Why the Summons?
Clareina's days as an apprentice were relentlessly busy. Mornings were spent checking the samples she'd prepared the night before. Afternoons required verifying that the new drug in production showed no anomalies. Evenings were devoted to sending sponsorship requests to every potential investor she could find. And when dawn finally broke, she would tear open the replies—only to receive yet another rejection.
"God, I want to die."
Clareina clicked her tongue without realizing it. This marked the forty-seventh refusal. She raked her fingers through her hair before finally opening the window and lighting a cigarette.
—Huuu
"Damn it all. My life."
The acrid smoke drifted past her hair. Clareina seriously wondered where her life had gone wrong. Perhaps it had been doomed from the moment she was born. No matter what she did, she was fated to end up in this line of work. She would have gotten involved with bio-research anyway, only to get her ankles grabbed by those Dimaira bastards again.
"Things are getting genuinely dangerous. If I can't secure an investor soon, everything's going to come to a complete stop…"
Only one step remained before the new drug could be approved. Yet that single step felt impossibly heavy. She could no longer rely on her teacher Pelton. The kind old man had already sold off his own belongings to support his inadequate disciple. One wrong move and even the hospital deposit might be seized. She refused to let that happen. She would rather hand over the rights to the drug than watch her aging teacher end up on the streets.
"Those damned Dimaira scum… If I had my way, I'd put twenty bullets straight through their heads…"
—Trrring
"…Hm? The communicator?"
While she was still stewing in anger, the communicator suddenly rang. Clareina stubbed out her cigarette and pulled the device out. To her surprise, the caller was her teacher, Pelton.
—Click
"Teacher?"
—Oh, Clareina. Good evening. May the innocent moon god bless you.
"May the benevolent sun's grace stay with you for a long time. By the way, what brings you calling at this hour? It's already three in the morning."
Clareina asked immediately. A call at this time felt ominous. Had something happened to her teacher? The hand holding the communicator was already damp with sweat.
"Don't tell me those Dimaira thugs again…"
Clareina's eyes gleamed dangerously. Harassing her wasn't enough—they had reached out to her teacher as well? If those Dimaira bastards had truly harmed her teacher…
She was prepared to stake everything on attacking them. Yet the response that followed completely defied her expectations.
—Oh, Clareina. Rejoice. I've found you an investor.
"…Excuse me? An investor? Really?"
—Yes. And a very reliable one at that.
Pelton chuckled on the other end. Clareina, momentarily flustered, quickly realized her teacher had been drinking.
"Teacher? You didn't make this up after having a few drinks, did you?"
—Clareina, what are you saying? How could you doubt me? Listen carefully. The truth is…
Pelton's explanation continued for a while. A man with an absurd amount of money. A 200 billion kro sponsorship. Only 20% equity demanded.
After hearing everything, Clareina's reaction was simple and direct.
"Teacher, if you've had a drink after so long, please go to sleep. Drinking until this hour will definitely make you sick later. No, actually, as a doctor, why are you saying such strange things—"
—No! It's real!!
"A-alright. I got it. I got it. But why make such a tasteless joke today of all days—"
—Enough! Stop spouting nonsense and check the documents I sent!
"Documents?"
Clareina belatedly examined the transmission artifact. Among the piled-up mail that had arrived like a fax, one item stood out.
"Is this… a certificate of assets?"
A certificate of assets was proof. The most definitive and clear evidence that the imperial bank guaranteed a client's identity and wealth. And now it was in her hands. Clareina carefully touched the certificate with trembling fingers, wondering if it could possibly be real. The texture, the material—there was no doubt. It was genuine.
—You checked it, right? The investor sent it personally today. It's proof that the bank has verified their assets.
"W-wait a second. You're saying that story was actually true?"
—Enough! Are you trying to make your old teacher angry?! Anyway, I've delivered the message. From here on, it's up to you. Meet the investor, speak openly, and don't cause any unnecessary trouble!
