The weapons I forge are absolutely flawless.

Of the three of them, only Cui Hak's cooking was somewhat edible; the other two were considered successful if they could even cook rice properly.

They quickly became best friends over a dinner on the first day of school. During their internship, they were both assigned to the Eighth Squadron and happened to be in the same class, so they could look after each other when carrying out missions.

The day before yesterday we fought off bandits along the way, and today we helped the villagers clear the boulders blocking the road. Finally, we have a half-day to rest.

“I heard a rumor that there will be an awards ceremony at the academy after the apprenticeship ends,” Geoffrey said quietly, putting down his half-maintained longsword. “Even the Dean will be attending.”

“That kind of thing has nothing to do with us, right?” Modi immediately sat up in bed.

They say it's okay, but they're actually quite bothered by it.

However, Modi is also aware of his own limitations.

"Even if there's going to be any awards, they should be chosen from among those assigned to the first company. Our company, well..."

In ten days, the First Squadron engaged in seventeen major and minor skirmishes.

Two of these were large-scale battles fought at the company level, and fifteen were mopping-up operations carried out at the squad level.

Regardless of their battle record or the severity of the battle, they are not on the same level as other squadrons.

"If we really had to select them all from the First Company, no one would have any objections."

I heard that one of the squadrons was injured on the first day and still hasn't fully recovered.

They rested for half a day before heading to the next battlefield.

If it weren't for the exceptionally high quality of the Knights' equipment, they would have been sacrificed long ago.

Their class is much more relaxed; they might only have a combat mission every two or three days.

"But even if they perform exceptionally well, it'll just mean a few more spots. I think when it comes to the final awards, it'll still be a matter of dividing the spoils. Maybe you'll even have a chance?" Geoffrey joked.

"No, if you really put my name on it, it would be incredibly embarrassing," Modi quickly denied.

Awards should be based on tangible results.

In front of the entire school, the people at the front were commended for their participation in the battles against sixth-tier magical beasts, both large and small.

In the section for your own achievements, I will give you a "diligent and brave, pay attention to personal and class hygiene as encouragement".

That's not a commendation at all, it's a public execution.

"If I had to choose, I would vote for Trehak."

The section on achievements will read: "He made outstanding contributions to ensuring the team's food and logistical support, and to enhancing the class's cohesion and combat effectiveness."

"I agree."

The two reached an agreement instantly.

"But if we're dividing the cake, how do we allocate it to the logistics team? I remember there are only two people in the logistics team, so wouldn't it be like anyone could pick one with their eyes closed?"

Modi suddenly realized this.

“No need to choose, it’s obviously Anna,” Geoffrey said confidently.

"Why?" Modi asked, puzzled.

"What you wear, what you use, and even the daily expenses and supplies for the Knights are all paid for by their families. Even if you could do half of that, why would you be afraid of not being qualified?"

"Whether they come to the academy or the Knights, it's just to get some prestige. What do you have to compare with them?" Geoffrey retorted.

"How did Navina manage to infiltrate the logistics unit?"

"I don't know about that. Even if this kid has some talent in forging, the things he makes are still far inferior to the equipment of the Knights."

Geoffrey couldn't understand this either.

He once owned a white wax steel spear forged by Wiener.

The product is good, but it depends on what you compare it to.

That thing was completely different in quality from the standard equipment of the Knights.

Even if they can't utilize the full potential of standard equipment, they're still better than a D-rank item crafted by a young blacksmith.

Chapter 195 Come Back to the Village Often

Compared to when she was a nobody when she first enrolled, Viner's presence is now terrifyingly strong.

Logically speaking, a blacksmith who does manual labor shouldn't be getting this much attention, but he's constantly embroiled in scandals.

Some people have seen him going out to dinner with Felix late at night.

Some people say that when he spends money at the Chamber of Commerce, the money-grubbing Miss Anna gives him special treatment.

Some people also say that different girls always appear in Viña's house.

Even if these are all rumors, the fact that the genius girl Risti from the Magic Academy threw herself into his arms in front of everyone is undeniable.

Fortunately, this guy was a member of their fighting academy, which offered some comfort to his fellow students.

It's true that the Alchemy Department is a bachelor's department, but how much better can the Combat Department be?

Although there are quite a few girls in the first year, most of them will succumb to the sweet talk of those students from the Magic Academy.

Even if there are girls who prefer sports and only want to find a boyfriend in the academy, there are still second- or third-year upperclassmen to keep them in check, right?

Despite seemingly numerous opportunities, less than one-tenth of the male students at the Fighting Academy actually find a partner in their first year.

If we include Venere in the Alchemy Department, then the title of the department with the lowest rate of new students finding partners would immediately fall on the Fighting Department.

