Chapter 1232. Blue Guild’s Youth Center (1)

“Is this about what happened at the Blue Guild’s Youth Center?” I asked.

I tried to think of anything that could be related to the rumor Senator Elise had mentioned, but no matter how hard I thought, only one thing came to mind.

‘It’s clearly the youth center, no doubt about it.’

Bribery and expulsion.... I couldn't recall the details clearly, but Senator Hanest’s son was about fourteen years old, so this was the only thing that came to my mind, but there was still a question in my mind. In fact, it was the most important question here.

‘Why the hell is he going to the Blue Guild’s Youth Center?’

It had already been several years since Senator Hanest brought his child and introduced him to me. My memories of it were fuzzy. I remembered him begging for my blessing, talking about the future of the continent, and the nation’s promising young talents, so I gave my blessing.

However, I simply couldn’t understand how he ended up in the youth center. I stopped being involved in the Blue Guild’s Youth Center—actually, now that I thought about it, I never really got involved with it.

Honestly, all I did was put together the education program.

I got reports, but with guild staffers, national affairs, and even the whole continent to manage, I simply didn’t have the bandwidth to focus on the youth center.

The Blue Guild’s Youth Center was essentially established as employee welfare, especially for Kim Mi-Young’s children. When her children showed interest in becoming adventurers, a more serious youth program was developed, but it was still just a youth education program, nothing more, nothing less.

Of course, it had to have grown larger since then.

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young... are you perhaps referring to the Blue Guild’s International Academy?” Elise asked.

‘What hell is the Blue Guild’s International Academy?’

It was an educational facility built a long time ago, but now, it was called the Blue Guild’s International Academy. I couldn't remember receiving a report about it.

As this concerned my own guild, it was kind of embarrassing that I was unaware of it.

And that was when I heard Ji-Hye noona’s voice.

—

The official name is still Blue Guild’s Youth Center. They’re just calling it the Blue Guild’s International Academy among themselves. Since the parents started calling it that, it just kind of stuck."

"You knew about this, noona?"

— You don't know about it?

Ah

, you mentioned that you were no longer involved in the youth program. You never received a report bout it?

"I told the staff to take care of it. It was created for the welfare of the guild staffers. I’m not a control freak like you, so why would I need to check if the staffers' kids are doing well?

"My job was just to design a curriculum and provide them with the facility. After making sure it was running smoothly, I completely dropped it..."

— Doesn’t it strike you as odd that

you’re

the one who designed the curriculum? Why would you do that?

"I was just giving it some attention as part of the welfare program. There wasn’t any other meaning behind it. Miss Kim Mi-Young, Hye-Jin, and Sun Hee-Young should know... so I’ll have to ask them. So, how long has it been called that?"

— I don’t think it’s been that long. It was probably from the time they started accepting students from all across the continent. You’ve been pretty busy since you went to Laves, and there's also the Rohen incident afterward. Before those two incidents, there was that mole incident as well. Anyway, it was probably around then.

"You don’t know it exactly?"

— I don’t really know. I just never had the bandwidth to worry about that stuff. Seriously, why do you keep asking me about things happening in

your

guild?

The silence had to have lasted a little too long because I noticed Elise looking slightly nervous.

When our eyes met, Elise said, “It’s just a rumor, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. You really don’t need to worry."

I muttered the same thing inwardly, but there was no smoke without fire. Even if the rumors weren't entirely accurate, there'd be some truth behind them for them to spread.

While the claim that the Blue Guild had accepted a bribe wasn't necessarily true, Senator Hanest’s son had to have acted recklessly and caused some trouble.

“It’s fine, Senator Elise. I’m not criticizing you... I just wanted to know. I wasn’t able to take care of the youth center... I mean, the International Academy...” I said.

“

Ah...

I-I see,” Elise said.

“I’m ashamed...” I confessed.

“You don’t need to be ashamed. You’ve done so much for the continent... How could you possibly pay attention to every little detail? Even we don’t know everything happening in our own districts...” Marilyn chimed in.

‘Right?’

“Actually, I think it’s only natural, so please don’t feel ashamed,” Marilyn added.

“I appreciate your comfort, Lady Marilyn. But... I didn’t think this kind of problem would happen... If our guild members or staffers are indeed at fault, then it’s also my responsibility, so I should investigate this matter,” I said.

“

Ah!

”

“I’d appreciate it if you could keep this a secret,” I requested.

“Yes, of course.”

“Of course.”

“Thank you again, Senator Elise,” I said.

“Hearing you say that... I honestly don’t know what to do. My heart’s still pounding from the thought that I might’ve made a mistake,” Elise said.

I held Senator Elise’s hand tightly, and she looked touched by my gesture.

‘That’s why I need them by my side.’

They could help me relieve some stress, and I could hear some gossip from them, too.

“Well then...”

“I had a lot of fun today, Mr. Lee Ki-Young,” Caitlyn said.

“I’m starting to think we should meet more often, Senator Caitlyn,” I said.

“

Hohoho

, I don’t know if you'll have time since you’re so busy... but if you invite me, I’ll come,” Caitlyn said.

And just like that, our brief gathering came to an end.

Of course, we hugged again before parting ways. The gathering hadn't ended because of Senator Elise's words, but it was because it had gotten a bit too late, bringing the gathering to a natural close.

A small incident occurred at the very end, but the gathering proved to be quite meaningful. I found out that the rumors were coming from inside the guild. Normally...

‘The most obvious things are the easiest to miss.’

Lee Ji-Hye had to have noticed my peculiar expression because I heard her mumbling.

“Are you going to look into it right away, oppa?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.

