Miel replied, "Loser cleans the dorm. If I lose, I'll wash all your dirty clothes. Deal?"
Ray let out a quiet breath. "I'm very hungry."
Ray soon discovered something strange.
He could eat more while standing than when sitting.
Before he realized it, people had already begun gathering around him.
"This kid doesn't look that big. How is he eating so much?"
"He's about to break the record. If I remember correctly, the intermediate academy's steamed bun record is forty-three. How many has he eaten already?"
"Forty-five. He's already past the record! That's terrifying! And those buns are palm-sized too. The academy's buns have always been this big!"
Miel had long since stopped eating. He stood there blankly, staring at Ray as if he were witnessing a miracle.
He had always believed his appetite was impressive. At his best, he could barely manage twenty buns before feeling stuffed.
This was just minced meat and vegetable soup.
Yet Ray kept eating as if nothing were wrong.
Five buns, then a large gulp of soup. Another five buns, another mouthful of soup. His movements were calm and rhythmic, as though he were enjoying a leisurely meal.
The buns were genuinely delicious. Each palm-sized bun contained a large meatball inside, and the moment one bit into it, rich juices spilled out.
Most importantly…
It still wasn't enough.
"I'll have to trouble you again." After finishing his fiftieth bun, Ray calmly walked back to the third window.
Lucius patted Miel on the shoulder. "Let's go clean the room. Now I finally understand why he's so strong. This is the law of conservation of energy. The more you eat, the more strength you have."
Miel's face looked utterly lifeless. "He just ordered another twenty buns."
Back home, Ray's appetite had always been Wilheim and Selina's greatest headache. This child could truly eat. When Vivienne was still around, the two of them had practically competed to see who could eat more.
Compared to his peers, Miel's appetite was already large. But compared to Ray, he was on an entirely different scale.
Letting out a long sigh, Miel looked at Ray with complicated eyes. "I used to think stories about someone eating a whole cow were exaggerated. After watching you eat, I believe it now. A bet is a bet. I lost. I'll go clean the dorm. You can keep breaking records."
"Mm, mm." Ray nodded absentmindedly. Winning or losing didn't matter to him. Eating until he was completely full mattered far more.
In the end, the intermediate academy's steamed bun record was set at a terrifying eighty buns and five large bowls of vegetable soup.
When Ray finally left the dining hall, perfectly satisfied, every gaze followed him.
Back at the dormitory, Miel was already cleaning. He deliberately avoided Ray's laundry, since Ray insisted on washing his own clothes.
Lucius helped clean as well, and the atmosphere in the room became unexpectedly harmonious.
Just as they were finishing, Raziel Phoenix returned.
His face was wrapped in a towel. The swelling had gone down significantly, but it was still far from pleasant to look at.
"For you." He tossed a paper bag at Ray.
Ray opened it and froze.
Inside was a stack of Federal bills.
For a moment, his mind went blank.
Earning thirty thousand Federal Coins in Ironspire City had taken him three full years. To these city people, it was little more than spare change.
"Classes start tomorrow," Raziel Phoenix said coldly. "Tomorrow night, after school, come with me."
"Alright." Ray agreed without hesitation.
Lucius frowned. "Raziel Phoenix, just let it go. We're going to be in the same dorm for six years."
Raziel Phoenix shot him a cold glance, then lay down on his bunk without another word.
Ray turned to Lucius. "There won't be any trouble if I go out this afternoon, right?"
Lucius replied, "Classes haven't officially started, so it's fine. Just be back before lights-out. Otherwise, you'll face disciplinary action."
Hearing the words disciplinary action, Ray's heart tightened slightly. It wasn't punishment he feared.
It was the fines.
"I'll be back in time."
After washing his clothes and blanket, Ray left the dormitory.
According to Gilbert's instructions, after arriving in West Ocean City, he had to visit the Blacksmith's Association.
Gilbert had already given him the address of his workshop in West Ocean City. No one worked there regularly, but it had a forging room prepared just for him.
Gilbert had also told him that registering with the Blacksmith's Association was necessary to accept tasks. Those tasks would hone his skills. Every month, Gilbert would come to inspect his progress and give guidance.
Ever since fusing with Gold, and especially after completing the Thousand Refinements, Ray had become far more focused. He understood now that forging would likely be his path.
He couldn't slack off.
More importantly, forging earned money.
He needed money. For his family. And one day, to travel the continent in search of Vivienne.
He didn't ask Lucius about the Blacksmith's Association. He didn't want others to know he was a blacksmith.
After paying his fines at the administration building, Ray left the academy grounds.
The unfamiliar atmosphere of West Ocean City pressed down on him once more.
Ironspire City really was peaceful, he thought.
Not knowing the exact route, Ray asked around. After several inquiries, he got a rough idea of where the Blacksmith's Association was located.
West Ocean City was enormous, several times larger than Ironspire City. To save money, Ray chose to walk.
Thankfully, it wasn't too far. After half an hour, the destination came into view.
The Blacksmith's Association was impossible to miss.
A grey thirty-story building rose into the sky, and at its very top was the unmistakable emblem of a hammer. No plaque was needed.
Ray walked through the glass doors and was greeted by a massive interior wall. Mounted on it was an eight-meter-tall golden hammer sculpture.
Though the Blacksmith's Association wasn't as wealthy as the Mecha Craftsmen's Association, it was indispensable.
A first-rate blacksmith held a status comparable to that of a grandmaster mecha craftsman. After all, first-rate mechas required first-rate materials, and first-rate materials required first-rate blacksmiths.
The first-floor lounge was spacious and quiet. Only two young women in grey uniforms sat behind the reception desk.
"Little brother, who are you looking for?" One of them stood up with a gentle smile.
Ray scratched his head shyly. "I… I'm here to take the blacksmith ranking test."
"Puchi!"
The well-developed young lady beside the counter burst into laughter. Smiling brightly, she teased, "Look at him, his face is already red. Little brother, your eyes are really pretty."
The sweet-looking young lady shot her a reproachful glance. "Stop fooling around, Luna." Then she turned back to Ray with a gentle expression. "Little brother, you want to take the blacksmith ranking test?"
Ray nodded quickly, a little nervous. "Yes!"
She asked softly, "Where is your family? Or your teacher?"