Free Web NovelChapter 191: Chapter 179: Geniuses Are Unreasonable Creatures
"Tell us a little about yourself."
Facing the camera, Simon anxiously wrung his hands. He was a little nervous.
Anything unfamiliar made him nervous, and he had encountered far too many new things in the last few hours.
He clutched the ceramic doll in his arms—a memento from his parents. He always kept it with him, as it brought him a sense of security.
Seeing that the contestant couldn’t get a word out, the interviewer scratched her head and tried to recall what she’d learned in training.
’What was I supposed to do with contestants who didn’t want to talk?’
’Right, I need to start with something he’s familiar with.’
"That doll you’re holding is quite unique. Could you tell me its story?"
"It’s a gift my parents left for me," Simon finally said. "It’s filled with a material I can’t yet master."
"Is it Mithril or Refined Gold?"
The interviewer naturally assumed that something held so dearly must be an incredibly precious material.
Most people considered Mithril and Refined Gold to be the most expensive forging materials.
The former represents the highest level of Magic Resistance in a metal, while the latter has the best Magic Power conductivity.
Both possess great strength and extremely fine ductility.
In all sorts of legends, when the hero unearths some divine weapon from an obscure mountain gorge, it’s made from one of these two materials nine times out of ten.
"No. It’s filled with Oli Crystal," Simon replied.
"Oli Crystal is...?" The interviewer racked her brain, trying to recall the manual. Her training had covered all sorts of basic materials and forging-related knowledge.
But after thinking for a good while, she couldn’t recall anything about Oli Crystal.
"A soft, brittle mineral," Simon said.
"Doesn’t that mean...?"
"It’s completely unsuitable for forging," Simon said calmly.
Oli Crystal was once considered a gemstone, a type of crystal, used exclusively for making crafts.
Later, as mining technology advanced, it was discovered that reserves of the mineral were extremely abundant in mines deeper than 600 meters.
Its status quickly plummeted from gemstone to worthless rock.
The dramatic rise and fall of its value was a lot like aluminum. In the past, due to a lack of smelting technology, aluminum was once a precious metal more valuable than gold.
Any family that could afford aluminum basins and bowls was undoubtedly part of the high nobility.
Yet after a technological breakthrough, it instantly became dirt cheap.
But aluminum was at least a widely useful metal. Oli Crystal, on the other hand, truly had no discernible use to date.
"Then why...?" The interviewer was a little confused by Simon’s words.
’A precious material from his parents, but it’s useless?’
"I’m going to prove its value," Simon’s tone suddenly became resolute. "So I want to use this competition as an opportunity to understand Dwarven craftsmanship. I need to learn more."
"So you’re participating in this competition for the purpose of a technical exchange?"
’The interviewer was already thinking about the character role to assign this contestant in post-production.’
’The little envoy of peaceful exchange?’
’It sounded pretty good.’
’Not very attention-grabbing, but he wouldn’t make any huge mistakes, either.’
"That’s part of it. The other part is to prove that Lady Antinoya’s judgment of me is wrong."
"Antinoya thinks there’s a problem with your craft?"
"She said I am the best artisan in the Silver-White City State."
"Huh?" The interviewer felt she could never keep up with this little Elf’s train of thought.
’What does that mean? Someone calls you the best in the city, and you want to prove them wrong?’
’How? By throwing the competition?’
’This hapless Elf can’t be going through puberty, can he? Just playing the rebel.’
"I’m not just the best artisan in the Silver-White City State." All traces of Simon’s earlier meekness were gone, replaced by an imperious confidence. "I am the best artisan in the world. Bar none."
’So cocky!’
’The interviewer’s eyes instantly lit up. She’d finally found someone with some fire.’
’The other three contestants had been so polite during their interviews, not daring to claim they’d definitely win or that either Dwarves or Elves were inferior. They were all afraid of eating their words after the competition.’
’The sweeter the trash talk, the more vicious the public backlash when you lose.’
’Ah, youth.’
’He dared to speak without a care for the consequences. The interviewer immediately revised her angle on Simon, dropping the "little envoy of peaceful exchange" idea.’
’Win, and he’s the Demon King; lose, and he’s a clown!’
’Either way, it was a win for the show.’
"Do you have anything to say to the other contestants?"
"Are you all here to compete for second place?" Simon said without a second thought.
The interviewer wanted to hug him and give him a big kiss. On a variety show, having drama was more important than having talent.
"Contestants, prepare for your entrance. Contestants, prepare for your entrance."
The stage director’s voice echoed from a Sound Transmission Spell.
"Simon, please come with me to the entrance. Wait here for a moment."
Inside the studio, the host announced with gusto, "And our final contestant, number four, the genius young Elf from the Silver-White City State, a contender to become the future leader of Elf Artisans—at the tender age of 56—Simon Oakleaf!"
"Ha, that name sounds Dwarven. You know, there was once a Dwarf hero named Oak Shield," Bane quipped from the judges’ table.
"You’re on!" The staff member gave Simon a push into the studio.
Blasted by the sudden lights, he was dazed for a moment. Then he noticed the dazzling array of equipment. Like Jerry spotting a block of cheese, his eyes were glued.
Simon walked straight to his workstation. He loved forging equipment.
The equipment here was far better than anything he had ever used. ’So beautiful. This is the beauty of the craft.’
