CHAPTER 170: THE OFFICIAL RELEASE OF SKATEBOARDS

As I skateboarded through the city streets toward the academy, I noticed something that brought a satisfied smile to my face.

Yesterday, my business team had officially launched the skateboard for public sales after a period of controlled distribution and testing.

The product had moved from exclusive academy curiosity to commercially available transportation device.

The results were immediately visible.

When I approached the academy grounds, the concentration of skateboards increased dramatically. Students glided along pathways and through campus corridors with the distinctive whoosh of mana-propulsion systems, their movements fluid and confident from practice.

Conversations floated past as I navigated through the crowds.

"This skateboard invention is absolutely incredible. I used to waste so long walking between my dormitory and the training facilities - now it takes a few minutes!"

"The mana efficiency is brilliant too. Barely feel it’s affect on my reserves even with constant use."

"I heard the inventor is actually a first-year student. Can you imagine creating something this revolutionary at our age?"

"My father wants to purchase an entire fleet for our family’s estate guards. The tactical mobility applications are obvious."

The discussions continued everywhere - students comparing their experiences, discussing features, and expressing genuine appreciation for how the device had improved their daily convenience.

Several students even approached me directly as I dismounted near the main building.

"Hey, you’re Adrian Blackwood, right?" a second-year student asked with friendly enthusiasm. "I just wanted to say thank you for inventing this. The skateboard has literally changed how I manage my busy schedule."

"Glad it’s useful," I replied with a smile.

Another group of first-years clustered nearby, one brave enough to speak up. "The craftsmanship is really impressive! Everything feels solid and well-designed. Worth every coin."

"We appreciate the feedback," I said, maintaining the approachable demeanor. "Let us know if you encounter any issues with functionality."

More students offered similar thanks and compliments as I made my way through campus. Some were clearly hoping to make a positive impression with the inventor, while others seemed genuinely grateful for the practical benefits.

I made sure to respond warmly to each interaction - smiling, thanking them for their support, and occasionally asking about their experience with the product.

These weren’t just random students. These were current customers and future customers. Every positive interaction strengthened the brand reputation, increased word-of-mouth promotion, and established goodwill that would translate to continued sales and market expansion.

Brand perception mattered enormously in business. Being seen as approachable, responsive to feedback, and genuinely invested in customer satisfaction would pay dividends far beyond any individual skateboard sale.

As I entered the main building and headed toward Instructor Sylvia’s classroom, I calculated mentally. If this morning’s concentration was representative, at least sixty percent of academy students had already purchased skateboards, with adoption rates climbing daily.

The revenue must be substantial, and this was just the beginning. Once the product expanded beyond the academy into broader commercial markets - nobility estates, merchant organizations, military applications - the profits would be astronomical.

But more than the money, I’d successfully introduced Earth innovation into this world and watched it transform daily life.

The skateboard was just the first product. The smartphone would be next.

And with each successful introduction, my influence and resources would grow exponentially.

Inside Instructor Sylvia’s classroom, I found my usual seat and settled in alongside the other students who were gradually filtering in for the morning session.

Sylvia entered precisely on time as always, her professional demeanor intact as she surveyed the classroom. Her eyes immediately landed on the collection of skateboards propped near students’ desks - easily two dozen of them scattered throughout the room, a dramatic increase from the handful that had existed just weeks ago.

Her gaze shifted to me with an expression that mixed resignation, mild exasperation, and perhaps a hint of grudging respect. She sighed audibly.

She knew very well that I was the reason behind this new phenomenon sweeping through the academy. The skateboard invasion was entirely my doing, and there was no point pretending otherwise.

I simply smiled at her reaction and remained quiet, offering no commentary or explanation. What could I say? The product spoke for itself through its obvious popularity.

Sylvia shook her head slightly - the gesture of an instructor dealing with a student who kept finding ways to disrupt normal academy operations, even if the disruptions were technically beneficial.

After a moment, she turned her attention to the full class and adopted her usual authoritative tone.

"It’s time to proceed to the forest as I mentioned in our previous session," she announced clearly. "This will be your first guided hunting expedition outside academy groups for soul power accumulation. Let’s head out."

Without waiting for questions or discussions, she turned and began walking toward the classroom exit with purposeful strides.

