Fabrication Contest (2)
“Haha, how am I supposed to evaluate this….”
“There's no need to even evaluate it. Look at the mana essence here. With that much mana, it must have been huge originally, but she compressed it down to 5cm.”
“And what about the organic integration of each formula? For a student to produce something even a professional alchemist would struggle with in a short time.”
“The design is beyond words. This is a work of art in itself.”
The judges were unanimous in their lavish praise for Ruina Lindel's creation. But they didn't stop there. They examined it from every angle, as if dissecting a finished dish.
“Oh, there's a touch of Coltane's technique in here.”
“To condense his alchemy like this and simplify the steps. And I see traces of ancient techniques too. She interpreted them perfectly without touching the core.”
“As expected of the Lindel family. A legacy built over generations doesn't fade easily.”
After inspecting it thoroughly, the judges began firing off questions. Even the most talented students only got a bit of praise before they moved on to the next participant. With so many students gathered in the hall, they were in a hurry. But the fact that they lingered in front of her even after confirmation meant the work's completion was on another level.
“What material did you use to stabilize this circuit?”
“Deep sea stone, petals of purification, and vampire blood.”
“Why the last one?”
“To induce instability and secure the structure's stability.”
“Indeed… There was research showing vampires' unique properties can produce that effect if used right.”
A few judges nodded in understanding. Honestly, listening from the side, I had no clue what they were talking about.
Ruina Lindel answered the judges' questions without missing a beat. I watched the scene a bit dazedly. Not because it was anything else, but because she looked so cool. Her eyes brimmed with vitality, filled with genuine passion that went beyond mere desire—it was pure sincerity. You don't see that kind of sight easily in any field. That's why it drew me in even more. It overlapped with the Ruina Lindel from the novel, webtoon, and game. And it reminded me of myself back then when I saw her.
Too bad….
That's why it hit even harder. That such a person was doomed to die.
People like her usually end up living happily somehow. I've seen a few personally, so I know.
“Thank you for creating a piece that'll stay in our memories forever, Miss Ruina.”
“Unless something huge happens, first place is all but confirmed.”
“Professor Canaan? You shouldn't say things like that lightly.”
“What's the harm? Most people here feel the same.”
Sure enough, even students far away had gathered closer to watch her work. Their eyes shook like there was an earthquake inside.
And various murmurs reached my ears.
“That's her work?”
“Whoa… She really went all out this time.”
“Those who know her skills aren't surprised. It's not a stretch for her.”
“What about the others? They prepared hard too.”
“No helping it. First place is gone for them.”
A few whispered, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear.
Just as things were wrapping up, one judge asked Ruina Lindel,
“Finally, Miss Ruina. What's your relationship with that student?”
The judge pointed right at me. She turned, staring blankly at me for a moment. Then she turned back to the judge, hesitated, and slowly opened her mouth.
“The one junior who truly understands alchemy… my apprentice.”
“Got it. Sorry for asking even that.”
The questioning judge gave a small smile. The others also smiled faintly as they headed to the next student. And I felt a gaze from beside me. From my senior.
I met her eyes and asked,
“What's up?”
“…Nothing.”
“Not satisfied with the evaluation? From what I saw, first place is locked.”
“It's not that.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
She nodded and turned to tidy up the tools on the workbench.
“Need help?”
“…Not this. Organize the boxes.”
“Got it.”
I sorted the leftover scraps and boxes. A strange atmosphere hung in the air, but I kept going. After moving around for a while, her voice came.
“…Hey.”
“Something else you need?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
I asked her, who was shaking her head.
“That… okay?”
“What? Oh, the apprentice thing?”
“Yeah.”
I thought it was something else bothering her, but it was that.
“What's wrong with it? It's not exactly wrong.”
Strictly speaking, I was learning directly under her, so master and apprentice fit. And it didn't matter if she declared or saw us that way. We'd just never defined the relationship, but I'd half-thought of myself as her apprentice anyway.
Hearing that, she cautiously spoke.
“You… hate alchemy.”
Where'd she get that misconception?
I corrected her.
“I've never hated alchemy. Not once.”
“…You refused.”
“That doesn't mean I hate it. I really have no talent, so I refused. Sure, you were persistent too.”
“Annoying…?”
“Yeah, very. Honestly, over a month of that? Anyone would get annoyed.”
A normal person would've quit in a week. I held out because it was me.
At that moment, I felt a tug on the back of my clothes. She'd grabbed it.
“…Sorry. My bad.”
Hearing that, I turned around. Her hand slipped away from my clothes. I stared straight into her eyes. They trembled like a scared animal.
“Why apologize? Worried I'd quit learning alchemy?”
“…Yeah.”
She nodded with a small quiver. I soothed her.
“Senior, do I look like someone who'd get mad over that?”
“…No.”
She shook her head and continued.
“You're kind. You indulge my stubbornness. Never get mad.”
