Chapter 126

After a quick goodbye kiss with my younger brothers, who were continuing their riding practice with Samuel, I head to the dorms. Yep, they are gradually growing independent from their big sister. It makes me sad, but that’s what growing up is all about. Out of spite, I think I’ll kiss Samuel next time, too. He’ll definitely hate it!

While thinking such silly thoughts, I arrive at the academy.

After sending Mary home, I put on my coat and head to the greenhouse. I didn’t water the plants on Saturday, so I was a bit worried, but they seem to be fine. I purify some water and give it to my plot. I don’t water the other plots, though, because Professor Mathias would scold me.

Since it’s cold, I hurry back to the dorms. The fire in the fireplace feels so cozy. I feel like lying on the sofa and reading a book like this, but I sit neatly and read instead.

However, the possibility of becoming a diplomat—which Percival mentioned—keeps spinning in my head, and I can’t concentrate. After all, a diplomat sounds super cool, and it was a dream job of mine. Still, I doubt a diplomat in a parallel world is the same as in my past life. I want to visit foreign countries, but with monsters around, I wonder if it’s dangerous?

While I am thinking about this, it seems Princess Margaret has arrived. This time, I noticed before Zofie even called me.

Princess Margaret tells me that Queen was in a great mood because Prince Keith’s Knight Club issue was resolved. I felt that when I went to the royal palace on Friday, too. Prince Keith really shouldn’t make the Queen worry so much!

On Monday morning, I have Diplomacy and World History. Thanks to Percival’s comment, I’m super fired up for Diplomacy and World History! In the afternoon, during the Alchemy 2 period, I plan to go to the Alchemy Club. That’s because I really want to make that. Still, I’m a bit anxious about whether that even counts as alchemy. I’m sure I can make it if I use alchemy, though. In my past life, there was no alchemy, so people made it using metalworking.

Today, for some reason, Phillips guided me all the way to the classroom for Diplomacy and World History. He’s talking with Russell and the others about Mr. Cuthbert’s complete lack of motivation during homeroom, but I have no interest in a muscle-brained teacher. Still, listening to them, it seems like a pressing issue for the male students. After all, he’s a physical education teacher.

“Mr. Cuthbert was already strict with students who chose the Mage Course or Civil Servant Course, but now he holds even more of a grudge because of this whole incident.”

It seems Russell refused to sign the petition.

“Well, you’re in the Riding Club, so it makes sense that you refused to sign.”

Oh, so Russell is in the Riding Club!

“Lord Russell, my cousin Samuel just joined, so please take good care of him.”

Russell laughs, asking if he’s that kid.

“He’s one of that group of four, right? Since he’s also in the Music Club, I’ll keep an eye on him.”

Come to think of it, I wonder if Phillips belongs to any club?

“Lord Phillips, do you not do any club activities?”

For some reason, Russell bursts out laughing.

“Russell, how rude. The History Research Club is a traditional club, you know!”

Oh, so a club like that exists! Come to think of it, there was one in my past life, too. It’s the kind of club where they research earthenware and ancient ruins, right?

“I just don’t see what’s fun about visiting the ruins of a destroyed empire. Phillips is pretty decent at riding, so why don’t you join the Riding Club even now?”

Oh dear, is a recruitment battle starting here, too?

“No, the History Research Club barely has enough members to survive, so I can’t leave. If anything, I’d like you or Lady Patience to join. How about it? Investigating the reasons behind the empire’s fall is really interesting.”

My hands are already completely full.

“I’m already in the Music Club and the Alchemy Club, so I’ll pass on the History Research Club.”

I turned down Russell’s invitation to the Riding Club without even having to think about it.

“I’m bad at horseback riding.”

Phillips backed me up, saying, “She’s a refined young lady, so it can’t be helped,” but hearing that made Russell laugh hysterically.

“I don’t think a normal young lady joins the Alchemy Club, though!” How mean!

“By the way, the Riding Club has plenty of members, so I don’t think you need to recruit people. Why are you trying so hard?”

Russell makes a face like he’s chewed on a bitter bug.

“A lot of members quit because of the recent commotion. Your cousin and his friends joined, but we failed at recruiting new students right after enrollment. At this rate, our budget will be cut.”

Phillips puts on an envious face.

“A budget, huh? We only get a drop in the bucket.”

“Well, that’s because you have very few members. But the Riding Club needs to feed the horses, maintain the riding grounds, and pay the stable hands’ wages. At this rate, we’ll have to raise our club fees.”

