Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Mountains of Gold
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The biggest wad of cash I'd ever touched in my life had probably been during the Life School's royalty payout.
Noctias paid me in a mix of cash, mithril, and bank-issued checks every year-end.
The first payout had been a staggering 7 billion credits.
I'd expected to make a fortune, but...
The rush when it actually happened was beyond words.
To put it crudely, it was like sex.
A veritable wave of dopamine.
The kind of satisfaction that shuts down rational thought.
Anyway.
I'd gone on a bit, but I never imagined I'd handle more money than that in the future.
That sum alone was enough to live off forever without lifting a finger.
My thirst for money had vanished completely, and I'd thought all my goals were achieved.
But.
You never know with people.
"How much is all this...?"
I stared in a daze at the piles of gold and cash stacked high in the Golden Magic Tower's underground vault.
Dalpi bowed her head calmly and replied.
"After deducting all costs for artificial mithril development over the next year, facility reinforcements, building maintenance, and cash reserves for emergencies, this is what's left. Half of it has been exchanged into gold as requested."
The underground vault held assets worth about 90 billion credits.
It was the payment from the Golden Carriage Merchant Guild last month.
Even after covering all expenses, this much was left over.
At this rate, we wouldn't need investors at all.
A total jackpot.
According to Koneil, artificial mithril had massive demand from the start.
Mages had been scrambling to buy it without needing any marketing.
Sorry to say it to the princess, but...
The profits dwarfed anything from that "movie" nonsense.
Invest 1, get 100 back—an absolute miracle item.
It was like turning ordinary rocks into gold.
I clenched my fist.
Suddenly, I recalled a story from my past life's textbook about a shrewd merchant.
This fortune was just seed money.
It would fuel countless inventions from the Metal School ahead.
Our dutiful mithril.
Dear daddy hopes you keep getting made and sold like hotcakes.
That way, my dopamine hits max out.
"I've run some tests, and the main spell used in synthesizing artificial mithril in the machine is Acceleration. But adding the Heavenly School's Mutation on top makes the metal grow about 20% bigger."
I wasn't the only one bulking up our artificial mithril.
We'd tweaked the process per Etila's suggestion.
"Oh."
Just as she said, there was a noticeable difference.
"It's true. Much bigger."
I marveled at the far bulkier mithril compared to previous batches.
Etila looked smug.
"Cr-Cross Blending could shorten the time even more, but our school's mages find it a bit tricky... It'll take some time."
I could see why the media called Etila a genius.
I'd sensed it since meeting her at the Academy—she had exceptional comprehension and adaptability.
She was the only one who'd grasped the mithril synthesis principles on the first try, and she had the creativity and knowledge to solve the Millennium Problem too.
In magic terms, she was like 0.5 Nob AI.
『(っ ᵔ◡ᵔ)っ』
『Thanks for the awesome praise today too!』
And despite her talents, she never slacked on effort or growth—honestly impressive.
If she'd been born in my past life, she'd probably star in clickbait like "The Secret to a Woman's Success in Her 20s" on news sites or YouTube.
She was reliable enough that I could leave right now and trust her with everything.
"Etila."
"Hmm? What? Got more to marvel at...?"
I looked straight into her eyes.
As I gently took her hand, her pupils dilated.
"Work by my side from now on."
I'll work my ass off for real.
I'll pay way more than any other magic tower offers, and promise no overtime.
Not to brag, but...
Having slaved in black companies, I knew workers' hearts better than anyone.
Once the school stabilizes, I'll show the best welfare around.
The tower would crumble without you... well, not quite!
But we'd have killer synergy!
And our Metal School had a bright future.
Even for diligent Etila...
One taste of shorts videos, and she'd scroll her smartphone for hours, right?
I can gift you endless dopamine.
"Wh-what do you mean by 'by your side'...?"
Huh?
"S-sudden offers like this are a bit much... N-not that I hate it, but, uh, ugh..."
Etila glitched out again.
