Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 181

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Reincarnated as a Legendary Talent Genius of a Noble Family Episode 181

 

120. Genius of Invention (2)

 

Ernest was truly befitting of the Exploration Department. Or should I say, befitting of Ernest himself.

 

“Dane, over here.”

 

“Isn’t that a dead end?”

 

“No way. Look, there’s a path this way.”

 

“You’re right.”

 

The fellow really seemed to know the Academy’s structure inside and out.

 

Just when I thought it was a blocked alley, a wall appeared that we could jump over, and he chose directions without any hesitation.

 

All while maintaining a distance that kept those guys we were chasing within sight without losing them.

 

He said he’d been wandering around the Academy non-stop instead of attending classes after enrollment, and it was really true.

 

“As expected, they’re heading outside.”

 

And those two fellows were heading outside the Academy.

 

It didn’t matter for them since they were workers, but the guy who would receive that notebook probably wouldn’t be.

 

They wouldn’t be stupid enough to enter the Academy and leave entry records.

 

“Good thing it’s vacation.”

 

If it were during the semester, it would have been troublesome because of the exit permits.

 

Well, it’s not like there wouldn’t be ways to get out anyway.

 

In any case, we also passed through the main gate and continued tracking those guys.

 

Ernest seemed to be well-versed in the Capital’s alleys too, having learned them at some point.

 

“There, they stopped.”

 

And now we were lying flat on some building’s roof, looking down at those guys.

 

Those guys had stopped at Capital Square and seemed to be waiting for someone.

 

But they were constantly looking around, seeming more like they were being cautious rather than looking for someone.

 

As if they were being chased.

 

“I’ve never seen those guys before. Can you make out their faces?”

 

“No. Not at all. But they don’t look like students… they look like workers?”

 

For reference, during vacation, various construction work takes place throughout the Academy.

 

Since it’s difficult to do during the semester, it’s done during vacation.

 

But if they really were workers, those guys used their heads quite well. Workers have free access due to their nature.

 

“They are workers.”

 

The armbands visible were entry passes proving they were Academy workers.

 

So they disguised themselves as workers to enter Hanston Building and approached Big Sister’s research lab without trouble.

 

But I need to see more to understand their exact intentions.

 

Those guys were being cautious in all directions, but they probably wouldn’t think someone was actually chasing them.

 

“Squeak.”

 

Meanwhile, someone was approaching those guys while looking around nervously.

 

“That guy doesn’t seem like a professional.”

 

He was obviously extremely anxious and tense.

 

He was even big enough to stand out. Enough to catch the eye even in this crowded Capital Square.

 

“As expected.”

 

And that big guy made contact with the two fellows.

 

I could see one of the two guys we first spotted taking something out from his chest.

 

“Ernest. If I chase after that big guy, you follow the other two.”

 

“Just follow?”

 

“Yeah. Just find out what kind of guys they are and where they’re staying. If it gets dangerous, get out.”

 

The intruders aren’t the key right now.

 

What’s important is that big guy.

 

But I can’t just let them go either.

 

“Sister, I found them.”

 

-Found them?

 

“Yeah. I was tracking the guys who seemed to have stolen something, and they stopped here at the northern plaza area, where they met some fat guy.”

 

-Fat guy…?

 

Big Sister, who immediately responded to the communication, reacted to the mention of a fat guy.

 

-Can you get a little closer to get a better look?

 

“I was just about to do that.”

 

-Just see what that guy looks like. I have someone in mind. No matter how I think about it, it seems like that bastard Nicolai…

 

Nicolai.

 

I got a name that I had a hunch about.

 

“What kind of guy is he?”

 

-He exists. He’s a magic engineer from Antalion Magic Tower, always picking fights with me.

 

So he’s a fellow inventor, but in a competitive relationship?

 

-I wasn’t even paying attention to him, but I knew he was despicable, though I didn’t think he’d go this far…

 

Big Sister seemed already convinced that the guy I mentioned was Nicolai.

 

-I just called the guards. Dane, I’ll guide them toward where you’re tracking.

 

“Good.”

 

I should probably get closer to take a look.

 

“I’ll be right back.”

 

I got down from the building and quickly approached that direction.

 

Then I positioned myself in a suitable spot. Central Plaza was bustling with people, so there was no need to use ‘Stealth’.

 

“Did they find out we infiltrated?”

 

“We weren’t caught. But they’ll know now.”

 

“Any tailing?”

 

“There wasn’t any.”

 

“Good.”

 

Suspicious conversation was taking place.

 

“So this is that… the thing that contains everything.”

 

“I’m not sure if we brought the right thing.”

 

“I’m certain. If you brought it from there, it’s definitely right. You brought what was on the desk, right?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

“Good.”

 

And what the newly joined guy received was a notebook.

 

Big Sister’s research notebook.

 

That’s it.

 

I quickly drew up mana and rearranged the code, and meanwhile their conversation continued.

 

“But the security really was thorough. The neutralization equipment didn’t even last a minute.”

 

“Well, that’s because it doesn’t actually neutralize anything, it just tricks them into thinking it’s neutralized. Still, it’s an amazing device. This is the research lab of one of the Empire’s top inventors. Of course, I’m the first.”

 

After a while.

 

“We should scatter now. You guys never saw me today.”

 

“How could we refuse? Just make sure to take care of our success bonus.”

