Bear School Astartes

Lann lay on the bed, a look of sheer resignation on his face.

This was his way of expressing helplessness after things developed beyond expectations.

Although the reason for this 'beyond expectations' was that he was moving too fast.

Originally, he planned to gradually gain a voice in the lab before influencing Tishaya's research direction.

But after experiencing the memory of that Son of the Emperor Pharmacist named 'Abdel', even though Lann stayed for only a few minutes, the vast biochemical knowledge resolved the 'stem cell cultivation', which was considered 'childish' technology.

However, having a technical route doesn't mean it's simple to recreate in this magical medieval world.

According to Lann's estimate, he had to conduct at least three repeat experiments to formulate a standard operating procedure.

The emergence of a standard operating procedure marked the maturity of this technology.

By nature, the young man was quite sensitive to crises. With the news that he would re-enter the Celestial Sphere Rift in two months and the newly acquired knowledge, he was inclined to complete the production of the [Second Heart] within two months.

Then complete the enhancement surgery process at the same time.

Enhancing oneself is always the most reassuring choice.

But the problem is... experiments cost money!

If Lann followed the step-by-step approach, aligning with Tishaya's experimental ideas, then even if they failed, these experimental costs would be accounted for by the Airetusa Academy.

If Lann's academic ability had gained Tishaya's recognition, even enough for her to change her experimental thinking, then the money could come from the academy's budget.

But now, as he wanted to conduct experiments according to his own ideas, Tishaya would not allow the academy to fund it, even for Margaret's sake.

In other words—Lann had to fund the experiments himself.

No matter how much personal wealth one accumulates, it cannot compare to the profitability of an organization that maintains a long-term leading position in technology.

According to Lann's current understanding of the crystal cultivation project, every operation of this laboratory requires a batch of natural crystals the size of basins.

There are also disposable cashmere strips that have been modified using magic, with magic runes sewn on them to conduct Chaos Magic Power.

Just these two major expenses alone cost over three thousand Oren Coins!

The Demon Hunter thought he was doing well financially, having first earned five thousand Oren from Veltrest and then brought back ten thousand Gold Coins from another world.

But when it came time to really spend money, he realized how poor he actually was.

Margaret, on the other hand, was absurdly wealthy, or rather, an accomplished Female Warlock couldn't possibly lack money.

To Margaret, Lann's entire net worth might just be 'decent'.

This Female Warlock, who enjoyed life, spent over a thousand Oren on food and drink each year, living lavishly.

Although Lann would joke about how 'living off someone else is nice', he limited it to dining with Margaret.

Steeped in the culture of his hometown, he found it hard on his pride to take large sums of money from a woman to accomplish something.

"By the way,"

Lann rubbed his chin and asked Margaret by the vanity table.

"Does Airetusa have a service for making space expansion packs? Like your spacious handbag?"

"Magic packets? The academy does produce such things. Why, do you want one?"

Margaret's expression in the mirror seemed somewhat amused.

Noticing this, Lann couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, but bit the bullet and replied.

"I think there are quite a few good things in the other world. Last time, I almost couldn't carry them all. I want to know if I can enchant my Alchemy Pouch with space expansion magic so that..."

"Thirty thousand Oren."

The Female Warlock casually spoke the chilling figure with her lips at thirty-seven degrees as she applied her eyeshadow.

At least, it made Lann feel cold inside.

Holding onto a glimmer of hope, Lann's lip twitched as he tentatively continued to ask.

"What if the space expansion request isn't that big? I wasn't thinking of too much initially..."

"Standard two cubic meters, thirty thousand Oren."

The Female Warlock mercilessly shattered the Demon Hunter's little thought.

"Space expansion magic is undoubtedly an extremely difficult and emerging field. Some famous old Mages can't even master it, so there's currently only this specification."

The Female Warlock turned her body from the vanity table, teasingly looking at the poor Demon Hunter.

"Do you still want it?"

Lann scratched his head, his silver hair glowing softly, now in disarray.

"Ah...the money!"

Previously, he thought what could really cost a Demon Hunter that much?

Probably two thousand Gold Coins could last a lifetime.

But after truly encountering high-end industries and products, Lann realized no amount of money was enough.

"In my homeland world, I wasn't educated about money, but here I've gotten quite the lesson..."

Margaret smiled, "If you're short on cash, need a hand?"

Lann immediately tucked away his overwhelmed demeanor, placing his hands in front of him like playing an accordion to show obvious resistance.

"Thanks, but perhaps I shouldn't."

Margaret didn't seem upset; in fact, this little stubbornness in a man can sometimes appear charming to a woman.

When the man is exceptionally handsome, it becomes even more endearing.

-----------------

Today, Tishaya was wearing a sky-blue cashmere long dress, with the characteristic large neckline of Female Warlocks at the front, revealing skin that remained plump and delicate despite hundreds of years.

At this moment, she was sitting in the dean's office, signing a document. After swiftly writing with a quill, she placed the document neatly on a stack beside her.

From his seat opposite the table, Lann found this scene pleasing to the eye, and Tishaya's every action in daily life was a balm for someone with OCD.

This former dean of power looked up at the silver-haired gentleman in front of her, also feeling a wave of physical and mental comfort.

A beautiful member of the opposite sex is a great stress reliever. This is human nature.

"So, in two months, you'll return to the other world to ensure no invasion from beyond this world?"

Tishaya gracefully clasped her hands, adopting a conversational stance.

"Margaret and I have investigated the background of the Lady of the Lake. Her deeds indeed coincide with the spread of knightly spirit, and the content of her deeds mostly reflects the five virtues of knights. It's almost certain she is a conceptual deity... Thanks to you, Airetusa Academy became the first in the world to recognize the existence of 'deities' at a Magic Academy. Previously, such crucial knowledge might have only been privately exchanged among the most powerful Mages."

Humans have only landed on this continent for a few hundred years, and simultaneously, the gifted among humans began mastering Chaos Magic Power, manipulating nature.

Therefore, most of those within the Warlock community are pure atheists.

The news brought by Lann undoubtedly broadened their horizons.

Of course, Lann didn't speak of Da Gun's part. He always felt that continuing to spread this name around the world was a risk.

"However..." Tishaya changed her tone.

"If the two-month deadline causes you to develop a sense of urgency in your research, that would be a major taboo in research."

"Your approach is too radical, Lann."