Chapter 87

Today is the day of the second round of funding review.

The main door opened automatically, and Sigma straightened his collar, striding in with the sound of his steel boots clanking against the ground. He turned his head to see Holy Knight Jili boldly follow in, with a determined look on her face.

Sigma frowned. "Rude, you dare to come in without paying the 450."

The necromancer grandly waved at the steel golem guarding the door. "Guard, throw her out!"

"I'm here to observe and visit," Jili replied seriously. "According to the regulations and inspection manual, this is not a restricted area, and I can enter and exit freely."

The steel golem's eyes flashed with a blue light and then fell silent, clearly recognizing Jili's authority. Sigma knew arguing with an alchemical puppet was a foolish thing to do, so he could only hum and ignore the annoyance.

Jili solemnly bowed to the masters of the review committee and then walked to the audience seats. Her posture was upright, her demeanor dignified, her expression serious, and her movements crisp and decisive. Her exquisite and beautiful face and authoritative demeanor were indeed very attractive.

Sigma ignored her and quickly walked to the podium. The "simple, easy-to-use, and effective health care product" he had made was already placed there. This was the standard procedure: after the first round of application defense, the masters would conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the alchemical products provided by the applicants, and then ask questions in the second round of defense.

However... a comprehensive evaluation? Sigma looked at the few frail, white-haired review committee members and maliciously speculated for a moment. How did these old sticks study the practicality of the massage wand?

Thinking about this, he looked at the jade-white massage wand in the box, as if he had thought of something, and his lips twitched slightly. He originally wanted to pick up the massage wand but retracted his hand. He channeled his magic and used a telekinesis spell to lift the massage wand from a distance, squinting to examine the wand for any strange clues.

The Holy Knight's eyesight was clearly impressive. Jili saw the massage wand float up and was initially stunned. Then, this emotionless knight immediately associated it with something, her eyes widening slightly, revealing her extremely shocked inner world. Her breathing became slightly more rapid, and her hands, which were neatly placed on her lap, trembled slightly.

However, Sigma clearly did not pay attention to Jili. He looked at the masters, raised his eyebrows, and activated the engraved magic array on the massage wand. The 30-centimeter-long wand began to hum and vibrate, slowly rotating and moving up and down, with the light of seven magic arrays lighting up in sequence. "I believe the masters have already gained a considerable understanding of this health care product. Engraving seven magic arrays on a 30-centimeter, soft wand, I think this already demonstrates my unique alchemical skills..."

The masters tacitly allowed Jili to observe, and their sinister intentions were easy to guess—under the premise of an outsider listening, Sigma naturally could not casually reveal his Death Knight plan. Thus, the situation turned into "Sigma created a very vulgar and violent toy to deceive the academy's funding." Under this premise, the masters could stand on the side of justice and reason to criticize Sigma's shameless behavior and twisted thoughts. With a bit of luck, they could completely cut off Sigma's thoughts of indulging in trivial matters and make him focus on practicing magic. It must be said that the masters were truly well-intentioned.

Sure enough, an alchemical master began to attack. "Prince Sigma, I admit that this... health care product is extremely ingenious in design, and the engraving technique is very innovative. From a design perspective, it is undoubtedly a very delicate work. However, the materials you used are rare and expensive. Isn't it a waste to make a toy with such precious materials?"

Just as Sigma was about to respond, another master launched a strong attack. "A toy? It's just a filthy object for manipulating women! This is not a qualified product, and what I see is not a work infused with the heart of a wise and rigorous alchemist, but a frivolous trinket made by a child who is not focused on his studies! You are wasting your talent and our time! Prince Sigma, don't be stubborn. Tell me, what is the significance of such a thing besides being used by degenerate nobles to manipulate women!"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and Sigma stood there, seemingly stunned by the masters' unreserved scolding.

"...It has significance," Sigma said softly, lowering his head. "Do you know what kind of emptiness and pain the widows who lost their husbands in battle and raised their children alone without remarrying have to endure? If this small toy can help them think of their husbands in heaven and experience a fleeting but important moment of warmth, giving them the courage to continue living alone, then it has significance."

Looking up at the masters, Sigma said calmly, "This trinket you speak of can provide chaste comfort to widows who have lost their husbands but decided to remain chaste for their children, family, beliefs, or love, when they are tormented by longing and physical emptiness. It can prevent young, beautiful girls, who are curious and yearn for the opposite sex, from taking a step they will regret for life. It can help new alchemists, who are confused about their future, understand that every design and invention that starts from kindness and respect is equal. Whether an alchemist designs a powerful war machine for the country or an efficient water wheel for the villagers, their work is the same, even if their roles and social status differ."

Sigma supported himself on the podium, unflinchingly meeting the gaze of the three examiners from the review committee. "Why can a light sword be a great work, but a massage wand is a vulgar trinket? If a tool used by women to meet their own needs is criticized so harshly, then what kind of criticism and ridicule will more radical designs, theories that challenge our traditional understanding, and more forward-thinking ideas face?"

"Allow me to be frank," the necromancer said softly. "The greatest obstacle to the progress of alchemy is not the barren soil of survival, nor the suppression of traditional magic, nor the fear of those with vested interests. It is our own prejudices and arrogance. Our unwillingness to accept new things, our inability to view everything rationally and fairly, and our unwillingness to be a minority against the majority. We are all unwilling to be different, unsure if we can persist in our path amidst the ridicule and denial of the majority..."

"But I am willing to stick to my beliefs because I firmly believe that the mission of alchemy is not just to create more powerful magical items, but to make the world a better place, to give those without talent the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of magic and feel the power of magic that can change the world." Sigma placed his right hand on his chest and bowed deeply. "This is my answer."

The defense hall fell into a deathly silence. The masters were amazed that Sigma could shamelessly come up with so many absurd reasons. Sigma was also thinking, "Damn, I'm really smart. Clearly, this defense is destined to be a contest of who is more shameless, and it seems Sigma has a slight advantage."

In the silence, a burst of applause came from the audience, startling both the masters and Sigma. They all turned to see that Jili, who had been in the background, had stood up, her face flushed with excitement, clapping enthusiastically. She looked at Sigma, her eyes filled with understanding and kindness, and she didn't even realize that she had smiled involuntarily.

Sigma's first reaction was, "This cold-faced ice knight actually smiles?"

His second reaction was, "She looks really good when she smiles."

His third reaction was... "Damn, she actually believes my lies!"

The masters were also flipping tables in their minds. This Holy Knight is too naive!

The second round of defense ended hastily. Sigma quickly walked out of the hall, with Jili following behind. Her mood seemed to have not yet calmed down. The female knight caught up to Sigma, her voice slightly excited. "That was a truly impressive speech. The obstacle to the progress of alchemy is our own arrogance and prejudice, a statement that applies not only to alchemy..."

Sigma stopped and looked at Jili seriously, shaking his head. "No, the obstacle to the progress of alchemy is not our arrogance and prejudice. I was just making it up."

"Oh?" Jili asked curiously. "Then what is it?"

Sigma looked into the distance. "It's our integrity, young lady."

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