The weapons I forge are absolutely flawless.

"I'll give you the little gift I promised you before, since we've run into each other, I might as well give it to you."

This last class before the weekend was much more lively than expected.

Not only were there senior students from the Alchemy Department who were usually elusive auditing the class, but there were also quite a few second-year students from other departments.

Some students, in their first year, only knew that alchemy class did not require an exam, and since they didn't plan to pursue a career as craftsmen, they didn't take the subject of alchemy seriously.

You'll regret it when you miss it.

However, they couldn't keep up with the elective alchemy courses in the second year, so they all came to audit the first-year classes.

However, Sylvan was not among them; as the president of the St. Freya Academy's campus newspaper, he was there to gather intelligence.

“But I’m a student at the Combat Academy now.” Venere pushed the booklet back.

"Don't underestimate my intelligence network, junior Viner."

"Our initial agreement was that you could pass the Alchemy Institute's assessment. As for which institute you would ultimately go to, that was decided by the higher-ups."

"Since you passed the Alchemy Institute's assessment on your own merit, this gift is what you deserve."

Judging from Sylvain's tone, he seemed to know something about the inside story.

"Don't worry, it's nothing valuable. You can open it and look at it now."

Fearing that Wiener would continue to refuse, Sylvain specifically emphasized that it was not anything valuable.

“Then I shall respectfully accept your offer.” Viner took the booklet, opened it, glanced at it, and immediately closed it, turning to look at Sylvain.

"Senior Sylvan, what is this?"

"How about it, good stuff, right?" Sylvan smiled like a friendly older brother.

Wiener should have guessed long ago that this overly friendly senior, Sylvain, wasn't exactly a serious person.

So he opened the booklet again.

"Ranking of St. Freya Academy's Most Beautiful Girls (New)"

"First place: Jessica, the Gilded Witch, a commoner, a third-year student, and the head of the Silver Wolf House..."

"Second place: Edelweiss, the Flame Empress, Princess of the Aster Empire, second-year student, head of the Black Eagles Class..."

......

"Fifth place: Felix, a civilian, a first-year student."

"Sixth place: Lystea von Cordelia, the only daughter of the Cordelia family, a first-year student."

......

It must be said that this ranking list is very well made, with exquisite materials and cover, and a wealth of information.

The information about the newly enrolled first-year students was not very comprehensive, so there was only a simple introduction and a drawing.

The other individuals not only have detailed personal information, but also their preferred styles and life stories.

It's worth mentioning that a booklet like this, which costs less than two credits to produce, is priced at twenty credits within the college.

Demand exceeds supply.

"So, what do you think, junior Viner?"

After Wiener glanced at it briefly, Sylvain immediately asked.

"I wouldn't call it an opinion, but I do have a small question." After a moment's thought, Venere decided to tell the truth, "Is it possible that Felix is ​​actually a boy?"

“...That was my oversight. Give it back to me first.” After looking at Felix for a long time, Sylvain accepted Wiener’s explanation, then took back the booklet and began to revise it in front of Wiener.

“That solves the problem.” Sylvain returned the revised roster to Viner.

The changes were minor; the only alteration was moving Felix's ranking up two places from fifth, with a note added indicating "unknown identity."

“No, I think the problem is obviously much bigger,” Wiener couldn’t help but complain.

Putting aside the fact that a campus heartthrob could be squeezed into the campus beauty rankings, and why his ranking didn't drop but instead rose.

“That’s because you don’t understand what makes Felix so special,” Sylvain said with the air of someone who’s been there all along.

"Well, I was planning to give you a little gift, but it turned out I made a fool of myself in front of my junior."

"How about this, if you need any intelligence within the academy, I can provide it once free of charge as a return gift."

Chapter 27 Anna, the Shopkeeper

The classroom farce was ultimately just a minor incident. Nothing could stop the students' longing to leave school.

After instructing Felix to review the material from the lesson and that he would be called on to answer questions again in the next class, Professor Wilford dismissed the get out of class without delay.

He couldn't lash out in front of students from other departments, so after class, he would have friendly teacher-student exchanges with each of his favorite students who had disrupted the class.

What you learn in class is ultimately just the content in the book; it is the hard work you put in after class that truly sets you apart.

The more studious students have already begun preparing to go to the library.

Students who preferred practical experience to theoretical knowledge also went to the arena in groups of three or five to warm up and stretch their muscles.

Tomorrow is the first rest day after starting school, and Wiener has already planned to spend all his time in the workshop.

But before that, he needs to do some preparation.

When leaving Lumiel Village, for the sake of convenience on the journey, we did not take any of the ores or equipment we had collected.

Out with the old, in with the new. Wiener knew there would be something better at the academy, so he gave up very decisively.

He had already found out that there was a market street inside the college that sold all kinds of materials and finished products, and all payments were made in credits.

What good things can you find?

With a huge sum of money for 130 credits, Wiener stepped into the college market full of expectations.

Even St. Freya Academy only has a general store and a blacksmith shop, which is worlds apart from the scale of Lumiel Village.

Although the shop's storefront is small, it appears exceptionally exquisite, with beautiful patterns carved on the wooden door frame.

Pushing open the door, a bright and spacious view suddenly appeared.

The store is spacious, and the interior and exterior seem like two different worlds.

Light streamed in through the wooden windows, creating dappled shadows.

