"What the hell happened?"

After Erza had calmed down, Jin took her to the waiting room and asked her what had happened.

He had heard most of the report from the Secret Service (SP) via the old man and Reiko, but he wanted to hear it from the person himself. Erza's side of the story might give us some new insights.

"...... Um, you know..."

Erza sat down in a chair and explained her father and Marcus' words to Jin in a halting manner.

"...... measure the ability of the humans, is that what you said?"

"...... yes."

Jin guessed that Marcus was probably a demon or a minion of the demon tribe.

We'll wait for the report from Regulus 50, who followed him, but I was curious about the case of Erza's father.

"He collapsed suddenly?"

"Yes."

There are several symptoms that come to mind.

Brain or heart damage.

Brain: stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage. For the heart, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction.

My men took him, didn't they?

Yes.

No matter how much he cares, Erza is more important to Jin right now.

Still, Jin reassured Erza, who looked worried, by saying that some of his men might be able to use healing magic and that her life would not be in danger for the time being.

"But I'll ask him about his condition when he calms down."

"...... yes."

Then Reinhardt came in.

"Hello Jin, Erza is here too."

He followed the Viscount and said he had checked on her. He was very attentive.

"So far, he seems to be in stable condition. But he has not regained consciousness yet. This happened once before ......."

"Before?"

"Yes. It was about a year ago. I collapsed once. I remember that time he regained consciousness soon after that and acted as if nothing had happened the next day. So I'm sure he'll be fine this time, too.

"......I think I heard something like that. I was on a trip at the time, so I didn't see it in person."

"Hmm. ......"

Jin was somewhat curious, but there seemed to be nothing they could do about it, so he switched the topic to Marcus' last words.

"I'm a little concerned about the fact that he also said hello to the Marquis."

"......The Marquis is the only one who has any connection with my father."

The Marquess Gehlen Theodoric?

Yes.

Jin concluded that it would be best to ask the Marquis himself about this at a later date.

In any case, it would be after the technical exhibition was over.

"Well, apart from this disturbance, the whole thing went off without any major trouble. I guess the awards will start soon, right?"

"Oh, I see."

As a participant, I can't not attend. Jin, Erza, and Reinhardt left the waiting room and headed for the main hall.

"Hey, Jin, I see you got Erza back. Good, good, good."

Saki came out of the alchemists' waiting room and joined them.

"Yeah, I think we're going to be able to settle this somehow.

"Somehow, huh?　Well, Jin is probably the only person you don't have to worry about anymore.

I hope I can live up to that trust.

I hope I can live up to that trust.

"Now then, as we come to the end, we will present awards to the best of the best.

As the final day of the expo, awards were being presented to the participants on a special stage.

Erza has settled down and is seated with Jin and Reinhardt.

"Magic technique category. Excellent prize, Elsa Randall von Lazula."

Elsa's name is mentioned here.

"I commend her for her development of recording technology and for her skill in creating the jewel box of magical tools known as the music box."

"Come on, Elsa, go on."

"...... yeah."

Elsa walks onto the stage as the crowd looks on. There she is presented with a commemorative medal by Christophe, a member of the committee, in front of the Emperor, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Magical Arts and Technology.

Elsa's face was a little proud as she received the silver medal around her neck.

"Alchemy. Excellent prize, Roenas. He has shown us some interesting phenomena."

Roenas was the man who demonstrated how the pigment of the purple orchid can be changed in various colors with vinegar or lye.

"Guest of Honor. Award of Excellence, Kingdom of Cerroa, Stearina Beta. The golem was a thing of beauty.

The winners were announced one after another.

"Thesis Section. Saki Eschenbach . . The point of view is novel and opens up a new field in the theory of magic."

Saki, probably happy to be recognized, walked up to the podium with a rare flush on her cheeks.

"The Golem section. Marcus Grinwald. Even though he was defeated, he should be recognized for his skill in building the giant golem.

But Markus does not show up. Elsa and Jin know why, but the committee members seem to think that he has gone home after losing to Jin, so they do not question him, and the award ceremony proceeds.

"Ship Division. Reinhard Randall von Adamas. The ship will add another page to the history of ships."

Reinhardt went up on the stage with great joy.

Several more people were presented with awards, but Jin's name was not mentioned.

The ceremony came to an end.

This concludes the presentation of awards to the best winners at this year's exposition.

These words were greeted with a murmur from the audience. Yes, it was a sign of doubt and dissatisfaction over the fact that Jin had not received an award.

"Please be quiet. His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Shoro has one last announcement to make.

Waiting for the crowd to settle down, the queen began to speak.

"This year's technical exposition has been a great success. I am very happy to see the development of excellent technicians. The guests of honor, the engineers, have also demonstrated their excellent skills.

He paused and looked around at the audience.

"You are probably thinking, <>I am sure you are wondering why his name is not mentioned.

The audience was momentarily disturbed by his words.

"Lastly, <>, Jin Nido. The mini craftsman (Smith) and the airship, it was a work that overturned our common sense. Therefore, I am pleased to present him with a special award of excellence, and at the same time, to bestow upon him the title of of the Shoro Kingdom, as well as an honorary knighthood!

The audience burst into applause upon hearing these words.

Reiko urged Jin, who remained seated, not immediately understanding what was being said.

"Father, please come up to the stage.

Reiko was happy to hear him say this. At last, here, in front of so many people. Jin, the father... Jin, who had inherited everything from Adriana Barbora Zetsi.

Even though it was only for the Shoro Empire, he was given the title of <>.

"Ah, ah, I see."

Jin replied in a slightly hoarse voice, standing up and walking onto the stage.

"Ser Jing Nido, I hope that you will bring some of your wisdom to my country.

The Empress placed a golden medal around Jin's neck.

At this moment, a magecraft master was born, a magecraft master officially recognized, albeit within the Shoro Empire.

The people gathered in the hall applauded generously for Jin, the world's only Magecraftsman, the "Magecraft Meister.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After the award ceremony was over, the technology exposition came to an end with the closing speech by the Shoro Imperial Princess.

"Congratulations, Jin!

"Congratulations, Jin!"

Congratulations, Jin!

Reinhard, Saki, and Erza congratulated Jin on stage.

"Congratulations on your father's appointment as Magecraft Meister," said Reiko.

Reiko also congratulated him.

"Well, it's a title, not a position.

"It's still a great achievement. A Magecraft Meister is probably superior to a Magecraft Maestro. After all, there is only one Magecraft Meister in the world.

Reinhardt, who knew the circumstances of Jin and his predecessor, was somewhat vague, taking into consideration the questions that would be asked by those around him.

"And you also received a knighthood, albeit an honorary one."

"That's right!　That means that you can't call yourself a "Magecraft Meister" unless you show that you are at least as good as, or even better than, Jin."

Saki also praised him.

"Thank you, everyone."

"Jin, that's great, isn't it?

Stearina came to congratulate us. And then...

"Congratulations, Jin-dono!"

"Magecraft Meister Gin, your honor."

"Honorary Baronet, Jin-dono, my best regards to you."

By this time, the other award winners on stage were flocking to Jin to shake his hand and get to know him. No, they were coming from below the stage one after another.

If Reiko had not blackmailed him with a "Enough!