Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Fountain Pen (4)
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Professor Herman, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, hadn't changed a bit.
Instead, the moment we met, he praised my achievements.
"Edn! My dear student. Thanks to the engine you invented, the factory hasn't had a single day off."
"Haha, it's all thanks to you, Professor."
It was something like that.
After chatting about the automobile, I guided him to the drawing room.
You must be tired from the long journey, so rest first.
You'd have to be exhausted even riding in a carriage—what we still call a carriage, precisely.
Even our family's carriage isn't comfortable yet.
And coming all the way from the distant capital? It had to be rough.
As expected, the professor looked a bit worn out.
The moment he sat on the sofa, he gulped down the tea Biena brought.
As he finished one cup and took the next, he let out a deep sigh, as if deep in thought.
"Phew... maybe I should start exercising after all."
"That might be for the best."
"You brat. You could at least pretend to disagree."
Why me?
I shrugged innocently, and the professor shook his head.
"Never mind. More importantly, you made a fountain pen?"
"Precisely, just the blueprint so far. Unfortunately, I don't have the connections to even make a prototype."
"Got it. Hand it over for now. I'll take a look and let you know."
I handed him the blueprint I'd brought from my room.
The professor sipped his tea while examining it.
About a minute in?
His eyes gradually widened as he peered at it.
"Edn! This is revolutionary!"
Ah, PTSD.
That all-too-familiar phrase I'd almost forgotten resurfaced from the corners of my memory.
I recalled my grad school days, the day the professor promised to support me.
I was definitely thrilled back then.
But...
"Professor."
"Ahem. Sorry about that. But you don't need to make that face, do you?"
Ah, slip-up.
I'd unconsciously furrowed my brow.
As I relaxed my expression, I saw the professor sigh in relief.
Of course, I had no intention of apologizing.
That day was the best—and worst—of my life, after all.
Picture it: a middle-aged man panting, drooling as he approached.
And speaking in that overly excited voice.
Phew, even now it's horrifying.
I'd rather face some ugly monster hiding in a demon realm.
So, sorry Professor, but I'm not a woman, and I don't want that kind of gaze from a man.
Anyway, as he examined the blueprint again, the professor nodded.
"Looks feasible. But we'll handle processing second. Reducing defect rates saves more costs."
"Really? I didn't know that."
He always handled these details for me.
Ensuring research time for researchers is the ultimate perk, he'd say.
Thanks to that, I could invent all sorts of things. I'm grateful.
"Thank you as always, Professor."
"What's this all of a sudden? Anyway, I want to scout factories right now."
"Ah, shall we prepare a meal then?"
"I'm not saying no to food."
With that, the professor wolfed down his meal in truly noble fashion.
I'd set it up for at least an hour.
Finishing in 30 minutes? As expected of the professor.
He doesn't waste time unless it's research.
As we sipped tea after the meal,
While chatting idly with the professor, I remembered the gift for Biena.
He'd know best, right?
As I'd thought earlier, I asked him.
"Professor, I'm thinking of gifting a handkerchief. Any recommendations?"
"Handkerchief, huh... Wait, Edn. What did you just say? A handkerchief?"
"Yes, why?"
The professor stared at me in disbelief.
I looked back puzzled, and he sighed in exasperation.
"Edn. You should've said there was a girl involved."
"Pardon?"
"Fine, I'll help you!"
No, wait a second.
I tried to stop him urgently, but I was too late.
He stood like a soldier heading to war.
I couldn't bring myself to halt him as he strode out with a resolute face.
"Haa, no helping it."
Reluctantly, I followed the professor.
I told Biena in the hallway that we were just going for a stroll.
We hit the streets in no time and headed straight for a clothing shop.
Precisely, haute couture—tailored garment boutique, simply put.
Of course, off-the-rack would've been easier.
Inside, a lady exuding elegance greeted us.
The designer here, she bowed politely.
"Welcome. Thank you for visiting."
"Pleasure. Sorry to dive right in, but show us some handkerchiefs."
"Yes, one moment please."
As she left, I curiously scanned the interior.
I knew this place existed in our territory, but it was my first visit.
We summon tailors to the house, after all.
This was for the other nobles living in our territory.
Not every noble manages their own land—that's a misconception.
More have none than have one.
Even those who do often hand it off via contracts.
Anyway, as I looked around, the professor launched into a lecture.
"Women like expensive things. Because it shows how much thought you put in. Not that cheap is bad, but intuitively, pricey proves you cared."
"Ah, yes."
He must think it's for a girlfriend since it's a gift for a woman.
It's just for my maid Biena.
But correcting him seemed bothersome, so I just nodded.
Maybe he'd think I was embarrassed about it.
The professor kept talking nonstop until the lady returned.
My ears ached; I wondered if they'd bleed. Finally, salvation.
Thanks to the lady bringing several handkerchiefs.
She laid them out on the table before us on the sofa.
"I've selected five. But since these are ready-made, for a gift, I recommend custom."
"Hm. What suits her taste?"
Now he's fully treating it like a girlfriend thing.
The professor looked deadly serious, so I pretended to ponder.
What would Biena like?
Nothing flashy, for sure.
I want something she can use without hesitation daily.
So, simple yet beautifully designed.
Two caught my eye.
One had animal embroidery in gold thread.
Various birds and plants stitched on.
The other was all flowers.
This one used not just gold but various colors.
