Chapter 101: The Technology Order and Cecilia (3)

Cecilia’s workshop wasn’t bad.

It was much larger than the tobacco shop where the two demon sisters had lived, and it seemed to be equipped with all the necessary tools.

The miniatures Cecilia had shown at the tobacco shop were displayed on the workshop’s shelves.

‘Good thinking. A merchant with an eye for value would recognize their worth.’

It was smaller than the large-scale private workshops outside the Endier Hall, but

Cecilia was still a newly enrolled student. In fact, being able to receive a rental workshop like this was usually only possible for students in their second year or higher.

It meant that her crafting skills had been recognized during the interview. As I expected, Cecilia had become a scholarship student of the Technology Order. There was nothing strange about it.

Cecilia’s crafts, even the miniatures, were all assessed as high-grade items.

It wasn’t surprising, considering she had learned weapon crafting techniques from dwarves.

‘Her physical age might be just past adulthood, but she’s essentially honed her skills for over 100 years.’

Not only that, Cecilia was a dragon, and a pure-blooded one from the Demon Lord’s race at that. This meant she could instinctively understand runes.

The most valuable weapons in the Empire after the Great War were weapons enchanted with runes.

Runes, ancient magical characters passed down from ancient times before the establishment of the Holy Lamir Empire.

Thanks to the collaboration of the six Orders of Pantheon, significant progress had been made in deciphering them. These characters were actively inscribed on ordinary weapons to enhance their performance.

‘That’s one of the reasons why the Pantheon leadership invests so heavily in the Technology Order these days.’

However, understanding runes, which were magical characters, from their origin and maximizing their efficiency wasn’t easy. No, humans could currently only apply a fraction of their profound meaning.

But Cecilia could do it. She was a truly exceptional talent, a diamond in the rough. It wasn’t for nothing that she would join my party in the future as a representative of the Technology Order.

‘Once she gets used to life at Pantheon, she’ll have the skills to run her own workshop, not just a rental one.’

As I briefly organized my thoughts about Cecilia, Cecilia and Lucia greeted me warmly.

“Count Julian, welcome!”
“Oh… Hello, Count Julian!”

Especially Cecilia. Although our eyes only met for a moment, her yellow eyes were filled with respect.

Cecilia had received significant help from me. I became her recommender despite her unclear background and sent Eileen to handle her Pantheon admission procedures.

Of course, passing the interview was purely due to Cecilia’s own skills.

“I… I’m truly grateful! Thanks to you, Sir, one of my wishes has… I’m so grateful that… I don’t know how to thank you…”

Cecilia bowed her head deeply, her face flushed with embarrassment. But it was a graceful bow, full of dignity.

Cecilia, with her beautiful platinum blonde hair, was on the shorter side.

As a student of the Technology Order, she was wearing an ordinary, commoner-style dress, but it didn’t detract from her beauty at all. Even simple clothes couldn’t hide her elegance.

Moreover, her delicate appearance stimulated a man’s protective instincts, and for men who were weak to younger-sister types, she possessed a charm that could make their hearts race.

‘Wait, that applies to me too.’

My heart skipped a beat. Cecilia looked beautiful, as if I was experiencing the suspension bridge effect.

It was a bit strange. Cecilia was certainly a cute beauty who would attract attention wherever she went, but I shouldn’t be feeling this attracted to her.

It might sound arrogant, but I was someone who had been involved with multiple beautiful women. I wasn’t lacking in immunity to beauty.

I could maintain my composure even when looking at Eileen or Lillia, who were among the most beautiful women in the Imperial City.

‘It must be because of the bloodline.’

They say dragon blood instinctively recognizes its destined mate. Perhaps there was something between Cecilia and me that drew us together instinctively as dragons.

If so, it was a good thing. According to the Demon Survival settings, Cecilia would be feeling something towards me as well.

I had an important quest with Cecilia that we needed to complete together.

In other words, I needed her bodily fluids. And mine would be beneficial to her as well.

But I couldn’t just ask for them outright, especially since they were bodily fluids of the opposite sex. If there was something that drew us to each other as the opposite sex, it would definitely help with the quest.

