Chapter 18: Steam Magic

Within the corridor lined with murals, two figures moved one after the other, the atmosphere as silent as solid ice. Watching the logistics director walking ahead, Ron felt he had to say something to break the awkward tension of this "king meeting king" standoff.

"So... how many years is your loan installment plan?"

The aloof footsteps suddenly halted, causing Ron to silently applaud his own wit. Showing concern for others and constantly reminding them to work hard, avoid laziness, and persist in repayment—these were the virtues of a truly noble and moral person.

Sid Flores remained silent, as if his heart had been shattered by Ron’s tactless mouth. The handsome, cold face that had shown enthusiasm and innocence just yesterday was now devoid of all warmth.

After a full minute, just as the boy began to suspect this guy was about to ask him for a loan, Sid Flores finally spoke.

"Ron Griffith, mage apprentice, brought back by the President in the early hours of July 8th."

"The next day, you officially joined the Stardust Society. No assessment, no selection, and certainly no brutal trial."

His voice carried not a hint of emotion, as if he were protesting the injustices of the world, making the boy feel a chill down to his very bones. *This guy... he doesn't think I'm unworthy of a job paying twelve gold lions a month, does he?*

Seeing the serious expression on the man before him, Ron’s mind began to wander. He had heard that in the capital’s workplace, some people were incredibly petty, often jealous of others to the point of extreme, even murderous, resentment. Ron couldn't imagine how he, a kind-hearted and pure-natured person who always did good deeds, was supposed to handle such a villain.

As his thoughts drifted, the boy caught a glimpse of Sid pulling his hand from under his cloak. In an instant, the atmosphere in the silent, empty corridor dropped to freezing. An invisible cold wind seemed to blow through, making Ron shiver.

*Is he going to attack!?* he thought, bracing himself.

The next moment, the aloof young man whipped his arm out and gave Ron a thumbs-up.

"Brother, you’re truly a legend. To think you actually pulled strings with a woman like Olivia!"

*?*

Looking at the boy’s clear-eyed, bewildered expression, Sid took two steps forward and patted his shoulder, as if to say, *Brother, you’re a legend!*

"Actually, I wanted to ask you yesterday if you had some dirt on her. Otherwise, as a mere mage apprentice, you wouldn't be getting involved in the Silen Valentine case."

"I never expected you to actually pull strings. She’s a legend, for heaven's sake! How did you manage not to get crushed? Teach me your ways!"

What kind of wild, tiger-wolf words were these? And what happened to your cold, pretentious persona!?

Ron was deeply shocked. He hadn't expected that the seemingly serious Sid Flores was so debauched behind the scenes. *Is this... what they call a 'contrasting b*tch'?* No, that wasn't right. The issue was that he had gotten the job on his own merit—how did it turn into pulling strings?

Being misunderstood is a heartbreaking thing. Even Ron had to lament the unpredictability of life. The blonde boy couldn't even imagine how disappointed his colleagues would be when they came to him for advice on "pulling strings," only to learn the truth. At the mere thought of that scene, Ron’s face turned pale. How could he, the dignified Ron Griffith, bear the stigma of false advertising?

"Mr. Sid, please do not misunderstand. I entered this organization entirely through my own exceptional ability!" the boy corrected him solemnly.

However, the silver-haired Sid did not agree. Gossiping, he leaned in close—much like Ron had the day before—and draped an arm around the boy’s shoulder.

"Still playing dumb, are we?"

"I heard it at the door. You asked the President if it felt good, and she said she didn't feel anything."

"I understand. You’re worried about your reputation. Don't worry, everyone knows that in the Stardust Society, I’m the one with the tightest lips!" As he spoke, the handsome, silver-haired youth thumped his chest proudly.

Hearing this, Ron nearly fainted. He hurried to explain, "Mr. Sid, that was the President checking my magical cultivation!" *Where is your mind heading!?*

"Oh, right, right, right, magical cultivation, I understand."

*What exactly do you understand!?* The blonde boy’s mouth twitched. He wanted to explain it fully, but seeing Sid’s "I know what you mean" expression, he didn't know where to start. A sense of powerlessness welled up in him. *Damn it, are there any normal people here?*

Ron awkwardly changed the subject. "Uh, Mr. Sid, Ms. Olivia said she would distribute my membership equipment..."

"Oh, you mean that!" Sid Flores suddenly realized, as if he had only just remembered it was work hours. He put aside his gossiping curiosity, glanced at the boy who hadn't even been there for a full day, and returned to his aloof demeanor.

"I said yesterday that if you encounter any difficulties in your work, you can always come to me." He paused, then quickly added, "Except for borrowing money!"

"Follow me. Let me show you the new inventions from our R&D department."

The interior of the Stardust Society was far more expansive than its Gothic exterior suggested. Following the logistics director, the boy passed through several office areas and busy staff members, arriving in a hall filled with pipes and gears.

At a single glance, Ron froze. He hadn't expected to see such a sight in a world dominated by magic and mystery—brass-colored pipes reflected a harsh white light under the lamps. Countless pipes stood side by side, and Ron saw someone place a letter into a canister and push it into a pipe. With a pull of a lever, high-pressure air surged forth, successfully sending the letter on its way.

Seeing Ron’s shock, a smile that could not be suppressed broke out on Sid’s cold face.

"Never seen it before? This is my exclusive invention."

"See those high-pressure air currents? They are essentially steam. With a few tricks, I can make them faster than a wind spirit."

"In this world, too many people rely on the convenience of magic and ignore the gifts the world itself provides us."

"I believe we should abandon traditional concepts, face these new discoveries squarely, and collect and summarize them into an independent discipline."

"Heh, heh, heh, I call it..."

"Scientific technology?" Ron interjected excitedly.

"No, it's Steam Magic!"

"Don't talk nonsense if you don't know anything about it. What is 'scientific technology'?" Sid Flores gave Ron a strange look, deciding the fellow was a bit dim-witted.