Chapter 6: Facing Prejudice
The morning sun filtered through the city streets as Reyn made his way toward the academy, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. His pack was slung over his shoulder, filled with the few belongings he would need for his new life as a student. His mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead: the magical knowledge he would gain, the skills he would develop, and the countless new experiences waiting for him behind the academy's towering gates.
As Reyn approached the academy grounds, the grand architecture loomed before him—ornate stonework, high arches, and large bronze gates emblazoned with the academy's crest. The sight made him pause, taking in the sheer scale of the place. It was a far cry from the modest forge where he had spent countless hours. He straightened his back, reminded himself why he was here, and walked confidently toward the entrance.
Inside, the bustling front hall was filled with prospective students and parents. There were people of all kinds—nobles in fine garments, young men and women dressed in enchanted robes, and a few commoners like himself who stood out due to their simpler clothing. Reyn approached the front desk, where two staff members were handling the flow of enrollments.
"I'm here to enroll," Reyn said, his voice steady as he presented his enrollment letter and payment for tuition.
One of the staff members, a stern-looking woman with a tight bun of hair, glanced at his clothes—a plain tunic and trousers—and then at his enrollment letter. Her expression barely hid her skepticism. "You're here to enroll, are you?" she repeated with a hint of condescension. She looked down at the letter again, then back up at Reyn. "We rarely see commoners without sponsorships here. Are you sure you have the funds to cover the tuition, young man?"
Reyn kept his composure, setting the coin pouch on the counter with a soft clink. "I've saved enough to pay for the first term. Here's the amount, and I have the letter. That should be enough, right?"
The woman's lips tightened into a thin line as she took the pouch, weighing it in her hands before handing it off to a clerk behind her. "I suppose it is," she said, almost begrudgingly. "However, you should know that the academy's curriculum is rigorous. It's not just a matter of money. We expect excellence, especially from those who are not… accustomed to a life of study."
Reyn's jaw clenched slightly at her tone, but he forced himself to nod. "I understand," he replied, keeping his voice steady. "I'm ready to work hard."
The other staff member, a younger man with a smirk on his face, handed Reyn a set of folded clothing—a standard-issue uniform with the academy's crest stitched onto the breast. "Here you go. Try to keep it clean, alright?" he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Wouldn't want anyone mistaking you for the help."
Their dismissive attitudes only fueled Reyn's determination. He had faced doubt before; the skeptical looks, the comments about being "just a smith's son"—they were nothing new. He was used to proving people wrong. The staff's words were just another weight to bear, and as a blacksmith, he knew how to carry a burden.
Reyn took the uniform, thanked them, and turned toward the hallway leading to the student dormitories. As he walked, he noticed the way the other students were dressed: many wore enchanted accessories, fine silks, and ornate belts, their magical auras faintly visible to even the untrained eye. The hall buzzed with conversation, most of which fell silent as nobles turned to see the newcomer who didn't quite fit in with their pristine appearance.
For the first time, Reyn saw the kind of people he would be sharing the academy with: young nobles with high expectations and reputations to uphold. Some were accompanied by their families, who were clearly there to make sure their children got the best accommodations. He overheard bits of conversation—students discussing which houses they would be placed into, the high-profile instructors they hoped to study under, and plans for the prestigious dueling competitions.
It was a different world, one where prestige and magical bloodlines seemed to matter more than skill or effort. But Reyn had no intention of letting any of that intimidate him. His goals hadn't changed, and neither had his resolve. He wasn't here to compare himself to anyone else; he was here to learn, to master magic and forging so that one day, his name would be spoken of with the same respect these nobles expected simply because of their birthright.
He found his way to the dormitory and settled into the modest room assigned to him. The space was small but functional, with a simple bed, a desk, and a shelf for books. Reyn unpacked his things, placing a few personal items—a small hammer he had made for himself, a notebook for magical studies, and a basic set of forging tools—on the shelf.
As he sat on the bed, staring at the uniform laid out before him, he allowed himself a small smile. He had made it this far despite the odds. The academy may not have welcomed him with open arms, but that didn't matter. His journey was only just beginning, and if there was one thing Reyn knew, it was that a true craftsman never let a little resistance stop him from forging something incredible.While Reyn was finding his footing at the academy, life back home was taking its own course. His parents missed him dearly; the house felt quieter and the forge colder without the rhythmic clang of his hammer. His father still went about his daily work at the forge, but often found himself glancing at the tools Reyn had left behind, a faint sense of longing in his heart. Reyn's mother, too, noticed the absence of her son's cheerful presence as she prepared meals. Despite their pride in him for pursuing his dreams, it was difficult not to miss the energy he brought into their lives.
