Chapter 31

The Marquess Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 31 (31/324)

31

The opportunity for revenge had vanished into thin air.

Perhaps because of this, the kid started running off somewhere without saying a word.

Seeing this, the viscount sighed and approached me.

"… I'm sorry. My little girl has caused you a lot of trouble. She left without even saying hello… sigh. It's all my fault."

"It's fine. At eight years old, that's to be expected."

Actually, at eight years old, it's not a time when someone would be so bitter and rotten.

Since I couldn't say it bluntly, I responded appropriately.

"By the way, where did the young lady go?"

"Ugh. She probably went back to her room. Whenever… she's upset, she locks herself in her room…"

Whenever she's upset, huh?

More like whenever things don't go her way.

I can imagine her, fuming, crying on her bed.

Cry a lot, kid.

Tears make people mature.

Meanwhile,

The viscount, who had been looking at me cautiously, spoke up.

"Tha… This meeting must have been quite disappointing… right?"

He had asked me not to bring up the matter again if I found it unsatisfactory after one meeting.

He seemed quite worried about it.

Of course, the viscount's worry was unfounded.

Would I, in my right mind, let go of a talent with the potential of a great mage?

'Within ten to fifteen years.'

This was the time when the villains' full-scale assault would begin.

If I could raise Iris well by then?

With my help and her talent, she could easily reach at least the 5th Circle.

Moreover, the assault wouldn't end with just one defense. If we fought back, the kid might even reach the 6th Circle.

While ordinary mages spend their entire lives trying to reach the 4th Circle, this kid could potentially reach the 6th Circle in a short period.

At the 6th Circle, there wouldn't be more than a hundred people in the entire central continent.

A talent with the potential of a great mage.

This was not something that could be found lying around like a pebble.

Therefore,

In a life-or-death situation, I had no intention of giving up just because of a slightly negative personality.

I might as well correct her and make her a proper person.

"Indeed, it wasn't a satisfying meeting, but I think we could have a few more interactions. However, I'm not talking about a romantic relationship, but about matters related to magic. The young lady's magical talent is quite remarkable."

The viscount's eyes widened at my answer.

"… Really?"

"Yes, it's true."

This wasn't a bad thing from the viscount's perspective either.

He must know that there's no way she would develop romantic feelings unless she was shot in the head.

He probably wants to gradually build a relationship through interactions.

Of course, that was wishful thinking.

"Even so, I'm very grateful. No, this is incredible. A fine mage like you is willing to teach my little girl?"

"That's the idea."

"… Thank you. Could you follow me for a moment? I need to open the storage room. I happen to have an artifact that would suit a mage."

Ho.

He's offering an artifact.

It seems the viscount quite likes me.

I'm very grateful, but

I should at least pretend to decline out of politeness.

"It's fine. I didn't come here expecting such a gift…"

"Tsk. I know my manners. It's also an apology for my daughter's behavior, so I hope you'll accept it."

"… I can't refuse, then. Alright."

This is quite something.

I can't refuse when it's offered.

With a pleased smile, I followed the viscount. He led me to his study.

"Wait here for a moment."

"Understood."

From the looks of it, he didn't intend to show the inside of the storage room to an outsider.

'Of course, that's to be expected.'

Magic storage rooms typically contain valuable artifacts.

Given that the Nelron viscount family is quite influential,

While not as powerful as a marquess family, they likely have some decent items.

Even if I were the viscount, I wouldn't show the inside of the storage room, so it's a reasonable choice.

After a short wait, the viscount returned to his study with something in his hand.

Judging by its small size, it seemed to be a piece of jewelry.

"Here."

The viscount opened his palm, and I immediately activated my Insight to examine the ring.

'A mediocre Magic-grade item, it seems.'

Frankly, compared to the good items in the game, it's nothing special, but given my current situation, I'm grateful for it.

Artifacts, even the worst ones, typically start at ten gold coins because they are quite difficult to make and cannot be mass-produced.

Slightly increased mana recovery speed.

If I had tried to buy this ring with cash, it would have cost me about three platinum coins.

Moreover, even if I had the money, it might not have been available for purchase, making the viscount's gift quite valuable.

'300 million.'

For a tutoring fee, it's quite a good deal.

Indeed,

This noble in front of me is a true daddy's girl.

A severe case of daddy's girl, at that.

"Thank you."

"No, it's nothing. I'm giving this to you because I hope you'll occasionally check on my little girl when you have time. It's a gift with a personal touch, so you don't need to feel too burdened."

"Understood. I'll definitely visit again when I have time."

"Good. By the way…"

"What is it?"

"Are you leaving now?"

"Yes. I was planning to leave if there was nothing else."

"Hehe. After such a big deal, it would be a waste to just leave. Stay overnight. It's almost evening, and sending a guest on a night journey would make me look stingy."

It seems I'll have to stay for a day.

"Since you put it that way, I can't just leave. Understood."

"Good. You made the right decision. The chef here is quite skilled. You won't regret it. Wait here for a moment."

