Chapter 4. Laboratory set up.
As the sun rose over Ace's settlement, he was already on the training grounds, sweat glistening on his brow as he swung his wooden sword with precision. His muscles ached, but the steady rhythm of his movements brought a sense of focus and discipline.
The sound of footsteps broke the silence. Ace paused mid-swing, turning to see John Barns approaching.
"Good morning, my lord," Barns said, bowing slightly. "I've returned to discuss the matter of sponsorship."
Ace didn't respond immediately, resuming his training instead. The blade cut through the air with sharp, deliberate motions as he ignored the young man's presence. Barns, undeterred, stood silently, his posture unwavering.
For the entire evening , Ace continued to train, testing his limits while Barns remained rooted in place, a quiet testament to his determination. Finally, Ace lowered his sword and turned to face him, a smirk playing on his lips.
"You're persistent, I'll give you that," Ace said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Tell me, how much does it cost to build a laboratory?"
Barns straightened, his face lighting up. "My lord, I can start small—perhaps 5,000 gold coins for a basic setup—"
"How much to build a real laboratory?" Ace interrupted, his voice firm.
Barns hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Ten thousand gold coins would allow for a proper facility, my lord."
Ace nodded thoughtfully. "I'll give you 15,000 gold. Build a proper laboratory and deliver results. Can you do that?"
Barns' eyes widened, and he dropped to his knees, overcome with emotion. "Thank you, my lord! Thank you so much! I won't let you down." Tears streamed down his face as he bowed repeatedly, his gratitude almost overwhelming.
"Alright, enough," Ace said, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the display. He sent 20,000 gold coins to Lucia through the system and turned back to Barns. "Go find my assistant, Lucia. Tell her I sent you."
"Yes, my lord," Barns said, bowing again before hurrying away.
Ace watched him leave, shaking his head with a bemused smile. "Passionate, I'll give him that," he muttered. The encounter had left him slightly distracted, so he sat on a nearby bench to regain his focus. As he sipped from his water flask, he decided to browse the system store.
His eyes skimmed through the catalog until a particular item caught his attention:
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Magic Core
Price: 10 Gold Coins
Description: A delicate crystal harvested from magic-infested areas. Essential for powering Magi experiments and everyday devices.
Special Effect: Contains a small amount of magic, usable to power almost anything.
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Ace's interest was immediately piqued. Magic cores were foundational to many technologies and advancements in this world. From enhancing weapons to lighting homes, their applications were limitless.
Before diving into a purchase spree, Ace checked his loan page and realized he hadn't yet repaid his existing debt. The outstanding amount was 36,250 gold coins—manageable, given his current reserves. Without hesitation, he cleared the debt in full.
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Loan Page:
Land Value: 200,000 gold coins
Available Loan: 150,000 gold coins
Daily Interest: 10-15%
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Ace decided to take a fresh loan, borrowing the full 150,000 gold coins at an interest rate of 13% per day. His reserves now stood at a staggering 213,810 gold coins.
With a grin, he invested heavily in magic cores, purchasing 21,381 units. His talent shifted to generating magic cores instead of gold, a strategic move to diversify his assets and expand his influence.
Feeling accomplished, Ace returned to his training. Though his soldiers were skilled, he avoided sparring with them—it wasn't about fear but maintaining authority. Losing to his subordinates would dent his pride, and in a world where respect and strength went hand in hand, pride was non-negotiable.
---
The day passed uneventfully until a sharp knock on his door woke him from sleep late at night.
"Master," Lucia's calm yet urgent voice came from the other side.
"Come in," Ace said, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.
Lucia entered, her elegant features framed by the faint glow of a lantern. Her expression was serious, a clear sign that something was amiss.
"We have a situation, Master," she said without preamble.
"What happened?" Ace asked, his tone sharpening.
"An envoy from the Kingdom of Virelith has arrived," she explained. "Judging by their demeanor, I believe they're not here with good intentions."
Ace's eyes narrowed. The Kingdom of Virelith was known for its expansionist ambitions, often seeking to subjugate smaller territories. "An envoy, huh? Alright, I'll meet them. Prepare a space at the training grounds."
"The training grounds?" Lucia raised an eyebrow, her composure never wavering.
"Yes," Ace replied firmly. "I want them to see strength, not hospitality."
Lucia nodded, understanding his intent. "As you wish, Master. I'll make the arrangements."
As she left, Ace leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. Diplomacy wasn't his strongest suit.
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The next morning, the training grounds were prepared, and Ace stood tall, his soldiers lined up behind him in a display of power. The envoy, a middle-aged man clad in ornate robes, approached with an air of arrogance, flanked by armed guards.
"Lord Ace, I presume?" the envoy said, his tone polite but laced with condescension.
"That's me," Ace replied, his voice steady and unyielding. "State your purpose."
The envoy smiled thinly. "The Kingdom of Virelith has taken notice of your growing territory. His Majesty offers you an opportunity to swear fealty in exchange for protection and resources."
Ace's lips twitched into a smirk. "Fealty? Protection? From what I've seen, my land is thriving just fine without outside interference."
The envoy's smile faltered, replaced by a hint of annoyance. "Your defiance is admirable, Lord Ace, but ill-advised. The kingdom's reach is vast, and its armies—"
"Save your threats," Ace cut in, his voice cold. "If Virelith wants war, they'll find no easy prey here."
The envoy's face darkened. "You're making a grave mistake."
"Perhaps," Ace said, stepping closer, his gaze piercing. "But it's my mistake to make. Now, unless you have something else to offer, this meeting is over."
The envoy hesitated, clearly unused to being dismissed so casually. After a tense pause, he turned on his heel and left without another word.
As the envoy's entourage departed, Lucia approached Ace. "That was… bold, Master."
Ace shrugged. "They needed to know I'm not someone to be trifled with. Make sure the troops are ready for anything. Virelith won't take this lightly."
"Understood," Lucia said, a hint of admiration in her tone.