He noticed how she locked her hazel eyes into his. A hint of happiness danced in them, but a frustrated crease ford between her brows.
Her hand moved up to fix her braid as a complex huff escaped her lips.
"I can't believe you caused trouble the minute you arrived."
With an air befitting her arcanist rank, she introduced herself next.
"I'm Moira Runeweaver, this academy's dean. Follow . I'll tour the place and explain our facilities to you."
As her words settled in his mind, she retrieved a sleek student card and extended it to him.
A wry smile stretching his lips, he took the golden card shining under the sun's light before following behind her.
'I did nothing wrong, so I won't bother bringing what happened at the gate.'
Shrugging off the passed-out mage she ntioned, he crossed the gates with Nova. His eyes enlarged the next second as he saw the academy's campus.
Much different from the one he had been used to in college, this one exuded a familial sll. Instead of separate dormitories and facilities, a boisterous village extended a few hundred ters from the main building.
Older students gathered the new ones with warm smiles. Like big brothers and sisters, they toured the place, taking ti to point their fingers at so crucial areas before their voices rang in brief but comprehensive explanations.
'What a cohesive school.'
He unconsciously nodded at the welcoming atmosphere, a warmth blooming in his chest.
The tempered sumr wind ruffled his coat as he focused on Moira's back.
As if feeling his glance, her elegant voice resounded in his ears.
"As you noticed, everything you'll need is in the village. I gathered everything to make it more convenient for the students and to promote unity."
She paused, turning and leaning towards him. Her hazel eyes peered through his fra as if its materials and engravings lay bare before her.
An icy shiver ran down his spine, sending uncontrollable tremors through his shoulders. He hated this feeling of being seen through.
Fortunately, before the dread could settle in his heart, Moira turned back and continued on her way to the village.
"It's not a bad puppet for an amateur but isn't extraordinary either. The materials make it resilient, not the enchantnts. You'll have to learn a lot if you want to bridge the gap between first and second-year students."
He heard her disappointed sigh and noticed her head shake. A frown creased his brows the next second.
'Of course, I relied on the materials. The only enchantnt is the one to bind my soul to it. What? Did she expect to create a war machine with no experience?'
A bitter taste filled his mouth after hearing his hard work belittled by an expert. But deep down, he knew her words rang true.
After an awkward silence settled, Moira's voice resounded again. Yet, this ti, it was as gentle as a breeze.
"Shepard spoke highly of your alchemical prowess, guaranteeing you'd be a genius in any crafting field. That's why I have a challenge in mind."
At her words, a fierce fire sparked in his eyes. A challenge? Bring it on!
"If you can reach the second year's level of mastery in a month, I'll teach you personally for two months."
She pursed her lips, the weight of a year's curriculum settling on her shoulders. Even with so overlap between their schools, just wood carving, forging, and enchanting would push any human mind to its limit.
Dwarves, on the other hand, were raised with the clang of hamrs as a lullaby. By the ti they enrolled, they'd already absorbed fundantal alloys, forging techniques, and even elental enchantnt theories.
A human? In a month? She scoffed internally. It was unlikely, even impossible.
Yet, a flicker of doubt lodged in her heart. What if? Against her better judgnt, a grudging respect for the unruly arcanist's words blood.
The scent of lting tal infused the air as they stepped into the village. The cracking of flas flickering in furnaces filled their ears as Adam smirked.
"A month? Give a calm place to study, and let skip classes. I'll do it in a week!"
Moira shook her head, her bright eyes dimming in response. What did she expect from Shepard's disciple? Of course, he would be arrogant, overestimate his capabilities, and act just like his ntor.
Noticing her dismissive body language, a deep frown creased his brows as drums resounded in his mind.
"Three days," he declared, his voice icy as he t her gaze in a silent confrontation.
"Do what you want."
With a defeated sigh, she shrugged, her impression of the boy worsening by the second. It would only be three short days, anyway, and she only hoped he wouldn't cause more trouble.
Next, they passed by the forges, library, and canteen. She offered a word of explanation before showing him his room.
"You can start learning now or co see the entrance ceremony."
Waving his hand dismissively, his gaze locked on the golden mist wafting from his interface window.
"No need. I can't waste ti now, can I?"
Without answering, her heavy steps resounded as she masked her irritation and disappointnt behind a charming smile. Nova followed cheerfully, raising her hand as if on an exploration mission.
anwhile, Adam didn't waste a second. He ignored the room's basic furniture, focusing on the interface's chat. Stay updated through empire
[Guys! I need professional smiths and wood carvers to teach for three days. You can take turns to rest because I won't sleep. I'll reward your efforts with five gold coins each.]
The chat exploded into a flood of question marks for a mont before he noticed five responses.
After agreeing to do everything in the dream place, he rushed to a nearby shop. He needed materials for his training. Therefore, he flashed a gold coin to the wary apprentice behind the counter to buy enough iron for three days.
Back in his room, he closed his eyes to take them to the dream place and prove he could be the best enchanter against Moira's reservations!
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