Tenkomori: The Homecoming Club Conquers Another World
Chapter 134

Chapter 134.2. The Third Year at the Academy - The Final Exam (2)

I was told I'd understand if I came, but the room was just as usual.

As expected, there was no change in the materials.

While I was checking the contents of the container, the two of them eagerly began preparing.

It seemed they were planning to have me do some [Alchemy] or [Magic Tool Creation].

When I asked, they only gave vague answers, so I had no choice but to wait by the door.

After a while, it seemed they were ready, as Rackendale and Cody lined up on the other side of the table.

"From here on out, Alter, you will undergo the final exam."

"Final exam…? What about the one just now?"

"[Alchemy] is a piece of cake for you. It doesn't even count as an exam."

Saying that, the master and disciple pulled out a container from under the table.

"What we'll have you, the unconventional Alter, create is—the Magic Bag, Telpas Bag!"

Rackendale spread his arms wide.

Beside him, Cody clapped enthusiastically.

What are they even talking about? This round thing…

"I hate to interrupt the excitement, but the Telpas Bag requires [Permanent Engraving], right? And the magic [Elemental Change to Spirit]—"

"Of course, we have everything ready."

In response to Rackendale's words, Cody proudly held up two scrolls.

"The scrolls for [Permanent Engraving] and [Elemental Change to Spirit], plus plenty of spirit magic stones. And the material is this! Your bag, which we secretly soaked in preparation!"

"When did you…?"

What was pulled out of the container was my beloved bag.

The bag made from the Gausas cow that Pidosios lured out and Roland took down on the way to Seren.

I had left it with them, still stuffed with the alchemical solution I made to carry it.

"If I fail, do I flunk?"

"Hahaha, the exam is just a figure of speech. This is my graduation gift to you."

"Even so, this is way too extravagant. These are all incredibly rare items. First of all, the Telpas Bag isn't something you can just easily make."

When I tried to refuse, Rackendale wagged his thick finger side to side.

"I've seen your magic tool crafting up close. I know your skills well. Don't worry, you can do it. Besides, I got most of these at bargain prices or bought them when their value dropped, so it didn't cost much. About a year ago, there was a flood of spirit magic stones on the market."

That must be—Shumi's magic stones.

When I [Appraised] the contents of the container, it turned out to be exactly that.

"You managed to get your hands on them?"

"I'm a lecturer at Cartilard, you know? I have plenty of connections."

Rackendale puffed out his round chest proudly.

Shumi's magic stones are smaller than goblins, but they're still rare spirit magic stones.

Seeing my hesitation, Rackendale continued.

"I understand why you're hesitant, Alter. But the truth is, there's no one at Cartilard who can draw power from spirit magic stones. Not even me. So if you don't take on this challenge, not only will the stones go to waste, but the scrolls will also end up gathering dust on some shelf. Who knows when they'll see the light of day again? Please, put them to good use."

Rackendale's expression was serious as he tried to persuade me.

Spirit magic stones are valuable, but the scrolls are even more so.

The advanced magic [Permanent Engraving] and the spirit magic [Elemental Change to Spirit].

Both are extremely rare on the market, and as far as I know, there are no users of spirit magic in the empire. You either find them in ruins or dungeons, or wait for them to drift in from the Mez Ries region.

Most likely, the scrolls were already in his possession.

That's why when he got wind of Shumi's stones, he bought them up.

He was betting on the possibility that I would grow enough to take on the challenge of creating the Telpas Bag.

It's a pretty risky bet.

If it weren't for the need for a large sum of money, I wouldn't have thrown myself into magic tool crafting so deeply.

I probably wouldn't have grown enough to even attempt making the Telpas Bag.

I turned my gaze to Rackendale.

"I'll give it my all."

Rackendale had won the bet.

Now, there was no choice but to go along with it.

At my words, Rackendale narrowed his already thin eyes even further.

"No need to be so tense. Cody and I will assist you, so just focus on crafting like you always do. It'll be over before you know it."

"Thank you."

The three of us gathered around the table, looking down at the materials and magic stones.

"I'll leave [Elemental Change to Spirit] to Cody. Touch the bag."

Cody held the scroll and placed his hand on the soaked bag.

"Magic like [Elemental Change to Spirit] can only be activated by a caster, but if you touch an object soaked in the solution, it can be selected as a target."

"And then you apply [Permanent Engraving] to it?"

"Yep. It causes the magic's effect to stagnate. During that time, you use [Magic Tool Creation] to guide and stabilize it, and then it's complete. Let's begin."

Cody nodded and activated [Elemental Change to Spirit].

After confirming that the scroll had turned blank, Rackendale also activated the scroll for [Permanent Engraving].

"It won't last long. Start quickly."

Urged on, I scooped up Shumi's magic stone.

I've created a lot of magic tools before, but they were all just cases where the materials and magic stones naturally aligned with certain effects. I've never attempted to create a specific magic tool like this.

I activated [Concentration Boost] and carefully began releasing the power of Shumi's magic stone.

The mana from the stone flowed into the Gausas cow bag.

Everything in this world contains mana. Even a non-magical bag like this one.

The bag's faint mana mixed with the foreign mana of the spirit.

