Not Pets, Familiars

Sure enough.

Under everyone’s astonished gazes, Steel Wool took a lap over the sea before flying back to perch on Lan Qingyou's shoulder, setting Spoon down beside it.

“Squeak!”

Spoon wasn't having any of it. It turned and burrowed into Lan Qingyou’s chest, eventually poking its tiny head out to peek at the large group of people.

It could be said that since being taken in by Lan Qingyou, it had never seen so many people. It was a little intimidated.

Steel Wool, on the other hand, looked completely indifferent. There was even a hint of condescension in its gaze as it looked down on everyone.

However, perhaps because it was so cute, or perhaps because of its large, round eyes, that disdainful look seemed to carry the true legacy of a Husky.

“Oh, are these your pets? They're so cute!”

Upon seeing the two little creatures, 【High Priestess】 Vivian immediately leaned in excitedly, wanting to pet them.

After all, who wouldn't love two high-value, soft-looking little cuties?

Gu Xiaobei, however, had seen them before. Since she was busy preparing food, she only spared them a glance before heading into the kitchen.

She was about to handle food, and to keep her hands clean, she abandoned the idea of giving them a squeeze.

Professionalism spoke for itself.

“These aren't pets; they're familiars.”

Lan Qingyou reached out, letting Steel Wool hop onto her arm before offering it to Vivian.

“Familiars?”

Vivian narrowed her eyes in a happy smile as she carefully took Steel Wool and stroked its slicked-back feathers.

“They are monsters bound by a contract through a magic circle. This one is an Aurora Snow Owl named Steel Wool. This shy white mouse is named Spoon.”

“Steel Wool, Spoon... I wonder if I could buy that familiar contract magic circle? I'll offer five tons of alchemy materials.”

“Sure. It’s no big deal.”

Understanding that the other woman simply wanted a cute familiar of her own, Lan Qingyou was very generous and agreed to the sale immediately.

Of course, it wasn't just out of the goodness of her heart.

The main reason was that she wanted to spread this contract magic circle to facilitate her future business plans.

After all, her own home possessed an Ancient Tree Branch that could attract, soothe, and domesticate flying monsters.

Who wouldn't love a flying familiar?

So, not just Vivian, but others who heard the news came over to join the fun.

Lan Qingyou turned no one away.

Anyone who wanted one could buy a familiar contract magic circle.

“Speaking of which, I took a look at your teleportation circle last night. While the idea of mana replacement is quite good, the consumption is too high. Also, the plastic sheet used as the medium is too crude; it simply can't withstand the instantaneous ignition of such high mass.”

While waiting for Gu Xiaobei to finish breakfast, Lan Qingyou idly picked up her fishing rod. Watching the calm sea, she spoke to 【Magician】 David, who was standing nearby wearing a burgundy double-breasted tailcoat, trousers, a top hat, and leather shoes. A short staff rested beside him.

This plain-looking staff, with a white head and black body, was the 'Elemental Staff'—a world-class item made from a World Tree branch that he had obtained after developing the Man-Demon race.

Her words caught not only the Magician's attention but also the attention of the others.

This was a perfectly normal academic discussion within Tarot Villa.

And as long as it was an academic discussion, they all loved it.

It was one of the few common topics of interest among the villa members.

So, when Lan Qingyou brought up such an interesting subject, those around her pricked up their ears while thinking for themselves.

Of course, they weren't thinking about teleportation circles, but magic circles in general.

Based on the applications shown by Lan Qingyou and David, magic circles were highly adaptable. Most of the time, they could be used like bricks—placed wherever they were needed.

Thus, they also hoped to develop magic circles suited to their own constitutions.

Learning from advanced experience was never a bad idea; listening more now would certainly pay off.

“I'm aware of that,” the Magician said with a wry smile, shaking his head. What could he do? He was also quite helpless. “But I haven't found a suitable medium yet, and everyone was in a hurry to come to the dungeon, so I used that thing as a temporary measure.”

How could the Magician, as the developer, not be aware of the issues Lan Qingyou pointed out? But in his haste, the only things he could think of besides paper were chariot iron or alloys.

But regardless of which he chose, none could ultimately withstand the powerful, instantaneous burst of mana replacement.

“Actually, I think you could try using this formula.”

As she spoke, Lan Qingyou took out a pen and paper, wrote down a list of materials and their proportions, tore it off, and handed it to the Magician.

Lan Qingyou wasn't the type to just talk.

As the one who raised the problem, she naturally had her own set of solutions. As for whether it would actually work, that would require some testing.

“This is...”

After receiving the formula and seeing the required materials, the Magician looked at Lan Qingyou in confusion.

“It's the production formula for the alchemy pedestals I use. Unfortunately, I don't have any Mithril ore, so I can't make them right now. Whether it can be used as a base for a teleportation circle, I'm not sure.”

As she spoke, Lan Qingyou took out an alchemy pedestal to show him.

Since they were traveling, these things were essential.

Especially after the taste of success from making potions on the spot during the previous great battle, Lan Qingyou was even less likely to leave behind the tools of her trade.

“Mithril ore, huh? That is indeed difficult to come by. But whether it works or not, at least now I have a direction. Thanks.”

The Magician nodded.

The most fearsome thing in research wasn't going in the wrong direction, but having no direction at all.

Having no direction meant being like a headless fly; that frustrating feeling was no less agonizing than a writer's block.

“No need for thanks. If it works, just remember to give me a twenty percent dividend in technical shares.”

“...”

The Magician was somewhat speechless, but since she had indeed provided the technology, her request was perfectly reasonable.

Of course, the premise was that the formula or the 'logic' behind it actually proved useful.

In truth, it wasn't just him; the others who had been listening in were also quite speechless.

They just wanted to learn and improve a bit—how did you two skip straight to a final proposal?

Could they still have a proper learning session?

However, having a proposal was certainly a good thing, so they all wanted to see what formula Lan Qingyou had given the Magician.

But as soon as they heard Lan Qingyou ask for twenty percent in technical shares, their open mouths slowly closed.

This wasn't about money.

It wasn't even about technology.

It was because the two of them had already escalated the matter to a commercial level. If the others wanted to speak up now, they had to offer something of equal value.

Otherwise, it would be stealing trade secrets.

Although they were all researchers and generally insensitive to most business matters, researchers still needed to eat.

To eat, they had to find ways to make money. They certainly didn't lack resources, but that didn't mean they could shamelessly ask for things for free.