I heard that Mr. Slav said something like, "This boy must not be sent back to the Alchemy Institute."

I don’t know if it’s true or false.

-----------------

"Is the quantity correct?"

"Yes, it's been verified and there are no errors. Thank you."

In just ten days, the Sanjiu Squadron had visited every single company in the Third Battalion.

Samif briefly left for a day, apparently to deliver something.

Normally, a supply run like this would take at least half a month.

This time, everything went so smoothly thanks to the efforts of the two unofficial staff members.

Anna's storage ring did save a lot of transportation costs, but the real key was Vena.

The Miku Squadron would replenish their supplies of food and medicine in the towns they passed through, which wouldn't take much time.

However, the armor and weapons could only be obtained from the Knights' special warehouse, and it would take more than a day to make the round trip.

In ten days, Wiener repaired and refurbished 300 sets of equipment, and even after all the replacements, there were still some left over.

He is a one-man assembly line.

"Hmm, where is this..."

Looking at the scenery before him, Viner felt it looked somewhat familiar.

"It's rare to see you out for some fresh air, why are you spacing out?" Field joked.

For ten days, aside from eating and sleeping, Viner devoted himself entirely to repairing equipment.

This also applies to the rest time for others.

That focus alone is enough to earn Field's admiration.

“This place seems to be quite close to the village where I was born,” Wiener replied after a moment’s thought.

Logically speaking, he had never left the village before, and on the day he left, he traveled all night and had no time to pay attention to the scenery along the way, but he just felt a sense of familiarity.

Little Ma nodded a few times, as if silently confirming what Vina had said.

“It’s still best if you know the way.” Viner smiled and scratched Little Ma’s chin.

"Then go back and take a look."

Julian suddenly spoke up from the side.

"Huh?" Vinard was surprised.

After all, it would be one thing if someone else said something considerate, but it just so happened to come from Julian's mouth.

It felt like the sun was rising in the west.

"Forget it, after all, we're on a mission, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Wiener politely declined Julian's offer.

After all, it's only been a month since I left the village, so it's hardly time for me to miss home.

If I really had to think about it, I should think about the home I left decades ago.

"You can only fool yourself with that kind of talk," Julian sneered. "Once you've made it big, would you still want to go back to this poor, run-down little village?"

That's right, that's what Julian should be saying.

"It wouldn't be accurate to say it was poor and dilapidated. When I was still in the village, I did some small work for the development of my hometown."

Wiener held up two fingers to indicate that it was really only a tiny bit.

As a surviving elder of seven dynasties in Lumier Village and a major contributor to the village's tax revenue, even if an ancestral hall were to be built and a genealogy established, a separate page for Viña would be required.

"Humph!"

Julian glared at Vina with a vicious look.

“If you really want to go back, that’s fine too.” Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Vandley immediately stepped in to smooth things over. “Our mission was completed much earlier than planned, so resting here for a day shouldn’t be a problem. Viner, you’ve worked hard these past few days, you deserve a break. As long as you can get back by tomorrow night, that’s all that matters.”

"I'll give you a day off," Samif said more directly.

Whether you go home or sleep in the carriage, your leave has been approved; you can decide what you want to do.

Now that things have come to this, it would be rather ungrateful of Wiener to refuse.

"Uh...then I'll gladly accept your offer."

Wiener bowed deeply to the members of the Miku Squad, then leaped onto his horse.

"Brother Ma, let's go."

"Neigh!"

The man and his horse rode away.

"Hmph, saying 'never mind, never mind,' but you're running faster than anyone else!"

Julian watched as Vina's figure disappeared into the distance.

-----------------

It's called a holiday, but it's actually a form of leniency.

Wiener couldn't possibly be unaware of this principle.

So when he left the Miku Squad, he removed all the armor and equipment that marked the Knights of St. Freya and changed into casual clothes.

In this way, even if gossip spreads, it will only be Wiener's personal behavior.

Knowing the distance wasn't far, Brother Ma didn't rush, but instead took his time, giving Vina time to appreciate the scenery along the way.

This speed will soon be caught up with.

"Wait for me, Vena!"

Hearing the shouts, Vina turned around and saw Anna riding a horse.

Anna also didn't wear the knight's outfit, but instead changed into a set of high-quality, close-fitting leather armor.

"Anna? What are you doing following me?"

Vina tugged at his mane slightly, making Little Ma stop and wait, looking at Anna with a puzzled expression.

If there were an emergency requiring him to be recalled, Anna obviously wouldn't change her clothes specifically for that purpose.

"The squad leader said he would treat everyone equally and gave me a day off as well."

Anna slowed down when she was alongside Vina.

“I don’t want to sit in the carriage all day. So I’ve decided to see what kind of village could produce someone like you, Vina.”