Last Gun Alchemist

Back inside the Craft & Research Seekers Club tent...

A few students moved back and forth through the general section between the boys’ and girls’ changing rooms. The atmosphere inside the tent was no longer as relaxed as before. Some club members checked their clothes for some kind of unknown, while others went through the materials for the presentation again, unwilling to take any chances now that their turn was close.

”The report in the hard copy is the same as the one in the soft copy, correct?”

A senior club member asked while holding the printed research report in one hand and his Para 13 in the other. The holographic screen projected from the device displayed the digital version of the same report as he carefully compared the two.

”Yes. I checked it twice already.”

Another club member answered from nearby.

”Check it one more time.”

The senior replied without even looking up.

The club member stared at him, then he quietly looked back at the report.

”Agnes, I hope you’re ready.”

Jeremy asked as he looked toward Agnes.

Agnes was pacing around restlessly.

Her steps carried her forward before she turned and walked back again, only for her fingers to tighten around one another as if she did not know where to put her hands.

”I’m fine.”

Agnes raised her palm toward Jeremy’s face, trying to stop him from looking at her any longer.

However, the movement only made it more obvious that she wasn’t fine.

”You are clearly not calm, Agnes.”

Latisha said worriedly.

”Yeah, she’s not.”

A female second-year upperclassman standing beside Latisha agreed.

Agnes immediately stopped walking.

”Of course, I’m not calm!”

She suddenly shouted.

Several nearby students turned toward her.

Agnes threw her hands outward in frustration.

”Although this isn’t my first time presenting in front of professors, this is my first time standing on a stage this wide. We even have the Queen herself among the guests, not to mention the Dukes around her!”

She looked at Latisha and the other club members standing nearby.

Her face clearly showed that she was trying to keep herself together, but the more she thought about who would be sitting in the audience, the more difficult that became.

”Agnes.”

Luke walked into the tent while holding his Starlix 14 in his right hand.

He looked toward the still-panicking Agnes.

”I just received a message. Our representatives should be making their way toward the stadium now for the presentation.”

The moment Agnes heard those words, her entire body seemed to lose its remaining strength.

She slowly went down on her knees.

”Ahhh...”

A long sigh escaped her mouth.

Her shoulders dropped.

”I’m screwed.”

She spoke nervously.

”Where is Ezra Ashenlocke?”

A first-year asked while looking around the tent for any sign of him.

”I’m here.”

Ezra’s voice came from the entrance.

He calmly walked into the tent.

His black eyes moved across the members pacing around the general section before landing on Agnes, who was still kneeling on the ground in complete panic.

”Thank God you came at the right time.”

Luke said with visible relief.

An upperclassman quickly stepped forward and handed Ezra the Zphone tablet containing the presentation file.

”Good luck.”

The upperclassman said with an encouraging smile.

”Will do.”

Ezra calmly collected the Zphone tablet.

He checked the screen briefly, then turned around and began walking toward the exit.

”Ahhhh!”

Agnes suddenly shouted.

Ezra did not even stop.

The upperclassmen near her looked toward Agnes in confusion.

After seeing Ezra’s calm expression, Agnes suddenly forced herself back to her feet.

She didn’t want to keep looking uncool in front of her juniors and classmates.

More importantly, the club was depending on both her and Ezra.

So, she had to get her shit together.

”Let’s go, Ezra Ashenlocke!”

Agnes called out, finally regaining some of her composure.

Latisha and the female upperclassman beside her exchanged an awkward look.

”He’s already gone, Agnes.”

They spoke almost at the same time.

Agnes froze.

Her eyes shifted toward the entrance.

”What?! At least wait for me!”

She quickly rushed after him.

The competitive and joyful atmosphere around the Mix Arena continued as Agnes finally caught up with Ezra.

He was walking calmly toward the stadium, while applause continued rising from inside.

The voices of the judges could also be heard as they gave their review of the representatives from the club that had just completed its presentation.

Agnes walked beside Ezra, taking a breath to calm herself.

Ezra, however, remained quiet.

”Are you seriously not nervous?”

She finally asked.

Ezra turned his head slightly toward her.

”Should I be?”

Agnes stared at him.

Then her mouth opened.

However, before she could answer, the entrance to the stadium came into view.

Ezra and Agnes presented their student ID cards to the Royal Academy Guards stationed at the entrance.

The guards scanned the cards before returning them.

”Craft & Research Seekers Club.”

One of the guards confirmed.

He then pointed toward a corridor leading deeper into the stadium.

