11 WATCHFUL EYES

"Haaaaaah, that's everything." Ivan let out a satisfied grunt as he dropped the bags he was holding at his feet, opting to look over his new room once more.

After his deed with the King, he was given a room within the castle suitable for living and conducting his work. He assumed it was to keep a better eye on him but he didn't mind too much as he was more elated at the thought of having more resources to play around and test with.

Aside from that he made a personal request with the King that the deliverer of his materials be the same man that delivered to his old room. It'd be better if he can keep his relationship with him rather than start a new one with a potential dog of the King.

The main room of his Atelier would be the pristine white room that was put in place in replacement of a living room. Full of an assortment of tables equipped with beakers and vials clean and ready to use. Machines up against the wall as Ivan had only an idea of how to use them.

Reaching for the lab coat hung at the entrance of the room, Ivan was satisfied as the coat was something he particularly requested.

To him it was a great feeling to finally be back to a place of comfort.

And connected to his lab would be his bedroom, which in stark contrast to the lab was a dark room with curtains closed that blocked out any natural light. Ivan preferred that when he does sleep, even if it's for a few hours, that his sleep remains unimpeded.

He walked through the door of his bedroom, remembering to leave the door open as footsteps followed behind him.

Ivan wasn't worried about Hajime or Aiko-sensei, as he had accompanied them earlier to their own Kingdom-issued workshops. He found amusement in Hajime's blacksmith themed workshop and Aiko-sensei's calming farmhouse aesthetic. But if he had one complaint then that would be that the three workshops were each in a separate part of the Kingdom, making it a pain to reach each other.

That was expected as there was no way the King would allow for them to escape together easily should they need to. It was a small bump in Ivan's plan but it was also negligible as it could be solved with the three of them coming together and agreeing to meet at a place should a problem arise.

He took a glance at the bathroom and nodded in satisfaction as the large bath he had requested was approved. Aside from that the bathroom was full of normal accommodations you'd find in a bathroom on Earth.

Finally there was one last room opposite form the bathroom connected to his bedroom. It was an empty room, one that he specifically requested be empty. Large enough for anything he wanted to fill it with.

Ivan looked at the empty room while imagining his plans, not minding the small thud that hit his back at his abrupt stop.

It wasn't that he planned to create a super weapon or something in here, all he wanted to do was make a simple garden to grow some high quality materials. While his skills allowed him to safely grow some decent things, he planned on asking Aiko-sensei to lend her green thumb just to assure that the herbs and mushrooms could grow without any trouble.

But first he would need to create some hydroponic habitats for the materials to grow in. He would ask Hajime to assist in that project as he wasn't too familiar with the metals and minerals of this world. On the other hand, while Ivan received materials for his alchemy, Hajime received things for his faux blacksmith job and Aiko-sensei got stuff for her famer job.

So pushing aside the figure who bumped into him, Ivan made his way back to the lab. He tapped his foot impatiently as he was expecting a new shipment of materials.

"U-Um… May I help you, sir…?" Ivan ignored the meek and quiet voice that came from behind him. This only caused the figure to fidget nervously, wondering what she had done to upset him.

Ivan's eyes only twitched at the sound of her nervous fidgets and quiet murmuring.

'Ah, that's right… I totally forgot about her.' He decided he would finally turn around and acknowledge her existence.

Ivan sighed as he turned to face the 'nuisance' behind him.

His first impression of her was a demure young lady who was either here to spy on him or was completely clueless in what she was doing. She adorned what he'd call a classical style maid outfit equipped with a long gown with frills at the end that reached right before her black loafers, and an apron above all that to complete the look.

And to complement it all she neatly wore a maid's cap above her long wavy brown hair tied in a loosely two-side-up hairstyle that reached her waist.

Resting his chin on his fist, Ivan stared into her marron eyes before speaking to her.

"I apologize, but what was your name again?"

The maid's expression nearly crumpled before she chimed in. "My name is Claire Von Dilort, and for the fourth time I am your maid assigned to you by his Majesty!" Contrary to her looks and earlier display she was quite loud when angered, then again in all her years of training she never thought she'd serve a master who keeps forgetting she even exists.

Ivan ignored her outburst before pulling out a pair of glasses from his satchel, then without asking he put them on his rather short maid and nodded in approval as the slick black form suited her quite well.

She only looked up at him stupefied, unable to believe her introduction had been ignored again.

"Well, Miss Claire, as of today you are relieved of your duties, I'm afraid I have no need for a maid." Though not being entirely truthful Ivan didn't want a potential spy to be accompanying him for all his projects. The strength of that guard that punched him left him on edge, so in retaliation he would need to prepare further in case things turned sour. Now why would he want stuff being made to protect himself from the Kingdom and the Holy Church to be seen by the informer of the Kingdom and Holy Church.

