The one who broke the strange silence first was Ian.
“Hmm, perhaps you don’t know who I am?”
The young mage blinked at Ian’s words and began to scrutinize the man standing before him.
Navy blue hair.
Red eyes.
There was only one person in the palace with navy blue hair and red eyes.
‘The Third Prince!’
“The notorious Third Prince!”
Realizing he had blurted out what should have stayed in his thoughts, Ian frowned, and the young mage immediately fell to his knees, begging for forgiveness.
“Your Highness, I have committed a grave offense.”
“It’s fine. How about you get up?”
It wasn’t uncommon for people who stayed in the Magic Tower to not recognize others. The only department where everyone knew him was the company development department.
“Is the Master of the Tower present?”
‘It would be easier to persuade Deus if the Master of the Tower isn’t around.’
When Ian asked about the Master of the Tower, the young mage’s answer was unexpected.
“Your Highness, did you perhaps bring something shiny?”
“Something shiny?”
Could it be that this young mage was openly asking a royal for a bribe?
Despite Ian’s surprise, the young mage responded confidently.
“The Master always receives some ‘tribute’ when someone who isn’t a member of the Tower visits. Even the Second Prince always presented something shiny.”
Hearing this, Ian was momentarily dumbfounded. Could the Master of the Tower be greedy for wealth and luxury?
“Hmm, first, let’s see if the Master of the Tower is inside.”
“It seems you didn’t bring anything. I’ll go inside and ask the senior mage.”
The young mage quickly entered and exited the Tower, then asked Ian about his purpose of visit.
“Is it necessary to meet the Master of the Tower?”
“No, I just wanted to take a look around the Tower.”
“Then I will guide you. Unfortunately, the Master is currently absent.”
‘Not something that can be summoned with money?’
Suppressing the urge to voice this thought, Ian maintained a calm demeanor.
Entering the tower, Ian had imagined a scene like a magical school from the modern world, but reality was different. It was merely a tower-shaped dormitory with many rooms.
“There’s nothing special?”
“Everyone is practicing elemental magic in their rooms. If Your Highness wishes to learn elemental magic…”
The young mage, who was talking about elemental magic, turned pale. He remembered the rumor about the Third Prince having no talent in magic or swordsmanship.
“I-I apologize, Your Highness.”
“It seems the Magic Tower makes frequent mistakes. Do you have multiple lives?”
At Ian’s sharp remark, the young mage bowed his head and replied.
“Please forgive me with your boundless generosity. I am still young and not accustomed to proper etiquette. I will ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Ian, still retaining some modern sensibilities, decided to move past the young mage’s mistake and get to the point.
“By any chance, is De…”
Boom!
Despite the sudden explosion, not a single brick or speck of dust touched Ian.
“Power of the circle, protect us, Barrier!”
The guiding mage had immediately cast a barrier to protect Ian. Although Ian was unscathed, he saw an opportunity and decided to exploit it.
“Cough, cough. The Magic Tower seems to make mistakes frequently. Is this a new method of suicide?”
“Y-Your Highness, are you alright?”
This time, the young mage’s voice trembled, genuinely fearing something might happen.
“I have a strong trauma from explosions. I feel dizzy…”
It wasn’t just a trauma. He had been hit by a truck and transported to this world…
“Isn’t attempting to kill a royal a summary execution offense?”
“N-No! I would never think of killing the Third Prince!”
“Because I didn’t bring something shiny?”
Recalling the rumors about the Third Prince’s notorious behavior, the young mage immediately knelt down without hesitation.
“P-Please spare me, Your Highness.”
“The Master is absent?”
“T-That…”
As Ian and the young mage had a tense conversation, a clear voice reached Ian’s ears.
“Isn’t this the blue ball Adrian used to bring?”
Ian tilted his head at the mention of a ‘blue ball.’ Could it be referring to his blue hair?
“You don’t remember me? I’m Adrian’s close friend, Deus.”
Ian turned to look at the young man who introduced himself as Deus.
Black hair and black eyes.
He matched the description from the original novel.
As Ian stared at him with a calm expression, Deus introduced himself in a playful voice.
“Third Prince, I am Deus, the Master’s apprentice and your brother Adrian’s close friend.”
“Are you the one who caused the explosion?”
“Yes, so perhaps you could let my poor junior go?”
