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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: A Strategic Donation
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[If you shake hands with Luspell now, he’ll figure out you have magic.]
[You have to admit, human mages are so damn sly. They could just ask, but no, they always have to find out on the sly.]
Checking everyone they met for magic was a peculiar habit of mages.
That was why I had let it slide when Oswald secretly checked Piache’s magic last time.
I did not go out of my way to avoid the handshake.
Because Oswald, veins bulging on his forehead, had hastily pulled Luspell’s hand away.
"Are you mad? Why are you offering a handshake to the Duchess!"
"Does a duchess not have hands?"
"Silence!"
Oswald, who had been shouting at Luspell, now turned to me with an utterly pitiful expression.
As if to say, *My boy isn't quite right in the head, so please bear with him.*
[Stage 2: (Arrogantly) In light of the Headmaster’s sincerity, I shall proceed with the donation as planned.]
"I shall proceed with the donation as planned."
"Oh! Are you serious? I wasn't expecting this at all… To think you could be so generous!"
Oswald clasped his hands to his chest as if his life had been saved, his eyes welling with tears.
Such an exaggeration, especially when he must have expected it.
"However, Duchess. Would it be possible to put this in writing?"
"..."
"It is by no means because I don't trust you, Duchess, but I need a guarantee of payment to hire the construction guild in advance."
"Butler, bring the contract."
The butler, who had been glaring daggers at Oswald since the mention of a document, quietly exited the room.
A moment later, the butler returned with a contract form, laid a leather mat on the table, and began to write.
*Scratch, scratch.*
The only sound in the study was the scratching of the butler’s quill.
Oswald watched the butler with wide, unblinking eyes, while Luspell, seemingly bored, stood up and wandered around the study.
I sipped my tea, glancing at Luspell.
His gaze was serious as he scanned the bookshelves. He seemed to have found a book that interested him.
*He still seems to love books. What is he looking at? Do I even have any books that would interest him?*
I wondered how I could tell him to feel free to take any book he wanted in a way that sounded both aloof and cool.
While I was pondering this, Luspell approached my desk. He seemed to be looking at the proposal I had hastily scribbled and then given up on.
Just as I was about to tell him not to look, embarrassed, he pointed at something.
"Control water."
"...?"
"I don't know what a 'sprinkler' is... but there's a spell similar to this. The formula would need adjusting, though."
"...!"
Luspell was pointing at the sketches strewn across my desk.
I didn’t know what spell could function as a sprinkler, so I had only written a description followed by a lone question mark. He had seen it and provided the answer.
*That's right, he was a genius!*
He had just changed into someone who spoke slowly and seemed to find even breathing a chore.
Luspell was a genius.
My mind started racing.
*If I handle this well, couldn't I get the help I need while also breathing some life back into Luspell?*
Thankfully, the system prompts were silent. I took it as permission to do as I pleased.
I leisurely toyed with the condensation-beaded glass.
"Have I ever seen a faculty lounge at the Academy...?"
Oswald answered without taking his watchful eyes off the butler.
"You must be confusing it with another facility. The professors have their own personal research labs, so there is no separate lounge."
"Aren't research labs for working? It would be better to separate the work and rest areas."
"...Is that so?"
"Mages, in particular, tend to neglect themselves once they begin an experiment. It's necessary to enforce mandatory break times and compel them to leave their labs."
"Hmm, you have a point."
Oswald stroked his chin with a troubled expression.
"However, the Academy's finances are for the students. To use them for the professors..."
"Butler, add the construction costs for a faculty lounge to the donation list."
"Yes, my lady."
Oswald could only blink, his face a mask of bewilderment.
"S-so, you mean to say you'll build not only a riding ground but also a faculty lounge for the Academy?"
His gaze seemed to ask, *Since when did you care about the professors?* I offered the excuse I had prepared in advance.
"A professor's fatigue is directly related to the quality of their teaching. I cannot entrust someone sponsored by House Ivrante to anything less than the highest level of education."
"Oh, so that was your profound intention!"
Oswald broke into a wide grin. Whatever the reason, there was no way he would refuse the offer of a new lounge.
"Of course! Piache deserves nothing but the best education! She is, after all, a child sponsored by the Duchess of Ivrante! And our Academy is precisely the place that can provide it! Hahaha!"
He laid on the flattery, ready to promise me the moon.
"You must have a great interest in magic. You seem quite knowledgeable about magical experiments."
Well, one of my closest friends was a master-level mage.
Hanging around him, I naturally developed an interest I never had before.
Mostly because I was curious whether magic had ruined his personality, or if it had been rotten from the start and magic just made it worse.
"To some extent."
"I am so glad I came to see you today, Duchess. The professors' workload was about to increase soon... Your providing a lounge for them will be a great help. Thank you so much."
"Is something happening at the Academy?"
"We've been asked to serve as consultants for the Grand Plaza's redevelopment project. That will inevitably increase the overall workload."
"It seems my help has come at an opportune time."
"Exactly! There could be no better time to build a faculty lounge! This marks another step forward for the Academy. It's all thanks to you, Duchess!"
Oswald, who was praising me until his mouth went dry, finally uttered the words I had been waiting for.
"Duchess, if there is anything the Academy can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to ask. We will support you in every way we can."
"In that case, would you lend me Professor Luspell for a day?"
"...Pardon?"
The effusive Oswald rapidly regained his composure.
Even Luspell, who had been staring at the bookshelf, turned to look at me.
"Professor Luspell? For wh-what purpose...?"
"I'm drafting a proposal for the Grand Plaza construction. I need a mage's expertise."
"Ah! I see. However, that is not a matter I can decide on my own... Hmm, Professor Luspell, will you assist the Duchess?"
"No."
"Butler, stop writing."
"Yes, my lady."
The butler immediately set down his quill.
"Ah, no, it's almost finished... Duchess, may I have a word with Professor Luspell for a moment?"
"Go ahead."
Oswald dragged Luspell to a corner and began persuading him in a very quiet voice.
I couldn't hear a thing, but it didn't matter.
[My student, do you think you're the only one who'd benefit from a lounge? It's good for all of us, isn't it?]
[No.]
[Just think of it as going out for a consultation. I know the Duchess's personality is... well, you know, but let's just endure it for a single day. Can't you do that much for your master?]
[No.]
[Sigh, I didn't want to have to bring this up. Your front tooth... they say even the temple can't restore it.]
[...]
The spirits’ live commentary came to an end.
Seeing their contrasting expressions, I had a good idea of the outcome.
Oswald, his face flushed, dragged Luspell over and planted him in front of me.
"Our Professor Luspell says he would be happy to help, of course."
"I thought he was refusing?"
"Nonsense! Of course, he must accept! A request from our Duchess is always welcome!"
"I see."
"Then when should we have our Professor Luspell come by?"
"The sooner, the better."
"Understood. I will take responsibility and send him over by tomorrow evening. Uh... so, the contract..."
Oswald gestured with a pleading look at the nearly-finished contract.
I nodded to the butler.
"Butler, finish the contract."
"Yes, my lady."
Oswald carefully read through the completed contract, then smiled brightly.
Oswald's steps were incredibly light as he left.
A stark contrast to Luspell, who dragged his feet as he walked.
"Shall we begin, then?"
I quickly began writing the first draft.
At the time, I thought the proposal was as good as solved.
That is, until the next day, when Luspell had yet to appear even as night fell.
