541 Felipes Surprise (1/2)
Crows seemed to be flying before Lucien's eyes as he envisioned his bankruptcy. Although he had earned copious revenue from the technological investment in the Mineral and Harvest Company, the Gift from Elements Company, etc. he had devoted all his money to the construction of the magic tower three months ago and could barely make ends meet. He found his way back to the community of 'magnates' from the arcana point rewards for the new alchemy, the supplementary rewards for the light quantum hypothesis, and his annuities, but there was still a major gap between it and an improved ninth-circle ritual magic.
The Congress' favor on materials, drugs and magics was barely useful on the matter. The Hand of Paleness would be showing him enough respect if they did not charge him more.
Therefore, Lucien seriously considered applying for loans from his teacher or the Holm Mineral Union Bank.
Then, his monocle suddenly turned hot.
”Lucien, I just ended the meeting in the Parliament of Nobles. I sentenced Count Barady to death and deprived him of his title…” Said Natasha excitedly. She certainly did not have any mercy on the mastermind who caused such injuries to Lucien and herself.
Holding back the pain of imminent bankruptcy, Lucien smiled, ”Any noble who plans to assassinate you in the future will have to think of what became of Count Barady before they act.”
Natasha told him what happened in the parliament and her talk with Kritonia. Then, he said, ”I've divided Count Barady's fief into five parts. One part is for Aunt Camil as 'compensation for shock', three parts will be used to appease Duke James and his lot, and the last part is supposed to be yours. However, since you cannot appear in public right now, I've collected it in the name of the royal family, but I'll give them to you in private. That's your fair share. You are not allowed to refuse it.”
Lucien was immediately shocked. With a smile, he blurted out, ”Natasha, I love you.”
It was the most unexpected windfall and more than enough to pay for the improved 'Life Hiding'. There would even be plenty of money left.
”Huh?” Natasha did not expect such an answer at all. She was somewhat lost.
Lucien did not lie to her and told her the things about the improved Life Hiding.
”I'll be much more relieved… I didn't know that you were also a 'money grubber'. Thankfully, I am a queen and the future duchess.” Natasha chuckled and said, ”It's a pity that a knight has to maintain the solidarity of body, blood, soul and willpower before advancing into legendary. I cannot use such a method as the last life-saving measure. A knight's path is destined to be an arduous and difficult one.”
The Violet family had one legendary knight, and the Hoffenberg family had one too. Natasha was much more experienced than regular knights about their advancement.
Lucien knew a thing or two about that, too. Had it been otherwise, 'Body Controller' Ramiro's ability of massive proliferation wouldn't have been his unique skill.
Ending the conversation, Lucien discovered that Fernando was looking at him with a smile. He asked, ”What's up, master?”
Fernando smacked his lips. ”How great it is to be young, and how great it is to have a queen as your partner.”
Lucien changed the subject rather awkwardly, ”Master, does the improved Life Hiding have to require a limb part?”
It was a unique ritual of the Hand of Paleness, and Lucien was unaware of the details. He only knew that the original version of Life Hiding did require it.
Fernando glared at Life Hiding. ”If I knew so many details, I would've developed it myself. All I know is that the original Life Hiding can only use one part of the body. You will stay in Allyn for the next few days. After the ritual of Life Hiding is done, you can go wherever you want.”
”Starting from the next month, there will probably be more discussions regarding the Oliver transformation. We need to direct them to discover the relativistic effect. Hopefully, we can present your special theory of relativity to Douglas in two to three months.”
”As you wish.” Lucien had no objection. The most important task right now was to construct magic models to make himself a fairly strong level-eight sorcerer. His next goal would be 'Magic Reverse', a seventh-circle that he had been dreaming about for a long time.
......
In his office in the Atom Institution, Lucien was reading the papers that his students reviewed and revising the final comment now and then.
Rock walked in exhaustedly with a journal and dozens of resumes. ”Lucien, the second round of interviews is over, and the final interviews will be held in three days. See if there's any problem.”
Lucien browsed through the resumes and smiled, ”Not bad. There are a couple of middle-rank sorcerers. You check them first and ask the Affair Committee to conduct background checks. I'll test them during the final interviews, too, in case of spies from the Church or other organizations try to sneak in.”
Since it was a public recruitment, from the smokingly popular Atom Institution, those spies would've been unqualified if they did not try to sneak in one way or another. Lucien dared not be careless at all.
Rock agreed. ”The Church's infiltration is too good. After all, there are many sorcerers in the Congress who are not having a thriving life.”
Then, he thought of something and, handing the journal to Lucien, said in a low voice, ”Did you know? His Excellency Oliver and Lady Florencia are divorced.”
Lucien picked up the journal, only to discover that it was 'Allyn Impression', a journal of gossips. He found the article and shook his head, ”In such a case, all the seven grand arcanists of the Congress are now single. How hilarious and heartbreaking.”
After discussing the gossip for a while, Rock rose and walked out in satisfaction. The moment he opened the door, he saw a graceful middle-aged man who was wearing a wig.
”Mr… Mr. Oliver…” Rock's face turned face, for he had spoken evil of the man a lot just now.
Oliver nodded and passed Rock, closing the door of the office.
”Lucien, this is my play. Check it out.” Oliver glanced at the 'Allyn Impression' and said calmly.
Lucien picked up the play and skimmed through it. His lips twitched as he read on, and he almost suspected that Oliver was another buddy from Earth, because it was very similar to Andersen's The Little Mermaid. Thankfully, the ending was entirely different.
In Oliver's play, a handsome prince happened upon a mermaid princess on the ocean. The two of them fell in love. The mermaid princess abandoned everything else, swallowed potions to get rid of her tail, and returned to the prince's country as a beautiful girl. They swore to live together forever, but the prince fell in love with another princess later, which devastated the mermaid and forced her to return to the ocean.