Seated behind his desk, Viktor interlocked his fingers beneath a thoughtful frown. His bushy brown moustache twitched for a heartbeat. Then, he shook his head.
"I don't teach constructs to students, much less to those not enrolled in my lessons. But..." He smacked his lips, his voice a mixture of interest and reluctance. "I'll give you a chance since Rector Haldris sent you."
He pointed at the forge station and anvils. "Prove you're a child of the forge—one who gives elements a purpose beyond destruction, who engraves mana to sublimate nature's marvels." Chapters fırst released on novel⸺fire.net
Adam knitted his brow. "What do you need me to do?" When he spoke, his voice was somber, like that of a grandmaster tasked with crafting a dull knife.
Prove? Humph! As if he needed anyone's approval. He knew he could be the best crafter. Nothing else mattered.
"Simple, student." Viktor waved his hand. "A blade of pure mana, boosting prostheses, miniature defensive towers, or even a small golem." He chuckled at the last example. "Since your question pertains to constructs, you'll craft one during my class."
"Oh?" Adam raised a brow in fake interest. "I assume I'll get more than an answer if I impress you, correct?"
Viktor's lips curved into a grin, his blue eyes glowing as he leaned on his desk. "Aren't you a bold one? Very well. Craft something better than my youngest disciple, and you'll get not only the answer you seek, but also two hundred points. Of course, the wager goes both ways. Minus two hundred if you can't back your confidence."
While Viktor expected Adam to step back from the challenge, Adam simply shrugged. "How many points if my creation surpasses your oldest disciple's?"
"That... would be unfair to you." Viktor stroked his moustache, shaking his head.
"Joshua's talent has flourished under me for six years. I can bring him into craftsmen's close circles without blushing." He waved his hand dismissively. "Don't push it beyond what you can take on."
But Adam smirked at his fair warning, curling his fingers in a 'try me' gesture. "How many?"
For a moment that stretched a second too long, Viktor glared at Adam. Then, he snarled wearily. "Let it be a lesson you won't forget. Nothing less than a thousand points—that's me being considerate."
"You didn't need to. I'll take the thousand points, though." Walking behind his workstation, Adam waved as the first students entered the classroom.
Their mixed emblems glinted on their chests. But as more arrived, he noted the majority proudly exhibited the serpent devouring its tail, encased in the shifting triangle of the House of Transmutation. Fewer came from the House of Invocation, and a single student from his own—someone who made him cup his hand on his forehead.
The short boy's eyes lit up when he gazed back. With a grin, he walked beside him and nodded in recognition.
"I can't believe you've joined me in Viktor's class. If you're as good at enchanting as you are at blowing up classes, the others will swallow their mockery about our House," the boy chirped, his blond hair swaying as he raised his fist.
"Elliot?" Adam rolled his eyes. "Aren't you supposed to... I don't know, ignore me like the others?"
"Oh, that?" A thoughtful frown creased Elliot's brow. His smile faltered for a heartbeat before returning, wider than before. Eventually, he grinned with the naivety of a ten-year-old boy. "Diane's class respects you, but we're afraid of Jonathan and Brad's opinion. But guess what? It doesn't matter here! We can work together to earn points!"
"Exactly what I needed..." Adam grumbled under his exasperated breath. "Why did you even take this class?"
Hands at his waist, nose raised in pride, Elliot grinned. "To craft all the cool toys, my parents could never afford, of course!"
Adam gazed at Elliot, his jaw easing into a semblance of a warm smile. His hand landed softly on the boy's shoulder, and he nodded. "I'm sure I can give you an idea or two in today's class."
His voice came out soft and gentle, the promise of subtle guidance genuine. Was it Elliot's exuberance, or because he couldn't bear to see a child fail to pursue his goals? A mix of both, and he didn't mind it.
"Nice!" Elliot hurried to the leather aprons hung on the walls. He tied the first around his waist before handing Adam his own with a smile that reached his eyes.
While Adam donned his apron, Viktor rose from his seat. The college bell rang, and around thirty students took their positions behind their stations, most whispering about why Adam had only joined their classes three days later or who he was. He silenced them with a clap that sounded like two hammers striking together.
"We reviewed basic enchantments and smelting techniques in the last lesson. It's time to put them to good use. Today, you craft your first enchanted artifact with the materials lined beside you."
He gestured toward the glistening minerals neatly arranged on each station. Then, his eyes lingered on the oldest students and his personal disciples. "For those already deep in our delightful land of enchantments, you can use your own materials to build a construct. Why? You want to ask." He extended a palm thickened by broad calluses toward Adam. "Because today, someone came to challenge us on our turf. He believes he has what it takes to surpass you in this subject. Joshua!"
A teenager stepped forward, the emblem from the House of Transmutation glistening on his chest. When he nodded, his fiery hair danced around his face like forge flames. "Yes, teacher?"
"Open his eyes to the intricacies of our art."
Joshua frowned at Adam for a second. "He's with the dimwit? I doubt it'll be a challenge even if they work together." He sighed, shaking his head derisively. "But as always, I'll strive to create the best piece."
Whispers spread among the students. Elliot yelped an outraged, "Hey!" And Adam narrowed his eyes. "His offer, not mine." He addressed Viktor. "Elliot will take part in the challenge. Reward him as well if we win."
"Ah?!" The entire class gasped, glaring wide-eyed at Adam—even Elliot.
"That brat has been with us for two years, but is as bad as new students," someone whispered a little too loudly.
"Take part? Elliot sabotages half of what he touches," another said without bothering to suppress his voice.
"He can't sabotage the other half only because we stop home before he does." The third student's remark made everyone laugh.
"Are you sure?" Viktor's solemn voice sliced through the mockeries like sharp steel. "I'm convinced Elliot has potential, but he still needs time to unearth it, to grow past his delusions."
Adam shrugged without answering. Instead, he ruffled Elliot's blond hair. "Let's show them that childish dreams are worth something."
Elliot lowered his face beneath Adam's palm, fidgeting with the edges of his dark robes. "Can we?"
"Only childish dreams are worth pursuing." Adam lifted Elliot's chin, smirking from ear to ear. "Mine is style above all!"
AN: College felt a little narrow since Adam still hadn't interacted with students from the other Houses. Time to build his reputation with style!