At the "Arsenal of Spirits," improvements were steadily being made by Lange.


    On this day, Wayne was summoned by Lange and dragged to the work desk.


    What is it? You didn''t make any mistakes or skip work today, did you?


    I''m not here today to condemn you for making a mistake or slacking off," he said. I''ve come up with a way to improve your unique skills. I''ve come up with a way to improve your unique skills.


    Ugh. Another magic stone cutting?


    Although Wayne had achieved an A level in cutting, he was still reluctant to cut magic stones.


    He is still reluctant to sharpen magic stones, because he cannot get rid of the stereotype that forging swords and armor is better.


    He said, "I''ve had enough of grinding magic stones. You''ve done a good job of reducing the weight of the equipment, so let''s focus on that.


    Well, don''t say that. Look at this.


    Lange brings Wayne to his work desk.


    Wayne looks at the unfamiliar sight with a dubious look on his face.


    On the desk were magic stones before processing, magic stones after processing, and glass tubes.


    The glass tube in particular was an unusual device that he had never seen before.


    The glass tube, as thin as a stick, was finely graduated and filled with a silvery liquid at the end.


    What is this?　A thermometer?"


    This is a ''magic meter. It is a tool to measure the height of the magic power contained in an item. What is stuck in the end is ''magic mercury. It is a special type of mercury that expands in proportion to the level of magic power. It was discovered in a dungeon in the magical world in the City of Adventurers, and has recently been put to practical use. It is the latest measuring device that we are the only ones who still handle it.


    Hmmm. I see that you have a "Magic Measuring Instrument" at ......."


    (According to Loran, Wayne''s motivation is to improve his specs. The only way to motivate this guy is to show him a tangible number of specs.)


    I''ll tell you what," he said. First, let''s measure the magic power of the magic stone before processing.


    When Lange touches the tip of the measuring instrument to the magic stone, the mercury packed in the tip expands and slowly looms up inside the glass tube.


    The mercury stopped at a scale of 10.


    ''That means the magic power of this magic stone is 10.''


    "...... way."


    Next, I''ll measure the magic power of the magic stone you processed with ''cutting magic stone''.


    When Lange places the measuring device on the magic stone, the mercury expands rapidly, reaching the 50 mark on the scale.


    "!!!?"


    Wayne''s eyes changed.


    (This measuring instrument is seriously measuring the magic power contained in the magic stone!　No, it''s more like my unique skills can change the magic this much!)


    You get it?"　Your unique skills can bring out the potential of the magic stone to a great extent. Your job is to bring out the potential of the magic stone by "cutting the magic stone" ....... Wayne?"


    Wayne was single-mindedly observing the magic stone he had shaved.


    He seemed to be trying to determine how he could bring out more of the potential of the magic stone.


    （I''m not sure if you can hear my voice at all. ...... So this guy is a craftsman even if he''s rotten. When you see the potential of a material, you can''t help but polish it. I knew it, Roland''s eyes are not crazy. (This guy is also an A-class alchemist.)


    Wayne suddenly stopped observing and picked up the "magic measuring device.


    I''m going to borrow this.


    Wayne immediately began to devote himself to grinding magic stones.


    Pato, who was playing the lyre (harp) and writing music, noticed a change in behavior at Wayne''s work desk.


    (Wayne, did you catch something?　(You''re concentrating like a madman.)


    Wayne is single-mindedly chipping away at the magic stone.


    His demonic appearance was not something you could talk to.


    (You''ve regained the competitive spirit and dedication you had when you were at the "Dragon''s Fireside.)


    Pat. I brought the ore you asked for. Wow, what''s this? Pato, what are you writing on the sheet music?"


    Leena looked surprised to see Pato''s work.


    Yes," she said. I''ve been mixing up the ''dragon sound'' and the ''demon sound'' lately. If I write a score, I can record the sound and share the image with the performers.


    That''s great," he said. I can''t believe you can write music.


    It''s really just the basics. I''m still learning the ropes.


    (But ......, I''m starting to get it.)


    Pato glanced at Wayne.


    Wayne was just about to put the finishing touches on his work.


    （I''m not going to lose. Wayne.)


    Pato also proceeds to make final adjustments to the lyre (harp) in order to put the finishing touches on it.


    Roland watched Wayne and Pato while working in a corner of the workshop (atelier).


    (Wayne and Pato are making remarkable progress. Lange''s management has been very thorough, and the principle of healthy competition is finally working. (With this, all we have to do now is leave them alone and their performance will naturally improve.)


    [Status of the magic stone


    Magic: 100 (up 90)


    [Status of lyre (harp)


    Special Effect: "Demon Sound" A (↑2)


    In the afternoon, Roland received a visit from Elio, Hans, and Will.


    He said he had some things he wanted to discuss with me.


    Elio, Hans, and Will. What''s going on?　That''s unusual. The three of you working together.


    Roland. We''ve decided to become Class A adventurers.


    Class A?


    I''m not sure I''m going to be able to do it. I saw the way Lilianne fought, and I knew I couldn''t go on like this."


