"Especially mana stones..."
Rowan had barely begun when Logistics Director Isolde stood up alongside him to voice their grievances. This was right in her area of expertise as the Logistics Director.
"Headmaster Daniel, we're truly short on mana stones!" The Academic Affairs Officer and the Logistics Director were practically on the verge of tears.
"Whether it's alchemy, drawing magic arrays, or forging magical items, what doesn't require mana stones?! But our academy—" Isolde clapped her hands together. "We simply don't have any mana stones!"
Well, not entirely none.
At least Daniel knew that logistics weren't just responsible for the mana stone expenditures related to student classes and teacher salaries. They also managed all the academy's external expenses—from taxes, food, and water, to transportation for field trips, renting venues, and even dealings with Riverside City officials. All of this fell under logistics.
Given the academy's size, these miscellaneous costs added up to thousands of intermediate mana stones each year!
In terms of teaching, both teachers and students had to rely on inferior mana stones, which were reused over and over. Some mana stones were completely drained of mana and had turned into ordinary rocks but were still being used in model classes!
In short, every little thing consumed mana stones.
Maybe the overwhelming burden, coupled with the lack of mana stones, was what caused Isolde's temper to grow worse over time.
With Isolde and Rowan leading the complaints, the other key staff members also began to chime in.
The head of admissions lamented, "If things keep going this way, recruitment next year will be a huge problem! Even at the bare minimum, we might not have enough resources to care for the children we bring in."
Some of the remaining teachers, though willing to forgo their pay for the time being, admitted that their gestures were only a drop in the ocean. It wouldn't make much difference in addressing the academy's massive mana stone deficit.
Back when the old archmage was alive, his personal connections allowed the academy to secure funding through loans or other means. The contributions of alumni helped fill some of the gaps in the academy's finances, and the archmage himself would even take on external work to earn mana stones to keep the academy running.
But now, the academy had no one like the old archmage—someone with the influence and ability to bring in mana stones.
At least, that's how the academy staff saw it.
Daniel listened as everyone expressed their views, and although the atmosphere wasn't too chaotic, the concern in the room was clear. He wasn't the least bit impatient.
Billions of years of training had given Daniel immense patience.
He nodded and raised his hands, signaling everyone to sit down.
"In the end, the problem boils down to one thing—our lack of mana stones."
"Exactly," Isolde stood up again. "Right now, the academy's mana stone reserves are practically nonexistent! After paying for rent, taxes, and food, we're barely breaking even!"
Daniel asked, "How much do we need? Give me a number."
Isolde froze for a moment, as if she hadn't quite processed what the headmaster had just said.
"I'm asking, how many mana stones do we need right now?"
"Well..." Isolde glanced at her colleagues, and they all avoided eye contact.
She hesitated before finally saying, "Mana stones... the more, the better, but..."
They were reluctant to give a figure, afraid of putting too much pressure on Daniel.
"Snap!" Daniel snapped his fingers. "Let's settle the mana stone issue first."
He understood their good intentions but found it unnecessary.
Mana stones were the last thing Daniel was lacking.
He just needed to find the right opportunity to introduce his mana stones legally.
At that moment, there was a knock on the meeting room door. It was Rose. "Father, the carriage is ready."
"Headmaster, where are you going?" The group looked puzzled. They had no idea what Daniel was planning.
"Come with me, Isolde," Daniel said.
The Logistics Director stood up and followed Daniel to the door, finally realizing she hadn't asked the most important question. "Where are we going?"
"To solve the mana stone issue," Daniel replied concisely.
Solve it?
How?
Where could he go to solve it?
Very few mages in the world weren't short on mana stones. How could he just go somewhere and resolve such a problem?
Though Isolde had a thousand questions in her head, she still followed Daniel to the carriage Rose had prepared.
As the Logistics Director, Isolde often had to step in herself due to the academy's financial constraints. She even took on tasks like driving the carriage.
So, with her short wavy hair and smart, sharp demeanor, the ever-efficient Isolde personally took the reins and drove Daniel's carriage.
"Headmaster, where exactly are we going?" Isolde asked once they were on the road.
"Dragonscale Bank."
The carriage wasn't large—just a one-horse, two-wheel cart with an arched canopy over the back. Daniel and Isolde sat on the front plank, with Isolde holding the reins.
"Dragonscale Bank?" Isolde's eyes lit up. "Could it be that the old headmaster left some fortune in their vault?"
"You'll see when we get there," Daniel replied.
He had intended to close his eyes and rest, but the constant rattling of the carriage made it too uncomfortable. From the back of the carriage came the occasional sound of something small and hard bouncing around.
Daniel didn't say anything, and Isolde couldn't figure it out either.
She could only assume that the old headmaster had left some wealth behind. But then again—how likely was that?
The old headmaster had devoted nearly all his wealth to supporting the academy and caring for the children. How could there be anything left—especially at Dragonscale Bank?
Dragonscale Bank wasn't just any ordinary bank.
Usually, the academy dealt with "Mana Stone Credit," a service that allowed borrowing mana stones on loan.
Dragonscale Bank, however, was different. They only dealt in high-value treasures. If it wasn't something particularly valuable, only enormous quantities of mana stones, far beyond what most people could imagine, would qualify for Dragonscale Bank's services.
...
Before long, the carriage arrived at the entrance to Dragonscale Bank.
The rundown carriage, bearing the Crossbridge Academy emblem, instantly drew a lot of attention.
Upon seeing the academy's crest, the initial looks of surprise turned into silent ridicule.
The useless headmaster.
The impoverished academy.
These were the stereotypes people in Riverside City had of Crossbridge Academy.
A doorman immediately went to notify the bank manager.
"Headmaster Daniel of Crossbridge Academy? What's he doing here?" The beautiful female manager paused for a moment, then decided to greet him personally.
Perhaps the academy was finally ready to sell off its last treasures.
This could be a lucrative opportunity for her.
"Headmaster Daniel, welcome," the manager said with a gracious smile. "A private room has been prepared for you on the second floor. Please follow me."
Daniel nodded.
He could see the calculation in her eyes, but that was just a merchant's instinct.
The sharper they were, the easier the negotiation would be.
"Headmaster, this is Miss Claire," Isolde introduced.
Miss Claire smiled warmly.
Although she was young, as the manager of Dragonscale Bank in this region, the wealth she controlled surpassed that of all the major powers in Riverside City combined.
"Professor Daniel, are you here for a purchase or a deposit?"
"I must apologize; the previous manager didn't leave complete records, and I couldn't find any transactions between your academy and the bank.
"If there's any oversight, I hope you'll forgive us."
Daniel understood her implication.
She was gently reminding him that Dragonscale Bank's services were expensive and not to overestimate his purchasing power.
It was a tactful way for merchants to protect the dignity of less wealthy customers.
"There weren't any transactions before," Daniel nodded, stepping toward the back of the carriage, "but there will be now!"
With that, he opened the slot that secured the carriage's back panel.
Whoosh—!
Thick as walnuts, as long as fingers—tens of thousands of shimmering, high-purity superior mana stones tumbled out, spilling onto the ground like water!