CH 17

Chapter 17 – I Gave My Achievements to Others but I Still Profit

I’m a genius.

You may think I’m an idiot for saying this but I really am a genius.

Although it is very specific, I simply have the best output in terms of support and healing magic. Even in my research, without using my memories from my previous life, I’m inspired to do a lot of things.

Being able to do what others can’t simply enrich the mind.

However, on the other hand, there are some things I also understand.

A genius without power backing is just a walking gold bag.

They will be caught by the powerful and will be used till your last drop before being thrown away.

In that respect, I was lucky that I was not getting old in vain.

I had already figured out how to put all my accomplishments to others and take all the profits I can get.

「You made something amazing again. A magic being that moves for a long time where you can change the magic crystal it used.」

It was an afternoon at the Magic Academy at the Magic Construct Department.

The head of the department, Professor Marino, is playing with a new kind of homunculus, a robot-looking homunculus, in the palm of his hand.

It’s the “fuel-changing” homunculus I made.

Chris Holden, my supervisor, a blonde girl, is standing next to the professor and snorts disapprovingly.

「The greed of merchants knows no bounds.」

「No no, this is not a stupid idea, Holden. We don’t pursue the performance and beauty of what we do but rather, their usability. This kind of idea is what we lack.」

「I’m not sure about that. Magic constructs are disposable magic creatures. We can just make them each time, right?」

A magic construct is basically disposable.

In the first place, it was developed to reduce the huge cost of maintaining magical creatures and it can be compared to a grenade or a mine.

Of course, from the commoner’s point of view, it’s an astonishingly high cost but it’s the same in any world. A commoner’s financial sense is definitely different from the government.

「That’s true but, I’ll give you an example. We are researchers, but sometimes we are treated as laborers who mass-produce magic constructs. Even if it is a simple imp or carbuncle, it’s something very hard to do especially when you are asked to make a lot of them.」

「Well, that is certainly the case but….」

「At such a time, if we hand over this magic crystal exchange type magic construct, the other party will only need to change the magic crystal so they’ll no longer bother us, right? Don’t you agree, Schenker?」

「Yes, that’s right.」

As expected, this professor u.n.d.e.r.s.t.a.n.d.s.

He is not like other nobles who just sit somewhere and cast offensive magic. He’s a mage that supports l.e.a.r.n.i.n.g. like magic constructs.

He also understands the value of efficiency and cost reduction.

「What is the lifespan of this magic construct?」

「The bicorn I made for trial last week is still alive and kicking with only the need of replacing its magic crystal once a day.」

「Lasting for a week is already great.」

Chris, who looked grumpy, poked my back.

「Hey, I didn’t hear anything about that even though I was supposed to be in charge of teaching you.」

「I’m sorry, Chris-senpai. I thought you were busy so I planned to talk to you after I had finished my analysis.」

Say only the things they’ll love to hear.

This is the very basis of my Magic Academy Survival Art.

「No, no, I heard you asking, “How is it going?” so you probably taught me something in the middle of its development. It’s not your fault.」

「Thank you very much for that.」

I keep bowing my head to my senpai and the professor.

「So, this technology, if you think it’s good, would you like to use it in this season’s student’s research?」

「Are you sure?」

This was fortuitous.

The truth is, I was trying to force the research result on Chris-senpai by saying, “I got the hint from Chris-senpai…”, “It’s all thanks to Chris-senpai’s guidance…” or “This is too heavy for me as a commoner…”.

This saved me a lot of trouble.

It’s impossible for a commoner to achieve results that will directly lead to future achievements and not have any friction with anyone.

It sounds okay now but it will affect their career later.

「Professor Marino, it’s too early for him.」

「No no no, you take care of this as his coach. I was going to put your name in the research anyway so that doesn’t change anything.」

Good good.

「….well, that’s true. I’ll be happy to help him.」

「I don’t think Schenker will need your help on the research but you can certainly help cover him from other nobles. That’s the help Schenker wants.」

「That’s true. If you can, please keep my name from it….」

「See? Alright, Holden, I’ll make a budget for you so get the people and materials you need. Use your name and move on.」

「I understand.」

I bowed my head deeply to Chris-senpai, who seemed to be a little reluctant, while saying “Please take care of it from now on.”.

「Well, since I’m involved, imagine yourself riding a big ship.」

「Yes.」

Self preservation, complete.

For commoners, good grades are a given.

It is always a battle against being expelled and the malice of others.

I’m not interested in success in life but this should be tough for those who have too much ambition.

When I returned home, I found that the replacement of magic crystals for the bicorn was just about to take place.

From the hatch left on its back, someone put the magic crystal on it.

Yeah, the wonderful thing about this technology is that it doesn’t require a mage’s hand to maintain it.

With this, all the mage has to do is to create.

Ease takes precedence over all else and ease is justice.

「Young Master Sawadi, you’re back.」

「Yeah」

The head butler seems to be in a good mood.

「I’ve been letting that bicorn do the grinding for a while and it’s quite efficient.」

「That’s right. We can procure magic crystals on our own after all.」

The market price of magic crystals fluctuates. However, if you have adventurers fetch them for you, you will always have a stable supply and it will always be at the market’s bottom price.

The slaves at our house would have less work to do and the management could assign them to other jobs.

It’s a win-win situation.

In addition, I can buy wheat for the slaves’ meals at a lower price so it’s a win-win-win.

After all, magic is best to study for making coins, isn’t it?

「A few more of them….」

「Oi oi, don’t just give me another thing to do.」

Well, I’m really fine making more.

However, it’s still a secret technology so we can’t let it out.

AN: The Cocky Reincarnator Episode 3