Investment (3)
Lize seemed to want me to take a big hit and learn my lesson, but unfortunately, I had no intention of getting scammed. Strictly speaking, there was no reason to get scammed. It was an investment in someone whose success was guaranteed. What scam? A real con artist wouldn't approach like that anyway. They'd come with a cleaner look than Jane. Of course, if Jane had money, she'd dress even neater than she did now. Plus, her beauty was just hidden behind those glasses—objectively, she was pretty.
"10,000 silver coins withdrawn. Please confirm."
I withdrew 10,000 silver from the bank. Since Jane needed to use it, it was all cash, not a check. Even cash was no problem—they'd bundled it neatly in stacks of 1,000 silver each. I had to stuff it into a pouch due to the bulk, but the weight felt good.
"Um, is this really 10,000 silver?"
"Yeah."
"······Gulp."
Seeing such a massive sum—hard for a commoner to even touch—Jane swallowed hard. Her face screamed she wanted to dive right in and chase her dreams with it. But handing it over just like that would look off, so I needed to take precautions.
"Contract."
"Pardon?"
"Contract. You said you needed one."
"Ah, right! Yes! But before that, there's something I want to show you!"
With that, Jane stepped out of the bank. I followed, pouch of silver in hand. She kept glancing back to check if I was coming, then led me into a somewhat shabby building.
I wondered if the academy even had a place like this when she opened the door and said,
"This is my workshop! It only costs 100 silver a month!"
"··· ···"
The word "workshop"—meaning studio—left me a bit dazed. At the same time, hazy memories resurfaced. If combat classes handled a nation's military might, non-combat classes were the human resources building its foundation. So just as combat students rented training grounds, non-combat ones rented workshops to make a living.
Ellie, who'd stood out from the start of the year, had a nice one. She was researching with professors from the get-go. Jane, though talented, hadn't showcased it properly. She was the type rumored to be an eccentric, chasing impossible ideals.
'At least she hasn't given up on her dream.'
I felt sorrier for her by the second. Her effort to advance step by step toward her dream was admirable. I stepped inside through the door she'd opened.
For only 100 silver a month, it was surprisingly tidy. Just basic forge setups and tools, but everything essential was there. Looked like she'd been living here since the school year began.
'But not many works around.'
Scanning the room, I spotted some iron gauntlets or boots. Probably squeezed out with great effort. Considering she was a second-year—not a first-year—this was seriously lacking. She was talented enough to get into the academy, but some weird kind of talent. The type called "eccentrics," and Jane's breed was backed by genius.
'When she goes dark, she treats everyone else like monkeys... yeah.'
Jane was the case where her freakishly genius intellect became poison. Imagine explaining a smartphone to someone from an era before they existed. They'd dismiss it as nonsense. But Jane could actually build one.
"Wait a sec! Before we do the contract, there's something I need to show you!"
As I looked around the rundown workshop, Jane headed somewhere. Soon, crashing and banging echoed—thud, crash!—and she returned with something.
A bluish raw gem. I knew exactly what it was.
"Do you know what this is?"
"Nope."
I had to play dumb, even if I did. It was one of the more important minerals.
Jane nodded as if she'd expected that, then explained in an excited tone.
"This is a Magic Stone. As the name suggests, it's an ore that reacts to mana. It's no exaggeration to say it enables the fusion of science and magic."
Some might find that odd. Doesn't infusing weapons with mana count as a reaction? Needed a different angle. Infusing weapons was more like "enhancement," while Magic Stones were about "connection." A steel sword couldn't hold spells, but add even a bit of Magic Stone, and it could. Essential for the so-called "magic swordsman" build.
If I didn't nurture Jane, I'd have to pour resources into Magic Stones forever.
"Santia fused science with Magic Stones to achieve tremendous progress. Without them, humanity wouldn't have advanced this far."
Hmm. Steam locomotives ran fine, so I doubted that. Magic Stones were like semiconductors on Earth—not coal or oil. They needed mana to react, so it was steam, not mana locomotives, in operation.
"Um... I doubt that explanation helps much. Ah! Not being sarcastic or anything!"
No one said anything. She probably felt awkward, thinking it sounded rude to me. I'd just listened quietly without a word. Classic Jane personality.
"Anyway, Magic Stones are incredibly rare. Comparable to mithril, even. Getting this was pure luck."
"Who gave it?"
"My grandfather, as a gift."
Jane's parents were long gone. Tied to Santia's dark side. No point mentioning it now. Advanced science bred shadows.
"I need this Magic Stone for my dream, but... as you know, I have no money, so I looked elsewhere. If no Magic Stone, make a substitute!"
She clutched the stone tight and shouted. Here came her true colors—her genius. Why even professors dismissed her ravings. Why her dark path supercharged demons.
"I've found a way to replace Magic Stones! The process is tricky and it's just theory so far, but I'm certain! We can make a substitute!"
Iron Man built a mini arc reactor from scrap in a cave. Using only his brain.
"As long as it mimics the effect, we're good, right? Professors say no, but experiments prove it."
And in this shabby workshop, Jane would invent a Magic Stone substitute. As I said, Magic Stones were like semiconductors. She'd make her own.
