Last Gun Alchemist

Professor Liliana stood from her seat, the fabric of her academy Instructor robe shifting softly as she reached for the Zphone Tablet resting in front of her. She tapped the smooth surface several times before swiping her fingers across it, opening the file she had prepared for the meeting.

The holographic display that had previously shown Professor Paulina’s report immediately changed.

Light rippled across its surface before Paulina’s data disappeared, replaced by a new set of information that expanded above the large meeting table.

It contained the latest analytics regarding the preparations for the Grand First-Year Combat Festival.

"The marketing of the BNC Group is doing very well."

Liliana moved one hand through the air, causing several parts of the holographic display to enlarge. Rows of numbers shifted across the screen, followed by charts and reports showing the number of citizens throughout Britannia who had already purchased tickets for the Grand Festival.

"All the Skynet advertisements have reached more than one hundred million people, which already puts us close to half of Britannia’s population."

She explained in her usual light voice, though her tone remained calm and professional as she presented the information.

Professor Donald Joan smiled slightly as he looked at the numbers.

"That’s really impressive."

"The numbers are really high."

Professor Giggs Ryan nodded in agreement, his eyes still focused on the holographic screen.

"I also discussed with the marketing members of the BNC Group who are present today about using some of the first-years as the faces of the Combat Festival."

Liliana adjusted the Zphone Tablet in her hand before continuing.

"They are currently speaking with my staff team about that part as we speak."

"The issue I’m having from what you just said Liliana, is that if the students they use fail to make the top spots in the festival, it could end up being a waste making them the face of the Combat Festival."

Professor Isolde Croft said while thoughtfully stroking her chin. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she considered the matter, as though she was already calculating which students would bring the greatest attention to the event.

"Don’t stress your mind by brainstorming about something that isn’t really a problem, Mrs. Isolde."

Professor Kent replied calmly.

Isolde turned toward him.

Kent leaned back in his chair before lazily waving one hand.

"Using perhaps the Five Flowers of Britannia or the Young Lords of Ash and Burnwick would already spark massive interest. Even if they somehow failed to take the highest places, which I doubt they will..."

He shrugged lightly.

"The attention would have already been gained."

"Oh, I see."

Isolde nodded slowly, now understanding what Kent meant.

There was no need for the marketing team to rely only on the eventual winners of the Combat Festival. Since some students already possessed enough reputation among the younger generation to attract the attention of the public before the competition even begins.

"Also, there is some small sad news..."

Liliana added after Isolde finished speaking.

Several people turned toward her.

"Miss Lara won’t be the one hosting the event for the BNC Group."

"I see. So, she’s still occupied in Stonefall because of the issue with the Kalians."

Godwin said, already aware of why Lara wouldn’t be able to attend the Combat Festival.

Liliana nodded.

"Apart from that, there aren’t any problems with the preparations. We have the Golden Matching Order Band, Mr. and Mrs. Sailor, and Miss Edith Evermont signed for the musical performances. Then some of the other entertainment field’s best performers around Britannia have also been signed for additional entertainment."

As she spoke, the holographic display changed again, showing several names and the arrangements that had been made for the event.

"The Royal Palace Grand Chefs will also be handling the snacks that will be sold during the festival for the audience, it will also be them handling the snacks and drinks for our VIP Guests, thanks to Her Majesty’s orders."

A pleased smile appeared on Liliana’s face as she looked around the table.

"With all of that checked..."

She closed the file on her Zphone Tablet.

"We are set for an amazing festival."

After giving her full report, Liliana finally returned to her seat.

Professor Greg stood shortly afterward.

The movement was simple, but the room naturally quieted as attention shifted toward him.

"The security report for the Combat Festival is perfect."

He first glanced toward Kent before continuing.

"Kent and I will be supervising every security post during the final week before the festival begins."

His deep voice remained calm.

"That is all on my part."

Greg then sat back down.

For a short while, silence settled inside the meeting room.

The holographic screen continued floating above the large table, casting a faint glow over the faces of the Professors as they remained seated in their respective positions.

"This is good to hear."

Catherina’s calm voice finally broke the silence.

"It shows how everyone is truly preparing for the success of this Combat Festival."

Her yellow eyes slowly moved around the Professors seated at the table, and there was a proud look on her aging face.

The preparation of such a large event wasn’t something that could be handled by one department alone.

Security.

Entertainment.

Marketing.

The academy itself.

Every part had to move properly.

"But I do have a question."

She paused.

Every Professor, along with Godwin, looked toward her.

"Who is your favorite to win the Combat Festival?"

Catherina Brittan asked calmly.

Her aging chin rested against her interlocked hands as she watched the people seated around the table.

For a moment, the Professors looked at one another.

Some of them had spent the past months teaching the first-years, observing their progress, and watching them develop their Alchemy.

Those Professors were probably among the few people in the academy who had the clearest idea of how strong many of the students had become.

"Come on, speak."

Godwin added.

He also seemed interested in knowing who the Professors believed would win the Combat Festival.

"Well... Kent."

Professor Donald turned toward him.

"What?"

Kent raised an eyebrow.

