Chapter 62
However, the momentary panic passed, and knowing the Master of the Magic Tower was an eccentric, I replied calmly.
"No. A girlfriend. Or rather, a friend who happens to be a girl."
"That’s not the point. Where did you meet Elysion? I heard a snippet earlier that you met at the Talent Academy."
"That’s right. We first met at the Talent Academy."
"To think you were dating such a cute girlfriend... How on earth did you manage to wrap that psycho around your finger?"
I slapped my forehead.
This man wasn't listening to a word I said.
"I told you, we’re just friends. More importantly, could I see Sion?"
I felt that communication would be much easier once Elysion arrived.
"I’ve already called for that boy. He’ll be here soon."
That was welcome news.
Speak of the devil, as they say.
Fortunately, it didn't take long before the familiar, sweet voice of a boy echoed from behind me.
"……Tania?"
Elysion’s puzzled expression brightened the moment his eyes met mine.
He strode over and pulled me into a tight hug.
"Did you come to see me? I was going to send a letter first... It feels like receiving a surprise gift. I’m touched."
Huh?
I was somewhat taken aback by the sudden physical contact.
We weren't exactly at the stage where we should be hugging, were we? Or is it okay because he’s still a child?
As I pondered whether this was appropriate, Elysion pulled away quickly.
Since the hug was brief and he had already stepped back, it felt awkward to make a fuss, so I decided to just greet him.
"Hello, Sion. It’s been a while since the Adoption Competition."
However, it seemed someone else was even more flustered by this situation than I was.
The Master of the Magic Tower pointed a finger at Elysion, looking as shocked as if he had seen a ghost.
"You, you, you, you...! What was that smile just now? And that affectionate tone!"
"What are you talking about, Father? I’ve always been like this, haven't I?"
"F-F-Father?! You’ve always been like this? You?!"
The Master of the Magic Tower let out a dry laugh, as if he found the situation beyond absurd.
"Ha! Unbelievable!"
Elysion tilted his head, seemingly wondering what the problem was.
In truth, I was just as bewildered by Elysion’s behavior.
It was true that he had treated me well even in the future timeline, but he had never been this affectionate.
He felt strangely relaxed and even a bit cheeky.
Was Elysion like this when he was younger?
Tilting my head, I decided that if things were going well, I shouldn't overthink it, and asked what I had been curious about.
"Sion, why did you leave the Talent Academy without a word? I went to see you and was surprised when you weren't there."
"Sorry. I was going to contact you once you settled into the Duchy."
"You could have at least given me a hint that you were going to the Magic Tower."
"Did you miss me?"
As Elysion crinkled his eyes and flirted, the Master of the Magic Tower poked Sir Aiden, as if to say, "Look at this."
"My god. Did you hear that, man? He asked if she missed him! Does that lovey-dovey atmosphere even make sense...!?"
Sir Aiden swatted the Master’s hand away with a look of disgust.
He clearly didn't want to be involved.
I let my gaze linger on the two of them for a moment before looking back at Elysion.
It would be a lie to say I didn't miss him. I had even gone to see the future Elysion not long ago.
"Yes. Sion, I missed you."
At that, Elysion, who had been acting so relaxed just a moment ago, felt his cheeks flush red.
"I missed you, too."
"Ugh!"
I heard someone in the background collapse while clutching their neck, but he paid no mind, continuing with a slightly flushed face.
"The fact that you came to find me first means you’ve settled into the Duchy to some extent, I suppose."
"Yes."
"Then, would it be alright if I visited the Papiope Ducal Townhouse often?"
"Of course."
Even in the future timeline, Elysion had always been the one to seek me out first.
Even though I knew it was a timeline meant to be discarded, no matter how much I pushed him away, and pushed him away...
He had persistently sought me out.
But this time, it would be different.
I intended to do my best to grow closer to Elysion as well.
"I’m glad to see you’re doing well, Elysion."
As I spoke as if I were about to leave, Elysion opened his mouth, looking disappointed.
