Mandrake root, with its vast mana content, wasn't the kind of elixir one could consume hastily.
"Yes, my mistake. I naturally thought that level of preparation would be easy, but I was thinking too much from my own standard."
The Goldenheims were prepared for whatever they wanted to do. But the Berchefs, who had declined and were barely rebuilding, couldn't do the same.
"..."
Having her embarrassing weakness exposed, Luina shut her mouth and glared at Gerhard.
"I didn't mean to insult you. If you feel offended, I apologize."
"Your expression doesn't suggest that at all."
"What's important is that I said it verbally."
Click, Gerhard opened the box. Inside were five reagents.
"What are those?"
"Reagents for the mana control magic circle, reagents to strengthen the mana roads, reagents to strengthen mental power, reagents to increase the efficiency of mandrake, and reagents to neutralize the poison of mandrake."
It was a set of supplements for smoothly consuming mandrake.
"Naturally, they're all top-grade items with prices to match. So, don't you need them?"
"...I do need them."
Gerhard grinned. Luina murmured in a voice as small as a mosquito's.
"...I will definitely repay this debt."
"There's no need for that. Doesn't a sponsor provide support without expecting anything in return?"
"I understand that usually, they do expect something."
That was true. After all, sponsoring a talent is ultimately because you want that talent to work for you.
"And do you think I would believe that you're spending a huge amount of money without expecting anything in return?"
"So you won't accept it?"
"...Thank you. Someday, I will definitely..."
After sending Luina off, Gerhard returned to Lavidus Hall.
It wasn't bad that the relationship seemed to be improving better than expected.
"I've properly fastened the first button. Now I need to move on to the next."
"You've already fastened all the buttons on your clothes, though?"
The servant who had just entered asked.
"I wasn't talking to you."
"We're alone, and I could hear everything you said, but if you say so, then that must be it."
At the servant's nonchalant words, Gerhard contemplated for a moment.
'Should I tell him?'
About the end of the world, about Aint Armian being the protagonist of the prophecy book, and even about the terrible future where he falls.
Hyde, his servant, had been serving him since childhood and was his closest aide. Except for family, he was the most trustworthy person.
He was also Gerhard's hands and feet, so he was the most suitable assistant for more effectively responding to the end of the world.
"Hyde."
"Yes, Young Master."
"...No, it's nothing."
Nevertheless, he still couldn't bring himself to talk about it.
When considering the situation in reverse, Gerhard couldn't find it in himself to believe it.
'I'll talk about it after securing definitive evidence.'
He decided to go with the method most characteristic of himself.
Appealing to emotions wasn't his way, nor was he confident in it.
"By the way, what's the matter?"
"Ah. A guest has come to see you."
"A guest?"
"Yes. He said his name is Aint Armian."
"...Where is he?"
"At the company store where you had your previous meeting. What would you like to do?"
"Wait a moment."
'I didn't expect him to make contact first.'
It was unexpected.
He thought the bait wasn't enough yet, but was he wrong?
"Why do you think Aint Armian wants to see me?"
"It must be because you gave him an opening, Young Master."
"The reason?"
"People who knock on the Goldenheims' door are diverse, but their objectives are all the same."
Money. Whether it's wrapped in various words like sponsorship, support, or loans, the fundamental aim was ultimately the same.
"Yes. I think the same."
Gerhard nodded.
If you know the opponent's intentions, it becomes easier to respond.
"You must be careful."
"Careful?"
"We don't know how the imperial family will react. The current imperial family is embarrassingly different from the old one, but even so, you would be an eyesore to them."
"I know."
Nevertheless, he had to create and maintain a connection. Because he had seen what kind of hero Aint Armian would grow into.
"For now, refuse the meeting."
"Should I send someone discreetly?"
"Yes."
"I'll use the person prepared for this situation. Will you write a letter?"
Gerhard shook his head. Their relationship wasn't sentimental enough to exchange letters.
"Give him an elixir."
"Money instead of equipment?"
"The Academy is a place full of eyes, though he would have been careful. If his equipment changed after he was rejected from meeting me?"
It would be a suspicious situation to anyone.
"I'll prepare an appropriate elixir."
"No."
He recalled the future he had seen before.
'Andromalius.'
That terrifying appearance was enough to give him goosebumps just thinking about it.
Gerhard did not want to confront it at all, and stopping it was Aint's role from the beginning.
'Since I don't know how the future might change due to the butterfly effect caused by me, giving help when I can is the surest way to reduce variables.'
It was somewhat regrettable, but better than the extinction of humanity.
"Go to the family vault yourself and bring it."
Gerhard said with determination.
***
That day, when Aint returned to his dormitory grumbling to Gardner, he was shocked to see a small box placed on the bed.
"See!"
"What did I tell you!"
"There's no definitive proof that Senior Gerhard gave this..."
Aint, who was opening the box, involuntarily dropped it when he confirmed the identity of the elixir inside.
"A Saint Bird's heart? Crazy, how did he get this?"
It was the heart of a sacred bird that handled light. It had perfect compatibility with the Armian swordsmanship, which also utilized the power of light.
"As expected of those upstarts."
"Now, look. Who else would put this expensive elixir in elegant packaging and leave it on your bed but those upstarts?"
"Do you think that makes sense normally?"
"...I can't deny it. But it's not the equipment we requested."
"Yes. It's evidence that the upstarts are being wary of the usurpers."
Gardner's triumphant smile was just a bonus.