Hmm.
I released her hand as she hung her head and said cheerfully.
"I mean bury your bones in the Metal School."
"Huh...?"
She looked up, puzzled.
"Work by my side forever. I'll make you vice tower master. Could do it now, even."
I promised her the best treatment I could offer.
'Vice Tower Master Hesil' and eventually shares too—I was game.
Money mattered less to me than dopamine anyway.
"Yeah... sure."
But.
My offer didn't sit well, huh.
"Sigh..."
She let out a sigh.
Like all energy had drained from her.
I rushed to add.
"Honestly, I'm not that attached to tower master. Once goals are met, I could hand it to you. For real."
I'd just dropped a pretty romantic line as tower master.
But Etila just smiled emptily.
She nodded slowly.
"Thanks for thinking so highly of me. I'm really, really happy. Wow... amazing..."
Her soul seemed gone.
No clue why, but I felt bad.
『(◔▾◔)』
Nob AI.
Why the look?
***
"Hahaha!"
Erphus visited the Golden Magic Tower.
The spry old man, belying his age, chatted lively with our school mages, hoho-ing away.
"Guys who gave me the cold shoulder when I recruited them... Hoo, alright. Metal School suits you, huh?"
His targets were the Pingchang sisters.
Older sister Nini beamed innocently at his question.
"Seeing Master Ester every day is pure joy. Job satisfaction maxed out—rejecting you was my life's best choice, Sir Erphus! Really... if I'd joined Flame School, I'd regret it forever and cry buckets!"
Wow.
I'd sensed something off at the interview.
Seeing Nini spit venom with that innocent face sent chills down my spine.
"Kehkeh, look at this old hag talk. Yeah, speaking your mind like that? You're not long for this world like me."
"Hehe."
Luckily, the old man didn't mind.
He chuckled and patted Nini's head—they seemed close.
"Sorry..."
Cleanup was always Jini's job.
The old man just patted her peeking shoulder.
"I knew Nini was a spitfire, so it's fine. Oh, Ester. Or should I say Golden Tower Master now!?"
He approached me warmly.
"Long time, Sir Erphus. Call me comfortably as always."
"Right. Loved the movie and camera you and the princess made. You've always talked big dreams, but artificial mithril and a magic tower? That your goal?"
I smiled awkwardly.
"Haha..."
My real dream's still lounging all day.
So scarce on fun, I made my own.
No need to tell him that.
"Heard Haniell's illness is fully cured."
He smiled kindly.
"Brighter expression now, overcome all that hardship—truly a blessing. A blessing..."
Like a grandpa proud of his grandson.
He was always extra warm to me.
Truth be told, my brighter vibe was...
Because I ditched the Nob AI concept as unnecessary.
Whatever, good's good.
No guts to nitpick like Nini with his reddening eyes.
"No issues with the artificial circuit?"
"None. Thanks to you, he uses magic and lives well."
"Good."
Unlike typical visitors with agendas, Erphus came for my news.
During my seclusion, he was my only outside contact.
Chatting jokes during the circuit implant built rapport, and he inspired Nob AI for sis's treatment.
Liked him all around.
His energy drain at first? Adapted to his hearty nature now.
"Smashing Viscount Pandelver with artificial mithril felt so good... All thanks to you."
Still lavish with praise.
Who knew someone would sell 1kg mithril for 1.2 billion.
This wiped out villains gaming mithril scarcity.
"Luck. Glad I helped."
"Haha, still humble. Met His Majesty?"
I shook my head.
The most obsessive figure here? The king.
Come to think, no contact since his coming-of-age congrats letter.
Hope he's well.
"His Majesty might write you soon."
"Huh?"
Erphus shrugged.
"Kingdom army plans to crush the eastern front. Tough for most, but with you—like the Polar Anomaly—might be easy."
He laughed, saying count on you then.
"Hmm."
Past me would've panicked about my say.
But now? Different.
If it happens...
Prime chance to grow Metal School proper.