Chapter 17: CHP 17

After I memorized the librarian name and face, I went to the upper floor of the library.

"Hm?"

Just as he said, the library consisted mostly of magic books.

As I glanced through the bookshelves, I was able to find a book related to mana formulas, Introduction to Mana Formulas.

'Why is this so thick? I don't want to open it.

Why can't I be free from studying even though I was reborn?

Even though I am an orichalcum spoon, I am in a situation where I have to make money to survive.'

Feeling depressed, I reluctantly opened the book.

'This book is dedicated to my dear Danae.'

'Who is Danae?'

'Me and my colleague, Rikurgos, disagree with the opinion that the flow of mana is extremely irregular and fragmented.

Mana that is smooth as a river, warm like the sunlight, fast as the wind and hard as the earth, it does not just show a high degree of complexity, but also completely different levels of complexity.

There are countless criteria by which mana can be understood, all of them exist for practical purposes…'

I clicked my tongue softly.

"It is very long."

The preface had 20 pages, explaining in detail, when and by whom the mana formulas were created and why they were created.

Formulas began to develop long before the establishment of the Azutea Empire, there are dating back to the Tegea Empire.

It was through mana formulas that the archmage, who achieved the highest level of magic, among ancient wizards, arranged mana giving it shape in order to understand it and to learn it more easier how to practically use mana from nature.

'Finally found it.'

As I looked through the theory book of three-circle formulas, I smiled in satisfaction, because I got the correct answer to the problem the professor gave us today.

'I am truly amazed! Areof-Effect magic is nothing more than geometry.( °∇^)］'

It was explained that geometric sequences are mana management skills that expand the range of the magical effect.

You could say it is like a wide-area skill that wipes out other players in a game.

'Finding out the result of the geometric problem that made a formula was a piece of cake for me, an former engineering student.

The more I look at it, the more it is stimulating my curiosity.(　＾ω＾)

The magic for turning mana in a spherical shape is a formula that calculates the circumference of a circle.

Well,I found out the reason why that wizard resembled an engineering student.'

The magical formulas weren't much different from mathematics, so as I browsed through the book, I found something strange that made me frown.

There was no basic formula for calculating the sum of a geometric sequences.

'Why doesn't any formula appear in this book?'

I scanned the whole book in case there was something but the sound of footsteps getting closer,made me look up.

Tap tap tap tap .......

I could see a small figure with shiny silver hair through the gaps between the bookshelves.

It was Enrique Seymour, the youngest member of the family.

The sunlight coming in through the window illuminated Enrique's chubby, rosy cheeks.

'He is totally copper (Cu) and tellurium (Te)?

C UTE!!!

He is cuter with his bangs down.'

If Enrique lived in the modern world and would appeare on a family entertainment show, he would get hundreds of commercials in an instant, with that cold cuteness.

'If you put Enrique portred in photocards and sell them, they will get sold out in a second.......Why?

Because I will collect them all!!!😈'

Enrique,was rolling his big eyes back and forth, chewed on his tiny lips with a very serious face and then reached out his arms and started hopping up and down like a rabbit.

The book he wanted was placed where he could not reach it.

'Ah.....I feel dizzy.'

I was dizzy because of the overwhelming cuteness.

To be honest, I have a much stronger vulnerability towards cute creatures than to handsome men.

In particular dogs, cats, and children were my Achilles' heel.

The neighborhood cats gathered around me to get something to eat whenever I passed through an alley on my way home, it seems that they also noticed that I was a pushover.

'I want to help him.

But....It has been a while since I decided to not let beauty influence me......

But he is so damn cute.'

While I was going through a fierce inner conflict, Enrique barely managed to reach the edges of the book, that made him groan in frustration.

'It is admirable.

Enrique....You can do it.'

However, because the book was so tightly stuck, Enrique failed to pull it out the second time.

Enrique's silver eyebrows drooped, and his small, round shoulders slumped down.

'That is enough, I louse!'

In the end, I succumbed to Enrique's cuteness.

'It was unavoidable. He is so cute, I am a devil if I don't help him.'

"Here."

I approached Enrique who was mindlessly jumping,and pulled out the book and handed it to him in a chic manner, pretending to be indifferent.

'Oh my Goood. I am going crazy.'

