I leaned back on the sofa in the reception room and decided to finish reading the newspaper on the table. To cultivate political insight and economic foresight, I read the newspaper diligently in my spare time.

But this time, an interesting piece of news came out in the latest issue of the “Capital City Newspaper.”

As a newsletter that delivered all the important news in the capital, it was a well-known newspaper that carefully selected only the most important information in the empire, unlike many tabloids.

“Hmm, let’s see.”

Of course, it was also a newspaper I recently acquired directly from my upper class. I looked down at the newspaper with satisfaction and hummed a tune.

“Oh, indeed, there’s information about our upper class again this time!”

Seeing the contents of my upper class’s financial statement this year, which was posted at the top of page 2, I smiled contentedly and got lost in thought.

Surely all of this was thanks to recruiting Burger, I thought. At that moment, without realizing it, my dad, who had met with the aide and come back, spoke.

“There was a story about Ambassador Heinrich of the Republic in the newspaper, did you see it?”

“Huh?”

I opened my eyes wide, reading the contents of the newspaper, and froze.

“They say he has Refined Mana Stones! He’s coming to make a special donation for educational purposes at the academy?”

Dad sipped his grape wine nonchalantly, as if it weren’t a big deal.

“Oh, yeah. I guess there’s not much information about Refined Mana Stones, so I don’t know what it is.”

“Re, Refined Mana Stones…!”

Dad didn’t seem to care much, but I knew very well how valuable these ‘Refined Mana Stones’ were.

‘The Republic is really a land of abundance. To have Refined Mana Stones!’

Refined Mana Stones.

Just Mana Stones were impressive enough, but when you added ‘Refined’ to it, it was in a different class. It’s like saying coffee and T.X.P are different.

Actually, people might think, with ‘Refined’ added, that humans refine it, right? However, Refined Mana Stones…

‘Are directly refined by Dwarves!’

Mana Stones refined by Dwarves had tremendous efficacy.

For a human with mana to use magic, they needed to be able to freely manipulate the mana flowing through their entire body along with the vital energy flowing through their heart.

But that’s easier said than done. How do I know if my mana is flowing through my entire body or flowing through my heart?

That’s when the Dwarf’s ‘Refined Mana Stones’ become crucial!
Refined Mana Stones, quite literally, were said to vividly show how much mana one had in their body, whether the circulation flow of mana was good, and how and when the mana was depleted.

In a way, they were like a mentor to wizards with mana. Of course, there was an original function as well. It was said to temporarily help those who didn’t know how to use magic at all. Usually, the focus was on the latter ability…

“…With Refined Mana Stones, I might find out why there’s not a single drop of mana in my body.”

I had been leading a life carefully avoiding magic to prevent exposing the flaws of the Mirmod family. However, if Ambassador Heinrich had brought Refined Mana Stones, my future would undoubtedly change.

They said practice makes perfect. If I knew why there was no mana in my body, I might learn how to generate mana.

I prepared to get up and dash out. Dad would undoubtedly lecture me about manners, but that was a minor…

“Sian, if you don’t follow walking etiquette, you’ll attend the Etiquette Academy with your dad for 2 nights and 3 days.”

…Yeah, that was definitely a minor matter. It was fine not to get scolded for not following dining etiquette, but attending the Etiquette Academy was a no-go. I spoke with a firm and tidy posture, legs neatly arranged.

“Yes, Your Excellency Father. I will briefly visit the academy to acquire Refined Mana Stones.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I barely got Dad’s permission and rushed to the academy by carriage.

Headmaster! I have to meet the headmaster! No, actually, I have to see Ambassador Heinrich, who might be meeting with the headmaster!

‘Ambassador Heinrich and Headmaster Hepsiba, it’s been a long time.’

Both of them seemed to like me quite a bit, so I wanted to build a friendship with them. But no matter how much I thought about it, I never had the chance. Why?

‘I’ve been way too busy…’

Ambassador Heinrich occasionally visited our upper class, and there were opportunities to see Headmaster Hepsiba at the academy. Both of them seemed to be looking forward to having leisure time with me, but I never had time for that.

‘But after graduating, I’ll settle this life!’

I sighed heavily and wiped my eyes. It felt like dark circles had spread a lot under my eyes.

But even so, I had to lift my shoulders now. Why?

“The Refined Mana Stone is inside there right now!”

Ambassador Heinrich, the envoy of the Republic, had come directly to the Royal Academy. His purpose was to supply a minuscule amount of Refined Mana Stones to the academy!

This was excellent news. He said he was supplying it for ‘educational purposes’ to the academy, and if he was here now, the probability of making a formal agreement with our upper class would increase!

‘It must be in the headmaster’s office!’

I ran like a flying squirrel.

If I entered now, my precious Refined Mana Stone would be inside. I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

Of course…

“Ouch!”

…I didn’t know that right after running out of the headmaster’s office, I would collide head-on with Headmaster Hepsiba.