The Velociraptor slowly vanished amid a series of explosions.
Not far away, every student who saw the scene was stunned.
"Holy crap, teacher, what was that? I'm not dreaming, am I?"
Ende rubbed his eyes hard, staring at the scene in disbelief.
That terrifying Velociraptor had actually been killed just like that?
"Ah! Ow, ow, ow! Teacher, why are you pinching me?"
Ende cried out in pain, clutching his right leg and howling.
"It's supposed to hurt. Look at you lot—you've never seen the world."
Erwin pulled his hand away from Ende's leg, then downed a glass of wine and spoke with disdain.
"But, teacher, was that a new invention from the Academy of Sciences?"
Charles rubbed his chin and asked thoughtfully.
"That's right. The Apache Helicopter is one of the Academy of Sciences' aerospace project achievements."
Erwin nodded as he explained, then took another swig of wine.
"One of them? You mean that's just one of many?"
Charles asked in surprise.
"Of course, kid. The Academy of Sciences is far more impressive than you imagine. Some of those old-timers may be lower level than me, but they're incredibly capable!"
As he spoke, Erwin's voice carried a note of admiration. He was powerful, but had a carefree personality.
When it came to all those complicated studies, he wasn't completely ignorant, but he only knew a little.
At the very least, Erwin couldn't understand how those old-timers managed to spend every day in the lab, repeatedly studying all those strange things.
If he had to do it, he'd probably be bored to death in less than three days.
Erwin set down his glass and spoke to Charles in a calm voice.
"The dean once said that science is a force that can change the world. We must develop it vigorously, and science wouldn't be possible without scientists like them!"
"Scientists?"
Charles murmured, as if he'd realized something.
The academy had taught plenty of scientific knowledge before, and he'd paid attention in class back then.
But at the time, he'd only been giving it a try and hadn't studied it seriously.
Now, it seemed that this subject was incredibly powerful.
Charles secretly resolved to buckle down and study once he got back.
Three years later, Xuanshen Island. The academy welcomed a new graduation season.
A well-dressed convoy was slowly making its way into Mingzhu City. Judging by its size, it seemed to belong to some major trading company.
"Big brother, is what Charles told us reliable?"
A chubby, middle-aged man wiped away his sweat and asked uncertainly.
"Don't worry, David. Don't you know your nephew?"
The refined-looking man addressed as big brother answered calmly.
"But this is unbelievable! Huosi Academy actually wants to work with a trading company like ours?"
David still couldn't understand.
Merchants were common throughout the continent, but they had always held low status. Their standing was much better than that of ordinary people, but that was about it.
The leaders of major trading companies were at the head of their profession, and their status seemed prestigious. But if they ever crossed a noble of even modest standing, the consequences would be disastrous.
In this world, those with the highest status were always Saint Realm powerhouses. Their strength could decide everything.
Next came the royal family, princes and nobles, and senior members of the clergy. They were high-ranking figures in the various governments, with immense authority.
After them came government officials in various regions. They might not rank as highly as some old noble families, but most still held a certain status.
Only then came so-called wealthy merchants. They had money and connections, and transported goods between regions. Their work was hard, and their status was only a little higher than that of commoners.
In the eyes of ordinary people, the wealthy were people of distinction. But that was all relative; even a minor noble was someone they couldn't afford to provoke.
Yet just a month ago, Charles Otto, the son of their president and David's big brother, had come home and somehow convinced his father to bring all the Otto Chamber of Commerce's liquid assets here.
And from what his big brother and nephew had said, Huosi Academy was planning to work with them. His big brother intended to move their headquarters here.
Honestly, David didn't understand it at all. He found it extremely hard to believe, too.
Huosi Academy had been founded by Lord Huosi, a divine-level powerhouse from the continent, and its dean, Bernas, was a Saint Realm powerhouse.
In other places, their status would be considered respectable.
But in the eyes of such great figures, merchants like them were insignificant. People would laugh if they heard that an organization like the academy was partnering with a trading company.
The great powers of the continent all had their own academies, and even some of their powerful instructors outranked the likes of them by a wide margin.
"Father, Uncle David, you're here!"
Just as David was working himself into a frenzy, a familiar voice interrupted them. Charles greeted the two of them with excitement.
"Charles, you came out to meet us. Have you been waiting here the whole time?"
Seeing his son come out to welcome him, Saiwode smiled warmly.
"No, Father. We have a complete surveillance system installed throughout Mingzhu City. You were spotted as soon as you arrived."
Wearing a doctoral cap, Charles answered proudly.
The surveillance system was a project by Instructor Lansi from the Academy of Sciences. He was one of Instructor Lansi's students, and soon he'd be Doctor Charles.
