A Turn for the Better

As a transmigrator, Colin had once considered how to make money and change his family's circumstances. In his previous life, he had read quite a few web novels. He roughly understood how to make distilled liquor, soap, white sugar, and the like.

But this was a fantasy world, and mages had limitless curiosity. Through some experiment or another, they might create something new.

This world had strong liquor, scented soap, and gleaming white sugar. It already had many similar little things. The only thing Colin had not seen was a steam engine, but he had no idea how one was designed.

Besides, mages played with far more advanced things. They played with Gundams. Secret internal designs, hard shells capable of withstanding magical attacks, and giant robot toys with autonomous consciousness. Colin had heard those things were called "golems."

For the next few days, Colin kept pondering how to make money, to the point that he became absent-minded.

"Colin, what's wrong with you? Did something happen at school?" On Tuesday morning, Colin came downstairs in his blue slippers, his bloodshot eyes open wide and his face haggard.

His ghostly appearance gave Linda quite a fright. Still holding a frying pan, she hurried over with quick clacking steps to ask after him.

Colin felt guilty. Linda absolutely could not find out about his "failure to take the Bloodline Potion," or there would be a huge uproar at home.

Linda and Smith would surely find a way to get him another Bloodline Potion, even if they had to sell the house. The siblings were capable of that.

Colin was anxious. How was he supposed to lie? Then inspiration struck, and he sighed. "Sis, I'm in love."

"So you really are in love." Linda froze, then relaxed, wearing an expression that said she had known it all along. She had guessed as much several days ago.

Then Linda fired off questions like a machine gun. "Who is she? A classmate? In your class??? Is she a noble? She must be a noble. Even though our family is poor, we absolutely cannot marry a commoner."

Linda was a good sister, but as a noble, she also had a certain obsession with marriage.

"Yes, she's from the class next door. She's a noble, but of very high birth—the daughter of a baron. My confession failed." Colin put on an expression of utter heartbreak.

Linda was immediately startled. One hand held the frying pan, apparently unsure where to put it, while the other clutched at her hair. "A baron's daughter?"

It would certainly be glorious if Colin married a baron's daughter, but could he really manage it? Linda felt deeply uncertain.

"It's not impossible. If Colin graduates from Will Knight Academy, earns the title of Lifetime Knight, then joins the army and wins military merit, he may yet become a baron in the future." Smith came downstairs. Having overheard the siblings' conversation, he showed a faint smile.

"That's true." Linda immediately beamed. Then she clenched her little fist and waved it at Colin encouragingly. "Go for it, Colin. Bring honor to the Russell family. You have to marry that baron's daughter."

Colin rolled his eyes. I'm lying to you. Still, he breathed a sigh of relief. At least he had hidden it for the time being. But how exactly am I supposed to make money?

Linda continued making breakfast, while Smith sat at the dining table drinking water and waiting to eat. Colin did the same. From the dining room and kitchen, Linda and Smith carried on a lively discussion about Colin marrying a baron's daughter.

It continued until Linda brought out breakfast one dish at a time: a large basket of filling bread, perfectly fried eggs, several small sausages, and a glass of milk.

Smith tore off a piece of bread and ate it, then casually said, "Have you heard? The Empire and the eastern Kingdom of Kexas have gone to war. It's on a huge scale. Even marquises have led their knights to aid the Emperor."

"Is that true?" Linda clearly had not heard the news. She looked surprised, and even the fried egg on her fork no longer seemed appetizing.

"Yes. Since the war is so large, it should last for a while. Wheat prices will rise quite a bit this year, which will improve Will City's financial situation. That may be a good thing for us." Smith nodded.

"Mm." Linda was a House Tutor rather than a Financial Officer, but she had a basic understanding of the market. She nodded.

"Oh, and I also heard that apothecaries are in short supply lately. Many merchants who sell potions have increased the incentives they offer apothecaries." Smith looked envious. "Those apothecaries already had it good, and now their benefits have gone up even more. We simply lack the talent and opportunity. If we were apothecaries, why would we have to struggle so hard?"

Because of layoffs at City Hall, he had been under a great deal of pressure lately, and he particularly envied those apothecaries, blacksmiths, and Rune Masters.

"Stop thinking about useless things. A person's birth determines their starting point. This is simply how things are for us. All I hope for now is that Colin graduates smoothly and is granted the title of Lifetime Knight." Linda shook her head, casually speared a small sausage with her fork, and put it into her mouth to chew.

"But why are apothecaries in short supply?" Linda asked again.

Colin had already been shaken to the core. Hearing this, he could not help perking up his ears.

"War. Healing Potions, Life Potions, Strength Potions, Agility Potions—in ordinary times, these potions are already important. During wartime, they become strategic resources," Smith answered.

"So that's how it is." Linda looked enlightened.

So that's how it is, Colin said to himself. Then he looked up at Linda and said, "Sis, I want to take a trip to Kent City."

"What are you going to Kent City for?" Linda and Smith both looked surprised. Linda frowned as she asked.

"I really want to go and have a look." Colin raised his head and answered seriously.

Linda and Smith exchanged glances. Then Linda nodded. "All right, but you'll have to ask the school for leave yourself."

"Mm." Colin nodded, then lowered his head and focused on dealing with breakfast.

Not long afterward, Colin and Smith left the house separately. Linda cleaned up the dishes by herself, muttering under her breath.

"That boy Colin has been sensible and well-behaved since he was little. He has never made unreasonable requests. He's nothing like Smith and me—we were always mischievous as children. Yet this time, he suddenly wants to visit Kent City. Could it be because he's in love?"

That was precisely why she had agreed to Colin's request. The Empire was still relatively safe at the moment. She had not heard of any bandits or robbers, and the roads were safe.

Since Colin only occasionally made an unexpected request, she was rather happy about it.