Chapter 389

Although there was a brief incident between Demona and Uldein, such commotion was only temporary.

—What would be good to take?

—Is there anything like a device that a person can ride to fly?

—You fool~ You can just use flight holy spells, why would such a thing exist in this world? Why, why not just call it an airplane altogether?

—Y-You didn’t have to go that far…

Soon, the students gathered around the kits and materials to take the exam.

It was at that moment.

*Swish, swish—*

—Huh?

—I think something just passed by?

The students who were watching with curious eyes thought that something had darted past them for some reason.

—Is it Darc?

—If it’s that fellow, he might indeed do so.

—Since he probably already drew up all the plans in his secret workshop.

The students thought Roan might indeed be the one.

And so they looked around to find Roan.

“I didn’t do anything.”

—Hieeeek! Ah, never mind!

Roan responded with a freezing cold look to the students who were looking for him.

He was still standing among his friends without having taken any action yet.

—Then who is it?

—Could it be Professor Pluvang?

Although it was a bit puzzling, it did not take long to guess the identity of the culprit (?).

“I-It’s the professor?”

Demona spoke in a flustered voice while looking at Uli standing on the platform.

Naturally, the students also shifted their gaze along with her.

“Yes, it’s me.”

Beside Uli, who was standing in the exact same spot as before, a stack of kits and numerous materials had already accumulated!

‘He took all the profitable, choice goods.’

Roan scanned the things Uli had packed and thought.

Of course, an outstanding holy item crafter values the added value and functionality in the holy item they want to make rather than the original value of the materials.

For instance, depending on the purpose, relatively cheap copper might be more important than expensive gold.

But that was only a conversation possible between crafters of the same level.

What about the gap between students and the professor teaching them?

…Simply sweeping all the expensive stuff was the ultimate way.

And Uli was no ordinary person, so naturally, his design for what he would make must have already been completed.

Trian asked with a dumbfounded expression.

“B-By any chance, are you also crafting a holy item, Professor?”

“Yes.”

“B-By any chance, in the auction too…?”

“Yes.”

—??!?!?!!?!!!

The students were dumbfounded by Uli’s nonchalant answer.

Did it mean the pop quiz was not just for the students?

Uli clicked his tongue and spoke.

“I should naturally participate where money is being made. Why wouldn’t I?”

—I-Is that right?

—How are we supposed to get a perfect score when even the professor is joining…

The students’ fighting spirit was already broken, and their shoulders slumped.

The score gap between them and the named characters, including Roan and Sion, was already wide.

But since even the professor, whom they hadn’t even considered as a competitor, was joining in, they were bound to feel even more deprived.

“You losers who don’t even deserve to make money!”

At that moment, Uli, who was glaring grumpily at the dejected students, yelled out.

Startled, the students quickly snapped out of it and looked forward.

“You guys know nothing about the cruelty of the market! Even after you graduate school and go out into the field, are you going to live by saying leisurely things like, ‘Ah~ that person has been crafting for thirty years longer than me, so I can’t win~’ or ‘Ah~ that person is more talented than me, so it’s impossible~’?”

—…!

The students’ eyes widened at the passionate speech, which was very unlike Uli.

They had thought he only knew how to talk about money, so they never expected him to speak such sensible words.

‘No, listen closely. It’s not sensible.’

Of course, Roan did not stop his critical thinking even in the midst of that.

Uli’s words seemed correct at first glance.

Because naturally, once they graduated school, they would have to compete on equal footing with all generations and groups.

But wasn’t school the place they attended to build the competitiveness for that competition!

…If they were swept into free competition right from school, how many would survive?

“Even in a river, the trailing water is bound to push the leading water forward. Do you think I was born holding a hammer and a wrench?”

“Huh? Didn’t you say you did last time, Professor?”

Uldein, who was listening quietly, tilted his head and asked.

“Yes, actually, I did.”

—??!?!?!!!!

Surprisingly, it was a shocking true story.

Looking at the Empire’s newspaper at the time Uli was born, there was a drawing of a Five-Colored Squirrel hybrid newborn holding a hammer and a wrench.

Where they came from was unknown, but in any case.

“That’s not what’s important!”

‘…Is it not important right now?’

The students wore troubled expressions, but decided to keep listening to Uli’s words for now.

“I mean there might be a talent among you who will surpass me someday! Instead of crying over every little thing, pick up a wrench!”

Regardless of the details in between, Uli’s speech served as a great motivation for the students!

—Right, I should pick up a wrench!

—Iron! Hammer! Tempering!

—Hammer and sickle! Labor!

—Hey, that’s a bit dangerous.

The students each raised their clenched fists, fully expressing their enthusiasm.

No matter how much Uli seemed to have taken out his own screws to use them for crafting holy items, there was a reason why he could hold out as a professor in Acherandir for a long time.

Because when he did it, he firmly inspired the students.

—As expected of Professor Uli…

—He hasn’t changed at all since the days I studied under him…

—…Is that a good thing?

—He brings tension to the loose atmosphere of the field.

Although not all of them did, a significant majority of the merchants sniffled and empathized with Uli’s words.

And the students also began to choose the items they would make during the pop quiz.

—Senior, the most difficult one, please!

“Huh? The most difficult one? That will be hard.”

—Yes? Since it will be hard, that’s why I’m asking for it.

“Oho, do you want to be the Class Rep?”

—Hieek! I don’t want that!

Students overflowing only with enthusiasm tried to take kits that didn’t match their levels, but fortunately, Uldein adjusted the levels well.

Since they probably hadn’t learned much yet, mostly simple scales or roly-poly toys were taken.

“Roan, what would be good for me?”

