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Chapter 4

The greatest alchemist family in the Empire.

Its head, Isaac Magnus, was known as the greatest alchemist in the Empire, and naturally, many people sought him out.

That was what it meant to hold the greatest name.

But being the greatest also meant being the pride of the entire field of alchemy.

Someone in that position had to carry a certain weight.

Because of that, Isaac rarely showed himself in public. The people he met were limited to only a few—some high-ranking nobles, the Emperor, archmages, and the commander of the Imperial Knights.

However, alchemy was used in many areas—magic catalysts, weapons and armor, new materials, fashion, and magic tools.

Because of this wide demand, proper customer management was unavoidable.

And for that, someone had to move around and handle things directly.

That person was the butler and Isaac’s closest aide—

Jeffrey.

The reason Jeffrey came to the Kalibor Magic Tower this time was exactly because of that.

The Kalibor Magic Tower was, at best, a mid-to-lower ranked tower within the Empire.

Its research quality was not particularly high.

But instead—

it produced many “interesting” researches.

And that was what mattered.

“They are important clients.”

No research starts from nothing.

To create something interesting, you need interesting materials.

And those materials often came from alchemy workshops.

That was why the Kalibor Magic Tower frequently placed unusual orders with the Magnus workshops.

And also—

“This Magic Tower has plenty of money.”

The Kalibor family owned many mines, giving them a stable source of wealth.

On top of that, the senior researcher Evelyn Kalibor—

while not exceptionally talented in research—had strong magical talent and endless curiosity.

And she never hesitated to spend money on that curiosity.

They paid well in advance, and they didn’t complain even if results were delayed.

In short—

“They are very good customers.”

That was why Jeffrey regularly visited the Kalibor Magic Tower to maintain a good relationship.

People naturally trust those they see often.

Even the same product feels more reliable when recommended by someone familiar.

That was the reason he visited this Magic Tower, even though it wasn’t very prestigious.

But—

“Hmm…”

The metal he discovered here—

called aluminum—

had very interesting properties.

“They made something like this?”

Its nature wasn’t very different from other metals.

But its weight was incredibly light.

Its strength seemed lower because of that, but that also meant it had its own uses.

More importantly—

it was a pure metal, not an alloy.

That meant it had clear magical applications, and it could also be mixed with other materials to create alloys.

In many ways—

“It has great potential…”

It showed endless possibilities.

“…I believe a plate shape is the most suitable for flight, but other materials were either too heavy or incompatible with the lightning element. But when I made a plate using this aluminum, it was so light that I immediately placed another order…”

“Senior Mage Evelyn, I have a question.”

“Oh, yes, Sir Jeffrey! Are you interested in my research…?”

“Of course. Flight has always been humanity’s dream. If the Magnus Workshop can help with that dream, it would be our honor.”

Jeffrey smiled.

But his narrow eyes showed no real interest.

“More importantly, this metal called aluminum—our workshop made it, correct? Which workshop exactly?”

“Ah… I don’t remember well… Administrator! Which workshop was it?”

“It was sent from Workshop No. 43.”

“…Workshop 43.”

A faint wrinkle formed near Jeffrey’s eyes.

“Workshop 43…”

That was the place recently assigned to Yujin Magnus.

“This could be interesting.”

There was a possibility—

something that could shake the entire Magnus family.

He didn’t know in which direction it would go.

But the Magnus family now was like a stagnant lake.

Rotting.

If something could shake it—

it would be valuable.

And Yujin Magnus—

who didn’t fit into that stagnant system—

might become a storm that overturns the lake.

“Of course… it could end as nothing more than a storm in a teacup.”

If Yujin lacked ability, it might end as nothing.

But that didn’t matter much.

This family was a place where people devoured each other anyway.

Standing still meant being eaten.

So—

it was better to give Yujin a chance to become that storm.

With a business smile, Jeffrey spoke to Evelyn.

“Workshop 43 is a good choice. All Magnus workshops will do their best to support your research. Especially Workshop 43—even if it’s small, it has capable people. We would appreciate your continued orders.”

“That’s very reassuring!”

“And… would it be alright if I take one piece of this aluminum?”

Magic Towers created new things—

but they couldn’t create trends.

They maintained the current state, but couldn’t expand it.

And for someone like Yujin, who had no strong backing—

he needed to rise higher.

“Huh? Ah, you want to show it to Isaac Magnus, right? Then of course, you can take it!”

“Thank you for your cooperation, Lady Evelyn.”

Jeffrey smiled.

It wasn’t a lie.

Isaac would eventually learn about this metal.

But for now—

there was someone more suitable.

“There are always people who are obsessed with new and rare things.”

Meanwhile — Magnus Workshop No. 43

At the entrance—

Workshop Master Edgar was bowing to a visitor.

“…I understand. But this is urgent—can you give us more time?”

“I’m sorry, but we have no choice. Orders from above…”

“…Even so…”

“I can delay it for a day or two at most. But no more. I don’t want to do this either, but the main house gave the order…”

“…Understood. We’ll prepare it as soon as possible.”

After the conversation, the guest left.

Edgar returned inside, shoulders slumped.

“What was that about?” Yujin asked.

“That person was from Workshop No. 35.”

“The one we borrowed the furnace from?”

“Yes… it seems the higher-ups found out. They ordered them to take it back immediately.”

“…Ah.”

Yujin’s head started to hurt.

The Magnus workshops were technically independent—

but in reality, they were divided into factions.

Workshop 43 didn’t belong to any faction because it was failing.

But the others constantly fought each other.

And behind those factions—

were Isaac’s wives and their noble families.

And Yujin—

a child without backing—

was an easy target.

“Those bastards…”

But there was nothing he could do right now.

He just had to grow stronger.

“…Alright. Let’s finish today’s orders and return the furnace.”

Yujin worked all day without sleep.

He barely managed to complete the Magic Tower’s order using the electrolysis cell.

“…Here… all the aluminum orders are done.”

“Th-thank you, Young Master. I’ll handle the rest—please get some rest.”

“…Yeah…”

Completely exhausted, Yujin went to sleep.

In his past life, he often worked all night and slept on a folding bed in the lab.

Compared to that—

this was better.

“…Is it really better?”

Still… he was too tired to think.

After waking up, Yujin inspected the workshop.

They had earned a lot from the aluminum orders.

Even after paying debts, there was some money left.

But—

“There are still many things lacking…”

He didn’t know what exactly to improve.

So he asked—

“Edgar, what equipment do we need?”

“…A lot.”

Edgar replied.

“The magic furnace is too old. It causes errors, so potion quality drops.”

Potions were a major source of income.

But their poor equipment had ruined that.

“And we need better enchantment tools. Our current ones are too limited.”

Enchantments were another key income source.

But—

Yujin wasn’t satisfied.

“This won’t be enough to survive.”

Making potions and enchantments—

was just reproducing known formulas.

Consumables.

And in that field—

bigger workshops always win.

“We need a different strategy.”

Then—

his eyes fell on the electrolysis cell.

“…What am I even thinking?”

He laughed.

He had already created aluminum—

a metal no one in this world knew.

Why look elsewhere?

“Alchemy is primitive chemistry. And the peak of chemistry is new materials.”

And he—

was ahead of everyone.

“I will win with metals.”

Yujin made his decision.

“Edgar.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Get us a large furnace. And prepare materials to expand the electrolysis cell.”

“…Understood.”

“And also—get an ore crusher.”

“…An ore crusher?”

Edgar was confused.

That was something blacksmiths used.

Not alchemists.

But—

“That will become the future of this workshop.”

Yujin was certain.