Chapter 9: Rings of Ominous Portent

Cola, distributed through the Karde Magic Tower’s nationwide network, was selling like hotcakes.

Despite a manufacturing cost of 12 Silver, the selling price was 3 Gold 60 Silver, thirty times that.

Even after deducting distribution and promotion costs, the cola boasted an astounding profit margin of 90%.

Even with the Karde Magic Tower giving me 20%, they were still taking 70%.

Not only was the profit margin high, but sales figures were breaking records daily. I even heard rumors that the Karde Magic Tower was discussing plastering the entire 20-story building in gold, not just the lobby.

If I had known they’d be making this much, I would have demanded a bit more.

---

“Aigoo, young master, you’ve arrived.”

The Magic Tower Head, whose complexion had brightened considerably from raking in money with cola, greeted me warmly.

I heard from my father while we were talking that the current Karde Magic Tower Head had a precarious position due to rising to a high rank at a young age.

However, with the great success of this cola business, I heard he had firmly solidified his position as the Magic Tower Head.

“If you ever need any magic, please call me anytime. If it’s your request, young master, I’ll come running immediately.”

“Thank you.”

Not only had I enriched the Magic Tower’s finances, but I had also helped solidify his political standing, so the Magic Tower Head treated me like a lucky charm.

A promise from a Magic Tower Head, not just any ordinary magician, held tremendous value.

If the air conditioner development failed, I’d have to ask him to install some cooling magic in the Count’s estate.

I followed the Magic Tower Head into the building lobby.

“First, based on the great success of cola, we have significantly increased the funds invested in the remaining plans.”

“Has the development team’s manpower also increased?”

“Previously, we had about 20 magicians deployed, but we’ve expanded the scale, and now about 100 magicians are working on development.”

Ooh.

The more nerds, the better.

---

“Have you arrived, young master?”

As I was touring the development team with the Magic Tower Head, a vibrant woman with blonde hair greeted me.

“Who are you?”

Time had passed, and this body, now eight years old, wasn’t likely to suffer from dementia, but no matter how hard I tried to recall, I couldn’t remember who she was.

“It’s me, Betty. The Food Development Department Team Leader.”

“Eh?”

The magician with disheveled hair and dark circles under her eyes from my memory was gone, and in her place stood a noble lady.

“Huhu, it’s all thanks to you, young master.”

Betty handed me a business card.

[Karde Magic Tower Director, Betty Merhel]

No wonder she looked so healthy; it seemed Betty had been promoted and left the field.

Ah, she was an excellent worker.

Unaware of my inner thoughts, Betty smiled brightly and introduced the expanded development department.

Indeed, money was paramount; the place was filled with all sorts of cutting-edge magical tools, looking like more than just a penny or two had been invested.

“How much did you invest?”

“We are reinvesting all the cola profits.”

Good heavens.

It seemed that after seeing the great success of cola, the Magic Tower had high expectations for other projects.

Cola was easy because it didn’t require much technical skill, but other items wouldn’t be so simple.

The last time I checked on the progress, development for the air conditioner and telephone had stalled at the conceptual stage.

If anything, the calculator and a chair incorporating ergonomic design were progressing relatively smoothly.

I was rushing the development of the chair because it felt like my back was breaking in real-time, and I was developing the calculator because it seemed like it could rake in money.

In this world, there were plenty of people who couldn’t even do basic arithmetic.

I had in mind a primitive calculator that worked by turning gears, but they somehow managed to create something similar to an electronic calculator using magic.

Of course, a calculator using magic would have too high a manufacturing cost, so if it were to be commercialized, they would probably develop a gear-based calculator alongside it.

After a short tour, I gathered a bunch of cola to take to Marine and was about to return home when the Magic Tower Head rushed over.

“Gasp… gasp… young master… This is my gift.”

No matter how high-ranking a magician he was, he was panting after a short run, a common trait among magicians.

He took out two small rings from his pocket and handed them to me.

“The young master is now eight years old, isn’t it an age to think about engagement? When these rings are worn by a man and a woman, they share a portion of each other’s mana, and in an emergency, they have a built-in 3rd-circle shield magic.”

“…”

I remembered seeing countless rings of this type in fictional works in my previous life.

The Ring of Engagement, the Ring of Betrothal, the Ring of Marriage, the Couple’s Ring – they were called various names in different creations, but they had one thing in common: the man and woman who shared these rings would inevitably face mortal danger.

