The trio had acquired the slime-based moisturizer and were tirelessly experimenting to create various beauty serums using it as a base. They had already completed a prototype of a toner-like product and begun human trials on Randy as their test subject.
However, their attempts to create a lotion for moisturizer were not going well.
What Randy was truly aiming for, though, was an all-in-one product akin to those from his previous life—a slightly viscous lotion or cream that combined multiple functions. Despite repeated trial and error, they couldn't achieve the desired results.
Additionally, there was the hand cream requested by the maid. These three products—the moisturizer, the all-in-one lotion, and the hand cream—were proving difficult to perfect, leaving them at a standstill.
"…Tor."
(Hmm. It feels like I'm so close…)
"Randolph Victor!"
(It's not just about moisture—there's also the oil balance…)
"Randolph Victor!"
The instructor's stern voice rang out just as Liz, seated next to Randy, jabbed him in the side.
Snapped out of his thoughts, Randy stood up with a quick "Yes," though he had no idea what was going on.
"Name the most famous achievement of Charles III, known as the founder of the modern era."
The instructor, who was holding a textbook was clearly angry. Since Randy hadn't been paying attention, he had no clue how to answer. Thankfully, Liz whispered from beside him, "The central nobles."
"The central nobles. He elevated certain officials to the status of central nobles, boosting their motivation and loyalty."
"…Correct."
The instructor, snorting in annoyance, motioned for Randy to sit down and resumed the lecture.
"As I was saying, these central nobles were—"
"Thanks for the save."
"Please focus, Master," Liz replied, feigning exasperation but with a playful glint in her eyes. Scratching his cheek, Randy resolved to focus on the boring lecture for the time being.
☆☆☆
"Lord Randolph, you seemed even more distracted than usual today," Cecilia said.
"More than usual…?"
Randy pouted in response but held back from retorting further, because of who he is talking to. After all, they were currently having lunch together—something that was becoming a regular occurrence with Cecilia.
"Let me guess, you're stuck on your prototypes again?"
With a sigh, Randy shrugged in response to Liz's comment.
"Well, yeah."
"I don't see any problems personally. Your hands don't seem overly dry or anything," Liz replied, poking and prodding at Randy's hand with her fingers.
Indeed, as Liz pointed out, Randy's hands showed no signs of issues from their ongoing experiments. On the contrary, they were smooth and soft to the touch. Yet, Randy shook his head, dissatisfied.
"It's still warm now. When the air gets dry, that watery content alone won't be enough."
"Really? Is that so?"
Liz, still kneading Randy's hand absentmindedly, prompted a chuckle from Cecilia. "Are you two sure you're not engaged?" she teased with a smirk.
Realizing her improper behavior, Liz quickly withdrew her hand, her face flushing red. Over the past two days, she had taken Randy's hand multiple times, under the guise of testing. But recalling her actions now, she could only blush and look down in embarrassment.
"Well, why not release it to the public and refine it as you go?" Cecilia suggested, sipping her tea with a sigh.
"That is one approach," Randy admitted with a nod. In fact, that's exactly how he had handled the development of carriage suspensions—testing them in the field and improving them along the way.
While this "release and refine" method was a valid approach within the PDCA cycle, Randy wasn't planning to take that route for this particular product.
"That's certainly an option, but for this, I want to release the best possible version right from the start."
"My, how cautious of you," Cecilia remarked with a shrug.
"This product requires a strategic approach," he added, puffing his cheeks slightly.
However, in truth, Randy's personal motivations were also a significant factor.
That said, it was still true that a proper strategy was essential before releasing the product.
"Well, tomorrow's a day off. Maybe I'll hunt some magical beasts in the dungeon," he muttered.
Originally, Randy had planned to use the break to return to the Victor territory.
However, he decided to postpone the trip and instead gather materials in the dungeon to expand his stock of samples.
After all, there wasn't much he could do by returning home now. He had already relayed everything necessary to his father, Alan, and if he returned under the current circumstances, he could only foresee a barrage of questions from his mother, Grace, and his younger sister, Clarice.
To avoid their verbal assault, it would be wise to bring back some sort of souvenir.
"Speaking of dungeons, there's that dungeon exercise for volunteers at the end of semester, isn't there?" Cecilia clapped, as if recalling something.
"I'm not particularly interested, though," she added as she elegantly lifting her teacup.
