Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 030
Chapter Title: Research (4)
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"Sto-"
I stopped right there, hand half-raised. Because I'd caught sight of Rose's sparkling eyes.
The same dazzling gleam she'd had when she first laid eyes on the Calmar Mine mana stones was now burning rapturously in her gaze.
It was the look of a magic studies scholar. The passion of an explorer who had to pioneer the unknown.
'Do I even have the right to stand in her way?'
I had a feeling it would be hard to quash her determination if she decided to pursue something. It was strange. I could just step in and cut her off right away. But somehow, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
The memory of Rose excitedly outlining her research plans in front of me, that sparkle in her eyes—it tugged at my hand like some intangible force.
"……."
I swallowed my words and waited. Impatience gnawed at me, but I held back, deciding to let Rose make her choice.
A bird you've forced to stay won't fly away.
"…First, let me thank you."
It took a while, but Rose's lips finally moved.
"It's an offer that's far too generous for someone like me… but I'm sorry."
Rose clasped her hands politely and bowed her head.
"I have things I need to focus on right now, Professor Anersen. I must decline."
"…?"
Anersen's mouth fell open in disbelief. He clearly hadn't even imagined she'd turn him down.
"Are you serious? Do you even realize what you've just refused?"
"Of course. It's an opportunity like no other for a mere magic studies scholar like me. But…."
Rose's gaze flicked toward me. The lingering hesitation in her eyes washed away the moment it met mine.
"This is truly important to me, so I want to concentrate here for the time being. Please forgive my rudeness."
There was a hint of relief in her final words—a stark contrast to Anersen's crestfallen expression, brimming with disappointment.
"……Hah."
Anersen leaned back against the sofa in exasperation. He'd never been rejected by a potential disciple before, and it hit him hard.
He hadn't even made that face when I smashed the magic tool right in front of him.
"……."
I was just as stunned.
'She's actually turning him down?'
The Rose who'd gone through all that trouble to become Anersen's disciple, the Rose who had no idea what life in his lab was like…
I'd thought she'd hesitate but ultimately accept. That she'd glance at me first and ask if it was okay.
But she didn't.
Instead, Rose sat there quietly, more composed than either of us, as if she had no regrets about her decision.
Grip.
I clenched my fist tight. That ticklish sensation from lying in bed with Rose was bubbling up from my fingertips again.
A squirrel ignoring a massive acorn to come back to me—it stirred up a strange feeling.
Someone prioritizing me over themselves… it was weirder, and more unfamiliar, than I'd expected.
Tap tap tap.
Anersen's leg started tapping out its nervous rhythm again. He interlaced his fingers, smacking his lips with a grave expression.
How to lure this delectable disciple his way? His face screamed it.
"Anersen."
Time for me to step in. With Rose having declined, it was my turn.
"I thought you didn't take personal requests."
"Did I say that? When?"
Anersen feigned innocence with a straight face.
"Your Excellency has never made a personal request. I simply spotted a gem in Madam."
"I see."
I nodded, then added casually,
"Then don't even think about summoning my wife to your lab for personal reasons."
"……Yes, sir."
"Not even under the pretext of showing research results."
"Yes……."
I could see right through Anersen's schemes. He wouldn't give up here. He'd find ways to connect with Rose and keep pushing the apprenticeship.
Judging by how he'd constantly lamented the lack of disciples, his desire ran deep.
"If you have business in the future, come to the castle yourself."
"Me?"
"Problem?"
Anersen blinked rapidly, then grinned.
"No, sir. Understood for now."
He seemed to back off cleanly, but I knew better.
"Madam seems to have turned it down too abruptly to judge properly. Give it time, and she'll realize what a massive opportunity she kicked away. By then, it'll be too late to regret…."
"Stop pining after a departed carriage."
I cut off Anersen, who was rambling on wistfully.
"Back to business. See to it that the lab construction proceeds without hitches."
"Naturally. Now that things are set, we'll build Madam's lab to the best of our ability."
"Didn't you say that earlier?"
"Truth be told, I planned to make it just a tad—very slightly—smaller than mine. Using lack of space in the castle as an excuse."
Anersen was unnecessarily honest.
"But seeing Madam's talent, I think it deserves to be as grand as mine."
He tilted his head, turning to Rose.
"Madam, was that paper your only publication? It's odd no rumors have spread about talent like this."
"Well, I've filed a few minor patents."