Though it always ended up resolving well.

“…”

Fundamentally, I believed this world was the world of a novel, so I believed in the compelling force of clichés.

Clichés like how a commoner who enrolls in the academy, surprisingly bold and resourceful, inevitably seduces the Crown Prince and the Magic Tower Head.

Should I really accept this?

If I accept this, won’t mortal danger come knocking?

Countless thoughts swirled in my mind.

“Haha, young master, you don’t have to feel so burdened. I’ve placed it in the carriage for now. Please give it to your fiancée when you get engaged later.”

When I hesitated, the Magic Tower Head, thinking I felt burdened by the gift, laughed heartily and placed the ring box in the carriage without my consent.

In this world, magical tools with enchanted functions are traded for astronomical sums.

Moreover, if that function is protective magic? The rich, who have plenty of money but live under constant threat to their lives, would go crazy trying to obtain it.

‘Right, as long as I don’t wear it, it should be fine. I can sell it later or something.’

I bowed my head to express my gratitude and left the Magic Tower.

Underestimating the compelling force of clichés.

---

Upon returning home, I immediately went to find Marine.

“Ugh… this is the formal attire for parties… and this is for marriage…?”

Marine was commendably racking her brain, studying etiquette.

Yes, a good child who studies hard needs a reward.

“Young lady.”

“Don’t talk to me… Ah, Hendel… Hello?”

“…”

Kani’s testimony that she only became gentle in front of me came to mind.

It seemed her testimony was somewhat true.

‘Still, seeing her suppress her anger shows she’s improved a lot.’

Compared to her initial behavior, she had reformed a lot in a year.

There was still plenty of time left; wouldn’t things get better if I slowly continued the rehabilitation project?

I placed the cola I had just brought in front of Marine, who was awkwardly avoiding my gaze.

The sound of carbonation from the cola poured into a chilled glass offered a sense of coolness even without drinking it.

“Oh! Cola!”

Marine’s eyes sparkled as she tried to grab the glass.

“Stop for a moment.”

Marine stopped her hand like a trained puppy.

She sent me a desperate look, wanting to drink the cola.

I gently took both of Marine’s hands in mine.

“Let’s make a promise. That you’ll be kind to others besides me too.”

“Uh… Yes, of course!”

They say that when people make eye contact while talking, their words carry more sincerity.

This world is the world of a creation.

A villainess is bound to meet an unfortunate future.

Having lived with Marine for this long, I had grown quite fond of her.

I genuinely hoped that Marine wouldn’t walk the path of a villainess and suffer an unfortunate future.

“Promise.”

“Yes, promise.”

I made a pinky promise with Marine.

One might think it childish, but such things work well on young children.

In fact, from the day she pinky-promised me she would eat cabbage well, Marine started to eat cabbage, albeit with a frown.

“Alright, then let’s drink the cola quickly before it gets warm!”

If it ended on a serious note, Marine might feel uneasy, so I smiled playfully and soothed the downcast Marine.

“Okay!”

Still childlike, Marine quickly forgot the past and beamed with a wide smile.

Yes, continue to grow up smiling brightly.

Having raised Marine for quite a long time, I now felt like I was practically her father.

---

After the long heir lessons ended, I clutched my back again today, finishing my daily routine.

Swordsmanship training also strained my back, and spending the rest of the time sitting on a hard chair made me feel like I was going to get a herniated disc at a young age.

Having keenly experienced the horrors of a herniated disc in my previous life, I thought I had to rush the Magic Tower to get my custom chair as soon as possible.

Tap, tap.

“Um…”

After magic class, on my way to dinner.

Marine cautiously tapped my shoulder.

The way she called me had become more careful compared to before, which was a positive development.

“Yes, young lady, please speak.”

I replied with a pleased smile at Marine’s development, and she shyly began to speak.

“Can I use my wish ticket?”

Ah, the wish ticket, there was such a thing.

Marine hadn’t mentioned it for a while, so I had completely forgotten about it.

If it were up to me, I’d want to make it as if it never happened, but I once read that keeping promises with a child plays an important role in their future personality development.

“Yes, please tell me.”

Since I thought I had become quite close to Marine, I believed she wouldn’t make an unreasonable request.

“Let’s go play!”

Phew, as expected, it was nothing much.

“Since it’s summer, let’s go to a cave!”

“…”

Of all places, a cave.

A bead of sweat trickled down my back as an ominous premonition struck me.