Last Gun Alchemist

”It’s a fu**ing Yeti.”

The second-year male member said it loudly enough for the other club members to hear, making several heads immediately turn toward him.

He was still holding the document in one hand, but his eyes were fixed on the information written across the page as if he still couldn’t believe what Professor Nine had assigned to his team.

”Well, that’s a bit better than facing a Ghost Crawler.”

Jeremy said, still annoyed about his own mission.

His shoulders had already relaxed slightly after Professor Nine placed Diane Bergwyn in his group, but it was just a slight relief.

”It’s an adult Yeti that we are supposed to catch or kill cleanly.”

The second-year replied with an annoyed expression.

He shook his head and rubbed his forehead again, already looking tired from thinking about the assignment.

”Those creatures are not to be underestimated.”

He said, his fingers pressing against his temple.

”Capturing or killing it cleanly won’t be a problem though.”

Maxwell said with a sigh.

Instead of looking worried, he actually looked disappointed.

That expression made the second-year club member slowly stare at him in disbelief.

”Huh?”

The second-year paused.

His hand slowly lowered from his forehead as he narrowed his eyes at Maxwell.

”What did you just say?”

”Yeah...”

Maxwell shrugged as if there was nothing strange about his statement.

”An adult Yeti is just around the Meister Alchemist rank. So, there’s nothing to actually fear.”

He spoke casually, as though he were talking about an ordinary monster that any decent Alchemist could deal with.

”We need a better target.”

The second-year member’s face twitched.

Before he could say anything, Maxwell turned toward Professor Nine.

”Why don’t you let us hunt a Kalian instead? Professor.”

His eyes sparkled with excitement.

The moment those words left his mouth, the entire atmosphere of the room changed.

Several club members froze.

The second-year member’s eyes widened.

A few students slowly turned their heads toward Maxwell.

”Are you kidding me?”

The second-year asked in more disbelief.

”Not kidding.”

Maxwell replied without the slightest concern for what he had just suggested.

Professor Nine looked at his excited face.

He didn’t immediately answer.

He just simply stared at Maxwell for a few seconds.

Then...

”Ha...”

A low laugh escaped from his mouth.

”Haha...”

The laughter grew louder.

”Hahahaha!”

Professor Nine’s shoulders shook slightly as his laughter continued.

”Hahahahaha!”

His voice suddenly became much louder.

The second-year member quickly looked toward the professor with terrified eyes.

Several first-year club members and upperclassmen also stared at Nine almost at the same time.

They all seemed to have the same thought.

Is he actually going to consider it?

A few students swallowed hard.

Nobody wanted to find out what would happen if Professor Nine really accepted Maxwell’s suggestion.

”No.”

Professor Nine finally answered.

”No?”

Maxwell’s excitement died immediately.

His shoulders dropped.

His bright expression disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared.

”Kalians aren’t easy targets.”

Professor Nine explained calmly.

”Even though there are some Kalians that would be catchable, I can’t risk that.”

He pointed toward the holographic screen.

”Plus, the Academy doesn’t have them in the Black Zone, so it isn’t even a possible mission for me to give you.”

He then looked back at Maxwell.

”But I do like your enthusiasm, kid.”

Professor Nine gave him a pleased smirk.

”Ahh...”

The second-year member sighed in relief.

The same reaction came from the other five members of his group.

Their shoulders relaxed almost at the same time.

They had clearly been imagining themselves being sent after a Kalian the moment Maxwell made the suggestion.

The idea alone had been enough to make several of them uncomfortable.

Maxwell, however, was still disappointed.

”Ahhh...”

He sighed as he looked down at the document in the hand of the Second-year student.

The second-year member secretly glared at him.

This commoner seriously needs someone to give him a reality check on where he stands in this academy.

He thought while shaking his head faintly.

To him...

Maxwell might be strong, there was no denying that.

Especially considering he was a commoner who got into the Royal academy of all places.

A commoner getting into the academy... he definitely had to have some talent.

But there was a difference between being confident and asking to hunt something simply because the previous target didn’t seem dangerous enough.

The second-year member finally turned around and walked back toward his seat.

Maxwell, on the other hand, also began walking back to his own seat, although the disappointment remained clearly written across his face.

”Sir Maxwell.”

Cherry looked at him with some worry.

Maxwell turned toward her.

She seemed concerned by how disappointed he looked.

”Well, on the bright side...”

Maxwell smiled and tried to cheer himself up.

”It’s still a strong monster.”

He sat back down.

That seemed to help his mood a little.

At least he had a strong monster to hunt. So, he didn’t need to complain too much about it.

”Yeah, before I forget again.”

Professor Nine suddenly snapped his fingers.

The sharp sound immediately drew the attention of the club members back toward him.

He turned toward the holographic screen displaying the seven-man groups.

”Hmmm...”

His finger moved across the screen as he searched through the different groups.

After a few seconds, he stopped.

”Mr. Cyrus Burnwick will be joining the group that got the Yeti hunting mission.”

