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Chapter 97
“The production cost is too heavily dependent on magic stones. If we don’t solve that problem, it’ll be difficult. High-quality stones that can power magic tools are only produced in small quantities, and the unit cost is just too high…”
“Th-then, if that problem is solved?”
“What?”
Adrian looked at Jaeyllin with a doubtful expression.
“T-the stones. If we amplify the mana inside a stone, so that even a small amount of mana could operate a magic tool, we could reduce production costs.”
“Well, that would drastically lower the costs, so yes, it’s possible. But if we want commoners to afford them, we’d also need to lower the manufacturing costs through mass production. What’s the solution for that?”
“If you have the blueprint, magic tools don’t have to be made by the Department of Magical Design. Regular craftsmen in workshops could make them too. If we hired those technicians, they could do it.”
“B-but engraving the blueprint into the tool and the stone isn’t something just anyone can do, right?”
“True, it requires some skill… but if they’re only transferring an existing design, it might be possible with proper training.”
“Oh! A-and fixed magic circles only need the blueprint sold, right? Copying those isn’t that difficult…”
Their conversation was abruptly cut off by Adrian.
“Hold on. This is all based on the assumption that magic tools can run on low-grade stones. It’s all meaningless speculation.”
“I-I can do it.”
“Do what?”
Adrian frowned.
“T-the amplification of mana from stones.”
“You’re saying you can do that?”
Adrian asked again, as if needing confirmation.
Mana amplification wasn’t something easily done. If making such a formula had been easy, it would have already existed in the world.
The reason Pelodian Winona’s formula—developed once and then lost—had never resurfaced was because amplification formulas were not simple designs anyone could create.
“Yes, really. I-I can do it. Just wait a second!”
Jaeyllin jumped to her feet, ran to her room, and came back with a bundle of magical blueprints.
From the worn, smudged stack, she pulled out several well-used sheets.
“I-I’ve been working on this for a while. I was planning to finish it this vacation anyway, so this works out.”
Stefan pushed aside the clutter on the table to make space.
Laying out the papers, Jaeyllin dropped a bombshell that shocked them even more.
“A-actually, the design is already complete. But there’s one unresolved issue. Without solving it, I can’t release this formula to the world…”
She spread out her mana amplification blueprint and began a serious discussion with Stefan.
They talked about elimination methods, grafting through overlaps, and other technical jargon. Adrian quickly lost interest, half-listening and letting their words wash over him.
“Y-yeah, with enough time, I can definitely do it. I already know the direction…”
As Jaeyllin wrapped things up on a positive note, Stefan jumped up from his seat, grinning brightly.
“Then you’re all investing in my business, right? Huh? Huh?”
“Well, if she really can solve that issue, fine. Do what you want.”
Adrian’s response was practically permission. After that, Jaeyllin and Stefan holed themselves up in the basement.
Adrian, with little else to do, passed the time strolling through the Panteago family’s vast gardens or training.
But that had limits. Summer had reached its peak, and the sun blazed down as if it would scorch the earth.
Late nights and dawns were tolerable, but Adrian—sensitive to heat—was helpless during the day.
He fanned his collar, but the sweat running down his neck refused to dry.
At least Stefan’s wealthy household provided luxuries like ice cream and sherbet, things rare outside of expensive shops. That helped him endure the heat somewhat.
One day, while rolling a piece of ice in his mouth, Adrian idly stared at the ring on his finger.
It no longer functioned, but he kept it on out of laziness.
Couldn’t I just reforge a new stone into it?
He missed the comfort of the magic tool. The human heart was fickle.
He used to get through summers fine without such devices, but once he experienced convenience, he couldn’t forget it.
Come to think of it, are those two ever coming out of the basement?
Since that day, Adrian hadn’t seen even a hair of Jaeyllin or Stefan.
Their noisy chatter was gone, and the silence felt dull.
If they’d dragged him here, shouldn’t they at least host him properly? What on earth were they doing all day shut inside?
Not that he wanted a replacement stone, but thinking it was a chance to see them again, Adrian decided to visit the basement—despite having sworn after the first time never to go back.
Of course, he had another reason.
Well, it’s the basement. It’s got to be cooler down there than up here.
The basement was still a mess, but one thing had changed.
As soon as he opened the door, a wave of cold air greeted him, and Adrian smirked crookedly.
“Ha, what the hell are you two doing?”
The basement was paradise—completely different from the sweltering world above. A beat later, Stefan’s muffled voice came.
“O-oh, Adrian, you’re here?”
And that was it. He didn’t even lift his head from the workbench.
Jaeyllin was worse—she didn’t even acknowledge him.
Adrian felt betrayed.
They know full well I can’t handle heat, and yet…!
The two of them had been spending summer in cool comfort while leaving him to bake. No wonder they hadn’t shown their faces.
“Isn’t this too much? You know I can’t stand the heat.”
Grumbling, Adrian shoved clutter off the sofa in the corner and dropped down into it.
The heat baked into his skin vanished at once, the basement pleasantly cool.
At his voice, Jaeyllin finally looked up.
“S-sorry. I got so absorbed I forgot.”
“Forget it. Just keep working.”
“Mm.”
She immediately buried her head back in the blueprints. Neither she nor Stefan even offered him a proper greeting.
From then on, Adrian began spending his afternoons in the basement too.
But soon, the mess started bothering him. What else could he do? The frustrated one had to fix it.
Sighing, Adrian began tidying up. Just like in their clubroom, it fell to him to keep the place clean.
He picked up discarded tools and blueprints, dusted them off, and set them in order.
A few days later, Adrian realized something was seriously wrong.
Jaeyllin and Stefan weren’t just working hard—they were practically living in the basement.
Jaeyllin stared endlessly at the rune-covered designs, while Stefan hammered away at his projects.
The reason they hadn’t been seen was simple: they hadn’t left the basement at all.
They worked in the same way—sitting there until the problem was solved, oblivious to time.
They ate only when servants brought food, and slept only in short naps curled up in the corner. Even then, they never took their eyes off their work.
They were too alike—perhaps that was why they could be friends.
If they can’t even take care of themselves, what do they think they’re accomplishing?
Finally, Adrian dragged them out of the basement.
“Eat! Stop what you’re doing and eat. And sleep in a bed.”
“J-just a minute, let me finish this part—”
“No. Get up. Now.”
At first, he believed them.
But Adrian’s “just a minute” was not the same as theirs. Their “minute” stretched on for half a day.
In the end, he had to use force.
Snatching the rune-covered papers and tools from their hands, he shoved them out of the basement despite their protests.
“Out!”
“M-maybe just a little longer…”
Jaeyllin reached desperately for the blueprint, but Adrian slapped her hand away and drove them out, scolding all the while.
“At this point, I can’t even tell if I’m your babysitter or your friend.”
Time flew like an arrow.
The trees still shone with green leaves, but the fierce summer sun had begun to wane.
Yet Jaeyllin and Stefan didn’t notice, buried in their work underground.
One day, not long before the new term began, Stefan gathered his entire family. He was hosting a business presentation for them.
Unaware of what awaited them, the Panteago family members filed into the drawing room. When they saw the blueprints and prototypes laid out beforehand, they all shook their heads.
“Little brother, are you still hung up on this? I told you, there’s no business potential in it.”
His eldest sister, heir to the Panteago trading company, flipped through the designs as she spoke.
