Impact-Site-Verification: 81600cf2-e4b4-468d-8a58-027c769bb43f
Inside the Magic Tower, the stern voice of an old man with white hair echoed.
“Have all the disciples of the Magic Tower gathered?”
At the shout of the Magic Tower Master Galileo, a young mage hesitated, raising his hand and speaking.
“W-well, Deus hasn’t arrived yet.”
“What did you say?”
In the past, that rascal would have obeyed his master’s every word without question, but ever since he got absorbed in magical engineering, he’s been dodging and avoiding his gaze.
Just as Galileo was about to forcibly summon Deus using magic, a small glimmer of light appeared in the corner of the Magic Tower.
“Even a dragon appears when you talk about it. Looks like you’re not going to have an easy life either.”
Deus respectfully responded to the Magic Tower Master’s words.
“It’s been a while, Master. Did you enjoy your travels?”
“Hoho, have you had some kind of change of heart recently? The same rascal who’s been dodging me at every turn is suddenly showing respect like in the old days.”
“Thanks to your generosity, Master, I’ve achieved great accomplishments not only in elemental magic but also in magical engineering.”
“I’ve told you countless times that focusing on magical engineering is a waste of your talent and time. If you’d only pursued elemental magic, you would have surpassed me by now… tch, tch.”
“It was none other than you, Master, who told me that a mage must carve their own path.”
As the two continued speaking without yielding an inch, Ian couldn’t help but marvel. Even the stubborn executives he had dealt with in the company weren’t as rigid as these two.
“I distinctly said the Magic Tower was in lockdown. So why have you brought along an extra burden?”
When Galileo pointed at Ian standing behind Deus, Ian stepped forward and spoke.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Master of the Magic Tower. I am Ian Helios, the Third Prince. I couldn’t greet you properly last time since you weren’t here.”
“Well, at least you have more manners than that First Prince brat. So, what brings you here?”
The sharp look in Galileo’s eyes reminded Ian of facing the Emperor himself.
“I’ve come to discuss something important with you, Master of the Magic Tower.”
“Is it something you can’t say here?”
Seeing the Magic Tower Master pretend not to know why he had come, Ian realized that negotiating for Deus might not be easy.
“Yes.”
At Ian’s response, the Magic Tower Master, looking as if everything was a hassle, sent all the other disciples back to their rooms, leaving only Deus behind.
“Now, speak.”
“I need to take Deus with me.”
“What did you say? Did I mishear you? Don’t you understand what it means when the Magic Tower is in lockdown?”
“Would you please take a look at this?”
Ian pulled out a piece of paper from his bosom, and the Magic Tower Master used magic to bring the paper to himself, holding it in his hand.
“It’s a decree from His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Yes, it is. This is a direct order from His Majesty regarding Deus, sealed with the Imperial seal. The content is as you see.”
Galileo skimmed through the decree that he had snatched from Ian.
The decree stated that the mage belonging to the Magic Tower, ‘Deus,’ was to be temporarily assigned to the Third Prince’s palace to carry out essential work related to the development of the empire’s administrative system, specifically to develop detectors, scanners, and pads.
“Detectors, scanners, pads… There are many words here I’ve never heard of. So this is an order from His Majesty?”
“Then, may I take Deus with me?”
“Hmm, I see.”
Upon realizing the hidden card Ian had, Deus smiled brightly.
He had thought that Ian would simply offer a bag of money after hearing that the Magic Tower Master was sensitive about the budget, but presenting an Imperial decree—Deus was impressed by how thoroughly Ian had prepared.
Deus got the sense that Ian would never let him go. It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling of being restrained.
On the other hand, Galileo clicked his tongue as if something displeased him.
“Even so, I cannot let him go.”
“Are you thinking of defying His Majesty’s order?”
“Defy? I never even saw the decree in the first place. It seems, unfortunately, that you’ve lost it.”
The Magic Tower Master used magic to burn the decree in front of everyone’s eyes, reducing it to ashes in his hand.
“Oh dear, since I have no memory of receiving the decree, it would be difficult to send Deus away.”
“Master! How can you be so unreasonable?”
Despite Deus’s protests, the Magic Tower Master continued speaking without changing his expression.
“When have I ever been unreasonable? Isn’t the true unreasonable act tempting you away from the Magic Tower in my absence? Besides, I genuinely don’t remember receiving any decree.”
As Deus looked at Galileo with a frustrated gaze, the Magic Tower Master remained unmoved.
In contrast, Galileo found Ian’s expression, which remained unchanged despite the obvious absurdity, rather intriguing.
“I expected this might happen.”
Ian had anticipated that the eccentric Magic Tower Master might pull such a stunt. After all, he had the power to turn such absurdity into “fact.”
In reality, more people trusted the Magic Tower Master’s words over Ian’s at this point.
Ian decided it was time to reveal another weapon he had prepared. He needed to show the power of money to this miser.
“How much will it take?”
“What?”
Galileo was taken aback by Ian’s provocative question.
“W-what did you just say?”
“I asked how much it will take.”
“Ian, have you lost your mind? Master, Ian didn’t mean anything bad by it.”
Deus thought that Ian had been shocked by his master’s absurdity and tried to shut him up, but he was unable to move because of Galileo’s magic.
