Chapter 64

Well then.

The race had become so intense that I had almost forgotten the real reason I aimed to win was to petition the principal for a grade promotion.

During the award ceremony, when I received the prizes and certificates directly from the principal, I seized the opportunity to ask:

"Can you promote me to Second Grade?"

"Very well."

He readily agreed.

"Still, to win in your first year of enrollment. Where did you learn flight magic?"

"Well, after I came to the academy."

"Haha, I don't believe that."

He laughed it off.

But it's true, though.

Thanks to this, I was able to advance to Second Grade in the Red, Blue, and Green academies. Excluding the Black academy, where the grade system itself has collapsed, only the Yellow and White academies remain.

To be honest, I already had a plan for the Yellow academy.

The Yellow academy regularly holds presentation events. On the first day, the first part is for First Grade students (volunteers only), the second part on the second day is for Second Grade students, and the third part on the third day is for Top Grade graduate students. The final day is for faculty research presentations.

Students who perform exceptionally well at these presentations may be granted a grade promotion. That's my target.

So, after the race ended, I began preparing for the presentation two weeks later.

As I explained before, Yellow magic is broadly divided into Earth magic and Alchemy. Those specializing in Earth magic mostly demonstrate how skillfully they can manipulate earth. On the other hand, Alchemy, which cannot be demonstrated on the spot, is typically presented by showing the results and reporting on the research.

I intend to present on the so-called "Golems," which seem to fit both categories.

Golems are generally considered part of Earth magic and are used in various situations, such as performing physical labor or charging into enemy lines during combat. However, they are ultimately just clay figures and will crumble back to earth when the caster's magic is released. Additionally, they consume a lot of magic power, making long-term use difficult.

I came up with a way to improve these weaknesses of golems. The idea is to create them using metal produced by Alchemy.

The inspiration came from the Living Armor in the dungeon of the Sword City. It was a metal armor that could move and, unlike golems, could maintain its form indefinitely. I thought it might be possible to create a similar golem.

I started by creating the metal that would form the golem's body.

Ideally, it should be strong and light. This would allow the golem to move nimbly and reduce the amount of magic power required.

"Hmm. Is this good enough?"

After much trial and error, the metal I created using Alchemy was quite successful. It was much lighter than steel but stronger.

However, it still bends when I apply force, so there's room for improvement. But it should be strong enough to support its own weight.

Naturally, a single block of metal cannot move, so I divided it into several parts and combined them.

It's essentially the same as human bones. By adding joints at various points, it should be able to perform actions like jumping and running.

Thus, the first prototype, a metal golem shaped like a human, was completed.

"...Hmm. It's difficult to maintain balance."

It stands well, but when I try to make it walk, it becomes unstable. The movements are very stiff, and there's a grating sound from the joints.

Clang!

It ended up falling over.

"Hmm. I need to make the movements smoother."

Before I knew it, two weeks had passed.

"Alright, the preparations are perfect. All that's left is the presentation."

But then I realized a major oversight.

"...I forgot to register."

I must have been too absorbed. I rushed to the presentation event's organizing office.

"It's difficult."

The staff member dismissed me.

"Besides, the first part already has many participants, and the schedule is tight. We cannot accept last-minute entries. Please wait for the next presentation event."

"Can't you make an exception? Even the second part would be fine."

"The second part also has many participants, so it's the same."

"What about the third part, then?"

"...For a First Grade student to present in the third part is rather presumptuous, don't you think?"

I seemed to have angered him.

"Despite creating a new type of golem that no one has thought of before..."

"That's not true. It's more likely that they thought of it but decided it wasn't worth doing."

That's a harsh way to put it.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

A man with a robust build and a stern face, but with a childlike, innocent smile, interrupted.

"Professor Logwell."

He seems to be a faculty member of this academy. Given his age, that was a reasonable assumption.

"Actually..."

After hearing the staff member's explanation, Logwell nodded dramatically and said,

"Very well! Leave it to me!"

He pounded his chest and shouted boldly. Can he really do something about it?