"They are mainly your students, Kent. So, you’re the one who knows the promising ones the most."

Professor Millicent said as she narrowed her eyes at him.

Almost everyone around the table looked toward Kent at the same time.

Kent stared at them for a moment before sighing.

"Ahh..."

He leaned back against his chair again.

"The ones I can mention are the obvious ones... such as Mr. Ravenor Burnwick, Miss Diane Bergwyn, Miss Fatima Drakes, Miss Willow Derlis, Miss Vera Ashenlocke, and the other well-known names."

He lazily waved his hand while listing them, as though there were too many names to bother mentioning one after another.

"So many young ladies’ names."

Millicent smiled, looking pleased by that fact.

"They really are talented this year."

Professor Giggs nodded.

"Although, amongst the first-years... I would say my favorite is Mr. Ravenor Burnwick."

Professor Isolde spoke after giving the matter some thought.

"He has already been recognized as the strongest among the young gentlemen of his age group from his earlier years, and he has only grown further."

She paused briefly before continuing.

"Mr. Desmond Derlis is also a strong one too, and so is Mr. Veda Ashenlocke, but their talent doesn’t match the Young Lord of Burnwick."

"Hey... you people shouldn’t write off my niece."

Liliana protested playfully.

A proud smile appeared on her face as she slightly raised her hand.

"Selena will definitely surprise everyone."

"Maybe she would rank among the best fifteen, but I don’t think she would go above that."

Professor Greg replied while looking at Liliana with his usual calm expression.

Liliana slowly turned toward him.

Her cheeks puffed slightly.

"Then who do you have over her?"

The displeasure in her voice was obvious. She clearly didn’t appreciate Greg placing her niece beneath so many other students.

Greg, however, remained completely calm.

"There are only three students who come to my mind..."

He folded his arms while lowering his gaze toward the table.

"The Young Lord of Burnwick, Diane Bergwyn, and..."

His voice paused briefly.

"The Disciple of Andraver."

The moment the final name entered the room...

The atmosphere changed.

Silence fell over the meeting table again.

For a brief moment, no one spoke.

The Professors simply looked toward Greg.

Greg himself remained as calm as always, as though he had only mentioned another ordinary first-year student.

Clearly know how much meaning that Student’s name holds right now to the people present in the meeting room.

"Maxwell will have no choice but to show the Sun Alchemy to the whole kingdom."

Godwin finally spoke.

"Although, I’m already sure they know about his existence, since many students would have gone searching for who Sir Andraver is."

The appearance of a new user of Sun Alchemy wasn’t something that could remain hidden forever, and Godwin knew that, especially after Maxwell’s declaration and revealing of his master’s name out opened to the whole first-years.

Luckily, there was still time for certain matters surrounding the boy to be properly handled.

But it didn’t mean it was anything but safe.

"Luckily, Sir Godwin..."

Kent said as he looked toward him.

"Sir Alister Morgan is coming with some members of the Solar Branch to meet Maxwell. And from what I heard from one of the members of the Solar Branch, the Queen will also have a meeting with the Dukes and all the Counts regarding this matter after the Combat Festival."

He explained the information he had received concerning the matter.

"That’s good."

Godwin replied with a pleased expression.

"Yes, that is much better."

Catherina nodded.

"Alister’s presence alone at the Combat Festival will create order throughout the whole festival."

She sounded just as pleased as Godwin.

With someone like Alister Morgan present, a Royal Alchemist and presently Britannia’s Strongest Alchemist, many of the problems that could arise from Maxwell’s identity would be far easier to control.

"Well, then..."

"Ma’am..."

Kent raised his hand.

Catherina paused.

"Oh, you still have something to add? Kent"

She looked at him with a curious expression.

Even Godwin turned toward Kent, wondering what else he wanted to mention.

"It’s not about the Disciple of Andraver."

Kent said calmly.

"I just remembered a particular first-year who I also think will impress people at this festival."

"And who will that be?"

Catherina looked at him with even more curiosity.

"He’s talking about the child named Ezra Ashenlocke."

Professor Giggs replied before Kent could speak.

"Ezra? The child who created the Phantom Rolls?"

Godwin said as he immediately realized who they were talking about.

"He’s actually amongst the first-year students I said is gaining a lot from my class."

Professor Paulina added with a proud smile.

"His academy record is also very outstanding."

Professor Donald added.

"Yes..."

Kent leaned forward slightly in his chair.

"I believe Ezra Ashenlocke will be a student to look out for at this festival. Although I have some other names in mind, Ezra Ashenlocke will definitely impress."

Kent said with a confident expression.

He had watched Ezra long enough to understand that the boy wasn’t an ordinary student.

The child had already done things that should have taken the attention of the entire kingdom.

The Phantom Rolls was only one of them.

And if Ezra had truly spent the past month preparing for the Combat Festival...

Kent was genuinely interested in seeing what the young craftsman had prepared.

"I have heard his name for a while now..."

Catherina said calmly.

Her yellow eyes narrowed slightly.

"The rising young craftsman from the Duke House of Ash."

A faint smirk appeared on her face.

"Let’s wait and see."

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