Graham's Northern Wind

All you need to do is sign here. El Pandor Luntera. This world is somewhat out of sync with its eras and technology. While its political systems and people's mindsets remain stuck in the Middle Ages, certain technologies have advanced far beyond what medieval standards would allow. All thanks to the existence of mana and incantations. The cheat-like power of incantations made it possible to create remarkable inventions without relying on the strength of science. Prime examples include the sound amplification device (microphone), the image reproduction device (projector), and cameras.

“Aah… Incredible… I never imagined a room could be this cool…”

Yet just like those people basking in the air conditioner’s refreshing breeze with blissful expressions, technology that relied solely on incantations had its limits. Without a proper understanding of mechanics, depending only on incantations to build equipment meant performance would always be restricted and inefficient. A perfect example was the complete absence of proper cooling technology in this era. There had been attempts, of course, but they amounted to nothing more than temporary measures like Isabella’s “hand fan,” which required constant human labor to lower the temperature. Moreover, cold magic demanded a significant amount of mana and concentration, and the caster themselves would suffer a rise in body temperature from mana depletion. Only the highest-ranking individuals could even enjoy a “hand fan,” and even they couldn’t afford to waste high-level personnel on something so trivial, so they never brought them along.

The only reason Isabella had volunteered to fan Ed was because she held some favor toward him.

“Hahaha, your dedication is remarkable. To cool the entire room like this, you must have used quite a bit of cold magic.”

That was why the examiners and professors were mistaken. They thought Ed had poured an enormous amount of effort and time into this for their sake. Ed smiled faintly and replied.

“No, I simply pressed a single button. In fact, the equipment I wanted to introduce to all of you is precisely ‘a device that cools the room.’”

As he spoke, Ed pulled away the black cloth covering the glass case. Inside was a model air conditioner designed to explain the principles of the real thing.

“This is…?”

“Yes. This is the equipment I’m presenting today. Just as I explained, it’s a device ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that cools the room.”

Everyone’s eyes widened. A device that cools the room? Did that mean the pleasant coolness in this space was all thanks to this machine?

“For a quick demonstration, I’ll turn the equipment off for a moment. It should help you understand its performance.”

Ed switched off the air conditioner. At the same time, he opened the windows, letting the cold air out and the hot air in. Gradually, the room began transforming into a sweltering hell.

“Mmm…”

“Good grief, this weather…”

“At this rate, the beer’s going to get warm.”

The examiners’ and professors’ expressions soured accordingly. A few professors who still didn’t trust Ed’s words wore gloomy faces, lamenting that all the cold air created by magic was about to escape. Once the room’s temperature had risen sufficiently, Ed closed the windows. Then, pressing the air conditioner’s power button, he said,

“Now, it’s time to witness this equipment’s performance. Please enjoy Graham’s Northern Wind.”

Ed placed a fan in front of the air conditioner. Since the fan operated on a relatively simple principle, he had managed to build a large one in just a single day. When he turned it on, cool air from the air conditioner blasted toward the examiners and professors. Their wrinkled faces instantly smoothed out like a baby’s skin.

“Ah…”

“This is…”

“Such a miraculous device…”

They sank into their armchairs, eyes closed. It felt as if they were sitting on fluffy clouds, bathed in a cool breeze. A little longer like this, and they might fall asleep right away.

“By any chance, do you have more beer?”

At that point, the evaluation itself became secondary. There was no reason not to approve such an absurdly groundbreaking invention. From the beginning, they had come not to assess Ed’s technical skill, but to gauge his value.

“Yes, I’ve prepared plenty. Feel free to request more anytime.”

Ed promptly took an empty glass and filled it with beer. Ice-cold, enough to make one’s teeth ache. After taking a sip, one professor exclaimed “Kyah—!” in admiration. Soon, others began requesting refills, and casual chatter broke out among the professors. They were simply enjoying beer in a cool room, shooting the breeze.

“I told you, didn’t I? Ed is an outstanding student.”

“Hahaha. My apologies for doubting.”

Among them, Gracia couldn’t stop praising Ed. She claimed she had recognized from the very first class that he was no ordinary fellow, and that if only his mana capacity had been properly formed, she would have taken him as her disciple immediately. Every professor who had taught Ed also sang his praises. With his excellent attitude, high participation, and quick answers to questions, there was no reason for them to dislike him. Only a few stubborn old professors who harbored resentment toward Elena still viewed Ed with displeasure. But the moment they tasted the air conditioner, even their petty grudges had long since vanished.

“Listen here, Fix.”

At that moment, a professor whose face was flushed from drink called out to Ed. When Ed approached, the man spoke.

