Kang Shin-hyuk set up an equipnt set while shivering in anticipation of his uncertain future. It was his two web gloves, a uniform provided to him by Shin Eunah, the mask that hid his identity, and a Shin Eun-hyuk exclusive piece of equipnt he had made yesterday. He saved it away in set #2, leaving the first slot empty for his strongest equipnt that he would one day make.
[Lee Na-hee: We’ll et in front of the main gate at 10.]
Lee Na-hee’s ssage arrived as he was doing so simple training in his room. He considered it for a mont before deciding to respond.
[No matter what happens today, don’t be surprised. Pretend you don’t know .]
[Lee Na-hee: What did you do?]
[Sothing might happen later…if it does, please pretend you don’t know then.]
Lee Na-hee took a while to reply but finally sent an emoji with stars for eyes.
[Lee Na-hee: (emoji)]
[Lee Na-hee: I’m looking forward to it!]
[No, don’t expect it’ll happen.]
[Lee Na-hee: I’ll bring a good quality cara!]
[Don’t bring it. Don’t take pictures.]
He washed up after training and dressed up in his school uniform before heading off to the Royal Class-exclusive restaurant.
“Shin-hyuk!”
“Yes, yes.” Eating breakfast with Karen and Eleanor very morning had now been ingrained in him. He consud a plate of consommé soup with a sigh as Karen watched him.
“Are you going to school today?”
“No.” It was still a test week, and students who had finished testing didn’t have to attend. The student councils would be held next week, but there wasn’t much else to do. Students freed from the exam were finally allowed to relax.
“Good, then let’s go play! Vice-captain, you said you were thinking about going to the exhibition, right?”
“I did?” At Karen’s words, Eleanor was one who was most surprised. Kang Shin-hyuk couldn’t even retort at Karen’s blatant ploys.
“You got an invitation, right vice-captain?”
“Yes, I did…shall we go together?” Eleanor was quick to agree to the proposal, which would let her spend more ti with Kang Shin-hyuk. He rejected it, however, with an expression of regret.
“I already have plans. Didn’t you hear from Lee Na-hee?”
“Na-hee?” Eleanor tilted her head as her eyes widened.
“Ah. You’re also going to the contest. You also made it to the finals?”
“I’m going with my senior. It’s a joint venture for our club.”
“I heard you were in the sa club.” The two were close. He wondered if that was so group ford by people who were bothered by the Crowns of the school. Eleanor nodded, unaware of Shin-hyuk’s rude thoughts.
“Isn’t Na-hee pretty?”
“I’ll ignore that. We’re just junior and senior.”
“I see…”
“Actually, the place I was going to was there.” Kang Shin-hyuk stopped, stiffening in place.
“The World Rookies Creator Contest?”
“Yes. I got the invitation from Na-hee.”
“…” Kang Shin-hyuk trembled.
“Senior Eleanor, it may be a little dangerous today. I think it would be best not to go.”
“Aren’t you going too?”
“…Yeah.”
“Then, I will too.” Kang Shin-hyuk finally conceded to her and lowered his head. He had to pray nothing would actually happen at the contest hall, or that he wouldn’t be recognized if sothing did. And that Lee Na-hee would stay quiet, even if she recognized the lightning web.
At least the food he had for breakfast was very tasty.
***
“A grand prize, gold, silver, bronze, and then just encouragent. Since the finals include ten teams, only about half will win anything.”
“Just getting in the finals is enough to brag.” Lee Manwoo was driving to the venue, responding to Kang Shin-hyuk’s mutterings. Since they were heading there in the na of the club, it was natural for the teacher in charge to take them.
“But you told I had to win.”
“That’s because you’re in Shinyoung.”
“Yeah.” Shinyoung was the world’s top elite education institution, though it provided no specialized training on production. If he couldn’t win a prize, he would have no right to touch a hamr again.
“Not like you need to worry about winning the prize. What matters is how much you upstage the others.”
“Grandpa…”
“Don’t get too upset now.” The group arrived at the hotel and were guided by a doorman inside. Most of the attention was on Kang Shin-hyuk and Lee Na-hee, as they wore the neat uniform of Shinyoung. Perhaps it was also due to Lee Na-hee’s beauty.
“Look, it’s Shinyoung.”
“Have they participated in the contest before?”
