29. Technology End and Cecilia (3)

Cecilia’s workshop wasn’t bad.

Compared to the tobacco shop where the demon sisters lived, it was much larger, and it seemed to have all the necessary equipment.

On the display shelves of the workshop were the miniatures Cecilia had shown at the tobacco shop.

‘Good idea. If there’s a merchant with an eye for value, they’ll recognize it as a good item.’

It was smaller than the large private workshops outside of Endier Hall.

Still, Cecilia was a freshman. In fact, being able to get a rental workshop like this was usually only possible for sophomores or higher.

That meant her crafting skills were recognized in the interview. As I expected, Cecilia became a scholarship student at the Technology School. Still, there was nothing strange about it.

Cecilia’s crafts. Even as miniatures, they were all measured as high-grade items.

She had weapon crafting skills learned from the dwarves, so it wasn’t surprising.

‘Her physical age may have just passed adulthood, but she’s spent 100 years honing her skills.’

Not only that. Cecilia had the pure blood of a dragon, specifically of the Demon King clan. So, it meant she could instinctively understand runic characters.

The most highly valued weapon in the Empire since the Great War. That was a weapon enchanted with runic characters.

Before the establishment of the Holy Lamir Empire. Runic characters, a magical script passed down from ancient times.

Now, with the cooperation of the six schools of the Pantheon, great progress had been made in deciphering them. The characters were actively engraved on ordinary weapons to enhance their performance.

‘That’s also why the Pantheon’s leadership invests so much in the Technology School these days.’

However, understanding the magical script of runic characters from its origins and drawing out perfect efficiency was not easy. No, humans could only apply a fraction of its profound meaning.

But Cecilia could do it. So, she was a very talented individual, close to the raw material. It wasn’t for nothing that she joined my party later as a representative of the Technology School.

‘Even if she just gets used to life in the Pantheon, she’ll have the skills to run a private workshop instead of a rental one.’

As I briefly organized my thoughts about Cecilia, Cecilia and Lucia greeted me happily.

“Yulian Baekjak-nim. Nice to meet you!”

“Ah… Hello. Yulian Baekjak-nim!”

Especially Cecilia. We only made brief eye contact, but her yellow eyes were full of respect.

Cecilia had received a lot of help from me. I had become her recommender, even though her identity was unclear, and I had sent Aylin to handle her admission procedures to the Pantheon.

Of course, passing the interview was purely due to Cecilia’s skills.

“I… I’m really grateful! Thanks to Baekjak-nim, one of my wishes… I’m so grateful… I don’t know how to thank you…”

Cecilia bowed deeply, very embarrassed. But it was a graceful greeting.

Cecilia, who was on the shorter side but had beautiful platinum blonde hair.

As a student of the Technology School, she was wearing plain commoner clothes in a one-piece style. Still, it didn’t detract from Cecilia’s appearance at all. Ordinary clothes couldn’t hide her elegance.

Besides, her sickly-looking face stimulated a man’s protective instincts, and if you were a man weak to younger sister-style beauties, it had the power to make your heart flutter.

‘Wait. That’s me too.’

For a moment, even my heart fluttered. Cecilia looked beautiful, as if I were feeling the swaying bridge effect.

Something was strange. Cecilia was definitely a cute beauty who would attract attention wherever she went. But I shouldn’t be feeling that attracted to her.

It might sound arrogant, but I’ve had deep relationships with several beauties. So, I definitely wasn’t lacking in immunity to beautiful women.

I could maintain my composure even when looking at Aylin or Princess Lilia, the top beauties of the Imperial Capital.

‘It must be because of the bloodline.’

Dragon blood was said to inevitably recognize its own kind. So, there might be something instinctively drawing me to Cecilia as a dragon.

If so, it was a good thing. According to the Demon King Slayer’s settings. Cecilia must have felt something from me too.

I had an important quest to complete with Cecilia in the future.

——-

* Demonification Subquest 3 “Bonds Forged in the Name of Demons”

: Awaken the demon blood within you by coming into contact with the bodily fluids of a demon.

### Details

: After awakening, your bodily fluids will be filled with the essence of a demon. If the other party is a demon, they will experience a Mana stabilization effect greater than a purified Demon Stone with your rich bodily fluids.

——-

In other words, I needed her bodily fluids. My bodily fluids would also be helpful to her.

