He recalled, with a fresh stab of irritation, his younger sister Jothi's allowance. Fifty Gold Coins per month. Fifty! Why the disparity? Was it because she showed more conventional promise? Because she was the spare, potentially needing a larger dowry or independent means later? Or was it just another subtle way Roy Ferrum expressed disappointment in his 'mediocre' elder son? Whatever the reason, the unfairness rankled, especially now that gold coins had suddenly transformed into the currency of actual power.
He quickly contextualized the allowance. One Silver Coin… roughly equivalent to a day's wages for a skilled laborer, maybe enough to buy a decent meal and a cheap room for the night. Similar, perhaps, to the purchasing power of a single US dollar back on Earth, give or take inflation and interdimensional exchange rate weirdness. So, 100 Silver Coins in a Gold Coin… 15 Gold Coins a month meant his allowance was roughly 1500 'Earth bucks'. Respectable, sure. Enough to live comfortably if he were just a normal student. Enough to impress tavern girls or buy fancy boots.
But not enough to fuel a System that demanded constant investment for real power. Converting his entire monthly allowance (15 Gold = 150 SC total potential) would barely cover a basic Void Power rank-up, let alone the high-tier upgrades he desperately needed.
"Okay," he muttered, running a hand through his hair again, the frustration mounting. "Plan A: Relying on allowance? Utter failure. Leads to being broke and underpowered. Not an option."
He looked at Fang, who sat patiently, golden eyes watching him, radiating barely contained lightning. Fang needed upgrades. His dormant Shadow affinity needed exploring. Lloyd's own Steel and Fire abilities needed refining, needed ranking up beyond the basic understanding he'd clawed towards in his first life. His potential maternal Austin bloodline needed awakening. All of it required Coins. Hundreds, likely thousands of Coins.
"Right," he straightened up, determination hardening his features. "Plan B it is, then. Time to make some money."
The thought immediately presented challenges. How did a nineteen-year-old Arch Duke's heir, closely watched, with limited freedom of movement and zero established business connections, suddenly start generating significant income? He couldn't exactly open a blacksmith shop specializing in magically enhanced steel (too obvious, too many questions). He couldn't leverage future knowledge of market trends without revealing his inexplicable prescience. He couldn't just 'invent' something from Earth – the technological base here was too different, the magical factors too unpredictable.
He needed something subtle. Something that leveraged his unique advantages without exposing them. His Earth knowledge? His understanding of basic scientific principles unknown here? His analytical skills honed over decades?
His mind flashed back to the previous day's lessons. Master Elmsworth. Resource management. Logistics. Inventory control. Ideas that had seemed radical, revolutionary, even to a seasoned academic tutor. Ideas based on simple efficiency, observation, and data analysis – principles largely ignored in Riverio's tradition-bound economy.
Could he… consult? Offer insights? Develop optimization strategies for Guilds, merchants, maybe even his own family's vast holdings? He pictured himself, the 'mediocre heir', suddenly presenting detailed reports on streamlining warehouse operations or maximizing forestry yields. It would raise eyebrows, certainly. Questions would be asked. Where did he get these ideas?
But maybe… maybe he could frame it correctly. Attribute it to 'diligent study', 'a different perspective', 'applying principles learned from obscure texts found in the family archives'. It was thin, perhaps, but plausible enough to deflect immediate suspicion, especially if the results were profitable. Profit tended to smooth over awkward questions.
He looked down at his remaining 3 System Coins displayed mentally. Pathetic. He needed 1 Gold Coin today to max out the conversion. Where could he get 1 Gold Coin quickly, discreetly? Selling something? Unlikely he owned anything valuable enough that wouldn't be missed. Borrowing? From whom? Jothi? Unlikely she'd lend it without asking why, and definitely unlikely she'd keep quiet about it.
His gaze drifted back towards the main estate, hidden beyond the trees. The treasury. His father controlled the main coffers, but surely there were discretionary funds, household accounts…
No. He shut down that line of thinking immediately. Stealing from his own family, even borrowing without permission, was a line he wouldn't cross. Not just morally, but strategically. If discovered, it would destroy the fragile trust he was beginning to build with his father.
Okay, Plan C for immediate funds: Tasks. The System offered them. Slapping bullies, surviving spousal wrath, lecturing tutors… they paid, albeit poorly. Were there higher-paying tasks available? Exceptional deeds? Maybe something tied to his developing powers? He needed to be more proactive, seek out opportunities, not just wait for them to fall into his lap.
He took another deep breath, the scent of damp earth and ozone filling his lungs. Right. New priorities.