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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Wait, take off my clothes?!”
“Yes. I need to examine you properly.”
Stop looking at me with such disdain.
It’s written in the contract: ‘Follow the employer’s orders, no matter what.’
I sighed as I watched Viola back away, covering her chest.
We didn’t have much time and I didn’t want to waste it like this.
I turned my head towards the workshop door and shouted.
“Milia!”
“You called?!”
As expected, she was there.
I pushed away Milia, who was clinging to me with sparkling eyes, and pointed at Viola.
“Take off her shirt. Just enough to expose her amputated arm.”
“Is Johann a pervert?”
Stop asking with such innocent eyes. It makes me feel like I actually am a pervert.
“I need to check Viola’s arm.”
“What are you making that requires you to see my body?”
“A prosthetic arm.”
“A prosthetic arm?”
“Yes.”
“What’s that?”
…So prosthetic arms don’t exist in this world.
I thought they would, since it’s a fantasy world, but apparently not. This meant I could become the world’s first prosthetic arm maker and potentially earn a fortune.
The problem was that creating a prosthetic arm was no easy task. It meant replicating the human joints with pure technology, which was incredibly difficult.
Even in the 21st century, they hadn’t perfectly replicated the elbow joint.
Could it be possible in this world, where delicate craftsmanship was even more challenging?
…But come to think of it, wasn’t there a rather simple solution?
With that thought, I decided that the product I would develop during this summer break would be a prosthetic arm. This was a change of plans due to Viola’s employment.
Initially, I had planned to create convenient bombs to use in dungeons, but I decided to develop a prosthetic arm to effectively utilize Viola’s skills.
If it was successful, it would benefit both Viola and me.
I couldn’t guarantee that I would remain unscathed in this world.
“Viola, have you learned about golems?”
“Golems? I learned the theory during the first semester, but I’ve never actually made one.”
The simple solution I had in mind was golems.
The golems I had relentlessly destroyed to obtain my mage license, and the golems I encountered in dungeons. From simple ones made of a few rocks to those that resembled humans, golems came in various forms.
The most significant characteristic of golems was that they could act independently based on given commands, without requiring constant control.
“I’m thinking of creating a golem arm and attaching it to your arm. If the experiment is successful, you won’t have to live with just one arm.”
“Make a golem arm… and attach it to my arm?”
Viola shook her head at my idea, expressing a negative reaction.
“No, wait… Do you even know what golem materials are made of? They’re all heavy. You might end up giving me an arm heavier than myself.”
“What if we inscribe it with a Lightness spell?”
“Do you know how expensive it is to inscribe a Lightness spell? And to inscribe it without interfering with the control magic and mana circuits… You would need an Archmage.”
“Or we could use lightweight materials.”
“Most materials wouldn’t be able to withstand the strain and would break.”
So, there were many problems either way.
“I think you have a good idea. But this isn’t something you can do with just a little capital. I don’t think you have that kind of money…”
Money. Money, huh.
My pockets were indeed empty.
I would have some money after raiding the dungeon in a week, but even with all the rewards, it would be difficult to earn more than 100 gold coins unless I monopolized them.
Was there a way to raise funds… Ah.
Why didn’t I think of that before?
“Viola, I’m sorry, but we need to leave right now.”
“Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Where are you going, Johann? Can I come too?”
Milia, who had been listening to our conversation with a bored expression, chimed in like a curious cat.
I waved her off.
“We’re going to do something boring, so don’t follow us.”
“But fun things always happen when I follow Johann.”
Do I look like a clown?
I glared at Milia in disbelief.
Perhaps feeling a twinge of guilt, she avoided my gaze and hid behind Viola. Annoyed by her behavior, I deliberately said,
“Weren’t you supposed to study with Karina after lunch?”
“…Hmph.”
Was she planning to skip class using me as an excuse?
I gave Milia, who was already showing signs of becoming a delinquent student, a light flick on the forehead. Then I addressed Viola, who was looking at us with a slightly bewildered expression.
“Get ready to leave right now.”
“What? Now? Where are we going?”
“To get money.”
Wasn’t this why I extended my hand to help her?
“So, you’re asking me to fund your research on a new magic tool?”
“…I, I didn’t say anything about, about the Principal…!”
Viola, who had followed me with a puzzled look, became pale as a sheet when she finally faced Principal Merlin, who was sipping tea.
Merlin chuckled at Viola’s reaction like a child, then put down his teacup and said,
“I didn’t expect you to ask for funding so soon! May I hear your idea?”
I explained the prosthetic arm idea in detail from beginning to end.
