Despite the vice principal's petty interference, thanks to Monaka I was able to sit in a chair like everyone else.
The class finally began.
"All right, today the Leatherworker students will make a 'Leather Mantle,' and the Tailor students will make a 'Patch.'"
A mantle depended on the design, but since it had no sleeves it was not particularly difficult to make.
If you really wanted to, you could even call a simple cut piece of hide a "leather mantle."
In that sense, it was the perfect introductory craft for aspiring leatherworkers.
The academy emphasized survival in everything, but during class the school provided materials and tools for crafting.
By the way, anything you made did not belong to you. It had to be turned in to the school.
The teacher continued in her gentle tone.
"But today is special. Students who make a particularly good craft may take their finished item home with them.
Also, anything you make using materials you brought yourself may be taken home regardless of quality."
I had the Wyvern Leather for materials, so I figured I only needed to borrow tools.
But interference came again right away.
"Nooo! Students from the Special Development Class cannot borrow crafting tools!"
Teacher Filafie's confused "Eh? Was there a rule like that?" was completely ignored.
The vice principal made a fuss as if he had just achieved a great victory.
"However, I will specially lend only this 'Magic Iron Needle' and 'Magic Iron Scissors' to Leopin-kun!
As for any other tools in this classroom, you are not allowed to use even a single thread!"
"Eh? You cannot craft with just fabric, a needle, and scissors!"
Teacher Filafie looked troubled.
The vice principal leaned close to my ear and whispered softly.
"Use the magic iron needle and scissors to tear that filthy hide to shreds and make it useless.
Then I will specially give you a different hide.
Not something filthy like that, but a proper one like the ones everyone else receives...!"
I whispered back.
"So you did know after all, Vice Principal."
"...Fah? What are you talking about?"
"Normal needles and scissors cannot even pierce Wyvern Leather.
That's why I was planning to borrow magic tools from Teacher Filafie.
But you offered me the magic tools first, which means you knew this hide was Wyvern Leather..."
"Ki... Kyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!"
Another fit.
Monaka, who was sitting next to me, flinched in surprise.
The vice principal glared with bloodshot eyes and thrust the tips of the magic needle and scissors at me.
"Then do whatever you want!
I was trying to help you, who is possessed by the illusion that this is Wyvern Leather!
Yet you doubt someone's kindness? What an awful delinquent student!
Here, take the needle and scissors! Play stitch-stitch-stab-stab all by yourself with no thread!"
"Is that so? Then I will do just that."
I accepted the dull-glowing needle and scissors with a grin.
--------------------------------------------------
**Magic Iron Needle (Loan Item - Magic Item)**
**Quantity:** 1
**Quality Level:** 20 (Material Level 5 + Job Bonus 10 + Magic Power Bonus 5)
An iron needle enhanced with magic forging.
It can pierce materials that normal iron needles cannot.
**Special Effect**
**Piercing Resistance Ignore**
Can pierce materials with piercing resistance up to three times the item's quality level.
**Magic Iron Scissors (Loan Item - Magic Item)**
**Quantity:** 1
**Quality Level:** 20 (Material Level 5 + Job Bonus 10 + Magic Power Bonus 5)
Iron scissors enhanced with magic forging.
They can cut materials that normal iron scissors cannot.
**Special Effect**
**Slashing Resistance Ignore**
Can cut materials with slashing resistance up to three times the item's quality level.
--------------------------------------------------
The vice principal frowned with a "Gnu!?" when I accepted the magic tools with a fearless smile.
But he must have thought it was just a bluff, because he quickly laughed it off.
"Muhohohohoho! Struggling like that is pointless!
How do you plan to do leatherwork with only a needle and scissors!?
Leatherwork is impossible without thread!
You don't even know something that basic? As expected, Leopin-kun belongs in the Special Development Class!
Come on, everyone, laugh at him! Muhohohohohoho!"
At the vice principal's lead, the whole class burst into laughter.
When I looked around, everyone was laughing at me as if I were ridiculous.
Except for two women.
Teacher Filafie looked flustered, and Monaka had her mouth in a worried wavy line as if she wanted to say something.
When Monaka could not hold back any longer and tried to stand up, I stopped her with my hand.
"Just watch."
With that, I stood up from my seat.
I wove between the desks and headed toward the window.
The classroom was on the first floor, and the open window offered a clear view of the backyard.
The backyard had potted plants, shrubbery, empty flowerbeds, and a small pond with no fish.
I placed my hands on the windowsill, hopped over it, and dropped into the backyard.
Mocking laughter of "Muhohohoho!" chased after me.
"Look! I wondered what he was going to do, but he just ran away!
He was all talk after all!"
I turned back toward Teacher Filafie and said,
"Teacher, please continue the lesson without worrying about me."
"Eh? Ah, y-yes. Then everyone, please work on your leather mantles and patches..."
Class resumed, but every gaze in the room remained fixed on me.
I ignored them and started my own work.
I searched the backyard for the highest-quality plant vines available.
--------------------------------------------------
**Daija Vine**
**Quantity:** 5
**Quality Level:** 5 (Material Level 5)
Thick vines resembling large snakes.
They are sturdy and highly flexible, and in emergencies they can even be used as ropes.
--------------------------------------------------
"All right, these should work."
I used a stone knife to cut the Daija Vine, peeled the outer skin, and split the inner fibers.
I washed the split fibers in the pond water and laid them out to dry in the sun.
While they dried, I made a simple fire-starting stand, created embers, and built a small campfire.
Then I toasted the fibers over the fire...
That was when I noticed intense stares.
When I looked toward the school building, students were packed tightly along the classroom windows, staring at me.
"What is that garbage doing...?"
"He's cutting vines with a stone knife and putting them over a fire...?"
"Nothing he's doing has anything to do with leatherwork..."
It seemed no one could figure out what I was doing.
I had thought Teacher Filafie would understand, but even she was tilting her head along with the students.
"What exactly is Leopin-kun doing...?"
"But Teacher, I'm sure Leo-kun will manage! Do your best, Leo-kun!"
Monaka waved her hands energetically next to the flustered Teacher Filafie.
Meanwhile, I finished toasting the fibers to the right condition.
"Now all that's left is to twist them together..."
--------------------------------------------------
**Daija Vine Thread**
**Quantity:** 50
**Quality Level:** 17 (Material Level 5 + Dexterity Bonus 12)
Thread made from Daija Vine fibers.
High quality with excellent durability and resistance to wear and dirt.
--------------------------------------------------
"Th... Threaaaaaad!?!?"
A scream rang out.