Chapter 13: A Genius’s Loneliness: Rarely Finding a Soulmate.

Listen to me, Monet!

Do you really have to research that damn material compatibility theory in magic?

Alchemy is in its golden age right now! Just casually mix some materials together and you can create something shocking.

If I had the time you waste, I would have already published ten papers…

…

Monet swept the wine bottles off her body and clumsily climbed up from the floor.

She had probably drunk too much. It felt like she could hear her colleagues chattering noisily in her ears again.

The headache from the hangover began to strike… Looking at the messy room in front of her,

it took her half a second to recognize her current situation.

She had already spent this month’s rent on alcohol, so unless something unexpected happened, she would soon be kicked out by the landlord.

“Work work… make money make money…”

Monet muttered as she finally found the right draft paper on the cluttered desk.

“Once I finish this article, I’ll have money to buy more wine again…”

But for some reason, only a short opening was written on the paper.

“Hiss… Didn’t I already finish writing it in my dream?”

Monet scratched her head.

“Why do I have to write it again after waking up?”

“Isn’t this just playing with me…”

She complained bitterly while grabbing her messy hair with both hands.

In this hysterical state, it was really hard for anyone to connect her with her prestigious title.

Associate Professor of the Alchemy Branch at Avalon National Magic Academy, and the youngest member in history of the Federal Alchemy Association.

“It’s over, it’s over… I don’t have a single clue.”

Monet’s research funding had already been cut off. She knew very well that if she still had no output this week, even that shabby laboratory would be taken back by the academy.

Feeling a wave of desolation in her heart, she reached for the wine bottle on the floor again,

trying to numb herself with alcohol once more.

“Is there any wine left?”

“Why are they all empty bottles~~”

Monet let out continuous wails…

But suddenly, her fingers touched a cold reagent bottle.

“Eh, there’s still one red bottle left?”

“Why didn’t I notice it last night…?”

Monet muttered, only to discover a note stuck to this “red wine” bottle…

“To the respected Professor Monet…?”

…

…

Inside the library of Caris Manor.

Rows of bookshelves stood neatly, filled with categorized books arranged by height. The gold-stamped covers looked brand new, as if they had never been opened.

This library rarely saw visits from noble children. It was more like a face-saving project for the family. Even the maids who cleaned daily often ignored this building.

But recently, the arrival of a certain silver-haired girl had brought quite a bit of popularity to this quiet place.

“Her Highness Luvia has been staying in the library for a whole week now…”

“What’s wrong with Her Highness? Could she have been scolded by the Duke?”

“…”

During this week, Luvia had gone through almost all the newspapers and journals in the library.

She rubbed her sore neck and glanced around indifferently.

There were quite a few young faces gathered here…

They held books in their hands but were mostly absent-minded. Some even carried teacups, treating the place like a social gathering.

Most of them were collateral relatives of the family or young nobles from smaller houses attached to the Caris family.

Luvia could already imagine why these people had come.

Seeing the Duke’s eldest daughter frequently visiting the library while their own children idled about, these nobles hurriedly sent their juniors to show some ambition… and also to see if they could build a good relationship with her.

“Is this one of the downsides of status…”

“No matter what I do, a bunch of people are watching.”

Luvia muttered to herself as the thought of leaving rose in her mind.

As long as she stayed here, these young nobles would try to strike up a conversation with her.

Although Luvia only needed to glare at them for the other party to tactfully retreat, the sheer number of people made it annoying.

And seeing her cold attitude, idle gossip inevitably began to spread among them.

However, Luvia did not care at all. She had come to the library with an important purpose.

To understand the current affairs and trends of this world, and grasp emerging opportunities…

Whether people thought she was being pretentious or that she had changed, it had nothing to do with her.

After all… the things she wanted to do were rarely understood by people of this era.

But at this moment, a commotion came from the entrance…

“I want to see Her Highness Luvia, let me in!”

“Please present your noble identity proof.”

“Is a degree certificate not enough? Here, and there’s also Her Highness Luvia’s invitation letter…”

“I’m sorry… Recently, too many people want to see Her Highness Luvia. If everyone could enter with just a few pieces of paper, this carefully built library for the noble young masters and ladies would fall into chaos…”

Hearing the disturbance at the door, Luvia did not pay much attention.

She wished the guards would block everyone outside. It would be best if no one disturbed her.

Thinking this, Luvia picked up the books and newspapers she had not finished reading and walked straight out of the library…

But just as she passed by the figure being blocked by the guards, that person almost jumped up on the spot.

A faint wave of magic emerged, and the guards at the door were suddenly pushed several meters back.

“Your Highness Luvia!!”

A loud, exaggerated voice rang beside Luvia’s ear, immediately followed by a strong smell of alcohol…

“I-I-I…” The person seemed somewhat incoherent. “I am that, that respected Professor Monet!”

“Didn’t you want to see me all this time?”

Hearing this, Luvia’s brows furrowed slightly.

“I’m sorry, but among the people I know, there is no one called ‘respected Professor Monet’…”

She looked the uninvited guest up and down.

It was a woman in her twenties or thirties. Her eye bags were so heavy they looked like they could fall to the ground. A head of messy brown hair was casually scattered. Her clothes were decent enough, but the magic robe marked with “National Magic Academy” had been washed until it was somewhat faded.

“Your Highness Luvia, please stop joking with me!”

The person who called herself Monet wailed.

“Since you were able to refine such a potion…” She took out a familiar red reagent bottle from her bosom. “Then you must have read my paper, right?”

Seeing the healing potion made by Floshi, a flash of realization finally appeared in Luvia’s eyes.

It seemed the net she had cast had finally caught a fish.

But after hearing Monet’s next words, Luvia’s expression turned puzzled again.

“It’s that research on material compatibility!”

At this point, Monet’s expression filled with confidence.

“Different materials possess different compatibilities. When compatibilities conflict, they produce antagonism. When they match, they create synergy…”

Monet clung to Luvia as if she had met a rare kindred spirit after a hundred years, almost pressing herself onto her.

But Luvia simply kept a straight face.

This person… was standing way too close…

Faced with Monet, who was eager to show off, Luvia pretended to understand while her mind drifted elsewhere.

The other party’s height was quite oppressive.

After all, Luvia did not consider herself short. Most people her age were only a head taller than her…

Moreover, it wasn’t just the height that was oppressive.

That indecently large chest almost completely blocked Luvia’s field of vision. She couldn’t even see Professor Monet’s face anymore!