Spring arrived, and I celebrated my twelfth birthday.
When Father held a birthday party for me, I was surprised by the number of guests who showed up.
Up until now, only people close to us had attended.
Apparently, rumors had spread about my establishing the Workshop and creating wheat that was resistant to drought.
However, even though the grand hall of the Margrave’s mansion was packed with guests, many were bewildered by my changed appearance.
“Who is that noble youth who so resembles Lord Edward?”
“Which one is the guest of honor, Lord William?”
I could hear whispers like that.
Yeah, I thought I looked like a completely different person myself.
“Will, you’ve lost a lot of weight, haven’t you?”
Letty called out to me without hesitation.
“Letty, you can still recognize me?”
“Just because you lost some weight, there’s no way I’d mistake you for someone else, Will.”
I see.
That makes me a little happy.
Just as I was thinking that, I felt the predatory gaze of carnivores—noble girls rushed over to me.
“Lord William, happy birthday!”
As I awkwardly tried to respond, I overheard them squabbling—”How long are you going to keep talking? It’s my turn next!”—and felt myself shrink back.
“Good grief. Now that Will has become successful and handsome, everyone suddenly changes their tune. Aren’t you all embarrassed? Look, you’re scaring Will off. Why don’t you leave it at that?”
When Letty stepped forward, the noble girls, who couldn’t compete with her status or looks, retreated.
“Will, happy birthday once again.”
“Thank you, Letty.”
Thanks to Letty, I was freed from the swarm of girls.
Relieved, I sipped my tea as we chatted.
“By the way, how did you lose so much weight so suddenly?”
“Hmm? I’ve been using Body Enhancement Magic, and I ended up losing weight.”
“Oh, really? So you can use Body Enhancement Magic now. The Production Skill is broader than I thought.”
“May I offer my greetings as well?”
After Letty and I had chatted for a while, Alex Levant, the head of the Levant Company, came over.
It seemed he had been waiting for the nobles’ greetings to settle down.
Letty quietly stepped back so as not to intrude.
In this respect, she was every inch the refined noble.
“Lord William, happy birthday.”
“Thank you. The Levant Company has helped me by selling the Workshop’s furniture and bags.”
“No, no, it is we who are grateful to handle such fine-quality goods. And to have produced a new variety of wheat—Lord William, your Production Skill is truly extraordinary.”
“Oh, I was just lucky, really.”
“Lord William, you are so modest. By the way, my child has come with me today. May I introduce them?”
“Yes, of course.”
Emerging from behind Alex was, quite literally, an unbelievably beautiful girl.
Her large, moist eyes were framed by long lashes.
She had a graceful nose, a slender chin, and delicate lips that drew my gaze.
This must be the craftsmanship of the gods.
I stood frozen in awe until Alex, with a wry smile, made the introduction.
“My son, Oliver.”
Huh?
Son?
Did I mishear?
“I am Olivia, child of Alex Levant.”
Olivia shot her father a disgruntled look, then turned to greet me with a smile.
So I was right—it was daughter, not son.
“I heard Lord William is a skilled user of the Production Skill, so I asked Father to bring me along.”
Her voice was a little deep but calm, pleasant to the ear.
“Nice to meet you, I’m William Fairchild.”
“The furniture and bags you create are wonderful, Lord William. Above all, to have developed a new variety of wheat is a truly extraordinary talent. I’m sure this summer there will be a flood of purchase requests from all over. Our company would be honored to handle it.”
“Ahaha, thanks for your praise. But we won’t know for sure until we harvest it.”
“No, I am confident it will succeed. The massive amount of magic you used to build the house for the Dwarf Clan was impressive as well, but your creativity, Lord William, is genius.”
“No, no, you’re exaggerating. And how do you know so much about the Dwarf Clan’s house?”
“I became interested in you, Lord William, and so I gathered information. The more I learned, the more I realized how exceptional your talent is. Please, allow our company to work with you. And now that we have become acquainted, I also hope we can become friends personally.”
After Olivia left my side, she approached Letty, who for some reason now seemed to be in a bad mood.
When Olivia whispered something to her, Letty’s eyes widened in shock, and after a few words between them, Letty’s mood visibly improved.
What in the world did they talk about?