The last day of the second week of my Libra internship.
The purchase contract for the extreme mana stone with Count Tono was concluded. The cost was paid 80% by Jade, the major shareholder and direct line of Libra Station, and the remaining 20% was borne by Libra's youngest, Zia.
It was a massive contract that bought almost the entire stock in a short time.
To meet this amount, Jade cut off several businesses. I heard that Zia also emptied all her savings, pocket money, and even precious gifts she had received.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap──
Thanks to this, Jade made a visit to Libra Station.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap──
"The applause is enough."
He's walking around the floor, receiving applause from the employees, as if he has secured a huge profit from a contract.
It's honestly a bit funny to do so in a situation where the value of the item has not been properly verified yet. The other employees must be laughing inside too.
But this is Jade's personality. He likes to count his chickens before they hatch. He's a man filled with confidence and optimism that he will definitely succeed when starting a new business.
"So, the two interns from Sales Team 2 led the item?"
"Yes… these two did it."
The Sales Team 2 manager didn't try to steal this honor at all. Instead, he pushed Riley and me in front of Jade like a bullet shield.
"Good job."
Jade looked at us alternately and smiled like a nobleman.
"The item sample will arrive in two days, and if there is no problem, the contract will be fulfilled. We will see a large profit."
At the mention of a large profit, the manager turned his head. He must be holding back laughter.
"Yes. I heard that Vice President Jade succeeded in adjusting the conditions."
I added in a dignified manner. Jade clicked his tongue as if it was nothing.
"That's true, but it's nothing. I just cut 2 ren per gram."
"That's impressive."
I said so and lightly touched Riley's shoulder. Riley quickly bowed his waist.
"That's impressive."
"What's so impressive? When I met the count in person, we communicated well."
I thought so. Jade naturally gets along well with nobles because of his birth.
"Well, keep up the good work. I think I'll be busy moving around thanks to this contract."
"Yes."
He patted our shoulders and turned around.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap──
The employees clapped for him as he left. Thanks to this, Jade had a pleasant face until he left.
"Oh my…"
As soon as he disappeared, the manager let out a laugh of disbelief.
"Hey, you two take responsibility for this. I don't know… I don't know how much loss there will be. I might even see a direct line go bankrupt for the first time."
I sat down in a chair without saying a word.
Of course, with this extreme mana stone, Jade and Zia will see tremendous profits. However, even if the value of the extreme mana stone increases tenfold, it will be difficult to catch up with Derek and Johanna.
Derek is the embodiment of excellent financial prowess, cost-cutting, and layoffs, and Johanna is raking in money from the continent through casinos and department stores.
"...As Intern Shion said. We might have to quit."
Riley whispered as if sighing. I chuckled and shook my head.
"That won't happen."
That's when it happened.
"Intern Shion?"
Two men in black suits appeared before me.
"Could you spare a moment?"
At this, not only Riley but everyone in Sales Team 2 pretended to be engrossed in their work.
I got up nervously.
"...Yes."
...
I was called to the HR office. Jean, the head of HR, who was sitting across from me, was scanning some documents and said,
"Next week is your college entrance ceremony, right?"
"Yes."
"You did well on the field. It seems you're not suited for office work."
"I signed a contract for office work."
"But it's a contract that only incurs losses."
"So far, yes."
Jean raised an eyebrow.
"One week in field work. One week in office work. Although the internship ends here, we're going to give you, Shion, the opportunity to join as a formal intern."
She signed something on the document. Then she looked at me again.
"But, you have a choice."
"A choice?"
"Shion, you did quite well with the Chaser work. It seems that the higher-ups liked it too… So, Libra wants to give you the opportunity to build a career while attending college."
I was momentarily excited, but quickly suppressed it.
'Perform Chaser duties in the underworld, and be hired as an intern in the overworld.'
I, who have studied Libra more than anyone else, know what this means.
I've been selected as a candidate for 'Balancer'.
As the word itself is balance, it's the elite of Libra, which requires an extremely high understanding of not only the field but also the office.
"Yes. I'll do it."
I answered quietly.
"Good. Then, you'll be working with a mentor for the Chaser duties."
Snap-
Jean snapped her fingers. The door at the back of the HR office opened.
A man walked in.
A big-chinned man with slicked-back white hair. It was Bell Moore.
"Yeah. I'm your mentor. Unexpected?
He chuckled at me.
"How about it. I was the intern examiner-"
"Is this the end?"
I asked Jean. Jean licked her lips and nodded.
"It's the end. Don't worry about the Chaser duties, they'll consider your college schedule. You can go now."
"Yes."
I got up. Bell Moore, looking at me, mumbled blankly.
"What's this? Is this all the reaction I get?"