I responded to Cecilia’s greeting with calm, aristocratic etiquette.

“Don’t worry too much about it. You received the private workshop because of your skills. You can repay the favor by providing me with good craftsmanship in the future. And as a swordsman, I’ll often need your help.”
“Yes! I can work on Sir’s weapons anytime.”
“I’m glad to hear that. And with your skills, you’ll be able to find a good sponsor. Your life in the Imperial City will be much better than it is now. There are many trading companies in the Imperial City that covet skilled weapon crafters. Especially a talented artisan like you who can handle runes.”
“Th… That’s not true. I’m still lacking in skill…”

Suddenly, Cecilia noticed Eileen beside me. She bowed to Eileen as well.

“Nice to meet you. Thank you for helping me so much last time.”
“You’re welcome. I was simply doing my duty as the Young Master’s maid.”

Their elegant greetings, full of dignity, continued. And the moment their greetings ended, Lucia’s and Eileen’s eyes met.

I tensed up. Both of them held affection for me that went beyond mere liking. Especially Eileen, who couldn’t possibly miss Lucia’s striking pink hair.

And Lucia was a young lady whose Destiny rating could jump to Y at any moment. It was understandable that she would be wary of Eileen, who was always by my side.

I cautiously observed their reactions.

But my worries were unfounded. Lucia’s Destiny rating remained a stable A+. Instead, Lucia bowed her head to Eileen first.

“I… I heard from Cecilia. She said you helped her a lot with the admission procedures. Cecilia hasn’t been out much, so it wouldn’t have been easy for her to go through the procedures. Thank you very much!”

Lucia bowed once more. Just like her current appearance in the Combat Order uniform, Lucia had a slightly soldier-like side to her. She had also done well as a guard.

At the same time, Eileen glanced at Lucia’s pink hair. But soon, she also gracefully bowed her head in response to Lucia’s greeting.

“I was simply doing my duty.”

And her expression remained as impassive as ever. Eileen like this was fine. If she truly harbored any hostility, her attitude would change completely, just like when she faced Lillia.

‘With a shockingly bright smile.’

In front of Lillia, Eileen would transform frighteningly, displaying a fierce feminine rivalry.

But she didn’t do that with Lucia. Perhaps it was because Lillia, my fiancée, was Eileen’s biggest rival.

In any case, it was good for me if the two future party members weren’t uncomfortable with each other. Cecilia spoke to us.

“Um… Sir! There’s a small reception table inside. Would you like to sit there? I’ll make you some tea!”

At her words, the four of us headed towards the inner part of the workshop. It wasn’t expensive Mint Choco tea, but it seemed the Technology Order provided tea for receptions in private workshops.

“Cecil, is this how you make tea?”
“Big Sis Lucia! I’m… not good at making tea either… What should we do?”

But both Cecilia and Lucia were clumsy at making tea. Eventually, Eileen, unable to watch any longer, stepped in.

“I’m quite familiar with making tea. I’ll do it.”

At Eileen’s words, the other two blushed in embarrassment. It would be difficult for them to match the feminine prowess of the perfect maid, Eileen.

Soon, the two of them drank the tea Eileen had brewed with a look of ecstasy.

“Big Sis Lucia, was this tea always this delicious?”
“I… I know, right, Cecil? When we brewed it, it was just bitter… You’re amazing!”

They looked at Eileen with sparkling eyes.

“It’s not comparable to Mint Choco, but this tea is decent. If you can get the water temperature and brewing time right, you can achieve a similar taste. It’s not difficult.”

Eileen explained calmly. But it was definitely not as easy as she made it sound.

The tea Eileen had brewed had a deeper aroma and flavor than even the Mint Choco tea from the cafe I had given to the Magic Order students during the Spirit Art practice session.

The two continued to praise her for a while. Eileen seemed to be in a good mood too. Her expression remained impassive, but a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

Of course, only I, who was always watching her closely, could barely notice it.

It was a pleasant sight to see these three beautiful women having tea time. But it was time for me to talk about the reason I came here.

I placed an Imperial Sword on the table.

“By the way, I’ll be the first client of this workshop. This Imperial Sword. I want to adjust the weight and center of gravity a bit, and enchant it with runes. Can you do it, Cecilia?”

