It Takes a Pen to Straighten Up B*st*rds

Dwarf Engineer Student

He likes to create things and build them for himself. But because of his height, he's always looked down upon and everything he makes becomes some sort of toy.

"You're building something incredible there."

Mueller looked up. It's the teacher who placed him in creative art during intramurals, where he's allowed to build a work of art with scraps.

He's making another invention. It's a circular storage device.

[a/n: now I'm tempted to write it as Dr. Stone's petrification device hahahahahahaha]

"Good timing."

Teacher Cale walked to the front. He usually used the front door but he used other door today. Mueller remained silent, cowering like a coward again. He doesn't like to stand out and he definitely didn't want to get into trouble.

Simply being in this class is causing problems.

"Good morning, Class. Sit down," Teacher Cale said, writing Science Fair on the whiteboard. "As you can see, this school is slowly turning into an event-prone place that caters to various money-making activities."

"Wow, you are not mincing your words anymore," Radish exclaims.

"Well, the intramurals just finished, and now we have a science fair," said Alver, President of the Student Council.

"And it is all your fault, golden squirrel," Cale hummed as he sat on the chair. "As you can see, we need one entry for the science fair."

Cale looked at Mueller.

"Mueller."

"Y-yes!" Mueller stood up. He's not as tall as he's probably going to get laughed out of.

"You are going to lead it. Find people who can work with you. Others will have to participate in other events. Also, Vicross, if you want to set up a cafe again, you better make it look like a scientific thing," Cale said.

"Kaha! I am not smart, I will help this cook!" Tunka laughs, echoing Cale's words.

Cale asked Mueller, "Can you do it?"

"Um..." Mueller hesitated, "I can... but..."

"But?"

"Oh... Ah..."

"Just enjoy it, brat. At least showcase your talent. I ain't like your other teachers who would go for the prize money." In fact, Cale loves the idea of money but he doesn't really need it. "If you win, half will go to you and half to the class funds; you should be working on your Class Project before you graduate."

Cale said that as if he already knew they were graduating.

Everyone remained silent when Cale casually talked about graduation.

"Are we going to graduate?" Jack wondered. This guy has a terrible sense of humor!

"You do not want to? I will tell you right now, if you fail, I will stop teaching you, and another teacher will come." It is all about trust. Cale's teaching career is only temporary this year. He is not cut out for teaching, despite casually walking through a Wendy's parking lot and unwittingly and accidentally earning his student's trust.

The class knew that this teacher was making every effort to make them graduate. His intentions were unclear; a slacker life is definitely out of the question. Teacher Cale must have been trying to avoid something.

"Teacher." It was Adin. "I heard the headmaster wants either you or Teacher Bassen to take the headmaster seat."

[CALE'S POV]