”Please follow that direction. Your waiting room is located there.”

Agnes nodded.

”Thank you.”

The two followed the direction they had been given.

However, while Agnes continued toward the waiting room, Ezra stopped and turned toward another section.

”I’ll be back.”

Agnes looked at him nervously.

”Where are you going?”

”The technical team.”

Ezra replied plainly.

He walked toward the group handling the large holographic screen that would be used for their presentation.

After reaching them, Ezra explained what was needed and sent the presentation file to the technical group.

One of the staff members checked the file before giving him a small nod.

”Everything is ready.”

Ezra returned to the waiting room.

He and Agnes waited patiently.

The sounds from the stadium occasionally reached them through the walls.

Applause.

Another judge speaking.

Then another round of applause.

Agnes sat beside Ezra while keeping her hands together.

Every time the noise rose, her eyes would move toward the door.

Ezra sat beside her quietly.

Several minutes passed.

Finally...

”For our next presentation this afternoon!”

Professor Liliana’s voice echoed loud and clear through the waiting room.

Agnes immediately raised her head, sighing again.

Ezra’s eyes also moved toward the door.

”Let’s welcome the Craft & Research Seekers Club!!”

Her voice rang out energetically as applause rose from the stadium.

The door to the waiting room opened.

”Please follow me.”

A staff member spoke calmly.

Ezra and Agnes stood up.

Agnes took another breath.

Ezra simply adjusted the Zphone tablet in his hand, before handing it to Agnes, since he wouldn’t need it for the presentation.

But it was clear to him that Agnes would need it.

The two followed the staff member out of the waiting room.

They were led toward the right entrance of the stadium.

The sound of the crowd became louder with every step they took.

Once they finally walked out...

Professor Liliana’s expression changed slightly when she saw Ezra representing the Craft & Research Seekers Club.

She had clearly not expected him to be one of the presenters.

A surprised smile appeared on her face.

Liliana walked down from the center stage and waved lightly at Ezra.

Ezra noticed the gesture and gave her a polite nod.

She then turned toward Agnes and waved at her as well.

Agnes immediately bowed respectfully.

The two then made their way toward the center of the stage.

The attention of the entire stadium gradually settled on them.

The moment Ezra and Agnes reached their positions, microphones were handed to both of them.

The holographic screen behind them changed.

Their presentation slide appeared.

The first slide showed:

Research on an Elder Ghost Crawler.

”A Ghost Crawler?”

Voices of amazement rose from the stands.

”Those children really went against an Elder Ghost Crawler?”

”Wait, isn’t that Ezra Ashenlocke?”

”Do you think it’s really true?”

”Maybe they only did the normal research?”

Doubt filled some of the conversations, while others leaned forward with interest, wanting to see what kind of research results the Craft & Research Seekers had brought before them.

All those different emotions mixed with the conversations surrounding the topic.

And unfortunately for Agnes...

It only made her more nervous.

She could hear the whispers.

The questions.

The doubt.

Her fingers tightened around the microphone and Zphone tablet on her other hand.

Then Ezra stepped forward.

”Good afternoon, Your Majesty the Queen, the members of the Royal Family, the Lord Dukes and Duchesses, the Counts, Viscounts, and all the people of Britannia.”

Ezra spoke in a calm tone.

His voice wasn’t loud or overly forceful.

Yet as it passed through the stadium, it gradually cut through the growing noise.

The conversations weakened.

”We of the Craft & Research Seekers will be presenting to you our beautiful research on the Elder Ghost Crawler.”

Ezra continued.

He walked a few steps ahead of Agnes.

Behind him, Agnes looked at his back with a stunned expression.

He had already started.

And he didn’t seem bothered by the oppressive stares coming from all around the stadium.

”Now... now...”

Ezra slowly turned toward the left side of the stadium, directly looking at the Nobles and Non-Nobles seated there.

”I know what every one of you must be thinking.”

His expression remained calm.

”How the hell did these little children even face an Elder Ghost Crawler?”

A few people in the audience blinked.

Then Ezra continued.

”Or did we even go through that dangerous method to fulfill our research...?”

He paused.

The crowd watched him with growing anticipation.

For some reason, despite the plain way he spoke, they found themselves wanting to hear what he would say next.

Even the judges sitting in their seats looked toward him calmly.

A few of them had become genuinely interested.

Ezra stood before the audience, the presentation slide of the Elder Ghost Crawler shining behind him.

And without showing the slightest sign of pressure, he held the microphone in his hand.

The presentation had finally begun.