Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 236 The White Pope's Mission
“Since the ‘Master of Extraordinary Colors’ rarely engages in art-related activities nowadays, and given the unique nature of his works—which can be displayed by others even without his personal involvement—this identity will not be lost in the event of his death; it will only bring immeasurable value.”

In the meeting room, Platina saw Ritas deep in thought and pressed him further.

Ritas was also seriously considering how much benefit "Yicai's" sudden death would actually bring.

He genuinely doesn't believe he'll have time to engage in artistic activities in the future.

As for the appraisal meeting a few days later, that's not a problem at all. He doesn't want to sell his accumulated works for money immediately; he can afford some buffer time. In fact, if the "Different Colors" master could express at the appraisal meeting that he was forced to come by the Tree Witch, and that he was "enraged" or "beaten to death" by her, then this art master's life would certainly be even more dramatic and legendary, and his posthumous works might even fetch a higher price.

but
"My friend is currently in relatively good health."

Ritas rejected Platina's proposal.

After all, it's best to avoid doing things that leave no room for maneuver. Besides, he's not looking to buy a castle or anything; he's not that desperate for money.

"That's really a shame."

After shaking her head slightly, Platina's unchanging smile returned to her face.

Over the next few minutes, Ritas and Platina discussed in detail how to sell the extraordinary works "ordinarily," as well as the commission the Latras Merchant Guild would receive for acting as their sales agent.

For Ritas and Platina, this was generally a minor matter, and their demands were relatively lenient. Therefore, after easily and amicably reaching an agreement, Ritas signed a contract.

After writing his name, Ritas breathed a sigh of relief.

During the previous discussions, Platina frequently suggested that she could use her exquisite works to exchange for rare antique artifacts such as Ritas with some collectors, and she almost couldn't resist the temptation!
After Ritas finished his business, he exchanged a few casual pleasantries and was about to take his leave when Platina produced an exquisite letter.

After receiving the letter and briefly inquiring whether it could be opened here, Ritas opened it after receiving a "please do as you wish" reply.

After a quick glance, Ritas discovered that it was a letter from Misri Latras, the second daughter of the Latras family and the leader of the "Star People".

Aside from some social niceties, Misley expressed her apologies for being unable to speak with Ritas in person due to personal reasons during this period. She also briefly explained her current situation.

Misley is a student at the Brasche Royal Magic Academy, but she is not a member of any royal family. Therefore, her status at the academy is that of an "attendant student." Because of this status, even though Misley has come to Erls Academy, she cannot openly leave the area borrowed by Brasche Academy, nor can she act independently without her "master."

Seeing this, Ritas's expression became somewhat strange.

Misri, who is so arrogant that she makes a prince the background at the family banquet and doesn't even give him the chance to be a "gift presenter", is actually dutifully serving as an attendant student at the academy.
Even though the Latras family banquet was relatively private, what happened there would inevitably spread. Given that Misley's behavior was no secret, was her "good girl" act at the academy just self-deception, or did she have another identity within the academy?

If it's the latter, what is the purpose of Ratras's second daughter in infiltrating Blascher Academy in this way? It can't be that she really wants to learn magic or enjoy academy life, right?

Although they both share the surname Latras, Misri and Sylvie are undoubtedly worlds apart in terms of social status.

After pondering for a while, Ritas temporarily abandoned these incomprehensible questions and continued reading.

In her letter, Misley expressed her hope that she might find some time to sneak out of the Blasche Academy dormitory area and meet with Ritas. She hoped this would allow them to formally discuss the various matters concerning the Church of the Bathing Goddess, the Star People, and Professor Ritas personally.

Therefore, she hoped that if it was convenient for Ritas, he could specify a time for an evening visit during the conference.

"Um"

Ritas hesitated for a moment.

For Misri, seeing him was like seeing the goddess of bathing.

Misri, who practically fled Spring City after her secret was exposed by the Goddess of Bath, recovered surprisingly quickly.

It's unclear whether Misri has fully embraced the mindset of the Goddess of Bath, or if she has, during this time, found points to question the Goddess of Bath.
Anyway,

"Please tell Miss Misley for me that the time is set for two days from now."

Seeing Misley can't hurt.

Ritas believes that if one truly wants to use the Star People as one's limbs, then contacting Misri is clearly more meaningful than contacting Platina.

Moreover, Misri, who possesses a secret, seems to have an easier time making a breakthrough.

"Tsk tsk, when Platina asked Master Yicai if he was interested in 'dying,' I thought she would raise a glass as a signal, and a bunch of axemen would jump out from behind the screen and chop you to the ground!"

"."

What is this goddess of bathing thinking about all day long?
After saying goodbye to Platina, Ritas left.

Before leaving, for some reason, Platina asked him very seriously how to stop the metronome he had given her.

Ritas only did a rough calculation before telling Platina that after 781 days, the magic crystal inside the metronome would completely dim. Or, after about 600 days, the engraved magic circle would fail due to the aging of the metronome's overall material, and the metronome should stop on its own.

Then he saw Platina, who always had a professional smile on her face, but at that moment her smile looked particularly forced.

After leaving the reception room, the Bath Goddess, who usually either went to take a bath or was too shy to make a sound in formal occasions, immediately became lively.

"Speaking of which, it actually came to the point where you had to sell your own unique works. Kori, you actually have times when you're short of money?"

“I simply deposited my savings in the ‘Stone Vault,’ I didn’t open the Stone Vault.”

Ritas said, somewhat speechlessly.

All I can say is that his expenses over the past six months have been enormous.

Various research projects, various jobs, various commissioned investigations, and the wear and tear of magical items, etc.

