The Curse of Being Hated Has Been Lifted

13 – Making Money

“I have to make money.”

Logan had a similar thought last week, but his current concern was slightly different from before.

Back then, it was because he needed to earn even a little money to eat, but now, it was because there was no other way for Logan to increase his power except through money.

Surprisingly, he seemed to have some talent in magic, but he lacked the magical power to become a wizard.

Becoming a magic apprentice might have allowed him to earn a living, but practically, he had no way to possess the power he could use.

Although he seemed to have some talent in ruling, he couldn’t become a lord without a piece of land.

In the end, the only remaining option was to gain power through money.

Considering that the family he belonged to was making a living through well-developed commercial skills, it was quite an appropriate choice.

It bothered him that he was choosing the same path as those despicable people he loathed, but Logan was not in a position to pick and choose.

The situation was so dire that he had to swallow even undrinkable water if necessary.

Although Stella’s hideous curse on Logan’s body had been lifted, it wasn’t enough to solve everything.

Logan was still despised by almost everyone, a disowned eldest son of the family, with a background worse than that of a fallen noble.

If he didn’t gather strength, he could face any kind of trouble.

“Someone who feels guilty like Anna might be the strange one after all.”

Logan remembered a senior who had tormented him horribly last year.

He was esteemed by everyone as an honorable person, but Logan was well aware of the true nature of his senior, which was quite despicable.

Would he seek forgiveness just because someone cursed that wretched human being? It was utterly unimaginable. Perhaps, even if Logan himself confessed to receiving a curse, they would dismiss it as nonsense, accusing him of using sorcery to suppress the emanating energy.

To avoid this, strength was needed. A very powerful strength.

“It tastes good.”

“That’s true.”

For some reason, not pushing away the approaching Shohel by his side was one of the things he did to cultivate strength. Shohel’s family was quite remarkable. If she, as the likely next head of the family, became close to him, it could be a source of strength for Logan.

It felt a bit awkward to use friendship for his own benefit, but Logan didn’t have the luxury to distinguish between means and ends.

“What are you going to do now, senior?”

“What are you talking about?”

“People have started to look at you differently. Don’t you want revenge or have such thoughts?”

“You speak nonsense.”

“Really? I heard rumors about a significant incident last year…”

There were a few beings who desired revenge. The senior who graduated last year, one senior still attending the same academy, and although he couldn’t recall immediately, there might be more when he saw their faces.

‘For now, Aria comes to mind.’

No matter how much it was because of a curse, or how much misunderstanding had piled up, her actions were too extreme.

If Logan received 70% of the pain last year, it would be Aria’s share of the remaining 50% from a senior who graduated from the same suffering.

“It’s not that I don’t want to seek revenge.”

“Is that so?”

“There are just too many other things to do.”

Now is not the time to focus solely on revenge.

While nobles of Logan’s age were each building their own positions and skills, Logan had nothing to show for himself.

Even if he desperately ran, the gap was too difficult to narrow, and there was no time to focus on revenge now.

“And, revenge cannot be done on the grounds of righteousness alone.”

To seek revenge, one must have power.

Aria might be able to inflict a significant punishment within the academy if she spoke well, but for Logan to seek revenge on the one he wanted most, he would need truly immense strength.

It was clear that attempting revenge with feeble strength or relying on people’s sympathy would undoubtedly lead to assassination.

“So, let’s part ways here for today.”

“What does ending the talk of revenge have to do with today?”

Without responding to Schöll’s words, Logan walked out of the restaurant.

The academy at dinner time was quite quiet, but there were still people passing by.

There were those heading to the dorms after eating, and many seemed to be taking a stroll outside.

“I need to gather some capital for now.”

An idea for a business venture came to mind as if out of nowhere during the lecture.

Logan tore out the page closest to a blank one in the textbook and wrote this down.

[Do you want to show Logan, who has always been disliked, a bitter taste?]

[Punch: 10 silver]

[Kick: 20 silver]

[Requested skill: Calculated under agreement.]

[Testers and wizards may have additional charges.]

10 silver is quite a sum of money.

Enough for Logan to toil all day.

But this place is an academy frequented by the offspring of noble families, where 10 silver is not even enough for a day’s allowance for these esteemed individuals.

‘I can’t stand for this.’

Even if Logan’s curse is lifted, his accumulated image doesn’t disappear.

Until now, he couldn’t hit and leave without payment due to the curse, but now that the curse is lifted, he can definitely collect the money.

There are surely many who don’t like Logan, so this is undoubtedly a business that can succeed.

“Isn’t that Logan? I heard he’s become quite decent lately.”

“I’ve never seen Professor Lee praising a student before. Especially Logan…”

“But what is he holding?”

“Well… why go to such lengths…”

“I heard he was expelled from his family.”

Surprisingly, no one approached Logan.

From a distance, they just stared at the paper Logan was holding.

‘What’s going on? Could this possibly fail?’

Are the students of Akakemi people who can easily beat others without the help of a curse? Or did they just miscalculate the price? Is Logan, who has paid 10 silver to lift the curse, not worth hitting anymore?

“But if I lower the price, it’s going to be a problem…”

Due to the continuous assaults he endured last year, Logan had a certain amount of pride in his toughness. But that didn’t mean he could just take a hit. If he got caught by a properly trained inspector, no matter how much of a tough guy he was, he knew he would be in big trouble. Considering all these risks, he had to charge at least this much, even at a minimum.

“Can I give it a try?”

It had been 10 minutes since a customer last walked in. Suddenly, Anna appeared in front of Logan.

“This is for a trade between us. Can we talk about it?”

“Figure it out yourself.”

Although he felt a bit uncomfortable, he couldn’t be rude to his first customer.

“I’m a magician, so it’ll be an additional charge, right?”

“If you’re not using magic, there’s no need.”

“I want to do a specific technique. I’ll pay 1 gold.”

“What in the world are you planning to do with 1 gold…”

Is she trying to cast a spell or something?

“Try it first, and if it’s too painful, then I’ll charge you more.”

“Don’t worry. It won’t happen.”

Anna approached Logan closely.

-Tightly.

And hugged him once.

‘Is she trying to slam me to the floor just like this?’

Contrary to Logan’s cheeky imagination, Anna just moved away from him.

“Excuse me.”

Then Anna handed him 1 gold.

And disappeared in an instant.

‘What was that.’

It felt like a calculated move just to give 1 gold.

Although she felt slightly uncomfortable with the pitying feeling, she had no intention of throwing away or returning the gold.

While 1 gold might be a small amount for a well-off lady, it was a significant sum for Logan.

‘Earned some easy money.’

Unfortunately, after the first customer, there was no sign of the next for a long time.

“I’ll do it.”

Still, after a long wait, the second customer finally arrived.

This time, it was a familiar voice.

“Clamp down on your molars. I’m really going to hit you hard.”

When Logan turned his head to look, he saw Shohel’s face, oddly furious for some reason.

“You’re a knight; hitting faces is an added skill.”

“I bite teeth.”

Shohel’s hand, aiming for Logan’s face, swiftly approached, then slowed down, softly grazing Logan’s face rather than striking it with force.

“Why would you do something like this?”

“I needed to make money. I just thought it was the best way.”

Shohel’s eyes glanced at the gold coin resting in Logan’s hand.

‘What could he have done to earn a gold coin…’

Logan couldn’t fathom what he could have possibly done to deserve a gold coin.

“Don’t try to earn money this way. You’re hurting yourself.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll stop after earning just 50 silver more.”

‘He’s asking me for 50 silver?’

He’s as tough as they come.