Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Magic Stone Engine (3)
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The council meeting wrapped up after they even discussed mass-produced golems.
But even though the meeting was over, the real work was just beginning.
The duke had given me one month.
I needed to prepare as quickly as possible.
And to do that, I had to come up with a plan, no matter what.
But before that, there was something I wanted to ask.
When I returned to the waiting room, I ran into the three people who had arrived ahead of me.
"Edn!"
"Oh, Edn. Are you okay? You did great in there."
The professor came rushing over excitedly, while Esili looked at me with a worried expression.
Seeing a middle-aged man and a stunning beauty both fretting over me felt strangely off-putting.
It was like dipping half my body in ice water and the other half in hot water.
I didn't particularly dislike the professor on a personal level.
Hmm, let's stop thinking there.
"Could the two of you step back a bit?"
"Ah, sorry."
"Oh, I didn't realize."
Whew, now I can finally talk.
I turned to Pretina, who was watching from a short distance away as the two sighed in relief.
"So, why did the nobles pick on my Magic Stone Engine? Was it really an accident?"
Earlier, getting in had been the priority, and I'd had too much on my mind to ask.
Now that I had a bit of breathing room, I could.
"Well..."
The professor and Esili both avoided my gaze, clearly not knowing anything.
In the professor's case, he probably hadn't gotten any info since he didn't have speaking rights.
Esili... probably just lacked the connections. Plus, since she was close to me, they likely hadn't told her.
So instead of those two who couldn't speak up, I turned to Pretina.
"I'll explain it for your sake."
Pretina stepped forward confidently, arms crossed.
Her upturned lips suggested she enjoyed knowing something others didn't.
She must think this was her chance to show off her greatness.
I still couldn't quite read Pretina's mind.
Without hesitation, she gave the reason.
"Edn, you released that fountain pen, right? The ones who've hated you from the start must think you're stirring things up again."
I never imagined it was because of the fountain pen.
Honestly, at first, I'd thought it was a real accident.
But from what I was hearing now, it sounded like the fountain pen had thrown fuel on a dying ember.
I asked to confirm.
"So, they think it threatens their position?"
"Something like that. And with the Magic Stone Engine, only nobles can really afford it, right? But your fountain pen? Even commoners who can write a bit can buy it. They could even gift it to others without using it themselves."
Tsk, nobles, huh.
Of course, as a noble myself, I shouldn't say that.
But people like that are a dime a dozen.
The type who envy others and try to drag them down any way they can.
That's why celebrities get panic attacks sometimes.
Some even block internet access on purpose.
Anyway, that's the deal.
I looked at the professor, and he seemed to recall our prior agreement, his face resolute.
"Professor? Help me with the lab like we promised."
"Got it. Come to the academy. I'll prepare it."
Good, the professor would handle the lab.
Next up were the other two.
I turned, and Esili gave a small nod, as if she'd been waiting.
"I'll help."
"Thanks."
Esili was in, and Pretina?
"Think you can help?"
"Hmph, I'll grace you with my personal assistance. Be grateful."
Haha, that's Pretina for you.
She'd mellowed a bit, but this was her true flavor.
With help secured from the three, I headed home for now.
I wouldn't be able to stay there for a while, and I needed to grab a few things.
"My parents will be fine with it."
So, that left my sister, Biena, and Katiranya.
I took Pretina's carriage back home.
Of course, only her house's people were with us.
**
As expected, there were various things to handle, so I returned home.
But the moment I got back, I faced a very awkward situation.
Poke. Poke.
"Um, Katiranya?"
Poke. Poke.
"Please stop poking my side and just say something."
Her finger twitched for a moment and stopped.
But soon enough, she started poking again, as if asking what took me so long.
What the hell was this?
It was starting to go from ticklish to painful.
She wouldn't speak, just kept poking, so I had to guess.
After a moment's thought, I recalled vampire traits.
She was the progenitor, above all other vampires.
But still a vampire.
So, thinking in those terms...
"Do you want to drink my blood or something?"
"...What?"
Oh, she finally reacted.
She looked up at me in utter shock, then yelped and jumped back.
"Y-You! Do you know what it means for a human to say that to a vampire?!"
"Huh? What?"
"Th-That! Hmph, forget it!"
She snorted and whipped her head away.
What the heck was that about?
I tilted my head, then decided to let it go.
Her overreaction piqued my curiosity, but I had something more important to ask first.
I approached Katiranya slowly.
"So, what did you want to tell me?"
"...I wanted to ask when Don Quixote comes out."
Oh right, I'd forgotten about that.
I'd been about to publish volume 2 when I got dragged away.
Don Quixote was up to volume 2 now—the second part of what was originally divided into four.
But in the end, I'd bundled it up to the third part for release.
Stopping at two felt awkward, so no choice.
I'd worked hard on it and felt proud, but then got hauled off.
