On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 90
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 090
Was This Really a Home Visit?
The most important thing in the Sopen Family is money.
In fact, without money, the Sopen Family had nothing particularly noteworthy to boast about.
So paradoxically, while showing off their wealth, they were extremely frugal with money.
They spent generously when it came to showing off or business necessities, but unexpected expenses were kept to a minimum.
In other words—
Spending as much as 1.3 million cel on a mere Liberal Arts Instructor was not in their calculations.
And for tea, no less!
‘Who would have thought he’d drink this much!’
An existence that completely defied calculations.
That was Ziel.
They never imagined someone would drink 13 teapots’ worth of the finest tea in just 30 minutes.
A mere 30 minutes.
In the time others would moderately empty one teapot…
What was meant to show off the Sopen Family’s wealth had become too much of a show-off.
‘There’s nothing to be done.’
Though his heart felt constricted from the waste, what was needed now was the magnanimity befitting a Family Head!
“What’s all the fuss over a mere 1.3 million cel?”
‘I never mentioned it was 1.3 million cel…’
“It’s only 1.3 million cel, but we can provide adequate hospitality. What can you do with a mere 1.3 million cel? At most, hire one 2nd Circle Mage, hold a banquet, and with that money…”
His magnanimity was truly overflowing.
So overflowing it could form an ocean!
“…Teacher will be waiting, so let’s go in. Head Butler, wait outside.”
“Ah, understood, Family Head.”
The Head Butler let out a sigh of relief inwardly…
“Oh. And submit a report on all expenses incurred during Teacher Ziel’s home visit. Clearly and precisely.”
“…Yes, Family Head.”
“Make sure to include this 1.3 million cel especially.”
His magnanimity was truly great.
Olton and Maris, who entered inside, faced Ziel with his usual impassive expression.
“Teacher Ziel, we meet again. It’s been a while.”
Olton, trying to act nonchalant.
“Teacher Ziel!”
Maris, extremely delighted.
“Family Head, we meet again at this home visit. Student Maris Sopen. You look thinner than before.”
“How did you know? I’ve been training incredibly hard since I got back!”
“But your muscle mass has decreased as well. Pay attention to your nutritional intake.”
“Eh, how did you know? Actually, I skipped dinner for two days…”
“Student Maris Sopen. You must eat all your daily meals properly to receive adequate nutrition.”
“Yes, I’ll take it to heart!”
Maris smiled brightly.
‘Why is this kid really acting like this?’
His father’s heart was burning inside.
Of course, it was absolutely, absolutely not because of the 1.3 million cel.
“Ahem, Maris. You look happy.”
“Of course, Father. Teacher came all the way to our house!”
Olton flinched at those words.
It was a statement that strangely touched his heart as a father.
‘When my son is this happy.’
For a mere 1.3 million cel…
“Family Head Olton Sopen, the tea was very delicious.”
No.
It was a whole 1.3 million cel.
“Ahem. It seems to have suited your taste very, very well.”
“Yes. The Head Butler told me to ask for as much as I wanted, so I had several cups. I haven’t had tea often, but it was my first time tasting teas with such deep flavors.”
Should he feel good or bad about this?
It was nice that he appreciated the tea’s taste, but drinking so much of it was not good at all.
“What did you like most?”
“The Black Oak Tea Leaves were the best.”
Of course he’d know the expensive ones.
But it seemed that wasn’t all he knew.
“The first taste began with smoky aroma and bitterness, and by the time I emptied the cup, there was a slight sweetness going down my throat that was pleasant. As time passed, the sweetness increased further. By the time I drank the last cup, the bitterness rose more prominently. It had diverse flavors.”
“…!”
It matches the experts’ evaluation.
There’s no way he could have looked it up or asked someone in the meantime.
‘Does he really have knowledge about tea?’
I thought he knew nothing at all.
Ziel appeared strangely different now.
“Teacher, do you know about tea as well?”
“I don’t know much, Maris Sopen. I just said what I felt.”
People don’t know, but Ziel’s five senses are extremely sharp.
Especially when it comes to taste.
If he wanted, he could distinguish even the subtle flavors hidden between tastes.
In Tea Ceremony, which enjoys fragrance and various flavors, he unintentionally shows tremendous expertise!
“Then that’s even more amazing… Father, isn’t that right? Didn’t Sir Lewis say something similar when we met him before?”
Sir Lewis was exactly that expert.
He was a Grand Knight of the Imperial Palace with deep knowledge of Tea Ceremony.
“…”
What exactly is this person?
Olton had a headache from this situation that wasn’t flowing as intended or expected at all today.
“Ahem… Well. I think we should start with the home visit discussion first.”
Olton forcibly brought up the main topic.
He felt like continuing the conversation would only frustrate him more.
“Understood. There are many things to discuss.”
“Yes, well. I suppose there would be.”
Just as he crossed his arms, wanting to hear what there was to say.
Thud.
Thick bundles of Documents came out of Ziel’s Bag and piled up on the table.
Olton was flustered.
“What is that, Teacher?”
“Materials containing analysis of Maris Sopen’s achievements and Swordsmanship, as well as future growth directions.”
Olton was flustered once again.
‘Was this really a home visit?’
Not just coming to chat a bit and leave, but this serious?
“If you look at the first page, there are Materials that summarize these Documents in advance. I’ll discuss while looking at that. Maris Sopen has made progress in Swordsmanship posture, speed, and precision during one semester. Also, physical abilities such as Physical Strength and Reflexes have improved. However, the development is unbalanced, so I’ll mention a few points. First…”
His pupils gradually becoming unfocused.
It really is serious.
