Chapter : 06
Adolf’s eyes widened at my simple explanation.
It was already shocking enough that I—once Professor Great’s most loyal “hound”—had left the Magic Tower. The fact that I had already come up with a brand-new business venture made it even harder for him to believe.
“…You’re serious?”
“Of course I am. Which is why…”
I looked up and met his gaze directly.
“Would you be the first investor in my business?”
Adolf frowned as he thought it over.
“Well… I have to admit, it’s a very interesting proposal. But developing something like this is going to cost quite a bit, isn’t it?”
“That’s true. But considering it’s me, I’d say the results are already practically guaranteed. I’ve spent five years researching this. The theory behind developing magical devices is completely finished. All that’s left is turning it into an actual product.”
Even back in graduate school, no one understood the Theory of Mana Flow and Spatial Distortion as deeply as I did.
Besides, I wasn’t planning to use the formulas developed in the laboratory. I intended to build everything using the methods I’d created during my graduate school days, so there weren’t any plagiarism concerns either.
I continued calmly.
“Anyway, the initial manufacturing costs and materials are pretty expensive. That’s why I need startup capital.”
“…How much are we talking about?”
I quietly told him the amount I had calculated beforehand.
His expression froze instantly.
“Whoa… That’s basically my entire yearly allowance.”
“If we want to succeed quickly, that’s the kind of investment it’ll take.”
I deliberately spoke as if it were no big deal.
Adolf ran a hand through his hair and fell silent for a moment. Eventually, he cleared his throat.
“Right… right, Adel. The more I hear, the better this sounds.”
Something about his tone felt strange.
I could already sense the awkwardness behind it.
And his next words confirmed exactly why.
“If I actually had that kind of money to spare.”
“…Huh?”
“The truth is…”
Scratching the back of his head with an embarrassed smile, Adolf continued,
“I do have money. Quite a lot, actually. But the budget allocated to the Prince’s Palace has its limits. You could say I’m… managing my liquidity right now.”
“‘Managing your liquidity?'”
I smiled sweetly as I repeated his words.
“Could you explain that in a way someone can actually understand, Your Highness? Unlike you, I spent my life locked away in a laboratory.”
“Uh… well… I do believe you’ll succeed. It’s just that… I don’t actually have that amount of cash available right now.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“Wait. Aren’t you a prince? I don’t recall ever hearing that the imperial family was short on money.”
“The imperial family isn’t. My wallet is.”
He let out a helpless laugh.
“My father fell seriously ill, so my older brother ended up taking control of the imperial budget.”
Since then, he explained with a sigh, the funding allocated to the princes had become much tighter.
Older brother.
The word made me pause.
A pair of cold blue eyes flashed through my mind.
…So that’s why that bastard was able to funnel such an enormous amount of money into my research behind the scenes.
Well, considering he’s practically running the empire in place of the Emperor, I suppose it makes sense.
Adolf smiled sheepishly.
“Still, thank you for offering me the opportunity. I honestly think it’s an amazing business.”
“Thanks. Even just saying that means a lot.”
“No, I’m serious. If it succeeds, it’ll be a huge hit.”
It was disappointing, but there was nothing to be done.
I hid my disappointment as best I could.
Perhaps feeling guilty, Adolf spoke up again.
“Adel… if you’d like, I could introduce you to a few nobles I know. My network is pretty extensive, after all. Some are merchants, and others are collectors who are obsessed with magical artifacts. I’ll even write letters of recommendation for you myself.”
“Hmm…”
I raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not sure that’ll help much.”
“Come on! Just take them anyway. You’re the top graduate of the Academy and a former researcher from the Magic Tower. Plenty of people would be interested just hearing that!”
After thinking for a moment, I nodded.
“…Fine. It’s better than having nothing.”
He told me to wait a moment, summoned one of his attendants, and ordered several recommendation letters to be prepared.
A short while later, several sealed envelopes were placed into my hands.
“Here. And if you ever need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”
For someone who had just been embarrassed about being broke, his voice sounded surprisingly energetic.
“You’ll succeed no matter where you go, Adel. I’m rooting for you!”
Over tea, Adolf and I chatted about one thing after another until the sky had grown dark.
He personally saw me off as I boarded the carriage waiting outside.
“…Sigh.”
Only after I was alone did I let out a deep sigh.
“I really thought Adolf was the one person I could count on.”
Who would’ve guessed a prince could be flat 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 novel, Kienne was often described with words like “that scheming bastard” and “a complete psychopath.”
I should never have crossed paths with a man like him.
Well… as long as I avoid him from now on, it’ll be fine.
The real problem was the investment.
I’d left the Magic Tower counting entirely on Adolf.
Now where was I supposed to find the money to start my business?
…No. It’s too early to get discouraged.
Pull yourself together, Adel Catherine!
This was only the first setback.
The entire plan hadn’t fallen apart yet.
It had only been a few days since I’d started putting everything into motion.
I couldn’t afford to collapse in defeat already.
So then… where am I supposed to find an investor?
Still lost in thought, I returned home.
After dinner, just as I was about to relax, my parents called me over again.
“Adel, we’d like to talk.”
The expressions on both my mother and father’s faces were unusually serious.
Seeing them, I could already guess what this conversation would be about.
There was really only one reason they would look at me like this.
I slowly sat down, thinking it was probably time to tell them about my plans.
“You’ve worked so hard all this time. We understand you’ve been through a lot.”
My father spoke first.
“But… don’t you think it’s too soon to give up?”
“…Give up?”
“Your research. If you stop now, won’t everything you’ve worked for all these years amount to nothing?”
My mother nodded heavily beside him.
“That’s right. If that research succeeds, you could become incredibly wealthy. And then… our family could get back on its feet.”
Just as I expected.
This was about me leaving the Magic Tower.
Without realizing it, I took a slow breath.
I almost laughed at how completely predictable they were.
No wonder they’d constantly asked about Professor Great and how things were going at the Magic Tower whenever they had the chance.
…Why does it feel so suffocating? Why have 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 stop to think about why I made this decision?
No… I suppose I never expected them to understand in the first place.
When I came home exhausted, I thought this house would finally become a place where I could rest.
Especially after everything I’d done for this family.
“The truth is…”
My mother hesitated before continuing.
“Our family has accumulated quite a bit of debt. Your older brother’s business hasn’t been going well, so we’ve had to pay a huge amount 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 nearly all our land. The only thing we have left is the tenant rent, which only brings in fifty thousand 셀링 a year. Someone has to support this family. You were recognized by everyone at the Magic Tower. Surely you could go back.”
After listening quietly for a long time, I finally nodded.
Then, in an incredibly calm voice, I said,
“But… all of that debt belongs to my brother, doesn’t it?”
“…”
“I’ve already given this family a considerable amount of money over the years.”
“Even that wasn’t enough?”
At those words, both of my parents’ expressions turned cold.
My mother looked away in obvious discomfort.
My father opened his mouth as if to argue…
…only to close it again without saying a word.
After all, there wasn’t a single thing they could say to refute me.
