Chapter 7: A Noble Connection
Reyn's days at the academy quickly settled into a routine. He attended his classes diligently, soaking in every bit of knowledge he could. His mornings were filled with lectures on magical theory, the fundamentals of enchantment, and history lessons about the great mages and craftsmen of the past. Afternoons were spent in the forge workshops, where he felt most at home, practicing the art of imbuing magic into metal. Whenever he had free time, he made his way to the academy's grand library, poring over tomes on magic runes, enchantment techniques, and the properties of rare materials.
His progress was noticeable, but life at the academy wasn't without its challenges. As a commoner, he often found himself on the receiving end of tasks assigned by the noble students, who treated it as a given that those of lesser status would run their errands or help with menial work. The academy had an unspoken tradition where the nobles would enlist commoners to clean their rooms, fetch supplies, or even carry their belongings between classes. It wasn't official policy, but it was something that had persisted for years, and Reyn and the other commoners had little choice but to endure it.
Reyn gritted his teeth and did what was asked of him, but he never let it interfere with his studies. In fact, the more he was pushed around, the more determined he became to prove himself. He kept his head down and used the time spent running errands as an opportunity to observe the academy's various facilities, memorizing shortcuts and eavesdropping on lessons he wasn't yet allowed to attend.
One afternoon, while helping to carry a stack of books for a particularly haughty noble, Reyn overheard some students gossiping about the noble family recently saved by Garret. As he walked down the hallway, he caught sight of the young noble himself—an auburn-haired boy dressed in finely embroidered robes, a symbol of his family's wealth and status. His expression was one of faint irritation as he listened to the other nobles fawning over him, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention.
Reyn was about to turn away when the boy's eyes met his. For a moment, they simply stared at each other. Then, to Reyn's surprise, the young noble stepped away from the group and approached him.
"Excuse me," the noble said, his tone polite but firm. "Aren't you that boy from the forge district? I heard some students talking about a commoner enrolled here who's handy with crafting."
Reyn set the books down and straightened up. "I am," he replied, his voice even. "Reyn, son of a blacksmith. And you must be the noble Garret saved from the giant."
The boy's eyes widened slightly in recognition, and he gave a faint nod. "That's right. I'm Lord Alistair of House Verel. Garret's actions saved me and my family, and for that, we're in his debt. I didn't realize I would meet someone connected to him here at the academy. You know him well, then?"
Reyn nodded. "He's an adventurer I've worked with before. I made the Buster Sword he used to save you."
At that, Alistair's expression softened, and his irritation from before seemed to dissipate. "I see. Then I suppose I owe you some thanks as well. That sword was… quite extraordinary."
Reyn waved it off modestly. "Garret deserves the credit for wielding it well. I just forged it."
Alistair paused, his gaze shifting toward the books Reyn had been carrying. "I've seen how the other nobles treat the commoners here. You shouldn't be running errands like this when you could be making better use of your time. The academy is a place to learn, not to serve."
Reyn was taken aback by the remark, unsure how to respond. It was the first time a noble had shown genuine concern for his situation. "I don't mind," Reyn said eventually. "As long as I can keep learning and improve my skills, I'll do whatever it takes."
Alistair gave a small smile, one that hinted at a shared determination. "That's an admirable mindset. How about this—when you're not busy with your studies, you can join me in the advanced enchantment sessions. I've been given permission to invite another student, and it seems like a waste not to bring along someone who actually wants to learn."
Reyn's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you sure?" he asked. "I'm just a first-year, and I don't have any special connections here."
"Garret saved my life," Alistair replied, "and you're the one who made that possible. Consider this a small token of thanks from me to you. Besides, I could use a partner who actually knows the value of hard work."
The offer was more than Reyn could have hoped for, and he didn't need to be asked twice. "I'd be honored," he said, giving a small bow. "Thank you, Lord Alistair."
"Just Alistair," the noble corrected with a casual wave. "Titles don't matter much in the enchanting room. Come by tomorrow afternoon; I'll let the instructor know you'll be joining us."
As Alistair walked away, Reyn couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. This was an opportunity not just to learn but to break down the barriers that had been set between him and the noble students. Maybe, just maybe, the academy was starting to open up for him in a way he hadn't expected.
With this new friendship, Reyn felt a surge of motivation. He wasn't just a commoner trying to make it in a world dominated by nobles. He was a blacksmith's son, a future master of magical forging, and a boy with a goal to create weapons that would shape legends. And now, it seemed, he had a friend in high places who saw value in him beyond his status.
Tomorrow, the true learning would begin.