“Just as I’d heard, you’re truly remarkable. To create something like this…”

“Thank you.”

“…By the way, do you have any intention of selling this device? I’m prepared to pay any amount. I’ll make sure you’re compensated generously!”

A wealthy professor from a noble family expressing interest in purchasing the air conditioner. The ears of the other professors and examiners perked up. They, too, wanted to buy such an extraordinary device. Ed smiled meaningfully, as if to say “Just as I expected,” and opened his mouth.

“Haha, receiving payment? You examiners and professors are the respected pillars of the Empire’s history. I intend to give this to everyone free of charge.”

Free of charge. He was giving away this incredible equipment for free? Smiles bloomed across the faces of the examiners and professors. Raising their glasses in toast, they began praising Ed while sipping their beer. Even the professors who were conservative about rank lavished him with compliments, declaring that he should be placed in a high position as a talent who would lead the Empire.

In that atmosphere, Ed delivered his counterpunch.

“However, I am under the grace of the imperial family.”

…Under the grace of the imperial family? The examiners and professors exchanged puzzled looks and leaned in to listen. They wanted to hear what Ed was about to say.

“As you all know, I was able to become an academy student thanks to Her Highness the Princess’s grace. Every piece of equipment I’ve created was also made possible through support from the scholarship foundation established by Head Professor Elena and Her Highness the Princess.”

It was fact. Everything Ed said was common knowledge. After driving the point home, he continued.

“Therefore, the devices I create belong to the imperial family. The reason I could offer them to you all free of charge is also because of Her Highness the Princess’s will.”

Ed smiled. With this, he had perfectly imprinted the idea that “these devices belong to the imperial family.” From now on, no one would dare voice complaints about them.

“Haha, so there was a deeper meaning behind Her Highness the Princess’s intentions.”

“Indeed. It’s all thanks to Her Highness’s keen eye. Discovering and supporting a talent like Fix was Her Highness’s will.”

Completely unaware of Ed’s true intentions, the professors busied themselves praising the Princess. The only ones paying close attention to Ed’s moves were the three examiners dispatched by the ducal houses. Then Ed took out a mana stone and said,

“That said, the imperial family intends to charge only a modest usage fee.”

A modest usage fee. The previously warm atmosphere cooled instantly. As everyone focused on him, Ed spoke.

“The mana stone in my hand is the core power source for the device. Only this mana stone can activate the equipment I’ve made. In other words, the device itself is free, but you’ll need to purchase the core power mana stone.”

Ed showed them the imperial crest engraved on the mana stone. One professor asked,

“Then how much is that mana stone?”

“150,000 Orden each.”

Orden. The unit of imperial currency. In other words, 150,000 won per mana stone.

“Hmm… 150,000…”

150,000 per mana stone was an ambiguous price. Neither particularly cheap nor expensive. Ed smiled faintly and continued.

“However, if you purchase in sets of ten, you’ll receive a 35% discount.”

“Oh…?”

“That brings it to under 100,000 Orden each. And take a look at this.”

Ed turned off the air conditioner. Removing the core power mana stone from inside, he showed it to everyone and said,

“As you can see, it has barely used any mana. Each mana stone contains quite a lot of mana. Converted into operating time for this device, that’s 21 hours per stone.”

21 hours. Meaning that replacing the core power mana stone would allow the air conditioner to run for 21 hours. Ed smiled and went on.

“Now, let’s do the math. With a 35% discount on a set of ten, that’s 97,500 Orden per stone. Divided by hours, that’s roughly 4,640 Orden—about the price of one glass of the beer you’re drinking.”

“Hoo…”

“In other words, for the price of a single glass of beer, you can enjoy this comfortable environment for a full hour.”

Ed inserted the core power mana stone and reactivated the air conditioner. The room, which had begun to warm slightly, started cooling again.

“Ooh…”

The professors nodded with flushed faces. Ed smiled and said,

“But it doesn’t end there. If you sign up for a ‘regular subscription,’ you can purchase mana stones at an additional 10% discount.”

“T-Ten percent!?”

“Yes. That would bring it down to 4,100 Orden per hour. Much cheaper than a glass of beer.”

After explaining, Ed pulled out a stack of documents—the air conditioner contracts.

“Here, please read through them. Take your time, and if you wish to purchase, simply sign at the bottom.”

The professors, beer in hand, began examining the contracts. They were filled with complex technical and academic terminology. Then Ed made his bombshell announcement.

“If you look at the first line of the contract, you’ll see that all of you have been granted a special 90% discount on the ‘regular subscription fee.’”