I couldn't see it like Elphimia could, but [Magic Tool Creation] gave me a sense of it.

And as the different mana merged, countless possibilities raced through my mind.

No. All of them are too ordinary.

I glanced at Rackendale, and he nodded back.

I released more of the stone's power, but it still wasn't enough, so I continued releasing it.

I could see Rackendale's expression stiffen slightly.

Was the effect of [Permanent Engraving] running out of time?

I reapplied [Concentration Boost] and focused all my nerves.

By now, I couldn't even see the bag anymore.

My consciousness was entirely focused on [Magic Tool Creation] in my mind.

And finally, I sensed something.

This is it. This is the Telpas Bag.

I sifted through countless possibilities—and touched it.

A few minutes of work.

To an outsider, it would've just looked like the three of us standing around a bag.

With a deep sense of fulfillment, I collapsed into a nearby chair.

Beside Cody, who was holding his breath, Rackendale put on his Ring of Insight.

Then, he stared intently at the Gausas bag.

"It's a success…"

There was no grand celebration.

The master and disciple simply looked down at the bag, quietly moved to tears.

The Telpas Bag, named after the sage Telpa, is known throughout the world.

Creating it is proof of being a first-rate magic tool craftsman.

I have some complaints about it being a cheat item, but for now, I'll just be happy.

As I savored the joy, I [Appraised] the bag.

Without a doubt, it was the Telpas Bag.

If I had tried to obtain one legitimately, it would've taken years, maybe decades.

But the capacity wasn't listed in the appraisal results.

While it was a success, if the capacity only increased slightly, it would practically be a failure.

"Shall we test its performance?"

At my suggestion, Rackendale snapped out of his daze.

"Ah, right! Let's test it!"

The two of them enthusiastically agreed.

I picked up my beloved bag.

When you peer into the Telpas Bag, you can't see its contents. Instead, the information flows directly into your mind.

It's the same principle as a magic tool conveying its abilities to you.

Of course, it was empty—but how about its capacity?

Compared to the bags I borrowed from the merchant guild or Elphimia's, it felt a bit smaller.

As a test, I stored some alchemical tools, containers, and the chair I was sitting on. There was still some room left.

The capacity wasn't an issue. Next was the size of the opening.

With Rackendale and Cody's help, we cleared off the table.

The dimensions were about the same as the table in my home alchemy lab, plus the size of the roof and the small roof combined.

If this could fit, it would be incredibly convenient—and it did.

"This table can fit? The size is more than enough. How about the capacity?"

"I think it can hold about double this."

"If that's the case, it's about mid-tier. Considering the materials are low-grade spirit magic stones, it's quite an accomplishment."

At Rackendale's words, Cody leaned in curiously.

When I handed it to him, he began happily taking things in and out of the bag.

"The Telpas Bag I borrowed from the merchant guild could even fit a carriage. That one must've been top-tier, right?"

"Yeah. But it wasn't the highest grade."

"I've heard there are bags with unlimited capacity and time-stopping properties—"

"Yep. They're said to be kept in the city-state of Sage, under the merchant guild's control."

As he said this, Rackendale took on the tone of a lecturer.

"It's called the Dark Spirit Bag, Temptus Bag. It's the highest grade of the Telpas Bag, but it has its own unique name. It's still in the realm of rumors, but the creation method is supposedly similar. However, it requires releasing several powerful magic stones, and the spirit stone must be from the dark spirit Temptus."

"Was it created by Telpa as well?"

"That's the thing—no one really knows. Some say Telpa came up with the Telpas Bag after seeing the Temptus Bag."

It's possible that the Temptus Bag is an ancient relic.

If that's the case—then for Telpa, the Telpas Bag might've been a failed experiment.

Rackendale shared a few theories, but they were all just speculation.

Given how closely guarded it is, research on the Temptus Bag hasn't progressed much.

"Not even rumors have been verified? Gathering the materials must be incredibly difficult."

"Temptus is extremely rare. There aren't even proper records of its appearance. You might find it in the Senem Great Labyrinth, but even then, it's not guaranteed. A long time ago, someone tried to use the dark spirit Marlow from that labyrinth as a substitute, but—"

He cut himself off and shook his head.

"It was a near-total wipeout. Even with several A-rank parties as escorts. The survivors said that when they found and pursued Marlow, everyone around them just… disappeared."

"That sounds like something out of a play. Maybe Marlow got to them."

"That's just how that place is. It's not meant for humans."

After that, Cody joined in as we discussed the Telpas Bag's performance and magic tool crafting in general.

Before I knew it, several hours had passed, and I stood up with the Telpas Bag in hand.

"Professor Rackendale, Cody. Thanks to your help, I've obtained a rare magic tool. I'm truly grateful."

"We're the ones who should be thanking you. These past three years with you have been a joy."

"It's been incredibly stimulating for me too. I'll work hard to catch up to you—well, maybe not catch up, but at least get close."

As the master and disciple teared up, I gave a wry smile.

"This sounds like a farewell. I'll still be relying on you for a while longer. Please continue to support me."

"Haha, you're right."

Rackendale said this with an embarrassed smile.