It was a simple request, but not an easy task. Modifying an already completed Imperial Sword to my specifications was more complex than crafting a new weapon.

However, Cecilia nodded confidently, albeit with a blush. It wasn’t surprising.

Cecilia was an outstanding student who was granted a workshop by the Technology Order.

Especially since the weapon crafting techniques of an artisan who could use mana were completely different from the forging techniques of an ordinary blacksmith.

‘And the level of the artisan and the weapon is determined by how meticulously the runes are enchanted.’

This task was also important. It was a necessary preparation for the combat power evaluation training on Wednesday, where I had to secure first place.

I told Cecilia the detailed requirements. She nodded as if she understood everything.

“I… Leave it to me, Count Julian. One day should be enough.”

I trusted her, as I was fully aware of Cecilia’s skills through Demon Survival. And I added,

“And Cecilia, if someone from the Aetern Trading Company comes looking for you, especially a female student with silver hair and red eyes, don’t accept their offer to become your sponsor right away. Refuse them.”

At my words, Lucia asked in a puzzled voice,

“Isn’t the Aetern Trading Company the most famous trading company in the Empire? Ah, are you saying Cecilia isn’t at the level to receive sponsorship from such a company yet?”
“I… Is that so?”

Cecilia’s expression turned gloomy at Lucia’s words. I quickly shook my head.

“No, Cecilia’s crafting skills are enough to be coveted by the Aetern Trading Company. I guarantee it. However, Cecilia doesn’t know anything about sponsorship contracts. If that student comes looking for you, can you tell her this?”

I explained to Cecilia that she didn’t need to say much if the silver-haired female student, Chloe, approached her. Instead, she just needed to mention that I was her admission recommender. That’s what I told her.

‘This was also a necessary step to secure first place in the combat power evaluation.’

After saying that and exchanging a few more pleasantries, I left the workshop and headed towards the Atelier.

Holy Lamir Empire. The best trading company in the Empire was undoubtedly the Aetern Trading Company. And Chloe de Aetern, the promising next successor of the Aetern Trading Company.

Chloe had just entered the workshop area of the Endier Hall, Technology Order.

“My Lady, wouldn’t you like to take a look around the private workshops here?”
“No need. We’ve already contracted the worthwhile artisans from that area. Let’s go to the rental workshops.”
“But that place… Those are just second-year students, aren’t they? I doubt there would be any artisans with crafting skills worthy of our Aetern’s attention there.”

Instead of answering, Chloe snapped open her fan and covered her face. This middle-aged employee of the trading company, sent by her father, held a considerable position in the company, but he didn’t meet Chloe’s standards.

‘He doesn’t understand the value of rental workshops at all. What a stupid pig.’

Artisan students who had just received rental workshops from the Technology Order. Among them, there were unexpectedly talented students with great potential.

But as was often the case with artisans, while their potential and crafting skills were high, they were mostly clueless about the ways of the world. Especially students from commoner backgrounds.

‘I can tie down such students with long-term sponsorship contracts at a very cheap price.’

If they possessed good crafting skills, especially enchantment skills related to runes, which were the current trend, their future potential was immeasurable.

If she could bind such students with slave contracts…

It would be a great help in boosting the performance of the Aetern Trading Company, especially under Chloe’s name. It meant gaining an advantage in the future succession competition.

And a moment later, she casually entered a rental workshop. Chloe was greatly surprised. So much so that she had to unfold her fan again to hide her astonished expression.

‘No way. Such a gem was hidden here.’

Chloe stared at the items displayed in the workshop, entranced. Every single one was a valuable item. She called out to the owner of the workshop, concealing her inner thoughts as much as possible.

“Excuse me, is anyone there?”
“Yes! I’m coming out now…”

A female student in ordinary clothes appeared from inside the workshop. Judging by her attire, she was a commoner, like most Technology Order students.

She was so beautiful that Chloe was momentarily stunned, but in any case, she was a delicate and fragile-looking student who seemed completely unaware of the ways of the world.

‘I can easily manipulate her. And with her beauty, her value is even higher.’

Chloe cheered inwardly.