Chapter 2

Chapter 2: An Ordinary Afternoon.
“It’s hot here too, as usual…”
Stepping out of the workshop, the hallway was flooded with dazzling sunlight.
“…Maybe the hallway needs an air conditioner too.”
By the time I reached the dining hall, Mother was already seated.
“Finn, I heard you shut yourself in the workshop again without eating breakfast.”
“Ah… well… yeah.”
“Getting absorbed in your magic tool crafting is very like you. But you really must eat properly.”
Mother smiled, looking troubled.
“You don’t lose yourself in it quite the way you used to, forgetting to eat or sleep… but I still worry you’ll end up thin again.”
She was right — there had been a period where I’d genuinely forgotten to eat or sleep, completely absorbed in my work.
That was back when I’d just graduated from the academy and gone from apprentice artificer to a fully qualified one.
Looking back now, I suppose I’d been a little too excited.
No… “full of myself” would be the more accurate way to put it.
Just youthful folly, really.
The kind of thing you’d call a dark chapter in your past, looking back on it now.
“…Got it. I’ll be more careful about meals.”
Even as I answered, part of my mind was still turning over how to replicate an air conditioner’s cooling mechanism using magical circuitry.
Despite the dining hall being just as hot as everywhere else, Mother ate her lunch with an air of cool elegance.
Truly befitting a marchioness.
Meanwhile, I’d undone two buttons on my shirt.
If Grandma — currently back at the estate, famously strict about manners — ever caught me like this, I’d definitely get an earful.
“What kind of magic tool are you working on right now?”
“One meant to help keep things cool. I think I can apply the same magical circuitry from the fan. It’s still in the prototype stage, but if it works out, it should make things a lot more comfortable.”
“Oh my… will it be cooler than the fans we already have?”
“Yeah. It should be a lot more comfortable than what we have now. I only just started building it, but I’m hoping to finish it before summer’s over.”
“I see. Whatever you make is bound to turn out wonderfully. But please don’t push yourself too hard.”
“I know, I know. I’m eating lunch properly, aren’t I?”
“That’s not really something someone who skipped breakfast gets to say.”
Mother’s usually gentle and easygoing, but she can land a surprisingly sharp comeback when she wants to.
“By the way, is Grandpa coming to this mansion this month?”
“It doesn’t sound like he’ll be visiting this residence, but I heard he’s going to the Lilien Trading Company to check on some goods.”
In that case, maybe I should bring my prototype over to the Lilien Trading Company myself. I’d like to hear Grandpa’s opinion on it, and Uncle Alec would probably be able to assess its value as a proper magic tool too.
“Your grandmother will also be coming to the royal capital with him. It seems she’ll be helping prepare Tiana for her debutante ball. She needs a bit more polishing on etiquette, so she can carry herself the way a daughter of Marquis House Rosen ought to.”
Ah, right. Tiana’s already reached debutante age, has she? She’s always acting so high-and-mighty that I’d completely forgotten.
More importantly, though — Grandma’s coming…
I really need to tidy up the workshop a bit before then.
“Finn, you should make an effort to look a little more presentable too, so as not to worry your grandmother.”
“I know, I know.”
Mother was smiling gently, but what she was actually saying was every bit as strict as Grandma. You’d think being at home would mean I could dress comfortably —
…No, never mind. Let’s just clean up properly.
Mother’s eyes weren’t smiling at all.
After finishing lunch, I made my way back to the workshop.
To anyone else, I’m sure it looks like magic tools and blueprints are scattered around in complete disarray…
Well, tidying up can wait a bit longer.
On the desk sat the magic tool, gradually taking on a shape different from how it looked yesterday.
The remaining steps were integrating the magical circuitry and the control magic circle.
From here on, this magic tool’s real challenge would begin.
“Alright… let’s continue where I left off.”
Just as that thought crossed my mind—
Knock knock.
“Master Finn. I’ve brought your tea.”
Standing beyond the door was Noah Ferner, my personal attendant.
Someone who’s been by my side since childhood, and someone I trust completely.
“Come in.”