Chapter 15: I can’t resist the urge to do academic research!

After Monet signed the humiliating contract, Luwei calmly used Appraisal on her.

[-1 Gold Coin]

[Status Window]

Name: Monet

Strength: 5

Stamina: 4

Intelligence: 98

Charisma: 9

Mana: 1067

Affection Level: -24

Obedience Level: 1

Value Assessment: 120 Gold Coins

[Trait 1: Alchemist (B)]

This unit is diligent, extremely intelligent, and has achieved profound accomplishments in the field of alchemy.

[Trait 2: Talisman Mastery (B+)]

This unit is proficient in magic circuit craftsmanship and receives an additional bonus when performing magic-tech tasks.

[Trait 3: Drunkard (D-)]

This unit loves alcohol as much as life itself; creative inspiration increases while in a drunken state.

[Trait 4: Academic?? (??)]

This unit can convert ??’s ????, into ?? for academics…

‘Over 1,000 mana…’

This was the highest mana total Luwei had ever seen in a girl.

She remembered from the original setting that reaching a mana total of 1,000 was equivalent to the level of a third-tier mage.

In the Kingdom of Avalon, someone at that level could already apply for quite important security positions.

‘But why is her Affection Level so negative?’

Luwei felt she had worked very hard to maintain a smile.

Although that contract was indeed somewhat unfair, her Affection Level shouldn’t be that low, should it?

Looking further down… her Value Assessment was actually 120 gold coins?

Luwei clicked her tongue inwardly.

She had reviewed Monet’s personal resume, and she truly deserved a value of 120 gold coins.

It was just hard to imagine that such a promising professor of alchemy would fall into such a pathetic state.

Luwei thought of Floxi, who was valued at seventy gold coins… however, her maid’s value actually stemmed entirely from her wanted poster.

Finally, there were Monet’s traits…

Seeing the string of question marks on Trait 4, Luwei suddenly felt a bit excited.

‘One of Monet’s traits actually contains an unknown entry?’

To prevent players from developing characters based purely on color and abandoning those below the gold tier, Bonds included a category of “blind box” traits whose effects could not be determined through Appraisal.

They could only be unlocked through affection building or long-term interaction… and there was a high probability of yielding a trait at the gold tier or above!

From this perspective, Professor Monet wasn’t entirely without development value.

Luwei then turned her attention to the remaining traits.

‘Monet’s Alchemist trait only has B-tier potential?’

Luwei recalled Floxi’s A-tier alchemy potential, and her eyes couldn’t help but flicker.

It seemed that cultivating Floxi’s talent for alchemy had been the right choice.

There was just one thing…

At this thought, Luwei suddenly fell into reflection.

During this past week, she had been cultivating Shuangsha for free, hiring Shuangna to collect magic materials, and paying out of her own pocket for Floxi to study alchemy…

Did such behavior… really still fit the persona of the “Villainess Luwei”?

Luwei had never forgotten the existence of the Plot Correction Mechanism.

At the same time, she wanted to test where the “bottom line” of the correction actually was.

The plot required Luwei to bully young girls and then suffer their revenge.

In that case, would “bullying” them in the form of employment be recognized by the plot?

If the wicked female antagonist turned into an evil capitalist, and “bullying” turned into “exploitation”… what would the revenge from the heroines look like then?

Luwei could only try her best not to think about these things.

There were less than four weeks left until the first reckoning in the plot.

Before then, she had to continuously expand her Influence.

Not only was this to guard against the revenge of the Angel Floxi, but it was also to prepare for the “plot correction” that could happen at any time!

“Hey, the contract is signed. Is it time to give me the New Healing Potion Formula?”

Hearing Monet’s impatient tone, Luwei gradually snapped out of her thoughts.

“Naturally, that is not a problem.”

“However, before that, I will take you to visit your future laboratory.”

Luwei gave Monet a slight smile.

Speaking of this alchemy laboratory, it was all thanks to Floxi.

Luwei had written a letter to Duke Caris, who was far away on the border, claiming that Floxi wanted to learn alchemy and that she hoped to build a private laboratory for her.

The result went without saying.

Upon learning that Luwei was willing to reconcile with Floxi, the Duke almost broke down in tears of joy.

Thus, in just a few days, the framework of the laboratory had already taken shape.

“By the way, Monet, what are your expectations regarding research funds?”

Luwei asked, pretending to be casual.

Over the past week, Shuangna had collected quite a few alchemy materials, but the liquid capital in Luwei’s own hands was truly a bit lacking.

“Funds?”

Monet snorted.

She had just been threatened by this little brat and forced to sign a predatory treaty; her anger had not yet subsided.

“At the very least…”

Her eyes darted around.

“Twenty gold coins a month!”

Monet spoke quite firmly, but upon hearing this, Luwei suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Then, those dark eyes fell upon Monet.

“Uh…”

For some reason, cold sweat suddenly beaded on Monet’s forehead.

“Actually, ten gold coins is about enough…”

Monet tactfully backed down.

However, the silver-haired girl’s oppressive gaze still did not dissipate.

“Seven coins, no less!”

Monet gritted her teeth.

“Even if your potion formula is truly promising… if the research funds are lower than seven gold coins, I won’t be able to do anything!”

But even though she had put it that way, that eerie smile appeared on Luwei’s face again.

“I’ll give you this much…”

She held up a small hand, spreading her five fingers and waving them gently in front of Monet’s eyes.

“Five gold coins a month? Are you treating me like a beggar??”

Monet finally couldn’t stand Luwei’s exploitation anymore.

She wanted the horse to run, but she didn’t want the horse to eat—how could there be such a thing in this world??

Luwei just looked at Professor Monet, who had such modest demands, and felt a wave of amusement in her heart.

She didn’t explain, but simply turned and walked through the laboratory doors.

“Hey, wait… a minute…”

Monet’s words got stuck in her throat and wouldn’t come out.

Because, behind that heavy mana-crystal door—

It was the first time Monet wanted to use the word “sumptuous” to describe alchemy equipment.

“Hey… why is there Mithril inlaid on the reagent bottles?”

“And what is this? Using magic beast cores as glass??”

“The walls of the isolation room are 50 centimeters of solid Adamantine? Are you planning to lock a Dragon inside!?”

Monet clutched her head in disbelief, her eyes losing focus as if she couldn’t comprehend what she was seeing.

She was so poor she could barely afford to eat, and suddenly she saw someone paving their floor with gold?

“Pick a laboratory to stay in. There’s a matching living area inside.”

Luwei ignored Monet’s shock.

She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her tone completely nonchalant.

“The material storage is at the end of the corridor.”

“Currently, there are only low-tier materials, but you can use them as you wish after registering.”

“Additionally, regarding research funds, it will be 50 gold coins a month.”

“If you need more, apply to me…”

[滴嘟~]

Before she could finish, a familiar notification sound rang out.

[The girl’s heart is thumping because of you, “Monet” is looking forward to what happens next!]

‘That also triggers a romance option??’

Luwei’s eye twitched as she caught a glimpse of Monet out of the corner of her eye, only to find that the latter was breathing heavily, her face flushed red as she stared at her.

“Hey, it’s just some research funds I approved for you…”

Luwei said, finding it difficult to understand.

“What’s with this reaction…?”

In the next second, three option boxes expanded before her eyes.

-Hint to her: “Want more funds? Come to my room after work.” (Affection)

-Pull out a whip and lash her: “You’re happy too early! Did you think my money was so easy to take?” (Stamina)

-Tease her: “I know, you haven’t engaged in any academic behavior for a long time… you’re almost unable to hold back, right?” (Unknown trait clue)

Luwei: “???”