4-24: Before the Storm…? (4/4)

4-24: Before the Storm...? (4/4)

The other students asked for seconds too and they gathered together again.

There was more than enough for everyone, so everyone was able to get more food without problem.

It was delicious, Safina-senpai! A student said.

I didnt think Id be able to eat something decent out here, another said.

B-But of course its delicious! Tomoe said.

Not used to being praised, Tomoe paused for a moment before becoming beet red and acting proud.

Cute, Shinichis gaze seemed to say.

Ah, speaking of which, examiner, where did you get this giant pot from? A student asked.

Now that you mention it, where did the pot come from? A student seconded.

Everyone was conscious about it now, so even those that werent curious about the origins of the pot started to wonder.

Of course, the pot couldnt have possibly been found out here in the fields.

Although there were plenty of ingredients here, there were no cooking utensils that could be conveniently picked up.

Neither was there a giant pot that could feed 100 students.

Well, you heard them? So how about fessing up where that pot came from, as well as that ridiculous method of yours, Tomoe said.

It wasnt that bad, Shinichi said.

Tomoe appeared to be in a state between laughter and astonishment, but Shinichi couldnt figure out why she was like that.

So he just came clean and told the students how he built() the pot.

First, you need to combine various earth-attribute skills to extract the iron from the ground, Shinichi said.

Huh? A student said.

Then you take all that iron together, heat it up, and then beat it into a pot. Ah, of course, I sterilized and scanned it to make sure that its safe to use for cooking, Shinichi said.

Wait, you really made that thing using skills!? A student asked.

Yeah, thats like what Ive been telling you, Shinichi said.

Shinichi had gone out of his way to mention that the pot was clean, but the students still seemed to be shocked for some reason he couldnt understand.

What Shinichi didnt know was that the students had already lost track of the conversation the moment he talked about extracting iron.

Earth-attribute skills procured their materials locally, so depending on how you use them, it was a given that this kind of stuff would be possible.

There were many kinds of skills, but they tended to be either combat skills or skills meant for day-to-day life.

The creation of objects wasnt among the known categories that skills fell under, so the students here had never even thought of using skills to create something.

Then I made the pot float and put it on a pedestal made from a boulder. After that I lit a fire underneath it, filled it with water, and waited for it to boil. After that, the rest was her job. Skills might not offer much freedom, but they sure are easy to use. Theyre so convenient, Shinichi said.

Something as magical as skills was being treated by Shinichi like a replacement for camping tools.

Even 1 D that had time to acclimate to his antics were shocked.

Yesterday he used combat skills to procure food, and that was plenty enlightening already, but this time, he took things a step further, and actually used skills to produce iron and forge a pot. The students had to pick up their jaws from the ground.

To Shinichi, the best part about using these skills is that they didnt consume his mana. Because of that it was worth it to rely on them even if it was harder than just relying on his magic.

Seriously?

You can do that?

Isnt that just a waste of effort and photon?

Isnt this supposed to be some kind of rare energy?

With cramped faces, the students were in a state between being impressed and being speechless.

They were impressed because he was able to come up with such unique applications to the skills, but on the other hand, it seemed such a waste to use such precious energy to forge a pot.

But in actuality, it was really rare for pure photons to run out of energy. The only cases its been known to happen is when a large amount of energy is extracted in a single moment or due to degradation over time. But regardless, it still made one want to point out how lavish Shinichi was being seeing him use that rare energy to forge a pot.

You think? Personally, I think you guys should consider how to use your skills better. Dont you guys have a lot of things you want to try out after acquiring such a magical power?

Shinichi has always been concerned about the submissiveness() of the students skills.

Although skills were a lot more restricted in their usage and effects compared to magic, he still found it odd how they stuck so closely to the manual, using the skill only when and how the manual tells them to.

Especially since Shinichi was like a kid in a candy store when he first started using magic.

Of course, were trying out all sorts of stuff! We test the skills out during class time and even during our personal training sessions, and were always thinking up of ways to put different skills together and how to apply them, Ryou said.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

I wasnt talking about something that serious. You know, dont you want to reenact some scenes from manga or games? Dont you ever feel like copying a move from an anim thats otherwise impossible? Shinichi said.

Regardless how Shinichis base experience points were based off another god(someone else), most of his ideas actually came from movies and mangas and the likes.

Regardless if it was merely the knowledge hes accumulated over the many long years, regardless if it was merely his daydreams while he was in Falandia, there was a difference between people whose creativity has been roused by stories and those who havent.

