Chapter 105 - First Day (4)

"V-very well then," replied Arya, relieved that Abby at least knew the way.

The two walked to the smithing hall, this time at a slower pace than before, and without Abby wrapping her arms around Arya.

"Hey Arya, Abby!" shouted Averos from one of the seats in the lecture hall.

"Hey Averos, it seems some of our classes overlap huh," said Abby as she sat beside Averos.

"Yes, I'm lucky that I get to share a class with my rival. Anyway do your best to not be left behind in the dust dear rival," said Averos as Arya took a seat on the other side of Averos, causing Abby to have a sad expression on her face.

'Did something happen between these two?' wondered Averos as the class was starting.

"I'm not expecting much from you grunts. Smithing is only compulsory for the first semester before you are given the option to specialize in particular fields, so until then just listen to what I have to say and don't bug me," announced a dwarf from the front of the lecture hall.

'If I remember correctly, he said his name was Ronkor.' remembered Arya as the dwarf began his lecture.

"I'm guessing most of you know jack-shit about smithing apart from those whose families specialize in it, so I'm not expecting you to answer my questions correctly. However I'll give the ones that know a chance to show off, I know how you students like to show off," said Ronkor with an uncaring demeanor.

"Can someone tell me the different ways of creating artifacts using magic are?" asked Ronkor. 

A few of the students shot up their hands, including Averos.

"Yes you," said Ronkor pointing to Averos as he sat on his desk and looked to the ceiling without a care in the world.

"Rune smithing," answered Averos as she stood up.

"Correct, anyone else," 

Averos had a look of pride as she sat down, and turned to look at Arya.

'Why does it seem like everyone is out to get me?' wondered Arya, acting like he didn't notice Avero's prideful smirk

A good portion of the hands that were raised came down, leaving only a few.

"Mana infusion," answered another student.

"Correct anyone else?" asked Ronkor, boredom audible in his voice.

"There's more?" muttered a few of the students.

Only one hand was left raising, it was the hand of a dwarven girl.

"Magic Forging," answered the girl, causing Ronkor to jump from his seat in surprise.

"I see, it seems there are a few interesting students here," said Ronkor before continuing the class.

"Any way of these three methods m-, why is your hand still raised?" asked Ronkor as he looked at Arya.

"I-I have an answer," said Arya, he looked almost unsure of himself.

'What is this kid talking about. Of course, there are always those who try to bite off more than they can chew. And try to show off with incorrect knowledge' thought Ronkor, as he lost interest.

"Please do tell. What is this mystical other method that I am unaware of?" asked Ronkor, causing some of the students to murmur.

The dwarven girl seemed interested in Arya's answer as well.

"Demon f-" Arya was about to say before Ronkor interrupted.

"Where did you hear that!?" shouted Ronkor, disbelief audible in his voice.

'There's no way someone out of the dwarven kingdom knows about that. It's been kept a tight-knit secret even amongst some of the dwarves. The legacy of the demon blacksmith.' thought Ronkor as he stared at Arya in disbelief.

"Sir, what is the method this boy speaks of?" asked the dwarven girl, curious about why Ronkor had stopped Arya from answering.

"Never mind what he was about to say. It won't be covered in the syllabus this year. And Mr. Arya, I would like to have a word with you after class,"

"Anyway back to what I was saying. Of the three methods we will be covering, the simplest one, and the one we will be learning first, is rune smithing,"

"It requires you to draw magic symbols on the artifact you wish to enchant. Although it is easy, it has a few downsides. Runes are from an ancient language that has been long since forgotten, meaning that the runes we are capable of using are limited to those still present today."

"This is a disadvantage because new types of enchantments are not possible, and since all the existing ones are known by almost everyone enchantments become predictable"

"Also, since runes are visible to the naked eye, your enemy will know what enchantments to be wary of at a glance if they are well versed in rune smithing themselves, making rune smithing nigh useless in actual combat."

"Furthermore, runes are made inactive once they are tempered with. Meaning if your enemy succeeds in changing the structure or order of your runes then your artifact might have a completely different enchantment, or might not work altogether," lectured Ronkor, giving Arya side glances once in a while.

"So why would anyone use such a method then?" asked one of the boys in the lecture hall.

"Because although it isn't suitable for combat enchantment, it still works well for other uses, such as for tools to be used in alchemy, or for household purposes such as heating and cooling,"

After lecturing on rune smithing for another thirty minutes, the class was called to an end.

"I know most of you won't bother to do this, but read a book on rune smithing for homework. Tomorrow we will meet in the smithy," announced Ronkor.

"Mr. Arya please remain behind."

"Wow, isn't someone popular with the teachers," murmured Abby before leaving with Averos.

"Tell me, how do you know something that is supposed to be a dwarven secret?" asked Ronkor with a serious look in his eyes, once all the students had left the room, making sure to cast air magic to prevent sound from escaping the class.

"I read a book on i-"

"Don't try lying to me boy.. There are no books on demon forging," replied Ronkor, his eyes glowing with mana.