The students immediately began gathering their equipment - weapons, protective gear, supply packs, and various other combat necessities they’d been instructed to prepare. The atmosphere carried mixed energy - excitement from students eager for real combat experience, nervousness from those less confident in their abilities, and focused determination from the competitive ones like Emmet, Elen and Marcus.

Everyone filed out of the classroom following Sylvia’s lead, forming a loose procession as we made our way through the academy corridors toward the main gates.

I joined the flow of students, already anticipating what this forest expedition would reveal about everyone’s true combat capabilities when facing actual beasts rather than training dummies.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Elen’s friendly voice came from beside me as she matched my pace through the academy corridors.

I nodded with a soft smile. "Doing well. Ready for the forest expedition. How about you?"

"Nervous about it, honestly," she admitted, adjusting the strap on her supply pack. "I’ve done some controlled hunting with my family before, but never as part of academy curriculum. Do you think it’ll be group work or solo assignments?"

I considered the question for a moment, analyzing what I knew about academy safety protocols and Sylvia’s teaching methodology.

"Most likely group projects," I said. "They won’t let us go out alone on our first guided hunt, even though most of the Elite students here have some experience from their own families. It’s still safer to operate as teams, especially with varied skill levels in the class."

Elen nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. I was hoping for group work anyway - my combat abilities are better suited for support roles rather than solo encounters."

"Your water manipulation and knowledge would be valuable assets to any team," I assured her.

We walked in comfortable silence for a moment before she spoke again, her tone carrying genuine admiration.

"Your skateboards are really cool, by the way. I see them everywhere now. I’ll buy one someday when I have enough saved up." She smiled. "Your work at blacksmithing has really paid off."

"Thank you," I acknowledged before reaching into my storage ring. "Actually..."

I withdrew one of the skateboards and held it out to her. Around us, most students either carried their skateboards or were already using them to glide along behind Instructor Sylvia, who maintained her walking pace at the front.

"Here. For you."

Elen’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at the offered skateboard. "Adrian, I... I can’t accept this. These cost hundreds of golden coins! That’s way too expensive a gift!"

"It’s a gift," I said simply. "And gifts shouldn’t be rejected."

"But—"

"Elen." I kept my tone gentle but firm. "You’ve helped me considerably since we met. You’ve been a good friend without ulterior motives, and you’ve never treated me differently despite my family name or previous reputation. This is just a skateboard. Accept it."

The real reason I was comfortable giving her such an expensive item was because I knew about her financial situation from the time I saw her speaking to her father outside the academy gates.

While she’d never mentioned it directly, I could see the careful way she managed resources. A few hundred golden coins would be difficult for her to spare for something she’d consider a luxury rather than necessity.

"Adrian, this is... I’ve never received such an expensive gift before," she said quietly, still hesitant to take it.

"Then it’s about time someone gave you one. Take it. You deserve nice things too."

After several more moments of internal conflict visible on her face, she reluctantly but excitedly reached out and accepted the skateboard with both hands.

"Thank you," she said sincerely, holding it a bit awkwardly as if unsure what to do with such a valuable item. "Really, thank you so much."

"Don’t just hold it," I encouraged with amusement. "Use it. That’s what it’s for."

"Right now?" She looked uncertain, glancing at the skateboard then at the moving crowd of students around us.

"Why not? Everyone else is."

Elen took a breath, placed the skateboard on the ground, and carefully stepped onto it. As an Elite-rank awakener, she had more than enough dexterity and balance to stand on the platform - it just required a moment of adjustment to get used to the sensation.

She channeled a small amount of mana into the propulsion system, and the skateboard smoothly accelerated forward.

"Oh!" Her expression transformed from uncertainty to delight. "This is really cool!"

She began gliding alongside me with increasing confidence, her movements becoming more natural as she adapted to the device. The excitement on her face was genuine and almost childlike - pure joy at experiencing something new and enjoyable.

"It responds so smoothly to mana input," she said with enthusiasm. "And the balance enchantments make it much easier than I expected. This is amazing, Adrian!"

I smiled at her reaction, satisfied that the gift had been well-received. "Glad you like it. Now you won’t have to walk everywhere like before."

"This is going to save so much time," she said, still grinning. "Thank you again. Really."

We continued toward the academy gates together, Elen now confidently skateboarding alongside me as we followed the rest of the class toward whatever awaited us in the forest.