During the following hour, Adam had fun discovering transmutation with Julius. Despite the poor initial results, he persevered, not succumbing to frustration.
For him, magic was like a game in which he could improve his skill and his own self by practising constantly.
One hour later, while most of the other students started to give up after failing a few times, he already started to see small results. Inside the pile of broken pebbles stacked on Julius' desk, a few had partially turned into quartz.
Silently gazing in his direction, Thaddeus widened his eyes in astonishment and approval. The ghost's progress was too swift. Moreover, his eyes stayed focused and determined the whole time, showcasing his high concentration skills.
"A transmutation genius finally appeared." He muttered under his breath. After many years of teaching mediocre to average students, he was elated to see such a fast learner in his class. Sure, he had seen a few talented students, but no one at Adam's level.
Contrary to Elysia's approach, Thaddeus only saw the ghost as any other student. He didn't have any plans to offer him an apprenticeship if he didn't show exceptional talent in his art.
However, as the lesson drew to a close, he couldn't help but walk towards the cultivating Julius, startling the entire class.
"Stay a bit longer after class. I need to speak to you." He said, gazing at a half-transformed pebble thrown to the side.
No more doubts clouded his mind. It had to be him. The disciple he had been waiting for so long. The one who will reach the summit of this dying art and, maybe, revitalise it.
As the bell rang after his words, the students gazed at the unreal scene in shock and displeasure. They were all arrogant noble heirs, thinking they were the best of the best because of their upbringing.
Seeing the same kid receive not only one but two apprenticeships on the first day stung their ego badly.
They left the class, throwing hate-filled glances at Julius while Morgane, the genius of the batch, gazed at the ghost's position pensively. She was more curious than bothered by his exploits.
With the students gone, Thaddeus grabbed a chair and sat opposite Julius' desk.
"I'll be straightforward. I want to take you as my personal dis..." He started enthusiastically.
However, Julius cut him short, stunning him. "He said He refuses."
"I can see and hear you thanks to my artefact."He gazed at Adam, pointing at his monocle, before saying, "What about waiting to hear the benefits you'll get if you accept?"
As he opened his mouth to explain his offer further, Adam cut him short once again. "I don't want to."
Thaddeus's frown deepened as frustration started to boil inside him. Why was he so unreasonable? Couldn't Adam let him end before rejecting his offer?
"If you earn under me, I'll provide you with the best..."
"... The best material and personally..."
"...P.. Personally..."
"Stop it! I don't want to. Run, Julius!"
Feeling the old man's growing anger, he screamed at Julius to run, repeating this morning's scene, frustrated.
'Is my Grimoire Lingua not working anymore? I thought I rejected him clearly enough!' He thought, floating above the running Julius.
They soon reached the students' packed college entrance hall. Many held signs and tried to appeal to younger students with tracts or magic demonstrations.
"Big bro... Please, stop annoying every single teacher who speaks to us," Julius huffed reproachfully after his mad sprint.
"Not my fault if he doesn't understand simple words. Approach those stands. I want to see what they are about." Adam answered dismissively and pointed at a group of students.
They held a sign with 'arena club' written on it, awakening his curiosity.
An older student explained they could join a club and partake in its activities during their midday break and evening. Sadly, his club didn't interest Adam much.
Intrigued, the duo walked into the hall, reading each sign in search of something interesting.
Soon, they spotted three familiar figures talking before the adventuring club.
"Hey, guys. Planning to join this club?" Julius asked, his interest piqued.
"Oh, Julius! We were waiting for you to register at the club as a party." Arun answered excitedly. For him, if you were a man, you had to go adventuring! Staying indoors, learning and training all day wasn't what he wanted in his life.
"Hum, sure? Could you explain what it is all about, tho?" Julius answered. The club's name appealed to him. After all, he became fond of travelling and discovering new things after coming here all the way from the Belloria Kingdom.
"We are granted access to the school Gate and training spots. There, we can discover wild places and sceneries." He explained excitedly before adding with a dreamy expression on his face. "If we are lucky, we might even find old ruins containing artefacts!"
"Where do I sign?" Julius answered with a serious face before laughing with his friends.
However, Adam has his own opinions. "Ask him if we can join several clubs."
"He? You can, but few do. Our time isn't unlimited. If we go adventuring, we might be absent for a few days." Arun answered the question after seeking confirmation from the older student.
"Alright, you can sing up here. Then go to that club over there." Adam declared, pointing to a crowded stall, his eyes as bright as two burning suns.
Julius nodded, a little scared by his brother's excitement. He followed his friends, giving his student card to the club recruiter.
"I need to register your party composition. Meaning that each of you should specialise in a different role to create a harmonious group. If I deem your group too unbalanced, you won't receive permission to adventure.
In addition, it is mandatory for a student in their fourth year, at a minimum, to accompany you." The recruiter explained the rules while holding his quill, ready to write the roles down.