Thats why he asked them that, but the whole place suddenly became quiet.

The sudden change in the atmosphere confused Shinichi.

Some of the students were confused, some gave a thousand-mile look, and some just bitterly smiled.

Did I say something weird? Shinichi asked.

Theres no way any of the students here would know anything about manga or games, Ryou said.

Id heard from the teachers that youre a returnee, but seriously, what era are you from? Tomoe said.

The students all hesitated, but they all seemed to be waiting for someone to start.

This was another unchanging part of society, the embarrassment of talking about ones goal(dream).

Alright, everyone should talk. Anything is fine, just talk about one dream of yours. If someone refuses to talk, Ill use my authority as an examiner to give him a demerit!

Thats why Shinichi took out his trump card that trademark fishy smile of his.

No one thought he was joking. Everyones expression stiffened up.

Wait, thats abuse! Youre abusing your authority!! Tomoe said.

Alright, lets start with my two assistants! Start! Shinichi said.

Huh, eh, me!? U-Umm, anyway Id like to stay in B Class! And then I want to graduate properly and do a job that will make me be remembered! I havent thought of anything specific yet, though Tomoe said.

Well, something like that. It doesnt have to be related to the school either, just say something. Alright, next, Shinichi said.

H-Hey at least make a comment or two! Tomoe said.

Although Tomoe herself wasnt particularly impressed by what she said, being ignored and then used as an example made her turn beet red, but her complaints just fell on deaf ear as usual.

I want to enter Garestos army, Ryou said.

Can an Earthling enter? Shinichi asked.

You, youre really too ignorant. Its part of the cultural exchange policy. A framework for Earthlings has already been prepared. Of course, getting in is hard. And there are differences in treatment and promotions, but I want to go to the front lines, so none of that matters, Ryou said.

If anything, that just makes things better for me, his eyes burning with determination seemed to say. Those eyes seemed to be looking at someone.

The person he wants to defeat. The reason he wants to become strong could probably be found there.

Alright, next up is you then, Shinichi said.

M-Me!? Umm, Id like to enter the countermeasure department and become an investigator A girl said with much embarrassment before a round of cheers encouraged her.

Apparently, even her friends didnt know about her dream and were shocked.

Shinichi worked his way from her to the students next to her.

Becoming a part of Kutorias defense force sounds nice. Well, to be honest, I just want to live here more.

I want to be a diplomat between the worlds. Im not good at combat, but my chances are much better after graduating from here, a student said.

I want to go up a class! No, Ill definitely go! another student said.

I havent decided on any clear paths just yet, but I want to see how far I can go, a student said.

The students talked about their dreams one after another, and Shinichi quietly watched over them all.

These people still had things they were carrying. They were still struggling.

Inequality might not sound so nice, but no matter the place, there were differences in the kind of suffering.

Not everyone here will reach their dream.

Although not all of them will fail, not all of them will succeed either.

Thats the problem with dreams.

Thats why, at least Shinichi thought. Let them fail while challenging their dreams. Dont let something out of their control interfere.

But of course, even that wish was probably too much.

Ahh, after hearing you guys talk about your dreams, I think Im finally starting to see you guys as humans.

After hearing everyones dreams and saying that with satisfaction, everyone elses face started to twitch.

Of course, Shinichi was only half-serious, but of course, that still meant that he was partly serious.

What did you think we were all this time?

The answer seemed too terrifying, so no one had the courage to ask the question, and they didnt have the time to either, for before long, fear had descended again.

Now then, its almost time. Lets end our lunch break here.

As a demonic smile appeared on Shinichis face, the students could see the gates of hell opening once more.

Uhe!?

Eek!

I-Its here!!

The warm and peaceful lunch had come to an end.

By this point, just a smile from Shinichi was enough to send the students fleeing in fear.

E-Examiner, whats the content for our exam?

The representative of 1 D, the class most used to his antics, asked.

But despite having some resistance to his antics, his voice still shook a little.

Hmm, what should we do? Shall we go to the B Rank area? Maybe attack the upper-rank exams? Or maybe have you guys fight Shinguuji in his exoskeleton(full armor) 90 vs 1?

All of those sound crazy, but if its him, I can seriously see it happening, Tomoe said.

Tomoe said with a sour look as she held down her forehead.

The fiendish smile of the examiner gave the students another peek of hell.

Like this the peaceful but noisy second day of exams came to an end.

A calm too intense to be called the calm before the storm.