[At that moment, in a luxurious villa in the southern part of continent.]
Swish.
By the poolside of a high-end resort overlooking the serene blue sea, a platinum-blonde boy lay on a lounge chair, sunglasses on.
“Kyaaa!”
“Hahaha!”
In front of him, numerous women were splashing each other in the water, seemingly playing, though it was more of a deliberate attempt to get their skimpy bikinis wet, trying to catch the platinum-blonde boy’s attention. Yet, he paid them no mind.
“Continuing my report, Chairman Castor.”
“Hmm.”
Instead, his attention was focused on the muscular man standing next to him, who was calmly reporting.
“From the data gathered from students equipped with [Magic Pants], it appears it’s unlikely to see immediate effects.”
“But didn’t the Lionheart grow rapidly?”
The boy fiddled with the magic panel strapped to his wrist, and soon, a photo appeared on the magic screen.
Kyaaa!
The women squealed, faces flushed as they saw the figure of a middle-aged man lying in the picture.
It was inevitable; for any woman seeing that impressive figure—even if lying down—would swallow nervously, as the figure was the Mercenary King.
Whether one could handle it or not was irrelevant.
It was simply one of those things people think about at least once.
‘Trying it out once might be worth it.’
And considering the Mercenary King was known for his stamina, any woman who faced his imposing size might find it impossible to think of anyone else afterward.
“With talent like the Lionheart’s, one could likely reduce the training time significantly. That’s the main takeaway.”
“You said that Phoenix guy—he’d reach level 17 by the time he graduates from the Academy, right?”
“Yes.”
Castor took off his sunglasses.
“He mentioned that in front of the graduating class, so with enough stimulation, it’s possible that in a year, one could grow to that level. Did I interpret that wrong?”
“Most likely not, Chairman.”
Castor’s eyes gleamed with a manic obsession.
“I have to obtain it. At any cost.”
“…”
“Just getting a pair of Magic Pants won’t suffice. I need the techniques, technology, copyrights, and all exclusive rights for it. Then, I’ll only sell it to those who can pay tens of thousands of gold for a pair. That’s the way to make money. What do you think?”
“Your insight is right on point, Chairman.”
The large man in a black suit spoke, and Castor grinned, glancing sideways.
“If Magic Pants can make me grow that much… then, hehe, my little darlings might be crying under me, wouldn’t they?”
“…”
The large man said nothing in response but gripped the magic pad on his wrist tightly.
“Hey. Alex.”
“Yes, Chairman?”
“Go entertain those ladies.”
Kyaaa!
The women by the pool let out thrilled cries, and the young man named Alex looked reluctantly at the eager women in the pool.
Five women.
One man.
“Um, are you sure…”
“Of course, you have to do it while [linked], don’t you think?”
“…”
“It’s all part of your high salary. Besides, I want some entertainment myself.”
Castor glanced down at himself, and Alex nodded silently before heading towards the pool where the women were waiting with open arms.
“Heh, yes, just like that… Ah.”
Though the women’s kisses were directed at Alex, Chairman Castor trembled slightly, feeling as if those kisses were meant for him.
“Now… my miserable little sibling.”
Chairman Castor sneered as he thought of the one who was likely at the Academy.
“You better prove your worth. Hehehe…”
His gaze was a mix of appraisal and an unsettling, otherworldly look, as though he wasn’t quite human.
* * *
“Let’s make a deal, Chairman Alhena. I’ll give you Magic Bras for women… no, calling them bras is inappropriate. If you’ll make some concessions over the Magic Pants business rights.”
“…”
Alhena falls silent.
Alhena remained silent, covering her mouth as she quickly calculated in her mind.
“Of course, I won’t be selling the Magic Bra. This is a secret I’m only sharing with you, Chairman Alhena.”
“Hmm…”
“Imagine if one day, Chairman Alhena suddenly had a larger chest. People might exclaim ‘chest manipulation!’ but if it were truly natural growth without any manipulation? To the point where the Academy would even say, ‘Now you’re eligible to enroll’?”
Alhena asked me.
“Are you really planning to do this, even knowing there are students wanting to enroll in Esdinas Academy all the way up to the Vermilion Bird class level?”
“It’s not some trick. It’s the real deal. Should I swear on my mana?”
“Maybe that bluff worked on others, but not on me. Go ahead.”
“I promise, on my mana.”
When I was about to really say the Mana Oath, Alhena flinched and straightened her posture.
