Monica twirled Aglio e Olio Pasta on her fork and placed it on top of a slice of salami.
I glanced sideways at Monica’s tasting scene while holding a glass of grape juice.
She folded the salami in half like a dumpling and used the fork to seal the edges.
The Ricci family members looked at her with shocked expressions.
Their eyes seemed to ask if she was really going to eat ‘that’.
With her eyes tightly closed, Monica shoved the food into her mouth.
At that moment, she pretended to force down something she didn’t want to eat, although she’d enjoyed it just moments ago.
A small sigh from the chef could be heard from afar.
Monica’s brothers glared at her as if to vow, “We won’t forget the shame of our family.”
“Um, it’s delicious,” Monica awkwardly smiled while wiping her mouth with a napkin.
‘Cute indeed.’
It seemed the Ricci family had decided to completely back down.
I satisfiedly set down my glass and picked up my fork.
“From an evolutionary perspective, feeling that something tastes good is driven by our motivation to consume high-density energy sources and to maintain our body’s nutritional balance. Gourmet seekers explore new foods because it’s inherently a human instinct to reduce dependence on specific resources.”
Trying to shield Monica from further embarrassment seemed like a good idea.
Instead of her method, I first speared the salami with my fork and twisted two or three strands of pasta around it before taking a bite.
“The high-protein, high-fat salami combined with the carbohydrates provided by pasta helps with post-meal satiety and muscle recovery. Not to mention, the contrast between the soft and chewy texture and the firm texture, along with the savory and rich flavors, enhances the overall taste. Plus, the temperature difference between warm pasta and cold salami brings a fresh and unique pleasure to the mouth.”
All the things I just said were entirely made up on the spot.
“I hope that the ‘oil and water’ relationship between Janjeol and Ricci Company can work together to create a harmonious taste without being swayed by public prejudices.”
But how about dragging our company into this?
Can anyone dare to deny that it’s a harmonious dish?
“Let me have a bite, bring it to me.”
“Your Grace?”
Duke Ricci took the initiative and paired pasta with salami.
The more he chewed, the more his wrinkled eyes widened.
His family quickly followed suit, bravely trying the new food.
“Oh, it’s not bad, surprisingly?”
“It’s a hundred times better than Hawaiian pizza.”
“I… don’t think so.”
“Mmm, it’s delicious! Na-me, this is really good! Where did you learn this recipe?”
“I often eat it like this when I fail in seasoning the pasta.”
Although there are preferences, it’s definitely not a flavorless dish.
In my past life, it was a dish everyone wished they could eat.
The conversation naturally shifted to business matters.
“The advanced pharmaceutical cluster in Italy already possesses the most advanced research and development infrastructure in Europe. In particular, the San Raffaele Research Institute specializes in the latest biotechnology and clinical research, which will greatly aid in the development project of high-precision diagnostic magic that NoName Wizard is currently promoting.”
Chairman Ricci continued the presentation without being able to eat a single plate afterward.
Details about the subsidiaries and research institutes owned by Ricci Company flowed out like a waterfall.
“Yes, I’ve heard of the institute’s reputation, Chairman Ricci. However, what I have in mind for this collaboration is AI-based genome interpretation. I would like to know if Ricci Company has the capability to analyze vast Akashic Records genomes through high-level algorithms and collect data.”
“Ah, that’s definitely within the realm of possibility. It’s possible. We have been developing new drugs based on next-generation sequencing methods. Recently, there have been results in analyzing gene mutations, like in cancer patients, to increase the efficiency of targeted treatments.”
The personal assistant passed over the presentation materials.
Clinical results, data capacity, NPV by business.
Some of the materials slightly touched on confidential information of Ricci Company.
Is this a plan to get me hooked and not let me go?
Businessmen will always be businessmen.
But even the slippery Chairman Ricci didn’t come off that badly.
“Impressive on that point. What I want is for the company to allocate as many resources as possible to establish the circuit techniques and magic arrays that compare and contrast with the original Akashic Records. I expect it will require substantial resources for data processing, so efficiency is crucial.”
“By this point, our goals seem clear. Shall we join forces to achieve the next-generation medical innovation, Wizard?”
Chairman Ricci raised his glass.
He wants me to toast with grape juice?
Cheers!
The same-colored purple liquids swayed within the glasses.
I smiled awkwardly and surveyed the atmosphere of the evening dinner.
A pig-cat was completely absorbed in enjoying the elaborate feast.
Nearby, Monica was staring at Chairman Ricci with a dazed look.
“Monica?”
“Yes?”
“How have you been lately? I haven’t heard anything since the National Exchange Tournament, and I’ve been curious if you’ll be participating in the European Super Cup at the end of the year.”