“Can you take full responsibility for an attempt to assassinate a royal?”
“Clearly, the junior can’t be held responsible.”
When Ian nodded, the young mage thanked Deus and stepped back.
Left alone, Deus began to treat Ian as Adrian’s younger brother.
“Rumor has it you’ve been a troublemaker, but you seem different today?”
“I think I understand your character.”
“You talk as if you’ve never seen me before. You used to follow me around calling ‘Brother Deus! Brother Deus!’ when you were little.”
Ian smirked at Deus’s words and got to the point.
“How will you take responsibility?”
Seeing Ian’s unchanged tone, Deus spoke seriously.
“I owe you now, so tell me what you want, and I will help.”
“Then I want to see the room where you do your research.”
Deus seemed flustered by Ian’s sudden request.
“Do you have to see it right now?”
“Or we could both stand trial before the Chancellor for attempting to assassinate a royal.”
At Ian’s threatening words, Deus’s eyes showed determination.
“Alright, but you must keep what you see in the lab a secret.”
“Forcing a royal to keep secrets? You’re quite bold.”
“What mustn’t be known, mustn’t be known.”
Feeling the resoluteness in Deus’s expression, Ian nodded.
“I give my honor as a royal.”
“I trust you as Adrian’s brother.”
“Trust me as a prince of the empire, not just Adrian’s brother.”
Finding Ian’s attempt to act mature endearing, Deus chuckled and led him to his lab.
Unlike the Magic Tower, Ian couldn’t help but gasp when he saw Deus’s lab. It looked like something out of a magical school from a movie.
Seeing Ian’s astonished expression, Deus proudly began to introduce his inventions.
[A magical book that allows storing multiple books in one device]
[A water tap that produces warm water using mana]
[A device that records events]
Except for the fact that mana was used instead of electricity, the items were similar to those from the modern world.
“Did you think of and create these on your own?”
“There’s no one else in the Magic Tower as interested in magical engineering as I am.”
‘He’s a genius.’
Impressed by Deus’s talent, Ian listened as Deus spoke earnestly.
“You must never tell anyone about what you’ve seen here. Swear it on your honor as a prince.”
“Why must I keep it secret? Many of these things seem beneficial to the empire.”
Deus sighed deeply and replied with a bitter expression.
“My master doesn’t like me studying magical engineering. He thinks it’s a waste of money.”
Recalling past scoldings from the Master, Deus frowned and continued.
“Damn it, who would have known the first mana stone I bought with every penny I saved would explode today? Thankfully, my master isn’t here today. Otherwise, I can’t imagine the scolding…”
As Deus shuddered at the thought, Ian remembered what the HR director had told him over drinks: Strategy begins with the planning team but is completed through the execution team. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep good relations with HR to place the right talent in key positions.
Even a single faulty cog in the implementation could derail the entire strategy or extend the timeline absurdly. In this sense, Deus was a crucial talent for Ian. For the empire, for Deus, and for his own future, a ‘personnel transfer’ was necessary.
“Deus, if you had to choose between magical engineering and elemental magic, which would you pick?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m asking what you truly want to do.”
“I’ve never thought about it.”
Deus’s casual response made Ian frown, prompting Deus to explain further.
“Ian, if you had overwhelming talent in both swordsmanship and magic, would you give up one? I’m talented in both elemental magic and magical engineering. As the Master’s most promising apprentice, why should I give up one?”
“Why does such a genius hide his magical engineering then?”
In response to Ian’s question, Deus made a money gesture with his fingers.
“I told you, my master is strict about the budget. To get another mana stone like the one I lost today, I’d have to save for a year!”
Deus glanced around cautiously before whispering to Ian.
“My master is so stingy about the budget that very few in the empire could handle his wrath when he’s angry. Maybe only the Emperor?”
Despite being two years older, Deus seemed like a child due to his magical nature.
“I can support you with funds and convince the Master of the Tower.”
Ian’s sudden proposal made Deus respond in a bewildered tone.
“What do you mean?”
“I want to buy your talent in magical engineering. If you focus on elemental magic, you might catch up to the Master in five years. But if you concentrate on magical engineering, you’ll become an unparalleled figure in the empire within three years.”
Ian’s declaration to bet on his genius made Deus momentarily dumbfounded.
“What are you planning to do with me?”
Cliche Novel 