Back in the World Tree labyrinth, almost everything Ritas was carrying turned to ash. Even now, thinking back on that loss still stings him.

As a result, Ritas's savings, which he thought he could never spend, unknowingly fell below the danger line.

It's fair to say that if it weren't for the fact that some research or supporting materials aren't readily available just because you have money, he might be bankrupt by now.

"No wonder you used 'White Pope' as your codename in 'Darkborn' instead of just 'Radiant.' It turns out you were thinking that this name would be useful later."

"Indeed, if 'Yicai' gets a bad reputation, its works will be harder to sell."

The artist, considered by the world to be the most artistic, utters the most unartistic words with an indifferent expression. "What do you mean? Are you saying it doesn't matter that our Pope's reputation is tarnished?"

So you really don't care?
"However, it's good that Platina rejected that proposal! Otherwise, with Sylvie's presenter 'dead,' she would definitely be affected. After all, judging from Sylvie's attitude all along, she might only have 'Brilliant' as her presenter over the years."

"Ah."

Although it was somewhat unexpected that the Goddess of Bath could see through Platina's thoughts, the Goddess of Bath was right.

The works of art sold for high prices due to the "death" of their creators, seemingly benefiting the most, but in reality, the still-active Ritas was the biggest beneficiary. However, Platina, who collected a percentage of the sales commission, also made a considerable profit.

Furthermore, in accordance with Latras's style, the death of the Gifter would, on the one hand, impact the "energy" possessed by Sylvie. On the other hand, the fact that Platina possessed and sold the Master of the Brilliant Works could, to some extent, allow that "energy" to be directly transferred to Platina.

More importantly, even after all this happened, Ritas couldn't say anything in the end. Because he also reaped huge benefits.

"She can not only achieve win-win results with her collaborators, but also strike at her competitors."

Ritas sensed Platina's shrewdness and was once again convinced that the Chamber of Commerce was Platina's main business, rather than the "Star People".

Furthermore, although it was in a stage of doing things casually or testing the waters, Platina was clearly targeting Sylvie intentionally. In other words, unlike before, Platina now genuinely regarded Sylvie as an "opponent."

Just as the goddess of bathing and Ritas were talking about Sylvie, Sylvie, who happened to be at the Latras stronghold mansion that day, walked towards them from the opposite side of the corridor.

Since there was nothing particularly to say, Ritas simply exchanged a few pleasantries with Sylvie after their eyes met, and then they walked past each other.

“Professor, I’m sure I can get a higher price for ‘Extraordinary’ works than for Platina.”

Hearing those words from beside him, Ritas couldn't help but stop.

Sylvie simply turned halfway around, nodded again, and left without saying anything more.

"That makes sense! Since it's going to be sold anyway, why not let Sylvie handle it herself?"

"I cannot ask students to spend extra energy on things that are unrelated to their studies and college life. Moreover, it is better for the relationship between teachers and students to be more pure."

This time, Ritas did not agree with the words of the goddess of bathing.

Watching Sylvie's retreating figure, Ritas wondered how she knew about his conversation with Platina.

Did Sylvie use some special method? Or did she simply deduce the correct answer from some details?

If it's the latter, Ritas thinks that this top student in his class might be even smarter than he imagined.

Furthermore, he already felt that the situation within the Elson family was complicated enough.

But compared to the Latras and Elson families, it's pretty good.

After leaving the Latras Merchant Guild's headquarters and meeting up with Boudica, Ritas headed to the next stop on his itinerary for the day.

After walking for about half an hour, Ritas arrived at the gate of a somewhat dilapidated detached house on the outskirts of the East District.

Before reaching their destination, Ritas borrowed a white mask from Boudica, who had bought a bunch of random things.

Then, he found a small backpack, put the white disc inside, and carried it on his back.

The disguise is now complete.

"Hey Li, this level of disguise is way too perfunctory, isn't it?"

"If the disguise is too elaborate and the carrier pigeons don't recognize me, wouldn't that defeat the purpose?"

Now that he wears the mask, Ritas is the most resounding of all his titles: "The White Pope".

During their last meeting at the church, the carrier pigeon not only brought news that Wayne would be coming to Spring City, but also relayed the mission that the "Grand Closing Company" had assigned to their Third Market Expansion Team.

Today is the day the team members are required to meet with customers and discuss business, according to their mission.

However, Ritas waited at the designated location for a long time but never saw any member of the Third Market Development Team, including the carrier pigeon.

"."

Ritas frowned, looking somewhat irritated.

He genuinely couldn't understand what was going on with that group of strange people and Wayne.

Especially Wayne, who suddenly appeared as if specifically to ruin the relationship between the "Elsons" of Spring City. After causing a huge scene, she completely disappeared without a trace, and couldn't be found at all.

After waiting for a while longer, Ritas sighed, basically confirming that the carrier pigeons and the others would not be showing up today.

Or perhaps the conflict between Wayne and the "fireworks maker" led the pioneer team members to collectively abandon the tasks assigned by the company. Or perhaps something of higher priority held them back.

In short, Ritas had no interest in arranging a so-called grand suicide for the company's guests.

Therefore, now that the clues to the "Darkborn" have been basically cut off, he can only temporarily give up the related investigation.

Just as Ritas had turned to leave, the gate of the mansion creaked loudly from years of disrepair, and a hunched, thin old man, leaning on a cane and being helped out of the mansion, emerged.

"Excuse me, are you the one here to advance this project?"

Ritas turned his head and saw a figure he vaguely recognized.

Compared to Ritas's somewhat familiar appearance, the goddess of the bath was quite excited.

"Little Li, you might not believe it, but I saw my third wife in the game!"

The goddess of bathing spoke these words to the young girl who was helping the old man.

(End of this chapter)