 

“I’ll contact you soon. With just this… I can now become the Empire’s greatest…”

 

The guy seemed quite excited.

 

Why did he target Big Sister’s research notebook?

 

Seeing him say he can become the Empire’s greatest…

 

Could he be a fellow inventor?

 

Or maybe a guy targeting something related to Big Sister’s research.

 

Whatever it is, this much is certain.

 

I have to get that research notebook back.

 

Fortunately, the guy didn’t seem to plan on looking at the notebook right away, as he very carefully put the notebook into his chest.

 

He doesn’t seem to be planning to look at it immediately.

 

And I also found out that he was indeed the person Big Sister mentioned.

 

The Antalion Magic Tower’s crest I glimpsed when he rolled up his sleeve to put it in his pocket.

 

Nicolai.

 

That’s him alright.

 

“Well then, I’ll be heading back now. The payment will be transferred to your Imperial Bank account soon. Within a week.”

 

“Please make sure of it.”

 

“Would there be any doubt?”

 

With that, the three scattered in different directions.

 

Now, I chase after Nicolai.

 

I won’t need to chase him for long.

 

He was walking only toward deserted places, as if his own feet were leading him there.

 

And I revealed myself in front of him at the right moment.

 

“Hiiiiek!”

 

What a great advertisement.

 

Nicolai was startled to see me suddenly appear and collapsed with a thud.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

 

I deliberately approached and helped him up. Nicolai blankly took my hand and barely managed to stand.

 

“Is something wrong? It’s quite embarrassing when someone gets so startled at seeing a person.”

 

“Ah, that, ah. S-sorry. I was in a hurry to get somewhere.”

 

“Anyone would think you were running away.”

 

At my words, Nicolai flinched for a moment, but soon shook his head pretending otherwise.

 

“Ha, haha. Running away, you say.”

 

“Right? Your expression looked exactly like that, so I just asked.”

 

I continued speaking nonchalantly while nodding at Nicolai.

 

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

 

“Heh, hehe. Take care.”

 

Nicolai ran off in a hurry.

 

And I watched him while looking at the notebook.

 

Big Sister’s research notebook that I had just taken from Nicolai’s pocket.

 

“This was easier than I thought.”

 

According to Mother’s theory, assassins naturally need to have quick hands.

 

Therefore, they should also know how to quickly ‘retrieve’ something.

 

“Should I call this pickpocketing?”

 

Though I probably won’t use it for that purpose.

 

Anyway, it worked out well, so that’s good.

 

“With this, I’ve retrieved the item.”

 

Now then.

 

Should I follow him now?

 

To see where he was planning to go with this notebook.

 

And what he was planning to do.

 

* * *

 

Nicolai was called a genius of invention, that is, a genius inventor.

 

He had developed countless magical tools so far, and among them were items evaluated as having ‘changed life.’

 

Things like water wheels powered by mana, or safety shock absorbers applied to carriages.

 

That reputation seemed like it would last forever.

 

Until a new genius named Arabella Sogress appeared.

 

‘That’s when everything started going wrong for me.’

 

The inventions that Arabella developed with tremendous genius turned well-used tools into ‘obsolete items.’

 

Communication crystal orbs made ‘portable’ by dramatically reducing their size, efficient cooling devices powered by mana, heating generators now used in almost all furniture, and even subspace with dramatically improved storage capacity and efficiency.

 

From then on, Nicolai began to be pushed out.

 

He tried hard but couldn’t catch up.

 

Products he barely managed to develop were either already developed by Arabella first, or what Arabella released later was better.

 

Even…

 

Recently, items that raised existing mana efficiency to tremendous levels were being released one by one.

 

‘I need to see what kind of secret method she’s using.’

 

This was the background behind Nicolai stealing the research notebook.

 

Actually, that’s the key point.

 

‘Such efficiency can’t exist. Yes, that’s right. It must be black magic. If it’s not, then I just need to have it!’

 

The efficiency of the prototypes Arabella had been releasing recently.

 

Though they weren’t official releases, the mana efficiency of the inventions surpassed existing products.

 

Nicolai wanted to find out that secret.

 

He spent a lot of money hiring thieves, temporarily neutralized the research lab, and stole the research notebook.

 

Fortunately, this attempt was successful.

 

“Huff, huff.”

 

Until he entered the inn he had reserved in advance, closed the room door, and searched his pocket with an excited heart.

 

“…What, what!”

 

Nicolai’s broad face turned pale.

 

He definitely, definitely took it.

 

He definitely put it in, so why?

 

“Could it be.”

 

The memory from earlier suddenly came to mind.

 

A situation where he couldn’t notice anything strange because he was leaving in such a hurry.

 

No, even if he wasn’t in a hurry, it wasn’t a situation where he would notice anything strange. Running into people in alleys is common.

 

The problem was…

 

“Silver hair… green eyes…”

 

The appearance of that Academy student he had bumped into was familiar.

 

An appearance he had never seen but often heard about.

 

Click.

 

At that moment, the door to the room he was in suddenly opened.

 

“…!”

 

And Nicolai came face to face with him.

 

The one he had bumped into earlier—

 

“I think we need to have a talk.”

 

Dane Sogress.

 

“You picked a nice quiet place.”

 

‘H-how did he follow me here!’

 

Nicolai’s face was colored with shock.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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