Chapter 674

That's impossible!
After Ronnie-sama and the others calmed down from their rampage, I was finally able to take a look at the magic tools currently in development.

… Among them was an automatic feeder for magic beasts, and without even needing to ask, I knew the one who ordered it was none other than Teacher Neil.

Apparently, while he usually prefers to feed them himself after checking each one’s condition, there are times when he has to stay late at work (mostly because Master Marlen scolds him and makes him do leftover chores), and some magic beasts get grumpy if they aren’t fed at their set times—hence why he wants the feeder.

"The idea is to maintain the freshness of the food materials and have them dispensed in the proper amount at designated times. We can manage each function on its own, but turning that into a smooth, integrated process is really tough... And yet Teacher Neil keeps pressuring me, saying he wants it as soon as possible. It's stressing me out."

The upperclassman in charge gave a strained smile, but... seriously, Teacher Neil... you're quite a handful. Maybe I should tattle to Master Marlen.

As for their progress: freshness could be maintained with a magic circle that emits cold, timing could be managed with a set activation interval, and the proper portions could be prepared by weighing and adjusting the cut ingredients. Each of these had been thought through, but apparently putting it all together into a single magic tool was extremely difficult and development had stalled.

Thinking back, even automatic feeders in my previous life were only specialized to dispense dry food at set times. Some even came with monitoring cameras, but cutting fresh meat and handling that? That’s a different story entirely.

Trying to put all those functions into one magic tool... isn't that kind of impossible with the technology in this world?

… Although if it's Owen-san, he might actually pull it off.

Still...

"If it's possible to make them function separately, then there might be a way to do it."

"Huh?"

"Yes. While it's difficult to activate all the functions in a single sequence, if you pre-cut the ingredients to some extent, weigh them, sort them into dishes, and store them in freshness-preserving boxes based on time, then all you need to do is move the dishes to the designated magic beast at the right time, correct?"

You’d need one magic circle to cut the food, one to weigh and distribute it into dishes, and one to move the dish to the feeding spot at the correct time. If each of these operates independently, then there’s no need to combine them into a single magic tool.

It’s not like the food has to be stored in raw form. You can just set the pre-portioned meals into the feeder and serve them as-is.

And if even that’s too hard, then why not separate the cutting and weighing tools from the feeder itself? Teacher Neil could prepare the meals when he has time, or even assign the task to one of the students on beast-care duty.

When I suggested that, the upperclassman's eyes lit up.

"You're right... That’s it. Even if we eventually aim to make a single magic tool, for now, giving him a prototype with those functions divided up should work. Then we can observe how it's used and make improvements from there... Thank you! You've given me hope. I guess I was too stuck on one idea."

He then started dismantling the magic tool he was building.

Whoa, he put so much effort into that!

I only made a casual suggestion, but now I feel kind of bad...

As I was thinking that, the surrounding students started gathering around, shouting, “Check out the magic tool I’m working on too!” and “Please help me with mine as well!”

“Huh? Wait, hold on a—!”

Panicking, I was quickly surrounded—until Kurogane, Mashiro, and Oniisama stepped in to shield me.

Sorry to the students who got glared at, but honestly, I was relieved.

If I stayed there any longer, I'd be buried in questions, so I gave a quick goodbye and made my escape.

"Miss Cristea is quite popular, isn’t she?"

Prince Kaldor said admiringly.

"Oh no, I wouldn't say that at all."

Can that even be called popularity? No, definitely not. It's not something to be happy about.

"Perhaps it's because Miss Cristea is so capable."

"Oh no, I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself capable..."

I’m constantly being scolded by Otousama and Okaasama for how my reckless words and actions affect those around me. Being called ‘capable’ just feels... off.

"Cristea is just very flexible in her thinking. And we’re the ones who benefit from that."

"Oniisama..."

My brother gave me a warm smile as he looked at me.

Ugh... my kind, saint-like brother, always covering for his useless sister.

"R-right! Thanks to Miss Cristea, we look forward to meals now and she’s helped us in many ways!"

Even Crown Prince Raymond chimed in... Wait, meals? Don’t tell me he wants curry again?

"Haha, I wonder... would people hold it against me if I proposed to someone as adored as Miss Cristea?"

Prince Kald said with a resigned sigh.

“Eh?”

P-Propose!?

"I’d already given up after my failed proposal at the mansion, but if possible, I had hoped to welcome you into my country."

"The mansion… oh."

Oh, that one time during the prototype testing! When he tried to slip in a marriage proposal in the chaos! It got brushed aside when Father barged in, but still—don’t bring that up again! I’d already filed it away as 'didn’t happen' in my mind!

"Our father said that the matter was settled."

Cue another blast of cold air from Oniisama.

"I was hoping for another chance, but I suppose that won’t happen."

"Of course not. Cristea is not someone I will give away."

"Such a shame. I had hoped to welcome her as my first wife..."

Prince Kaldor shrugged as he spoke.

… Huh?

First wife!?

"… Does the Samonar Kingdom practice polygamy?"

"Hm? Ah, yes, but only for nobles. From the second wife onward, most marriages are arranged for political ties, but the first wife is special. I had intended to make Miss Cristea my first wife. What do you say?"

"Absolutely not."

"... Huh?"

"Absolutely not. I can’t handle polygamy. I refuse."

I turned him down with a bright smile.

I have no intention of interfering with other countries’ customs, but if it concerns *me*, that’s another matter.

Maybe it’s because I have memories from my past life, but I really can’t do that kind of relationship.

I was single and dateless in my past life, after all.

While I do long for a mutually loving relationship with one person, I want no part of a love-hate drama fighting over one guy.

"I-I see..."

Maybe he picked up on the rejection radiating from behind my smile, because Prince Kaldor’s expression stiffened.

"That’s right. Unless someone can treasure Cristea and *only* Cristea—"

Oniisama said as he pulled me into a hug.

Huh? O-Oniisama, aren’t you a little too close!?

Also, that chill in the air is getting intense!?

".. .I-I see. Understood."

Not just Prince Kaldor—even Crown Prince Raymond’s face stiffened too!?

What do you think about this chapter?