"What's wrong, Yonaire?"

"Oh... it's nothing, sis. We were just about to head out..."

Yonaire trailed off vaguely. Yoanen's eyes sparkled behind her amethyst glasses.

"Going out?"

"Yeah."

"Where to?"

"To see some friends."

"When will you be back?"

"Well... I'm not sure...?"

"And this friend from the Wardanaz family?"

"Yi-Han is busy... why?"

"He seemed interested in alchemy."

"Oh, no. He's not that interested."

"But he's the top student in alchemy, right?"

"..."

Yonaire glared at Yi-Han and Ratford.

How did they manage to mention that in such a short time?

'I'm sorry,' Ratford bowed his head deeply.

He had just wanted to show Yonaire's sister how amazing Yi-Han was...

"Yonaire... you didn't think I would treat your friend the same way as the other alchemists in the workshop, did you? That's not the case, right?"

"Oh, no, of course not."

"Right? I would never do that."

Yi-Han wanted to ask, 'Then how do you treat the other alchemists in the workshop?' but he couldn't bring himself to do so.

"As a magic academy student, he'll need to study during the break... Is my workshop not a suitable place to learn alchemy?"

"Oh, no. Your workshop is the best in Granden City..."

"Thank you for saying that."

"But Yi-Han is really busy..."

As Yonaire resisted, Yoanen turned her attention to Yi-Han.

"Would you like to visit the workshop sometime?"

"Thank you."

"When would you like to visit?"

'She really is just like Professor Verduus!'

Yi-Han had to admit, her skill at immediately trying to set a specific schedule was impressive.

Perhaps sensing Yi-Han's wariness, Yoanen changed her approach to a more enticing one.

"I'm not sure what Yonaire told you, but it's a bit of an exaggeration. There are times when work gets busy, and unfortunately, that's when Yonaire happened to visit the workshop and see it."

"I... I see."

Anyone else might have been fooled by Yoanen's benevolent expression, but not Yi-Han.

Demons always smiled kindly, after all.

"My workshop isn't a bad place to study alchemy during the break. You can freely use high-quality ingredients, and the workers are paid generously. Many excellent alchemists from the city frequently visit, so it's also a good opportunity to build connections."

'Come on, Yi-Han. Just refuse a little more and even my sister will...'

Despite Yonaire's desperate wish, Yi-Han immediately responded.

"Do the alchemists also receive a salary?"

"Of course. Aha. Are you perhaps interested in the salary? Considering you're an Einroguard student and my sister's friend..."

Yoanen discreetly held up three fingers. Yi-Han's heart raced at the sight of those fingers clad in white gloves.

Three times the amount.

"Yi-Han...!"

Yonaire whispered as if in dismay, but Yoanen smiled knowingly, as if understanding what Yi-Han wanted, and raised one more finger.

"...I was just thinking that I really wanted to learn alchemy during the break."

Yoanen elegantly shook Yi-Han's hand.

"Welcome. Come anytime. Oh, and could I have a word with my sister in private for a moment?"

As Yi-Han and his friends left first, Yoanen turned her attention to Yonaire.

Yonaire spoke with a gloomy expression.

"If I lose a friend, it's your responsibility, sis..."

"I promise I won't work him to the bone. More importantly, he's quite an unusual person, isn't he?"

"Oh. Yeah. He's an unusual person."

"I thought he would refuse, but he accepted because of the salary. I didn't think he would, being from the Wardanaz family. Could it be that he's in debt or something?"

"No. He just likes gold coins."

"I'm a bit worried about going to meet Gainando."

Although Yi-Han was of a status where he could freely visit most high-ranking noble families, the imperial family was a different story.

Basically, it was best not to get involved with them, as nothing good would come of it.

The nobles of the Empire were divided into three factions.

The Loyalists, who supported the outstanding members of the imperial family.

The Aristocrats, who scoffed at the idea that the hundred or so members of the imperial family were anything special and opposed them.

And the Neutrals, who belonged to neither of those two factions.

The Wardanaz family was a representative of the Neutral faction. In fact, the Wardanaz family could even be called the Reclusive faction or the Loner faction, to the point of leaving the Neutral faction.

If Yi-Han were to officially visit an imperial residence, it would be perfect for false rumors to spread, like "Yi-Han of the Wardanaz family supports Imperial Prince A?"

"It's fine. If we go together like this, it'll just be a visit from school friends."

Yonaire understood Yi-Han's concern.

In times like these, a suitable pretext was important.

"Actually, that's not a big issue if I go with you guys. I'm more worried about the people who will be at Gainando's residence."

After visiting the Dargard and Maykin residences, it became clear.

The differences between noble family residences were surprisingly significant.

At this point, Yi-Han wouldn't be surprised by any strange occurrences at Gainando's residence.

"What's the atmosphere like at Gainando's residence?"

"Gainando's residence? It's pretty normal. They don't have tests or anything like our family does. The number of guests is also relatively small."

The guests visiting Gainando's residence came more for Gainando's mother than to see Gainando, the imperial prince.

After all, Gainando's mother's family, the Kraha family, was an incredibly wealthy family even by the Empire's standards.

With such wealth, influence inevitably followed. Naturally, the guests were eager to visit.

However, the number of guests at Gainando's residence wasn't that high.

"Gainando's mother doesn't really enjoy receiving guests."

"Why is that? Having many guests visit would be good for promoting Gainando's reputation... No, wait."

While it was said that frequently receiving guests would spread rumors about the family and raise their reputation, sometimes the opposite was true.

