Chapter 6 …

The Graduate Student Is the Final Boss

At the explanation tailored to his level, Adolf’s eyes widened.

It was already shocking enough that I, who had once been the professor’s loyal hound, had left the Mage Tower. The fact that I had already come up with a new business venture made it even more unbelievable to him.

“…You’re serious?”

“Of course I am. Which is why—”

I lifted my gaze and looked him straight in the eyes.

“Would you be willing to become the first investor in my business?”

Adolf frowned as if deep in thought.

“Well… as you said, it is a very interesting proposal. But it sounds like development is going to cost quite a bit of money.”

“Well, that’s true. But considering it’s me, haven’t the results already been proven? Five years of research have already perfectly prepared all the theory needed for developing magic tools. All that’s left is commercialization.”

Even back when I was a graduate student, no one understood the Theory of Mana Flow and Space-Time Distortion as deeply as I did.

Besides, I wasn’t planning to use formulas that came out of the laboratory. I intended to create it using methods I had devised during my graduate school days, so there wouldn’t really be any plagiarism issues.

I continued calmly.

“Anyway, the initial manufacturing and material costs are pretty high. That’s why I need startup capital to cover them.”

“…How much are we talking about?”

I quietly told him the amount I had calculated beforehand.

The moment he heard it, Adolf’s expression froze.

“Whew. That’s basically my entire allowance for a year.”

“If you want to succeed quickly, that’s the level of investment you need.”

I deliberately spoke as though it were no big deal.

Adolf ran a hand through his hair and was speechless for a moment. Then he cleared his throat.

“Alright, alright, Adele. The more I hear, the better this proposal sounds.”

Something about his tone felt strange.

I could sense his discomfort.

And I soon learned the reason from what he said next.

“If I actually had that kind of money to spare, that is.”

“Huh?”

“The truth is…”

Adolf scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed smile.

“I’ve got plenty of money, sure. But the budget allocated to the Prince’s Palace has its limits. How should I put it… I’m currently managing liquidity.”

“Ah, managing liquidity?”

I smiled sweetly and repeated his words.

“Could you explain that in a way that’s easier to understand, Your Highness? Unlike you, I’ve spent my entire life locked away in a laboratory, so it’s a little difficult for me to follow.”

“Uh, well… how should I say it… I do believe you’ll succeed, but that money simply isn’t in my hands right now…”

I was dumbfounded.

“No, you’re a prince. I don’t recall ever hearing that the Imperial Family was short on money.”

“The Imperial Family isn’t. My wallet is. The thing is, after Father fell ill and became bedridden, my older brother gained control over budget allocations.”

After that, Adolf complained with a sigh that the Prince’s Palace budget had become much tighter.

“Older brother.”

I paused for a moment at those words.

Because I remembered the blue eyes I had encountered earlier.

…So that’s why that bastard had been able to funnel such an enormous amount of money into my research through the back door.

Well, considering he’s practically handling state affairs in place of the Emperor, I suppose that’s only natural.

He smiled awkwardly.

“Still, thank you for offering. I really do think it’s an amazing business idea.”

“Thanks for saying that, at least.”

“No, I mean it. If it succeeds, it’ll be a huge hit.”

Disappointing, but it couldn’t be helped.

I was a little let down, but I did my best not to show it.

Perhaps feeling guilty, Adolf carefully spoke up.

“Adele, if you’d like, I can recommend a few nobles I know. I’ve got quite an extensive network, after all. There are businessmen and collectors interested in magic tools. I know several of them. I’ll even write letters of recommendation myself.”

“Hmm.”

I slightly raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t think it’ll help much…”

“Come on! At least take them. You’re the top graduate of the Academy and a former Mage Tower researcher. There’ll be plenty of people interested in someone like that!”

After thinking for a moment, I nodded.

“…Alright. Give them to me. Better than having nothing.”

He told me to wait a moment, then called over an attendant and ordered recommendation letter forms to be brought over.

A short while later, several envelopes were placed in my hands.

“Here you go. And if you ever need any other help, just let me know.”

A moment ago he had been embarrassed about not having money, but fortunately his voice was lively again.

“You’re the kind of person who’ll succeed anywhere, Adele. Good luck!”

* * *

As Adolf and I enjoyed tea and chatted about various things, the sky gradually grew dark.

I boarded the carriage that had been prepared for me while he saw me off.

“Ha…”

Only after I was alone did I let out a deep sigh.

“The only person I could trust was Adolf.”

Who would’ve thought a prince would be completely broke?

And on top of that, why did I have to run into Crown Prince Kienne there?

I wanted to avoid him as much as possible.

In the original story, Kienne was often described with phrases like “that scheming bastard” and “that psychopath.”

I should never have gotten involved with a man like that.

Well, I can just avoid running into him from now on.

The real problem was the investor situation.

I had left the Mage Tower relying entirely on Adolf, but now where was I supposed to find business funding?

…No. It’s still too early to be disappointed.

You can overcome this, Adele Catherine!

This is only the first setback. The entire plan hasn’t fallen apart yet.

Only a few days had passed since I started putting my plan into action. I couldn’t afford to collapse in despair already.

Then where am I supposed to find an investor…?

Lost in a new worry, I returned home.

* * *

Just as I was about to relax after dinner, my parents called me again.

“Adele, let’s talk for a moment.”

The expressions on my mother and father’s faces as they sat on the sofa were strange.

The atmosphere was unsettling.

Seeing them like that, I could more or less guess what they wanted to discuss.

After all, what else could make them act this serious?

I slowly took a seat, thinking it was about time I explained my plans.

“We understand how hard you’ve worked all this time. It’s not as though we don’t understand how difficult things have been for you.”

My father spoke first.

“But isn’t it too early to give up like this?”

“…Give up?”

“That research. If you quit now, won’t everything you’ve worked for become meaningless?”

My mother added heavily from beside him.

“That’s right. If that research succeeds, you could end up sitting on a mountain of money. Then… our family could rise again.”

As expected.

They had called me because I left the Mage Tower.

I unconsciously took a deep breath.

I was amazed at how they managed to say exactly what I expected.

No wonder they were always asking about Professor Great and how things were going at the Mage Tower whenever they had the chance.

…Why did I feel so suffocated?

Why had these people never once tried to understand me?

I hadn’t run away because I was afraid of research.

No one knew that better than I did.

Did Mom and Dad ever spend even a moment thinking about why I was doing this? Not that I ever expected them to understand, but still…

When I came home exhausted, I thought this house would be a warm refuge for me.

Especially considering everything I had contributed to this family.

“The truth is… our family has some debt. Your brother’s business hasn’t been going well, so a lot of money is going out every month… and your father’s health isn’t what it used to be.”

Just hearing it made my mouth go dry.

“We’ve already sold all the land we owned. The only thing left is the tenant rent, which brings in only fifty thousand Sellings a year. Someone has to become the pillar supporting this family. You were recognized even in the Mage Tower, so surely you can go back.”

After listening for quite a while, I nodded and spoke very calmly.

“But that debt. My brother incurred all of it, didn’t he?”

“…”

“The amount of money I’ve given this family over the years wasn’t exactly small. Was even that not enough?”

At those words, my parents’ expressions turned cold.

My mother looked away in embarrassment, and my father opened his mouth as if to say something before closing it again.

Well, of course.

There was no argument they could possibly make.