Volume 7 Chapter 10 New Equipment
The presentation event began.
Elk thought there would be a speech from the principal and some formalities, but as soon as the school gate opened, it started. Unlike the martial arts tournament, there seemed to be no opening speech or ceremony.
When the gate opened, approved merchants and nobles went through a strict check to enter the school.
Most of them headed to the commerce department classroom or the commerce department museum.
Elk appeared from above and landed in the classroom where Nickes and Emma were.
His combat uniform and armband stood out a bit. He headed toward the commerce department classroom without wearing a mask.
In front of the classroom, there were many merchants, nobles, and upperclassmen.
He made eye contact with Nickes, who was explaining something to the upperclassmen.
"Hey, Elk."
When Elk made eye contact, Nickes stepped away from the upperclassmen.
He had been nervous the day before, but now he seemed completely relaxed.
"Hey, Nickes."
"Yo, you came!"
"Yeah. By the way, it's already started, huh? Isn't there supposed to be some kind of opening ceremony?"
"Haha. There's nothing like that. It just starts as soon as the gate opens... that's it."
"I see. Still, it's pretty lively."
Merchants, nobles, and upperclassmen.
The merchants were checking out the products made by the new students. The nobles were looking at the designs of clothes and accessories. The upperclassmen were checking out what kind of works were available.
It seemed there were also a few students from the Skill Department.
"By the way, Nickes, what were you talking about with the upperclassmen?"
"I was explaining the products. I made a few tools for this event. I placed my proud creation, the Calculation machine, in the museum, and I put a 'measuring tape' in the classroom. That's what I was explaining."
"...measuring tape?"
"Yeah. This."
Nickes pulled out something that looked like a rolled-up string from his pocket.
When he stretched it out, he saw some numbers written on it.
"Usually, you use a wooden ruler to measure length, right? But if you roll it up like this, it's easier to carry than a ruler and can be longer. I thought carpenters might like it, so I made it."
"Th, that's amazing! I've never seen anything like this!"
"Well, it's just a tool I thought of, so it's not a big deal."
Nickes felt a bit shy.
Then, a man standing behind Nickes grabbed the 'measuring tape' with a quick motion.
"Hmm, this is quite interesting. The calculation machine was impressive, but this is also fun. It seems like it could be made cheaply."
"W, what are you doing───... eh, Old man!?"
"Old man!? Wait, Nickes'...?"
"Nice to meet you. You must be Elk, right? I've heard about you from Nickes in his letters."
The first impression was of a gentleman with a fine mustache.
He was well-dressed and had no weaknesses. He had 2 bodyguards with him, both of whom were quite strong.
"I'm Graham, the president of the Marvel Merchant Guild. Nickes and Merry have been in my care."
"N, no."
"Hmm... the rumored new student, the strongest assassin, 'Scarecrow' Elk, seems quite humble."
"... ah, assassin? I never called myself an assassin."
"Haha! I was surprised when Nickes asked for the 'Katir Blade,' an import from Yamato. I wondered what an assassin would use such a weapon for... quite interesting."
Graham smiled as he looked at the blade equipped on Elk's gauntlet.
He exchanged glances with one of his bodyguards, who then took out a decorated metal box.
"Is it okay if I take a look?"
"Hey, old man, what are you doing to Elk?"
"It's a present for Elk."
When the box was opened, there was a tube with something that looked like a small telescope inside.
Elk quickly removed the gauntlet from his left hand and attached it.
A thin lens-equipped tube was attached to the top of the gauntlet. The tube had a hole in it, designed to hold something.
There were also small levers and triggers attached. Elk equipped the gauntlet and checked it.
"Um... what is this?"
"Hehe, it's a present. The right gauntlet has a short bow attached, so this is for the left gauntlet."
Graham handed Elk a small box.
When Elk looked inside, he saw many small tube-like objects.
"This is a weapon called a 'gun' developed in the West. You set the bullet in the tube, pull the lever, and pull the trigger, and the gunpowder inside explodes, shooting the bullet out. Its power is unmatched by a bow. A bow can only shoot about 20 meters (66ft), but this gun can shoot about 150 meters (492ft). Plus, it has a scope, so it's easier to aim."
"...Wow."
"Hey, old man!!"
"Here are the bullets. It's better not to shoot here... it makes quite a noise. If you run out of bullets, just tell Nickes. He'll arrange it for you."
"Ah, thank you. I'll make good use of it."
Elk bowed slightly. Graham smiled with satisfaction.
* * *
After Elk said, "I'll resume my patrol. See you later," and left, Nickes asked Graham.
"Hey, old man, what are you thinking?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"That 'gun.' You said in your letter that it was a new model developed in the West and that it was hard to get. Why did you just give it to Elk so easily... and for free?"
"...It's hard to explain with words. The trigger was your letter."
"My letter?"
Nickes was exchanging letters with his parents.
Most of it was about his recent activities and work with the merchant guild, but he mentioned Elk a little when he received the blade.
"I felt it. Even just from the letter, I sensed something about Elk."
"...No way."
"I was sure when I met him in person. The Katir Blade and Stealth Gun are perfect for Elk... he will definitely become a good customer for us."
"...Is it your skill, old man?"
"Yeah."
The skill, 'Sixth Sense.'
It's one of the rare skills, and its ability is to have a strong intuition. It's the master skill of 'Intuition.'
Graham's 'Sixth Sense' reacted to Elk.
"Nickes. We will arrange his equipment and what he wants through the merchant guild. Hehe... My 'Sixth Sense' is reacting for the first time in 20 years, the 4th time. He will definitely become a great presence in this world."
"Seriously..."
"Nickes, don't neglect the maintenance and inspection of his equipment."
"Okay, okay."
"And where's Merry? It's been a while since I've had lunch with my cute girl. Hehe."
"Hey, aren't you going to eat with your son...?"
Muttering that, Nickes sighed as he looked in the direction Elk had left.
* * *
To enter the academy, a prior application is required.
The application must include identification, and it must state your occupation and noble rank. After a strict review, you finally get permission to enter.
Moreover, there is a strict check at the academy's main gate. After a thorough check based on skills, you are finally allowed to enter the academy.
However, on the flip side... if you pass the checks, anyone can easily enter the academy.
The kingdom knight Evans, in charge of checking the entrance, was verifying the visitors.
He checked the application forms, confirmed their identities, and assessed their skills.
After finishing all of that, Evans spoke to the visitors.
"Thank you for your patience. Now, please enter the academy."
"...Thank you."
He watched the elaborate 'Wafuu' carriage leave.
It seemed to have come all the way from the Yamato country. Moreover, all the passengers were young women.
Evans thought it was a nice perk of his job, but he also felt puzzled.
"Still, it's a strange group of visitors."
There was a group of only young women.
A group of only young men.
A group of only older men and women.
Though there was some bias, the ages within each group were surprisingly uniform.
"Well, they passed the screening, so it should be fine."
As long as they passed the screening, it should be okay.
That kind of assumption ended up inviting suspicious individuals into the academy.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)