Meanwhile, Olton was also getting absorbed in Ziel’s explanation.
“Here, when performing Upper Attacks, there’s a habit of raising the arm too high. I keep pointing it out, but due to the characteristics of the Swordsmanship used previously, no improvement has been made. During the vacation period, focus on improving this most importantly.”
“Ah, understood.”
“Next is Lower Stance. Footwork is good compared to other students, but accuracy is lacking. Actually during Training…”
At some point, Olton had become not the Head of Sopen Family but a Parent!
“Um… Teacher. Then where does our child’s skill rank among the First Years?”
Eyes genuinely filled with expectation.
Ziel answered calmly in contrast.
“Within the top 10%.”
“As expected!”
All that Money spent and attention poured in was worth it!
“If you improve Swordsmanship and Breathing focusing on the improvement needs presented in the Documents, this Student will continue to develop.”
“I see!”
“Father, this is all thanks to Teacher Ziel teaching me well. I was honestly… a bit arrogant, but I came to my senses thanks to Teacher.”
Ziel responding to those words.
“Peer relationships weren’t good due to that problem, but there was much improvement through the practical Training.”
Maris bowing her head as if embarrassed and Olton’s expression brightening.
“Really?”
Though it was a fact he’d been avoiding since he’d raised her too permissively, there was no reason not to be happy that it had improved.
“In summary, Maris Sopen needs Swordsmanship balance adjustment according to future height growth, and improvement in areas showing weaknesses. However, she has good Talent for Swordsmanship and appears capable of continued development.”
“Teacher…”
“It’s all thanks to Teacher! Thank you, Teacher Ziel.”
Ziel nodding toward Maris expressing gratitude.
“Right. It’s thanks to me.”
Then, unusually, he added one more thing.
“However, the one who performs Swordsmanship and trains is you, Maris Sopen. You’ve grown thanks to following my guidance well too.”
Praise for one’s child is always pleasant.
“Is our son doing well?”
“He is doing well. He participates enthusiastically in training, and his results are good. He is a student with excellent grades.”
Though it was said in a flat voice, it sounded better to Olton’s ears than any lavish praise.
Olton quickly expressed his gratitude.
“Please continue to guide him well, Teacher Ziel. I may have spoiled my child a bit, but he’s truly a good kid. I’m sorry I couldn’t pay more attention after sending my son to the Academy.”
“I see. I will watch over him while he’s at the Academy.”
What could be more important?
His son had developed so much and had such wonderful talent!
Though his thoughts had strayed far from when he first heard about the home visit, it didn’t matter at all.
“That concludes the home visit. I’ll give you these documents to use when needed.”
Ziel handed over documents he had written himself and packed his bag.
Olton hurriedly stood up at this sight.
“A-are you leaving already, Teacher Ziel?”
“I’ve conveyed all information regarding Student Maris Sopen’s achievements. Do you need further discussion?”
“Well… it’s been less than 2 hours since we started talking, and I feel so sorry if you leave like this.”
“I have to make home visits to other families too.”
Olton suddenly grabbed Ziel’s hand.
“I would feel too sorry if you left like this, Teacher Ziel.”
The thought of overwhelming him with money had completely vanished.
‘He’s my son’s teacher!’
Olton was an emotional person.
More precisely, he was a father.
“Please at least have a meal before you go. It’s just mealtime. You should eat before leaving so I can feel at ease. If you’re going to other families, you’ll have to travel a long way…”
Maris joined in too.
“That’s right, Teacher. Please have a meal before you go. Our Head Chef is incredibly skilled!”
The earnest gazes of the father and son.
“I cannot accept anything from students and parents.”
At his firm attitude, Olton pleaded even more earnestly.
“Teacher, this isn’t you receiving something. Rather, I’m the one receiving. You should consider my reputation too, shouldn’t you? Don’t you know well that in this Valdrain Empire, sending away a guest who came from far away without feeding them a single meal would earn finger-pointing?”
It wasn’t wrong.
The Empire still retained some customs of treating guests with utmost hospitality.
Some had disappeared as they became problematic, but offering at least one meal even to mortal enemies was still a valid culture!
Ziel pondered for a moment, then nodded at the hunger signal coming from his stomach.
“Understood. I’ll do that.”
Only then did Olton and Maris feel relieved.
“You’ll definitely like it. We only use fresh ingredients procured from various parts of the Empire! Oh, is there any food you particularly like? If possible, I’ll instruct the kitchen right now to prepare it.”
Ziel thought for a moment before answering.
“Chicken skewers.”
“Chicken skewers…”
“It’s chicken meat skewered and grilled.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t know what it was, but why would someone visiting such a noble house ask for such simple food…
‘Ah!’
As expected of a teacher.
He mentioned simple food so as not to burden us!
Olton now interpreted everything positively.
“I’ll tell them to prepare the finest chicken skewers.”
“If possible, please ask for a lot.”
“Of course. I’ll definitely tell them, Teacher.”
Olton became pleased.
Today was the most pleasant day he’d had recently.
“Son, continue working hard at the Academy. Remember well what the Teacher said and train hard during vacation.”
“Yes, of course, Father!”
Maris also became happy.
‘I’m glad Father seems to have softened his heart.’
He had seemed quite hostile, but true to his father’s nature of mood swings, he seemed to have warmed up, which was fortunate.
“Oh, Teacher. There’s still about an hour left, so would you like to watch our Knight Order training while you wait? We’re just preparing to establish a Knight Order.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll escort you personally!”
Excited Olton.
Maris following behind him.
But the two should have noticed from the part where Ziel drank so much tea for 30 minutes.
Just how much Ziel could eat.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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