," Ms. Isolde said excitedly. "These are the new supplies the headmaster has purchased for you all. New enchanted uniforms, cloaks, shoes, and each of you will get a new beginner's staff."
"Each of you will also receive four hundred inferior mana stones per month, with more if you advance a tier. If it's not enough, you can apply for more anytime."
"Every day, you'll also get one mana cheese or jerky as a snack and a bottle of beginner mana potion."
These were just the basic benefits.
The rest would be distributed gradually.
She thought the students would cheer with joy after hearing this.
But instead, they were first shocked, then exchanged glances. Then, some of the younger ones began hugging each other and crying.
"We're doomed! With so many good things being given out, Daniel really must have sold a kidney!"
"Headmaster, nooo! We'd rather stay poor like before than have you sell yourself!"
Suddenly, the entire auditorium was filled with crying.
Ms. Isolde was dumbfounded.
What in the world were they saying?
Who had started spreading such ridiculous rumors?
She was both angry and amused, hurriedly explaining to the students, "Daniel just used the old headmaster's inheritance! He didn't sell anything! Please stop crying, really!"