Chapter 230: Second place in the competition

—Have you slept with Katsu yet?

I asked directly, looking at Lina.

She seemed surprised for a moment, but soon shook her head.

—No! I’ll only sleep with him after my wedding.

I remained silent for a few seconds.

Then I laughed inwardly.

Judging by what Lina had just said, that guy was probably one of those acolytes whose brains worked much slower than everyone else’s; after all, I’d be able to use Lina’s pussy to my heart’s content before she got married.

Lina also seemed unwilling to continue that subject and quickly changed the topic.

—The Tower’s competitions are divided into many categories.

—There are events for device manufacturing, plant gathering, exploration, enchanting, jewelry crafting, and several other lesser-known fields.

She raised the small white flower she was still holding.

—But the most exciting event is still the combat competition.

—Any acolyte can participate, and the reward is also the most generous.

I slowly nodded.

It was exactly what I had expected.

Before the Total Massacre, Arcangrove Tower was practically pouring resources into its acolytes.

They needed to increase our strength as much as possible before we were sent to that secret world.

—Although acolytes can participate in several events.

—Professor Totil said it would be better for you to participate in the device manufacturing competition.

She looked at me.

The concern in her eyes was obvious.

—Don’t worry.

—I’m already prepared to participate in the device manufacturing event.

I had no intention of participating in the combat competition.

Behind the acolytes whose levels were close to the Pseudo-Mage realm were powerful professors.

These individuals certainly possessed resources that ordinary acolytes could never obtain, items specifically prepared to increase their chances of survival.

I didn’t want to attract unnecessary attention. Besides, the prize for the combat competition didn’t appeal to me.

That kind of reward had probably been created precisely to give mediocre acolytes one last opportunity to increase their strength before the Total Massacre.

If I had to participate in something, it would be better to choose the simplest option.

Which was device manufacturing.

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On the day of registration, the area in front of the educational district was extremely crowded.

Several tables had been arranged side by side.

Behind them, large banners indicated the different categories.

[ENGINEERING.]

[COMBAT.]

[ALCHEMY.]

[ENCHANTING.]

[COLLECTION.]

[SKINNING.]

[And others.]

Hundreds of acolytes were moving around the area.

Some were talking quietly, while others were discussing the rewards.

There were also many faces I had never seen before.

They were probably acolytes who had recently returned to the Tower.

I observed the situation for a few moments.

Then I walked directly to the engineering registration table.

—I want to register for the device manufacturing competition.

The person in charge looked up.

After registering my name, he handed me a piece of paper.

—Hold on to this.

—Your number is 30.

—The competition will begin tomorrow at three o’clock in the afternoon.

—You are to report to the Grand Hall in Experimental Zone 10.

—Be punctual.

He also handed me a small numbered card.

—Next!

The employee’s impatient voice rang out.

I put the card away.

—Thank you.

I stepped aside.

Lina was still waiting for me.

I looked at her and smiled.

—Let’s go to a restaurant to celebrate.

—Celebrate?

—Our reunion after such a long time.

Her expression immediately brightened.

—Then I’ll pay!

She smiled.

—Consider this a celebration of our reunion.

I didn’t refuse, and right after that I took her to my bedroom and made her have multiple orgasms with my new, extremely hard, veiny villain’s cock. I was so rough that she really had some very wet and delightful orgasms.

Soon after, I gave Lina a deep creampie in her tight womb.

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The next day, I arrived at Hall 10 five minutes before the scheduled time.

The place was already practically full.

Many acolytes specializing in engineering were waiting for the event to begin.

Some recognized me.

—George?

—Long time no see!

—Are you participating too?

I responded to their greetings with discreet nods.

Some faces were completely unfamiliar to me.

That wasn’t strange.

Most of them spent long periods in their laboratories.

Especially those involved in engineering or engineering-related sub-professions.

Chory and Lina also arrived.

The two of them walked over to me.

Lina smiled.

Chory greeted me as well.

Then…

Ding! Ling! Ling!

The sound of a bell echoed throughout the hall.

Instantly, everyone fell silent.

A figure wearing a white robe appeared among the crowd.

My expression became serious.

Even after everything I had experienced, I still felt an indescribable pressure in the presence of a true Official Mage. In front of an Official Mage… I was still nothing more than an ant.

I tried to activate the Biochip to analyze him, but as expected… no useful response appeared.

The Official Mage’s voice echoed throughout the hall.

—All of you must enter the main hall and immediately proceed to the area corresponding to the number on your card.

—I will wait only five minutes.