“You…”
“If President Alhena properly uses the [Magic Bra] according to its specified methods, I guarantee she could reach a ‘C cup’ or more within a year.”
“That’s just your assurance. There’s no guarantee it’ll happen.”
“If it doesn’t happen, I’ll not only relinquish the rights to the [Magic Pants] but also hand over the intellectual property rights of the theoretical research on the [Magic Bra].”
“…”
“Isn’t that convincing enough?”
“You’re serious?”
“Of course.”
I threw out a little bait.
“I’m not some arrogant brat who has others do things for me while taking the credit.”
“…!!”
Alhena’s face froze momentarily, but I shrugged casually, gesturing around.
“It’s just the two of us here, as it was before, and as it is now.”
“…Who are you?”
“A saint of knowledge who knows all, if you must ask.”
“Stop spouting nonsense…”
“I’m telling the truth. It’s a matter of trust. Through the Magi-Pants, I want to boost the confidence of many who feel lacking, to bring happiness to countless women.”
“…”
“Of course, mass production requires support, which we can’t do for free. That’s why I want to team up with Silverstar.”
“That’s….”
Alhena crossed her legs again, glaring at me.
“Why me and not Yurha?”
“…”
“It sounds like you’re deliberately suggesting that I ‘gave up because Yurha made a higher bid.'”
“Sharp as always.”
She’s not to be underestimated.
“Yes, I plan to hand over the business rights to Yurha.”
“Selecting a partner before open bidding? That’s corruption, you know? Furthermore…”
“Naturally, if you do that, you’d be clashing with that arrogant brat. But don’t worry; this item here will shut him up.”
I held out an item in front of Alhena.
“This is…?”
“A children’s version of the Magic Pants. Oh, just say it’s a smaller size.”
“…”
“You could say Yurha Silverstar didn’t gain the business rights to make money but tried to take over the business itself. This is a sample provided by the Academy. That should cover it.”
I placed another item beside the Magic Pants.
“Just wear it while you sleep, at least six hours a day, or the effect will be significantly delayed.”
“…”
Alhena reached for the item, glancing at me as she picked it up.
“…A cow-print bikini?”
“It’s for slender beauties now, but after a year, you might just fill it out perfectly. Heh.”
“…Not bad.”
Alhena quietly tucked the cow-print bikini away, looking at me seriously.
“So, if I compete against Yurha Silverstar, you don’t mind if I win?”
“…”
“Are you and Yurha…close?”
“Well, who knows?”
I wouldn’t mind if we were.
“Business is about setting personal feelings aside and following the most beneficial path, don’t you think?”
In business, cool-headedness earns trust, especially among the Silverstars.
“Fine. Let’s go with that.”
Alhena stood up with a sly smile.
“If it doesn’t work, don’t expect to use anything managed by my affiliates.”
“And if it succeeds?”
“Success? Well, if it does…”
Alhena hesitated, then motioned with her finger for me to come closer.
“Lean in.”
I bowed my head towards her.
“…I’ll let you touch it once.”
She blushed and answered.
“…For free?”
“Of course! What, did you think I’d charge you?”
“If I had to pay, I’d gladly keep paying.”
“…”
Alhena shot me a glare and stepped back.
“I’m an expensive woman, you know!”
“And I have unlimited money.”
“…”
“…”
With a huff, Alhena stormed out, ending our conversation.
* * *
After Alhena left, I remained seated, leisurely lifting my teacup.
“So, that’s how it ended up. What do you think?”
[Hmph.]
From the seat beside me, a voice responded.
[It’s amusing how you kept up that banter with her right there.]
A shimmer of light appeared, revealing a woman with golden hair.
“And who says they’d agree to such a deal?”
“I will, if it’s Miss Yurha.”
Yurha Silverstar appeared, dressed in her uniform, casting a scrutinizing gaze my way.
“Everyone knows distributing Magic Pants at the price of a single piece of underwear isn’t exactly profitable.”
“You’re already aware of that, aren’t you?”
I handed her a teacup.
“And you know I’ll offer compensation to make up for it.”
“…Well, I’d like to hear it, then.”
Yurha lifted her teacup, eyeing me curiously.
“So, what exactly is the Apostle of Love, hoping to bring men some sense of hope, going to offer me as compensation?”
“Well.”
Isn’t that obvious?
“We start by preventing the end of the world, don’t we?”
If the world ends, there won’t be any business—or anything else—left.
