That afternoon, Ron made a trip to the Chaos City Magic Academy. He handed over the Emerald Cypress's scale-leaves to Harper, asking him to research their usage and effects.
Harper, who had always been dedicated to seeking out new materials for his experiments, readily agreed.
After all, with Ron providing the scale leaves for free, there was no reason to refuse.
Ron was about to leave when a teaching assistant called out to him and led him to Professor Hicks's office.
"Your Highness Ron, it's been a while. Forgive me for summoning you so abruptly," Professor Hicks rose from his seat, greeted Ron politely, and bowed.
Ron returned the gesture. "Professor Hicks, it's been a while. What's the matter?"
"Please, have a seat first," Professor Hicks gestured for Ron to sit on the couch and then sat across from him.
Sylvie, who had been following Ron, quietly took a seat on a stool nearby.
"Your Highness Ron, here's the situation," Professor Hicks said, taking out a document and handing it over. "The meditation potion developed using the Nether Orchid as the main ingredient has now completed trial testing. We're ready to move into full production."
"As the supplier of the core ingredient, you have priority investment rights in the potion's production, which is why I've asked you here."
"You didn't invest in the explosive potion project previously, but I assume you were at least briefed on it?"
Ron took the document and flipped through it, nodding.
Back then, he had been caught up in a whirlwind of events—becoming the Chosen One, surviving an assassination attempt, preparing for the ritual, organizing elemental card production, negotiating with Mia about the hotpot restaurant... His schedule was packed.
He had especially been focused on producing elemental cards, thinking it would require a massive investment, particularly with plans to buy land on the outskirts. So, he chose not to invest in the explosive potion.
His understanding of real estate prices from his original world had completely misled him, making him think land in this world would be just as expensive.
In the end, he barely spent anything.
But by then, the opportunity to invest in explosive potions had already passed.
He had known even then that if he had diverted the funds meant for elemental cards into explosive potions, the return would likely have been far greater.
Especially during the Winter War, explosive potions were practically coin printers.
But for him, making money was never the main goal. He was more interested in having fun and completing system missions.
Given he could only choose one at the time, he naturally went with elemental cards.
But things were different now.
Currently, his Gold Reserve Bank account still has hundreds of thousands of gold coins lying idle.
He had enough funds set aside for elemental card production and hotpot expansion—there was still plenty to spare.
"Is the Academy planning to produce the meditation potion on its own?" Ron asked as he finished scanning the document.
"Yes," Professor Hicks replied. "Meditation potions are incredibly valuable for the Academy's mages, so we intend to keep production under our control."
"The document states an initial investment of one million gold coins." Ron tapped the page thoughtfully, then looked at Hicks. "I'll put in 200,000. As for how much of that should be offset by Nether Orchids, I'll have someone coordinate the details with you."
"Very good, Your Highness Ron. I look forward to a fruitful partnership." Professor Hicks smiled.
The two stood up and exchanged farewells. Ron then left the Academy.
He passed the matter to Guy, who would handle negotiations with the Academy, and put it out of his mind.
To Ron, as long as he had enough money to spend, that was enough. Instead of wasting time chasing profit, he'd rather stay in the flower shop, teasing his adorable employee whenever she peeked at her "little royal uncle."
Even popping next door for a glass of Yuna's bizarre milk sounded more appealing than trying to earn money.
At the very least, playing War of the Gods with Sylvie—who was always quick to act on anything edible or touchable—was more fun.
Back in the flower shop's study, Ron transferred his consciousness into the plushie in Nora's arms downstairs, only to find that, sure enough, his employee was once again secretly reading The Viscountess' Rise to Power.
"This is the second time she's reading it… and she's even taking notes…" Ron shook his head with a helpless chuckle.
Just then, Yuna appeared at the shop's entrance, carrying a tray, and Ron's expression instantly stiffened.
"Oh no, not again!"
Nora had a similar reaction. The moment she saw Yuna walk into the shop with that tray, she immediately tossed her book aside and bolted upstairs.
The chibi Ron plushie dropped to the floor, its line of sight level with the ground. All it could see were Yuna's booted calves as she ran past the counter, chasing after Nora.
"Nora, wait up!"
"Please, have mercy, Yuna~ Nooo! Mmgh…"
As the "battlefield" clearly shifted upstairs, Ron felt his tastebuds twitch in protest, his body already starting to have a conditioned response.
Sweating slightly, he heard the chaos approaching the living room and suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He quickly pulled a life-sized Ron doll from his [Inventory].
The doll instantly transformed into Ron's likeness.
While transferring his consciousness into it, Ron hurriedly dressed the doll in a set of clothes.
Before the chaos could spill into the study, he had the life-sized doll open the door and step out.
"Just one sip~ Come on, just one!" Yuna clutched the tray to her chest, looking pitiful. "This time it really tastes good."
Nora was curled up in the corner of the couch, reluctantly holding a cup of suspiciously glowing violet liquid.
Anyone who didn't know better would probably assume it was poison.
When Nora saw "Ron" walk out, she looked like she'd seen a savior. "Boss!"
"Oh? His Highness Ron is here, too?" Yuna's eyes lit up. "Would you like to try my newest creation?"
"Ron" gave her a confident smile, casually walked over to the couch, and sat down. "Sure, I'll have a glass."
Yuna faltered slightly—she hadn't expected that answer—but then smiled even more brightly.
She poured a glass of the glowing liquid for "Ron" and said sweetly, "Please enjoy it, Your Highness, ~."
Up in the study, Ron chuckled to himself and cut off the taste-sense link to the doll at the moment of drinking.
On the couch, "Ron" smacked his lips and put down the empty glass with a satisfied expression. Then, without hesitation, he grabbed Nora's untouched glass and downed it as well.
"Wha—Boss…" Nora gaped, frozen in shock as she watched the boss enjoy the drink with such gusto.
Could it be… Yuna's drink was actually tasty this time?
Glug glug glug glug—ahhh~
Ron emptied both glasses, gave Yuna a thumbs-up, and praised her, "Not bad at all."
Yuna looked as if she'd been massively encouraged. Beaming, she cleaned up the empty cups and headed downstairs with the tray.
"If Your Highness liked it, I'll make more for you tonight~."
Back in the study, Ron's face went stiff. A hint of regret crept into his heart.
Crap! Should've known better than to praise her…
He sighed and facepalmed as he piloted the doll back into the study.
Nora watched "Ron" leave and suddenly realized something strange.
Didn't the boss go upstairs wearing a different outfit…?