Gold Coins, My Life

In the afternoon, Lin Qi uncharacteristically carried his schoolbag into the classroom.

Quite a few students were already seated in the large, semi-circular lecture hall. Gram and Yu Lian followed Lin Qi, one on each side, and swaggered to the very center of the front row to take their seats. The other students in the front row glanced at them and promptly moved to the rows behind.

Wherever they went, no other students dared to come within a five-meter radius. This was the result of the fearsome reputation of Lin Qi and his group.

Vik had been captured alive by the Knights of the Round Table, and all the necessary arrangements were being handled by Enzo. This afternoon's lecture was a core professional course taught by Koen, the most famous 'Professor of Gold Coins' in the Accounting department of Fifth University. For two years, Lin Qi had been unwavering, never missing a single one of Koen's lectures, no matter how significant the event.

Professor of Gold Coins, Koen, was notorious at Fifth University as a parasite among vampires, a vampire among parasites. He had once held significant power as the chief minister of the Logistics Department in the Empire's military. However, due to certain corruption suspicions, he was expelled from the military and stripped of all his official titles by Louis XIII. He had no choice but to dejectedly come to Fifth University, using his financial expertise to secure a teaching position in the Accounting department to make a living.

What attracted Lin Qi were the ingenious financial strategies Professor Koen unreservedly taught in class – tactics that could baffle any auditor or accountant, practical skills for embezzling vast sums without leaving a trace.

Moreover, if one privately offered Professor Koen a bit of shiny Ooh-ooh-call, a few casual words of advice from him could lead to considerable profit. That was why Lin Qi never missed a single lecture from Professor Koen, regardless of the circumstances, even if it rained knives.

As the bell for the first afternoon class rang, Professor Koen, a man with a lean physique, a pointed, sharp face like a drill bit, and triangular eyes with pale green irises like a hungry wolf always seeking prey, strode into the classroom with a steady, measured gait, hands clasped behind his back, his body hunched.

When Professor Koen entered, the hundreds of third-year Accounting students in the lecture hall, including Lin Qi, Gram, and Yu Lian, rose simultaneously and applauded vigorously, a gesture of respect for this prominent figure in the financial world.

Having once served as the chief minister of the Logistics Department, holding the authority over the logistical supply and material management for the Empire's million-strong army, Professor Koen, who came from humble beginnings, had over a thousand gold coins in debt before he ascended to the position of chief minister. Yet, after three years as chief minister, when he was expelled from the military and stripped of all his titles by the Empire's Emperor, he had accumulated a staggering fifty thousand gold coins in a secret bank account!

Had it not been for that Banker betraying Professor Koen, no one would have known about his considerable wealth.

Furthermore, no one knew if Professor Koen had more secret accounts with other Bankers.

Everything was shrouded in mystery. For three years, Professor Koen served as the chief minister of the Logistics Department. Before his dismissal, the Empire's Emperor had assembled thirty-six auditors and accountants to conduct a thorough three-month review of all the accounts of the military's Logistics Department over the past three years. Yet, not a single discrepancy was found. Every single copper coin's expenditure had a traceable origin. Based purely on the accounts, Professor Koen appeared as pure as water.

But the fifty thousand gold coins in the secret account were real. No one knew where Professor Koen had obtained this sum!

Had that Banker not been a close friend of one of Professor Koen's political rivals, had that Banker not violated the first rule of Bankers and betrayed Professor Koen, he would likely still be in the position of chief minister of the military's Logistics Department today. Even before his expulsion, there were rumors that His Majesty the Emperor intended to appoint Professor Koen as the Empire's Minister of Finance.

For such a fascinating pursuit, how could Lin Qi, Gram, and Yu Lian, who harbored a strong desire for gold coins, not revere Professor Koen as a deity?

Professor Koen stood steadily at the podium, looking down at Lin Qi, seated in the center of the front row, and nodded with satisfaction. He lingered his gaze on Gram for two seconds, particularly appreciating Gram's avaricious nature, which Professor Koen favored even more.

Clearing his throat lightly, Professor Koen slowly raised his right hand. "What is our motto?"

"Gold coins! Gold coins! Gold coins!" All the Accounting students at Fifth University roared with bloodshot eyes.

"What is our faith?" Professor Koen continued to ask.

"Gold coins! Gold coins! Gold coins!" All the students continued to shout.

"What is our life's goal?" Professor Koen's voice suddenly rose by three octaves.

"Countless gold coins! More gold coins! As many gold coins as possible!" The atmosphere in the classroom reached a boiling point.

Professor Koen lowered his hand with satisfaction, nodding with reserve. "Very good, you are all excellent students. Remember what I have taught you: the purpose of us accountants is to use all legal and non-violating means to safely put shiny gold coins, gleaming silver coins, and lovely copper pieces into our pockets."

With a soft sigh, Professor Koen said slowly, "Once again, I solemnly remind all the children present: choose a reliable Banker!"

Slightly shaking his withered palm, Professor Koen began his lecture for the afternoon. The theme of his lecture today was: 'Based on the liege lord's title and assets, how to accurately calculate the safe limit of gold coins that can be embezzled from a noble family in a year!'

Lin Qi and the others listened to Professor Koen's teachings as if in a trance. Every word carried the fragrance of glittering gold coins!

The two-hour class passed in a flash. Professor Koen walked back into the faculty corridor with the same steady gait as when he entered. Lin Qi hurriedly caught up with Professor Koen, subtly slipped a gold coin into Professor Koen's pocket, and then handed him the parchment from Master Alchemist Ke Cha.

The parchment detailed the types and quantities of experimental materials Ke Cha had requested from the logistics department of Fifth University. As a Master Alchemist, Ke Cha used extremely rare and uncommon materials, which corresponded to extremely high prices.

Professor Koen glanced at the materials listed on the parchment with reserve, narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and gently patted Lin Qi's shoulder.

"In Ten-leaf Moon Flower Grass, you can mix in ten leaves of Moonlight Grass. Both are almost identical in shape, smell, and other characteristics. One Ten-leaf Moon Flower Grass is worth three gold coins, but Moonlight Grass is horse feed. You need three thousand stalks of Ten-leaf Moon Flower Grass here, and you need to grind them into powder before delivery, which is even easier."

Counting on his fingers, Professor Koen nodded. "Three thousand stalks of Ten-leaf Moon Flower Grass, mixed with thirty stalks of Moonlight Grass, carries absolutely no risk."

Lin Qi's eyes lit up, and he respectfully bowed deeply to Professor Koen.

Professor Koen smiled slightly with satisfaction and gently patted Lin Qi's shoulder.

"You're a good seedling, keep working hard!"