"Both of you are exactly what I've been looking for, so I'd love to work with you. How about you two?"
With the skills I needed and trustworthy recommendations from the people who introduced them, I made my offer without hesitation.
"I'm in!"
Jenrick answered enthusiastically, as if he didn't even need to think about it.
In contrast, Wolfgang seemed a little hesitant, but soon nodded and said he was in as well.
"Here's the contract. Room and board will be provided at the temple. Working hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you work overtime, you'll be paid hourly, and performance bonuses will be given whenever sales targets are met."
At my next words, any hesitation vanished in an instant.
"Really?"
Both of them widened their eyes in surprise.
Since alchemy is fundamentally a research field, working hours are rarely fixed, and naturally, there's no such thing as overtime pay.
It's literally a job with zero work-life balance, so the fact that we were offering all of this was definitely tempting.
"Of course. For your reference, salaries will be raised at the beginning of each year. The percentage increase will depend on last year's business performance."
What moves people isn't pleading or pity.
It's money that recognizes their worth.
See? Just look at the change in Wolfgang and Jenrick's eyes.
"I'll sign! Right now!"
Jenrick shouted energetically and scribbled his signature with gusto. Wolfgang quickly followed suit so he wouldn't fall behind.
Both of them are incredibly skilled, but apparently, they've been financially struggling because they don't quite fit into the mainstream due to personal reasons. Looks like that was true.
"Well then, shall we register you as official believers as per our contract?"
I thumped a large divine register I had prepared onto the table.
Since I'd already mentioned this condition when I first brought them in, neither of them showed any resistance and wrote their names in the register.
With a fluttering heart, I sprinkled divine power onto their names.
How much would my divine power increase this time?
[New followers have been registered under the Sun God.][User's divine power has increased by 0.01%.]
0.01%! That's like a million won rolling into my lap!
For someone like me who didn't even have 100,000 won to my name, this was a huge blessing.
But now I'm curious—what's their overall evaluation that the two of them together only raised it by 0.01%?
[Both individuals have A-grade abilities, but their other attributes are E-grade. Their overall evaluation is D-grade.]
"..."
So basically, they have no wealth and lack public recognition…
Still, they're better than our High Priest or the Order Leader, whose assets are F-grade…
It really hits me how amazing Lute Sieri must be, with her SS-grade overall evaluation.
I should treat her even better going forward.
"Why are you suddenly looking at us like that?"
"It's the look of someone who's welcoming you with all their heart."
I guess I made it too obvious that I was feeling sorry for them.
I gave Jenrick, who was giving me a sour look, a big smile.
"Looking forward to working with you."
To our precious alchemists, who will bring endless benefits to our temple.
Knock knock.
"Saintess, Priest Lana has arrived."
At that moment, Monica announced a visitor. I let them in right away.
"Now, let me introduce the priest who'll be working with you. This is Priest Lana Eilach."
Lana was a female priest with long silver hair flowing over her brown skin.
As our eyes met, she quickly dropped her gaze.
"H-hello, Saintess…"
Her trembling voice was full of fear.
Hmm. Am I still that scary?
If I get too close, she might have a breakdown, so I'd better introduce her from a distance.
"Since she has the most divine power under the Sun God, Priest Lana will be overseeing everything. You two should follow her guidance closely."
"Understood."
"Oh, looking forward to working with you!"
Wolfgang and Jenrick greeted Lana warmly.
However, Lana couldn't even make eye contact with either of them.
I couldn't help but worry—could someone so timid really handle being in charge of potion production, which would become the cornerstone of the Grand Temple's major business?
But—
"Priest Lana will do just fine. Please trust and leave it to her."
Irik, who had strongly recommended her for the position, had been so insistent that I decided to trust her as well.
There must be a good reason why Irik believed in her so much.
"Priest Lana is highly skilled in healing and the most knowledgeable about the traditional potion recipes passed down in the Grand Temple. So I'd like the three of you to work together to create effective potions."
Once the three of them combined alchemy and divine power to craft a potion, we would begin mass production in earnest with the priests selected as healing distributors.
