Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 64: The Villa is Complete
The rolling green mountains stretched endlessly into the horizon, their peaks rising and falling like the folds of an ancient scroll. Between them, an ocean of verdant meadows rippled under the wind, while a rushing river carved its way past the corner of a secluded courtyard. The stream babbled cheerfully, its crystalline waters catching the sunlight as the air carried a mingling fragrance—fresh blossoms, wild grasses, and the mouthwatering aroma of roast Beggar’s Chicken.
Merlin stood quietly beside Gallant, his eyes fixed upon the villa that had finally risen before them.
The three-story residence exuded both dignity and warmth. Its design blended modern elegance with classical grace: soft beige walls washed in sunlight, accented by rich, dark-brown wooden trim. The result was a structure that felt both solid and inviting, a home that radiated presence without arrogance.
The main entrance was broad and commanding, its doors flanked by exquisitely crafted magical wall lamps, glowing faintly even in the daylight. Above the doorway arched a decorative stone lintel, carved with subtle flourishes. Inside, the entry hall rose high, ceilings stretching upward with grandeur, its spaciousness making one instinctively draw a deeper breath.
The first floor hosted the living room, dining hall, and kitchen. The living room was bathed in light thanks to its wide floor-to-ceiling windows, through which one could see the silhouettes of students working diligently outside. Their movements, filled with sweat and energy, gave the place a sense of vibrancy and life.
The second floor contained the living quarters: a master bedroom and several smaller rooms intended for guests or companions.
And then, the third floor—a place Merlin had claimed entirely for himself. Here stood his private alchemical workshop, a sanctum dedicated to experiments and the birth of new creations.
Though the villa was still bare of furniture, Merlin strolled through it with satisfaction. Furnishings could come later; such details were trivial. The Beast Tamer Academy would naturally assign students to help arrange these things. For now, the foundation was what mattered, and it was perfect.
Gallant, holding a stack of reports in his calloused hands, began reciting the expenses involved in the villa’s construction. The earth-element magicians had taken the largest share of the payment, yet even so, the total cost was barely more than seven thousand gold coins.
A three-story villa, for that price? Merlin mused with a faint smile—it was almost too good to be true. The savings, of course, came from sourcing hardwood and stone directly from the mountain behind them.
Gallant himself had learned much from Merlin’s blueprints. The modern villa design was utterly unlike the aristocratic mansions of Aize Continent, which were built in towering, gilded styles. This was different. This was fresh, functional, and strangely beautiful in its simplicity.
For Merlin, this place felt alive. This was no “luxury dormitory” allocated by the Academy; that cramped, soulless building couldn’t compare. Here, in the once-desolate back mountain that he had slowly transformed, stood the beginnings of something greater. What had once been barren wilderness was now the Academy’s busiest hub of construction and labor.
Already, the alchemical kilns ordered from Steam and Starlight had been delivered to the small factory devoted solely to producing Beggar’s Chicken. Production was now more than sufficient to feed the entire Arcane Academy. The “mystery box” version of the chicken, however, still continued—a clever use for leftover spices, after all.
Merlin stepped onto the balcony, his gaze sweeping over the back mountain. Untapped potential stretched as far as his eyes could see, like a hidden treasure waiting for the right hands to shape it. His fingers brushed against the edge of the parchment layout pinned to the wall behind him—a grand design for the entire region.
Turning to Gallant, he spoke calmly, almost casually:
“Gallant, would you be willing to accept my employment? I’ll pay you a fixed monthly salary, plus commission. In return, you will establish a construction company dedicated to carrying out my projects.”
“A… construction company?” Gallant blinked, stunned. The words felt foreign on his tongue, but the intent behind them was unmistakable. His heart began to pound wildly in his chest.
He knew well that Senior Jean and Stacie already worked under Merlin’s banner, earning salaries that students could only dream of. Rumors had long swirled about the generous bonuses, especially Jean’s recent payout—over a thousand gold in rewards alone!
Gallant had already profited handsomely as the lead coordinator for Merlin’s villa and factory projects, earning favors and benefits from his fellow students. He was no longer the penniless academy lad he had once been. These days, even upper-year students greeted him respectfully as “Master Gallant.”
Once, he had hesitated to spend even a few coins on black bread and thin soup. Now, he could feast on Beggar’s Chicken every day if he wished. Sweet, milky buns were a casual indulgence, and he bought condensed milk by the largest bottles.
The thought of securing a position directly under Merlin, with real wages and commissions, overwhelmed him. His knees hit the ground, and with trembling arms he raised his hands toward the sky.
“I swear on my very life! I, Gallant, shall forever follow Boss Merlin!”
Merlin’s lips curved upward in quiet approval.
“Very good,” he said. “From this day on, you are the president of the construction company I shall establish.”
“Y-Yes, Boss Merlin! It is my greatest honor to work for you!” Gallant’s voice quivered with excitement. He did not entirely understand what “company” or “president” meant, but he grasped enough—this was leadership, authority, and above all, trust.
Merlin continued, his tone firm but reassuring.
“Your base salary will be three hundred gold coins. On top of that, bonuses and commissions will depend on the scale of the projects you complete. Rest assured, your earnings will far surpass your salary.” He patted Gallant’s shoulder and gestured toward the elaborate map behind them.
“This is my development plan for the back mountain. Beyond building factories, you must also construct a proper road—a wide, direct path connecting the mountain to the teaching district.”
In his mind, Merlin had already claimed the back mountain. Officially, the Academy had marked it as ownerless land. If objections arose later, he would simply drown them in gold.
Gallant stared at the map, awe stirring in his chest. Industrial districts, commercial sectors, residential zones—all meticulously planned. It was a vision so vast and ambitious that the word escaped his lips in a whisper:
“Boss Merlin… are you planning to build a city behind the Arcane Academy?”
The cost alone would be astronomical. Yet the fire in Merlin’s eyes left no room for doubt.
Gallant clenched his fists. “Leave it to me, Boss Merlin! I will see it done!” His heart raced with anticipation. The bonuses from such monumental work would reach sums beyond anything he had ever imagined.
Merlin nodded. “Choose a site for the headquarters of your construction company. Recruit your own men. Set their wages as you see fit. This will be your responsibility.”
The words landed heavily. Gallant, a common-born youth, had never imagined grappling with questions of salaries, recruitment, and leadership. But he recognized it instantly—this was a test. Merlin was measuring him, pushing him toward something greater.
If he failed, his title of president would be taken back without hesitation.
“Yes, Boss Merlin. I will not let you down,” Gallant vowed, voice steady this time.
“Work hard,” Merlin said, offering an encouraging smile. “I believe in you.”
Gallant bowed deeply before departing the villa, determination hardening in his heart. If he lacked the knowledge, he would learn. If he lacked the skills, he would seek them from Senior Jean. He would not squander this chance.
Merlin watched him leave, thoughtful. The time had come to gather allies, to build a foundation stronger than any one man could achieve alone. A true empire required hands, minds, and loyalty.
Behind him, Stacie stood quietly, her posture straight, her gaze unwavering. She looked every bit the secretary at his side, eyes fixed on Merlin’s back as though seeing the silhouette of a rising king.
She knew—this was only the beginning. The people who would one day stand beside Merlin would be many, and their number would only grow. If she wished to remain close to him, she would have to work harder, strive more fiercely.
In her eyes, a flicker of black light flashed and was gone.