Chapter 31

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: An Explosive Start
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“You’re both exactly who I was looking for. I’d love to work with you. What do you two say?”

They had the skills I needed, and the people who recommended them were trustworthy. I made the offer on the spot.

“I’d love to!”

Jenrique answered enthusiastically, as if there was nothing to think about.

Wolfgang, on the other hand, seemed a bit hesitant but soon nodded in agreement.

“Here are the contracts. Room and board will be provided by the Grand Temple. Working hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM. You’ll be paid an hourly wage for any overtime, and you’ll receive a performance bonus every time you meet a sales target.”

But my next words made any hesitation vanish without a trace.

“Really?”

Both of their eyes widened.

Alchemy is fundamentally research, so the working hours are usually irregular, and there’s certainly no overtime pay.

It was a profession with literally no work-life balance, so of course they’d be tempted by an offer that provided all of that.

“Of course. For your reference, your salaries will be raised at the beginning of every year. The percentage will vary depending on the previous year’s business revenue.”

It’s not pleas or pity that move people.

It’s money—a reward that acknowledges their abilities.

Just look. The very light in Wolfgang and Jenrique’s eyes transformed.

“I’ll sign! Right now! Immediately!”

Jenrique shouted boisterously and scribbled his signature. Not to be outdone, Wolfgang quickly signed as well.

I’d heard they were both exceptionally talented but couldn't join the mainstream due to personal issues and were struggling financially. It must have been true.

“Alright then. As per the contract, shall we start by registering you as our new followers?”

I placed the huge, pre-prepared divine register on the table with a thud.

I had mentioned this condition when I first brought them in, so both of them wrote their names in the register without any resistance.

With a pounding heart, I sprinkled divine power onto their names.

I wonder how much my divine power will rise this time?

【A new follower has been registered under the Sun God.】

【The user's divine power has increased by 0.01%.】

0.01%! A million won just fell into my lap!

For someone like me with less than 100,000 won to my name, it was a godsend.

But I was curious. What were their overall evaluations that the two of them combined only raised it by 0.01%?

【Both individuals have A-rank abilities, but their other stats are E-rank. Their overall evaluation is D-rank.】

“……”

So that means they have no wealth and lack fame…

Still, that’s better than our High Priest or the Captain of the Holy Knights, whose wealth is F-rank…

It really hit home just how amazing Lute Ciel, with his SS-rank overall evaluation, truly is.

I’ll have to treat him well from now on.

“Why are you suddenly looking at us like that?”

“It’s a look of enthusiastic welcome.”

I guess my pity was too obvious.

I gave a bright smile to Jenrique, who was giving me a skeptical look.

“I look forward to working with you.”

*My precious alchemists, who will bring endless profit to our temple.*

*Knock, knock.*

“Saintess, Priestess Lana has arrived.”

Monica announced the visitor. I immediately invited her in.

“Now, I’ll introduce the priestess who will be working with you. This is Priestess Lana Ailloc.”

Lana was a priestess with long silver hair flowing over her brown skin.

When our eyes met, she hastily lowered her gaze.

“H-H-Hello, Saintess.”

Her trembling voice was filled with fear.

*Hmm. Is she still that scared of me?*

*She might have a fit if I get too close, so I should just introduce her from a distance.*

“Since the Sun God’s divine power is the main component, Priestess Lana will be in charge. Both of you, please follow her lead.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, a pleasure to work with you!”

Wolfgang and Jenrique greeted Lana.

But Lana couldn’t meet their eyes at all.

I was worried whether such a timid person could really handle managing the production of potions, which was set to become a major enterprise for the Grand Temple.

But.

*‘Priestess Lana will do a fine job. Please trust her with this.’*

Airic, who had recommended her for the position, had spoken so strongly that I decided to trust him.

There had to be a reason for his confidence in her.

“Priestess Lana has strong healing abilities and is the most knowledgeable about the potion recipes passed down in the Grand Temple for generations. So, the three of you, please work together to create an excellent potion.”

Once the three of them created a potion combining alchemy and divine power, we planned to begin mass production in earnest with the priests selected to supply the healing power.