Hmm, Katiranya wouldn't know, so I should explain.
I told her why I'd been away from home for a few days.
She didn't react much—either she'd guessed or just didn't care.
She seemed a little annoyed, though.
"As expected, fools are scattered across all races without discrimination."
"Haha. Anyway, Don Quixote might have to wait a bit."
"Hmph. Unavoidable, I suppose. Now hand over the manuscript. I'll read that at least."
Of course, happy to oblige.
I pulled the manuscript from the bookshelf and showed it to her.
She snatched it up and started reading immediately.
Seeing her like that, I could sense the signs starting to show.
The type who devours any novel in sight.
But since she only wanted mine for now, maybe not quite yet.
Now it was time to explain things to my sister and parents.
Then a thought struck me.
I spoke to Katiranya, still glued to the manuscript.
"Katiranya, want to come with me?"
"Hm? Where?"
Her eyes stayed fixed on the pages as she answered.
I wished she'd look up a little.
It bugged me a bit, but I pushed on.
"Want to go to the lab with me?"
"The lab?"
Only then did she turn her head, showing interest.
I explained about the Magic Stone Engine.
"Sounds fun. Alright, let's go."
Katiranya agreed.
But would she put down that manuscript?
**
Fortunately, Katiranya's patience was impressive.
When I asked if she could leave the manuscript, she looked reluctant but slotted it back into the bookshelf.
As long as she didn't keep turning back with longing looks.
And my sister and parents approved without hesitation.
They even cheered me on, telling me to give them hell.
As we headed out, I ran into Hepiriya, who was still lingering.
I quickly hid Katiranya behind me, and she asked with a worried face.
"Are you alright?"
Worried the moment she saw me.
She had witnessed me being taken away, after all.
I explained what happened.
Of course, we weren't close enough for details, so I just said a minor issue came up.
She didn't seem fully convinced.
But there was no more to explain, so I changed the subject.
Or rather, I wasn't about to go into that much detail.
"Anyway, I'm a bit busy."
"Ah, of course. Sorry if I held you up. Go on ahead."
I parted ways with the concerned Hepiriya and boarded the carriage.
Since I'd gotten permission in less than half a day, Pretina's carriage was still there.
We rode nonstop for two days and finally arrived at Aper Academy.
"It's been a while here too."
"Hm? Did you attend here?"
"Yeah. Did research here as well."
"You have more skills than I thought."
Katiranya looked at me with fresh surprise.
I wasn't trying to brag, so I averted her gaze slightly.
"Anyway, we have one thing to do here: improve the Magic Stone Engine."
"I see. But can you pull it off? From what I heard, the deadline isn't long."
"I have to."
Otherwise, my head was as good as gone.
Well, they wouldn't actually chop it off—just demand compensation.
And halt sales, revoke my degree?
Something like that.
"Doesn't sound like no big deal."
"Ahem."
As I pretended not to hear, we reached the lab.
The professor's lab was in the research wing connected to the main building.
I got off the carriage with no time to reminisce and headed straight there.
Katiranya followed, holding her parasol.
We entered the building and navigated the familiar corridors.
About ten minutes later, the lab came into view, and I flung the door open.
"I'm here."
"Oh, you made it?"
The professor greeted me warmly but froze.
Then he spotted Katiranya entering behind me and beckoned.
Oh right, she's a vampire—is that okay?
"Who is she? A lover—?"
"Don't lump her in with that. I just brought her along since she was there."
Professor, you've been doing this since last time.
Why keep assuming girlfriend or marriage?
I shook my head in denial, and he looked visibly disappointed.
What was he disappointed about?
I was baffled, but at least he didn't know she was a vampire.
We couldn't stand in the doorway, so we went further in.
Esili and Pretina were there.
"You're here."
"You're late."
I greeted them and introduced Katiranya.
Fortunately, neither noticed she was a vampire.
Well, even Hepiriya hadn't.
"But why'd you bring her?"
"...Didn't want to leave her alone. Why?"
"Nothing."
Esili's reaction was a tad odd, but I let it slide.
Instead, I headed to the chalkboard on one wall.
Unfortunately, no chalk—just a charcoal pencil.
Should I make some chalk later?
With that in mind, I began explaining to everyone.
"Normally, we couldn't improve the Magic Stone Engine in a month."
"What? Then what do you plan to do?"
I have an idea, Professor.
I wrote "Inner Realm" and "Dungeon" beside it.
"That's why we need to head to a dungeon. We'll make a prototype using the special ore there."
We couldn't make an improved version with what's available in the empire right now.
If we had more time, I could think it through, but a month wasn't enough.
So, we'd make a prototype with something usable immediately.
I'll explain the details later.
The professor's jaw dropped, Esili tilted her head.
Pretina smiled like it was amusing, Katiranya looked intrigued.
Hmm, guess I need to elaborate more.
I started into the detailed explanation.