“I’ll be participating in the Super Cup. In the meantime, I’ve been focused on recovery since my shoulder and knee injuries weren’t completely healed.”
“Really? It seems like you were hurt quite a bit more than I thought.”
“It’s my principle not to participate unless I’m in top condition. There’s nothing more frustrating than being unable to show your full skills and losing.”
She seemed to be a girl with a very strong sense of pride, given her appearance.
However, on the opposite side, Chairman Ricci frowned disapprovingly.
“She’s just a coward. Not knowing when to seize an opportunity, she just sits there with unnecessary thoughts cluttering her mind… Tsk… She’s lacking in skill yet hates to lose and blames it all on her condition.”
Despite the chairman’s scolding, Monica pouted her lips and couldn’t offer a retort.
It was clear there was a power dynamic in that household.
So, is that family just living off their father’s money?
“After all, even if she had won in the round of 16, she would still have been utterly defeated by that American guy, so what’s she sulking about?”
“Of course I’m disappointed, Father. Aren’t you? I put in so much preparation against Nathan Chen, but I didn’t get to use even one of those strategies.”
“Preparation? You can’t survive in this world just by preparing, my daughter. Let’s ask NoName Wizard. How long did you take in the counter-strategy setup for the preliminary round of the National Exchange Tournament?”
The father and daughter’s gazes locked on each other.
“Excluding Katsuhata Emika, whom I’ve known for a long time… about 3 to 4 days?”
Boom!
Just when I thought Monica had held her temper for long enough, she exploded.
“That’s a lie! You didn’t prepare a single thing before the tournament?!”
“See, Monica? What’s important is the capability. If your capabilities are superior to anyone else’s, you don’t need to spend much time preparing. Do you know why our Ricci family, with its 900-year history, is struggling here in front of NoName Wizard?”
Chairman Ricci pressed down Monica’s spirit.
“Because the gap in ability is evident. On one hand, it’s because we are Ricci that we have risen to this position to collaborate.”
Chairman Ricci was someone who could objectively assess himself.
It also meant he acknowledged his inability to lead the company properly.
In the end, he even subtly reinforced the prestige of the Ricci family.
Even if a genius-level item like the Dream Stone fell from the sky to Earth, the one who realizes his position and seeks a better future is precisely Duke Lorenzo Ricci.
I was relieved that my judgment about people hadn’t failed me.
He had a rather patriarchal and authoritative attitude, but that was not something to consider in terms of corporate management.
“… I’ll prepare well for the Super Cup, just as you said, Father.”
“Well, you should. Since you’re a late bloomer, you still seem immature. Your thinking is much younger than our Wizard. Don’t you kids have anything to say to NoName Wizard? Didn’t you seek an autograph?”
The chairman asked Monica’s biological brother and cousins.
There was quite a broad spectrum of ages ranging from teenagers to thirty-somethings.
They eagerly accepted the overflowing requests for autographs.
Stiff high-quality paper and a fountain pen were prepared.
“I became a complete fan after watching the National Exchange Tournament, NoName. Especially that quadruple casting! Wow, I can’t even imagine what it must be like for the opponent.”
“I’ve been a fan long before that. When Na-me was doing gaming streams.”
“By the way, is it true that Narita confessed to that Saetbyeol over there? It’s such an intriguing story; I’m curious.”
“Hmm, I wonder? What do you think?”
“At first, I didn’t believe it, but seeing it today, I think it could be true. She’s definitely hard to come by in terms of looks.”
“Just be careful not to overdo it, or you’ll get in trouble with me. She’s my precious little sister.”
“Hahaha! I know you take good care of her. You two are always stuck together no matter where you go. Thank you for the autograph!”
As dinner wound down, the staff led us to the room we would be staying in.
We were set to stay at the Ricci Mansion for a few days and visit the Italian pharmaceutical industry clusters of Parmindustria and Human Technopolis research institutes.
“Hmm? You didn’t drink any alcohol?”
Cheon Saetbyeol walked over, patting her bulging belly.
“They say you can drink from 18 in Italy, huh?”
“You still have a few months left. I have eight years to go.”
“Instead, I got to eat plenty, so that was nice. Wow, is this bed real? I want to live here! Let’s just buy a mansion like this in Korea, sister!”
“No way, sounds too annoying.”
“Why not?!”
Knock knock!
Just as I was about to change into my pajamas, someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it? Monica?”
Monica, wearing a strange scarf on her head, came into our room.
She looked completely deflated after being scolded by her father during dinner.
“NoName, do you want to fight?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
Monica seemed surprised, not expecting such a quick reply from me.
“Are you talking about the Magic Battle? That’s what I’ve been waiting for!”
