Chapter 34 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family (34)
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[This is absurd. 250 million fel a year? If we invest that money into regional development, our empire could secure an industrial specialization zone that would sustain us for 20, 30 years, or even longer.]
"Hmm~"
Elias hummed a tune as he swapped out the newspaper in his personal filter.
It was a paper from January, issued when discussions first began about installing the barrier.
The photo moved, and the recorded voices spilled out clearly.
Another figure began sharply criticizing the previous assemblyman.
[Mr. Henning Berend has been pushing for a munitions production specialization zone for years now. Where? Naturally, in his own territory! I wouldn't mind having a textile industry zone myself. It'd produce something, unlike that monster barrier.]
Elias snickered.
"He's really laying into him."
"Like you."
"That's a compliment. Now, who's next?"
At Leo's words, Elias shrugged. He then pulled out a newspaper at hand and slotted it into the filter.
"—Assemblyman Werner Strauch, do you have any thoughts?"
[I merely stand with the people.]
"Werner Strauch must have had a reason for skipping the plenary session."
"Absent."
"Same difference."
Elias pulled the newspaper from the filter and glanced around.
"What about the mosquitoes?"
"Finished categorizing their traits. They're separated now, so we just need to send them to the lab."
Breeding them and writing the report would take too much effort, so they'd booked an external lab.
When he said that, he'd witnessed Melvin's face brighten dramatically within 30 seconds.
I drafted the request form for the lab while asking Leo,
"How long will it take?"
"Apparently at least three weeks for growth. For the full report, figure on five weeks minimum even if they rush it."
Too long.
Incorporating the barrier costs and cleanup into the budget proposal and getting it passed would take two or three months at least.
Add another month for the research report.
In the meantime, if Pleroma started using insects or stronger mosquitoes emerged naturally over generations, the damage would skyrocket.
Elias frowned, clearly displeased.
"What? We'll all be dead by then. We've already spent 100,000 fel on outsourcing, right?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm...."
Elias slumped back against the chair with a groan.
He furrowed his brow for a moment, then sat up with a bright expression.
"Let's double it."
"...You're saying we're dumping 200,000 fel into a middle school-level experiment?"
"They can accelerate growth, but aren't. Hand over the telegram. I'll negotiate."
Leo passed the telegram Elias was holding.
Elias skimmed it, then scribbled on the telegram request form they had on hand, muttering,
"I'll give you 20,000 more fel, so finish the report in three days."
"..."
He'd just said double, but only 20,000?
Leo stared at Elias in shock.
"What's with that look? In negotiations, you start high. They expect you to haggle down from there. They even based it on no-magic timelines on purpose."
"...What are you talking about?! Not everyone's like you, Lucas."
Leo turned to me, pleading for backup.
"It's fine, though."
"..."
I didn't fully agree with Elias, but it was true that growth acceleration spells were standard for experiments.
Essentially, the lab meant 100,000 fel—about 10 million won in value—wouldn't cover acceleration magic. Since they hadn't specified extra costs, they'd adjust based on our offer.
The acceleration spell itself was just a few official lines, so an extra 2 million won premium wasn't bad. Elias had just phrased it bluntly.
"...Sigh."
Leo snatched the telegram request like it was his, adding lines about the urgency and severity. Since it combined magic and tech, they could write longer messages than standard telegrams.
Leo headed to the post office and soon returned with a new telegram, waving the paper.
"40,000 fel."
"Good. I was ready to throw double that around, but we saved some."
Elias grinned and tore up the new request form, drafting an immediate-start telegram and handing it over.
Three days passed.
True to their word, the lab sent the report via warp mail to the school post office exactly on time.
They warp-mailed it straight to the Imperial Security Bureau, but it bounced back undelivered.
Elias tapped the yellow envelope a student had brought from the post office, chuckling.
"I knew those bastards would pull this."
"Elias, come on...."
Leo sighed, glaring at him.
Then, a student flipping through the thick report gasped.
"No way, we only gave them three days? They bred three generations in that time?"
"Worth every 140,000 fel."
"Yeah. Who knew a textbook experiment from the 3rd Education Academy would cost this much? Money really does wonders."
Elias added with a laugh.
The student kept flipping, then scowled.
"You read all this? Half the surviving third generation shows five times the first generation's power."
"Bothersome."
"They'll survive subzero temps thanks to mana, so in two or three months, those mosquitoes will be swarming again."
"Exactly."
"This is serious.... Any experiment photos?"
Other students crowded around the report.
The student opened to the last page, showing the photo.
The skin of the lab rat contaminated by the mosquito was pitch black.
Elias chimed in.
"But check out the brains on these guys, sending it back without even opening it."
"Right?"
Another student agreed.
The Security Bureau's antics weren't surprising anyway.
It was the same in the novel.
To get the supplementary budget to the assembly, the Security Bureau—the overseeing department—had to assess the situation and plan for extra funds first. But in the novel, they blocked all contact from non-government officials citing security concerns.
Of course, it didn't matter.
This was all just to build the pretext that 'we did everything we could.'