The viscount then brought a knight and gave him detailed instructions, telling him to treat me as a very important guest and lead me to the best room.

This is quite something.

Is he really trying to make it so obvious?

"Thank you, Viscount. I don't know what to do with such hospitality."

"No, no. You deserve such treatment. Hehe. Get some rest and see you later."

"Understood."

As I entered the room the viscount had designated for me and my companions, the luxurious interior was revealed.

"Wow."

It seemed to be the best room prepared for guests.

This level of treatment could be considered the highest for a distinguished guest.

Ersiel's eyes sparkled as she looked around the room, and my bodyguard, another companion, nodded in satisfaction as he looked inside.

"Indeed, it's a very good room. It seems the viscount highly regards you. By the way, may I ask what business you had with the viscount?"

He only knew that I had made an appointment with the viscount but not the purpose of the meeting, so he was curious.

"It's nothing much. I bought some wheat."

"… Wheat?"

"Yes. Fortunately, the negotiations went well, and I was able to buy a significant amount."

"May I ask how much you bought?"

"About thirty platinum coins' worth."

At this, Leonhard's expression turned to shock.

"… Do you really need that much? … Why wheat…?"

"There's a reason."

While answering, Ersiel, who had approached me, quickly asked,

"Sir, do you have that much money? Thirty platinum coins…"

Her eyes immediately filled with worry. It was a look one might give to a gambler who had bet everything on a loan.

What kind of image does this kid have?

'Now that I think about it, this kid used to gamble.'

After his allowance was cut off, he couldn't afford to gamble anymore, but before that, he had dabbled in it.

Kyle Seltarion.

A person without any brakes.

If he hadn't been confined to the annex, his reputation would have spread beyond the marquess family to the entire empire.

Or had it already spread?

Thinking about it further would only make me feel gloomy, so I should stop.

"Actually… it was money given to me by my older brother."

"Abel?"

"Yes. That's why I bought a large amount of wheat. I'm essentially doing a favor for my older brother. He might have bought more on his own as well."

It's better to say it this way than to say I bought it because I thought the price would rise in the future.

This explanation covers both the source of the money and the reason for buying a large amount of wheat.

Leonhard tilted his head at this.

"Are you saying that the eldest son bought a large amount of wheat?"

"Yes. He said the price might rise soon. I only heard it in passing, so I don't know the details."

"… I see."

My gaze then turned to the maid.

"Are you less worried now?"

At this question, she looked flustered.

"Ah… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"

"What are you talking about? You're worried about me."

Kyle's age plus mine is forty-eight. At that age, I have no intention of acting like a grumpy old man to a kid who's worried about me.

While waiting in the room,

Knock knock.

A knock was heard.

"Who is it?"

Leonhard asked, and a response came from outside the door.

?The housekeeper. May I come in?

If it's the housekeeper of the viscount family, he's not a commoner.

He's at least a baron.

"Come in."

The middle-aged woman, along with the maids, bowed.

Wow.

How did she bring so many clothes?

From what I gathered, she wanted me to dress up nicely before dinner.

Are the maids going to dress me up?

I had experienced this before when I was in the annex.

But they didn't stick to me like this.

At most, Ersiel and a couple of maids helped me with my appearance.

But now, there were at least six maids, judging by a quick count.

Well, I can't ignore their kindness.

I might as well take advantage of it.

With the maids' help, my clothing and hairstyle gradually changed.

After an hour of dressing up,

The person in the mirror was completely different from before.

My hair was styled neatly with a wax-like product, and I was dressed in a stylish suit, adorned with numerous pieces of jewelry.

This was the first time I had dressed up to this extent since taking over this body.

The image of Kyle in the mirror was quite unfamiliar.

A slightly pale face.

It emphasized his frailty.

'Really looks like an idol.'

He looked like someone who could make women cry when he grew up.

The drastic change in appearance made the housekeeper and Ersiel, along with the other women, look dazed.

"You really suit it."

"How…"

"Thank you."

I slightly bowed to the housekeeper and gave a small smile, causing the maids' faces to flush.

Wow.

I never thought I'd get such a reaction.

It was a feeling I had never experienced in Korea, so it felt quite exciting.

After all the preparations were done, I started moving towards the place where the housekeeper was leading me for dinner with the viscount.

I heard that all three of the viscount's children and his wife would be there.

This is like eating at the in-laws' house.

It's going to be tough.

"You can go in now."

As I opened the door and entered,

Five pairs of eyes turned towards me.

I glanced at Iris, and her affection level, which was at -55, was visible.

She must have been very angry earlier.

Among the five, the kid's gaze was the most obvious.

After staring at me as if she wanted to eat me, her face started to flush.

Then, the number above her head started to change rapidly.

-50, -46, -40, -33, -31, -29….

Wow.

The number finally stopped at -10.

What is this kid so obsessed with appearance?

Her affection level increased by 45 just because I dressed up a bit.

They say height is half the battle.

But that's not it.

I now realize that a good-looking person can win more than half the battle.