Randy and Liz exchanged glances, noticing Cecilia's slightly sour expression. It wasn't a mood they felt comfortable pressing on, but Randy, being Randy, decided to push anyway.
"Does Lady Cecilia have a grudge against dungeons or something?"
Liz's eyes widened, and Cecilia stared at Randy in astonishment. The tension in the air suggested he had stepped on a landmine. Liz shot Randy a disapproving look.
"Randy…"
"What? It's fine, isn't it? If she doesn't want people asking, she shouldn't have brought it up," Randy said, snorting dismissively.
Cecilia, in response, couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. "Fufu."
"Indeed, Lord Randolph, you are absolutely correct," Cecilia said with a nod as she straightened her posture.
For a moment, silence lingered between them before Cecilia broke it with a quiet remark: "Lady Evans…"
"…You're aware of her, aren't you?"
Randy froze, utterly confused. (Evans? Who's that?) he thought, his mind racing.
He didn't even remember someone named Catherine, let alone her family name.
Glancing at Liz for help, he found her looking at him with an exasperated expression.
Normally, Randy would have retorted with something like, "How would I know her last name?" but today, he was unusually sharp.
Liz's expression suggested that this "Evans" was someone they both knew. And considering their shared acquaintances at the academy, aside from Cecilia, there was only one possibility.
After racking his brain, Randy hesitantly ventured an answer.
"The… Saintess, right?"
It was, at least, correct.
"Yes, Lady Catherine Evans," Liz confirmed. "She is the Saintess who, on that day, joined His Highness in condemning me."
Liz spoke with a calm, unreadable expression, making it impossible to discern her emotions. Cecilia then took over.
"Do you remember that day? Behind Lady Evans and His Highness, there were several male students, weren't there?"
Randy nodded silently. It was true—there had been a group of boys behind these two fools.
"One of them is Lord Dario, with whom my family has been discussing a potential engagement. Lord Dario Wieissman, son of Marquis Wieissman, the Prime Minister."
"And what does that have to do with the dungeon?" Randy asked, frowning.
Cecilia chuckled wryly, scratching her cheek. "Yes, it does seem strange at first glance, doesn't it?"
She explained that Dario's behavior had changed ever since he started associating with Lady Evans.
Dario, who had always been proud and arrogant, thanks to his confidence to his extraordinary intellect. He was one of the few students who could rival Liz academically, even publishing a magical thesis at an unusually young age.
But lately, he had been acting out of character.
Driven by vague theories and a belief that he could do anything, he had begun venturing into dungeons with his followers to hone his magical skills through combat. Not only that, but he had even enrolled in swordsmanship classes—something he had previously avoided—at the start of the new semester.
"I don't have any strong feelings for Lord Dario. It's only a prospective engagement for now. But seeing him change so drastically under Lady Evans's influence… it doesn't sit well with me."
Cecilia's expression was difficult to read, and Randy found himself unsure how to respond.
(This feels like watching a serious student transform after falling for some flashy girl over summer break…)
(Love is like a fever. That would be fine. But in an otome game setting? Yikes.)
Randy's thoughts drifted off as he gazed into the distance, feeling certain that Dario was unlikely to escape Catherine's grasp.
"Cecilia, is there anything we can do to help?" Liz asked earnestly.
"Just knowing that already makes me happy," Cecilia replied with a soft smile, standing as she announced, "I must head to my afternoon classes."
Liz watched her retreating figure with a worried look. Seeing this, Randy sighed and spoke.
"Liz, you take tomorrow off."
"Huh?" Liz blinked, startled.
Randy gestured toward Cecilia's distant figure with his chin. "It's a rare break. Spend it for relaxing with your friend."
"But what about you, Randy?"
"I'll be fine on my own."
Randy tossed some coins onto the table.
"Don't worry about me. Once I'm back, you'll be working on crafting anyway."
Looking away to hide his embarrassment, Randy added, "Now hurry up and go invite her," motioning again toward Cecilia.
Liz smiled, bowed slightly in gratitude, and hurried off after Cecilia.
"Honestly… what a bothersome attendant," Randy muttered to himself, leaning back in his chair as if to relax.
But just as he did, he sprang to his feet.
"Crap! I've got afternoon classes too! I'm gonna be late!"
As Randy sprinted off after Liz and Cecilia, he saw the two walking side by side, laughing and chatting like close friends.