The Wizard of the Kraken, Part I
I put down my hammer and wiped the sweat from my forehead.
Amidst the sweltering heat of the forge, William, Chloe, and I unpacked the lunches we had ordered to-go from the Hungry Hound.
"*Munch, munch...* But why are we eating here of all places?"
William asked, his mouth stuffed with food.
"Sorry,"
I said, shrugging my shoulders.
"I've been so busy making staves lately that I'm running short on time. I told you guys you could go out and eat without me."
Chloe shook her head.
"No way, we couldn't do that. You're already going out of your way to help us train despite being so busy."
"Yeah, exactly,"
William chimed in, brushing breadcrumbs from the corner of his mouth.
"Besides, the food from that place is delicious even when it's takeout."
After a moment, Chloe spoke up as if suddenly remembering something.
"Oh! Edward, did you hear? The news about the Kraken Society."
"The Kraken Society? What's that?"
I tilted my head and asked back.
Seeing my expression, William's eyes widened in surprise, and he set his fork down.
A look of sheer disbelief was written all over his face.
"Seriously? You still don't know?"
Chloe pushed her lunchbox aside and sat up straight.
A spark of excitement flickered in her eyes.
"You remember when the two of us went to the annual swordsmanship tournament, right?"
"Yeah. You guys ditched me, saying that whatever else happened, you absolutely had to watch it."
I nodded.
"Well, I mean... it's a once-a-year event! We had to watch the finals!"
Chloe said defensively, unable to hide her embarrassment.
"*Ahem!* Anyway! A senior named Tom made it to the finals, and he competed using a weapon you made."
"Oh, really?"
I replied casually.
Since I had sold so many of them, it wasn't particularly surprising that someone was using one.
Chloe's eyes sparkled.
"Wow... he was so cool. It was like watching a legendary knight come to life!"
"Yeah, he really was,"
William nodded in agreement.
"I guess seniors really are on another level, because the quality of the match was insane. But what was really unique was his swordsmanship. It was almost as if it was custom-tailored for the Kraken's Sword you made. His movements flowed perfectly with the blade."
"Exactly!"
Chloe chimed in excitedly.
"The blue wave-like flames erupting from the sword were a sight to behold! He dominated his opponent, controlling those blue flames as if he were commanding the ocean itself. And he ended up winning the whole tournament!"
I nodded.
Well, if he was a senior who made it all the way to the finals, he had to be incredibly skilled.
His swordsmanship was probably already close to that of a semi-knight.
So it made sense that his proficiency with a newly crafted weapon was outstanding.
"So? Weren't we talking about the Kraken Society?"
I brought the conversation back to the main topic.
Chloe clapped her hands.
"Oh, right! So, about that... I only found out today after hearing some kids talk. Lately, there's this group called the Kraken Society, and they've been roaming around campus in packs, all carrying the weapons you made."
"Hmm... really?"
This time, I asked back with a hint of genuine curiosity.
Honestly, I was starting to get intrigued. Then again, since I spent my days attending classes and my nights forging weapons, there was no way I would have known.
Chloe continued in an excited voice.
"From what I hear, it's a group formed mostly by commoner students, and you see them everywhere on campus these days. But the shocking part is, remember Senior Tom, the tournament winner? He's the leader of the Kraken Society!"
Chloe paused to catch her breath and gauged my reaction.
I nodded, pretending to be nonchalant, but my mind was racing as I processed this unexpected development.
Chloe continued.
"They say he even created a brand-new style called the Kraken Style. The members are all busy practicing it right now. Isn't that amazing?"
I dropped my spoon in shock.
"W-what?"
William nodded, backing her up.
"It's true. It spread like wildfire, mostly among kids who don't have family heirlooms or belong to specific martial schools. It's everywhere now, from freshmen to seniors. It's a complete sensation."
Back when I played the game, there were occasionally times when players would develop their own unique tactics using the magic weapons I crafted and rise to the ranks of experts.
But to go as far as founding an entire martial school? This was a first.
Well, to be fair, I've never mass-produced the exact same weapon on this scale before...
This was an academy, a place filled with students passionate about swordsmanship who regularly gathered to train together. It was the perfect breeding ground for new trends to catch on.
Flooding such an environment with a massive batch of my magic weapons was bound to create unprecedented situations.
It seemed the alignment of these unique conditions had given rise to this bizarre phenomenon known as the Kraken Society.
William kept talking.
"Some of my roommates are in the swordsmanship department, and they said the members of the Kraken Society are absolutely fanatical about the blacksmith who made the sword. They don't even know who it is, but they worship him like some kind of idol."
A brief silence fell over the room.
I fell deep into thought, digesting this sudden piece of news.
Chloe broke the silence, asking cautiously.
"Are you okay, Edward? Isn't all of this a bit overwhelming? Honestly, I'd be pretty freaked out if I were in your shoes."
I shrugged.
"What's the big deal? They're just gathering to practice swordsmanship. What's the worst that could happen...?"
Late at night, in the magic department dormitory of the Lucentia Imperial Academy.
Iris woke up from yet another nightmare.
Cold sweat drenched her forehead.
"That dream again..."
In her dreams, she always faced the exact same scene.
Herself, failing the elemental magic exams time and time again.
And the mocking glares of her classmates.