—Anyone who isn’t in their assigned position after that time will be disqualified.

His voice was hoarse and unpleasant.

After finishing, he waved his sleeve.

His entire body disintegrated.

He transformed into hundreds of white butterflies.

The butterflies flew in every direction.

The acolytes looked at one another.

Then…

Bang!

Someone started running.

The next instant, the entire crowd burst into motion.

—Get out of the way!

—My number is 17!

—Don’t push!

—Hurry!

I was pushed forward along with the crowd.

I didn’t use my strength.

I could have easily forced my way through. But there was no need.

I didn’t want to hurt any acolyte, much less attract the attention of the Official Mage responsible for the event.

Besides, many of the stronger acolytes thought the same way. No one wanted to turn a simple competition into a problem.

Finally, I reached my table, Number 30.

The white table was impeccably clean, and several ingredients, some tools, and a piece of parchment had been placed on it.

As soon as I looked at the materials, I immediately recognized the nature of the task.

We were going to try to construct a standard healing device.

At that moment, the Official Mage’s voice echoed once again.

—The five minutes are over. Any acolyte who has still not found their assigned position is disqualified.

Shouts erupted throughout the room.

I looked to the side and saw a poor fellow who was only one step away from his table.

A white butterfly grabbed him.

—Wait! My table is right there!

The butterfly carried him away without a care and soon disappeared down the corridor.

—The theme of this round is the manufacture of a healing device.

—The formula and ingredients are on your tables. You will have three hours.

I quickly read through them.

It was exactly what I had imagined.

Then came the final warning.

—Every move you make will be under my surveillance.

—Do not try to cheat.

—Otherwise, you will learn a lesson you won’t forget.

I ignored the warning and soon picked up a crystal from the table.

After all, I had manufactured this thing so many times that I could practically vomit from it.

But I soon began to work.

To any outside observer, my movements looked as though they had come straight from a textbook.

Precise and controlled.

My hands didn’t tremble.

Every cut was made at the correct angle.

Every ingredient was added at exactly the right moment.

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Some time later.

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Ping~!

A drop of green liquid fell into the test tube and instantly… the liquid changed color.

The tube turned red.

I had finished!

I looked at the Biochip’s projection.

[80 minutes]

I slightly frowned.

It seems I’ve gotten a little rusty.

A white butterfly immediately flew toward my table.

It examined the device.

—Hmm… very good.

I bowed slightly.

—Sir.

The butterfly seemed to observe me for several seconds.

—I recognize you!

—Aren’t you George?

—That old man Totil’s apprentice?

—The heavens really are unfair.

—That old man already had an apprentice like you, and now he also has that genius acolyte named Chory…

I remained silent.

After all, I didn’t have the qualifications to establish a relationship with a Mage.

The butterfly seemed annoyed by my silence.

—Well!

—Let me smell the device!

I picked up the cylinder.

I carefully rotated it around the crystal and placed the device in front of the butterfly.

It examined it.

—Hmm…

After a few seconds, its expression changed.

—Healing device.

—Excellent quality.

It nodded.

—Child, you passed.

The butterfly began to move away.

Before disappearing, however, it spoke again:

—George! Consider changing teachers and joining me…

I smiled awkwardly.

I didn’t want to provoke Totil. Despite his strange mannerisms, that old Mage had always treated me well.

It wouldn’t be wise to abandon him for an uncertain opportunity.

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The competition continued.

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Two days and an entire night.

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Fortunately, acolytes could use energy particles to strengthen their bodies.

Therefore, although we were exhausted, we were still able to continue working.

With each round, the mental and concentration demands increased.

The first tests were simple.

Then came intermediate devices.

Then advanced devices.

Lina failed to pass the third round.

Chory, on the other hand, continued advancing.

And so did I.

In the end… only the two of us remained.

The final would be decided by manufacturing a device called the P-937.

It was a healing device capable of treating injuries caused by chaotic energy spells.

Even among advanced devices, the P-937 was considered extremely difficult to manufacture.

I read the formula.

The Biochip quickly began analyzing each step.

I knew I could manufacture it, but I didn’t want to win.

More importantly, I didn’t want to reveal the full extent of my abilities.

So… I deliberately made a small mistake.

It was enough.

Chory won, and I came in second place.

In the middle of the night, I finally returned to my dormitory.

My body wasn’t the problem, but my concentration and Mana were exhausted.

I entered and closed the door.

Then I took out the reward I had received for second place.

It was a Basic Concentrated Mana Potion.

I stared at it for several seconds.

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1707 Words