episode_0061

Episode 61 Production Contest (3)

“Would this be enough to prove it?”

I held out the completed magic tool.

The judges immediately reacted.

“It’s perfectly… identical.”

“Indeed. From the way he handles it to his habits, he’s just like Ruina.”

“Haha, it seems he’s her disciple for a reason. There’s no need to see any more.”

As much praise as I received from my senior poured out. I could also hear the judges whispering.

“Tsk, it would be perfect if we could bring him to the Production Department.”

“Ruina will be graduating next year, so it would definitely be good to have him. It’s like another student as outstanding as her has appeared.”

“Is there any way to lure him over?”

“Well, would he even come to our department? Even if we tried to take him, their professors would definitely stop us. They were bragging so much at the last meeting….”

“There’s no need to transfer departments. There’s a double major.”

“Don’t say ridiculous things. Why would he do a double major if there’s no benefit?”

“I think it would be possible if we gave him benefits like a scholarship.”

“Haha, it would be faster to make Ruina a professor and have him take her lectures. He’s Ardyn.”

Well, that’s roughly the kind of conversation that was going on. They tried to keep their voices down as much as possible, but I could hear everything.

For the record, I have no intention of going. I’ll be busy after vacation, so where would I find the time to spend in another department? No way. I’m satisfied with things as they are.

I looked straight ahead. The seniors who had been voicing their doubts until just now couldn’t close their mouths in shock.

Then the professor next to me asked.

“How long has he been learning alchemy from her?”

“About three months.”

“To have this level of skill in such a short period, he really is a genius.”

“I’m still far behind my senior. It’s too crude in terms of completion. And the word genius doesn’t suit me either.”

It doesn’t meet my standards by a long shot. At best, it’s mass-produced level.

Besides, the reason I was able to reach this level is entirely because of the alchemy knowledge I already had. That’s why I reached this point in such a short time. It would be more appropriate to call my senior and the other two geniuses.

When I said that, various sounds erupted from the front.

“Tsk tsk, you conscienceless bastard!”

“Argh! If you were my junior, I would have hit you!”

“I heard you’ve changed a bit, but your personality is exactly the same!”

Not shouts filled with malice, but pure frustration. I said in a calm tone.

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Stop joking around. More importantly, Alex. Is there anything more you want to say?”

She looked around at the students who had raised objections besides him. They all had nothing to say and hung their heads.

“…No.”

Alex, too. He closed his mouth and couldn’t continue speaking.

“Then let’s wrap up the awards ceremony.”

She wrapped up the situation.

It had ended in the middle of giving out awards, so the rest was really simple. We stood on the podium again in order of rank, received the awards, and exchanged a few words.

Of course, perhaps because of the performance I showed, more eyes were on me than on the main characters of the competition. I might receive a lot of sponsorship letters soon.

‘Should I be happy about this, or not?’

If it were the past when I didn’t have enough living expenses, I would have welcomed it, but not now. I have enough money, and even if I received a lot of donations, I wouldn’t have anywhere to spend it.

Still, it’s better than nothing. The more money, the better.

‘I’ll think about this later.’

I can deal with it when the time comes.

“This concludes the Production Contest.”

In the meantime, the awards ceremony was finished, and the contest ended. Applause poured out, and the gazes gradually scattered as the contest was wrapped up.

“Senior, come down.”

I, who was behind the podium, reached out my hand to her. The first-place spot was as high as her height.

“Thank you.”

She held the artifact from the Mythical Era tightly in one hand, and grabbed my hand with the other to come down. Being short seemed really inconvenient at times like this.

I asked her, who jumped down.

“Can we go now?”

“Yeah. It’s all over.”

It seems like there’s no after-party or anything.

We returned to the workshop and packed up our belongings. As we did, the participants spoke to us as they left.

“Ruina, that was some alchemy you showed.”

“I lost this time, but I’ll win next time! Just you wait!”

“Hey hey, someone stop him. Those muscleheads are always overflowing with passion.”

“See you next time!”

“Yeah. Goodbye.”

They exchanged pleasantries and left one by one. Of course, they spoke to me as well as my senior.

“You have to transfer to the Production Department. I’ll teach you a thing or two as your senior.”

“I’ll fix that rude behavior of yours, so make sure to come. Got it?!”

I liked their passionate and ungrudging attitude, so I said one thing.

“Surely you don’t think I’d lose. And aren’t you being too harsh on a student who just started learning alchemy when you’ll be graduating in a few months?”

I provoked them in that way. Then everyone went crazy and jumped up and down.

“Tsk tsk, you sly bastard!”