“Co look. Shinyoung doesn’t normally have producers.” There were quite a few other students who had arrived for the contest, amazed by the two. Kang Shin-hyuk was beginning to realize the prestige Shinyoung truly held in the world. It had often seed so insignificant when he compared it to the Hero Universe and the people within it, but for these people, it was different.
“I’ve heard rumors that Shinyoung holds so great production skills.” It wasn’t a student who spoke up, but rather the young man leading them. Perhaps he was their teacher. His gaze was focused on Lee Manwoo.
“Teacher, are you okay?”
“Don’t worry, I was prepared for this from the mont I agreed to help you.”
“…” Kang Shin-hyuk was worried, but Lee Manwoo just snorted. Lee Na-hee glanced at her grandfather with a slightly affronted expression, but the three eventually pushed on to the convention hall under the hotel staff’s guidance.
“Wow, they have security too. Is it because of the artifacts?”
“There is that, but this is also a place to judge the future of the artifact production industry. Representatives from the industry, guilds, and even governnts are paying attention here.”
“Wow…” Lee Manwoo wasn’t exaggerating. There were only ten teams in the finals, but hundreds more had co to watch. Many of them were people Kang Shin-hyuk had seen in the news before.
“Hey, junior, let’s use it too.”
“It’s already too late. Shh.”
“Hm? What are you two talking about? You’re getting along a lot better than last ti.” Lee Manwoo was beaming at them happily as more people filled the banquet hall. Among them was, of course, the Alchemist and the Thunder Empress.
“It’s the Empress! Let’s go say hello. Please introduce .”
“Ah, aren’t you working?” Lee Na-hee was quick to ask Kang Shin-hyuk for favor as she subtly mocked him. She had heard from her grandfather that the Empress had her eye on him. Shin Eunah was pushing away all those who tried to approach her with just her cold gaze, however.
“Oh, Shin-hyuk!”
“Ugh!” Instead, Claire had arrived, wearing skinny jeans and a lacy blouse. She exuded a refreshing charm that attracted attention like a magnet.
“Uh…” Kang Shin-hyuk was ntally pushed back, and Lee Na-hee physically took a step back. The people around them also seed similarly surprised.
“Sister Claire, I thought we were pretending to not know each other…?”
“Ah, it’s okay now. Rather, you need to get out in front of people and make yourself a target. Besides, I prepared a disguise for you.”
“Is that okay? Is it really okay?!”
“Junior, you…”
“Who’s this pretty girl? Oh, a club senior? Hi! I’m an alchemist.”
“Yes…yes. Hello.” Lee Na-hee nodded blankly and shook Claire’s hand, who then turned to Lee Manwoo.
“Then, you must be the Great Chief.”
“…Hm.”
“Nice to et you. I heard a lot about you from Shin-hyuk.” Claire also asked Lee Manwoo for a handshake, which he agreed to with an embarrassed expression. She let out a satisfied laugh.
“It looks like you’ve been working hard with Shin-hyuk. Although he seems seasoned, he’s still lacking in so ways. Having a senior in the industry to rely on is a great help.”
“My sister or my mother?”
“Just the guardian of a boy with a secret. Suddenly appearing and then disappearing after playing her role.”
“That’s ssed up.” Claire’s fantasizing hadn’t improved at all. She smiled proudly and patted Kang Shin-hyuk on the shoulder.
“I’ll buy you so chicken when you win the grand prize. Look forward to it!” Many people around them tried to approach Claire as she left them, but she waved them off. Even Lee Manwoo had a blank expression on his face after she ca and left like a whirlwind.
“…Junior.” Lee Na-hee was gazing at the hand she had shaken Claire’s hand with.
“Now I know who my junior was scorned by.”
“Let’s be quiet, please.”
“If the opponent is the Alchemist…wow…I’m sorry for teasing you…”
“You’re still making fun of ?”
“A woman who’s both prettier than and has larger breasts…”
“You’re really shaless.” Lee Manwoo, on the other hand, was watching Claire as she left with a look of admiration.
“Sir?”
“Hm?”
“I’m sorry for making fun of you.”
“He is soone who will be very helpful to you. You need to work hard.”
“Let’s stop and sit down.” Kang Shin-hyuk felt a cold gaze on his back. It was probably Shin Eunah’s, so he tried to ignore it as he led the group.
Thirty minutes later, the final result of the contest was announced, attracting a lot of attention.
The work that won the lowest award was a D rank artifact.
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