Last Gun Alchemist

Students from other clubs occasionally turned their attention toward Ezra Ashenlocke as he calmly walked through the grounds of the Mix Arena.

Many of the students looking were young ladies who could not help glancing at the official Craft & Research uniform he wore for the tournament. His outfit stood out enough among the different academy club uniforms that several conversations briefly paused whenever someone recognized him.

Plus, Ezra’s face was on a level on it’s own.

Ezra paid little attention to those looks.

From the stadium, he could hear the noise of an ongoing presentation. Applause rose from inside, followed by the voice of a student speaking through an amplifying device, although the words became unclear once they mixed with the sounds of the busy arena.

As he continued forward, Ezra passed another club booth where the atmosphere was noticeably different.

Several club members stood with their heads lowered after hearing the judges’ comments about their presentation. Some of them remained silent beside their displays, while others spoke among themselves in low voices, their expressions showing that they were already thinking about what had gone wrong.

Around the Mix Arena, Noble and Non-Noble families moved from booth to booth, often bringing other relatives with them to see how their children were doing inside their respective clubs.

The different broadcasting groups also moved through the crowded pathways, interviewing students who represented their clubs and occasionally stopping people who had attracted attention during the day’s events.

The whole Mix Arena was filled with joy, laughter, and excitement.

Because it was simply that kind of day.

Of course, not everyone was enjoying themselves equally.

Frustration, seriousness, and disappointment could still be seen among the students whose clubs had failed to perform well during their presentations or had fallen behind during the sales phase.

And, the club members who were preparing for their presentation, and were calmly attending to guests who came to their club booth.

Finally...

Ezra stopped in front of the Silver Circle Club booth.

”Stop.”

An upperclassman serving as one of the club’s security personnel stepped forward and raised a hand, blocking Ezra’s path.

”What does a member of the Craft & Research Club have to do with our club?”

He asked in a firm tone.

”Hey... that’s Ezra Ashenlocke.”

The other upperclassman, who was also stationed as security, quickly leaned closer and whispered into his companion’s ear.

The first upperclassman’s eyes widened slightly.

He looked at Ezra again.

”Mr. Ezra Ashenlocke, please move this way. The Lady is patiently waiting for you.”

His attitude immediately became more respectful as he waved toward the entrance of the Silver Circle Club booth.

At the same time, the other upperclassman stepped aside and removed the velvet rope that had been used to demarcate the entrance.

Ezra looked at them for a moment before walking forward.

He stepped onto the red carpet and entered the large club booth.

Conversations flowed peacefully throughout the place.

Nobles, Non-Nobles, and even several staff members from the Silver Wheels moved around the displays.

Crafted Silver Wheels vehicle products and other advanced methods of transportation systems were arranged throughout the booth, there were also other technological inventions on display, drawing the attention of guests who had come to inspect the club’s work.

Ezra’s eyes briefly moved across the displays.

Some of the Royal Steam Carriages had been crafted using large amounts of colored glass, allowing light from the booth to reflect across their bodies in different shades. Others were built from expensive materials that immediately gave them the appearance of products meant only for wealthy customers.

It was definitely a place of luxury.

”Fifty Silver Coins going!”

An upperclassman coordinating an auction shouted excitedly from another part of the booth.

His voice rose above the surrounding conversations as he brought the sale of a crafted Royal Steam Carriage closer to its conclusion.

Ezra glanced toward the auction for a moment.

Several people had gathered around it, and one guest had already raised a hand, waiting to make another bid.

However, Ezra quickly turned his attention back toward where he had been directed.

”Ezra Ashenlocke.”

Grace waved lightly when he finally reached her.

”Good afternoon, Miss Grace Evergrey.”

Ezra greeted her calmly.

”You really look handsome in that suit... I didn’t know the Craft & Research Seekers had something of this level prepared.”

Grace looked at his outfit with genuine amazement, her eyes moving over the design of the clothing.

”Do you know if you can refer me to the designer who made this?”

She asked seriously.

”I don’t know the person who made the clothes. I’m sorry.”

Ezra replied plainly.

Since it’s actually Diane Bergwyn who made the outfit, I don’t think she would want her name being spread around as the designer. Although... She did look pleased when everyone praised her outfits.

He quietly thought to himself.

”Oh, that’s fine.”

Grace sighed slightly, sounding disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to get a dress like it.

”Let’s go inside.”

She turned and gestured toward the room they were about to enter.

”My brother is inside. Also, some members of my family and club members are inside as well.”

She placed her hand on the door handle and looked back at Ezra with a warm smile.

