Although getting the orders had been a struggle, Tori was more motivated than ever now that she was actually making money.

She estimated that if this round went smoothly, she could make nearly 20 silver coins. That was a huge sum. Even her mother, Xilika, found it hard to believe when she heard the number.

It was no small amount. After expenses, her family of three could save about that much in a year—maybe a little less. But Tori?

Tori was only eight years old!

And there was still a full year and a month until the next school year. The Magic Academy started in August, and it was now late June, almost July. Tori had said that after this batch of rat poison sold, it would be a long time before she got another big order like this. Most orders would probably just be for a few packets of rat poison.

But Xilika knew her daughter wouldn’t stop there. She was bound to have other ideas, and she’d keep coming up with new ways to make even more money.

Even if she never made another coin, Tori could use those 20 silver coins to cover her living expenses.

Perhaps she should find a merchant to teach Tori. Was sending her to the Magic Academy really the right choice? Xilika was still troubled by the question when she went to see the village chief, while Tori busied herself making the rat poison she’d promised to deliver.

“Chief, I’ve been wondering about something. Would Tori have a brighter future as a merchant if we gave her the gold coin we’d set aside for her Magic Academy enrollment as startup capital instead?”

The village chief looked at the mother worrying over her child and gestured for her to calm down. “As you say, Tori does have a knack for business. But what if she becomes a merchant?”

The village chief took out a magic newspaper, a publication that had only come into being after the start of the Witch Era. They said the Supreme Witch had ordered every country to publish one.

It cost two silver coins a month. For many people in the village, that was a hefty expense. But the village chief could afford it.

“You don’t usually read the paper, so you don’t know what’s going on in this country. Let me read you something.”

“Year 10 of the Witch Era, June 27. Imperial merchant beheaded for selling military rations at the border.”

He’d only read one item. “A merchant is a merchant, but I heard this one’s wealth was measured in purple gold coins. A merchant like that—and they killed him just like that, confiscating all his property. Do you understand what I mean?” The village chief’s expression grew serious. “Merchants are just tools the nobles use to line their pockets. When they need money, they can kill them at will. The merchants take the blame, while the nobles reap the rewards. If you want to become a noble, the Magic Academy is the right path!”

“Only at the Magic Academy can you make friends among the nobles and learn how to climb the ranks. That’s how you reach a higher class. In this world, strength is what matters, after all!”

A huge fireball appeared in the old village chief’s hand. Scorching magic swirled around him, lending his aged body an oppressive presence like never before.

Then it vanished just as quickly.

“Do you understand now? Money is one concern, but having the power to protect your wealth is another. Wealth beyond your ability to protect can bring trouble. Let’s take a simple example: if Tori’s friends found out she had 20 silver coins in pocket money right now, what do you think would happen if no adults stepped in?”

The old village chief really was a wise man.

His words easily won Xilika over, and she resolved to send Tori to the Magic Academy. She was grateful to the old village chief, and later passed his words on to Tori, who was hard at work.

After listening, Tori waved a hand like a little grown-up. “Mom, I know what you’re worried about, but you don’t need to be. I’m definitely going to the Magic Academy. Even if you don’t pay my tuition, I’ll save up and pay it myself. But forget everything else for a moment—when it comes to making money, whose money do you think is easiest to get?”

“...What?”

“Women’s and children’s, of course! And nobles’ too.”

“For men and women of the same age, women’s money is easier to earn. Even you have some cosmetics, don’t you, Mom? You don’t use much, but you still have to buy them, right? Like when you and Dad have to show up somewhere—you have to dress up a little. You can’t afford to look shabby, can you?”

Xilika nodded.

“And children? Take me, for example. Tuition at the Magic Academy is one gold coin! And if a family can save up that much, they’ll pay it. Things like that are easy to make money from. As for nobles, they spend even more to maintain their dignity.”

Her eyes grew brighter and brighter. “So what kind of place is the Magic Academy? Nobles! Noble kids! Noble daughters, too! Is there any better place to make money? No! I’m definitely going!”

“...You might be right.” Xilika was a little worried. Of course, she was happy to hear Tori say that—at least it proved her daughter wanted to go to the Magic Academy. The problem was, she wanted to go there to make money...