“Hmm, if it’s Sion… a rangefinder would be decent. Its modification is also quite free. Since it’s a useful item for merchants, you will be able to receive a good evaluation.”

“Ah, you mean we shouldn’t just make anything, but think about our own abilities and the purchaser’s situation together, Roan?”

“Yes, you are quick-witted.”

“Truly amazing!”

“Roan, what should I make?!”

“You just make a roly-poly, Demona.”

“You’re too much…”

Roan also recommended suitable kits to the friends around him.

Actually, this pop quiz could be said to have started with choosing the kit and materials.

Since they had to display their maximum ability within the given time.

Consequently, the surrounding merchants were also watching each of the students’ choices with interest.

Naturally, Roan was the one receiving the most attention.

Roan pretended not to notice the merchants’ gazes and picked up the kit he had originally set his eyes on.

‘This should be enough.’

What Roan picked up was none other than a calculator.

In terms of difficulty alone, it was at the highest level among the things that could be made with the kits, just like the clock.

And since calculators were items the commercial world couldn’t get enough of, there should be no problem in getting a perfect score.

At that moment, Uldein, who was guiding other students, saw Roan and acknowledged him.

“Oh? Roan, are you taking the calculator?”

“Yes, Senior.”

“Why?”

…?

Roan stared strangely at Uldein who suddenly asked for the reason.

What did he mean, why take it?

Did it mean he shouldn’t take the exam?

‘I would prefer that, but…’

As Roan stared only at him with a tightly shut mouth—at least, it looked that way to Uldein—he flinched once, then smiled and spoke.

“Ahahaha… No, I just wondered why you were trying to make something when making a single super holy power source would guarantee a perfect score.”

“…Aha.”

So that was what he meant.

Roan, whose short-lived hope was dashed, replied.

“Isn’t it a holy item crafting exam? I must craft a holy item.”

“Mmm… That’s true. But a calculator will be a bit difficult to make.”

Roan glared at Uldein again.

…This time, he was indeed glaring.

“W-Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, I just thought that even if a calculator is difficult to make, it would still be better than a super holy power source.”

“Ah, that is true. Roan, you are more confident than you look.”

“What does that mean…?”

Roan found it difficult to follow the conversation with Uldein.

Hadn’t he dealt with him a lot in ?

Of course he had dealt with him a lot.

But Uli was one thing, and the characters of that faction were extremely volatile, as if equipped with some weird AI.

Furthermore, since he hadn’t set foot in the crafting line from a certain point, it was far more awkward than other characters.

At any rate, Acherandir was a place where few people, from seniors to juniors, were normal!

“Well, setting that aside, aren’t you taking other materials?”

“Hmm…”

Roan glanced at the modification parts stacked fully beside him.

To be sure, since they were items Uli had procured with determination, there were many things that could be used to heavily modify the calculator, but…

‘I shouldn’t be too greedy.’

Since he had already drawn plenty of attention by daring to oppose Uli, he had to hold back.

If he drew even more attention here, a merchant might end up taking interest in him.

…Little did Roan know that there were already many such merchants.

But at that moment, the whispering conversation of the merchants reached Roan.

—Look at that. Young Master Darc picked up the calculator.

—Ho, a calculator will be considerably difficult for a freshman to make. As expected of the Darc family. His eye is indeed grand.

—I happen to need one, and if Young Master Darc makes the calculator properly, it would be worth bidding on.

‘As expected of those who have rolled in the field for a long time, their eye for people is excellent.’

Roan was satisfied with the honest praise he hadn’t heard in a long time.

To think they even analyzed the reason he chose the calculator among the various kits!

Even listening to the other students’ talk right now.

—Look at that. Darc chose the calculator.

—What? Why do you need a calculator? You can just calculate in your head.

—Puhaha! That must be because he can’t do addition and subtraction~

—Hahaha! What use is using holy spells well if you can’t even calculate?

Foolish thoughts that viewed the calculator in such a manner lined up.

Of course, calculators in this world were still simple, but in the thorough commercial world where calculation demands were high and not a single mistake was permitted, calculators were extremely important.

A calculator made by a highly reliable artisan would have its price skyrocket.

*Twitch—*

Roan felt a bit of anger rising, but held back by simply letting out a small sigh.

But the merchants provoked Roan again.

—Hmm? But does he plan to take ‘just’ the kit?

—Hmm, if so, that is a bit ‘disappointing.’

—Look, just making a calculator is ‘enough’ for a freshman.

—Still, it would be nice if he had some flashing ‘creativity’ as befitting a youth.

An insult that a veteran of could not tolerate!

“Ro-Roan? I’m sorry if telling you to take materials made you that angry.”

Uldein apologized to Roan with a flustered expression.

I mean, he had only asked out of concern, but suddenly the junior with a terrifying expression was trembling!

*Humm—*

*It doesn’t seem like an insult worth getting that angry over.*

False Divinity vibrated somewhat reluctantly, but Roan had already turned his steps.

*Step, step—*

—Oh, does he plan to take something more?

—Of course, there is no way it would end there!

The merchants cheered.

*Sweep—*

Strangely, Roan swept a large amount of only one type of component into his lucky pouch.

—That is…

The merchants tilted their heads upon recognizing the component Roan had taken.

While it could certainly be used in a calculator if needed, it was absolutely not an item that should be taken in such large quantities.

At that moment, Uli, who was watching the students take their materials, rushed over.

“Darc, freeze right there!!!!!”

“Why are you doing that, Professor?”

Roan stopped gathering components and turned to Uli.

Uli was so angry that his facial fur stood completely on end as he yelled.

“How dare you commit theft right in front of my eyes?!”