My heart skips a beat. I haven’t paid any club fees for the Music Club! Could it be that Princess Margaret is paying my share, too? And what about the fees for the Alchemy Club? If I have to pay, I can’t afford to join! I start to feel really restless. It feels like I’ve accumulated debt without even knowing it!

Even though Diplomacy and World History are necessary subjects for becoming a diplomat, my head is completely full of this unexpected debt problem, and I end up sitting through the classes with my mind wandering. What a failure. Being weak when it comes to money really is my flaw.

During lunch, I thought about asking Princess Margaret, but I felt hesitant to bring up money matters, so I couldn’t do it. But I can ask at the Alchemy Club! I hurry over to the Alchemy Club. That said, Patience walks way too slowly.

“Good day,” I greet President Caesar and Benjamin, who are already huddled together in the Alchemy Club, deep in thought over something.

“Oh, Patience! Since you didn’t come on Friday, we made a bit of progress on the washing machine. That’s fine with you, right?”

You’re free to go ahead and make the washing machine on your own.

“President Caesar, there is something I’d like to talk to you about…”

I wanted to ask about the club fees, and if possible, I wanted to speak with President Caesar privately.

“I know, Patience. You’re talking about the share of the patent when the washing machine is completed, right? The Alchemy Club actually has rules about that, since we had a dispute in the past. Here, read this! If you’re dissatisfied with anything, we can discuss it.”

He pulls a booklet out from the cabinet with a rustle.

“Right! If you read these rules and have no objections, I’d like you to sign.”

Handed the Alchemy Club rules, I give them a read. It details the breakdown of profits when a patent is obtained for a magic item created in the Alchemy Club. First, 10% goes to the Alchemy Club. That’s quite a lot! 30% goes to the member who came up with the idea. Wait, I get that much?! 30% goes to the member who designed the magic circle. Since most magic items run on magic circles, that makes sense. The rest is split equally among the members.

“Patience, the Alchemy Club covers its operating expenses with that 10% share from past magic item patents. That’s why we’d like you to contribute to the donation, too.”

That’s totally fine by me!

“President Caesar, I only provided the idea. I can’t create magic circles, nor am I good at figuring out mechanical workings. Is it really okay for me to receive the remaining split on top of that? Also… how much are the club fees?”

I blurted out all my questions at once. I wonder if President Caesar is dumbfounded?

“Patience, I hate to get your hopes up so high, but it won’t necessarily be that profitable. Most people think hiring labor is cheaper than buying and using magic items. So think of this as insurance—just to avoid disputes if we do make a profit.”

I felt a little disappointed, but yeah, labor costs in this parallel world really are cheap. Hiring a servant girl might actually be cheaper than buying a washing machine.

“Then there’s no point in making a washing machine, is there?”

While I felt let down, I was completely overwhelmed by the passionate speeches from President Caesar and Benjamin!

“What are you saying?! Even if it lacks practical value right now, a day will come when this washing machine will prove useful!”

“That’s right! Someday, alchemy will change the world for the better!”

“Right… and what about the club fees?”

President Caesar says nonchalantly, “The club’s operating expenses are fully covered by donations from our predecessors. So there are no club fees!”

Wait, that means there are magic items that successfully made money from patents! Alright, now I’m motivated!

“President Caesar, is it okay to make something that doesn’t use magic stones?”

I quickly sign the paper and show him a drawing of that “hot water bottle.”

“What is this thing used for?”

“I got it! You throw it around for fun, right? But if so, isn’t it similar to a raffle ball?”

Bzzzt! You’re both wrong!

“You pour hot water inside this ‘hot water bottle’ before going to sleep at night, wrap it in this cover, and put it inside your bed under the blanket. That way, it stays warm and you can sleep soundly!”

Their reactions are lukewarm.

“On top of that, the water inside this hot water bottle can be used to wash your face in the morning! It’s a groundbreaking invention you can use twice!”

For some reason, I’m the only one getting excited here. Instead of looking at the hot water bottle, they’re flipping through my wishlist on their own and making a fuss.

“Forget this strange thing—what is this diagram?!”

He’s just like President Albert! He jumps straight at ideas for new magic items.

“President Caesar, may I make this hot water bottle?” I managed to get his permission, which was great, but the third period ended while I was explaining my wishlist. What a shame! I really can’t help feeling restless!