The village chief hadn’t mentioned that part, and Xilika didn’t know what to say.

All she could manage was, “Mom supports your decision.”

“Mm-hmm!”

Tori threw herself back into making rat poison. She had no idea her mother had been agonizing over her future. After all, the Magic Academy was such a classic story setup that, as someone who’d transmigrated, Tori could hardly resist it. The money she saved now would determine her “capital” at the Magic Academy. Making money was all about making money generate more money. The more she had now, the more she could make at the Academy.

She spent three days working almost without sleep to make all the rat poison that had been ordered.

Then she spent a whole day meditating. After that, she went with Xilika to several nearby villages and sold the rat poison. Just as Sharid, the chief of Hatras Village, had said, he’d already made the arrangements, and she would give him one-sixth of the earnings.

She could’ve asked her own village chief for help, but she’d already made an agreement with someone else. Since they lived in the same area, she had to keep her word.

This wasn’t a one-time deal. Tori had no intention of making money from rat poison only once.

Once she’d sold the poison in several nearby villages, she reached the crucial part: she’d already taken the money from the third young master who’d been pretending to be an adventurer. One hundred packets of rat poison. Four silver coins.

She had no idea why the young master wanted so much rat poison, but she had a bad feeling about it.

Xilika noticed how conflicted her daughter looked. “I can take it to that adventurer’s lodging for you.”

Tori’s expression darkened. “Mom, no. You’re coming with me.”

What if the young master was the sort of villain who went after married women? Her mother was so innocent and naive that a smooth-talking playboy could easily fool her. Tori would only feel safe if she was there.

The main problem was that she had no idea what the third young master was after. But he’d already paid—and money was hard to earn.

In the end, she had no choice but to go to town again with her mother. The statue in Blackwater Town still stood tall, and the address was an inn beside it.

Tori had intended to hand the package over to the inn and tell them which guest it was for. Nobody in town would dare steal from the third young master, after all. She wanted to avoid meeting him if she could.

“Ah! That guest specifically told me that if anyone came to deliver something, I should ask you to wait a moment. Even if he’s gone out, he’ll be back soon. If you’d like anything to eat, you can order it here and put it on his tab.”

“Oh, we couldn’t possibly.” Xilika wasn’t the sort of person who felt comfortable taking advantage of someone’s generosity.

Tori didn’t mind taking advantage of a free meal, but accepting this kind of offer could cause trouble. She might end up paying a much higher price for it.

As she and her mother were getting ready to leave...

A blond boy of thirteen or fourteen happened to walk in from outside the inn.

“Sir, you mentioned that the people delivering your order had arrived.”

The boy looked at the two of them and smiled politely. “I see. Thank you, innkeeper.”

He kept one hand behind his back and bent his knees slightly. “Ladies, this way, please.”

This wasn’t exactly good luck. Tori took a deep breath. At least the third young master seemed to care about appearances, so he probably wouldn’t do anything too vile.

He ordered a stew and some roast meat, then asked the two women if they wanted anything.

They both shook their heads.

“Please, don’t be shy. I’m simply showing my gratitude. This is perfectly normal for an adventurer, especially since I got a four-copper discount. It’s a good deal.”

Ethan made his good intentions clear, and Xilika responded politely.

Ethan then gave an awkward smile. “To be honest, you’ve probably already guessed that I have another reason for this. You made this rat poison yourselves, didn’t you?”

Tori glanced at him. “Yeah. Is there a problem?”

“Miss Tori made it herself?”

“...I made it by following the notes our village chief wrote.”

“Hmm... So I’ve been wondering whether to invest in a future Potion Maker.”

“!”

Tori got excited at once. “You mean you’ve seen my potential and want to invest some money in me, sponsor me to become a Potion Maker, and get something in return? Is that what you mean?”

“Yes. Miss Tori really is clever. I just don’t know whether you’d be interested.”

Was she interested? Of course she was!

Tori nearly let her excitement get the better of her. Then she noticed her mother looking a little lost and calmed down. “Then, to be specific, what are you planning to invest, and what would you expect in return?”

Ethan gave her a long look. “That’s all negotiable. You’re even smarter than I expected, Miss Tori. I think we really could work together.”

“I thought so too.”