Meanwhile, Liora was embarking on her own journey. She had officially registered with the Adventurers' Guild and was ready to take on her first real challenge. As part of the registration process, new adventurers had to prove their skills in a test bout, fighting against a more experienced adventurer to demonstrate their combat readiness. Liora had trained hard with Reyn's creations, especially the weighted training gear he had crafted for her. Now, for the first time, she was about to face a real opponent and test how far she had come.
She stepped into the training yard of the guild, the air buzzing with anticipation from the spectators and other adventurers. Her opponent, a seasoned adventurer named Harlan, was a tall, burly man with a broadsword slung over his shoulder. He had a reputation for being tough on newbies but fair, pushing them to show their true potential. As Liora approached the center of the yard, she took a deep breath and slowly removed the wrist and ankle weights she had always worn during training. The sensation was strange, like being unshackled. Her movements suddenly felt lighter, her limbs moving with an ease she hadn't known she was missing.
Harlan raised an eyebrow as he saw the weights hit the ground with a heavy thud. "Taking it seriously, huh?" he remarked, drawing his broadsword and giving it a casual twirl. "Let's see what you've got, then."
The duel began, and Liora immediately noticed the difference in her speed. With the weights off, she was faster than she had ever been. She darted around Harlan, wielding a pair of short swords crafted by Reyn. Her strikes were quick and precise, forcing Harlan to defend himself as she danced out of reach. Though he was stronger and more experienced, her newfound agility allowed her to keep him at bay, delivering small but strategic hits.
The watching crowd murmured in approval, impressed by the display. Even Harlan seemed to be taken off guard by her swiftness and skill. As the bout wore on, Liora's confidence grew, and she pushed herself even harder. After several minutes of intense fighting, Harlan finally called for a halt, breathing heavily but smiling. "Well done," he said, lowering his blade. "You've passed. You've got the makings of a fine adventurer."
Liora beamed with pride as she accepted the guild's token that signified her status as a registered adventurer. She glanced at the weights on the ground and silently thanked Reyn. It was his encouragement and creations that had helped her get to this point, and she couldn't wait to share the news with him when they next met.
As Liora's journey was beginning, Garret's fame was also on the rise. Word of his deeds with the Buster Sword was spreading through the city and beyond. Adventurers at the guild told stories of his daring feats, recounting how the giant blade seemed to cut through even the toughest foes with ease. But the tale that truly cemented his reputation involved a recent encounter with a monstrous giant near the academy's outskirts.
It had been an otherwise ordinary day when the creature emerged from the forest, roaring and swinging a tree trunk like a club. The giant's sudden appearance had thrown a noble's traveling party into chaos as they journeyed toward the academy grounds. Guards scrambled to defend the noble and his family, but the giant was simply too strong, smashing through shields and sending knights flying with every blow.
Garret, who happened to be traveling along the same road, saw the commotion and charged forward without hesitation. The Buster Sword gleamed in the afternoon light as he swung it with all his might, cleaving into the giant's arm. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the air, and the creature staggered back, roaring in pain and fury. Garret didn't give it a chance to recover; he pressed the attack, using the sword's enchantments to channel a surge of energy that blasted the giant back, ultimately bringing it crashing to the ground.
When the dust settled, the noble approached Garret, his expression a mix of relief and awe. "You saved us," the noble said, his voice shaky. "We owe you our lives. The academy will hear of this."
And indeed, they did. By the time Reyn caught wind of the story, Garret's fame had already reached the halls of the academy. Students whispered about the adventurer with the massive enchanted sword, some even wondering if he might visit the academy to demonstrate his skill. Reyn couldn't help but feel a swell of pride, knowing that his handiwork had played a part in saving lives and earning Garret such recognition.
As the days passed, Reyn and Liora continued to follow their respective paths, always aware of each other's progress. Though they were on different journeys, they shared a common drive to prove themselves and make a name in the world. Their paths might have diverged for now, but they both knew that, their stories would cross again.