"Um... I'm sorry, Theo. I'll have to rely on your support for this," Damien admitted, feeling a bit sheepish.
At this rate, his personal funds would almost certainly run out.
He had no choice but to ask for help.
"Of course," Theo said with a bright smile. "Please don't hesitate to lean on me. Supporting a ward in situations like this is one of the duties of a guardian."
Damien smiled back, relieved.
He was beginning to understand that there was also a political dimension to nobles offering support—it strengthened relationships between families.
"Are there any other potential issues I should be aware of?" Damien asked.
"Well," Theo said, tilting his head thoughtfully, "if there are any, they'd likely arise from day-to-day life at the academy. It's hard to predict until you're actually there. That said, I've heard it's common for students to have concerns about their social relationships or academic performance."