Comparing values, her invention crushed Magic Stones. A monumental achievement rippling through the story and world.
"Then I'll realize my dream. Mechanical limbs for the physically impaired! Power against monsters for civilians! Greater efficiency for laborers!"
She didn't even realize what she'd created. Genius or fool? Obsessed with machines, oblivious to her new material.
Sadder still: her inventions all had massive military potential. A conscript beating a knight? Impossible. Add Jane? Military skyrockets, world hegemony easy. Balance broken.
'Once she shines, assassination risks...'
Like Ellie—not quite flounder-level, but needed protection. If needed, ask Kara for Tatar safeguarding. Santia too dangerous.
"Ahem. Sorry, got carried away. Any questions?"
"None."
"Got it. Let's draft the contract."
She prepared two sheets of paper and two pens. No printers, so handwriting it was. But an unexpected snag arose.
"Uh... how do you write a contract again?"
"··· ···"
Neither of us had ever done one. We knew basics like Party A and B, but not much else. Peak Jane naivety.
"First, you're Party A, Sivar, and I'm Party B... B offers body and soul to A in exchange? No, that's wrong."
She groaned over it for a while. This was canon in Soul World, so I waited patiently. Soon it'd be decent enough, and I'd just sit tight. No scam anyway.
"Um... is this okay?"
"Dunno."
"··· ···"
Jane let out a hollow laugh, deflated. Her face screamed, Who am I even asking? I got it, so I said nothing.
Time to check the contract first.
'...Even I can't make heads or tails of it.'
First contract ever. Never signed one on Earth. Language still shaky, reading felt like a chore. Probably nothing shady anyway. I grabbed a pen and skimmed it.
Just sign the bottom, done.
"Sign here."
"Yeah."
"You can think it over before signing. Just listening makes me happy."
Ugh. Too damn nice. I glanced up, meeting her eyes. Genuine—no bullshit. She smiled brightly, relieved somehow. I could scam her blindfolded, yet she still looked out for me. Made me care more.
Scribble-scribble. I signed the slot. Not 'Sivar'—'Shibal.' Close enough. Not in Korean script, no issue. Investment was 10,000 silver; renewals later with Kara in tow.
"Thank you. Keep one copy. Oh, right—you wanted the mechanical arm?"
"Yeah."
"Excuse me a moment. Need measurements."
Fine by me. I stood at her request. Arms out, she measured with a tape, serious now. Her focused look was cool—clueless expression gone.
"Hmm... saw from afar, but your arms are pretty skinny. Big hands too. Any other requests?"
"One."
"What?"
"Here."
I circled the palm area. Used the pen for detail. But Jane still tilted her head, clueless. She'd arm demons with laser cannons later—experience lacking now.
"Hole's easy, but... mind if I ask why?"
"Outside."
I suggested stepping out; she followed, puzzled. Outside, I pointed my finger skyward.
'Lord might see...'
Pew! A thin red beam from my fingertip. Output minimized—barely went far.
What I wanted: Iron Man-style palm laser. For me, more toy than threat.
"Ooh...! Oooh! Ooooh!!"
But I aimed for her inspiration. Seeing my Death Beam, her eyes bulged, gasping in awe. She'd arm demons with lasers later—just needed the spark.
"Get it?"
"Yes! I think I know what you want! Oh, if it's not rude, could you visit the workshop often? I want to study your techniques!"
"Whatever."
"Thank you! Really!"
She bowed excessively. No more demon buffs. More to manage, but fine.
"Need money, say so."
"Thank you! I'll deliver results!"
I left amid her enthusiastic send-off. Time to grind money—stocks next. Hunting monsters worked, but nothing beat stocks for big bucks fast.
"Sivar!"
"Yeah?"
Heading back to the dorm thoughtlessly, a familiar woman's voice hit my ear. I turned; Kara waved from afar, approaching. Weekend casual: sleeveless shirt. Her bronzed skin caught my eye briefly; then she was there, speaking.
"Where you coming from? No weapon, so not hunting."
"You?"
"Paid tribute, like always. What's that paper?"
She eyed the contract in my hand, questioning. Oops—should've pocketed it. Walked absentmindedly. She'd spot it now. I rolled my eyes, hid it behind my back. Suspicious as hell, but Kara'd let it slide.
"Nothing."
"···Really? Then why's your name on it?"
She saw that far. Trouble. After agonizing, I showed the hidden contract. Better rip the band-aid—convince her upfront.
Kara took it, one eyebrow raised, then read slowly. Scolding incoming for sure. She'd warned me about scams...
"···Sivar?"
"Yeah···"
"Did you buy a slave or something?"
"···Huh?"
Slave? What? Bracing for a beating, I slowly raised my head, meeting her eyes. She reread it, face baffled, then explained.
"Who writes garbage like this? Voluntary slave? What?"
"··· ···"
"Rip it up, rewrite. It's slave contract in A-and-B clothing. Get caught, you're expelled."
I wasn't scammed—Jane was. Willingly. Explained why dark-route her inventions got seized. Got it now.
"Someone write this on purpose? Hoping you flunk 'cause they hate you?"
Jane's brain couldn't scheme that. Confirmed today.
Faith has risen!
Chaos wanted to see me expelled.