Volume 2 Chapter 4 The Importance Of Human Connections
The 3 of them, having obtained a slime-based moisturizer, were repeatedly trying out various beauty serums. They had already completed a prototype similar to a toner and had begun human testing with Randy as the subject.
However, they were struggling with the lotion-type products meant to provide moisture.
Randy's goal was to create an all-in-one product like the ones from his previous life. He imagined it as a slightly thick lotion or cream, but despite their repeated trials, they weren't getting the desired results.
On top of that, there was also a hand cream requested by a maid. The 3 prototypes──lotion, all-in-one, and hand cream──were not going well, and to put it simply, they were stuck.
"...Tor."
(Hmm, I feel like I'm almost there.)
"──ndolph Victor!"
(Not just moisture, but also oil...)
"Randolph Victor!"
The instructor's voice and Liz poking Randy in the side happened almost at the same time. Randy, pulled back from his sea of thoughts, stood up and said, "Yes," but he had no idea what was going on.
"Answer what is considered the most famous achievement of Charles III, known as the founder of the revival."
The instructor, clearly irritated, stood in front of him with a textbook in hand. Since Randy hadn't been listening, he had no way of knowing the answer, but Liz quietly whispered, "Central Nobility."
"Central Nobility. By employing some officials as Central Nobility, he raised their motivation and loyalty."
"...Very well."
The instructor snorted and told Randy to sit down, then continued the lesson.
"...Thus, the Central Nobility──."
"Sorry. You saved me."
"Please pay attention, Master."
With a slightly annoyed but playful look, Liz teased Randy, who scratched his cheek and decided to focus on the lesson, shifting his mind to the rather dull class.
* * *
"Sir Randolph, you seemed more absent-minded than usual today."
"More than usual, huh..."
Randy pouted, but since it was Cecilia, he didn't push it further. After all, they were having their usual lunch together.
"Is it about the prototypes?"
With a sigh, Randy shrugged and replied, "Yeah."
"I personally think it's not a problem... especially since your hands don't seem to be rough at all."
Liz, pouting, poked Randy's hand. Indeed, as Liz said, there didn't seem to be any issues with Randy's hands during the human testing. In fact, they felt quite smooth. However, Randy shook his head, not satisfied.
"It's still hot now. When the dry season comes, that watery stuff won't cover it at all."
"Is that so?"
While still poking Randy's hand, Cecilia chuckled and asked, "Aren't you two really engaged?" Finally realizing her bad manners, Liz blushed and pulled her hand back.
Thinking back, over the past 2 days, she had held Randy's hand several times. She thought it was for the prototypes, but now remembering her embarrassing actions, Liz looked down with a red face.
"I don't really understand, but isn't it okay to improve it while putting it out into the public?"
With a sigh, Cecilia tilted her teacup, and Randy nodded, saying, "That can happen sometimes." In fact, that's how it works with the carriage suspension. You try it out first and then improve it each time.
In the so-called PDCA cycle, putting something out there first can be a useful method, but for this time, Randy has no plans to use that approach.
"Trying it out first is fine, but I want to put out the best product possible."
"You're surprisingly cautious, aren't you?"
Cecilia shrugged, and Randy replied with a bitter expression, "Surprisingly? That's a bit offensive."
"I mean, given the nature of the product, a strategy is necessary."
Randy puffed out his cheeks, but the truth is that personal reasons play a significant role in this. Still, it's a fact that he can't release it strategically yet.
"Since tomorrow is a day off, maybe I'll go hunt some beasts in the dungeon."
Originally, he had planned to return to Victor Territory for the first time during the break. However, this time he decided to postpone that and dive into the dungeon.
To put it simply, it's about gathering materials to increase the samples.
After all, if he went home now, there wouldn't be much he could do. He had already told his father, Alan, what was necessary, and more than anything, if he returned in the current situation, he could only see a future filled with questions from his mother, Grace, and his sister, Clarice.
If that's the case, he should at least bring back a souvenir to dodge their questions a little.
"Speaking of dungeons, there's the dungeon practice that we asked for volunteers for at the end of the term."
Cecilia clapped her hands as if she just remembered and elegantly tilted her teacup, saying, "I'm not interested, though."