"Hm, I think the flower one."
"Not bad. But isn't it a bit plain?"
The professor eyed it worriedly.
But my gut said this was perfect.
"I think it's fine."
He pondered, then nodded.
Pointing at the handkerchief, he looked at the lady.
"Base it on this one."
"Yes, one moment."
...Pardon?
She took the handkerchief and vanished again.
Wait, it's not done here?
I turned puzzled, and the professor clicked his tongue.
As if to say, you don't even know this?
"You'll get in big trouble like this."
"No, it's not like that."
"Don't be shy."
Ugh, infuriating.
After fussing over handkerchiefs for a while, we bought one.
It took 3 hours total.
Never doing this again.
With my face utterly drained, the professor said,
"It'll only get harder. 3 hours is lucky."
"No, seriously, it's not."
As we reached our estate gate, he patted my shoulder.
Like a senior in life advising me.
"So. Don't do anything foolish."
"Haa, got it."
I nodded quickly, knowing more talk was pointless.
It was my fault for not explaining properly anyway.
The professor left, promising good news soon.
I packed him some gifts on departure, and he loved them.
"He's gone."
I watched the carriage vanish, then headed inside.
At the mansion entrance, Biena stood outside.
"Young master, are you done with your business?"
She stood calmly, gazing at me as always.
I stared blankly for a moment; she tilted her head quizzically.
Should I give it now?
"...Better to give it sooner."
"Pardon?"
"Here."
Edn casually pulled out the handkerchief and handed it to Biena.
His cheeks flushed slightly, embarrassed at gifting a woman for the first time.
Biena took the handkerchief from Edn and stared blankly.
She examined it with slender fingers, then looked up.
"What's this?"
"A gift. You said you needed a handkerchief before."
At Edn's words, she looked down again.
Not flashy, but embroidered with flowers, it was beautiful.
"Ah."
Realizing at last, Biena recalled the question from days ago.
When asked if she needed anything, she'd said a handkerchief.
It hadn't meant much then, but now it did.
Edn scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"You always work so hard. So I got you something."
"Thank you, young master."
Biena clutched the handkerchief to her chest and bowed.
Or else she'd show the smile bubbling up unbidden.
She had to stay composed always.
As Edn's maid, after all.
Of course, oblivious Edn just thought himself lucky.
"Let's go in."
"Yes, young master."
Regaining her usual face, she followed Edn.
Though her steps were a tad lighter than usual.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days passed since the professor took the blueprint.
I was pondering my next project as usual when a letter arrived two days ago.
Prototype production successful; come see it.
No idea why not send it with the letter.
"Guess I'll find out when I go."
So, with Biena, I headed to the address the professor sent.
Capital location, so we left in a hurry and pushed hard.
And now, I realized I'd been had by the professor.
"Professor? What the hell is this?"
"Sorry. Well, not really sorry, but you wouldn't come otherwise."
The professor said with zero remorse.
Absurd, I retorted in an exasperated tone.
"Fair, but this is too much, isn't it? And when did you bribe Biena?"
"Bribe? I'm just supporting the young master's healthy lifestyle."
Can't even talk right.
Swallowing a sigh, I accepted Biena's help.
She dressed me in one of my formal outfits she'd packed.
Tailored to my taste: neat, unrestricted movement.
Not flashy, but properly respectful.
Why was I doing this?
Professor said no funds.
So, network with nobles at a social gathering for sponsors.
I get the purpose for pre-launch backers, but one issue.
Where'd the profits from mana engines and magic stone engines go?
"Ah, invested elsewhere. Startups are money pits early on. Especially expanding."
Couldn't argue after that.
I'm no business expert, and even if I were, that's his domain.
Besides, not a bad idea.
Securing customers early means promo on official release.
So, dressed up, I attended the party.
Entering the venue, regret hit again.
"Professor. What kind of party is this? Why are all these big shots here?"
"Ahem. Knew it'd be like this, so I didn't tell you."
He said, gauging my reaction.
"Irregular social gatherings. Political heavyweights mingle, build ties. Officially. Really, info exchange, rival checks. Plus showing off."
"...Can I turn back now?"
"No. Your name's on the list. Besides, Edn, you're the mana engine dev and creator. Lots expecting you."
Damn, screwed.
Desperate to flee, but already here, had to enter.
I swallowed another sigh, straightened my attire one last time.
Then entered with the professor.
Inside immediately, he scanned around and said,
"Alright, Edn. I'll go round up sponsors."
"Professor?"
"Do your best!"
Wait, best at what?!
While I stood dumbfounded, he vanished.
Snapping to, I was alone.
Glancing around, eyes poured in one by one.
Like amid beasts; cold sweat beaded.
As I debated bolting, a familiar voice called.
"Edn? You're here too?"
What, why are you here?
Turning, there was Esili, whom I hadn't seen in ages.
Black hair with blue sheen—definitely Esili Hepild from memory.
But not academy uniform; a dress.
Midnight blue, like capturing the cosmos.
More mature allure than academy days.
Pretty enough to catch me off guard.
"Uh, hi."
"Yes, Edn. Anyway, you—"
"Edn? Why are you here?"
No, what now.
Next to her, Pretina's face.
She wore a flashy dress suiting her golden hair and red eyes.
Somehow, all my academy classmates gathered.
Glad to see them, yet really not.
I just wanted to go home.