"I'm sorry, hero, but I must refuse your refusal. As stated by the King these are the conditions of your Atelier. But don't worry, I am here as your assistant to help you fulfill your duties, so do not pay me any heed and feel free to use my help." Claire patteted her chest confidently, as if having expected his refusal.

This is where he was at a standstill, so not minding her patting her non-existent chest, Ivan moved to the bathroom, this time shutting the door behind him.

He knew she didn't have the gull to bother him in the restroom, so for now this would be his thinking place. Here he would weigh the benefits and detriments.

On the bright side, so long as Claire fulfills her duty he would have his needs taken care of. Food delivered to him three times a day, having his laundry already taken care of, and an assistant that would be pretty helpful in his work. As much as he enjoyed working solo it wouldn't be detrimental to have the mind of another assist him in his thoughts.

Now, the downsides. The likelihood of her being a spy was quite high. She could end up just being a distraction in his work. And most of all there is the possibility she'll attempt to assassinate him in his sleep should he outlive his usefulness.

Sighing, Ivan didn't know what to do. Lately he's been feeling tense around everyone. He thought being wary of everyone would put his mind at ease and yet it only revealed itself to bring him more stress than anything.

Constantly worrying about being betrayed, about being murdered, it all made Ivan feel sick to his stomach. And in the end, he was afraid he'd be consumed by loneliness.

So dusting off his clothes, Ivan got up from the toilet seat and walked out the door, nearly bumping into Claire who was standing right outside.

"Welcome to the team, Miss Claire." He stretched out his hand to Claire with a smile on his face, he had come to his decision.

Surprised by the turn around in attitude, Claire meekly accepted his hand. "G-Good to be on it!"

Even if he was different from the kind of heroes she imagined from the books she read as a kid, she felt it might not be all that bad working for a hero like him.

"Now, Claire, quickly put on this lab coat! We don't have much time to waste!" She almost regretted her words as a lab coat was flung at her face.

"But the materials aren't here yet!" She reminded him as there was nothing to do without the resources.

"We've waited long enough, we shall take matters into our own hands. Let's go!" Not minding her outburst, Ivan marched through the doors

Leaving Claire to chase after him, who let out an exasperated sigh followed by a small smile.

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"We're homeeeee!" Ivan let out a joyous cheer as they had finally made it back from their excursion right before nightfall. It was a long and arduous quest but they in the end sorted the matter of the deliverer being denied entry into the castle.

But seeing as it was too late for a delivery that day Ivan took it upon himself to deliver his materials, so he and Claire packed bags full of material and dragged them all the way from the office to his Atelier in the Kingdom.

He walked through the door as Claire, who was carrying more bags than him, limped in and caught herself from nearly collapsing. Even though her physical stats were higher than his, she had to take a breather multiple times on the way here just so she wouldn't lose function in her legs.

Claire reminded herself to never again doubt the drive of Ivan who desired to get to work as soon as possible.

Ivan placed his bags on one of his lab tables and took the bags Claire was carrying, ignoring the sigh of relief she let go as she took a seat on the ground.

Today he wasn't able to concoct any potions because of the move and making sure both Aiko-sensei and Hajime were ok. He grinned to himself as he remembered the look of jealousy in Hajime's eyes when he found out he had an assistant. Meanwhile, Hajime had an old man who was the most prolific Synergist in the Kingdom act as his master.

Strangely enough Aiko-sensei didn't get anyone to attend her. Instead from what she told him whenever she worked on the field some farmers would aid her.

It seemed that the Kingdom didn't see her as much of a risk should she rebel.

But for now he was focused on getting his daily done.

"Here, Miss Claire, drink this." Tossing a green vial at Claire who caught it neatly, Ivan worked on getting the appropriate ingredients from the bags

She observed the vial for a second before taking a whiff of its contents, she was trained to familiarize poison in the contents of food and drinks in order to protect her would-be master from assassination attempts.

Judging it to be safe, she took a sip. Seconds later she felt all fatigue from her body disappear. Her mouth was filled with a refreshing taste as her desire for more grew.

It took a moment to calm down before marveling at the effectiveness of this Stamina Potion. While Stamina Potions existed already in this world they weren't as effective as Ivan's potions that can remove stress as well as pain and fatigue.

Usually the Stamina Potions of this world had a horrible taste, but the one she consumed only got her wanting more.

"Before you ask, I am not inclined to help you with your newfound addiction." Ivan knew this would happen as the taste factor was something he spent hours perfecting. If need be it could buy the loyalty of addicts.

Claire was not one to be bought over with just a potion that felt and tested good, so dusting off her outfit, she got up off the floor and assisted Ivan with his job.

And like that they worked deep into the night, only stopping to eat or use the bathroom.