“Yeah, I should. I’m actually more curious about the youth center than the senator’s son. I mean, it’s kind of amazing how it got so big. I was a little bored, too... To be honest, I don’t think it’s

that

serious, but... something feels off,” I answered.

“I suppose it was inevitable,” Lee Ji-Hye commented.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“About the Blue Guild’s Youth Center. Of course, you’d be interested in it. The curriculum’s good, it has symbolic value, and the great faculty and facilities are great as well. What more could you want?” Lee Ji-Hye said.

“Faculty?” I asked.

“Some of the Blue Guild members drop by to give lectures when they have time—

Ah

, except for Jung Ha-Yan. The Mist Summoner Cheon Kwan-Wi teaches magic there, too. I heard he’s an honorary professor. Wasn’t that your idea?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.

“No... A long time ago... I mean, back in the early days when the members were busy, I called him in once to give a lecture...” I told her.

“It’s not just him. The other professors are great as well. The entrance exams must be really competitive,” Lee Ji-Hye said.

It felt like the stock I had purchased a long time ago had suddenly flown to the moon.

‘She’s not wrong.’

Once it opened its doors to students outside the country, its exponential growth was inevitable. The Blue Guild was closed off and was fond of keeping things among themselves, but they couldn’t keep the young kids locked up inside, so they probably started accepting kids from all over the place.

Word had to have spread in the blink of an eye, and parents in our community who cared about the education of their children showed up one by one.

All this happened without any special promotion or events, and I believed that just the fact that one could attend a program founded by the Blue Guild right in Lindel had to have made it incredibly appealing.

On top of that, the curriculum was made by none other than the Saint of Sacrifice and Revival, the continent’s symbol of light. Honestly, that alone would convince any parent to send their kids there, no questions asked.

‘I remember the facilities were set up to the highest standards. I’m sure I emphasized not holding back on supporting this program.’

“Let’s go for a walk, noona,” I suggested.

“You’re going to go there yourself?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.

“Yeah. They probably don't have class right now. I want to take a look,” I answered.

“Let’s do that. I honestly have never been there, and I was actually kind of curious... Like you said, now that things have turned out this way, it’s hard not to be more interested,” Lee Ji-Hye said.

The youth center was set up on the edge of the land managed by the Blue Guild. It used to be part of the guild house, but as the children grew, they probably had no choice...

‘They must've had no choice but to separate them.’

I imagined Miss Kim Mi-Young being quite mindful of the situation, considering that the Blue Guild started out with only one building. Perhaps she was worried about people talking badly or causing trouble to others.

‘Even if I tell her not to worry, she’s not the type to just brush it off.’

Given how carefully the guild was being managed, she was probably thrilled when our land grew bigger. Naturally, the entrances used for the guild house were different from the entrances for the youth center.

Actually, it was the same for the other buildings. Although many official guild activities happened in the guild house, it was primarily used as a place to relax.

Guild members could train freely, hold parties, hold tea parties, and even invite guests. Since the members considered this place their home, we had been limiting access to non-members.

The guild staff dorms, storage areas, and other staff-only places had their own separate entrances. Given that it all began with just a tiny building, the place had really grown a lot.

Now that I thought about it, I never had the chance to explore this vast expanse.

The Blue Guild’s Youth Center was just beyond a few big buildings.

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

“I wonder how many students there are,” I said.

“Probably a lot,” Lee Ji-Hye said.

After walking a bit further, the youth center finally came into sight. It didn’t feel as big as I had imagined. Considering its reputation, it actually looked rather modest.

“It’s just an ordinary youth center,” I said.

“It just seems that way from the outside. The Blue Guild has yet to officially announce the school’s opening. Since you’re not really interested, they can’t expand the grounds, either...

"The plot next to it is an alchemy workshop. Do you really think they’ll just let them tear it down to make the youth center bigger? If they don’t feel like they’re being treated as an outcast, they should consider themselves lucky,” Lee Ji-Hye explained.

“They must’ve felt a bit pressured, huh?” I asked.

“That's true for the Blue Guild, but I’m sure it’s different for the outsiders. Due to the weight of the Blue Guild’s name, the guild will never stop expanding, regardless of whether you like it or not. The staffers actually prefer to stay small, but pressure from the outside world has been pushing them to grow,” Lee Ji-Hye answered.

I now had a general understanding of the situation.

‘It’s because I never had any interest in it.’

It seemed like they had been managing it reluctantly, as they hadn't been able to address the issue openly. Well, it was understandable. The Blue Guild wasn’t a charity, but a business, after all.

The youth center couldn't generate profit; it was actually an ongoing expense.

When the facility was opened, it was founded on the principle of offering free education. Given that this principle was still being maintained, one could easily deduce the amount spent on the facility so far.

If Kim Hyun-Sung were to casually say, “The number of students is too low. Shouldn’t it be around five hundred,” it'd still be enough to drive anyone crazy.

Since the guild master’s orders ought to be followed, they’d increase the enrollment capacity, but there was no space, so they would scramble to make room despite the tight budget.

In the end, they’d have no choice but to ask for support. The Alchemy Workshop would contribute a certain amount, and Ah-Young’s workshop would provide further support. In a nutshell, almost every department could generate revenue, but this particular department had only been spending money.

It was no wonder they were feeling pressured.

‘I’m sure Miss Kim Mi-Young must be feeling pressured as well...’

I was sure she was extremely cautious. This was the only place that was beyond her influence, or more accurately, she couldn't influence this place. I was sure she was doing everything she could to avoid thinking about the youth center.

'Because her kids are enrolled here...’