In front of Cecilia, who looked somewhat displeased, Randy exchanged glances with Liz. It wasn't really the right atmosphere to dig deeper, but that's exactly what Randy was known for.
"Miss Cecilia, do you have some grudge against dungeons?"
At Randy's words, Liz's eyes widened, and Cecilia looked surprised as she turned to Randy. The air felt tense, and Liz shot Randy a disapproving look, saying, "Randy..."
"Why not? It's fine, right? If you don't want to talk about it, then just don't bring it up."
Randy snorted, and Cecilia couldn't help but smile, saying, "Hehe."
"Indeed, as Sir Randolph would say."
Cecilia nodded and straightened her posture. The silence that followed was broken by Cecilia's small voice saying, "You know Miss Evans...?"
"...Do you know her?"
At Cecilia's question about whether he knew Catherine, Randy was completely confused, thinking, "Huh? Evans? Who's that?"
He couldn't even remember the name Catherine, so there was no way he would remember the last name. Looking for help, he glanced at Liz, who showed an exasperated expression.
Usually, Randy would pout and say, "I don't know their last name," but today, Randy was sharp. If Liz was making that face, it meant they had a mutual acquaintance. The only person Randy and Liz both knew at school, aside from Cecilia, was one person.
Randy genuinely didn't understand, but his brain quickly came up with an answer...
"Saint... right?"
...That was a somewhat correct answer.
"Yes. Lady Catherine Evans. She is the Saint and the one who condemned Liza together with His Highness that day."
From Liz's calm expression, it was hard to read her emotions. Now, Cecilia took over Liz's words.
"Do you remember that there were several male students behind Miss Evans and His Highness that day?"
Randy nodded silently at Cecilia's question. There was no doubt that those 2 idiots had their friends behind them.
"One of them is Sir Dario, with whom my engagement talks are progressing. He is the son of Prime Minister Marquis Weissman, Sir Dario Weissman."
"And what does that have to do with the dungeon?"
Randy frowned, and Cecilia scratched her cheek with a wry smile, saying, "It's true, this on its own doesn't quite add up."
"Well, since Miss Evans started getting close to him, Sir Dario has been acting strangely."
Cecilia began to explain the changes in Dario, the Marquis's son.
Dario had always been arrogant, but that attitude came from his intelligence. He had academic skills that rivaled Liz's and was the youngest to publish a magic paper.
But recently, things had changed.
He thought he could do it and, with some unclear theory, went into the dungeon with his followers to practice his magic skills. Not only that, but starting from the second semester, he was even taking swordsmanship classes, which he had struggled with before, so his transformation was quite remarkable.
"I personally have no feelings for Sir Dario. We are still just engaged. Even so, it doesn't feel good to see him change so much because of Miss Evans."
Cecilia's expression was hard to read, and Randy felt similarly.
(It's like...)
It felt like watching a serious student get caught up with a flashy girl during summer break.
(Love is like a rash. I hope it ends there, but if it turns into an otome game, then...)
Randy sighed, realizing that the chances of young Dario breaking free from Catherine's influence were low.
"Cecily, is there anything we can do?"
"Just knowing that you care makes me happy!"
With a smile, Cecilia stood up, saying, "It's time for afternoon classes." Liz watched her worriedly. Comparing the distant back of Cecilia and the anxious Liz, Randy opened his mouth with a sigh.
"Liz, you should take a break tomorrow."
"Eh?"
To the dazed Liz, Randy pointed with his chin at Cecilia's retreating figure.
"Since it's a day off, go spend it slowly with your friends."
"But what about Randy?"
"I'm fine being alone."
Randy placed a coin on the table.
"Don't worry. After I get back, I'll make sure you work hard for crafting."
Randy, trying to hide his embarrassment, looked away and nudged Cecilia's back with his chin, saying, "So hurry up and invite them."
With Randy's typical attitude and words, Liz bowed her head and said, "Thank you," then quickly ran after Cecilia.
"Geez... what a troublesome servant."
Randy, trying to sound cool, muttered to himself as he leaned back in his chair──then suddenly stood up as if he was jolted.
"That was close. I have plans this afternoon too... I'm going to be late!"
Randy chased after Liz and Cecilia, his eyes following the two of them walking together happily.
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