One wall was covered with all kinds of weapons and armor, while the other side was decorated with green plants and porcelain.

In the center of the shop is a long wooden workbench, upon which various alchemical tools and raw materials are displayed. Next to the workbench is a row of tall wooden shelves, neatly arranged with various ores and herbs.

The shelves are stocked with a wide variety of items, arranged in an orderly manner, and the prices are clearly displayed.

"So expensive."

Wiener immediately found what she needed.

Aside from the most basic forging stones, the shop offers an unimaginable variety of materials, including Jade Steel, Algar Metal, Wootz Steel, and Mithril Steel.

Even so, the price was truly unaffordable for Wiener.

Even the most basic forging stone is worth one credit per pound, while the most expensive mithril steel is measured in grams.

Therefore, the cost of materials alone to forge a ten-pound steel sword would exceed ten credits, which is simply not worth it.

It's no wonder Wiener misunderstood.

The college provides substantial subsidies for food and clothing; just one credit is enough to enjoy a buffet meal in the cafeteria.

However, the shops in the college market were only allowed to open because the large chamber of commerce behind them paid huge deposits to the college.

In addition to selling goods, they also issue commissions to students and purchase materials obtained from exploring dungeons, essentially aiming to make a profit.

These shops, backed by major chambers of commerce, offer excellent service and guaranteed product quality, making them the top choice for students with ample funds.

As for students who are short of money, they can only try their luck at the stalls run by other students.

"My friend, you may not know this, but the ores in our shop are all refined concentrates. Compared to the original ore, about 90% of the impurities have been removed, so the price is naturally higher."

The shop owner, Anna, explained to Vina.

Anna wore a simple and elegant apron, looked to be about the same age as Venus, had her red hair tied in a ponytail, and always wore a sly smile on her face.

"Can I buy the removed impurities separately?" Wiener suddenly asked an unexpected question.

"Huh?" Anna was taken aback, clearly not expecting Vina to have such a request.

“Just kidding,” Viner corrected herself.

Whether it was a joke or not is a matter of opinion.

"I'd like to look at other things. Do you have any ash wood?"

Ash wood, with its exceptional lightness and toughness, is ideal for making gun barrels.

“Of course we have some. How much do you want?” Anna replied.

The processing of wood is not as complicated as that of ore.

The customer makes a request, and the workers simply cut the product according to the dimensions and length specified by the customer.

Moreover, as a renewable resource, its price is more stable.

"I need two-meter-long logs, one set is enough."

Logs are trees that have grown to a suitable age and then been cut down, representing the most primitive and natural form.

Then, based on the customer's needs, cut the corresponding length.

The reason for this purchase was that Wiener really didn't want to pay extra for processing.

"I'd like to offer you 30 credits. Would you like it delivered to your residence?" Anna saw through Vena's little scheme at a glance, but she didn't show the slightest impatience. "Don't worry, delivery is free."

"Thank you very much." Viner took out her student card to pay. "Just deliver it to room 1011 in the Alchemy Department."

"Is this Vina from dormitory 1011 of the Alchemy Department? Okay." Anna wrote down the information and then transferred thirty credits from Vina's card.

Immediately afterwards, she pulled out a business card from somewhere.

"I really can't offer you a discount on the price of the raw materials. However, if you plan to upgrade your workshop's equipment in the future, or if you have any pieces you'd like to consign, you can simply contact me using the contact information on my business card, and we will offer you a very generous discount."

To maintain the healthy operation of the market, the academy sets a monthly market guidance price based on local output and market inventory. All chambers of commerce cooperating with the academy must strictly adhere to this regulation to ensure fair and reasonable pricing.

On the contrary, students who set up their own stalls are not subject to this restriction.

"...You don't say that to every guest, do you?" Venado asked.

"I only say this to every alchemy student who comes to my shop," Anna said frankly, pointing to the wall of the shop filled with all kinds of weapons and armor.

It goes without saying which guys were responsible for this.

“If there’s an opportunity, I’ll give it priority,” Viner said, understanding her meaning, and accepted the business card.

“Then I look forward to your next visit,” Anna replied with a smile, then suddenly added as if she remembered something, “If you are looking for original iron ore, I do know a place where you can try your luck.”

......

"Hey, Miss Anna, do you think this is funny?"

Following the address Anna gave them, they wandered around and finally arrived at a small alley in the college market, where they indeed found the raw iron ore that Vena needed at a street stall.

But why does the owner of this stall, Viña, look so familiar?

"Oh, Vena, you must have made a mistake. The person in the shop is the shopkeeper, Anna, while the person in front of you is Anna, a first-year student at the academy. We are not the same person."

Miss Anna, who had simply changed her apron into a school uniform, explained.

"If you're not alone, why do you know my name is Vena?" Vena countered.

"Well, don't worry about such a small thing. How about I give you a 20% discount?"

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Chapter 28 Felix's Plea

Miss Anna, sitting on the floor and haggling with Viner without any airs, was indeed a completely different person from the dignified and elegant Miss Anna inside the shop.

But precisely because of this, Wiener boldly tested the other party's bottom line step by step, and finally bought 100 kilograms of raw iron ore for 30 credits, and also gave away a handcart.

This exchange made Anna realize she had met someone in the same profession, and she couldn't help but ask Vena if she was interested in working at the grocery store.