The selection of priests was also complete, so as soon as the potion was perfected, we could start the business right away.

“Please submit your requests for materials needed for potion production and research through Priestess Lana. I will do my best to procure them for you.”

Jenrique’s face lit up at my generous offer to supply materials.

He seemed thrilled at the thought of conducting all sorts of research right away.

*That kind of passion is a very good thing.*

“However, you are to record and report where, what materials, in what quantity, how, and for what purpose everything was used. If any materials are found to have been used for purposes unrelated to potion-making, I will dock it from your pay without a moment’s hesitation.”

At my warning that I wouldn’t forgive any careless waste, Jenrique immediately looked crestfallen.

*Do you think this is my first rodeo? Who do you take me for, a pushover?*

“Monica, please guide these three to the laboratory.”

“This way, please.”

Monica led the three of them to the pre-prepared potion-making room.

It had been quite difficult to choose a sturdy location, as far away from people as possible, since I didn’t know what kind of explosions might occur during their research.

*Please, let the three of them work well together and come up with a recipe quickly.*

I put my hands together and prayed earnestly to the Sun God shining above my head.

*If you want to get stronger quickly too, you’d better grant my wish.*

* * *

But it seemed the Sun God had no particular desire to get stronger.

“……”

I stared blankly at the scene unfolding in the potion-making room.

“Combining this ingredient with that one creates a powerful toxin. How can you not know the basics?”

“That’s only if you mix it like crap. If you get the ratio right, it’ll have the best effect, I tell you!”

“So what exactly is this ‘best’ ratio?”

“I haven’t found it yet. That’s why I’m saying we should experiment! If we can just find the right ratio, it will be a legendary combination that goes down in history!”

“Bring me some evidence for your conviction before you speak.”

“Why are you so frustrating? Is your head stuffed with sweet potatoes?”

“And your head must be full of holes.”

Jenrique and Wolfgang, facing off in the middle of the room.

I thought their appearances were polar opposites, and sure enough, their personalities were too.

Wolfgang was by-the-book to a fault, while Jenrique blindly trusted his intuition, so they rarely ever agreed on anything.

“D-don’t fight. Please, stop fighting…”

What’s more, Lana, the team leader, couldn’t even stop them.

*No, from what I can see, those two don’t even seem to notice Lana is there.*

“How many days has it been like this?”

“It’s already been over five days.”

Monica replied, clicking her tongue.

It was already the fifth day since the three had started working together.

Unfortunately, there had been no progress at all.

It was because the polar-opposite personalities of Wolfgang and Jenrique clashed over every little thing.

Monica, who had been checking on the lab twice a day, decided it was hopeless and informed me.

*This is a problem.*

*If I had my way, I’d smack them on the head, kick their asses, and yell at them…*

But thinking of the future, Lana, as the leader, had to be the one to resolve this situation.

*Though looking at her, that seems impossible.*

While I was deliberating, the two alchemists’ argument was growing more and more heated.

“Creativity, my foot. I see now your specialty is just spouting baseless nonsense.”

Growing annoyed, Wolfgang scoffed at Jenrique.

“Th-that’s a bit much…”

Lana’s face was gradually turning ashen.

“You call yourself a genius of formulas, but you don’t even see the greatness of this combination. A genius, huh? More like a genuine pain in the ass.”

Jenrique ignored Lana’s attempts to stop him and shot back sarcastically at Wolfgang.

“N-no swearing…!”

“You’re the one who called yourself a ‘universally acclaimed genius.’ Turns out you’re just a universally acclaimed pain in the ass.”

“Using such harsh language in the temple…!”

“Hey, you soggy sweet potato. Step outside. I’m gonna beat you to a pulp.”

“Stop fighting!”

“I’m not scared of someone with holes in their head.”

Sparks began to fly between the two of them.

Just when Lana’s voice was completely drowned out and I was about to step in with a sigh,

*CRACK!*

“In the sacred Grand Temple, would you just cut it out already!”

A thunderous shout erupted along with an incredible crash.

It was the sound of Lana’s fist—timid Lana’s—utterly demolishing the marble floor.