But since I couldn’t just ask for someone’s bodily fluids out of the blue. If there was something drawing us to each other as members of the opposite sex, it would definitely help with the quest.

I also replied to Cecilia’s greeting with calm aristocratic etiquette.

“There’s no need to worry about it. You got the private workshop because of your skills. You can repay the favor by providing me with good technology in the future. And since I’m a swordsman who uses swords, I’ll have to rely on you often.”

“Yes! I can take care of Baekjak-nim’s weapons as much as you want.”

“That’s good to hear. And with your skills, you should be able to meet good patrons. Your life in the Imperial Capital will be much better than it is now. There are many merchant guilds in the Imperial Capital that covet technicians with good weapon-making skills. Especially a skilled artisan like you who can handle runic characters.”

“N-No… That’s not true. I still lack a lot of skill…”

At that moment, Cecilia noticed Aylin next to me. She bowed to Aylin as well.

“Nice to meet you. Thank you for helping me so much last time.”

“It’s nothing. I was just doing what I had to do as Doryeon-nim’s maid.”

Again, the two exchanged elegant, old-fashioned greetings. And the moment those greetings ended. Lucia and Aylin’s eyes met.

I tensed up for a moment. The two of them had feelings for me that went beyond simple liking. Especially Aylin, who couldn’t possibly not recognize that conspicuous pink hair.

And Lucia was also a dangerous young lady whose Fate stat might jump to Y-rank at any moment. Aylin, who was always stuck to my side, would be worried enough.

I carefully observed their reactions.

***

But the feared event did not occur. Lucia’s Fate stat remained a stable A+. Rather, Lucia bowed her head to Aylin first.

“I… I heard from Cecilia. That you helped Cecilia a lot when she was going through the admission process. Cecilia hasn’t been outside much, so it must have been difficult for her to go through the procedures. Thank you so much!”

Lucia bowed once more. Like the combat school uniform she was wearing now. Lucia had a surprisingly soldier-like side. She had done a good job as a security guard.

At the same time, Aylin glanced at Lucia’s pink long hair. But soon, she also bowed her head gracefully in response to Lucia’s greeting.

“I was just doing what I had to do.”

And she remained expressionless as usual. If Aylin was like that, it was fine. If she really harbored hostility, her attitude would change completely, like when she was dealing with Lilia.

‘While sending a shockingly bright smile.’

In front of Lilia. Aylin transformed so frighteningly, showing off a woman’s battle of wills.

But she didn’t do that to Lucia. Perhaps it was because my fiancée, Lilia, was Aylin’s biggest rival.

Anyway, it was good for me if the two people who would be in the same party in the future weren’t uncomfortable with each other. Cecilia said to us.

“Um… Baekjak-nim! There’s a small reception table inside. Would you like to sit there? I’ll get you some tea!”

At those words, all four of us headed inside the workshop. It wasn’t expensive mint chocolate tea. But it seemed that the Technology School also provided tea for receptions for private workshops.

“Cecilia. Is this how you make tea?”

“Lucia Unni! I… I’m not good at making tea either… What should I do?”

But both Cecilia and Lucia were clumsy at making tea. Eventually, Aylin, who couldn’t stand it any longer, stepped in.

“Making tea is something I’m used to. I’ll do it.”

At Aylin’s words, the other two blushed as if they were embarrassed. After all, it would be difficult for the two of them to catch up with Aylin’s womanly charms as a perfect maid.

Soon, the two of them drank the tea that Aylin had made as if they were in a trance.

“Lucia Unni. Was this tea this delicious?”

“I… I guess so. Cecilia. When the two of us brewed it, it was just full of bitterness… You’re really amazing!”

And they looked at Aylin with sparkling eyes.

“It’s not comparable to mint chocolate, but this tea is also good. If you can just get the water temperature and the brewing time right, you can get the same taste as now. It’s not difficult.”

Aylin explained calmly. But it was definitely not as easy as she said.

During the last spirit magic practice session. The tea that Aylin made herself had a deeper aroma and taste than the mint chocolate tea from the cafe that I gave to the students of the Magic School.

The two continued to praise her for a while. Aylin must have been feeling good too. Her face remained expressionless, but she had a faint blush on her face.

Of course, it was only me, who was always watching her from the side, who could barely notice it.

The sight of these three pretty women having tea together. It was a beautiful scene. But it was time to talk about the purpose of my visit here.

I placed an Imperial sword on the table.

