# 74
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The sight of Diana imitating the twinkling stars with her hands was so cute, but the Duchess couldn't help but smile.
Since the child would feel favored at first sight, it was obvious that Leia would also love Ascart's kindness and gentleness.
“What does Askart not know what Leia is...”
At this time, Allen, who was about to bluntly refute Diana's words, stopped.
“But...it feels a little like that when I smile.”
The Duchess asked, surprised by those words.
“Allen, do you think Leah sparkles when she smiles?”
“Well, not often, but sometimes? And if I can’t see her, I worry about where she is and keep looking for her.”
Allen had hardly finished speaking when Tice, who was guarding beside him, glanced at Jack, who had recently become his son.
Jack didn't seem to want to show his expression, but his slightly jiggly pupils and tense jaw clearly showed that he was embarrassed.
At that time, Allen added a word.
“I think it's because she's Diana's favorite maid! Right?”
In contrast to Allen's confident voice, as if he was sure of the correct answer, the atmosphere around him was full of embarrassment.
That was when Allen tilted his head and looked puzzled.
"correct ."
Allen smiled happily with excitement at his older brother's confirmation, who he always thought was the smartest person in the world.
As Allen's smile deepened, the Duchess's eyes towards Lucio began to look suspicious.
“It's Noona!”
Diana screamed.
Everyone turned their heads to see Askarti and Leia walking over, holding hands affectionately.
“Noona, I missed you!”
“Miss, me too!”
The Duchess gasped when she saw Leia immediately let go of Ascart's hand and run towards her, but a part of her heart still remained.
“Hello Duchess, it has been a long time since I have seen you.”
Meanwhile, Askart, who was politely welcoming me, was shining brightly as if there was a halo shining from behind him.
Since the Duchess was staying in the duchy, this was the first time she had seen Ascarte when he was very young.
That was when she received a warm greeting and asked about the health of the Archduke and Archduchess.
“How did you increase your luggage? What is this again?”
Allen had been away for a few hours, he asked frankly to Leia, who was talking with Diana in circles.
In fact, Leia, who was already carrying a pocket full of accessories she found from the booth when she entered the academy, was holding a thin white paper bag in her arms as if it were a more valuable treasure.
asked subtly Allen, who was frowning as he looked at Leia, who smiled brightly when asked what it was.
“Tell me honestly, do you regret going to the library? It was really boring, wasn’t it?”
“No, I really enjoyed it!”
Leia answered immediately and looked at Askart with sparkling eyes.
“It was so good that several times I thought it would be a good thing to come to the academy today, it was really great.”
At that moment, Lucio's expression instantly distorted.
* * *
A few hours ago.
“Young Archduke, then please solve this problem!”
Askart seemed surprised by the words he shouted as if he had been waiting.
But until then, he said: “Anything I can do to help.”
Smile slowly.
Askart, who had been listening to my explanation for a long time, spoke.
“So...you're saying that I only have to pump mana into certain items?”
“Yes! It should not affect the surrounding area.”
The reason I asked for Ascart's help was none other than researching the cultivation of Spliceia, which Duke Elad's members and wizards were currently endangering their lives.
In fact, not long ago, when I met Viscountess Bardot and Chief Healer Thelin and learned about the progress of Spliceia's research, I felt extremely embarrassed.
Since I had a conversation with Viscountess Pardo earlier, I expected that the effectiveness of Spliceia had not been properly cultivated, let alone studied, but… .
Because I didn't know there would be this much progress.
Spliceia had just been brought to Mana Greenhouse in the same form as the weed when I discovered it.
It seemed that raising them properly was the priority so they couldn't even think about doing any further research.
When fully grown, sublicia has light pink flowers, and the flowers, leaves, stems and roots can be dried and used as a medicine.
But knowing such details during my stay in the orphanage was still strange.
After thinking about it, she gently hinted to Viscount Bardot that chewing the leaves or roots as they were was effective.
In the end, although he regretted it, the Viscount took some leave to study.
And then it was the magicians' turn.
The biggest reason why agricultural research is currently banned is that the problem of bringing “warm energy” to the cold and frozen Earth has not been solved.