    How do I become an "A" class? I need your help. Will you help me?"


    I understand. Let''s have a meeting."


    Unfortunately, the cafeteria was full because Roland had a meeting with the three of them.


    Having no choice, the four of them tried to go to the bar, but Roland noticed Carla in front of the workshop (atelier).


    Apparently, she had also come to visit Roland.


    Roland?"


    What''s going on?"


    I''ll be back in a few minutes. We need to talk to her as well."


    Roland, accompanied by Carla, moved to a place where they could be alone.


    I''ll tell Elio and the others to wait for me at the bar first.


    It''s been a long time," Roland said. "It''s been a long time, Carla. Thank you for your help in the last alliance. Thanks to you, we were able to escape from the crisis.


    It''s been a learning experience here at ......."


    How have you been?　I haven''t heard from him in a while, but I''m sure he''s ......."


    Carla doesn''t answer it, but looks away once.


    I heard you defeated the Flood Dragon.


    I''ve got a guy who wants to join me on a quest for a class-A monster," he said. Some people in the city are having trouble with the flooding.


    When Roland said this, Carla fell silent again.


    She tried to say something, but kept her mouth shut.


    She repeated it for a while.


    The clock on the wall ticked away.


    Roland waited patiently for her to start talking, but she still did not say anything.


    He had no choice but to try another topic.


    When we were in the dungeon, you tried to harm me a couple of times.


    You noticed?


    I may look like this, but I''ve been through my fair share of rough times. The way you hid your murderous intent ...... was not flattering."


    "Mm."


    The killing was not directed at me personally. I heard it from Pato and Elio. I heard that you tried to kill Yugan and Sein as well."


    ......"


    Why are you trying to kill adventurers from off the island?"


    I am a descendant of the Dragon Burial Clan.


    The Dragon Burial Clan?


    For generations, they have performed the ritual of burying the Giant Fire Dragon (Gran Fafnir).


    I see. You are a descendant of that family ....... I didn''t know that ......."


    Well, it''s understandable if you don''t know. It''s been a long time since they took away my role. Now only a few people on the island know of them.


    Carla said to herself.


    In the past, Grand Fafnir wasn''t as big or as powerful. In the old days, the ''Grand Fafnir'' wasn''t as big or as powerful, and the islanders could handle it just fine. But then, one day, Grand Fafnir suddenly became more powerful. We don''t know the cause. The islanders couldn''t handle it alone, so they finally asked for help from people outside the island. That is when things started to go wrong on the island. Adventurers'' guilds started coming in droves from the outside in search of rare metals, and the adventurers on the island became weaker and weaker. Now, the only guilds that challenge the outsiders are the thieves'' guilds. I still think about it. If only we had managed to stay on our own feet then, instead of relying on the outsiders. ......"


    Carla clenched her fists on the desk in frustration.


    (I see. I didn''t know there was such a circumstance. She had been fighting alone against the powerful adventurers coming from outside the island and the expansion of the "Giant Fire Dragon (Gran Fafnir)". While carrying the pride of a forgotten family. ...... (But ......)


    So I kill any adventurer who comes from outside the island. But ......"


    Carla suddenly began to take on a weak tone.


    ''You''re not like the ones I''ve seen before. You trained the island''s adventurers, improved my skills, and defeated the ''flood dragon. I can see that you are acting not only for your own reasons, but also for the good of the island."


    Is that what you came to see me about this time?"


    Carla closed her eyes once to shake off her hesitation, and then, with a determined heart, cut to the chase.


    I don''t know," she said. If you say you are a friend of the island, I wonder if you could help us to keep out the adventurers from outside.


    I can''t do that."


    Oh no, why ......


    Carla, no matter how much you want to, you can''t stop the tide of the times.


    The ...... current of the times?


    Yes," he said. The island''s economy is built on the premise that outside adventurers will visit. We cannot prevent adventurers'' guilds from coming from the outside. We can''t stop people from wanting to develop. It never has and it never will. We cannot stop people from moving forward. Nothing can stop you from becoming stronger, and from continuing to get stronger."


    Carla''s face contorted in anguish.


    She was violently torn between her desire to be strong and her refusal to change.


    Roland waited patiently again for her to get her mind right.


    He asked, "Is there any ...... way?"


    Finally Carla squeezed out.


    The hands of time cannot be undone. But we can change its shape and leave it behind."


    "Leave ......?"


    Yes," he said. No matter how much they are exposed to the torrent of the times and change their shape, some things never disappear and remain there. Just as you may grow stronger, but your roots remain the same.


    As Roland said this, Carla began to polo and cry.


    She began to cry. "Tell me more about the dragon burial ceremony," Roland said. Your anger and sadness. I want to know more about the roots of your anger and sadness. I can''t stop adventurers from coming from outside the island, but maybe there is something I can do to help you.


    Roland then listened carefully to Carla''s story and discussed it with her.


    Despite her hesitation, Carla decided to become a Class A adventurer under Roland.


    <>