Chapter 30

The warm spring sunlight streamed in through the window, making me feel incredibly comfortable. It was now lunch break, a precious time to rest for me, who had to wear the difficult shoes of both a lord and a middle school student.

(Youth, indeed. Young people, enjoy your youth.)

I will take a good rest since I worked late last night.

When you become a middle school student, the relationship between boys and girls starts to change subtly. Both boys and girls start to care about how they look to the opposite sex and begin to make efforts to be more attractive. These efforts can range from fashion to club activities, varying from person to person.

Youth is written with the characters for "blue spring." My classmates are in the prime of their youth. And among my classmates are those two...

"Lord George, which club are you going to join? I want to join the Foosball club."

Foosball is a popular ball game in Orizon, similar to soccer. The difference is that it involves magic techniques like Fire Shoot, Thunder Shoot, and Dispel Guard. It's like soccer with magic. Foosball players are popular, and some even date famous singers and noble daughters.

"I'm too busy with my main job to join a club. You have to help at home and practice, too, right?"

First of all, Donga, who is not good at magic, won't be able to become a regular player. Besides, I don't think Donga was particularly interested in Foosball.

"But... Cain joined the Foosball club. And Foosball players are so cool."

It seems that Donga is feeling competitive against his love rival (who he unilaterally considers a rival). However, Walnut doesn't actually like Foosball players.

"Cain joined the Foosball club because he likes Foosball. If you work hard at your training, I'll let you join the Bubur Knights."

In the knights' order, family background is important. This is because, in peacetime, they have to support their soldiers. However, heavy knights are an exception. What they need is a strong build and the strength to fight even in heavy armor. Donga has the physical ability and the knowledge equivalent to a middle school graduate. Most importantly, his loyalty makes him well-suited for the heavy knights, so he should be in high demand.

"Lord George, what hairstyle do you think would suit me? I want to grow my hair now that I'm a middle school student."

In Orizon, long-haired male bards are very popular with girls. However, I don't think long hair would suit the chubby raccoon Verde. Fashion is more about what suits you than what's trendy.

"Try on a wig first and see how it looks in the mirror. By the way, Verde, did the samples arrive?"

It's not a good idea to outright oppose a boy of this age, as it will only make him more stubborn. Well, "wig" is a euphemism for "reality." Besides, only a select few handsome merchants can get away with long hair. If Verde were to grow his hair, he might be avoided by the girls in our class.

"Yes. The toothbrush, earthen pot, and charcoal samples have arrived. Please let me handle them at home."

"Thanks. Speaking of the purchase price..."

"The purchase price has already been presented. No matter how much I respect Lord George, I won't increase it by a single stone until the business is on track."

Verde seems to be a beginner in love but a skilled merchant.

"It will definitely sell, so please add a little more color."

"Indeed, it's a good product. However, the value of an item is determined by the price at which customers are willing to buy it. If you add fine decorations to the toothbrush for the nobility, I'll consider the purchase price."

I should be happy about Verde's growth. I don't have the means to export to the capital or other territories. Considering the transportation and advertising costs, it would be more profitable to entrust the business to the Gilliam Trading Company... losing is winning, I'll keep that in mind.

"Lord George, the dryer prototype is ready. However, adjusting the balance between the fire and wind magic stones is difficult, so it might be expensive. Here's the sample."

The one who spoke was the dwarf girl, Lilir Hammer. She is only 130 cm tall (130.6 cm, according to her, and those 6 mm are apparently precious) and has a slender build with dull gray hair, making her a typical "Loli" dwarf. However, don't underestimate her just because she's small; her technical skills are on par with adults, and she has an exclusive contract.

"That's fine. I'm targeting nobles and wealthy merchants for the dryer. How's the progress on the magic-powered drill?"

"It's difficult. I tried using a wind magic stone as the power source, but it's too weak. I've been tweaking the gear ratio, but maybe I should give up."

Hmm, I thought it would work if I just turned it, but it's not that simple. Failure is the mother of success, a very convenient phrase. Since the concept has been introduced, someone will eventually create it.

"Understood. Please bill me for the research costs."

I tried out the dryer sample Lilir gave me. As expected, given the time spent on adjustments, it produced a warm breeze at just the right temperature.

(The temperature is fine, and the handle doesn't get hot. This should be good for mass production.)

I'll have my mother and the housekeeping staff try it out and give me their feedback. If I set it up in the staff bath, I should get a variety of opinions. As I was testing the dryer, something came rushing in at an incredible speed.

"Excuse me, can I see that magic item? ...Amazing... The magic stone adjustment is perfect. Who made this?"

The elf boy who rushed in and snatched the dryer was amazed.

(As expected, Hewbo is a magic item otaku... When he sees a rare magic item, he forgets himself just like everyone else.)

Hewbo Dielarchi, a member of the George Party, is an elf boy passionate about inventing magic items. He is the only handsome member of the George Party, but his unfortunate words and actions often make him less popular than Donga.

"I made it. But the idea came from the unreasonable lord George Akogi. Seriously, it's easy to say, isn't it?"

Lilir, that hurts my ears. By the way, when I told her that formalities weren't necessary, she became this friendly.

"George Akogi... I'm sorry. When it comes to magic items, I tend to lose myself."

"It's fine. By the way, are you interested in researching and developing magic items? If you are, I can provide funding."

"Really?! I've heard that George Akogi is stingy and unfriendly, but that must be a lie."

...I wanted to correct him, but Hewbo was too engrossed in the dryer. He looked like a child who had just received his favorite toy.

"You still have a bad reputation. Did you do something bad in your past life?"

Karina approached with a mischievous smile. In my past life, the worst thing I did was speeding.

"Being stingy is true because I don't spend money on clothes or decorations. And being unfriendly is because I don't talk much at noble parties."

I don't look good in expensive clothes, and I lack the skills in poetry and dancing that nobles enjoy, so I can't join in the conversation.

"You really don't act like a noble. Oh, that earthen pot? My father wants a few more... But are you really giving them away for free?"

"If you can help spread the recipes for earthen pot dishes, it will lead to increased sales. As a thank you, I'd be happy if you could give me a large serving of mashed potatoes."

Karina's family restaurant is not only delicious but also cheap and plentiful. Especially, the mashed potatoes she makes are my favorite.

---

I met Hewbo. This means the story is likely to follow the same progression as the game.

Kimita is linked to the protagonist's high school life. Until the summer break of the first year, it's a period to get to know each heroine. Depending on the choices, the last one to meet is the wind attribute heroine, Fuzuki.

Before long breaks, there are regular exams as well as monster hunting exams. Naturally, the monsters get stronger over time. The graduation exam is to defeat a Mithril Dragon... I don't think that's a student's exam anymore.

Throughout the three years, there are common events. In April, there's the entrance ceremony. The second year's entrance ceremony is important because Ami joins.

In June, there's the sports festival, and of course, there's a dance, but George is a loner.

In September, during the school festival, there are martial arts and magic competitions. Incidentally, George is eliminated in the first round every time.

In December, there's a sun birth festival, similar to Christmas. In the third year's sun birth festival, Marina leaves George's party and goes to the protagonist, a rather cruel development.

In January, there's the New Year's festival. Depending on the wish chosen, abilities can be enhanced, or the protagonist's relationship with a heroine can improve.

In February, there's a winter gift day, similar to Valentine's Day. George always ends up with zero and has to buy for himself.

The six demon lords are in the order of wind, fire, darkness, earth, water, and light. Additionally, the demon army has a strategist and a swordsman who is the protagonist's childhood friend.

I don't know when I can return, and I have more important people in my life... I don't want to be a hero, but I do want to prepare for the demon army.