End of the Semester (1)
The time at the academy had finally drawn to a close. And what should have been a leisurely morning for me was a bit hectic instead.
"Young master. They've arrived again today."
"Again?" I rubbed my temples. Her words brought on another headache.
"It's light today. Only ten letters."
Ten letters? That was fewer than usual. On average, thirty would pour in every two or three days.
"Who's sending them?"
"Unfortunately, just the usual first-timers."
"Tch." I clicked my tongue and took the bundle of letters from her. Flipping through them one by one, I checked. Just as she said, all from new senders. Of course, some big names were mixed in, so I could guess their affiliations. Mostly nobles, adventurers, and guild folks. Professors sent them sometimes too, even though we were at the same academy.
The root of all this was, naturally, the crafting competition. Spectators who'd seen my skills were sending letters to build connections. The contents varied wildly: offers for contracts, commissions, inquiries about switching affiliations, invitations to meet if I had time. All sorts of proposals scribbled on fancy paper.
It seemed odd that they'd go this far knowing who I was, but Ruina-senior said it was normal in this field. The crafting world was deeply merit-based. Even if someone had a shitty personality or was a total weirdo, as long as their skills were top-notch, they'd get jobs. She had a point. What mattered most to clients was someone who could craft their gear to perfection.
Of course, that meant I was the one suffering for it.
"When am I supposed to write ten replies?" Grumbling, I still picked up the luxurious stationery and pen. I tore open the seals, read each one, and drafted responses accordingly.
"Ugh, this is such a pain…."
Even as I vented my frustration, my hand kept moving busily. I'd done this so many times it was routine now. Still pissed me off just the same. After hundreds of these, my patience was wearing thin. But I couldn't just slap together half-assed replies. These were all people with some kind of influence. Better to keep the connections open for the future.
As I worked, a cup appeared beside me. Ice water.
"Take it easy, young master."
"Thanks, sis." I set down the pen and gulped it down. Summer was creeping in, making things warmer. The academy's mornings were already heating up. A little focus and sweat beaded on my skin from the heat.
"At least it's light today. Lucky."
"Yeah. No all-nighter worries. That's a relief."
Ugh, thinking back to day one still pissed me off. The letter rush started with total chaos. Messengers and delivery guys coming and going nonstop. No proper mailbox, so over a hundred letters piled up by my bed and window…. First meltdown figuring out the mess, second one pulling an all-nighter on replies. And the stationery costs alone were in gold coin territory. Couldn't use cheap crap with clients like these. Money wasn't an issue, but wasting it like this grated on me. Already swamped with finals prep, it shredded my ironclad mentality.
That was just the first week, though. Things had calmed now that the volume dropped, and I was recovering.
"Ha… how long is this gonna last?"
"Judging by the frequency, it might stop soon."
"I hope so…."
Hmm. Guess I should stop showing off alchemy in public from now on. Not like I had big plans for it anyway—it wasn't even my strongest suit. I only joined the competition for the rare materials. Unless something tempting comes up later, no reason to use it. Not that I could do much about rumors already spreading everywhere.
The third-years in crafting saw it with their own eyes, word spread to first- and second-years from their mouths, then to other departments until everyone knew. Aside from knight and crafting profs hounding me, it hadn't caused much other hassle at the academy.
"Phew, done." I'd finished them all, seals and all. I tucked them into my inner pocket. Planning to drop them off at the student council hall soon.
Other dorms handled this crap for you, but I was in the lowest dorm. Still had to do it myself—lots of inconveniences. Not that I planned to ditch the place. Having it all to myself was a huge perk.
I straightened my clothes and left the dorm, heading to the knight department grounds. The classroom I'd arrived at…
"Have a good day today, young master."
"Yeah." With Elraim's quiet encouragement, I stepped inside.
Time had flown since the crafting competition, and finals were right around the corner. Next week already. Midterms felt like yesterday—time sure flew sometimes.
Once this ends, it's vacation time.
Vacation meant a bunch of episodes waiting. Second semester led into Evan hitting second-year, tying into all sorts of events. Most second-year arcs branched from here.
Of course, whether they'd play out exactly the same was iffy. My presence could derail things. Especially from here on—the plots got insanely tangled. The World Tree issue alone was a mess…. Anyway, sticking to plan: ace the grades first.
"Let's begin the lecture." I took my seat at the professor's words, and class started.
Class ended. According to the prof, finals difficulty would match midterms. No sweat then.
"Rana?"
"She said her assignment ran late. Wait at the cafeteria—she'll be there soon."
"Got it." I passed the message to one of Rana's familiars wandering nearby and headed to the cafeteria.
The student cafeteria had a whole new vibe. Summer changes: refreshed backdrop for a cool feel, seasonal menu tweaks. That pop-up cafe over there was part of it too.
I made a beeline for the cafe.
"What'll you have?"
"Cream soda for me."
I ordered iced coffee and cream soda after hearing Elraim. Paid up, and the drinks came quick. We grabbed a table and sipped. The chilled coffee slid down my throat, cooling the heat.
