It was already late in the afternoon by the time Zack arrived at the Academy of Research.
As soon as the taxi came to a stop at Academy's gates, Zack opened the door in a hurry and payed up his fee to the driver.
At a few distance away from him, beyond the Academy's gates a small group of students were currently staring at him with curious gazes.
The moment Zack stepped into the Academy, a wave of gossip started swirling among the group of students.
"Hey look its him?, its that genius prodigy of the school that everyone has been talking about?", voiced out one of the students.
Another random kid then carefully scrutinized the young teenager and with an unconvinced tone he then said,
"Thats him?, he looks plain and normal if you ask me "
"Yeah, to be honest he wasn't what l imagined for someone with his background"
Another student, a young boy with a small frame then suddenly pointed out.
"Hey look at that briefcase he is holding, could that be it,... could that be his famous invention, the solemn guardian"
As Zack entered the school yard, countless eyes stared at him with varying emotions, that ranged from jealousy to envy and admiration.
Zack moved through the courtyard in indifference to these peering eyes, he was already used to this kind of attention, after all he was the hailed genius child of Sol, the first scholar to reach the apprentice stage of scientific sorcery in his first year, so it was to be expected that he would attract attention. He was also the first person in the history of the academy, who had attempted to mix mystical sorcery with the complex art of science and its technology and actually succeed.
Zack continued to walk through the courtyard under the admiring gaze of the first year scholars, Zack himself was also a first year scholar but he was later elavated to a second year scholar due to his advanced mind, so he did not need to attend the first year scholar's welcome assembly, instead he headed inside the magnificent tall buildings that had the insignia of the Academy of Research.
After entering inside the building, the stoic young boy later emerged inside a spacious white room that was filled with numerous experimenting tables and scientific artifacts.
Inside the room there was a tall middle aged man dressed in a white lab coat, the man had long black hair that reached his shoulder length.
The middle aged lecturer was busy teaching a group of students that numbered to fifteen, which was the standard number of students per each class.
This was class B52, Zack's designated learning classroom and the tall man in the white lab coat was professor Damien, the lead scientist in the literature of magic runes and weapon enchantment.
"Mr Mason, what did l say about being late to my class?", asked the professor with a stern tone.
Zack gave a low bow to the man and then curtly apologized,
"l am sorry sir, it won't happen again".
"You did not answer my question, Mr Mason", said the man.
Zack could only roll his eyes at the man's persistence, with an indifferent expression he said,
"You said that if l truly want to learn in this classroom then l should be very punctual",
Zack stopped for a moment and he saw that the professor still wanted him to continue, with a tired sigh he then resumed his explanation,
"Sigh you also said that if l continue my improper behavior you will be forced to expel me from your class".
The professor nodded towards the boy and then said,
"This is your last chance, l don't care if you are some once in a life time hailed genius, in my class you follow my rules, do I make myself clear?".
"Yes sir", replied Zack in a curtly manner.
"Good now go and take your seat".
Zack did as he was told, he went toward one of the free sitting spots that was located near a gorgeous blonde haired girl.
The beautiful brunette was Cassie Steinfield, the first born daughter of Mr Aegus Steinfield, who was the head of the international Research and Combat institute.
Cassie's father was a big shot, not only was he a founding member of one of the biggest institutes in the world but he was also the second best sorcerer in the entire world, only falling behind the great genius Sol, who was apparently Zack's father.
Cassie Steinfield like her father was no ordinary girl either, she was the best scholar among the second years and was only bested by a few third year scholars.
She was also the only second year scholar in the history of the academy who had advanced to the master stage of sorcery, which was a feat that only those in their third year could boast about, in a way she was similar to Zack.
As Zack went to sit near the brunette, who was busy transcribing some information on her notebook , she in turn only spared him a side glance for a second before returning to writing her book.
"As l was saying before Mr Mason had disturbed me, today we will be learning about magical runes and how they play a very big role in weapon enchanting.
" First of all before we dive into the types and process of magic rune creation, we first need to know its basic concept.
Can anyone tell me what are magic runes?
At this moment multiple hands suddenly raised up in the air at the same time, the professor then pointed towards a blonde haired girl who was sitted near Zack.
"Yes Miss Steinfield"
The blonde haired beauty then stood up, in her hands she was holding a small brown notebook.
Her soft melodious voice rang out throughout the entire classroom, her tone was both composed and filled with confidence,
"Magic runes are the mystical symbols of the arcane language, that utilize the mystical energy of the world through ruinic inscription.
The professor nodded approvingly at the blonde haired girl and said,
"Thats a very short but well detailed explanation, Miss Steinfield"
Looking over the class the professor smiled darkly at the scholars and asked mischievously.
"Is there anyone who disagree with Miss Steinfield's explanation?
The entire class was silent and just when it looked like no one was brave enough to challenge the blonde haired beauty, a hand suddenly lifted up in the air shocking the entire class.
A perplexed expression suddenly appeared on the professor's face for a moment before being replaced by a amused smile.
Before the professor was a young teenage girl with a cold aloof expression and long dark hair that was tied back into a ponytail.
The middle aged lecturer had not really expected one of his student to take up the challenge.
After all he was well aware of how terrified and envious these scholars were towards the young blonde Steinfield. No one was brave enough to challenge the genius girl when it came to the knowledge of sorcery, which she was amazingly good at.
Looking at the brave young scholar, Professor Damian couldn't help but silently remark.
'Now this should be interesting'
"Yes Miss Umber. Do you have something to add on Miss Steinfield's explanation?
The girl stood up from her seat with composure, her cold aloof eyes stared down at the entire class with a sense of superiority. Her tone was as chilling as her gaze as she spoke.
"She is wrong?
Upon hearing the comment the professor was perplexed even further than he was before.
Cassie looked at the daring girl with contempt.
As a talented scholar hailing from a prominent family, Cassie prided herself in being the best of the best among her peers.
So when someone came and devalued her knowledge she couldn't help but feel challenged.
Staring at the cold aloof girl, Cassie then released a snort and asked.
"So what's the answer?
Zack who had been sitting silently at Cassie's side was also intrigued by what the girl would say next. This was so because, he also felt that Cassie was also wrong in her answer.
The cold aloof girl, then replied to Cassie.
"Your explanation did not describe magical runes in general, but instead they described their process, which was not the targeted question.
At this moment, the professor was suddenly intrigued,
"And how do you describe the magical runes in general, Miss Umber?
The girl was silent for a moment before replying,
"The general concept of magical runes is that they are a projection of a sorcerer's conscious, manifesting as written information of the world's truth that had been perceived by a sorcerer"
After saying those words the girl took her seat in a silent manner.
Cassie stared at her in a disapproving manner while Zack was staring at her with an amazed expression displayed on his face.
The professor lingered for a moment in silence, simply stupefied by the young girl's answer.
A few moments later the professor began to clap his hands, showing how impressed he was by the girl's answer.
"Now that there is a perfect answer, Miss Umber"
The professor then stared at Cassie and lingered for a moment before he eventually said,
"Although Miss Steinfield your answer was correct, it only covered the process of applying magical runes without describing what are magic runes, which was the focus of my question.
Just at this moment a bell alarm suddenly sounded signalling the end of the class.
The professor checked the time on his watch and shook his head in helplessness.
"It seems that today we won't be able to cover the weapon echanting process.
Okay class dismissed"
All the student stood up from their spots heading to their next classes.
Zack retrieved a small paper from his pockets and saw that his next class was combat class.
Releasing a sigh Zack silently muttered to himself.
"Gods l hate combat class"