"Block it!"
"Evacuate the students!"
"Everyone come this way!"
"Where did such a monster come from!"
The forest trees were uprooted by the giant tail, while magic and slashing attacks struck the hard scales.
The aftermath of the battle spread from the lake to the entire surrounding forest, growing more intense.
"What are you doing here? Evacuate, it's dangerous!"
"Yes! Understood!"
And Aint, breathing heavily, hurriedly joined the evacuation line.
"I-I survived. The water dragon won't win, right?"
The professors teaching there were top-tier fighters who would be counted among the best anywhere.
"That's not a fully grown adult?"
"That's insane..."
"Of course."
Aint checked the pouch hanging at his waist. It was a spatial pouch provided by the Academy for this practical training.
It originally contained basic potions, emergency supplies, and a small amount of dried meat, but now it was completely filled with adamant.
"When I think about nearly dying for this..."
Just as he had finished mining all the adamant and was about to leave after organizing it well, he realized the water dragon was climbing up.
It was Gardner's shout that held back Aint's ankle as he tried to flee urgently, and he barely managed to take the spirit herb.
The problem was that the water dragon had witnessed the herb being stolen right before its eyes and began chasing him like a mad dog.
If it weren't for the professors and assistant professors stationed throughout the area, he would have ended his life as the water dragon's meal after fleeing with all his might to the outside of the lake.
Normally, a water dragon that had its spirit herb stolen would vent its anger belatedly, but that would be the end of it. The culprit would have already disappeared, and water dragons, with their less sensitive sense of smell, wouldn't be able to track the traces.
But due to Gerhard's butterfly effect, Aint discovered the adamant, causing the sequence to be reversed, and he was directly seen stealing the spirit herb.
And the water dragon wasn't generous enough to let a thief escape with its treasure right before its eyes.
That created the current situation, but Aint had no way of knowing this.
"Anyway, I'm glad things worked out well. The professors will handle the water dragon..."
Now the issue was how to naturally sell the adamant to Gerhard.
"What should I say if he asks how I got it?"
Indeed, there was no need to explain the reason. Regardless of how it was obtained, adamant was a precious material that everyone would definitely want to get their hands on.
The advantage was absolutely on his side.
"How much should I ask for it to be considered a good deal..."
That's when it happened.
Following Gardner's words, Aint turned his head and spotted Gerhard.
But his appearance was quite unusual. His body was covered in sweat, and with his eyes wide open, he was constantly looking around everywhere.
"Who is he looking for?"
Whoever it was, he seemed extremely urgent.
At that moment, their eyes met. Gerhard, who approached with large strides in an instant, regulated his rough breathing.
"Aint Armian."
"...Are you talking to me?"
Aint was bewildered by Gerhard's behavior, which seemed like he was sighing in relief. Could it be that he was the person Gerhard was looking for? Why?
Aint felt the same way. That's why it made even less sense.
Both Aint and Gardner were confused, but so was Gerhard.
'Hmm.'
He had been searching desperately, hoping Aint was alive, but he hadn't thought about what to do next.
'What should I say?'
The only fortunate thing was that thanks to the intense battle between the water dragon and the professors, attention hadn't reached him yet.
After organizing his thoughts briefly, Gerhard decided to just be brazen about it.
"Are there no others?"
"Others?"
"I'm asking if there were any other students nearby. It's my job as an assistant professor to check on the students' well-being."
"Oh, is that all?"
"What else should there be?"
Aint shook his head at the look filled with irritation.
"Ah, no, nothing."
"If you have nothing to say, then go with the other students..."
"Before that, I have something to say."
"Something to say? To me?"
"Yes."
Aint nodded and quickly continued.
"Does the Golden Turtle Company deal with ores as well?"
"Everyone knows our company deals with ores. What are you trying to say?"
Aint gave an awkward smile.
"It's a bit difficult to talk about here..."
"Follow me."
Gerhard and Aint entered a secluded part of the forest. Thanks to the test being suspended due to the water dragon's appearance, there was no one around.
"Speak. You're not asking for free ore like the spirit potion, are you?"
He could certainly give it since he had obtained mithril thanks to Aint. But as always, he couldn't appear too easy. That was the shortcut to being seen as a pushover.
"Not at all. What other reasons would there be for requesting a private audience with a merchant besides two things?"
"Either to buy something or to sell something. Given your poor financial state, it must be the latter."
"...That's true, but somehow it hurts my feelings."
At those words, Gerhard's eyes twitched.
It was close to a minor joke, but for someone who had seen his own future ruined by Aint through the prophecy book, everything had to be approached with caution.
"...Then I apologize. It wasn't intentional."
"...What?"
Both Aint and Gardner were surprised by the sudden apology.
"Ah, no, I was just joking, joking."
"Then that's good."
"...A-anyway, you're right. I actually have something I want to sell. It seems you're the only person around me who could buy this without any issues..."
"What is it?"
Aint put his hand into the spatial pouch. Gerhard's eyes widened when he saw the ore that came out.
"...Could that be?"
"You recognize it immediately. Yes, it's adamant."
"...Adamant."
But he quickly regained his calm expression. Gardner was impressed by the rapid change in his expression.
"You want to sell that to me?"
"Yes."
"How, where did you get it?"
"That's a secret, but it's not stolen goods. I just want to say that I acquired it legitimately. Will you buy it?"
Gerhard hesitated a little. When negotiating, it was most important to hide what you wanted from the other party.