Because of that small, round head in my field of vision, I had no choice but to gnaw at the tender flesh inside my mouth.

Enrique was frightened by my sudden appearance and took a step back.

Astonishment flashed through his silver eyes.

'No wonder, he is in the library with... Deborah.

I agree that this is like a combination of soybean paste soup and macarons.'

"Sis-Sister?"

"The book you wanted."

Enrique's eyes soon calmed down,and became cold again.

"Were you watching me?"

Enrique snapped back quite fiercely.

"Yes.... Because you are cute."

I don't think it is necessary to behave frightening towards a child, so I replied honestly.

Enrique was young and had no presence within the family anyway.

'He is a child that has a position that doesn't particularly affect me, so maybe I can behave how I want......but bottom line is that he is cute, so it can't be helped. How can I be mean to a cute thing?'

"WHAT?!!!"

"You are cute. Like a....white rabbit."

Enrique blinked his eyes slowly for a moment, with an absurd look on his face, but as if he understood what I was saying, his round ears gradually turned red.

"Don't make fun of me!

My Father and brothers are tall, so I'll soon be tall too."

'I said he was cute because he is cute, but I unintentionally hurt his feelings and he got angry.

He looks like a angry kitten with his fur raised.'

"That is right, you will be tall."

I held back a giggle and gently stroked his head.

"Y-You are going too far!"

Enrique took the head stroke as being ridiculed, even his neck turned red and he shook his head fiercely from side to side.

I removed my hand, and Enrique who was panting, suddenly ran towards the entrance.

"The book! You forgot to take it!"

But Enrique had already disappeared.

'He is very quick.....like a squirrel.'

I felt depressed.(._.)

I approached him with good intentions, but I didn't think he would misunderstand my actions.

It was only normal, considering the relationship between Deborah and Enrique, but I couldn't help but feel bitter.

"Ugh."

'I am living a new life after waking up from death, but it seems like nothing is going as I intended.'

I returned back to my living quarters in a bad mood.

"Oooo.... What do we have here?"

'Princess Deborah.

Please come to get the last cake you ordered.'

It was a note from the Blancia Master in dessert box, so I quickly got ready to go out.

.............

Enrique,who ran out of the library after shaking off Deborah, caught his breath while rubbing his burning cheeks.

"Because you are cute."

His earlobes became even redder as he recalled the way his sister spoke with a smile on her face.

His older sister, who has a bad personality, must have been laughing because he was growing later than his peers.

But her eyes that were softly curved like a half moon and her gentle voice disturbed Enrique deeply.

The warm hand that carefully stroked his hair was also one of the things that bothered him.

His heart kept thumping.

"Calm down!"

Enrique, who was confused due to his sister's strange expression and behavior, slapped both his cheeks to get a hold of himself.

Enrique knew that although his sister is as elegant and beautiful as a rose on the outside, on the inside she is vicious as a viper.

Also, there was no way she would pat him on the head because he is cute.

Because he is the child that was born after taking his mother's life.

Suddenly, his body lost it's strength. Whenever he remembered that his birthday is his mother's death anniversary, he seemed to sink in an endless sorrow.

"After the Madam passed away, the Duke has been working without stopping.

It's a shame....so, Young Master you must behave prudently....so that you won't be hated by the Duke"

His nanny's whispers lingered in his head.

Enrique walked around the mansion with a gloomy expression and then stopped in front of a flower bed under construction,the flower bed, which had always been in the same shape due to the preservation magic, had suddenly disappeared one day.

'What was father thinking?

I know this was the flower bed that mother loved the most.'

Whenever he saw a rose that was preserved, he felt a burden weighing heavily on his shoulders.

Enrique, who had been watching the workers turning over the soil with shovels and planting new seedlings, went in a separate building.

The nanny, who was walking around in front of Enrique's room with an anxious expression, rushed towards him.

"Young Master! It is time for your lesson, where on earth have you been!"

"At the library."

"I have told you several times to keep track of time.

Fortunately, the tutor is waiting for you. I have the textbook, so go quickly."

Enrique's silver eyes sank.

His hands curled up and he bit his pale lips.

.....................

"Welcome, Princess Deborah."

When I arrived at the Maisond, a woman came to greet me right away.

