Chapter 60
‘But wait… what if Bruno Alan doesn’t have any morning classes today? Or what if I came too early?’
Lucy only started worrying after she had already headed straight for the Royal Academy.
Before long, the carriage stopped in front of the Imperial Academy.
‘Well, since I’ve come this far, I just have to try.’
Lucy entered the academy and asked at the reception desk if it would be possible to meet Professor Alan before his class began.
Fortunately, it seemed he did have a lecture scheduled today.
Guided by a staff member, Lucy and Shan waited for him in a designated room.
‘Shan really doesn’t talk much…’
She sat in awkward silence with Shan for a long while until a knock sounded and the door opened.
“You came looking for me…?”
A young man with round, oversized glasses carefully looked between Shan and Lucy.
“Ah! You must be Professor Bruno Alan?”
Lucy straightened her voice, determined to make the best first impression, and gave him a bright smile.
“Yes, I am Bruno Alan… may I ask why you’ve come to see me?”
‘They said he was the youngest professor, but he looks even younger than I imagined!’
Lucy was startled by how boyish he looked.
The guild’s report had written his age as twenty-three, but in person, he looked barely in his late teens.
“Oh my, you look even younger than I’d heard! I really wanted to meet you, Professor Alan!”
Lucy beamed with an exaggerated expression and seized both of his hands.
“Uh… ah, d-don’t mention it… ahem…”
His face flushed red as he stammered. Lucy couldn’t help but glance sideways at Shan, who stood there with a detached expression.
It had been such a long time since her charm worked so perfectly that she felt oddly proud.
“So… you’re saying you’d like to invest in the ‘Divine Grain’?”
Lucy nodded enthusiastically, recalling the research details she had obtained from the information guild.
“Yes! I’ve always admired you deeply, Professor. Your other studies were so impressive, too. That talking glasses project was really—”
She stopped mid-sentence, realizing her mistake too late.
‘Wait—I meant to bring up the flying ship!’
She had rehearsed so many times, but the words that slipped out were “talking glasses,” the one research she could never make sense of, no matter how many times she read it.
‘Ugh… of all things, why did I have to mention the one invention everyone laughed at the most?!’
She squeezed her eyes shut in regret.
Carefully, she opened them again and studied Alan’s reaction. To her surprise, his eyes widened and filled with emotion.
“You know about that? You must truly be interested in my research! You see, the reason I created it was…”
He eagerly took a seat beside Lucy and launched into an endless explanation.
Apparently, he didn’t have a morning lecture after all, because for two full hours he explained nothing but the “talking glasses.”
At some point, Shan had started nodding off in his chair.
‘To think he could even make Shan doze off… is that amazing or what? No, wait—Shan, you’re supposed to be guarding me! How can you drop your guard like this?’
Lucy shot him a resentful look, then forced a smile back onto her face and nodded politely at Alan.
“…And that’s why I believe your research into the ‘Divine Grain’ will surely make a huge contribution to the world!”
At last, Lucy managed to steer the conversation back to her true purpose, pouring out praise.
“But everyone just calls me a crazy eccentric…”
His voice dropped, heavy with discouragement.
“That’s not true! I believe in you, Bruno—you will succeed!”
“You’re the first person to ever say that to me, Miss Lucy…”
Professor Alan’s eyes brimmed with gratitude as he lifted her hands in his.
Seeing his expression, Lucy instantly knew he had opened his heart to her.
She allowed herself a triumphant smile—it had been a long time since things went this smoothly.
But then—
“Still… the ‘Divine Grain’ is only in the conceptual stage. How do you know about it so well?”
Oh no.
Lucy darted her eyes nervously.
“Well… I’ve always paid close attention to all of your work, even the smallest details… um, I forget where I heard about it, exactly…”
She scratched her cheek awkwardly with a strained laugh.
“Ah, I see! But I really must get to my next class now… If it’s alright, could I invite you to visit my lab sometime soon?”
He asked shyly, his face flushed.
“Of course! No, it would be an honor. If you invite me, I’ll make time as soon as tomorrow!”
“R-really?”
In truth, Lucy was pressed for time.
About ten days—that was all she had to stay here. She had to complete everything before then.
“Then… I’d like to invite you to my lab tomorrow evening…”
Bruno Alan bowed his head, still blushing.
Lucy readily agreed and left the academy.
The next evening, Lucy was invited to Bruno Alan’s lab as promised.
And once again, she had to endure hours of long, tedious explanations about his research projects.
‘So… boring…’
After extreme patience, she finally brought the subject back to the Divine Grain.
“You’d like to sign an exclusive contract, even though it’s still only an idea? But Miss Lucy, even if it succeeds, there’s no guarantee it will have market value…”
When she finally broached the matter of a contract, Alan hesitated.
“Honestly, people don’t really want a grain to replace wheat…”
Hearing his doubt about his own work, Lucy almost felt relieved.
Within a few years, the Empire would inevitably suffer a severe drought and food shortages.
She couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.
Without hesitation, Lucy pulled out a contract.
“Even if no one else wants it, I do. I’ll make sure your work won’t go to waste!”
Looking at Bruno holding the contract, Lucy felt as though she were seeing her past self.
He didn’t even read it—his eyes welled with tears as he signed it immediately.
The contract not only secured exclusive rights to the Divine Grain research but also entrusted Lucy with all related rights for the next ten years.
“I’ll make sure your research sees the light of day, Professor!”
Lucy returned to the inn in high spirits after sealing the deal—only to be visited by Michael, the head of the trading company.
“A party? You want me to attend?”
The reason he had come was none other than to ask Lucy to represent the Pablo Trading Company at a party.
It was a welcome banquet hosted not by the royal family but by the chancellor himself, the very man who had great influence over their current dealings, in honor of the Fujis Empire’s delegation.
“Since it’s not hosted by the royal family of Collin, you don’t need to feel too pressured. But… it is rather odd—they specifically requested you by name, Lady Lucy. I can’t imagine how they knew of you…”
Michael glanced at her anxiously.
Being named so directly made Lucy immediately think of Lucas.
“If it’s for the company, of course I’ll attend.”
“Ah! Then I’ll make the preparations.”
Michael brightened at her reply.
He said she needn’t feel pressured, but for the Pablo Company, this was far more than a simple banquet.
Now that she was going, Lucy had to ensure that the trade deal Pablo planned to secure would be sealed at the party.
‘I only came here as a low-ranking employee… Michael will be with me, but what if I make a mistake and ruin everything?’
But there was no turning back. Lucy decided not to avoid it—she would do her best.
From that day, she spent her days preparing for the banquet, and her nights cramming lessons with Michael.
It was all about the trade agreement between the Collin Kingdom and the company.
For someone like her, still only a junior staff member, the material was far too complex. But she studied diligently.
By the time dark shadows had settled beneath her eyes…
The day of the banquet had finally arrived.
Lucy!!!! Be more aware especially if someone asked for you by name!!!!!!!!