Chapter 65

"Alright! Leave it to me!"

Though I don't quite understand, it seems there is a way for me to participate in the presentation.

"Please, I'm counting on you."

Though I don't know this teacher, his confident words suggest he can probably make it happen. Stuck in a bind, I decided to jump at his proposal without hesitation.

"You sure have a tough luck... To be noticed by Professor Logwell of all people."

After Logwell left, the staff member said this to me.

"Is there a problem?"

"Most likely, you'll be participating as the professor's assistant on the day."

"Assistant?"

"Yes. That professor is top-notch at controlling golems... but his hobby is to showcase their capabilities at the presentation, mainly in combat."

It seems his usual presentation involves demonstrating the strength of his golems.

"Since it's no fun without an opponent, he always manages to find a student to fight against. And he doesn't hold back at all... Many students have their spirits broken after being thoroughly beaten in front of a large audience. I guess he's run out of suitable opponents. He's been wandering around here, trying to recruit students whenever they pass by."

It seems his appearance earlier wasn't a coincidence. If he weren't a teacher, he'd be a complete suspicious person.

"Still, I didn't expect him to go after a First Grade student..."

The staff member sighed in exasperation.

"I'm not saying this to be mean, but you should probably decline. The professor's presentation is on the last day, and there will be a large audience. It's too much for a First Grade student like you."

I shook my head.

"No, it's actually perfect."

The more people watching, the better to showcase the capabilities of my new golem.

"...Why do young people always have such unfounded confidence..."

The staff member sighed, looking resigned.

"Anyway, there doesn't seem to be any other way."

---

The final day of the presentation arrived.

Today, presentations by teachers are being held throughout the academy.

With the opportunity to see the cutting-edge magical research of top-tier mages, students of the Yellow Academy vie for good spots as each presentation time approaches. Popular teachers' presentations often have standing room only.

Today is also an important day for the teachers, as the presentations are part of their evaluations, conducted mainly by the headmaster and retired former teachers. Some teachers even try to undermine their colleagues by asking nasty questions during the Q&A sessions.

In the indoor training ground set up in the basement of the school building, teachers are also presenting their achievements. The content is mainly a demonstration of earth magic.

It's almost like a show with earth. Some teachers build massive, artistic earth castles in just a few dozen seconds, while others put on plays with earth figurines.

Unlike the dull presentations of alchemical magic, these are flashy and popular, attracting visitors from outside the academy.

Among them, it was finally Logwell's turn to present.

"Good day! This time, I want to show you my wonderful golems!"

When he said this,

(No, you always do this.)

Many people in the audience had that look on their faces.

However, Logwell, oblivious to this, began to create his pride and joy golems from the large amount of earth covering the training ground floor. He created five in total.

Golems are generally thought to be rugged and clumsy, with only stiff movements. But his golems were different.

They had slim, refined bodies and smooth movements. They performed a flawless martial arts demonstration.

...Well, there were plenty of points to nitpick about the martial arts.

Some in the audience seemed to have seen it all before, but when the demonstration ended, a loud applause erupted. Especially the newly enrolled students, who were definitely seeing it for the first time, were clapping excitedly.

"Of course, my golems are also strong in combat! I want to show you that now!"

It seems it's finally my turn.

"Here we go again."

"Poor guy."

"Hey, I don't think I've seen him before? He looks like a Second Grade student, but..."

As I stepped onto the stage, the student audience looked at me with pity, just as the staff member had said.

"I want to have my golem fight his golem! Don't worry! I'm not a monster to go all out against a student! I'll only use one golem! You can use as many as you want!"

Logwell declared with enthusiasm.

"Use as many as you want..."

"Normally, you can't make multiple golems at the same time..."

"Even if you could, controlling them all at once would be difficult..."

Whispers could be heard from all around.

I decided to immediately reveal the new golem I had prepared for this day.

"Come, Alpha."

The unit name "Alpha."

When I called its name, the bright red metal-armored golem, which had been hidden by a veil on the side of the venue, removed the veil and started moving. Of course, I was the one controlling it.

Everyone must have thought I would create a golem from the earth on the ground. But it wasn't from there, and it appeared from a completely unexpected place, in a completely unexpected form.

"Wha—?"

Everyone's mouths dropped open.