"What on earth happened?"
Once Elsa had calmed down, Jin decided to take her to a waiting room to hear the story in full.
He had already received the gist of the report from the Secret Mobile Unit via Laojun and Reiko, but he wanted to hear it from Elsa herself. He thought there might be new insights to gain from her perspective.
"...Um, well..."
Seated in a chair, Elsa began to explain everything to Jin—her father's behavior and the words Marcus had left her with.
"...Gauging the strength of humans? Is that what he said?"
"...Yeah."
Jin speculated that Marcus was likely a member of the demon race or one of their subordinates.
He would wait for the report from Regulus 50, who was currently tailing the man, but for now, he was more concerned about Elsa’s father.
"You said he suddenly collapsed?"
"Yeah."
Several possible diagnoses came to mind—disorders of the brain or the heart.
If it was the brain, it could be a cerebral infarction or a subarachnoid hemorrhage. If it was the heart, angina or a myocardial infarction were the possibilities Jin was familiar with.
"His subordinates took him away, right?"
"Yeah."
No matter how much it weighed on his mind, Elsa was Jin’s priority.
Jin looked at Elsa’s worried face and spoke reassuringly, telling her that the viscount likely had people among his subordinates who could use healing magic, so his life probably wasn't in immediate danger.
"But once things have settled down, let's go ask about his condition together."
"...Okay."
Just then, Reinhard arrived.
"Hey, Jin. Elsa, you’re here too."
He explained that he had followed the viscount to check on his condition. He was as attentive as ever.
"For now, it seems his life isn't in danger. However, he hasn't regained consciousness yet....Actually, this has happened once before."
"Before?"
"Yeah. I think it was about two years ago. He collapsed once then, too. He regained consciousness shortly after and acted as if nothing had happened the next day. So he'll probably be fine this time as well."
"...Now that you mention it, I think I heard something about that. I was away traveling at the time, so I didn't see it myself."
"I see..."
It bothered Jin, but since there was nothing they could do for the man at the moment, he shifted the topic to Marcus's parting words.
"It's a bit concerning that he said to give his regards to the Marquis."
"...The only Marquis with a connection to my father is that man."
"Marquis Gaylen Theoderic, then?"
"Yes."
Jin concluded that it would be best to ask the Marquis himself about this at a later date. In any case, it would have to wait until after the Technology Expo concluded.
"Well, aside from this commotion, things generally went off without any major trouble. I believe the awards ceremony will be starting soon."
"Ah, right."
As participants, they couldn't exactly skip it. Jin, Elsa, and Reinhard left the waiting room and headed for the Grand Hall.
"Hey, Jin! You got Elsa back. Good, good."
Saki, who had just emerged from the alchemists' waiting room, joined them.
"Yeah, it looks like we've settled things for now."
"For now, huh? Well, since it's you, Jin, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about anymore."
"Haha, I'd like to live up to that trust."
"Now then, as we approach the conclusion, we shall present the awards to the outstanding participants."
On the final day of the Technology Expo, as a grand finale, the participants were being honored on a specially constructed stage. Elsa had regained her composure and was seated with Jin and Reinhard.
"In the Department of Magic Technology: the Excellence Award goes to Elsa Randol von Lazula."
To their surprise, Elsa's name was called right away.
"We highly commend the skill displayed in developing 'recording' technology and creating the magic tool jewelry boxes she called 'music boxes'."
"Go on, Elsa. Go up there."
"...Okay."
With the crowd watching, Elsa ascended the stage. The Empress, the chancellor, and the Magic Technology Minister were all present. Christoph, an executive committee member, presented her with a commemorative medal.
With the silver medal hung around her neck, Elsa's expression held a touch of pride.
"In the Department of Alchemy: the Excellence Award goes to Roenas. You showed us a truly fascinating phenomenon."
Roenas was the man who had demonstrated how the pigments of Purple Ganran changed color when exposed to vinegar or lye.
"In the Guest Department: the Excellence Award goes to Stearena Beta of the Celuroa Kingdom. That golem was nothing short of magnificent."
The names of the awardees were read out one after another.