90% discount? They could use this god-tier device at a 90% discounted price? The professors’ eyes widened.

“Of course, normal pricing will apply from the following month, but you can cancel anytime. If you try it and don’t like it, you can simply cancel.”

A 90% discount, and the option to cancel anytime? They didn’t need to hear any more. All the professors began signing the contracts. What they signed was, of course, the one-month regular subscription package.

A crazy package requiring a monthly payment of 2.6 million won. But the professors were all nobles. 2.6 million won was nothing—just the cost of hiring two more servants. Besides, the first month’s fee was only 260,000 won. All the professors signed the contracts with pleasure.

‘Perfect.’

Ed watched them with a meaningful smile. Using the Princess’s name had indeed been an excellent move. Though he would have to pay a 30% commission for using the imperial crest, he could pocket the remaining 70% without any noble complaints.

“Hmm…”

However, one examiner’s expression wasn’t so pleasant. It was Bilson, the head butler dispatched by House Graham. And for good reason—House Graham had no use for something like an air conditioner. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠In the frigid north, what good was an air conditioner? Just then, one professor spoke to Ed.

“By the way… Is this the product’s name? ‘Graham’s Northern Wind’?”

Graham’s Northern Wind. At those words, Bilson’s pupils dilated. Could it be that this product was named after their family’s northern wind? Ed answered calmly with a smile.

“Yes. The official name of this product is Graham’s Northern Wind.”

“Hoo… Interesting. What inspired such a name?”

“Not long ago, Lady Isabella told me while fanning me with cold air that she wanted me to feel the northern wind.”

“…That Grand Duchess… fanned you with cold air…?”

“Yes. Her small act of kindness gave me the hint. It made me think of a device that would blow Graham’s Northern Wind.”

Of course, what Ed had just said was a lie. It was merely a political maneuver to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠win over House Graham, the guardians of the north—completely unrelated to Isabella.

‘Aah… Young lady. When did you become so kind?’

But Bilson was moved. To think the young lady possessed such a gentle heart! Bilson looked at Ed with a benevolent smile.

‘A most extraordinary boy in many ways. Someone the young lady should take note of.’

However, Bilson, head butler of House Graham, was no naive man. While the story of the young lady’s kindness was pleasant to hear, attaching the Graham name to such an influential product was clearly a calculated political move. After all, every time someone used this device, they would think of Graham’s Northern Wind at least once. It was a tremendous gift to House Graham. It would undoubtedly serve as a major opportunity for the northern rulers to spread their fame across the continent.

‘Ed Fix, your methods are truly elegant.’

The Grand Duke of the North, House Graham. Originally, House Graham had been the king of the north. Before the imperial family conquered the continent, they had been one of the powerful kingdoms that united the northern tribes. Their influence was something even the imperial family could not ignore. Because of this, those seeking to form connections with House Graham had always swarmed around them. Marquises and counts aiming for marriage alliances with the first or second young lady. Merchant guilds wanting to wholesale their furs. Contractors seeking high-grade mana stone mining rights. Even minor noble houses trying to sell their own specialties. They had all tried every method to catch House Graham’s eye—offering bribes, scheming, sending beautiful women as concubines, or even making vulgar proposals to provide prostitutes.

‘But that boy is different.’

Ed Fix was different. He didn’t bow and scrape, didn’t spout smooth flattery, didn’t beg for attention. He had simply shown respect to House Graham first, using an appropriate pretext. Despite being a commoner, he exuded a unique dignity. Bilson’s eyes gleamed sharply.

‘I must report this to the head of the family. He’s a talent we must secure at all costs.’

***

After the equipment demonstration ended, I smiled as I looked over the signed contracts. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Because all of this was my source of income.

“Now all that’s left is to expand the installation locations.”

Selling to the professors was only the beginning. I planned to expand my air conditioner to the entire imperial family and the academy. Once that happened, the monthly revenue I would earn would be beyond imagination. Sitting on a pile of money was only a matter of time.

Still, there would be those who questioned why I was so desperate to rake in money. After all, with support from Elena and the Princess, why bother earning money? But that was only seeing half the picture. That money was all public funds under the label of “talent development sponsorship,” so every coin was recorded. It was money that would inevitably be under scrutiny. Therefore, if I wanted to buy what I desired without anyone’s interference, I had no choice but to pay with my own private funds. No one could object to that money.

“Emerald Mana Stone.”

That was what I wanted. An extremely rare mineral mined only in the Dwarf Allied Kingdom. If purchased with public funds, it would be an astronomically expensive mineral that would make the professors foam at the mouth. I intended to buy that mineral. Because without it, I couldn’t build a computer.