At first, the wizards thought this was a simple matter and placed an artifact to control the temperature, but if they warmed the frozen ground from the beginning, it would not be cold anymore, so the basic requirement was cancelled.
Eventually I learned that warm mana injections were the solution, but that was the beginning of the difficulties.
The mana had to be injected into the roots, not the ground, and it was difficult to design new magic circuits and artifacts that could make such detailed modifications.
She hinted at the possibility of injecting mana directly into the ground as she had done in the past, but he shook his head, saying that it was impossible for any magician to manipulate his mana in this way without a calculated magic circuit.
'So I thought I'd go out and see it for myf...'
If I did that, not only would my abilities be revealed, but I might also have to stay confined in the greenhouse from now on.
In the end, it was concluded that it was right to develop magic circles and artifacts for long-term cultivation.
However, I only knew how to manipulate mana directly, but I was almost illiterate in the field of magic circles and artifacts.
I started studying in the library late, but I felt more disconnected from what I originally knew, and I was just realizing the limits of f-study.
Meanwhile, my eyes widened when Ascart of the Principality of Pylos, who was skilled in magic, offered to help.
“It's a little difficult, but it's not impossible.”
At that time, Askart explained in a tone that it was no big deal.
Simple artefacts are created by engraving jinn containing simple magic formulas and infusing them with magic stones or magical power, but higher level artefacts are also said to be made with these difficult circumstances in mind.
As expected, this was an explanation worthy of the Grand Duke of the Principality of Pylos, as the artifacts became commercially available to ordinary citizens.
“Okay, then what should I do to create the artifact you described using this magic circle?”
“Well, you want to maintain the ambient temperature and only inject warm mana.”
When I showed him the magic circle I had been thinking about while reading the book the past few days, Ascart immediately understood the point.
He already had a dazzling appearance, but for a moment it seemed as if an aura was shining behind him.
* * *
Askart Belos, this man was a true genius.
I kept looking at him and left the library.
This is because Askart said that the fireworks show will start soon and that he will take them to the group.
I couldn't visit the library at all because I was busy making magic circles for Splicia's artifacts, but I had no regrets at all.
“How much money can I turn this into?”
I shook my head as I thought of the magic circle completed by Ascarte, who I was holding in my arms.
“Money, its value cannot simply be calculated in money.”
At first, I thought it was inappropriate and arrogant, but the more I thought about it, it seemed like the magic level of the Principality of Belos was incomparable with that of the empire, just like Ascart had said.
‘Perhaps my curiosity about the magic I learned and the teacher can be answered in the Principality of Pylos….’
“Tell me honestly, do you regret going to the library? It was really boring, wasn’t it?”
asked Allen, whom I had met again then.
“No, I really enjoyed it! It was so good that several times I thought it would be a good idea to come to the academy today.”
I can't believe the working foundation was set up so easily, and even the problem I was having was solved this way.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that it was the best day.
But as soon as I finished answering, not only Allen but also the Duchess looked at me with a shocked expression.
“Ma’am, I will be back now.”
Then Ascarte spoke to the Duchess.
Ascart, who made eye contact with Allen and Diana and greeted them affectionately, looked at me one last time.
“Leia, it was nice to meet you today, see you next time, don’t forget what I said.”
When I quickly nodded, he gently opened his eyes and turned around.
Maybe because I didn't expect him to leave so suddenly, I felt remorseful.
“Leah, what did you do in the library and why was it fun?”
At that time, Jack came beside me and asked in a low voice.
“Young Archduke has taught me a lot about magic.”
I answered casually.
“And he wants to invite me to the Principality of Pylos.”
"What? !"
“Oh, what a surprise!”
I was startled by a loud sound and touched my ears.
I was really surprised that Jack, and not anyone else, suddenly shouted.
Jack also looked embarrassed, perhaps surprised by the sound he made.
then.
“You, you, you, are you going to the Principality of Pylos?”
"Yes?"
I was the one who was surprised, but Allen shouted in a very shocked tone.
“Are you going to the Principality of Pylos?”