Professor Nine looked toward Latisha.

”So, you know what to do, Latisha.”

”Yes, Professor.”

Latisha nodded once.

Cyrus quietly looked toward Professor Nine.

His expression remained calm, but his eyes clearly showed that he didn’t want to get involved in something that sounded this annoying.

He had already experienced enough trouble during the practical test.

Now he was being moved into another group’s mission.

He could already imagine the amount of work waiting for him.

”Alright, the next group.”

Professor Nine turned back toward the scattered documents on the table.

He began going through the remaining assignments.

Like that, Professor Nine called the groups he wanted to hand missions to for their research themes.

Some of the assignments were related to monster research, while others were focused on craftsmanship.

However, not every group received a mission.

Since, Professor Nine still wanted some of the groups to come up with their own research ideas and inventions.

The room remained busy as the assignments continued.

Students moved around, collected documents, discussed their missions with their group members, and asked the senior members questions whenever something wasn’t clear.

Time passed without anyone noticing.

Eventually, the closing period arrived.

Once the closing bells rang throughout the Mix Arena, the club members began wrapping up their activities in their different clubs.

At this point, many clubs, including the Craft & Research Seekers, had already assigned or fully briefed their new members on what they would be doing to prepare for the upcoming club tournament.

The Mix Arena soon filled with the noise of departing students.

Footsteps echoed through the halls as members left the different club rooms, while conversations continued between groups of students who were already discussing their new assignments.

Ezra, as usual, left with Lucy and headed back toward their residence without wasting much time.

Before leaving, he only had a small conversation with his new group members and a few other club members who still wanted to try getting close to him.

After that, he left.

There was no reason for him to remain in the Mix Arena when he had already finished everything required of him for the day.

Vera and Diane, however, stayed behind to meet with Professor Nine.

He had a few things he wanted to speak with Vera about concerning her new responsibilities, while Diane was just tagging along as always with Hermione following behind them.

Cyrus also left early since there was nothing else he needed to do inside the Mix Arena.

The day was now coming to an end.

After settling down in his residence, Ezra used the remaining time he had to read the book Professor Kent had recommended to the class.

The Philosophy on General Alchemy.

Since he had already finished all of his assignments, he didn’t need to bother himself with any additional work.

He simply focused his usual midnight study time on his courses.

The room remained quiet as he read through the pages, occasionally turning them with one hand while the light from the lamp fell across the desk.

Eventually, when he had finished his usual study period, Ezra closed the book and went to sleep.

The next day arrived with the same usual routine.

Morning came, training routines were done, and eventually Ezra and Lucy headed straight toward the Mix Arena for the continuation of their club activity.

The moment they arrived, the club members were already gathering.

”Every Research Unit club member, this way, please.”

Latisha said while waving her hand toward the direction of the butchering room.

”While all of you Craft Unit club members should follow me.”

Luke said calmly.

He also waved his hand, signaling for the members to come toward him.

With that said, the club members began separating into their different units.

Although, they were not yet separating into their research groups, however, because there were still several things that needed to be settled for everyone before the actual group work could begin.

The Research Unit members followed Latisha toward one side of the Mix Arena, while the Craft Unit members followed Luke in the opposite direction.

”So, we will all be getting our hands dirty today, guys.”

Latisha said with a simple smile on her face.

Several students immediately looked at her.

Some already understood what she meant, while others were still confused.

”Wait...”

A female first-year suddenly stopped walking.

Her feet remained planted on the floor as the other members continued for another step before realizing that she wasn’t following.

Every member turned toward her.

Some immediately understood why she had stopped.

Others didn’t.

”Yes?”

Latisha tilted her head slightly.

The female first-year looked toward her.

”Does that mean we are going to be cutting monster flesh as our club activity today?”

She asked.

There was already a hint of irritation in her voice, as if she had only just realized what Latisha meant by getting their hands dirty.

A few students looked at each other.

One of them seemed to hold back a laugh.

Latisha didn’t look bothered.

”We have to get a lot of you used to this.”

She explained gently.

”Remember, our third-year club members will soon be going to their long self-study session, which means they won’t be involved in club activities again for a very long while.”

Her words made several first-years look toward the third-years who were still around.

The older students had already begun preparing themselves for the coming period.

And that meant the younger members would have to start taking on more of the practical work themselves.

Latisha turned toward the butchering room.

”Besides, you’re part of the Research Unit.”

She said with a small smile.

”Learning about monsters isn’t only about reading their research reports. At some point, you have to actually get your hands dirty.”

The female first-year looked at the others.

Her face tightened slightly.

She clearly wasn’t convinced.

Latisha, however, simply raised her hand and waved everyone forward.

”So, let’s go butchering.”

She said with an energetic tone.

The Research Unit members began moving again.

Their footsteps echoed through the hallway as they followed Latisha toward the butchering room, with some students looking curious, some nervous, and others already wondering what kind of monster they would have to cut open that day.