After the examination began, Ernst, as the examiner, sat on a chair outside the door and waited patiently.

In order to make it easier to confirm the time, an hourglass similar to the one in the room is also placed outside.

In the past, he would always feel bored while waiting, but it was different now. He was very confident in his own vision, so even if he deliberately asked the most difficult questions, he believed that Emil would definitely pass the test.

After a while, he casually picked up the personal information Emil had just registered, and he couldn't help being surprised when he saw it, because he noticed that Emil's surname was actually Stuart.

In fact, Ernst is also a member of the Stuart family, but he has not been able to embark on the path of a blacksmith. Moreover, this phenomenon is particularly common nowadays. Most people in the family would rather choose other industries. This is why the Stuart family

The fundamental reason why the Te family as a famous blacksmith family gradually declined.

Although the outside world does not know much about the Stuart family and thinks that they have been controlling the weapons industry of the entire empire with their excellent forging technology, Ernst knows very well that the current family has been in power for decades.

There have never been any talented blacksmiths, and even if there were, they failed to continue on this path in the end, so he even thought that within three years, the family business would completely collapse.

At this time, Ernst was more happy than surprised. He thought that if Emil passed the test and then introduced him to Frazier, the head of the Stuart family, he would definitely be well received.

A big compliment, maybe even becoming the president of the Blacksmiths Association.

After all, the Stuart family is now in urgent need of talents, and even Frazier himself often laments that the family's decline is irreversible.

Although he was able to forge very high-quality weapons, his power alone was ultimately limited, and he was unable to mass-produce these weapons.

Ever since Frazier ordered his blacksmiths to retake the exam, the family has experienced a serious brain drain. Although most of the people who left were outsiders, it was because of their presence that the family's weapons production was guaranteed.

Nowadays, the only people in the family who are still in the family are the Stuarts. Unfortunately, their abilities are all ordinary. Frazier later realized that the people he wanted to kick out were actually members of his own family.

Many of those who left chose to start their own businesses. They knew very well that the Blacksmiths Association was controlled by the Stuart family. Although they could wait for Frazier to lower the assessment standards, in fact, their real purpose of giving up the assessment was nothing more than that.

It's just to get revenge on Frazier.

After all, they had worked for the Stuart family for so long, and yet Frazier made a whim decision to kick them out, and then set up a rare and outrageous assessment, which was clearly meant to make things difficult for them.

In this case, they will not stay here anymore, and they know very well that it is so-called outsiders like themselves who have supported the Stuart family. Once they leave, the family will not be far away from decline.

They didn't feel a pity about this, but were happy to see it, because this was the price Frazier paid for not paying attention to them.

For Ernst, his own future is one thing, but more importantly, the future of his family, so every time he thinks about this incident, he really feels pity, but it is difficult to recover. As the head of the family, Frazier

I can only swallow my own bitter pill.

At this time, Ernst looked at the hourglass with hope. It was not until the last sand fell that he opened the door, and Ophelia and Anthony, who were waiting aside, hurried in.

Emil handed the forged weapon to Ernst. After the other party took it, he obviously couldn't hold it and had to put it on the ground.

As Ernst observed carefully, his expression became more and more solemn. Seeing him like this, Emil couldn't help but feel nervous.

"There shouldn't be any problem, even Cosette is satisfied with this weapon." Emil muttered softly.

After Ernst finished his observation, he fell into deep thought again. Finally, he looked at Emil with a serious face, but in a tone of admiration.

"...Oh, it's so perfect. May I ask which forging master you studied under?"

"Ah this."

Emil was immediately dumbfounded, and what was going on with this sudden respectful tone?

"Is there no comment?" Ernst was a little frustrated.

Emil had no choice but to tell him about his blacksmithing teacher, including the blacksmith in the village, but Ernst obviously didn't believe it, and in the end he had no choice but to compromise.

"Okay, okay, then I can announce the results now," Ernst said, putting a check mark behind Emil's registered name, "You have passed the blacksmith examination, please be patient in the future.

Wait and I will issue a certificate to you."

"Um."

"Congratulations, Emil." Ophelia expressed her heartfelt congratulations.

Anthony was also happy for him, and then said.

"Well, when you get the qualification certificate, I will hold a grand celebration for you."

