Even though Sam had emerged from the confrontation with Monart in a way that might suggest enmity between them, the old man certainly concealed a decent side.
He didn't hold grudges; this was the true spirit.
Now, Sam decided to work on the plan he had been devising since yesterday: A Secret Betting Club.
The idea sounded strange, but it was not what it seemed at first glance.
In truth, this was a plan to mitigate the Villainess's problems and risks through a very simple principle: when you see people betting on your loss, you will correct your mistakes, understand why they bet against you, adjust yourself, and win.
Betting is an extremely good measure of a thing's quality. If it is bad, people will know, because they are ultimately wagering money and want to win at all costs.
Therefore, you will inevitably discover your errors.
Within the interactive student group service—the Academy's private student chat—specific groups could be created with specific individuals, ostensibly for purely academic purposes.
Sam decided to completely subvert the intention.
Since this option was permissible, he resolved to establish a private community from scratch.
There, he would post exclusive comments about the near future and probable events.
He would have the members bet money on these events. The winner takes everything, and the loser loses everything.
Naturally, the members would be given private identities hidden from everyone else.
Sam had planned everything and would soon execute his operation; it was going to be immensely entertaining.
In the evening, near the Great Clock Tower in the Academy's main city, Sam finished his work early after Clara dismissed him curtly without any clear reason.
In any case, Sam used this time advantageously by sending several messages to some average-grade students who were facing financial difficulties, according to the novel.
Of course, Sam was not the type to focus on every character individually.
He knew one of these individuals from the novel and asked him to bring others who resembled him (in financial trouble) to form a colossal deal that would make them rich.
Sam wore purchased high-heeled shoes and oversized clothing to conceal his short stature and put on a mask... beneath which was another fake leather mask for precaution, though he felt suffocated and realized he was being foolish.
In the small pub situated in the distant suburbs, three young men wearing long-sleeved clothes and highly nervous expressions entered through the door.
The Academy's crest drew the attention of everyone in the pub, their gazes making them feel as if they wanted to devour them.
This made the trio feel like retreating, especially since this atmosphere was not their usual environment.
"Rolf, are you sure your superior called you here? This doesn't look like the luxurious socializing hall she mentioned."
In Rolf's mind, he was cursing the scoundrel who told him he would bring him to the best possible meeting hall so he could verify it himself.
But now, he felt he had only wasted his time.
"Don't worry... we're here to work, not to sit in a meeting hall."
They swallowed their anxiety and looked around until they found a table with a young man wearing a completely white mask.
There were only openings for the nose, eyes, and mouth.
He was wearing a hood that entirely concealed his head.
When he turned and saw them, he motioned for them to approach and sit at the same table.
"What would you like to drink?"
When they sat down in the seats opposite him at the same table, Rolf, who seemed to be their leader, spoke:
"We are not here to drink. We are only here to work."
"Fine... You would have been paying anyway."
Rolf and the boys with him felt slightly angered by his words but pretended they hadn't heard anything.
"Look, you... Coming here cost us a lot of deliberation and money for transportation. If there is no benefit to what you are saying, I will report you for defrauding us."
Sam slightly lowered his head and made a sound as if he was chuckling behind the mask.
"In fact, what you did is one of the foundations of investment: Sacrifice. Sacrificing what is safe and right before your eyes to gain the lion's share."
"What does that mean?"
Sam gestured with both hands.
"You are here now, not specifically for me, but for your own personal interest, and that is clear. Your choice to pay, even though you know it is a risk, is what makes you worthy of this opportunity."
"It doesn't matter what you say. We don't even know who you are. You know my name and full identity and where I go... and I know nothing about you. You certainly didn't bring us here to deliver this nonsense."
Sam nodded yes.
"In fact, my name is Mr. W... Of course, that's just a pseudonym."
"I don't care about your idiotic name! What is your real name, what are you, and what do you want from us?"
"Firstly... I am a student at the Academy, as you know. I awakened the skill of Future Prediction. And I achieved high numbers in this year's lottery box."
The trio were astonished, and the third among them, named Kelvin, asked:
"What does that have to do with us? Also, you are lying. Prediction and divination skills are the deceits of charlatans."
The three simply didn't believe him, thinking anyone who said these words was just a great liar. There was no such thing. There was no future prediction.
"How about this... I can predict the future right now, Rolf."
Rolf smirked and let out a very deep laugh from the depths of his stomach, looking at Sam, whose expressions he could never see.
"You... You've reached your limit with me. I will leave now, and you will regret it deeply."
Sam remained frozen for a moment, smiling behind the mask.
'Just as I planned.'
"How about this? You will never leave. You will return and obey me... absolute obedience without discussion. That is my prediction for your future."
Rolf laughed derisively, pushed his friend away, stepped away from the table, and stood next to Sam, looking at him with a gaze that said, I've exposed your fraud.
He walked with confident strides toward the door... He turned his head back and looked at the masked Sam, who was sitting at the table.
"See? You can't predict my future! I'm leaving now, and you won't be able to stop me in any way. You are just another charlatan!"
But Sam did not respond immediately... After moments, he said:
"As I told you, you will never leave. You will simply return here like an idiot and obey me completely."
But Rolf did not stop laughing and spread his arms wide right in front of Sam.
"How will you stop me when my will is entirely mine? You are simply a liar! Admit it!"
"No... I still stand by my word. You will not leave... and you will come and obey me completely."
Sam grew tired of the man's words and decided to simply prove his lie now, to let the entire pub witness his deceit.
But at the table... the two young men noticed something strange where Rolf was sitting. There was something attached to the leg of the table right in front of them... a thin piece of paper, clearly written on their side of the table.
It was obviously there for some time.
Written there in the full script:
ROLF... WILL LEAVE
It was as if the paper had been there all along, and they simply hadn't noticed it. Now the whole matter was completely clear.
The true prediction for the future, right from the moment they entered, was that Rolf would completely leave the pub.
He knew all this... since they entered. And now Rolf was following his prophecy without knowing it.
Because the true prophecy was that he would leave.
And indeed, within moments... Rolf was outside.
Outside the pub door, he looked at the masked Sam with a smiling expression, laughing hysterically and loudly.
"Did you see, you liar? Look! You are a liar and a heretic! How did you believe you could truly predict things? Hahahahahaha!"
His friends and everyone in the pub looked at him and at Sam...
Until Kelvin took the stuck paper... and showed it to everyone, its words read by the waitress due to her power of enhanced vision.
ROLF... WILL LEAVE
The waitress and the customers remembered the strange act that the odd man had done by sticking strange words on the table leg.
And now, everyone understood the horror of this man. He had been controlling him this entire time.
Kelvin took the paper... and faced it toward Rolf, who possessed enhanced vision due to mana.
And he saw what was written on the paper.
He couldn't believe it... It was impossible.
"Guys, let's go! Away from this heretic! We have classes tomorrow morning!"
But the two boys did not move... they remained seated as if they were merely obeying. Kelvin had no choice but to yell at Rolf.
"YOU are the complete fool! His prophecy came true! We are facing a true master who will lead us to wealth!"
"What are you saying, you idiots? Let's go now!"
But it was no use calling out. Rolf became extremely enraged. And now he was moving back inside the pub to grab the paper and tear it up completely.
When he stepped inside the pub again... the expressions of the two boys changed for the worse as they watched Rolf re-enter.
He quickly grabbed the paper and was about to tear it.
But he noticed the words on the other side of the paper... behind the words "ROLF... WILL LEAVE."
The large word written alone on the back was enough to make him drop to his knees:
[...AND RETURN]
The full sentence was now complete: Rolf... will leave... and return.