“Hahaha, there sure are a lot of amusing youngsters these days. That rascal Blake and now you—you’re both quite entertaining.”
Seeing that the Magic Tower Master regarded Duke Blake as someone beneath him, Ian decided to stand even more confidently.
“If one can buy time with money, isn’t that the right choice? Since Deus is someone who can maximize the value of my time, how could I not propose a deal?”
“Very well, how much are you willing to pay?”
“Since Deus will be temporarily assigned to my palace, I’ll pay him an appropriate wage. One gold coin per day.”
Considering that one gold coin was worth about a million Korean won, it was by no means a small amount. An ordinary citizen of the empire could live on one gold coin a month.
Though the money Ian would make through Deus in the future would be akin to a sparrow before a dragon, it was still a significant offer.
Deus couldn’t help but grin at Ian’s valuation of him, while the Magic Tower Master’s expression remained unchanged.
“You little brat, you’re seriously undervaluing the worth of the Magic Tower. I should get at least five.”
‘Five…’
At the mention of five gold coins, Deus beamed at his master, his eyes filled with admiration.
“How about two gold coins?”
At Ian’s counteroffer of two gold coins, Deus looked at him with a disappointed expression, but Ian calmly awaited Galileo’s response.
“So, you’re trying to negotiate with me, the Master of the Magic Tower. Fine, let’s settle on three. I won’t budge any further.”
“Let’s do that. Should I send the payment to the Magic Tower or directly to your purse, Master?”
“You’re a funny one. Send it to the Magic Tower. I’ll take care of it.”
Ian inwardly shook his head at Galileo’s frankness about pocketing Deus’s wages.
“So, can I take him now?”
“Take him? The Chancellor is going to pay Deus’s wages from the budget anyway. What will you offer me?”
Truly a shrewd old fox.
So, this is where it ends.
“Is there anything you desire from me?”
“You’ll have to give me something better than what Blake offered me if you want me to be even slightly moved. I don’t like people who try to take credit using someone else’s gifts.”
Deus openly shook his head, surprised at how much his master was after money.
“Deus, you fool! I’m teaching you how not to get swindled out there. Tsk tsk, raising a disciple is utterly useless.”
Deus tried to open his mouth to retort, but under the silencing spell cast by his master, he could only speak with his eyes.
“What’s your price, then?”
“Five high-grade mana stones and one top-grade mana stone.”
‘Duke Blake… you’re more wary of me than I expected.’
Seeing Duke Blake’s bold investment, Ian realized he would have to expedite his plans.
Deus looked at Ian with concern, shocked by the number of mana stones his master had requested.
The empire typically allocated around 30 to 40 high-grade mana stones in the budget each year. If they were lucky, they might get three top-grade mana stones.
“Considering the sincerity that rascal Blake showed me, I think I’ll need at least a year of handover, but I’m curious to hear the opinion of our self-assured Third Prince.”
Galileo asked again, seeing that Ian’s expression hadn’t changed despite his words.
“Have you given up on the deal?”
Seeing Ian’s demeanor, which suggested he had abandoned the negotiation, the Magic Tower Master smacked his lips. However, Ian’s next words were quite provocative.
“I can give you more than that in mana stones.”
“Hahaha, do you really think you can gather more than what that rascal Blake barely managed? Do you think I’ve never seen fools who try to deceive their superiors with lies? That’s exactly why I don’t deal with such people.”
Despite the Magic Tower Master’s attempt to dismiss the deal and end the conversation, Ian was undeterred. He met Galileo’s eyes directly and spoke.
“Don’t compare me to such fools. Just give me six months.”
“Then I’ll keep Deus with me for six months and release him afterward.”
Seeing that the Magic Tower Master was unwilling to make any concessions, Ian put on a defeated expression and spoke.
“I’ll pay three high-grade mana stones as a down payment within three months. And every year, I’ll ensure you receive as much as Duke Blake has given you.”
“Hmm…?”
The Magic Tower Master was tempted by Ian’s attractive offer, but he still asked in a skeptical tone, doubting its feasibility.
“Didn’t I just say I don’t like liars? Where do you expect to find such mana stones?”
“How can I earn your trust?”
“Write a promissory note.”
At the mention of a promissory note, Deus widened his eyes, but Ian merely smiled. Why would he refuse to write a note for something he was sure to obtain?
“What would you like it to say?”
“If you fail to deliver on your promise within three months, swear that Deus will work as a laborer for as long as he has worked in the Imperial Palace.”
At the mention of labor, Deus looked at Ian.
“That’s not a bad condition. If I don’t fulfill my promise within the deadline, Deus will work for double the duration as a mere laborer. After six months, he might even grow fond of you, Master.”
“Hahaha, good. I’m curious to see if you can maintain this confidence three months from now.”
With a wave of the Magic Tower Master’s hand, a magical contract appeared before Ian. After verifying its contents, Ian signed it without hesitation.
“Can I take him now?”
“Go ahead.”
As Galileo watched Ian and Deus disappear, he found himself looking forward to what would happen in three months. The thought of ordering a proud royal to work as a laborer for six months made him feel like there was no need to travel outside the palace for entertainment.
Meanwhile, after successfully taking Deus with him, Ian immediately headed to Count Liam.
Cliche Novel 