Chapter 67

｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Translated by Bree ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

“That… that may be, but Jed isn’t that bad of a guy. The herbs he has researched have even impressed the academy’s dean. The dean has even overseen his entrance tests personally.”

“…”

“Of course, Becky’s situation is unfortunate as well, but… Jed’s scores are higher, so… there’s nothing we can do… yes.”

Despite his various explanations, my expression didn’t change, and Hyler finally fell silent.

I sighed deeply.

Though similar to my past situation, this was a family matter. Anything I did might come off as the meddling of an ignorant noble lady.

‘Besides, Jed was the doctor who cured the plague in the original story.’

In this context, I couldn’t simply demand that Becky be given the opportunity instead.

It could potentially alter many things. However, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

‘I could personally sponsor Becky…’

But I hadn’t yet achieved any significant business success.

Even though I had resolved the issue of my infamy, Becky wouldn’t be treated well if she entered the academy with my name behind her.

She would be labeled as having gotten in through nepotism.

I let out a shallow sigh.

I had seen enough for the day. It would be best to return to the estate and think things over.

Just as I was about to rise from my seat,

Knock, knock.

The door opened, and Jed walked in.

He seemed to have gotten over his earlier embarrassment, standing tall and confident.

“Excuse me, are you leaving?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Ah, that’s good. Ahem, I wanted to discuss something with Mr. Hyler regarding the entrance test coming up in a few days.”

He emphasized “entrance test” blatantly.

He kept smirking, clearly confident that he would be accepted into the academy.

“Jed, I understand you’re excited, but we have guests…”

Hyler said this while glancing nervously at me.

If Jed got into the academy, it would strengthen the herbalist’s ties with the institution. He didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

While it was transparently self-serving, it wasn’t my place to interfere. I was already planning to leave.

I rose from my seat, indicating that it was no bother.

Jed immediately stepped in and handed Hyler a bundle of papers.

“This red herb is very beneficial, right? It boosts immunity and all that.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“So, I was thinking we could turn it into pills and sell them to everyone. As a supplement, it would be very popular.”

However, his words made me stop in my tracks.

I turned back to face them.

“You want to turn the red herb into pills?”

“Pardon?”

“Label them as supplements and sell them widely?”

“Yes, that’s correct, but…”

Taken aback by my sudden question, Jed’s eyes lit up.

“Are you interested in my idea?”

Jed asked eagerly, glancing at Luciel standing next to me.

It seemed he had heard that Luciel was the Lord of the Magic Tower and was hoping to get something out of it.

But from my perspective, his idea was absurd.

Red herb.

Though not familiar to me, I remembered it well because of Becky’s kind explanation.

‘It has similar properties to ginseng.’

Ginseng. Known to boost immunity and famous as a medicinal herb.

The name ginseng itself is synonymous with a health tonic.

However, even this beneficial ginseng couldn’t be consumed by everyone.

‘People with a lot of internal heat.’

Since ginseng is a hot herb, people with naturally high body heat could suffer adverse effects from consuming it.

Moreover, taking it in pill form could strain the liver or kidneys.

Especially since the red herb here had stronger medicinal properties than ginseng.

‘How could someone entering the medical academy not know this?’

I raised an eyebrow, and Hyler forced a smile.

“Well, Lady Peregrine, it’s true that there are considerations to be made with such a potent herb. The idea itself might need some adjustments…”

“Adjustments? That’s an understatement. Jed, if you’re planning to attend the medical academy, you should know better. Turning a hot herb into pills and selling them as supplements is irresponsible.”

Jed looked taken aback by my direct criticism.

“But… it boosts immunity…”

“And it can also cause harm to those with high internal heat or affect their organs. Have you considered that?”

Jed’s face reddened, but he seemed at a loss for words.

“You need to think thoroughly about the implications of your ideas, especially when dealing with potent herbs.”

I glanced at Luciel, who nodded in agreement, then back at Jed.

“Don’t let your ambition cloud your judgment. Medicinal herbs require careful consideration and understanding of their effects.”

Jed finally lowered his head, muttering, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good. Now, if there are no further issues, I’ll take my leave.”

Hyler bowed deeply. “Thank you for your understanding, My Lady. We will take your advice to heart.”

As I left with Luciel, I couldn’t help but think about Becky and how to support her despite the odds stacked against her.

“Jed, while your idea is interesting, it’s quite different from what we originally planned. I think sticking to our initial plan would be better.”

“But why? I think it’s a great idea. Selling pills all at once would make it easier to market.”

However, Jed continued to speak as if he had made a groundbreaking discovery.

I know his type well.

He acts like he’s made a major revelation when it’s something everyone already knows.