“Aaaargh! You’re cheeky! So cheeky!”

“Don’t mess with my disciple. Just go.”

My senior stepped in and fended them off. With her stepping in, no one else spoke to me. Instead, they grumbled as they left.

“Just you wait. I’ll show you the bitterness of society.”

“In a few years, that attitude of yours won’t last long.”

Hmm, they’re seriously mistaken. I have no intention of becoming an alchemist as a profession, though. Judging by their reactions, they were half considering me an alchemist.

“They’re good kids. Don’t get angry.”

“I know. Their words are like that, but they don’t have any malice.”

So, the things they’re thinking won’t happen.

Just as we were about to leave the competition venue. This time, the judges, no, the faculty members approached.

“Kyle. Have you considered transferring? Or even a double major…!”

“We’ll give you scholarships, lectures, and exemptions from assignments. You just have to come take the exams.”

“We’ll provide as much convenience as possible. Please consider it positively.”

They were wooing me very aggressively. Am I that tempting?

Of course, my senior stepped in again this time.

“Don’t mess with my disciple. Professors.”

My senior stood in front of me and blocked their approach.

Nevertheless, the professors didn’t give in.

“But Ruina. You know that Kyle has too much talent to be kept in the Department of Magic Engineering.”

“That’s right. We can’t let his talent rot. That would be a loss in itself.”

“Even though we don’t have suitable students to send to this year’s Academy Exchange, he would be a great help if he were there.”

The professors tried to persuade me and my senior with various reasons.

“No.”

My senior, who drew a firm line, pushed them away with her small height. Eventually, they stepped back after she went that far.

Well, they hadn’t given up.

“Whenever you want, if you have any thoughts, come to the Production Department and ask any professor.”

They shouted enthusiastically until they were far away.

I looked at my senior who had sent the professors back. Her shoulders were drooping.

“Are you okay?”

“…No.”

She seemed to be in a bad mood from what just happened.

“The professors are bad. I found him first. I taught him alchemy too. But they’re trying to take him away.”

“Do you dislike that?”

“Yeah. You’re my disciple. I’m your teacher. So, don’t go. I’ll teach you everything.”

A gloomy voice. Her emotions are changing a lot today.

I soothed her and said.

“I’m not going. As you said, I’m your disciple.”

“Really…?”

“Yes. More than anything, I don’t have time. I have a lot of things to do.”

Besides, to graduate from the academy, I have to take the graduation exam. In other words, if I did a double major, I would have to pass two exams. It’s too much of a hassle.

“I see. Kneel down.”

“Like this?”

I did as she asked. Then my senior reached out her hand to my head.

“You did well today. I’m proud of you. Just keep doing this.”

As always, she patted my head to show her praise. I’m used to this now.

“I understand, Senior.”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

We headed to the workshop. We talked about various things as we went.

“Artifact. How much do you need?”

“About 10%? That’s enough.”

“I can give you more.”

“I’m going to make an accessory, so I only need a little bit.”

It’s to cover the outside of the accessory, so I don’t need a lot. She’ll probably understand what I mean right away if I explain it to her.

“But will it be possible to commission it right away?”

“No. I’m busy for the time being. I have something to do.”

“Will it take long?”

“It’ll take two weeks to a month.”

“Hmm….”

I fell into thought for a moment.

A month later is the final exam. If I start production then, the deadline will be a little tight.

‘It would be better to finish it before the final exam if possible.’

The tool I’m trying to make needs to be processed separately after it’s completed. About a week?

Considering the schedule, it should be completed around the time I take the final exam. That way, I can give it to her on time.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

So, even though I don’t know what she’s making, I asked if there’s anything I can help with. Then my senior seemed to hesitate for a moment before opening her mouth.

“If you have the knowledge, you can help.”

“Really? Then can I help you?”

If that’s the case, there’s even less of a problem. I have enough knowledge about alchemy.

“Then….”

As if it were difficult to say, my senior hesitated for a moment. But she didn’t take long and said it straight away.

“Do you know about the Philosopher’s Stone?”

“……”

The moment I heard those words, the excitement I had felt until now sank down.

‘…So, this is it.’

I realized why she was so passionate about the Production Contest. And I immediately recalled what episode this would lead to.

But I didn’t show it and spoke as usual.

“Senior. The Philosopher’s Stone is a substance that humans can’t create. There’s a reason it’s called a legendary substance.”

“No. It has been created before.”

“Yes, it has been created. But that’s only happened twice.”

Once in the Mythical Era, and once again during the founding of the Tyran Empire.

It has only appeared twice in the history of the continent.

The former is uncertain, but the latter is certain. After all, the first emperor confirmed it himself.