—Click
The communication cut off abruptly, like a storm passing. Silence followed. Clareina, standing alone in the quiet, tilted her head back before looking up again.
"Huu… Still, someone finally recognized my work."
She wiped away the tears welling in her eyes. Ever since getting involved with Dimaira, nothing had gone right. Every door had been slammed in her face, and both she and her colleagues had grown increasingly exhausted. Yet salvation had arrived. And they weren't even demanding a large share. This meant she could keep the new drug's price at a reasonable level, just as she had hoped. Diseases related to memory would be nearly eradicated from this world.
"Enoch… So this person is my investor."
Clareina checked the name written on the certificate. Enoch. A name she had never heard before. But from today onward, it would be one she could never forget. With that thought, she opened the door, descended the stairs, and headed toward her colleagues.
"Hey, you guys."
—Big sis…? What are you doing alone? Aren't you checking the samples?
—That's weird. Why are you just standing there?
—Strange, right?
Her colleagues muttered with wary eyes. This was nothing new, so Clareina simply said what she needed to say.
"Listen to the end. I'm going to Magnusra soon."
—Huh…? Why?
—Don't tell me you're going there to play? Alone?
—Big sis… Do you really want to die at our hands…?
"Hear me out first. Take a look at this."
Clareina dramatically unfolded the certificate in her hand. Her colleagues stared at it blankly before their eyes widened in shock.
"Got it now? Our investor has appeared."
"……"
"Everyone, get your act together. If you've been saving any cream or cosmetics, now's the time to share."
Clareina smiled as she spoke. After a moment of hesitation, her colleagues began rummaging through their pockets. To them, Clareina was a hero. And heroes deserved tribute.
@
One day had passed since Lakrina was discharged after fainting and Enoch decided to sponsor her. Unlike yesterday, there was no training today. He judged that pushing her too hard would actually hinder her growth.
'It's not a lie, after all. Rest is just as important as training—especially during growth periods.'
Enoch spent his time leisurely at the pub as usual. The pleasant silence was broken shortly afterward.
"Teacher?"
"What."
"There's some mail outside."
"Mail?"
At Lakrina's words, Enoch turned his head. She had entered the pub holding a single envelope.
"Here. Oh, should I get you a letter opener too?"
"No need. I can just tear it open."
—Rip
Enoch immediately opened the letter and scanned its contents. Then he frowned. The message was far from welcome.
Having heard rumors of you, I contact you directly.
We have received reports that you have been using magic illegally without a permit. Furthermore, we have discovered evidence suggesting that the Ice Tower Lord intentionally concealed this fact.
Imperial law, blessed by the gods and protected by the Emperor, strictly mandates punishment for mages without proper certification.
Under normal circumstances, you would be arrested. However, due to the Ice Tower Lord Nordila's protest, we have refrained from direct action.
Therefore, you are to come to us.
The location is the Magic Guild headquarters in the capital. The deadline is four days from now, on the 31st.
We hope you will not refuse our courtesy.
Magic Guild Master, Rosita Mantera.
'Damn it. Things just got annoying.'
"Teacher?"
Lakrina asked worriedly, sensing something was amiss. Enoch relaxed his expression and shook his head.
"It's nothing. Don't worry."
"Uh… Okay…"
Lakrina nodded with an uncertain face. She didn't actually believe it was nothing, but she respected Enoch enough not to press further.
'I must have worried her for no reason.'
Enoch patted Lakrina's head a few times as if to reassure her. Once her silver hair was suitably tousled, her expression finally softened a little. Enoch then turned his gaze back to the letter. The sender was none other than the Empire's Magic Guild.
'They're really screwing with me.'
Enoch quietly folded the letter before clenching his fist and crumpling it. 'It's supposed to be a day off, yet they send something like this.'
Well, since they had called him personally, he would go. If they wanted him there, he would oblige. Enoch quietly cracked his neck. His presence was so menacing that Lakrina, standing beside him, unconsciously reached for a weapon. It was, incidentally, a butter knife.