‘And the hallmark of such people is…’

They only see half of the picture.

I smiled slightly and said, “In terms of sales, you might be right.”

Jed’s face lit up with pride.

“See? I knew it was a good idea…”

“Of course, after ensuring the patient’s constitution is suitable.”

At my follow-up comment, Jed hesitated.

As expected, his face showed a hint of realization.

“T-That…”

Jed stammered, looking visibly uncomfortable.

“That’s so obvious I didn’t think it needed to be mentioned.”

“But you just said that selling them in bulk would increase sales.”

“…!”

“And nowhere in that statement did you mention any diagnostics. Did I misunderstand?”

I tilted my head as if genuinely confused, causing Jed to clench his jaw in embarrassment.

“T-That’s…”

As he fumbled for an escape, his gaze shifted to Luciel beside me.

“But doesn’t the Magic Tower sell potions without individual diagnostics? I was thinking of a similar sales method.”

He seemed to think Luciel, being in the same field, would back him up.

“Ah…”

Luciel, suddenly pulled into the conversation, looked momentarily troubled.

‘He keeps looking to Luciel every time he’s cornered. Does he think Luciel is an easy target because he keeps smiling?’

I glanced at Luciel, signaling that he didn’t need to respond.

‘Luciel, you don’t have to bother with this.’

Luciel blinked in surprise and then smiled knowingly. Just as I felt reassured, Luciel nodded and said,

“Yes, we do sell potions that way.”

Jed’s face lit up again with triumph.

“See? The Magic Tower does it too, so there’s no problem—”

“But, if any side effects occur, we take full responsibility.”

“…What?”

Jed hesitated, and Luciel continued with a gentle smile.

“If a customer experiences pain because of our potions, the mages who made and sold it feel the same pain.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Simply put, if someone gets a headache, the mages get a headache too. If someone feels like their skin is being torn, the mages feel the same agony.”

“…!”

“If someone reaches the brink of death, the mages endure even greater suffering.”

Luciel’s angelic face delivered chilling words.

Even just hearing it, I felt a shiver down my spine as if I could sense the pain he described.

While I was still processing, Luciel smiled gently and added,

“Of course, with the extensive data we have, such incidents are rare.”

His voice returned to its usual soft and kind tone, but Jed’s face had turned pale with fear.

Then, as if remembering something, Luciel said,

“If you’d like, we could test your pills at the Magic Tower…”

“…!”

Jed jumped in panic before Luciel could finish his sentence.

“N-No! I won’t send them to the Magic Tower!”

Luciel looked disappointed, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

“That’s a pity. I was genuinely curious about the effects.”

Jed shivered at Luciel’s murmur.

“Jed! What are you doing to our esteemed guests? Come over here immediately!”

Hyler quickly called Jed over, diverting the topic.

Jed, who had boasted about his intelligence, was thoroughly humiliated in front of me and Luciel. Even Hyler seemed embarrassed by the scene.

“…Perhaps it’s best to rethink this pill idea.”

Hyler finally suggested, trying to bring some sense back to the conversation.

However, Hyler seemed to share my thoughts on the red herb and began to calm Jed down.

“I know, I was just throwing out an idea!” Jed grumbled, still clearly shaken but clinging to his pride.

Seeing no reason to stay and listen further, I turned and walked outside.

Despite the nonsense, there was a valuable takeaway.

No matter what the original story said…

‘That guy doesn’t deserve to be a doctor.’

So there was someone I needed to meet immediately.

＊＊＊

I marched forward after leaving the room.

Just as I turned the corner of the building…

“What’s going on, sister?”

I stopped at the familiar voice.

It was Sukia.

“Why is brother going to the academy? It was supposed to be you.”

Her voice was filled with frustration.

Sensing the serious atmosphere, I pressed myself against the wall and held my breath.

I motioned for Luciel to stay quiet as well.

Caught off guard, Luciel leaned against the wall with a surprised expression but soon followed suit, pressing a finger to his lips and nodding.

Peeking around the corner, I saw Sukia and her sister Becky deep in conversation.

Becky continued jotting something down in her notebook as she spoke.

“Why ask the obvious? Jed is going because he’s better. You know he’s smart.”

“Sure, I know Jed’s smart, but not as smart as you.”

“…”

“And he wasn’t even interested in the academy! But suddenly he’s going? And doing better than you? How does that make any sense?”

I widened my eyes at her words.

‘Jed wasn’t interested in the academy?’

Sukia had said Becky was the one planning to attend the academy.

‘But Hyler said Jed had higher scores than Becky.’

It made no sense.

How could someone who had no interest in the academy achieve higher scores than her?