"A surveillance system? What's that?"
David asked curiously. It sounded like some kind of way to keep watch.
"Don't worry about that for now. Come with me. The restaurant's ready. The rest of your entourage can follow behind us; someone will see to them."
Charles didn't explain further. He took his father's hand and led him forward as he spoke.
"That boy, honestly."
Saiwode shook his head helplessly, but he had no choice but to follow his son.
Then Saiwode's eyes widened, and he grabbed his beard in shock.
"Th-this metal box—what is it? Some kind of carriage?"
He looked at the white object in front of him and glanced at its wheels as he asked.
"This is a car, a means of transportation. It needs neither animals nor people to pull it. You just add some ore, and it'll run. It's much faster than a carriage pulled by magical beasts!"
As he spoke, Charles opened the car door, ushered his father and uncle inside, and urged them to get in.
"Hmm? The design of this thing looks unusual!"
After getting into the car, David couldn't help looking around.
"Brace yourselves, Uncle. This car is really fast!"
Charles gave them a mischievous grin.
"Fast? How fast could it—huh? Why did it suddenly speed up?"
Charles stomped on the gas pedal, and the car's speed shot up rapidly, soon breaking a hundred.
As one of the academy's notorious street racers, Charles never passed up a chance to speed.
"Th-this thing is probably faster than most magical beasts used for travel. How is that even possible?"
Saiwode was just as astonished, and couldn't help asking.
"I won't explain the exact principles; you wouldn't understand anyway. You only need to know that this is the work of the Academy of Sciences. The partnership the dean mentioned is related to the Academy of Sciences, too."
Charles answered as he sped along, not caring whether the car might overturn.
"The Academy of Sciences? Just what kind of place is it?"
Saiwode stared in amazement at the various cars that occasionally roared past. Suddenly, he felt like a country bumpkin.
As a merchant who'd traveled all over the place, he'd seen all kinds of carriages.
They varied in size, shape, interior, features, and price, but they all had one thing in common: they were powered either by livestock or by magical beasts.
As for using ore as a power source, no one had ever done that before.
Ore was mainly used on the continent to make weapons and construct buildings.
It was true that ore contained magic power, but the amount was negligible to a mage. Could it really be used to make a car move?
Saiwode was completely baffled.
"We're here. This is Xinrongji. I made a reservation in advance, and I guarantee the food's better than anything you've had on your travels!"
As he spoke, Charles got out and opened the car door for his father.
"I can't say how the food will taste, but the design of the building itself is exquisite!"
Saiwode commented. Even with his discerning eye, he couldn't spot a single flaw.
"Of course. It was designed by people in the architectural engineering program. They've designed not only many buildings, but also the subway plan for the entire city!"
"Earth Element mages are the most sought-after here right now, because no industry can do without construction. Lord Huosi once said that we mustn't neglect infrastructure."
"Lord Huosi? You've met Lord Huosi?"
Saiwode's voice rose several notches. This time, he was genuinely shocked.
"Father, why are you raising your voice? Is it really that surprising?"
Charles rolled his eyes at him, as if his father was making a fuss over nothing.
"How could I not be surprised? That's a legendary divine-level powerhouse! Do you know that in the great empires, even the emperors can't meet one?"
Saiwode lost all composure. He grabbed his son by the shoulders and shook him hard.
Divine-level powerhouses were figures of legend. An ordinary person who met a Saint Realm powerhouse could boast about it for years.
And now his own son was telling him he'd met a divine-level powerhouse. How could he not be shocked?
Even emperors weren't granted an audience with divine-level powerhouses.
He, the president of a so-called major trading company, had only ever seen a Saint Realm powerhouse once, from a distance.
And now his son was telling him he'd met a divine-level powerhouse?
"Lord Huosi is very kind and approachable. Plenty of outstanding students from our academy have been received by him. He also visits the instructors at the Academy of Sciences from time to time. He says scientists deserve proper respect."
"Besides, Lord Huosi will be attending the meeting we're taking part in today."
Charles spoke calmly.
The first time he'd met Lord Huosi, he'd been just as excited.
But after meeting him a few times, the students had gotten used to it.
At his son's words, Saiwode's steps abruptly halted. He turned around stiffly and asked:
"Did you just say Lord Huosi was going to meet us?"
"Yeah. Didn't I mention it? Lord Huosi plans to establish state-owned enterprises and needs some excellent business talent. I recommended you."
Charles asked in confusion, then tried to remember if he really had told him.
"When did you tell me that?"
Saiwode couldn't help shouting. How could he not have told him about something this important beforehand? He wasn't mentally prepared at all.
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