A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 199 A Promise Must Be Fulfilled Before Departure

Rorschach moves his legs and talks, while Hassai runs his legs off and talks himself hoarse. On one side, they're sweating profusely and red-faced at the negotiating table, while on the other, they're reading and feeding pigeons in Munnik's city square, completely at ease.

Unfortunately, no coffee has entered Bain at this moment. If you were like those alcoholics who have been pregnant for decades, drinking beer in a two-pound glass during the day, you would be too embarrassed to post it on social media even if you had a cell phone.

Mr. Hassai had also figured things out. He used to think that becoming a mid-level partner in the Baldorom Chamber of Commerce was the pinnacle of his life, but unexpectedly, he had become a semi-independent senior partner through a series of fortuitous events. Rorschach always delegated authority in business, letting Hassai experience what it was like to be a boss.

When asked what made this young mage's business dealings different from his own, Hassa realized that he used to mostly deal with other merchants, while Rorschach, besides interacting with his own people, preferred to network with mages, nobles, and scholars. Of course, he fully utilized his position, not seeking to make a fortune as a mere merchant.

After reaching an agreement with the Royal Bain Institute of Technology in Munnik, the "Fonda" scholarship suggested by Rorschach was launched. To make the new recruits feel that their investment hadn't been wasted, the school arranged a speech, much like inviting His Majesty the King to address the students each academic year.

However, Rorschach was not a king. He actually had something to say to these relatively "primitive" science and engineering students, turning what the teachers and students thought was a pointless performance into a summary report on the "second law of thermodynamics".

"Can you understand Mr. Rorschach's speech?" the principal asked Hassai, stroking his beard. Hassai shook his head frantically, while the head of the Department of Architecture and Engineering nodded repeatedly.

"I hope you all study hard and provide more affordable products for the people of Bain, bringing them a better life. This is also one of the founding principles of Fanta."

Huh? How come I didn't know? Although bewildered, Mr. Hassai, one of the founders, still received Rorschach's signal that the speech was over and directed the staff to distribute soft drinks to the students.

So everyone grabbed a pretty bottle of purple soda, and Rorschach also picked one up and raised it: "Cheers! What you love is your life!"

Cheers erupted in the hall. Hassai immediately felt that although he hadn't understood the speech, it must have been quite effective, and he believed the research department would be able to recruit more cost-effective employees.

Rorschach also made up his mind that the less magical they were, the better they could be assigned to positions related to transmutation dust collectors and magic arrays in the future. They would be cheaper and less likely to leak secrets than apprentices.

The campus trip and the acquisition of "Basif" concluded successfully under Mr. Hassai's supervision, which also meant that Rorschach was leaving Munnik.

Before leaving, Hassai flipped through his shorthand notebook, which contained the arrangements Rorschach had given him during this period, as well as some quotes: "'What you love is your life.' I think this sentence is particularly good and can be used as a slogan for new products."

"Absolutely not, that sounds like you're saying our drinks spoil easily." Rorschach was speaking in a language that Hasai couldn't understand again. Fortunately, merchants are used to it now. If he could understand every word, wouldn't he be able to become a mage too?

"I'm heading north to Würzburg to remind your young master to be more restrained. Last time I saw him, he was walking so lightly; I wouldn't be surprised if he floated out of bed one day and became a ghost." Rorschach packed his luggage, the blueprints were temporarily moved to the inner layer of the "Fonda" company's vault, and his own storage ring made room again.

"Take care, thank you for your hard work during this time."

"No, Mr. Hassai, you've worked the hardest. Sometimes it's unnecessary to do everything yourself." Rorschach had seen how much effort Hassai had put in. However, he also knew that Hassai wouldn't dare to neglect him, and always personally oversaw everything Rorschach asked for. This attitude was commendable.

After offering some words of comfort, Rorschach saw that Hassai still seemed to have something to say, so he asked, "What's wrong?"

"A businessman like me can only make small money doing business, but someone of your status can make big money doing this kind of thing."

Rorschach was amused by the middle-aged man's insight. That's just how this era is. It's like he's spouting correct but useless platitudes. He wanted to jokingly tell Hassai that it was only because he understood this now that he had only been making small money and had been ostracized by his other partners to go far away.

Although both Byrne and Valois practiced mercantilism for the sake of taxation, the tycoons were still one step away from truly turning their fortunes around.

"Mr. Hasai, you are wrong."

"what?"

Rorschach told him earnestly, "I don't like money, and I don't do these things just to make money."

"Then you..." If it were someone in the same industry, Hasai might slap him or spit on him, but the other person can indeed have a successful life without participating in these things.

"Look how happy and satisfied the citizens are drinking our beverages! And the students who want to work at 'Fonda' are full of hope for the future!"

Hassai finally had a sudden realization: "I get it! Business is charity. Although we make money, it brings satisfaction to customers and benefits to employees."

"Alright, you've at least begun to develop your own class consciousness, so consider it a good thing." "I'll stop now, Mr. Hassai, you're right, goodbye!" Rorschach was speechless at the somewhat obsessive merchant's antics, waved his hand, and got into the northbound carriage.

Having promised his friend, Rorschach wanted to finish one last thing before leaving. He was quite looking forward to participating in the reconstruction of the Barth Mage Tower, hoping to gain some experience when it was his turn. Many people had encountered numerous problems even in the simplest of renovations, and Rorschach, lacking any background in civil engineering, could only rely on the help of others to complete the project.

However, upon returning to Würzburg, he was met by Prince Otto. Following the address he had obtained from his correspondence with Barth, Rorschach arrived at his and Amelia's "love nest," a much more spacious estate than the small settlement of Munnik, situated on high ground in the west of the city. The view from here was excellent; from any east-facing window, one could see vineyards, houses, and tributaries of the Duma River unfolding in succession.

At the manor gate, Rorschach, who was about to enter, met the prince who was coming out. He and his guards were all disguised, and their vehicles bore no royal insignia. Upon recognizing the newcomers, the prince, without waiting for Rorschach to greet him, said directly, "Well done."

Then left.

Huh? I've done quite a few things well, which one are you talking about? Rorschach could only watch this neurotic continue his downward spiral and then rang the doorbell.

"Otto, is that...?" The lady of the house thought her brother had left something behind, and the maid called out from the dining room as she opened the door. Rorschach explained his purpose: "Please inform Mr. Bart that Rorschach has come to fulfill his promise."

"Rorschach, you've come at the perfect time! My head is about to explode from designing the Mage Tower!" Bart had already heard Rorschach's voice and came down from the second floor. He was wearing a white shirt and overalls, with a charcoal pencil clipped to his ear, looking like a workshop craftsman.

No, I've come at the wrong time! Sensing trouble, Rorschach wanted to turn around and leave.

(End of this chapter)