Chapter 4 …

Just then, a letter arrived from Crown Prince Kienne.

[I have heard that this experiment has produced highly meaningful results.

I, too, have great interest in this research, and I promise to provide the funding necessary for the project as well as assist with its legalization.]

The moment he received that letter bearing the official seal, Great Everrun became convinced.

‘At last, the day my life turns around isn’t far away!’

However, with Adele’s declaration of resignation, Great’s rosy future was snuffed out like a candle flame.

“Professor, I’m quitting.”

The slave—no, the accessory—that had always followed his every word without complaint had finally begun to rebel.

“Now that my research is finally about to shine, why is that brat Adele quitting on her own!”

The hand that had unconsciously crumpled the letter trembled violently.

The Crown Prince’s sponsorship was more than simple financial support. It was an opportunity to secure the legal protections necessary for this research to be applied in reality.

But now, the research had come to a standstill.

Because the key researcher who had built the foundation of its theoretical framework was gone.

Grinding his teeth, Great suddenly realized that the letter in his hand had been completely crumpled.

“Ah! Something this important…!”

He hurriedly smoothed out the wrinkled paper.

There was now only one way to seize this opportunity.

He had to replace the lost research personnel.

The problem was that finding someone who understood the theory as deeply as Adele and could constantly provide new ideas was far from easy.

Great clenched his jaw.

Then what in the world was he supposed to do?

The research materials remained, but they alone weren’t enough to attract continued support from the Imperial Palace.

No matter how much he thought about it, there was only one conclusion.

“…It can’t be helped. I’ll have to bring that brat back.”

How dare a mere research student—slave—escape from his laboratory? After everything he had done for him?

‘I fed him three meals a day and even let him sleep six hours every night!’

Tsk, tsk.

His eyes blazed with determination.

No matter what, he would capture the runaway slave and drag him back.

Life as a graduate researcher had been an endless war against experiments, reports, and deadlines.

But now?

A cozy bed, regular meals, and stress-free days.

‘A normal life like this. Hehe.’

Three days had already passed since I quit the Magic Tower.

As I rested to my heart’s content, I realized anew just how abnormal my life had been.

‘Was life originally supposed to be this enjoyable and happy?’

Even when I did absolutely nothing but breathe, a smile wouldn’t leave my face.

I had never realized something as simple as leisure could be so precious.

‘…But I can’t slack off forever.’

If I stayed cooped up at home doing nothing all day, I’d start feeling guilty in front of my parents.

After all, the only thing left to our fallen family—who had sold off their land, title, and even their old mansion—was a pitiful amount of tenant income.

I pulled out the letter that I’d stuffed into my bag for the sake of my plan.

But before I could even check its contents—

“Hey, are you insane?! If not for the Magic Tower, where else would anyone recognize you?”

My older brother Adrian had come home drunk.

The moment he entered the house, having apparently heard the news from our parents, he started causing a scene.

A guy who spent all his time partying and staying out overnight didn’t seem remotely ashamed.

“A lifelong researcher like you—where else do you think you’ll get hired? Stop messing around and go back immediately. Don’t you know that’s what’s best for the family?”

“Ha…”

He’s hopeless.

Sitting at my desk, I let my body slump back in exasperation.

Everything was great, but coming home meant I had to listen to this idiot’s nonsense again.

Fortunately, the irritation boiling inside me quickly subsided.

Well…

There’s a saying about not feeding trolls.

Once I secured investment and struck it rich, I could live the rest of my life without ever seeing his face again.

Until Adrian finally finished lecturing me, I repeated the same words in my head.

‘Let’s make it big! Seriously, let’s become wildly successful and never have to see that bastard’s face again!’

That very night, as soon as Adrian left, I wrote a reply to the letter.

The contents were simple.

Whenever I had free time, a carriage would be sent for me, and I was welcome to visit.

I had never once accepted the invitation because I had always been too busy.

But now, the time had finally come.

Two days later, I boarded the carriage sent by the owner of the letter and headed toward my friend’s home.

‘Though it’s a bit too large to be called a friend’s house.’

Clatter.

The extravagant carriage carrying me finally came to a stop.

That’s right.

I was standing in front of the Imperial Palace.

‘How long has it been?’

Just as I was about to sink into nostalgia, the carriage door suddenly opened.

A servant dressed impeccably in court attire bowed respectfully.

Even in an age where magi-engineering had developed so far, they still insisted on these outdated formalities.

“His Highness is waiting for you.”

Haa…

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the carriage.

Perhaps because it was my first visit since recovering the memories of my previous life, I felt a little nervous.

I followed the servant through the long corridors of the Imperial Palace.

When we reached the entrance to the western garden, I spotted a head of red hair in the distance.

“Adele Catherine, if you’re such a successful Magic Tower researcher, is it really okay to ignore a prince’s letters like that?”

His name was Adolf Winterton.

The Second Prince of the Douglas Empire.

He was my longtime academy classmate and, after years of laboratory life had severed most of my relationships, the only connection I still had left.

Yet in the original story, even Adele eventually began distancing herself from him.

Probably after realizing just how dangerous the research she was conducting had become.

‘Well, now I don’t have anything holding me back.’

Smiling warmly, I greeted him.

“It’s been a long time, Your Highness the Second Prince.”

“Haha! Come on, we’re friends. You used to call me Adolf just fine.”

“We’re in the Imperial Palace. I should be respectful.”

“Yeah, that’s the Adele I know. Just relax and be comfortable.”

Adolf was just as easygoing as he had been back at the academy.

Even then, he got along with everyone regardless of status and always had a smile on his face.

In short, he was basically a golden retriever in human form.

“So, how have you been lately? Is the research going well?”

…And sometimes a golden retriever could unknowingly throw a devastating jab that instantly knocked someone out.

I was momentarily speechless.

“Ah, the research…”

Where should I even begin?

I hadn’t expected to get straight to the main topic the moment we met.

While I frantically organized my thoughts, Adolf seemed to interpret my silence differently.

“What, did something major happen with the research?”

“If you call it something major… then yes, I suppose it is.”

I’d completely abandoned my old research and decided to pursue a new project—

No, a new business idea.

Of course, I couldn’t just blurt that out immediately.

I spoke vaguely.

“Let’s sit down and talk about that—”

Before I could finish, the sound of unfamiliar footsteps interrupted me.

Along with a low, smooth voice that brushed against my ears.

“I had no idea we had a guest here.”

At the leisurely, even-toned voice, both Adolf and I turned our heads at the same time.

“Hello, Adolf. And… an unnamed guest?”

The man’s eyes curved gently.

He resembled Adolf, but carried a far more elegant and refined atmosphere.

And beneath that grace lurked a sharp presence, like a perfectly trained hunting hound.

I quickly straightened and paid my respects.

“…Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince. My name is Adele Catherine.”

“Adele?”

A flicker of interest passed through the man’s eyes.