Edmon calmly unfolded the newspaper. There was no need to ask what was so important.

One astonishing piece of news that decorated every page of the newspaper caught his eye.

[Alterisha, the Alchemist, develops futuristic magical engineering technology.]

… Indeed, it was noteworthy content that could make the newspaper tremble with excitement.

In addition to scrolls and potions capable of storing magic, there were also mysterious items with functions that could greatly enhance the efficiency of all wands used until now.

The alchemical magical engineering of Alterisha was the realization of all the futuristic technology that had been imagined.

‘I didn't expect it to be this significant…’

At a glance, he was aware of the remarkable aspects of Delta Augmentation. The impossible combination of these two streams possessed value beyond imagination.

For those without knowledge, it was difficult to grasp just how significant it was.

Edmon knew exactly that.

However, after confirming that much, he was able to put his mind at ease.

"It's nothing. Anyway, Father will move quickly."

Bringing such technology into the country was a highly important matter. Various companies, the upper class, the Tower of Magic, and guilds were already in motion.

If the Atalek family could localize the items under their name in Adolveit, the foundation of their family would become solid.

"Come to think of it, wasn't that commoner guy babbling arrogantly at that time?"

What? The Atalek family refused to supply items to the Adolveit Kingdom?

It was a laughable statement.

Even thinking about it now made him burst into laughter.

They had no understanding of politics and society, they were ignorant, which was why such nonsense came out of their mouths.

The head of the faction came with their innovative technology and pleaded, "Please purchase our products," but the foolish commoner mistook the roles of the lord and vassal.

‘It was truly an entertaining comedy for a change…’

There was nowhere in the Alchemy City where the hands of the Duke Atalek did not reach, and most of the alchemists within the Stella Academy had deep ties with Adolveit.

Of course, Alchemy City was an inviolable territory of the country... but that was just an illusion.

If all alchemists unite or the unknown 'co-author' speaks up, or even the great 'Alchemist of Gold' comes forward, who knows what might happen.

Nothing significant would happen with just a commoner's words.

That was reality.

Ring!

At that moment, the telephone in the office inside the club building rang.

"Young Master, there's a call for you."

"Yes, I'll take it."

It was quite common for direct students who were expected to inherit the family to have their own small private offices within Stella.

Moreover, Edmon, being the successor of Atalek and the head of the prestigious Crimson Hawk club, had a sizable office.

Thanks to that, despite being just a student, Edmon Atalek had a telephone placed in his office.

It was a remarkably surprising thing to think about how rare a telephone was.

Although Stella itself was common, the presence of a telephone in a shabby club was astonishing.

Edmon walked with dignified steps and picked up the receiver.

"Edmon Atalek, I have a phone call for you."

“… Son.”

The voice that came from the other end of the receiver was none other than his father. It was rare for Edmon to receive a phone call directly, so he was slightly surprised.

"What's the matter?"

“Just now, I received a call from the Alchemists' City.”

"Oh, as expected, Father. You're fast on your feet..."

“They refused at the Duke Atalek's request, and the alchemists belonging to the "Alterisha Research Institute" have stopped supplying items to the country. By any chance, do you know anything about this?”

"....... What?"

In an instant, he was speechless. The words his father had just said were something he had heard somewhere before. His head felt numb.

It was unbelievable.

"H-Haha... Father, even as a joke, why would I say something like that to Alterisha Research Institute?"

“But it's true. It was the co-author of the Delta Augmentation Formula who made that statement.”

"....... What?"

A co-author.

He had never even met such a person.

Then a sudden thought struck him.

‘... Could it be, Baek Yu-Seol?’

His heart started pounding.

Separately, a chill ran down his spine, and cold sweat formed on his forehead.

"No, that, I..."

He couldn't continue his words and stumbled for a long time before barely grasping a glimmer of hope.

"Well, even so, it's unimaginable for them to dare to refuse the Adolveit Kingdom... It doesn't make sense."

‘......... Yes. As the Kingdom of Adolveit, they can even dare to influence the Stella Academy.’

"Yes, so..."

"But! That's a story limited to the realm of magic. Son, do you know where most of our country's engineering technology comes from?"

"Well, of course..."

For mechanical engineering, it was the Black Iron Empire.

For alchemy, it was Alchemy City.

Having realized that much, Adman closed his mouth.

"But... Father, you don't even know how much influence we can have on Alchemy City."

“Sigh…”

Father let out a sigh without even listening to Adman's words to the end.

“It seems like you still don't fully understand the situation. I trusted your exceptional mind, but what good is it?”

Edmon couldn't even breathe as he listened to his father's words.

“Son, it's a 'technological revolution.'”

"Yes?"

“It's a new technology that has never existed before. It's the ability to create objects comparable to ancient artifacts.”

"Ah, did you say artifacts...?"

“That's right! Even now, many alchemists are joining the Alterisha Research Institute, and even the 'Golden Alchemist' Beaurock Stonforge is conducting joint research with Alterisha.”

"Ah...?"

‘Beaurock Stonforge?’

‘That Golden Alchemist, really?’

'What is this...'

‘It's even bigger than I thought.’

“Yes. Your words must be right. No matter how revolutionary the technology is, in the end, they cannot refuse Adolveit. It's the Adolveit Kingdom. The strongest nation in the world, Adolveit. If we set our minds to it, we can easily shake Alchemy City. However... that would entail significant political and diplomatic repercussions. That's why our country, at present, wanted to find a peaceful compromise as much as possible. Perhaps... Alchemy Ctiy also knew that Adolveit would come out peacefully, so they didn't hesitate to take such bold actions. They wanted to demonstrate their power. In other words, the Atalek family was merely being used as a political tool in Alchemy City.”

“You need to lower your head and go in first, my son. Even if you don't act, it won't be long before our country resumes trade with Alchemy Ctiy. However, the name of the Atalek family will not be present on that path of success and benefits.”

Edmon didn't say anything. He couldn't say anything.

“Son, let me ask you again. Are you involved in this incident?”

...

Edmon Atalek still didn't answer, and that was already a sufficient answer.

Father remained silent for a while and finally left a few words before hanging up the phone.

“It's your own doing, so you figure out how to handle it. I need to talk to the upper echelons about this.”

Click!

Ring. Ring. Ring...

Hearing the beep sound, Edmon blankly stared at the receiver.

"No, wait, what is this..."

‘Let's organize my thoughts.’

… There was no need to organize.

Edmon clenched his lips and slammed his forehead against the wall.

"I have to meet Baek Yu-Seol. In order to make Alchemy City retract those words, I have to meet Baek Yu-Seol and have a serious conversation with him.”

But...

He had caused him too much trouble so far. He simply couldn't do it.

In the first place, the act of compromising his pride for such trivial matters with commoners was still unacceptable.

He looked at Hong Bi-Yeon with trembling eyes. Whether she knew the contents of the conversation or not, she was enjoying the situation in the same posture as before.

"... Bi-Yeon."

"Yes, speak, Senior."

Hong Bi-Yeon responded with a slightly stiff expression. She, too, had gradually sensed that something was off about the current situation.

Edmon’s lips trembled as he uttered that repulsive and detested name.

"... Can you arrange a meeting with Baek Yu-Seol?"

Upon hearing that, Hong Bi-Yeon silently stared at his face for a long time, as if contemplating something.

Eventually, after organizing her thoughts, she nodded slowly.

"Yes, I will try to arrange a meeting."