Iris sighed and looked out the window.
The campus, faintly illuminated by the moonlight, was dead silent.
Why can't I cast elemental magic...?
She was a student majoring in non-attribute magic.
It was a path she had chosen solely because she lacked talent in elemental magic, but that choice had only isolated her further.
In the magic department, non-attribute mages were always pushed to the sidelines.
Of course, Iris's abilities were recognized within her own field.
Her mana control was evaluated as the best in her year, and the barrier she created using her mana crystallization technique could block a blow from an average knight.
That's right. When it comes to non-attribute magic, I won't lose to anyone.
Even so, a lingering sense of emptiness remained in a corner of Iris's heart.
No matter how outstanding non-attribute magic was, it was an undeniable fact that it looked plain compared to elemental magic that conjured brilliant flames or massive blocks of ice.
Just then, her roommate in the adjacent bed mumbled in her sleep.
"Mmm... Kraken... staff..."
Iris perked up her ears. Those words were the subject of the rumors that had been shaking the campus for the past few days.
Following the Kraken's Sword, the newly introduced Kraken's Wave Staff had thrown the entire magic department into a frenzy.
Should I take this chance to try a staff imbued with elemental magic?
Iris felt a brief flutter of excitement at the thought, but she quickly shook her head.
"What are you thinking, Iris? You're not a freshman anymore."
She muttered, scolding herself.
A true mage manifests magic through their own mana and knowledge. How can I ever become a great archmage if I rely on a weapon?
Iris let out a deep sigh.
She had always vowed to grow through her own strength.
Magic originated from a mage's own mind and soul.
Relying on external tools was far removed from her beliefs.
Yet, despite that, she couldn't completely suppress the curiosity rising from the depths of her heart.
Still... if that staff is really that special... what kind of magic is sealed inside it? Maybe I could experience casting the brilliant elemental magic I can't normally use, even if just once.
Iris bit her lip.
Her heart fluttered at the thought of discovering the secret of the staff everyone was raving about, and the slight hope that she might experience elemental magic through it.
Just taking a look at it... shouldn't hurt, right?
Ultimately, unable to overcome her curiosity, she got out of bed.
As she changed her clothes, Iris rationalized her actions.
Yes, I'm just going to look. Analyzing how it works is also a part of magic research...
.
.
.
In the dim dawn before the sun had even risen, she couldn't hide her astonishment.
A long line had already formed in front of the shop.
"My goodness... what is this line?"
Iris rubbed her eyes and checked again.
Not only swordsmanship students but also magic students were standing in line.
Among them, she even spotted upperclassmen who usually looked down on her.
After a moment of hesitation, Iris finally took her place at the end of the line.
As time passed and the sun rose, the line grew even longer.
The number of students lining up behind Iris steadily increased.
"Oh, isn't that Iris? What are you doing here?"
At the voice of the female student in front of her, Iris looked up.
It was Sarah, a senior majoring in non-attribute magic.
"Senior Sarah!"
Iris brightened up.
"Did you come here after hearing the rumors too?"
Sarah grinned and nodded.
"Of course. How could I not be curious? But what brings you here? You're usually not interested in this kind of stuff."
Iris scratched her head, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Well... I just wanted to check it out."
"Come on, be honest."
Sarah playfully nudged Iris with her elbow.
"You wanted to try casting elemental magic too, didn't you?"
Iris hesitated for a moment before replying in a small voice.
"...Yes. Actually... I wanted to learn elemental magic at first too. But since I have no talent for it..."
Sarah nodded understandingly.
"I was the same. Most non-attribute magic majors have gone through something similar."
"But, Senior,"
Iris asked cautiously.
"Is there really any point in us trying this when we already know we have no talent for elemental magic?"
Sarah offered a warm smile.
"Of course. Think of it this way: just because we major in non-attribute magic doesn't mean we should only study non-attribute spells. We need to experience elemental magic firsthand to learn how to counter it."
Iris's eyes widened.
Sarah added with conviction.
"Keeping a broad perspective is crucial. This staff might just be a new opportunity for us."
Iris nodded.
"I see. I want to look at magic from a new perspective too. Thank you, Senior."
A bright smile spread across Iris's face.
.
.
.
"Wow, so this is the famous..."
When her turn finally came and she held the Kraken's Wave Staff in her hands, a shiver ran down Iris's spine. A faint blue light emanated from the staff.
The moment she stepped out of the shop, someone called out to her.
"Hey, you bought a Kraken's Wave Staff too!"
Turning around, she saw a few students who looked like upperclassmen from the magic department walking toward her.
Iris didn't recognize them, but their expressions seemed friendly.
"Uh... yes, that's right,"
Iris replied cautiously.
"We're members of the magic department branch of the Kraken Society. We're showing students who just bought the Kraken's Wave Staff how to use it. Would you like to join us?"
Iris hesitated.
She usually didn't like mingling with strangers, but this time, she couldn't suppress her curiosity.
"Would that... be okay?"
Iris asked tentatively.
"Of course!"
Another student replied brightly.
"Come with us. We'll let you join in on our Kraken magic practice."
Iris hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded as if she had made up her mind.
"Alright, I'll go with you."
With that, Iris followed the members of the Kraken Society's magic department branch toward the training grounds behind the academy.