"Like what?"
"Portable lanterns, rechargeable hair straighteners…… things like that."
Rose stammered it out, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Pale in comparison to your achievements, Professor Anersen."
"…Ah, that portable lantern. So you're the patent holder. Don't call it trivial. I owe you thanks right here."
"Pardon?"
"Without it, my idiot disciples would've burned down my lab multiple times. Those klutzes spill everything—tools, research, you name it."
Anersen cocked his head curiously.
"As I recall, the patent was under a man's name. I remembered it because it was unusual for a man to patent such a delicate magic tool."
His eyebrows shot up sharply.
"Don't tell me that one got stolen too?"
"No, it's mine. I filed it under a man's name on purpose. I was afraid it'd be dismissed under my own."
Rose's voice grew quieter. She seemed embarrassed to admit it in front of a man.
"It's a bit shameful, but… I based it on my name. 'Rovi'……."
"I see. Hiding your name for a goal is common enough. No need to be ashamed."
Anersen's straightforward response calmed Rose. She let out a soft sigh, regaining her composure.
"—And,"
Anersen's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Never let anyone steal your papers again. That's advice from a senior colleague—not quite a mentor yet."
"……Yes."
"It's like stealing your child, isn't it? If it'd been me, I'd have punched Albert right in the face."
"He was a professor, so……."
"A guy like that isn't a professor. Listen to me. Got it?"
"Yes."
Rose smiled sadly as she replied.
She knew how unfair it'd been, but her face carried the sorrow of never having shared it with anyone.
"If you ever need to publish again, come to me instead."
"Thank you for caring so much."
"It's the least I can do if you're going to join my lab, right? Oh, and if Albert asks about a paper, just say it's still in draft. That's what I always tell His Excellency…… er, ahem."
"Albert."
I muttered that bastard's—no, the professor's—name.
"What's the full name of that professor?"
"Albert Hyzen."
Anersen hurriedly changed the subject to cover his slip.
"Stealing a student's work? He's out of his mind. We should make it public and drag him from his post."
"Entirely possible."
Rose flinched at my low murmur.
"Pardon? Your Excellency, you're serious?"
"What's stopping it? Madam, have you forgotten who I am?"
"Gasp……."
The Schmichael family pours massive sponsorship into the Academy every year. When I demanded it back in a rage, whether the furious department head would let Professor Albert off the hook—that remained to be seen.
"Leave that to me for now. Are you two done talking?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
Their replies came in unison, and I couldn't help but smirk crookedly.
"Anersen. Get back to work. Build the castle lab first, and wrap up this research."
"Yes, sir. Then I'll be…."
"Leave the report. It's your research, so rewrite it from scratch with your own efforts."
"……."
Anersen's mouth flapped open. He rose reluctantly, gathering his things.
"Your Excellency, that sounded awfully personal just now."
"If you know that, then never try tempting my wife again."
"It wasn't tempting, it was recruiting a disci…."
Anersen bolted mid-sentence.
"Excuse me!"
Thud.
Straw-like strands of his hair fluttered in his hasty wake. He always flinched at my glare but couldn't resist that timid rebellion.
"Here."
I handed the report Anersen had left behind to Rose, who kept stealing glances at me.
"Since Madam finished it, you have a stake in it. You'll be listed as co-author soon anyway."
"I couldn't possibly take this…."
"Consider it research materials. I trust you won't leak it."
"……In that case, thank you. I'll gratefully accept."
The usual Rose would've refused a dozen times before taking it. But her scholar's curiosity reached out readily.
"Wow."
I hid my rising smile as Rose pored over the report.
Mana reversal.
I'd swiftly passed her this crucial, monumental clue—unlike the original Rose, who stumbled blindly multiple times.
'The key clue.'
A sharp mind like Rose's would reach the answer soon. How I'd been poisoned, and how to counter it.
Plus, I'd summon Anersen to the castle often under research pretexts. Meeting Rose in the lab then would dodge Joel's watchful eyes.
It solved a lot in one go. A thoroughly satisfying time.
**
The busy day was nearly over.
With afternoon duties done, about an hour remained until dinner—the only free slot in my official schedule.
"I'm heading to the training grounds."
The servants scattered in perfect order at my words. To avoid accidents where limbs got severed during my practice.
'Finally alone.'
Today was crucial. The one day a week Joel left to procure herbs.
I planned to search his room during the gap.