[The Abyssal Academy - The Principal's Office]
The morning sun broke through the heavy purple storm clouds, casting a cold, sharp light across the mahogany desk. The scent of ozone had been replaced by the distinct, heavy metallic smell of raw gold.
Stacked neatly on Victor Thorne's desk were eight massive, iron-bound chests.
Griphook, the Senior Emissary of the Iron Bank, stood shivering in his ruined pinstripe suit. He lacked his usual arrogance. His four steel golem mercenaries were currently being melted down for scrap in the courtyard by the work-study students.
"Eight hundred thousand Gold," Griphook rasped, his pointed ears drooping in absolute defeat. "Paid in full. The Iron Bank formally requests that the lawsuit for asset depreciation be dropped."
Victor didn't look at the gold. He took a slow sip of his black coffee, his midnight-blue suit pristine in the morning light.
"Seraphina," Victor said smoothly.
Standing by the fireplace, the Dark Elf Co-CEO adjusted her glasses, her violet eyes gleaming as she tapped her silver clipboard. "I have verified the funds, Principal Thorne. The Iron Bank's breach of contract penalty has been settled."
Victor pulled out his golden pocket watch, snapping it open. "You may leave, Griphook. Tell your superiors that if they ever miss another ward maintenance cycle, I will repossess the entire bank."
The goblin didn't dare argue. He scurried out of the heavy oak doors, terrified of the human's Tycoon Aura.
"Sir," Seraphina stepped forward. "We finally have liquid capital. Shall I contact the Black Market to purchase defensive artillery? The Holy Kingdom's Crusade is exactly twenty-eight days away."
"Artillery is a sunk cost," Victor replied flatly, resting his hand on the heavy, black Tycoon's Ledger. He looked to his left. "Intern. Report."
Elara, the Heroine of Light, stepped forward. She was still wearing her white-and-gold cloak, but she now carried a wooden clipboard. As an unpaid intern working off a 400,000 Gold debt, she looked profoundly sleep-deprived.
"The Holy Vanguard consists of five thousand elite Paladins, Sir," Elara recited, her voice tight with humiliation. "They are armed with blessed steel and carry extensive healing potions. They are coming to cleanse this academy of evil."
To Victor's right, Princess Ignis—bound by her 500,000 Gold debt chain —crossed her arms, her demonic fangs baring. "Five thousand Paladins? Even if we arm the students, we will be slaughtered. We need to fortify the gates."
Victor sighed, a sound of profound corporate disappointment.
"Ignis. Elara. You both suffer from a severe lack of entrepreneurial vision," Victor stood up, walking to the towering glass windows to look down at the sprawling, gothic courtyard.
"You see an invading army," Victor adjusted his gold cuffs, a ruthless, predatory smile crossing his face. "I see a massive influx of high-income tourists. They are bringing five thousand sets of highly valuable blessed steel and rare potions directly to our doorstep."
Victor turned around, his eyes locking onto his Secretary.
"Seraphina. Draft a new curriculum. We are no longer training assassins to kill. We are going to train them in Asset Extraction. We are going to turn the Abyssal Academy into a premium, pay-to-play dungeon."