I Became the Progenitor Vampire

Chapter 108: Chapter 108: A Few Things About the Magic Factory
 

For Isa, no one in this world could make her feel a sincere sense of happiness and joy, except for Lide.

That delicate little face showed a strong smile, both shy and cheerful.

“Teacher~”

Her naive voice and dependent gaze gave Lide the illusion of having raised a pet, or rather, it was indeed a “young dragon,” except without the characteristics of a dragon.

“Lord Lide~~”

Veena’s face still wore a strong smile, and she wasn’t displeased by Lide not greeting her. This girl seemed to always be that little maid standing behind him.

She would be there whenever he needed her.

Lide smiled faintly and caressed his little maid’s long golden hair.

“Veena, you’ve worked hard.”

Hearing these ordinary words of comfort, any fatigue Veena might have had from work instantly vanished, and she was immediately filled with energy.

After chatting for a bit, the three of them came to the study.

Lide formally assessed Isa’s studies, having expressly instructed Veena not to let Isa build the Magic Model too quickly.

For a being with a Golden Bloodline, becoming a formal Mage was almost as simple as breathing.

For the common people, becoming a formal Mage quickly was certainly a good thing, but it might not be advantageous for Isa, who possessed a Golden Bloodline.

If she wanted to go far in the future, she needed a broad knowledge of magic and cultivation to support her.

Lide hoped to build Isa’s foundation as solidly as possible. He saw in Isa a perfect gemstone, wanting to sculpt her into a flawless treasure.

And so, he tightly managed Isa’s learning progress.

The results naturally pleased him. This girl, who had endured hardships unknown even to Lide, had an endless thirst for knowledge. With her extraordinary Talent, her understanding of magic was deepening day by day.

“Very good, Isa, you must remember, for a Mage to become strong, besides Talent, what is more important are effort and learning.

Not knowing how to put in effort would merely waste one’s Talent,

Without knowledge, having magic abilities alone won’t allow you to perform to the greatest extent.

Study the basics well in this time, and when you’ve reached an understanding of magic that satisfies me, then I will teach you powerful spells.”

Lide patted Isa’s little head, and the girl’s ruby-like eyes looked at him, always stirring an inexplicable emotion.

She was just like the well-behaved little kitten he had raised years ago.

“Yes, Teacher, Isa will work hard, and in the future, I’ll be a helper to you just like sister Veena…”

Isa spoke with a long, determined gaze, causing Lide to chuckle.

“Good, when Isa is strong, you can protect Teacher~”

Isa, as if she had received great encouragement, blushed deeply, nodding vigorously.

“Mhm, I will protect Teacher”

Her childish words made Lide laugh heartily again.

The three didn’t chat much longer before Laurent arrived in a rush, his face covered in sweat.

“Good day, Lord Lide”

“Yes, you’ve worked hard, take a seat first.”

Laurent sat upright opposite Lide, separated by a large desk, while Veena and Isa sat on stools next to Lide.

In the study, oak bookshelves filled most of the space, crammed with various thick, ancient books. Parchment, hardwood, and other unknown materials made up the covers protecting the world’s most precious thing—knowledge.

The unique scent of books lingered at the tip of the nose.

Sunlight streamed in from the outside, casting specks of light onto the dark carpet embroidered with irises, adding a different flavor to the somewhat dim space.

In such an atmosphere, even Laurent’s tone of voice became more solemn, as if speaking carelessly here would incur the punishment of the Divine.

“How far along is the Magic Scroll Factory project?”

Lide dispensed with pleasantries and went straight to the point. He envisioned magic scrolls as eventually becoming a cornerstone industry of the Crimson Mage Tower, even planning to use the profits from this industry to replenish the ever-expanding coffers of Dawn City.

No matter how much attention is given, it cannot be said to be too much.

“The Magic Factory will only need half a month to complete the construction, and I have been personally supervising it,”

Though called a factory, the Magic Factory is actually just a larger room, the only difference being it produces Magic Scrolls, and the theft-proof door has been replaced with Alchemy Traps and Magic Arrays.

The Magic Factory is situated behind the Crimson Mage Tower. Just by pushing the door open and walking out for twenty blades, one can enter the facility.

Ever since the decision was made to recruit apprentices and establish the Magic Factory, the influence of the Crimson Mage Tower has been growing wider. The territory around the tower within a two hundred blade radius has almost all been acquired by him.

As for the price, it only cost 2000 Gold Pucks… Why did such a vast area cost only 2000 Gold Pucks?

This was down to Lide’s benevolence. Around the sheltered perimeter of the Mage Tower, even if he appropriated the land for nothing, it had to be given up to him.

Whenever a Mage Tower is established, it’s always ensured that there are no great Nobles in the vicinity.

So… as the powerful party, the Mage Tower, no one dares to resist.

Of course, these people won’t suffer too much loss either. Those whose lands were conscripted will be under the protection of the Crimson Mage Tower, henceforth, no longer needing to pay protection fees to other Underground Forces.

These minor matters were naturally handled by Carlo and Vena; Lide rarely dealt with these specifics.

“Are the Magic Materials for making scrolls ready?”

“Lord Lide, Lord Spark has announced that the Crimson Mage Tower, under his prompting, has resumed selling scrolls, so during this period, many great Nobles have already promised to provide us with Magic Materials…”

Spark?

Surprise flashed in Lide’s eyes; he did not expect his nominal teacher to be so dedicated in helping him, a warmth filled his heart.

“Very well, go down and purchase a batch of materials, about 500 sets. We’ll train the apprentices before the Magic Factory is completed.”

Laurent nodded respectfully.

“Lord Lide, should we hire someone from the Mage Association or arrange the defense Magic Array for the Magic Factory ourselves?”

Obviously, a factory as important as the one producing Magic Scrolls must have defensive powers, and the Green City Mage Association offers to set up Magic Arrays.

Though the fees are a bit steep.

The Magic Arrays of the Crimson Mage Tower were set up free of charge by the Green City Mage Association at that time; otherwise, it would take Lide at least half a year to set up over 500 Magic Arrays for the Mage Tower himself.

“Go to the Mage Association to find a few people to lead, use our regular Mages for the other tasks. Vena, have the apprentices who’ve broken through to become official Mages registered at the Mage Association yet?”

“Not yet, Lord Lide.”

“Later, you and Laurent go together. When hiring people from the Mage Association, also help them register.”

Once one becomes an official Mage, registering with the Green City Mage Association will grant a monthly subsidy of one Gold Puck, a benefit not to be missed.

“Yes, my lord.”

After giving instructions about the factory, Lide felt a headache coming on, thinking about the need to establish another Mage Tower in Dawn City.

The materials required were now enormous.

He glanced at Laurent and shook his head.

Relying solely on purchasing from the Golden Wheat Commerce might cause too many ripples. Never mind, he would go seek advice from his nominal teacher.

Thinking of that unkempt, alcohol-scented old man, Lide shook his head with a slight chuckle.

His teacher was indeed a rare breed.

“Laurent, prepare the carriage and bring two bottles of fine wine. I’m going to visit my teacher Spark.”

“Yes,”

As Lide stood up, he caught Isa’s reluctant look and felt a stir in his heart, and took the girl’s hand.

“Isa, come with me to visit my teacher today,”

He didn’t know why, but he felt that Spark would probably like Isa. Old people rarely resist children.

When the time came, he’d let Isa swindle something like “Magic Scroll Manufacturing Skill” from him…

Lide felt much like someone who insists on bringing the children during New Year visits, just to secure a couple more red envelopes.