Now that the priest selection process was complete, we could start the business as soon as the potion was ready.
"Please relay all material requests for potion production and research through Priest Lana. I'll procure as much as possible for you."
At my generous offer to supply materials, Jenrick's face lit up.
He already seemed thrilled at the thought of diving into all sorts of experiments.
That kind of enthusiasm was great.
"However—every single material used must be documented and reported. What was used, how much, where, how, and for what purpose. If anything is found to be used for unrelated purposes, the cost will be deducted from your salary. No exceptions."
At the stern warning not to waste supplies, Jenrick immediately deflated.
Do you think I haven't seen your type before? Who are you trying to fool?
"Monica, please show the three of them to the lab."
"Right this way."
Monica led the three of them to the potion lab that had been prepared in advance.
It had taken a lot of effort to choose a sturdy and secluded spot, just in case something exploded during their research.
Please, let the three of them work well together and develop a recipe quickly.
I clasped my hands and prayed earnestly to the Sun God, who was shining above my head.
If you want to get stronger too, please grant my wish quickly.
But apparently, the Sun God isn't in much of a hurry to get stronger.
"..."
I stood blankly, staring at the scene unfolding in the potion lab.
"If you mix that ingredient with this one, it becomes highly toxic. How do you not know the basics?"
"That's only if you mix it poorly. If you get the ratio right, it actually produces the best possible effect, I'm telling you!"
"Then what exactly is that 'best' ratio?"
"I haven't discovered it yet. That's why I'm saying we should experiment! Once we figure it out, we'll have a legendary combination that'll go down in history!"
"Bring some actual evidence before making claims like that."
"Ugh, why are you so frustrating? Is your brain filled with sweet potatoes or something?"
"Sounds like your head is full of holes."
In the center of the lab, Jenrick and Wolfgang were locked in a standoff.
I knew from the beginning that their images were complete opposites, and sure enough, their personalities were, too.
Wolfgang was textbook methodical, while Jenrick was all about gut instinct. Naturally, their opinions almost never aligned.
"P-please don't fight. I beg you, stop fighting…"
Even Lana, the leader of the potion team, couldn't bring herself to intervene.
Honestly, from the look of it, I wasn't sure the two of them even realized Lana was standing right next to them.
"How many days has this been now?"
"It's already been five days."
Monica clicked her tongue in response.
It had been five days since the three of them started working together.
Unfortunately, there hadn't been a single breakthrough during that time.
The clash between Wolfgang's and Jenrick's completely opposing personalities caused constant friction.
Monica, who checked in twice a day on the lab, finally decided she couldn't let it go on and reported it to me.
This was bad.
Honestly, I wanted to smack both of their heads and kick them into gear…
But thinking ahead, it had to be Lana—the leader—who resolved this situation.
Not that it looked like she could, judging by her current state.
While I was busy worrying, the alchemists' exchange was getting even more heated.
"You call that creativity? Sounds more like you're just pulling wild nonsense out of thin air."
Wolfgang, now visibly annoyed, let out a mocking laugh at Jenrick.
"P-please don't say things like that…"
Lana's face gradually turned ashen.
"You say you're a genius in magical formulas, but you can't even grasp how amazing this combination is. Is that what you meant by 'genius'—as in the world's most annoying guy?"
Jenrick ignored Lana's pleas and threw more sarcasm at Wolfgang.
"P-please don't use such harsh language…"
"You were the one bragging about being a recognized genius. Now I see—you are the most annoying guy in the world."
"This is sacred ground—you shouldn't be speaking like that…"
"Hey, dumbass. Get outside. I'm gonna end you."
"Please don't fight!"
"Not scared of someone whose head is full of holes, thanks."
Sparks flew between the two of them.
When even Lana's voice no longer reached them, I sighed and was just about to step in—
BANG!
"Cut it out already! You're fighting in the sacred Grand Temple!"
A thunderous shout echoed through the lab.
It was the sound of Lana—yes, the timid Lana—smashing her fist into the marble floor and utterly destroying it.