Chapter 29: How Many Points?


    Due then left once again to check on the other candidates while C was entrusted to continue Aire''s test. "What did you tell him back there that he gave up questioning you?"


    Aire scratched the back of his head in response, saying, "Errrr...let''s just say it''s a personal issue." He obviously couldn''t tell her either.


    C shrugged her shoulders, not minding it. "Well, whatever. Let''s head to the Ster Clearcut Machine. Unlike the Pinpoint Furnace, this one doesn''t have too much of a requirement for Ster Energy Aptitude. However, the control necessary is far higher. That''s because most of the materials used to create Rune Circuitse from this since those are extremely small parts."


    "I see..." Aire immediately thought of Kymei. He did mention that his field of expertise was Ster Rune Circuitry. ''No wonder Kymei and Sera wanted a Ster Smith so much.''


    Just like before, a belt was attached to Aire, leaving his hands free to operate the controls. C once again exined everything and even used the Suruca Ore Aire had worked on before to test him. Once again, it turns out that Aire felt quitefortable with these kinds of machines. It took some time for him to get used to controlling many things while his own Ster Energy was being drained, but he was fine by the end of it.


    And just like that, Aire was introduced to other pieces of equipment one by one while the candidates ahead of him had already passed by there. Aire also noticed that other candidates began to use the machines that he used before. They were other new Ster Riser students that arrived after Aire was finished his test. Sure enough, Due treated every single one of them well, trying to make them feel at home. He only sent them away when he was sure they weren''t cut out for the job. If there was even a small chance that they could make it through, he wouldn''t let them go unless the candidates themselves wanted to leave.


    Of course,pared to other upations, the 17th Ster Smith Branch was as deserted as any of the remaining ones. The only exception would be the Main Branch in the school, which did have quite a few students taking the test. Nevertheless, it couldn''tpare to the other upations'' main branches either.


    "Alright, Aire. You did very well. In fact, it was several times better than I could have imagined. To be honest, your Ster Energy Aptitude and control of the equipment are definitely above the Ster Bones Stage," Due said with a smile.


    Aire was surprised himself. He felt that the job would be excruciatingly tiresome, but he didn''t feel that way. It was then that Ste exined, ''The reason it feels easy is because you''re operating everything below your new body''s limits. Naturally, it feels a lot easier than it is for the others.''


    Are wasn''t the least bit disappointed as he replied, ''Great! That means I can stick to my Riser Level while not being too tired. It''s perfect! I love the Ster Smith upation! Hahaha!'' Aireughed out loud in his mind as he said that.


    Ste sighed in response as she said, ''But Aire~... If you keep taking easy jobs, it won''t have much of a point for your training. Next time when youe to learn more about the job, make sure to operate the equipment using a configuration for someone at the Ster Organs Stage.''


    ''What?! Can''t I make do with the actual level?'' Aire still hoped that Ste would agree to her words.


    Unfortunately for him, Ste''s eyes began to get teary once again as she muttered, ''Bu-but... if you don''t train properly... we''re gonna go boom...'' Ste''s feelings once again invaded Aire''s mind, forcing him to give up.


    ''Alright, alright! I''ll make sure to do that. In any case, I believe Senior Due would tell me that anyway.'' Aire was truly too weak against his sister''s face.


    ''Really?! Thank you, Aire~!'' Ste''s emotions, obviously, changed in less than a second.


    Sure enough, Aire was right about his assessment. Due intended to do exactly that as he said, "Aire, you''re already part of the Ster Smith Organization. However, we don''t have time to train you right now because of the ongoing tests. We''ll send you the schedule for new Ster Smiths once we''re finished with the tests."


    He then said, "Also, since your aptitude is higher than your Riser Level, we''ll be raising the difficulty of your routine as well. It would be a waste to keep you at the same configuration as other Ster Bones Stage Risers."


    Aire could only nod as Steughed in his mind, responding, "Yes...Senior Due. I''ll be back once you have figured it out."


    Due left soon after to watch over the other students as he left C to exin the rest. She then told Aire, "Alright, because Ster Smiths are scarce, we have a few perks. For example, we have priority over Ster Energy Materials thate to the school over other factions. That''s because we wouldn''t be able to use much of it to start with. There''s also the fact that everyone needs Ster Smiths." While doing so, she brought Aire to the Branch''s office to finish Aire''s final registration.


    "That being said, you shouldn''t have much problem selecting the materials you want to work on. However, you should try and not stand out too much. Almost no one wants to be a Ster Smith, but everyone wants to have one at their beck and call. If you already have ns, then don''t ept any offer that appears too good to be true. Chances are that you will sign a lifetime contract, and your contract will work you to the bones."


    Aire immediately nodded as he made a mental note, thinking to himself, ''Even if God himselfes here, I will not sign any contract.'' The phrase ''work to the bones'' was more than enough for Aire to never forget C''s warning.


    "It''s good that you understand." C then arrived at her personal terminal in the Office and put Aire''s data inside. "Alright, your final score for the Ster Smith upation is now online. You can check it through yourmunicator at any time."


    Aire''s interest was immediately piqued. Just how many points did he get?