As a result, 400 years ago, the alchemists who treated the Philosopher’s Stone as a virtual substance changed their perception after hearing the first emperor’s answer.

Due to that, countless alchemists devoted themselves to research on the Philosopher’s Stone, but the results were all failures.

Therefore, it is currently regarded as a legendary substance that exists but cannot be created.

“So, give up. In the first place, there aren’t even any related documents, so how are you going to make it? There’s no related information in the Tianis Library either.”

The Philosopher’s Stone is too dangerous of an object, so the first emperor didn’t even hide it in the library.

“No, there is. At our house….”

“Senior, if that’s true, all the alchemists and magicians will chase after you. And is it okay for you to tell me that?”

But my senior nodded as if it were nothing.

“Yeah. You’ll protect me, right.”

“Senior… You might get backstabbed.”

“Not you.”

“…Haa.”

Really, all I could do was sigh.

The source of that trust is clearly from the image I’ve shown so far, but I wish she wouldn’t do that. What if I betray her along the way?

“I’m telling you this as advice. The Philosopher’s Stone is a substance that can threaten the world. Are you still going to make it?”

“It’s my lifelong wish. I definitely want to make it.”

Yeah, no matter what I say, she’ll somehow create the Philosopher’s Stone. That’s her destiny.

And this isn’t about making the Philosopher’s Stone right away. She’ll complete it in two years. This is probably the basic stage.

“I understand. I’ll help you. But please keep in mind that I only have knowledge, I don’t know how to make it.”

“It’s okay.”

She smiled faintly as if she were happy. I sighed inwardly again and opened my mouth.

“Then I’ll be going. See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, goodbye.”

In the meantime, we arrived at the workshop and finished organizing. I left the workshop.

“Tsk, I’m going to be busy again.”

***

The room Kyle left.

Ruina Lindell stared at the door her disciple had left through for a long time. And after a long time, she opened her mouth.

“He’s an amazing kid.”

At the same time, he’s an admirable child.

How did such a talented and cute child become her disciple?

Ruina Lindell was so happy and amazed by that fact.

Perhaps it was a bond given by the gods?

“I hope he stays my disciple forever.”

The first wish she’s had in her life after alchemy.

She wanted him to continue learning under her, researching alchemy, and being her assistant. Ruina Lindell wanted that.

Then her heart rate gradually increased.

“What is it?”

Ruina tilted her head at the strange phenomenon.

Ruina’s mind was always full of alchemy. That’s why she didn’t know what this phenomenon meant.

It wasn’t a bad feeling. The fast but regular beating gave her a sense of stability.

Ruina sat in a chair, closed her eyes, and focused on the rhythm. It was an addictive beat that she wanted to keep listening to. Her mind gradually sank below the surface of the water.

But then.

Woo-oong-

Vibration felt from the subspace pocket.

Ruina came to her senses and took out the secret communication device. There was only one person who would contact her through this device.

-Did you get the item?

That voice she didn’t want to hear. But Ruina answered her father’s question because she knew what the consequences would be if she was late.

“I got it, Father.”

-Finally, finally you’ve obtained the item that will be the foundation for it. But why didn’t you contact me right away?

“Organizing… Ugh…!”

Ruina grabbed her heart at the sudden pain. Black energy flowed out of her heart and enveloped her entire body.

-I didn’t want that kind of answer. You damn bitch…!

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Father….”

As the soul-tearing pain rushed in, she crawled on the ground.

The intense pain was so severe. Veins popped out all over her body, and she scratched the ground so hard that her fingernails came off.

Even though this situation was clearly being conveyed, the man didn’t stop. The pain subsided only after she vomited blood a few times.

-From today, report everything about the Philosopher’s Stone immediately.

“Yes, yes….”

A cold word that didn’t seem like a father-daughter relationship. Nevertheless, Ruina couldn’t let go of the communication device and could only send an answer saying she understood.

-To think that such a stupid bitch was born. More than that.

“Yes, Father….”

-For the sake of the family’s long-cherished wish, be sure to complete the Philosopher’s Stone. If you fail, you may be offered as a sacrifice to that person. Keep that in mind. Your worth.

“I will definitely complete it. I will….”

-Tsk.

The man clicked his tongue and the communication was cut off. At the same time, the black energy that had been consuming her was sucked back into her heart.

“……”

Ruina getting up from the floor. She looked at the mirror placed in the corner of the workshop.

Her face had returned to being expressionless.

The lively eyes were also empty.

And, even her heart that had been pounding until just now.

“It’s not beating….”

It had sunk coldly, like her emotionless tone.