With the mood growing heavy, I spoke up to the students.
"We talked about this before. Now we target the Federal Committee assemblymen."
"We're taking it to the assembly now?"
"Yes. But don't expect it to pass there."
The students looked at me puzzled.
* * *
"You sent the letters?"
"Yeah."
A few students waved receipts from the post office.
They'd sent the same letter and report to the Federal Committee chair and all 60+ assemblymen.
That evening, telegrams arrived from a few assemblymen.
They took the issue seriously but cited fact-checking, budget shortages, etc., making it hard to raise immediately.
Still, they noted curtly that urgent talks with the Security Bureau could get it on the Federal Committee agenda within half a year.
"Half a year...? Mephen's people will all be dead by then. Isn't this just code for 'no'?"
"...It's exactly like you said, Lucas. And it's not even the plenary— just a committee meeting."
Not surprising.
Same as in the novel when Elias sent letters to the assembly.
They'd replied perfunctorily with no intention of acting, just like now.
Elias had threatened them repeatedly to pull it forward a month, but it fell through anyway.
'That's why he resorted to blackmailing the press as a last resort.'
We couldn't wait half a year.
Not personally, and not for safety.
Three weeks to a month was already one generation cycle. Insect attack power in that area would only grow stronger—wait half a year?
No way.
* * *
'Been a while since I checked my status window.'
The next day in class, I jotted down what I'd need going forward.
Might be good to level up Charm around now. Could use it.
Last checked the day before midterms, so a little over two weeks ago.
Lucas René Ascanien
Title: Sir Nicolaus
Vitality: +1.1 (+0.2) [+4.1]
Mental Strength: -2.6 (+0.6)
Mana: ?
Technique: +2.45 (+0.3) [+5.45]
Impression: -9.9 (+0.1) [+2.0]
Luck: +0.05 (+0.95)
Traits: Dawn777, Divine Power, Charm (Lv.1)
Title changed.
Stats rose decently in two weeks.
But....
'What the hell.'
Impression went up 0.1.
Negative stats usually jump big when rising, so this was like no change—but for Impression, it was shocking.
And what's [+2.0] next to Impression?
My Impression could go positive?
'No....'
Not impossible, but surprising.
I pressed down my unintentionally rising lips, schooling my expression.
Too early to get excited. Suspicious, but no explanation, so hard to be sure.
Anyway, think about leveling first.
Charm Lv.1
—'I want to be friends!' +2 affinity with select targets
—'If you say so.' +20% persuasiveness
—To next level: 2.0 points
* Held points: 4.0 points
* To next points: Luck 0.95 points
'Hold up.'
Held points?
Wasn't there before.
Read below, then back up.
Luck was positive now.
'+0.05 points.'
Escaping negative gave points for traits? Finally figured out that cryptic thing.
I closed the window and glanced at the guy next to me.
Same punk who'd punched my face back then. He was scribbling notes furiously, then noticed my gaze and gaped.
"...What?"
I waved him off, meaning quit slacking and write.
Philip Garing
[Affinity -5*]
This bastard—did he warm up to me or something? Why only -5? Should be -8 with trait.
Intense irritation surged.
Anyway, that asterisk suggests -5 includes my trait....
Need before/after comparison.
Opened trait window again.
Charm Lv.1
—'I want to be friends!' +2 affinity with select targets
—'If you say so.' +20% persuasiveness
—To next level: 2.0 points
* Held points: 4.0 points
* To next points: Luck 0.95 points
'How do I spend these points?'
Just think it?
Light flashed; window changed.
Charm Lv.2
—'I want to be friends!' +3 affinity with select targets
—'If you say so.' +30% persuasiveness
—To next level: 3.0 points
* Held points: 2.0 points
* To next points: Luck 0.95 points
Philip Garing
[Affinity -4*]
'...!'
It really leveled.
It said so, so it should—but seeing the difference is wild.
Anyway, with me staring pitifully, Philip glanced between his notes and me nervously.
"Wh-what...?"
"Nothing. Do your work."
"Cl-class is over."
"Then stretch your arm, man."
"Lucas."
Nearly gave myself away.
It wasn't Philip who'd spoken.
Leo stood at my desk, looking down expressionlessly.
He wasn't acting too friendly, thankfully—but he rarely called me out openly with students around.
Other club members in the class froze in surprise, then resumed as if nothing happened.
"The professor asked me to relay: someone's at the front gate looking for you."
"Me?"
Looking for me?
Who?
Couldn't think of anyone outside school who'd seek me.
"Who?"
"Sorry, no details."
Leo was playing class rep perfectly.
Alone, he'd have just said 'dunno.'
I nodded at his oddly dutiful persona and stood.
"Thanks. Tell the professor I'm heading out."
"Sure."
Someone looking for me?
An ominous chill crept over me.
I walked slowly to buy thinking time.
After a long walk, the front gate came into view.
An elderly man in uniform with a familiar crest stood holding a black box with a handle.
I knew him well.
Spotting me, he smiled and bowed.
"How have you been, young master?"
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