She couldn't hide the fear that lingered on her face.

Probably because of the scandal on the terrace last time that resulted in breaking the furniture.

"I received a message from Master that the Princess would come to pick up the cake."

"Lead the way."

The woman entered a secret passage at the back of the warehouse where various products were piled up.

Like Diana, Maisond also had a magic circle with space magic that immediately sends anyone to the Master.

'Are space magic circles this common?'

"Princess, If you come this way, we can travel right away."

"Wait. How much weight can this teleport magic circle bring?"

She had a look like 'Why are you asking?' on her face.

"I have seen five adults move at once, but I'm not sure about the maximum number of people it can move."

"I understand. "

I felt sorry for asking her, but asking the Blancia Master costs money, so I tried to settle my curiosity for free through her.

'Five people means that it can move at least 250 kg at a time.'

While I was thinking that it wasn't a bad number, the magic circle and mana stones started emitting an intense light.

"Master, Princess Deborah has arrived."

"A valuable guest has come."

As the overbearing voice rang in the passageway, I felt tension suddenly increasing.

'Don't be so discouraged.'

I walked in the office with a cold face, but was surprised at the glittering gold mass that came rushing at me.

Whiff, whiff!

The identity of that mass was Cookie.

Cookie, came closer and circled around, on the side where the bag of catnip was hanging and then he licked the back of my hand with his rough tongue, as I rubbed his fluffy jaw, then he purred and folded his eyes thinly like a fox.

"Cookie!Come here."

The Blancia Master called in a harsh voice.

But Cookie still stayed by my side, and  lett out a whimper.

In the novel, he was an animal that created an atmosphere full of fear    by roaring violently whenever the Master showed signs of discomfort.

'As expected, the power of drugs is great.'

"What is wrong with him?

For now, please sit down."

The Blancia Master moved a chair with magic.

As soon as I sat down, Cookie rolled his golden eyes from side to side, and then sneakily took a seat close to me.

(=^ェ^=)

Then he put his head on my lap.

The Blancia Master let out a small sigh, as if he had given up.

Purrrrr...

Cookie looked between me and the Blancia Master alternately, prickling its ears.

(。・ω・。)o(^-^o)(o^-^)o

Cookie was a fierce beast, and looked like he would bite anyone but he was cute how he cared about his owner's feelings.

I giggled, unconsciously.

"Isn't Cookie cute?"

When I realised what I did, I quickly fixed my expression and changed the subject.

"Ahem! I heard you finished the magic pouch I requested."

"You're getting straight to the point. You have no mercy."

Perhaps because I caused trouble at his shop, his tone made me feel uncomfortable.

"That is unexpected, you already knew that I am this kind of person.

You deal with information, so you must have heard the rumors about me."

"That's right....I heard them well."

He was a little vague, which was unusual of him.

'Maybe something is bothering him.'

I felt eerie as I looked in his eyes.

"Are we in some sort of relationship to talk casually like this?"

The Blancia Master shrugged his shoulders at my question.

"We can form a relationship, from now on."

"Why would I?"

"If we are in a relationship, you can get a discount."

"You, a businessman up to your bones, will give me a discount?

Don't talk empty words now."

The Blancia Master laughed.

"I didn't expect you to read me so well.

We can improve our relationship as time goes on, so let us get straight to the point."

He handed me the secret fund pouch I requested.

At first glance, it looked like a normal pouch, but when I untied the string and opened it, the inside was pitch-dark as if it had been smeared with ink, or like a void.

To test its functionality I started putting some things in.

'It is really amazing.

It sucked the objects inside, like a black hole.'

I was distracted, looking at the pouch, when, suddenly, the Blancia Master reached out his hand towards me.

"Princess."

"What?"

"Give me your hand."

'......whyyy?'(  -_・)?

"I am not a puppy, why should I give you my hand?

You are impudent."

"If you want to summon lost objects  you must specify it with a specific spell drawn on your hand."

"Aha."

"You thought I was treating you like a puppy?

Technically speaking Princess… you are more like a cat."

He took my hand while saying absurd things.

When I felt the touch of his cold leather glove on my hand, a pale blue light flowed from his finger.

'His hand is so big.

My ideal type is a man with long fingers, a man that can play the piano well.

Huh!!..... why am I thinking about something like this?'

