They continued their conversation as the line continued to get longer due to the new arrivals of people trying to register. As for us we are also moving closer and closer to the registration area.
"Did you guys hear about the incident with the train invasion?"
"What? Something like that happened?"
"Well there are sky pirates so I guess it's pretty normal for bandits to attack a train."
"Well you guys are very rich being able to afford a ride in an airship."
"Well my father had a friend help me ride one."
"Lucky."
"Anyways I rode on a train myself but nothing happened to us, but I heard some of the trains were attacked."
"Well, that's one bad luck for them."
"But here's the thing, it was the very first time the train was being used. So instead of it being bad luck I am guessing someone tried to sabotage the train's departure."
"Well that kinda makes sense."
"Yeah after all if the train becomes operational the airships might become a thing in the past.
"It's not really clear if it's those people from the airship company who are to blame. After all you don't know, maybe new and improved airships might come by in the future."
These kids are really amazing no wonder they are trying to enroll in this prestigious academy. They are very smart for their age. Although what they said could be common to society it's still surprising they can take interest in this. Or ist it just normal?
It really is amazing how on point their conversation was. After all, this city is covered by mountains, and the only way to get here fast is by airship.
So the sage academy cooperated with many countries to build the train for easy and fast access. How? By making tunnels through the mountains and making sure the materials they made were durable.
If it weren't for the ores that my father found in that island they wouldn't be able to make an alloy for the railroads. Well that was what professor Philip told me so I guess it's true.
But it is also because of the mountainous terrain that we got ambushed by those bandits even with the regular check up of each country.
And as time went by it was my turn and got myself a badge for registration and surprisingly there is a catch.
"You are now registered. But before you go you need to keep that badge safe at all times."
"Sure, but why? I thought I was already registered."
"It is a part of a test due to certain circumstances we want our students to cherish this opportunity. So we made a rule that if there are some circumstances that may result in the loss of the badge."
"What is it?" Curiously I asked even though I already have a gut feeling of what it is.
"As of today those who didn't get their badge today must line up again tomorrow. And those who lose their badge can either give up on enrollment or line up again before the exam date."
When he said that I felt the anger and animosity of the academy. I know that what happened last two years ago was ugly but for this to happen is really too much.
Not to mention the payment for the registration. There is also the test of patience of lining up but cautiousness to our surroundings.
And I bet that they will intentionally steal a badge from one of the registrants just for fun or to harass them with personal grudge.
This is scary and at the same time it is kind of unfair to those who can only register once because of their budget.
"Thank you. I'll be going now."
"Of course take care."
As she said that I left in a cautious manner and put my badge in the storage bag only to not happen.
Oh so that's they are very sure about this i guess they are prepared huh? I bet there is also a detection on this item.
So without much thought I hurriedly put it in my shirt. After all my clothes are made to hide my roots and core so putting it in will surely hide it.
Feeling relieved I left as I rode in the carriage as I was alert from surroundings.
Finally I reached my store and saw how my business is doing good. In the past few days the business is actually doing pretty well.
My commodities are potions which obviously do not contain my blood since I don't want people to know I was the one that made them.
There are also simple weapons like swords, knives and utensils for kitchen and alchemy. Which are made during these past few years, but they don't contain Titan's materials since that is a private matter.
And finally my main products are home appliances from a stove to air-conditioning and many more. Anyways although they are my main products I only made one copy for each since they are samples.
The customers are needed to order a product so I can customize them for their needs. And they must wait for a week to a month for the product.
Plus they are just for advertisement, since I already had a patent for some of them I'll just wait for the dough to come from the merchant guild then I'm good then I could either expand my business or not.
As I entered the store I was welcomed by the girls.
"""Welcome."""
"Oh, it's you owner."
"Yeah I'm just here to leave, get something and leave afterwards."
"Okay then take care."
"Keep up the good work."
I requested them to change and call me owner. After all, being called master in public is embarrassing although it's normal. And seeing them work like this kind of makes me forget that they were slaves.
Although the store is on the small side it is quite spacious inside and no it's not because of space magic it's just normal architecture construction.
With this design all the products can be seen. I picked three girls for shifts and because the store is installed with protective enchantments the security is not a problem and I chose those girls based on their skills and abilities. So when trouble comes they can take care of it themselves.
But since there are more workers I need to adjust the shift to accommodate it for convenience.
As for the little ones I just have them assist their big sisters and study and learn more for their own future.
After taking all the things I needed and also restocking some supplies I got out and changed into my armor at an alley with no people. Then I arrived at the adventurers guild to do some quests.
~~~~~~~~~
"This year's registration will most likely be a traumatizing event for these new students."
"Hmph I don't care, that's what happens when you mess with this old man."
"Haaa, Father this is the reason why mother left you because of self-centered attitude that she doesn't want to see you again."
"Well that's my fault but still what they did last time definitely did get on my nerves. But we both know the reason, right?"
"Yes, I know. But are you really sure they're going to put spies in our school again after his betrayal?"
"Definitely Yes! Even more so after what happened to our new transportation vehicles. It tokk us at least ten years to make them, so that only trustworthy people can know about this project."
"I know you didn't even tell me about it and only did so after his betrayal."
"Because he already knows about the vehicle. Good thing we had finished creating the railroad tracks around the mountains and did the finishing touches at the countries who helped. Now even if they find the railroad and route of the train they will not be able to do anything."
"But still can you at least not do this to the children; they might really lose hope."
"Hm?" Suddenly the old man pause as he was looking at map on the table.
"What is it?"
"A kid just lost his badge, just a few minutes after receiving it."
"Now this is too much."
"Well that's their own fault."
"There really is no talking to you about this huh? So who lost their badge."
"I don't know."
"Huh? You don't know, I thought you would put some mechanism for it to know which student has or lost their badge?."
"I didn't put much thought on making these things. You know how busy I am. Plus you're the principal now."
"Haaa, seriously you are just."
"Oh right she is going to be a teacher this year right?"
"Yes she is."
"Alright I'll go see her."
"Stop!"
"What are you doing? Just let me see my cute granddaughter."
"Please stop, she is keeping a low profile nowso one wrong move she's going to hate the both of us."
"Oh. Okay then but at least let me spend some time with her. I don't know how long I'll be gone this time."
"Thank you for understanding, I'll call her tonight for dinner and we can continue talking then."
"Good, I'll be leaving now." The former principal said as he left.
"Haaa, he really is always like this. I feel very sorry for those kids taking the exams. It really was bad timing that he returned at that time."
A while later a person came into the room holding a stock of paper.
"Good morning Mr. principal these are the papers of the first batch of children."
"Thank you, put them there."
"Oh right before this the staff asked us when to start the hunt."
"Oh, tonight would be a good start."
"Yes sir, I will tell them right away. She said as she left the room."
"Huh? She said that the hunt hadn't started yet. So how did the student get disqualified earlier? Hmm? Is it by accident and it was lost? I guess that student had really bad luck, huh."