The more frequently they received guests, the more likely it was for only bad rumors to spread.

Yi-Han changed the subject.

"What kind of person is Gainando's mother?"

If she was another kind-hearted Professor Verduus type, he might consider postponing the visit.

"She's a kind and gentle person. And..."

"And?"

"She's incredibly beautiful."

"I... I see."

Yi-Han was taken aback by the sudden remark.

"When you first meet her, you'll probably have a hard time looking directly at her face."

"Why is that?"

"She's so beautiful that a halo emanates from behind her. To the point where you can't even look at her."

"...Isn't that just because she has some spirit or angel bloodline?"

"That's right. I heard she has some light spirit blood mixed in."

Yi-Han wanted to ask, 'If the light makes it impossible to see her face, how can you tell if she's beautiful or not?' but Yonaire seemed to respect her so much that he didn't inquire further.

What did it matter anyway?

"Oh, by the way. If I get close to Gainando, will he really give me an allowance?"

"Yeah."

"Objectively speaking, I'm the closest to him, right? What do you all think?"

Ratford and Nillia looked at Yi-Han in disbelief.

"Please wait for thirty minutes."

"Oh. Is there already a guest here?"

"I... I apologize. Please wait for thirty minutes."

"??"

Yi-Han and his friends tilted their heads in confusion at the front gate of Gainando's magnificent and luxurious residence.

If a guest had arrived first, it was understandable to wait a bit, but waiting outside the front gate was not a common occurrence.

Unless there was something inside the residence that couldn't be shown...

"What's going on?"

Bam ba ba ba ba-

Pang! Pa pa pa pang!

Accompanied by the sound of a huge orchestral ensemble, magical fireworks adorned the sky.

Passersby were startled, wondering if some kind of festival was taking place.

"What the..."

"What is this..."

"Welcome to the residence!"

"Welcome to the..."

"Welcome..."

"Welcome..."

"Welcome...!"

The sound of a chorus coming from inside.

Yi-Han suddenly wanted to return to the residence.

"What is this commotion?"

"It seems the imperial prince is welcoming guests at the Kraha family residence."

"My goodness. Is there a need to make such a fuss?"

"They must be friends he hasn't seen in a long time."

As people chattered with interest, Yi-Han and his friends' faces turned red.

"...Cloak, engulf me."

"L-Let's go in together! Me too!"

The four of them made good use of the magic they had learned at Einroguard to enter.

Gainando, who was standing on the huge marble staircase, waved at them as soon as he saw them.

"Over here! Over here!"

"Hurry up and stop the song!"

"Huh? Why? They've only played the first movement so far."

"It's noisy, just stop the song!"

"Please stop it quickly!"

As his friends got angry, Gainando was dumbfounded and gestured with his hand.

The musicians who were on standby on the residence grounds then took their hands off their instruments.

"Why? Was the song not good?"

"It's not about the song. Let's go inside quickly."

Yi-Han and his friends dragged Gainando into the residence.

Gainando grumbled as he was dragged along.

"You could have waited until the performance was over before coming in."

"We'll listen to it later."

"Really?"

"...Someday. Anyway, Gainando. Have you been well? Nothing happened?"

Yi-Han changed the subject. Gainando pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Something did happen."

"!"

Yi-Han was surprised.

Could it be that, just like Asan was harassed by the talented Dargard brothers, Gainando was also being oppressed by the talented imperial princes?

"Did someone pick a fight with you?"

"No. I put a new mage card in yesterday, but I still lost."

"..."

"..."

Yonaire momentarily raised her hand to slap the back of Gainando's head.

If Nillia hadn't hurriedly grabbed her wrist, a 'smack' sound would have been heard.

Yi-Han nodded as if he understood and asked again.

"Nothing else happened besides the mage card? No one came to pick a fight or anything?"

"Huh? No one came..."

"..."

Hearing him say that no one came felt a bit sad in its own way.

Yi-Han exchanged a sympathetic glance with his friends.

"It's fine now that we're here."

"That's why I prepared the performance, but you guys interrupted it."

Gainando grumbled again.

As Yonaire raised her other hand that wasn't being held, Nillia hurriedly grabbed that hand as well.

"Anyway, Yi-Han. Let's hang out together during the break."

"What do you plan on doing?"

"Going around stores to buy some new cards, looking at some toys, buying magazines that piled up while attending school..."

Yi-Han shook his head.

To lead such an extreme consumption-oriented lifestyle.

It was a lifestyle that could easily lead to becoming a beggar.

"Gainando. That's nice, but there's something more fun."

"What? Really?"

"If you follow me, you'll find out. Let's go together later."

There was nothing as enjoyable as the silver coins earned through sweat. Yi-Han decided to teach Gainando that joy.

Yonaire whispered.

"I don't think Gainando will like doing that kind of thing with his personality."

"It's fine. I'll tell him in a situation where he can't run away."

"..."

"Oh, right. I need to pay back the borrowed money."

Gainando called a servant. Yi-Han was surprised by the unexpected behavior.

"I didn't think you would remember first."

"Mom said if you don't pay back money, you're trash."

"I... I see."

Gainando's room was spacious enough to fit several carriages. They each scattered around and played with whatever looked interesting.

Yi-Han, who was reading a serialized novel in a magazine with interest (the dog mixed-blood detective Toveris was using divination magic to find the culprit), noticed that it was noisy outside.

"Do you have any appointments today?"

"Huh? Oh... ah. Right. They said other imperial family members were visiting."

"..."

"If that's not a big deal, then what is?"