Emil originally didn't want to trouble him, after all, they had only known each other for less than a day, but looking at his cheerful look, it was as if he had also encountered a happy event, which made people feel embarrassed to refuse.

Then, after another hour of waiting, Ernst awarded him a carefully framed certificate.

Before leaving, Emil specifically asked if he could sell this weapon to him, and he would accept it even if the price was ten times higher.

After listening to what he said, Ernst was very surprised. After all, Emil could forge it himself, so why would he buy it from him, even at ten times the price?

But in the end, he didn't ask any more questions, nor would he do anything so extreme. Instead, he gave the weapon to Emil for free.

"One more thing, I hope you can answer me seriously." Ernst said seriously.

"Well, I'll try my best to tell you everything."

"Are you really from the Stuart family?"

"...Well, judging from the blood relationship, it is true, but my ancestors broke away from the current Stuart family hundreds of years ago." Emil said bluntly.

"That's it." Ernst suddenly realized. No wonder he knew the family members well, but he had never met Emil.

"Is there any problem with this?" Emil asked him.

"Haha, no, I'm just asking casually," Ernst said with a smile, "Then what I want to say is, are you willing to join the Stuart family? This can be regarded as acknowledging your ancestors, and the current

The head of the family, Frazi, appreciates talents like you very much. He is one of the great nobles in the royal capital. When the time comes, he may directly let you become a noble in the royal capital. What do you think?"

Emil was very happy, but he still had an agreement with Lidia and could not stay in the royal capital forever.

At this time, he was more concerned about the name Ernst mentioned than how to politely refuse.

"Wait a minute, who did you say is the current head of the Stuart family?"

"...Frazie Stuart, by the way, you don't know him, do you?" Ernst couldn't help but guess.

"No, no, I just think the name sounds familiar." Emil waved his hands quickly, fearing that his true purpose would be revealed.

However, since he was going to be introduced to Frazier, it was necessary for him to agree to Ernst. After all, it never hurts to know more about the enemy.

"Does this sound familiar? Yes, it's normal." Ernst smiled slightly.

"Oh?" Emil was a little confused.

"Since your ancestors are also from the Stuart family, Frazier's name must have appeared in your family, and a figure like him is quite famous. Your family must have mentioned it frequently.

,Right?"

"Haha, it's true." Emil scratched his head and giggled. At this time, there was no need to correct the other person.

However, Ophelia discovered a problem.

"From what you're saying, do you know that Frazier lived for hundreds of years?"

"..." Ernst couldn't help but shook his head, but still explained patiently, "Haha, it seems that you are indeed from another town, because this is nothing new in the capital, everyone knows him

He became an elf and gained an almost eternal life. As for why it is said to be almost eternal, it is because no one knows how many years an elf can live. It may be thousands of years, or it may be tens of thousands of years."

"I've also heard about Frazzi," Anthony quickly interjected, "Although humans have always been in awe of elves, Frazzi is on the side of humans. It can be seen from the fact that he forged weapons for humans.

So we didn't reject him."

"Yes," Ernst nodded, and then added, "But it's just because of its use value. If one day he stops forging weapons for humans, people will probably still regard him as an alien."

"No," Anthony couldn't understand what he said, "Oh, no matter what, that day won't come. Isn't the Stuart family in great power now?"

Although this was a compliment to Ernst's family, he still shook his head with a wry smile, because he knew it all too well.

After a while, he returned to the topic.

"Okay, without further ado, let's go see Frazier."

"Ah? So fast?" Emil was caught off guard.

"Of course, I have to tell the head of the family the good news as soon as possible. He will definitely be very happy, and maybe even give you some precious greeting gifts."

Emil couldn't make up his mind for a moment, because this was a direct meeting with his target, and he hadn't had time to come up with a suitable countermeasure.

Ophelia could see that he was hesitating, so she comforted him.

"Emil, just go ahead with peace of mind. As long as I'm here, no one will dare to do anything to you?"

"……All right."

Anthony saw the atmosphere at the scene, and then said to Emil, "Since we are going to meet the big shots, I won't get involved. I will wait for you at home. You must come to the celebration then.

"

"Well, I won't forget it." Emil stretched out his hand and held it tightly with Anthony.

After getting along for a period of time, he had a good impression of Anthony. Although they had only known each other for a short time, he could still see that Anthony was a friend worth making.
Chapter completed!