Fortunately, the title of the world’s greatest Archmage wasn’t for nothing. After hearing my explanation, Principal Merlin slammed his fist on his palm and exclaimed,
“That’s a very interesting idea!”
“Therefore, I require considerable research funds.”
“Let me join in!”
“Are you saying you want to participate in the development?”
“Indeed! Don’t leave me out of such an interesting project!”
What was he talking about?
I sighed inwardly as I looked at Principal Merlin, who had declared his intention to participate with an excited expression. I had only planned to receive funding.
“…It would be a bit burdensome for us if you were to participate, Principal.”
[If only the contractor had more mana, we could just brainwash him and make him work for us.]
…It was a tempting idea, but it was impossible. I completely ignored Rue’s absurd suggestion.
Not only was brainwashing impossible with my meager mana, but if I failed, I would have to fight him immediately, and there was no way I could win against that monster.
Even with every advantage, my chances of winning were less than 10%.
It wasn’t entirely impossible to subdue him if I used every method at my disposal, but…
“Don’t worry! I won’t boss you around! I’ll even follow your instructions as much as possible!”
“If that’s the case, I won’t refuse, but it might be quite challenging.”
“I am an Archmage, you know.”
“I plan to create a prototype within a week.”
“That’s ambitious. Aren’t you being too hasty?”
“Isn’t a week enough time with an Archmage participating in the development?”
I had initially planned to spend half of the break on this, but with an Archmage participating, wouldn’t it be possible to create a usable prosthetic arm within a week?
“Hmm, I’ll give it a try.”
“Uh, Principal, even so, you directly participating…”
“Miss Viola, don’t be so burdened. This is just an educator’s meddling, wanting to see a promising student succeed. So accept it comfortably.”
“Principal…”
[He took the best part! Contractor, aren’t you going to use your usual sweet talk?]
When did I ever do that?
I stared blankly at Viola, who was shedding tears of gratitude, and Principal Merlin, who was patting her shoulder consolingly.
Ah, I want to go home.
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“J-Johann?”
“This… I believe this is new, Saintess.”
“Y-You can call me Karina. I’m not that old, Principal Merlin.”
“Haha, how could I dare address the Saintess so casually?”
“It’s alright. I’ll be a student soon, so it’s uncomfortable for you to address me like that.”
“Then, may this old man call you Miss Karina?”
“Of course.”
[Wow, look at her pretending to be modest.]
Karina couldn’t hide her surprise at the appearance of Principal Merlin with me. She looked back and forth between us, her face asking, “What’s going on?”
I explained in a gentle voice so she wouldn’t be too startled.
“He’s agreed to help with my research.”
“H-He… He’s here to help with research? Principal Merlin?”
This was the first time I had seen Karina so surprised. I took a mental screenshot of her cute expression and saved it. I would recall it and boost my mood whenever I felt down.
“P-P-P-P-P-P-…”
“Miss Elisa?!”
She fainted.
I sighed as I looked at Elisa sprawled on the hallway floor after seeing the Principal and walked over to her.
Let’s take her to her room first.
I picked up Elisa and looked back at Principal Merlin, who was staring at Elisa in my arms with an awkward expression.
“This is a new experience…”
“I’ll take her to her room.”
“Go ahead.”
I immediately laid Elisa on her bed and returned to Principal Merlin, who was talking with Karina.
“Principal, shall we go to the workshop?”
“It’s already that time. Then, farewell, Miss Karina.”
“See you later, Principal Merlin.”
[You have a knack for creating chaos, don’t you?]
“…Shut up.”
I hadn’t considered this because I was trying to move too quickly. Or was it more accurate to say that I hadn’t anticipated this because I was always so focused on my own plans?
Anyway, after arriving at the workshop with Viola and Principal Merlin, I immediately grabbed some paper and started sketching a blueprint.
The prosthetic arms I knew were mostly from old movies and animations, so I just drew whatever came to mind.
“You’re drawing so quickly and accurately, as if you’re tracing it. Have you drawn this many times before?”
“I’ve already conceptualized it.”
“Even so, it’s fascinating how confidently you’re drawing.”
“It usually takes at least a few hours to draw a single blueprint… but you’re drawing something this complex in an instant?”
“Practice makes perfect.”
I ignored Viola’s admiration and looked at Principal Merlin.
He was staring intently at my blueprint, lost in thought. I waited patiently for him to speak.
After about five minutes, he finally opened his mouth.
“I don’t understand any of this.”
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[Your Text Here]
The principal be like:
well that was quick, i figured he would try to make one a few more chapters from now