High praise.
“Even now. You're considering me. So… thanks. You're my one and only junior and apprentice in this world.”
A small smile spread on her face. Rare for someone who never shows emotions. And talking at length like this.
I didn't mind the words.
“That's fine then.”
Yeah, that was enough. As long as she accepted my goodwill.
“Anyway, all done tidying? Wanna rest?”
“Yeah.”
Plenty of time until results anyway. But just sitting felt dry in the throat. From working without a break.
“There's a concession stand. Want me to grab drinks?”
“Yeah. Chocolate milk.”
“On it.”
I stood and headed to the stand.
Sitting in a chair, slurping my drink, a voice came from the front.
“Results coming.”
“Yeah.”
Soon, an amplified voice echoed through the hall. They'd dragged out the contest time, so results right away.
“Third place: Recan Orgus!”
From workbench 113, a student with a weathered face stepped forward. His bulging muscles rivaled a knight's—he looked like a blacksmith.
“Second place: Tisil Redian!”
This time, a girl who seemed an alchemist walked out slowly. Assigned behind us, she glared a bit as she passed.
And finally.
“First place: Ruina Lindel!”
Senior was called. I tapped her shoulder.
“Senior, go get 'em.”
“Got it.”
She hopped off the chair and headed to the podium. As she moved, all eyes locked on her. Envy, jealousy. Mostly that. First place, prizes, sponsors' attention—not to mention glimpsing her immense talent. No wonder those feelings surged.
But she ignored them all and strode forward. Proudly. Confidently.
Thud! She climbed the podium marked 1. It was a bit high, so with nearby help, she barely made it without incident.
Then came speeches and prize presentation.
“Judges, I object to the results.”
Someone raised a hand in protest. Not just one. About 40 followed.
A lead judge stepped forward.
“Why can't you accept the results? Problem with the ranking?”
“Not that.”
The first one who raised his hand spoke for them.
“No issue with the ranking. Recan, Tisil, Ruina's works are top-notch. Best of the contest, no doubt.”
No objections. Most agreed.
“But there's a problem with Ruina's assistant.”
“Rules allow his participation. Plus, Alex brought an assistant too.”
Indeed, about half had assistants.
“But he's from the Knight Department.”
He said calmly. But the judge dismissed it.
“And that's a problem how? Rules say any Tianis student can assist.”
“Judge—no, Professor Philia! You know that's not what I mean.”
He raised his voice, excited.
“He used alchemy. Knight Department, yet same as Ruina. At least investigate that.”
“Just for that?”
“Professor, it's not 'just.' No one's mimicked her alchemy in over two years. Not even tried. And a non-alchemy student did?”
He claimed maybe Ruina staged it to highlight me. With crowds and VIPs, such scandals weren't unheard of. Chances to catch eyes were rare.
Hearing that, Senior Ruina cut in.
“Don't badmouth my apprentice. They can't use mine 'cause no talent. He's different from you.”
She raged like it insulted her. Her mana surged wildly—I could feel how furious she was.
“Haa….”
The watching judge sighed deeply. Then spoke softly.
“I predicted this. But the reaction's more extreme than expected. Only one way to resolve it.”
She infused mana into her voice.
“Kyle Arden. Come forward.”
Hearing that, I went to the podium. Eyes poured on me like Senior's, but I ignored.
“Good work.”
“Whew, no need for this fuss… Simple for you, Kyle. Show them using her alchemy yourself.”
“That enough?”
“Yes. They'll accept and it'll end.”
“Understood.”
And so, an impromptu alchemy demo began. Annoying, but for first prize? Worth it. I'd half-expected this.
Materials placed before me. Senior watched from afar under judge supervision. To rule out help.
“Beginning.”
I spread a magic circle with both hands. Gasps from around just from that. Ignored, I moved mana.
From learning, Senior's alchemy differed fundamentally. Others treat materials as wholes—deconstruct, reassemble. Hers isolates cells or molecules, recognizes each as entities. That's why superior completion. Not for normal brains. Needs archmage-level intellect. Process precise and fast. This part demands the sense I mentioned before—not calculation. Tough for most alchemists. Formulas and timings full of her unique flair.
Right hand compressed magic stone; mana rearranged to fit shrunken stone. Left engraved formula into prepared stone; idle hand spread another circle for more work.
Hands busy, I whispered lowly to the professor beside me.
“By the way, Professor. Thanks. If you'd left it, this would've blown up.”
“Don't talk during work.”
“I'm not Fabrication even. No need to watch closely. Senior taught me anyway, and she said fine if I'm okay.”
“…Like master, like apprentice. Same antics.”
She sighed in exasperation.
“Like parents and kids, masters and apprentices resemble. Anyway… done.”
Mana withdrew; ring-shaped magic tool on table. Took just 5 minutes.
“Indeed… Even the talent matches.”
I grinned at her words.