This is what makes Tianis great.
No other academy pulled this off. Who sets up a cafe for students? Especially to beat the summer heat. Magic made ice easy, but full facilities? Tough. This cafe was Tianis's hidden gem. Summers drew library-level crowds. They even sold shaved ice—milk-based. The protagonist Evan loved that stuff.
Speak of the devil. There he was, ghosting in for shaved ice, drenched in sweat.
"Shaved ice, please!"
Evan dashed to the counter yelling that, then spotted us after grabbing his.
"Hyungnim? Noona? Hey!"
He plopped down with us naturally and dug in.
"Slow down, slow down. No one's stealing it."
But Evan didn't stop till his teeth ached and brain froze.
"Ughhh, too cold…."
"…What an idiot."
I sighed. The guy's dumb moments hit hard sometimes. Even Elraim's blank face screamed judgment.
"And why're you sweating buckets?"
It was summer, sure, but not that hot.
"Well, see…." Evan leaned in and whispered. "I finally used magic…!"
"Oh, cool."
I thought it was something big.
"Hyungnim, you're way too blasé!"
"Want a medal or what?"
"You know what I mean."
He shrugged it off smoothly. "That why you're wiped?"
"Yup. Got so hyped I spammed it till mana bottomed out."
Without that mystery item from the library incident, he'd have collapsed in the training grounds.
"So, what can you cast now?"
"Just started, so only Magic Arrow."
One 1-circle spell was quick progress. New mages took time to handle multiples. Good thing I'd prepped him.
Magic milestone aside… "Evan. From today, training with me stops. Double-major in magic department next semester."
"Huh? But I haven't learned everything yet…."
"Nah, no need for a while." I explained clearly. Casting magic meant he'd found his optimal mana circuit. Not perfect, but baseline cleared. Now, level up the realm—with martial arts too.
But sticking under me wouldn't guarantee growth. Limits to what I could teach, and like martial arts, real combat spurred progress best. Competing with peers at the same level was way better.
Plus, now that he could cast, nothing more from me here. Magic swordsman realms had stages. He needed proficiency in both magic and martial arts before the next lesson.
"Hmm… not just you being lazy?"
"…What the hell do you take me for?"
"C'mon, months under you. Figured you'd slack."
Ha, should shut my mouth. "Anyway, grind and train—that's the way now."
"Got it, hyungnim. And thanks. Whoa—!"
Evan suddenly startled, eyeing behind me.
"What?"
"Gotta bounce. Have fun!"
No answer—he bolted with a quick bow.
Right after, a familiar presence, then an arm lunged, tackling me.
"Kyle! I'm here!"
"It's hot, sit besi—"
Crunch! Something bit my head. Mana aside, it'd have pierced my skull.
"Leo! Bad!"
Startled Rana tried prying it off, but I grabbed first.
"You little lizard shit…."
I glared at Rana's familiar from the library incident. Sleek black scales everywhere, but manners? Trash.
"Let go of me, human! Only she can touch me!"
The voice echoed in my head. Fitting for magic's pinnacle—even this hatchling knew message magic.
"Dragons and their damn pride."
Didn't skip a generation; kid was already like this. Woke up a week ago after sleeping post-library. Useful in story, so I checked it out. Bit me on sight. Reason? Just hated me. Every meeting, same crap.
Would stay in contract land if it could, but stuck to Rana like glue. Made the old bird-pecker Nene look saintly.
I handed the thrashing pest to Rana.
"Sorry, Kyle. Leo's young—doesn't listen well."
"He'll grow out of it." Or near-death fixes it. Dragons wise up then. Not my job, though. Just the future awaiting.
"Sit and wait."
"Okay!"
I ordered her fave drink, brought it, and we chatted casually.
"Kyle, think you'll ace finals?"
"Studying daily—should be fine. You?"
"Hehe, yeah! Easier than first year. Might top again?"
Makes sense—she'd never lost top spot since enrollment.
"So, Kyle. Post-semester plans? Home…?"
Rana asked carefully.
"Dunno. Probably stay here."
Honestly, no Arden home till graduation. Just awkward. And thinking of it made my body recoil instinctively. Lingering original Kyle memories, probably. Dorms were yearly anyway—usable in break. No need for discomfort.
Elraim reacted. "Young master? Really staying? The family estate's better…."
"Got stuff to do."
Dodged for now. No need airing home aversion.
"Then… free on founding festival?"
Oh, right—the festival. She meant hang then. Fine by me. Volunteering wrapping up, plenty time.
"Yeah. Rana, if you're good, we can."
"Yay! Can't wait. Sis, join if free?"
"I'll let you know if my schedule clears."
Elraim couldn't, sadly. Sending her back to family soon. Couldn't waste talent like hers here. Missed having sis around, but future demanded it. We talked more till Rana's afternoon class forced us to split.
Next stop: Ruina-senior's workshop.