“By the way, I’ll be the first client of this workshop. This Imperial sword. I want to adjust the weight and center of gravity a little, and enchant it with runic characters. Is that possible? Cecilia.”

I said it simply, but it wasn’t an easy task. An already completed Imperial sword. Modifying that Imperial sword according to my requirements was more complicated than making a new weapon.

But, Cecilia nodded confidently, even though she was embarrassed. It wasn’t surprising.

Cecilia was an excellent student at the Technology School, to the point where they would lend her a workshop.

In particular, the weapon-making skills of an artisan who knew how to use Mana were completely different from the forging skills of a typical blacksmith.

‘And how carefully you enchant the runic characters on it determines the level of the artisan and the weapon.’

Also, this task was important. It was a preliminary task necessary to take first place in the power evaluation training on Wednesday.

I told Cecilia the detailed requirements. Cecilia nodded as if she understood everything.

“J-Just leave it to me. Yulian Baekjak-nim. One day will be enough.”

I knew Cecilia’s skills well enough through the Demon King Slayer, so I trusted her. And I added to her words.

“And Cecilia. If someone from the Itern Merchant Guild comes looking for you. Especially if a female student with silver hair and red eyes comes looking for you. Don’t accept their offer to become a patron immediately. Refuse them.”

At those words, Lucia asked back in a puzzled voice.

“Isn’t the Itern Merchant Guild the most famous merchant guild in the Empire? Ah. Are you saying that Cecilia isn’t good enough to receive the support of such a merchant guild yet?”

“I… Is that so?”

Cecilia’s expression changed to a gloomy one at Lucia’s words. I quickly shook my head.

“No. Cecilia’s crafting skills are something that even the Itern Merchant Guild would covet. I guarantee it. But Cecilia doesn’t know anything about how to make sponsorship contracts. If that student comes looking for you, would you say this?”

I explained to Cecilia. I told her that if the silver-haired female student, Chloe, came looking for her, she didn’t need to say anything in detail. Instead, she just needed to say that my admission recommender was me. I said that.

‘This is also a necessary task to take first place in the power evaluation.’

I said that, chatted for a bit, and then left the workshop and headed to the atelier.

***

The Holy Lamir Empire. The best merchant guild in that empire was definitely the Itern Merchant Guild. And Chloe de Itern, the likely next successor of the Itern Merchant Guild.

Chloe was now entering the workshop area of Endier Hall, the Technology School.

“Agassi. Would you like to take a look at the private workshops here?”

“I don’t need to. We’ve already signed contracts with the artisans who are worth using. Let’s go to the rental workshops.”

“But that place. Isn’t it just the level of sophomore students? I don’t think there will be an artisan with crafting skills worth coveting in that place.”

Instead of answering, Chloe fanned herself with a fan, covering her face. This middle-aged employee of the merchant guild that her father had sent. He had a fairly high position in the merchant guild, but he wasn’t very good in Chloe’s standards.

‘He doesn’t know the value of the rental workshops at all. He’s like a stupid pig.’

Artisan students who had just received rental workshops from the Technology School. Among those artisans, there were surprisingly talented students.

But as artisans were. They had high potential and crafting skills. But most of them didn’t know anything about how the world worked. Especially if they were students from commoner backgrounds.

‘If they’re those kinds of students, I can tie them down with long-term sponsorship contracts at a very low price.’

Good crafting skills, especially enchanting skills related to runic characters, which were the trend these days. Their future potential was beyond words.

If I could tie those students down with slave contracts.

It would be a great help to the Itern Merchant Guild, especially to Chloe herself, in raising her achievements. It meant that she would be at an advantage in the future successor competition.

And a little later, she entered a rental workshop without thinking. Chloe was very surprised there. So much so that she unfolded her fan again to hide her surprised expression.

‘No way. Such a gem was hidden here.’

Chloe stared blankly at the items displayed in the workshop. Every single one of them was a valuable item. She called out to the owner of the workshop, hiding her true feelings as much as possible.

“Hello, is anyone there?”

“Yes! I’m coming out now…”

A female student wearing plain clothes appeared from inside the workshop. Judging from her clothes, she was a commoner, as most of the students at the Technology School were.

Her appearance was very pretty, so she was startled for a moment. But anyway, she was a weak and delicate-looking student who seemed to know nothing about the world.

‘I can easily sweet-talk her. Besides, she’s so pretty. Her value will be even higher.’

Chloe cheered inwardly.