"In the Thesis Department: Saki Eschenbach. 'On the Action of Engineering Magic and Magic Power'. Your perspective is innovative, and it can be said that you have opened a new field in Magic Theory."
Likely happy to be recognized, Saki ascended the stage with her cheeks uncharacteristically flushed.
"In the Golem Department: Marcus Greenbalt. Though he was defeated, the skill involved in creating that giant golem deserves recognition."
However, Marcus did not appear. While Elsa and Jin knew why, the executive committee seemed to think he had simply left in shame after losing to Jin, so they continued the ceremony without question.
"In the Shipbuilding Department: Reinhard Randol von Adamas. That vessel shall add a new page to the history of ships."
Reinhard ascended the stage with a look of pure joy.
Several more people were honored after that, but Jin's name was never called. Eventually, the ceremony seemed to reach its end.
"This concludes the presentation of awards for the outstanding participants of this Expo."
At those words, a stir rose from the venue. It was a clear expression of confusion and dissatisfaction—the crowd couldn't believe Jin had been overlooked.
"Quiet, please. Finally, there is an announcement from Her Majesty the Empress of the Shouro Empire."
After waiting for the murmurs to subside, the Empress began to speak.
"This year's Technology Expo has been a grand success. As Empress, nothing makes me happier than to see such talented engineers being nurtured. Our guest engineers have also showcased wonderful techniques."
She paused and looked out over the audience.
"I suspect all of you are thinking, 'Why hasn't his name been called?'"
The venue buzzed for a moment at her words.
"Lastly, the Special Excellence Award: Jin Nidou. The Mini-Smiths and the airship—these were works that overturned our very common sense. Therefore, I hereby grant him the Special Excellence Award, and at the same time, I wish to bestow upon him the title of 'Magi Craft Meister' of the Shouro Empire and the rank of honorary baronet!"
The audience erupted into thunderous applause.
Jin sat frozen, unable to immediately process what he had heard, until Reiko nudged him.
"Father, please go up to the stage."
Reiko was overjoyed. Finally, here, before so many people. Her father, Jin—the man who had inherited everything from Adriana Barbora Tsetse. Even if it was a title specific to the Shouro Empire, he had been officially recognized as a Magi Craft Meister.
"O-Oh, right."
Replying in a slightly strained voice, Jin stood up and ascended the stage.
"Sir Jin Nidou, it is my hope that you will bring even a fragment of that wisdom to our country."
The Empress hung a gold medal around Jin's neck.
At this moment, a publicly recognized Magi Craft Meister was born. Though it was an imperial title, the people gathered at the venue gave unreserved applause to Jin, the only Magi Craft Meister in the world.
Once the awards ceremony was over and the Empress delivered the closing remarks, the Technology Expo officially ended.
"Congratulations, Jin!"
"Congratulations, Jin."
"Jin-nii, congratulations."
Reinhard, Saki, and Elsa crowded around Jin on the stage to offer their congratulations.
"Father, congratulations on your appointment as Magi Craft Meister."
Reiko added her own well-wishes.
"Well, it's a title, not exactly an official post."
"Even so, it's quite a feat. A Magi Craft Meister is ranked above a Magi Engineer Maestro. After all, there is only one Magi Craft Meister in the entire world."
Reinhard, who knew the truth about Jin and his predecessor, used somewhat ambiguous phrasing to avoid alerting the surrounding people.
"Besides, you were also granted a baronetcy, even if it is an honorary one."
"That's right! It means that as long as someone doesn't show skill equal to or greater than Jin—no, superior to Jin—they can't claim the name of Magi Craft Meister."
Saki added her praise as well.
"Thanks, everyone."
"Jin-kun, that's amazing. I'm so glad for you."
Stearena also came over to congratulate him. And then the floodgates opened.
"Jin-dono, congratulations."
"Magi Craft Meister Jin-dono, I look forward to your acquaintance."
"Honorary baronet Jin-dono, I humbly offer my regards."
The other award winners on stage flocked toward Jin to seek a handshake and make his acquaintance. People from below the stage began to swarm upward as well.
If Reiko hadn't eventually barked out, "That is quite enough!" it was hard to say how long the chaos would have continued.