The Talent to Make the Impossible Possible
The incident at the underground arena spread rapidly.
Apparently, the Knights Order and Magic Corps were preparing to crack down on it, but it seems some highly influential aristocrats with a penchant for bad hobbies had been watching through the crystal balls, making it difficult to take immediate action.
Then I barged in and headhunted Lucina as my secretary, which triggered a grand uproar.
By the time the nearby knights, who had been monitoring the area, arrived to assist, Lucina had already beaten the fighters into a half-dead state, allowing the authorities to arrest them promptly.
Naturally, we were considered victims of the incident and bore no legal consequences.
Lucina had been forced to work there, and I had come to negotiate directly with Garbel, the manager, to have her released from that situation. It was settled with that explanation.
Moreover, there was an unexpected bonus.
When the Knights investigated Garbel’s office in the underground arena, they discovered documents proving a collusion between him and a trading company to provide false testimony to the kingdom’s parliament.
Indeed, the merchants who had driven Lucina out of the royal capital were in cahoots with Garbel.
Their scheme aimed to monopolize her talents while exploiting her with low wages until her death.
… What foolish people.
They had no grasp of the basics of managing people. That’s why Lucina easily gravitated toward me. If they wanted to suppress her, they should have demonstrated overwhelming power to instill the futility of resistance.
As we delved further into the documents, the names of active knights involved in the case began to emerge.
This discovery infuriated the senior members of the Knights. They promptly disciplined those implicated, who were subsequently driven out of the royal capital.
Thus, her innocence was proven in an unexpected turn of events.
Her criminal record was erased, allowing me to confidently take her to the academy as my secretary.
I had considered fabricating her identity as a last resort, but thankfully, that was unnecessary.
Once the interrogation at the Knights' headquarters was over, I returned home and immediately introduced Lucina to my father.
“Well, well... To think she’s the young genius blacksmith from the Timmons family…”
A natural reaction.
Since the incident, her whereabouts had been unclear after the closure of her workshop.
However, Father, aware of her skills as a blacksmith and knowledgeable about industry affairs, recognized her qualifications as a secretary.
What’s even more surprising is her combat ability.
As the Timmons family motto states, “A first-rate blacksmith must be a first-rate weapon wielder,” Lucina excelled in handling all sorts of weaponry at a top-tier level.
Yet, she faced a challenge.
Even if her role as my secretary positioned her as a professional partner staying at the academy, she needed to master basic manners and knowledge.
The students at the Royal Academy are predominantly nobles—sons and daughters of high society.
To build connections and secure valuable clients post-graduation, that is my main purpose for attending the academy.
I must avoid any blunder that would tarnish the Gallard family’s name with remarks like, “That family is hopeless.”
Understanding this, Lucina dedicated herself to rigorous training over the month before my enrollment, mastering everything to perfection.
Additionally, I constructed a dedicated workshop near the estate, bringing her a self-drawn blueprint for a weapon I wanted her to craft.
“I’d like your honest opinion as a specialist. Don’t hold back.”
“Y-yes.”
Receiving the blueprint, she scanned it carefully before exclaiming, wide-eyed, “Th-this… I’ve never seen or heard of such an innovative design and functionality…”
Her expression quickly clouded.
“Um… it’s difficult to say, but…”
“Is it about the materials?”
When I asked, she looked surprised.
“I have a plan for that.”
“A plan?”
“I’ll find someone knowledgeable at the academy. In fact, I’ve already identified potential candidates.”
“You’ve thought that far ahead… As expected of you, Master Lake.”
I had thoroughly researched this beforehand. I would entrust Lucina with crafting the main parts of the weapon, while another individual would handle the essential material-based core of the weapon.
Heh.
If this design achieves its intended effect, my one glaring weakness will vanish.
This weakness has placed me at the bottom of the academy’s social hierarchy. Most of the noble sons and daughters probably scoff, thinking, “A connection-based admission?”
That’s precisely why, when they witness the weapon’s power… the entire academy will be astonished. I’m already savoring the thought of their shocked, desperate faces.
Once this project comes to fruition, my dream of a life where talented individuals work for me while I profit comfortably as their employer moves one step closer to reality.
What a joyous prospect!
“There are only two days left until enrollment… However, this isn’t something I’ll need right away. Could it be done in about two weeks?”
“Leave it to me! I’ll complete it even if it costs my life!”
“Impressive. It seems choosing you was the right decision. But I forbid you from dying without my permission.”
“Master Lake… I understand. Even if a dragon tears me apart, I vow to survive!”
Heh, Lucina. She’s become completely devoted to me.
Thanks to that, she’s easy to manage.
… Well, knowing her, she might somehow survive even being torn apart.
Incidentally, if she ever discovers I tread the path of villainy, her sense of justice might flare up, leaving her in the same state as those underground fighters… But that’s fine.
I won’t be exposed.
Because I’m a genius!
—And two days later, the day of the entrance ceremony finally arrived.
What do you think about this chapter?