Reyn quickly settled into a new rhythm at the academy, where most classes focused on the fundamentals of magic. The curriculum was largely centered around learning offensive and defensive spells, which were considered the bedrock of any aspiring mage's training. Whether casting fireballs, summoning wind barriers, or forming shields of ice, students were expected to master these core techniques. Though Reyn found the basic spells useful, they didn't excite him nearly as much as enchanting and crafting magical items.
Reyn's interest in enchantments was piqued during one of his classes when an instructor began a lecture about the various materials used in high-level enchantments. Reyn listened intently as the teacher described how rare ingredients, such as monster cores, enchanted bones, spirits, and even divine blessings, could enhance a weapon's power far beyond traditional methods. This made reyn think about recreating certain weapons like the royal arms from kill la kill In the future
After class, Reyn stayed behind to ask the instructor more questions. "Master Elwin, I'd like to know more about incorporating monster materials in forging. I read that certain monster cores can channel elements and provide regenerative properties to weapons. Is that true?"
Elwin raised an eyebrow, surprised at Reyn's curiosity and depth of knowledge for a first-year. "Yes, indeed. But using such materials is not a simple matter," he replied. "One must be able to properly handle the magic contained within them, lest it corrupts the item or even backfires on the enchanter. Only advanced students and certified enchanters can safely use monster cores or obtain spirits for their craft."
Reyn nodded, undeterred. He knew the risks but felt driven to learn regardless. That evening, he dove into the book his father had given him on magical materials, cross-referencing everything he could find on monster components and rare enchantments. There were sections on different types of monster cores, including fire wyvern hearts, ice drake bones, and even rare spirit fragments said to bestow special abilities upon weapons. The more he read, the more determined he became to someday incorporate such rare materials into his work.
The next day, during their enchantment session, Reyn and Alistair talked more about materials. Alistair had noticed Reyn's interest and, curious about the commoner's ambition, asked, "You've been looking into monster cores and rare materials. Why? Do you plan on crafting weapons powerful enough to rival even the greatest enchanters?"
Reyn met his gaze, his eyes burning with the same resolve he felt when he first picked up a hammer. "Someday, I want to make weapons that legends are written about—something that goes beyond the academy's teachings. If using monster parts, spirits, or blessings can help me achieve that, then I'll learn everything there is to know."
Alistair gave a small chuckle. "You certainly don't lack for ambition. I respect that." He paused, then added thoughtfully, "My family has a private collection of enchanted items and rare materials. If you keep impressing me, perhaps I could show you a few things. It could be... mutually beneficial."
Reyn's heart skipped a beat at the prospect of gaining access to such resources. "I'd appreciate that," he replied, trying to contain his excitement.
Meanwhile, the academy buzzed with news of the latest monster threats beyond the city. Recently, a high-ranking knight gave a talk at the academy about the growing monster population in the nearby forests and mountains. Knights and adventurers alike were being tasked with culling some of the larger threats, especially those whose parts held great value for enchanters and alchemists. The talk sparked even more rumors about upcoming expeditions into monster territory, where the most skilled students might be allowed to participate as part of their training.
The heightened activity around the academy also brought some changes in Alistair's life. It became clear to Reyn that his new friend had his own burdens to bear, as the pressures of being a noble intensified with the rise in monster threats. Alistair's family, House Verel, was expected to provide support to the city's defenses, and Alistair himself was encouraged to take on more duties in preparation for his future role.
It was during one of their enchantment sessions that Alistair confided in Reyn. "I don't mind these responsibilities," he said, "but sometimes I feel like everyone expects me to follow the same path as my siblings. It's like they're all just waiting for me to do what's already been done, as if I'm supposed to be a copy of those who came before."
Reyn understood that frustration well. "That's why I want to do something new," he said. "Not just to make enchanted swords, but to push the boundaries of what a weapon can be. When people see my work, I want them to know that it's something that could only be made by me."
Alistair looked at Reyn with newfound appreciation. "I think you might be onto something there. Let's make sure to keep pushing those boundaries, together."
Their conversation left Reyn even more motivated, not only to excel at the academy but to prove that commoners could stand alongside nobles when it came to crafting magic and making a mark on the world. However, he was still faced with one major hurdle: actually acquiring the rare materials to push his craft to the next level. He decided to talk to Liora about it the next time they met, as she was now a registered adventurer and could have access to things like monster cores and enchanted materials. Perhaps together, they could work out a plan to gather what he needed.
As Reyn continued to walk the halls of the academy, he couldn't help but notice how different his life was now compared to when he was just a blacksmith's son, working at his father's forge. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet it was the foundation upon which his new ambitions were built.