But honestly the situation was weird enough to make me feel awkward.

Because in other people's eyes, it would look like we are holding hands on a date.

"How much longer do you have? It is taking you quite a while."

At my question, he immediately removed his hand.

"… It's done."

The complex patterns on the palm of my hand slowly disappeared, like snow melting when its touching the ground.

"If you wish to summon something lost, you need to recite a spell."

He wrote the spell and gave it to me, and as soon as I saw the spell written on the paper, I vowed never to lose anything.

"When you want to get something out of the pouch, put your hand in it.

You can't use your eyes to pick things, so it's easier to put in only gold coins."

"I understand."

Then he continued talking about my other requests.

"Not taking the pink diamond to the academy was a pretty good decision."

"Huh?.."

"It appears that your action has stimulated the curiosity of the aristocrats."

Well...I just didn't want to provoke Philap, but it seems the Blancia Master thought that I tried to increase the value of the pink diamond.

"Was that your intention?"

"Yes, of course."

I managed to keep my expression calm and pretended it was what I intended to do.

"If you want to increase the value of the pink diamond even more, hide it like you are doing now and wait for the right moment."

"When will the right moment be?"

"I think, it will be next month when the spring festival takes place.

There we will find the opportunity to change it into gold coins."

The Blancia Master flicked his finger with a faint smile, and a teapot and two teacups came flying and gently settled on the table.

"Shall I add sugar?"

The Blancia Master asked while pouring a smooth scented tea in the teacup.

"One."

The Blancia Master added one in my tea and then put three teaspoons of sugar in his teacup.

'He seems to like sweets.'

When the sugar dissolved, he started the conversation while enjoying  steaming tea.

"Then, surprise me with today's request."

" Why are you so sure that I am going to make a request?"

"If you had no business to discuss, you would have gone home right away after receiving the pouch."

'Is it me or does it look like he is sulking?'

"Correct....just as you said, I have a request.

There is one more person I would like to know more about."

"Who?"

"Isidor Visconti."

The Blancia Master fell in deep silence after hearing my request then he put down the empty teacup.

I was nervous because of his unusual reaction.

He started talk slowly, with a serious look.

"How much do you want to know about him."

"How much can you tell me?"

He thought for quite some time, while pressing his fingers on his forehead.

'It seems that it is quite difficult to find information, probably because he is a Prince from one of the most prestigious families in the empire.

But he can't refuse.

He is already looking into Louis Gargell.'

After dwelling on it for a few minutes, he opened his mouth.

"I think it's possible to know his height and weight....even his foot size if you want."

"Huh?"

"More sensitive areas are a bit…but of course, I have confidence that..."

I almost spit the tea I was drinking, when I heard him.

Of course, there are likely to be young ladys all over the academy who want to know the size of Isidor's feet, shoulder width, and thigh circumference.

But I am not an obsessive fan to dig out sensitive personal information about him.

"Who do you think I am!

I want nothing like that, you must have heard something about a secret reputation behind the scenes or some rumors."

"Oooo....something like that..."

The Blancia Master's eyes shook like those of a doll when you shake it.

It seemed that he was shocked because he guessed wrong.

He thought that I was fan of Isidor.

'I am also shocked.'

"Reputation and rumors.… That's what you meant."

"That man....he seems suspicious, so look into him."

Because it seems that there are landmines everywhere that did not appear in the novel, I intend to figure out Isidor Visconti motive for approaching me, in advance.

"After seeing that face...you are suspicious, I don't..."

The Blancia Master was murmuring something for some time.

"What did you say?"

"I was saying that I accept your request to find suspicious information about Isidor Visconti."

He answered in a harsh tone and poured tea in his empty teacup.This time, he added 5 spoons of sugar.

'He seems to like sweets quite a bit.'

He stirred the teaspoon violently while looking at me with a cold expression.

"Princess, are you done with your business?"

"No. I like the scent of this tea, so I am thinking of drinking it all."

"The tea costs 1 gold coin."

"What? That is too expensive, when there isn't even a dessert."

"I'm a high-quality person."

'You are capricious.'

I unconsciously looked at the Blancia  Master, he seemed to be resentful, so I quickly started a conversation.

"Do you sell this tea at Maisond?"