"Tania, are you leaving already?"
Not a chance. The real business was just beginning.
"Actually, it felt wrong to come here empty-handed, so I prepared a gift."
"A gift?"
"Yes. Since the Master of the Magic Tower is the one who took you in, I wanted to make a good impression."
I spun around and stared at the Master of the Magic Tower, whom I had been pointedly ignoring until now.
"Master, aren't you currently looking for investors for the project underway at the Magic Tower?"
The gift I had prepared was to unblock the Magic Tower’s stagnant flow of funds.
A silence descended upon the room, as if ice water had been splashed over it.
It was the Master of the Magic Tower who broke the silence. He ran a hand roughly through his hair.
"Ha! That cheeky son of mine really went out and brought back a girlfriend just like himself."
……A girlfriend this time.
I suppose I should be grateful it was a step down from fiancée.
The Master of the Magic Tower asked, looking genuinely curious.
"Where on earth do you hear about the projects being conducted in secret at the Magic Tower?"
"Ah. I suppose you don't know yet."
With a graceful movement, I lifted the hem of my dress and bowed, as fluid as flowing water.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Tania Papiope, the second child of the Duchess of Papiope. I possess the Ability of Precognition."
"……What? Precognition? You have an Ability like that?"
"Yes. I believe I am the only one who does."
"My god. Viviana is planning to swallow the Empire whole! Precognition, of all things...!"
If he knew that I had taken the place of the original, he wouldn't be reacting like this.
"So, you found out about the Magic Tower’s project through your Precognition?"
"Yes. Even in the future, the Magic Tower struggles quite a bit with investment."
"Struggles... with it?"
"Master, you’ve been racking your brains because no families are willing to invest due to the string of failed projects recently, haven't you?"
The Magic Tower had always suffered from chronic financial deficits due to magical research.
And recently, with the failed projects, investments had dried up completely, making things even more dire.
"So, you’re saying you’ll talk to your mother, Viviana, and get her to invest in the Magic Tower?"
The Master of the Magic Tower snorted, smiling as if he had figured out my intentions.
"Seeing as a Precognition user like you is bringing up investment, I suppose the project must be a huge success?"
It was more than just a success.
Because of this project, an agricultural revolution would occur across the continent.
I cleared my throat and revealed my honest feelings.
"It is a good business, so it’s true that I want to get a foot in the door."
"Just as I suspected."
"But the Duchess will not be investing in the Magic Tower."
Because all the surplus funds this year would be used to prepare for the coming famine.
"Duchess Viviana won't invest? Then why did you bring up getting a foot in the door?"
"Because I want to be the one to do it."
"……What?"
"I am saying that I will solve the problem of you struggling because you cannot find the funds necessary for your research."
The project the Magic Tower was currently working on was crystallizing nitrogen from the air to create fertilizer.
It sounded like such an absurd claim.
Naturally, no family would be willing to step forward to invest.
In the future timeline, the Magic Tower eventually ended up signing a deeply disadvantageous contract just to secure the research funds to proceed with this project.
Meaning they would lose an astronomical amount of money.
Perhaps he was dumbfounded because a mere seven-year-old child was claiming she would invest in the Magic Tower.
The Master of the Magic Tower couldn't say a word.
At that, Elysion poked the Master in the side.
"Father, listen to Tania. It’s a good opportunity."
"What do you mean, a good opportunity!"
"You’re always whining about having no money, aren't you?"
Stung by the truth, he jumped up and grew angry.
"Elysion! You’re a man, yet you’re acting all lovey-dovey with this child. This isn't something that can be handled just by personal feelings."
He pressed his temples as if he had a headache and continued.
"In the first place, there’s no way a little kid who was just adopted would have the massive fortune required to invest in the Magic Tower...!"
"Ah. I should have shown you the initial investment funds first. That was my mistake."
I signaled to Lena, and she pulled a check from her pocket and handed it to the Master of the Magic Tower.
It was the money I had won from the Trifecta bet at the horse racing track the other day.
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