* * *
On the day of the Edsilla National University entrance ceremony.
I stand in the auditorium of the Magic University campus. I'm lined up in front of the fluttering 'Knight Department' flag.
"..."
The students in the auditorium all have proud faces. So do the parents in the audience. There are quite a few people shedding tears.
I don't have much on my mind.
I'm an orphan, after all.
──...As a representative of the new students, I swear.
Just now, the freshman oath by Elise and Gerkhen, who are both new student representatives and co-valedictorians, has ended. Cameras clicked, capturing full shots of the two.
Elise had a gentle expression, and Gerkhen's face was as usual.
──Next, we will have a speech from the dean.
There were many people on the stage.
──On this day when the green spring is approaching, you will greet a new beginning...
The speaking dean, Theia sitting next to him, and professors and knights who often appear in the mass media...
I was looking at Theia. She seemed annoyed by the entrance ceremony itself.
──I welcome you to Edsilla National Magic University, filled with potential.
Then our eyes met briefly. Theia frowned quietly, but soon looked elsewhere.
─Now this university is yours. Feel free to explore anywhere. You've worked hard so far!
As soon as the dean's words ended, everyone clapped. A rough cheer echoed from behind me.
When I turned around, it was the senior students of the Knight Department.
Whether they were one-year seniors or two-year seniors, they were dressed in knight uniforms and were picking out freshmen with their fingers.
"Attention, everyone!
A senior appeared in front.
"All new students of the Knight Department, gather in the banquet hall!"
Is it for discipline? Or a freshman welcoming party?
"Shion. Are you going?"
"Um..."
Gerkhen will probably go. He's already standing at the front. The guy aiming to be a Senator won't miss such an event.
"No. Not really."
I don't really want to do it.
"Then, Shion. Let's go eat."
...
"...Shion. Are there any classes you want to take?"
In the campus cafeteria. We are sitting across from each other, looking at the list of lectures.
"Well..."
The Knight Department curriculum is anchored. Most of it is practical.
However, if a student wishes, they can squeeze in a few theory or liberal arts classes between the practical ones.
[Utilization of Magic Spells]
[Extremely practical formulas for everyday life]
"Maybe these two?"
These are lectures to accumulate Magic Spell data, and the first one, [Utilization of Magic Spells], is important.
It's the only freshman lecture taught by 'Theia Esil'. Course registration will probably be a war.
"Oh, there he is!"
Then, a loud voice rang out. Of course, it was Layla. She was with Elise.
"Oh. Layla. Long time no see."
"Yup-!"
She slapped a piece of paper onto our table.
[Subgroup: My Muse Hero]
"My Muse Hero… What's this?"
I asked with a smirk.
"A club!"
"So, what kind of club is it?"
"Ah~ You guys know about the upcoming vote on the Hero Special Law in Trick City, right?!"
Layla had a beaming face. As she said, Mila can now obtain a proper 'Hero License'.
Thanks to Raquel Dra.
"...So?"
"We're going to do the same kind of work as heroes in line with that trend. We'll help the community, solve any incidents, do good deeds, and it's not like we're all rushing in. Only those who can fit it into their schedule! Like a unit!"
As Layla said, the enactment of the Hero Special Law is almost certain. That's how public opinion has been shaped.
It's been brought forward by at least 3 years compared to before my regression.
There will be side effects to that extent.
Substandard heroes, corrupt heroes, or... heroes who are spies infiltrated from the underworld, etc.
Of course, I'm not worried.
If there are such guys, no, they will definitely appear.
I can assassinate them as 'Raquel Dra'.
"Alright."
I signed. Soliette also followed suit and wrote her name.
Ding-
My smartphone rang just then.
[This is the Knight Department Student Council. For freshmen who did not attend the freshman welcome party, there may be several disadvantages in semester events, so please take note.]
I don't care. I've already decided to be an outsider anyway.
"Hehe."
Layla was giggling as she looked at the club proposal.
"Hehe."
"Hey."
Elise glanced at the course registration form on my desk.
"What classes did you register for?"
"Ah, these."
"..."
I showed her the registration form.
"There's nothing particularly interesting."
Elise said that and copied something onto her smartphone.
* * *
At the same time.
In Libra, Jade's office.
"How is it...?"
─Yes. It's certain.
Zia is on the phone with a researcher via speakerphone.
─The extreme mana stone reacts almost precisely at -22 degrees. Under those conditions, the activity of extreme mana becomes vigorous, and the poles collide, releasing mana. The efficiency is... even a very poor quality extreme mana stone is equivalent to an average B++ grade mana stone.
"Hahaha."
A very bright laugh was heard. Zia glanced in that direction.
It was Jade.
─Aside from simple efficiency, it seems there are other possibilities, so we should intensify our research.