I asked while giving him a piece of jewelry with pearls.

"It's an expensive tea."

Looking a little annoyed, he shook his gloved hand, refusing the jewelry.

I put the necklace back in my bag, feeling lucky.(^.^)

'That is weird...in the novel that the Blancia Master charges a price for every question.'

"It's teatime now, I have no intentions of working."

"That is unfortunate.I was thinking of making a proposal during teatime."

"If you tell me how you tamed my Cookie, I will listen."

"Ooo, then I will talk, so you just listen.

It is a deal that won't cause you losses."

"Wow! Princess you're really stubborn."

"What can I say, you are aware of my personality now."

'It is really convenient to possess a character like this.

Even if I badmouth someone or act condescending towards others, they will just say that it was just Deborah being Deborah.'

I took a piece of paper from my pocket and stubbornly put it on the table.

"What do you think?"

He sipped his tea with an indifference expression, and then he started to  observe the drawing on the paper with his arms crossed.

"Hmmm....What is this? A woman?"

"Yes."

I drew an iconic purple logo of a woman.

It was my coffee brand.

I drew it whenever the classes at the academy were boring.

This body was born with such good dexterity that I was able to make it  like a professionally designed logos that I had seen in my previous life.

"It's a schematic and stylish image... it's also unique.

Did you draw it yourself Princess?"

He started showing a little interest, because he was surprised that I knew how to draw.

"I drew it. I am thinking of running a dessert business with this seal."

It was a good thing that I didn't have to explain what a brand logo was, because of the concept of the 'seal' here.

"Why do dessert shops need seals? To make it it feel grandiose?"

"To make people remember it.

I plan to keep expanding branches with this purple seal to a second and a third shop, even a 100 th shop.

I'll open a shop on the outskirts of the Empire, and even on an island.

Just looking at the color purple will make the people instinctively think of this seal."

"How is it possible to endlessly expand branches?

There must be a limit to the manpower and money you own, even the Emperor can't do something like this."

My eyes sparkled as soon as the Blancia Master took my bait.

"I don't have to use my own manpower. I can rent the business name to others."

"Rent the business name?"

The Blancia Master's eyes widened in shock.

"Yes...It will be very easy, as long as the main shop is successful, I will offer to rent a second shop, with the same menu and interior as the main shop, to those who want to reduce competition.

In return, I will get paid a fee for the name rental and for providing a know-how ideea."

"That's an amazing idea!"

To my surprise, the Blancia Master seemed to immediately understand the concept of franchise.The speed at which he nodded his head was phenomenal.

'I may be a modern capitalist, but he isn't.'

Hiding my unpleasantness feeling, I continued.

"If you have more branches, you can reduce the cost price of raw materials, such as flour and tea leaves, by purchasing large quantities.

It is a way of doing business where the more businesses you get, the more profitable it is for the person providing the business name."

"That's right... but if you expand the shops too recklessly, it won't do you any good.

If the commercial districts overlap, you will be doing harm to yourself.

It would also be difficult to maintain the quality of the products.

But...Princess?"

"Hm?"

"Why are you sharing this unique way of expanding branches with me?"

'He is extremely quick-witted.'

"Of course to form a partnership with me."

I picked up the piece of paper with the purple logo, and pointed at it.

"Invest in this."

Opening a café shop was my dream in my previous life, and as a caffeine addict, I also cant afford to lose my Iced Americano.

'Having a business and working on something you are interested in is good for mental health.'

In my previous life I  research on café shop business three times as a group project during the marketing-related liberal arts class.

Back then, I didn't have money to start a business, but now I have.

"Please teach me your business know-how skills.

Things like the management of manpower and raw material procurement."

'Since I don't have practical experience, I could decrease mistakes if I partnered up with the Blancia Master, who runs various stores.

And in addition, I would able to save time.'

"I have many ideas on how to make a dessert shop a success.

The idea of renting the business name is just one of them."

"Just one...?"

"I am going to put my creativity in this project."

I looked straight at him, to see him intrigued.

"What do you think?

Have I picked your interest?"

I thought he would be thinking more about it, but the Blancia Master gave a positive answer right away.And he wrote a partnership agreement that day.

And so, my café shop business, which will color all the Azutea Empire purple, took its first small step.

................................