Professional Qualification Certificate

Though being targeted by both the Holy Church and the Thunder Church felt anything but pleasant, development and farming still had to go on.

A few days later, the workshop district on the western side of Evernight City was unusually lively.

Inside a newly built hall, people crowded shoulder-to-shoulder: young apprentices, seasoned veteran craftsmen, and curious citizens who had come to watch the ceremony.

Today was the graduation day for the very first class of Evernight Territory’s “Technical Academy.”

Vivian stood on the stage, looking down at the eager and nervous young faces below.

A quiet sense of accomplishment welled up in her chest.

Three months ago, on top of Evernight Academy, she had established this separate Technical Academy dedicated to training all kinds of craftsmen: blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, weavers, anything the territory needed.

The teaching method completely abandoned the old master-apprentice system in favor of standardized, classroom-style instruction.

“Congratulations.”

Vivian’s voice rang clear throughout the hall.

“After three months of hard study, you have mastered the most advanced crafting techniques in the Evernight Territory.”

“From this day forward, you are officially qualified craftsmen of Evernight.”

She signaled Rosa forward and took a stack of simple certificates from her.

“These are your 【Craftsman Rank Certifications】.”

Vivian held one up.

They were beautifully made certificates imported from merchant caravans, inexpensive yet elegant, bearing the official seal of the Evernight Territory and each graduate’s personal details.

“This certificate proves your skill level and serves as your work permit within the territory.”

“With it, you will enjoy higher work-point exchange rates, priority access to tools and materials, and the right to apply to open your own workshops.”

The apprentices’ eyes lit up.

These benefits were nothing short of heavenly for them.

In traditional demon society, craftsmen had low status and almost no chance for independent growth.

“Furthermore,” Vivian continued, “outstanding graduates can earn even higher ranks!”

“We have established three tiers: Junior Craftsman, Intermediate Craftsman, and Senior Craftsman.”

“As your skills improve, you can advance step by step and receive better pay and greater opportunities.”

This “skill certification system” was something Vivian had designed based on the vocational qualification systems from her previous life.

It not only motivated craftsmen to keep improving, but also created a clear, unified standard for evaluating ability.

Now, the certificate presentation began.

One by one, the graduates came forward.

Every face glowed with excitement and pride as they accepted their certificates.

When the ceremony ended, a young half-beastman craftsman raised his hand.

“Lord Demon Lord, may I ask, will this certification be recognized in other territories?”

“Good question.”

Vivian nodded approvingly.

“For now it is valid only within Evernight, but I am negotiating with other Demon Lords to create a unified skill standard across demon lands.”

“If successful, your certificates will be honored throughout the entire demon race.”

Thunderous applause erupted.

If that happened, the value of these certificates would skyrocket.

After the ceremony, Vivian met privately with several veteran master craftsmen.

“Fernando, how do you feel about the standardized training after these three months?”

Fernando stroked his beard, a sincere smile spreading across his face.

“Lord Demon Lord, to be honest, I didn’t believe it at first.”

“I thought true craftsmanship could only come from years upon years of practice. How could anyone become competent in just three months?”

“But now…”

He shook his head in wonder.

“I’m convinced.”

“This batch of graduates has solid fundamentals.”

“Because they were all taught the same standards, their products are uniform and reliable, something unimaginable in the past.”

“The best part,” another elderly mason added, “is that this method can be replicated quickly.”

“In the old days, training one decent craftsman took three to five years.”

“Now, in three months they can already start working. They lack experience, but they can get the job done.”

“And,” a veteran weaver chimed in, “young people learn fast and accept new ideas easily.”

“When I taught them the new looms, they picked it up faster than we old folks ever did back in the day.”

Vivian nodded, satisfied.

Standardized training was clearly working, rapidly increasing both the number of craftsmen and the consistency of quality.

“Esteemed masters, I have one more request.”

She spoke earnestly.

“I hope you will continue serving as instructors at the Technical Academy, training the second, third, and future classes.”

“The Evernight Territory needs far more skilled workers than we currently have.”

“Of course!”

Fernando thumped his chest.

“It is our honor to help the Lord Demon Lord cultivate talent for Evernight!”

The other masters readily agreed.

At first they had been skeptical and reluctant to follow Vivian’s new methods.

But their shift from resistance to enthusiastic participation warmed Vivian’s heart.

“Oh, right, Lord Demon Lord,” Fernando suddenly remembered.

“One of the graduates mentioned an interesting idea to me just now.”

“What is it?”

“He wondered if we could research new uses for mana crystals.”

Fernando explained.

“Right now we mainly use them for mana conduction and basic energy storage, but he believes there’s far more potential.”

Vivian’s eyes brightened.

“Oh? Who said that?”

“That young man named Thomas. Over there.”

Vivian followed Fernando’s pointing finger and spotted a demon youth in his early twenties.

He was excitedly talking with classmates, holding a shard of Evernight crystal up to the light.

“Have him come over.”

At Vivian’s command, Thomas was quickly summoned.

The young man was visibly nervous, but excitement shone in his eyes.

“Lord Demon Lord!”

He bowed respectfully.

“I hear you have new ideas about mana crystal applications?”

Vivian asked directly.

“Y-Yes, Lord Demon Lord.”

Thomas swallowed.

“While studying mana conduction, I noticed crystals can store and release energy.”

“I started wondering, if we could control the speed and direction of that release, couldn’t we make a lot of useful things?”

“For example?”

“For example… lighting devices.”

Thomas grew more confident as he spoke.

“Right now we rely on fire or floating magic orbs for light, but torches need constant fuel, and magic orbs drain mana continuously.”

“If we made a device using mana crystals that could glow for a long time, it would be so much more convenient.”

A smile tugged at Vivian’s lips.

This kid just invented the magic-world equivalent of an electric lamp.

“And?”

“And… heating devices.”

Thomas continued.

“Winter is harsh, but not everyone knows fire magic.”

“If we had portable heaters powered by mana crystals, everyone could stay warm.”

“There are similar magic tools already, but they require mages to craft and enchant them, they’re expensive, and they burn through mana fast.”

“I was thinking, maybe we could drastically lower the cost.”

Excellent ideas!

Vivian praised.

“Starting tomorrow, report to the laboratory.”

“The lab and materials are ready. You’ll join the team researching new mana crystal applications.”

“R-Really?!”

Thomas could hardly believe his ears.

“Of course.”

Vivian smiled.

“I need exactly the kind of people who dare to think and innovate.”

“Don’t let me down.”

“Yes, Lord Demon Lord! I will not disappoint you!”

After the conversation ended, Vivian returned to her duties.

That night, in her study, she sorted through documents related to the Technical Academy.

Lucia entered carrying hot tea and sat beside her.

“Today’s graduation ceremony was a great success.”

Lucia said softly.

“Those apprentices looked so happy.”

“Yes. The standardized training worked even better than I expected.”

Vivian took the cup and sipped.

“Next we’ll scale it up.”

“I plan to expand the Technical Academy into other fields, not just crafts, but management, teaching, medical personnel…”

“You always have endless plans.”

Lucia chuckled, reaching out to gently massage Vivian’s shoulders.

“Remember to rest. Don’t wear yourself out.”

“I know.”

Vivian sighed comfortably under the massage.

“Where’s Luna?”

“Asleep. She played so hard today she fell asleep in my arms.”

Lucia answered quietly.

“You should rest early too. I’ll head back.”

“Alright.”

Their exchanges were always this simple.

A brief greeting in the morning and evening, then each went about their own business.

Vivian thought this kind of life was pretty good.