"Please… keep the information as tight as possible..."
─Yes. We should be able to keep the information under wraps for at least 3~4 months, but the news will have already reached the direct descendants.
"Don't worry."
Jade waved his hand dismissively.
"I foresaw this, and have already contracted all the mines that produce extreme mana stones across the continent."
"That's fortunate…"
Zia felt the same. She had been discreetly purchasing extreme mana stones through an account and corporation under a pseudonym, and a dual identity. She had been careful not to arouse suspicion.
"Yes. I think it will rise to 50 Ren within this year."
"..."
Jade was wrong, even though he had finally made the right guess.
From Zia's perspective, 50 Ren was ridiculously low. At least 100 Ren per gram. No, considering its potential, 200 to 300 Ren.
"Are you accepting the Count's extreme mana stones...?"
"Yes. They're already coming in. I've also made a storage container."
"Please… as soon as possible..."
The Count is a noble affiliated with the kingdom. The kingdom is a state ruled by a king, so if the potential of the extreme mana stone is confirmed, they might try to breach the contract. They need to absorb as many extreme mana stones as possible before that.
"Of course. In 3 months, all the extreme mana stones-"
Bang─!
The door opened then. Zia was startled, and Jade's face frowned.
But even Jade didn't say much.
"...I heard about the extreme mana stones."
The person was his eldest son 'Derek'.
He looked at Zia and Jade alternately with a rather flushed face.
"Did you play a trick?"
"Really. Brother, a trick? What's the matter that you're so angry all of a sudden?"
Jade smirked as he looked at him. Derek gritted his teeth until veins popped out on his jaw.
"If it was a business you thought of with your heads, I would have let it go. But, did you intercept the report from Libra Station?"
Zia opened her mouth hesitantly.
"I… I mean…"
"Speak up! Are you a fool?!"
"..."
Zia made a surprised expression. Then Jade stood up.
"No matter who you are, your words are harsh. Who are you blaming? Zia has informed all of us."
"...Informed everyone?"
"Yes."
"Ha. These kids dare to play with who..."
Suddenly, Derek's words stopped.
As if a memory of a certain day suddenly came to mind, he quietly asked Zia.
"...Two weeks ago? The report brought by the butler?"
"Yes… that one..."
"..."
Derek let out a hollow laugh.
If Zia's words were correct, there was no one to blame, so he stayed silent for a while.
"Did Johanna participate by any chance?"
He asked about Johanna, the eldest daughter and his number one rival.
"No..."
"No?"
"Yes... I sent an email..."
"Speak up, speak up quickly!"
Derek pointed his finger accusingly, spittle flying from his mouth. Zia quickly opened her mouth to respond.
"I've sent an email to my sister…"
"She didn't check it?"
"Yes…"
Derek finally let out a sigh of relief.
"That woman is crazy about gambling, after all. That must be why she hasn't come looking for you yet. Too busy gambling."
He then looked at Jade. He wore a smile that seemed to drain the arrogance from his triumphant younger brother.
"Well, Jade. You've failed enough times that it's about time you stumbled onto something. Congratulations."
"Stumbled onto something?"
Jade retorted with a sardonic smile.
"I'd like to think it's the result of carefully reading and analyzing the report."
"You've been messing around for 10 years and yet you talk big. Fine, you two do your best. As the eldest brother, I suppose I can afford to give you that much as a startup fund. But."
Derek's expression hardened again.
"If you think about passing some rights to Johanna-"
"Brother. Do you really think I would do that?"
Jade simply replied with a question. Derek stared into Jade's eyes for a moment before responding.
"No. You wouldn't. There's no one who dislikes Johanna as much as you do."
"Then you may leave now."
Derek left without another word.
Jade watched his back as he left and then closed the door to the office.
"Zia."
He turned to look at Zia.
"Yes…"
"That guy is predictable. He'll probably try to win over Shion Ascal, who submitted the report."
"Ah…"
"Of course, Shion Ascal is a man of loyalty, so he won't be swayed, but now that it's your turn, handle it as best as you can. He could become 'your' first Balancer."
In Libra, the term Balancer refers to the elite of the elite, and within the family, there are only about 40 of them.
Out of these, 10 support Derek, 8 support Johanna, and the remaining 22 follow only the will of Sherlock.
Jade himself once had three Balancers under his command, but he let them all go, deeming them meaningless to him.
Thus, among the four siblings, only Zia has never used a Balancer.
In fact, she has never even encountered one.
"Balancer…"
"Yes. Shion Ascal is set to become a major force in Libra, whether in combat or internal affairs."
Jade smiled faintly and placed his hand on Zia's head.
"That guy will be the independence gift I give you as the eldest brother."