”They are all excited to meet you.”

Ezra looked at her plainly.

Then Grace opened the door.

The two of them entered the room, where several conversations were already taking place at once.

”How is the preparation for our presentation going?”

A female upperclassman, who was clearly a senior member of the Silver Circle Club, asked in an authoritative tone.

”We have reviewed the report and the video showcase again to make sure there aren’t any errors, ma’am.”

The club members responsible for reviewing the materials answered calmly.

”Guys, our sales just smashed the fifty-thousand Silver Coin mark!”

An upperclassman sitting nearby suddenly shouted.

He was staring at a holographic screen displaying the rising status of the Silver Circle Club’s sales.

Several people nearby immediately turned toward him.

A few smiles appeared on their faces.

”Is it okay for me to be here?”

Ezra quietly asked Grace.

”Yes, it is. Although we Evergrey’s aren’t on good terms with the Ashenlocke family, we really respect you.”

Grace replied calmly.

”Hey, Grace.”

A senior club member waved at her while passing by with several other club members heading toward the exit.

His eyes moved toward Ezra.

”Is that him?”

The moment those words were spoken, several whispers began spreading among the Silver Circle members.

”Ezra Ashenlocke.”

”I always see him sitting quietly in class with the Young Lord of Ash and his followers.”

”He really looks handsome and cool in that suit.”

”He should have joined our club.”

”Hey, don’t you think Grace and he look good together?”

Grace’s expression changed slightly.

Before she could respond...

”Everyone, settle down and get back to work.”

Louis Evergrey’s calm voice suddenly came from the front of the room.

The whispers quickly weakened.

Louis was standing beside his office table while reading through several reports concerning the club’s sales.

Hanna Greyford stood beside him, calmly collecting the documents he had already finished reading.

”Brother.”

Grace bowed her head respectfully.

”Grace.”

Louis casually waved his hand, then his eyes landed on Ezra.

”Oh, Ezra Ashenlocke.”

He handed the remaining documents in his hand to Hanna.

”It’s finally nice to meet you in person.”

Louis raised his hand for a handshake.

”It’s a pleasure to meet the Fordliner creator.”

Ezra shook his hand.

”Have a seat.”

Louis pointed toward a chair opposite his own.

”Don’t worry, I’m not staying long.”

Ezra politely refused with a small gesture of his hand.

”Oh.”

Louis tilted his head slightly.

”My club’s presentation is starting soon.”

Ezra explained in his usual plain tone.

”So, you are the one representing your club, huh... as expected of my rival.”

Louis said with a calm smirk.

”Rival?”

Ezra looked at him in confusion.

”You know, we’re both young inventors. At the same time, our products are connected to two vehicle-producing companies that are among the best in Britannia.”

Louis pointed toward Ezra while maintaining his calm smirk.

”So, we’re rivals.”

Ezra considered his words for a brief moment.

”I see.”

He replied simply.

Louis stared at him for a moment before turning toward Hanna.

”You have a really interesting way of replying to people. Almost like her.”

He pointed at Hanna.

”We don’t like speaking too much.”

Hanna replied simply, as though that was the most obvious explanation for her blunt nature.

Louis paused.

Then he laughed softly.

”Hahaha. Well, it’s good finally meeting you, Ezra Ashenlocke. I guess I’ll hopefully be seeing much more of you in the future. I really want to build a relationship, and—”

Louis glanced toward his sister.

Grace immediately understood what he was about to say.

”Brother!”

She shouted, her face immediately showing embarrassment.

The sudden shout drew the attention of several nearby club members.

Some of them turned toward Grace in confusion, while a few who had heard the earlier conversation quickly seemed to understand what Louis had been about to say.

”Ezra Ashenlocke needs to leave so he won’t be late for his presentation, right?”

Grace quickly turned toward Ezra with a pleading smile.

Ezra looked at her.

”She’s right.”

He replied.

He had already been planning to leave anyway.

”Okay, okay...”

Louis laughed lightly.

”Good luck with your presentation.”

He waved toward Ezra.

Grace then led him out of the room.

Once Ezra stepped outside the Silver Circle Club booth, Grace stopped beside the entrance.

”Bye, Ezra Ashenlocke, and thanks a lot for coming. It really made me happy.”

She spoke calmly, though the warmth in her voice was more noticeable than before.

”You’re welcome.”

Ezra replied plainly.

Without saying anything more, he then turned to leave, his dull black eyes already looking toward the direction he intended to walk.

There was still little time before the Craft & Research Club’s presentation began.

And Ezra still had to make his way back.