Despite the short duration, Adam smiled as he wrenched the grimoire out of Shepard's firming hand. Until the end, his mentor clutched it, refusing to let go.
"You can't leave college during that week, either. Even better, don't leave your room at all."
Shepard's lips quivered as his voice cracked. Let him wander with his prised grimoire in the wild? Out of the question!
He only reluctantly agreed to lend it because of the shocking elemental display that shook his heart, making him consider a wild idea. What if he could become a second sky guardian after learning Vivian's tricks? Even if he couldn't, it would still help him win the inter-academy tournament, so everything should be fine as long as he returned the book in perfect condition.
Meanwhile, a triumphant smirk stretched on Adam's lips as he tucked the thick grimoire under his arm. Then, he heard the dean sigh with a tormented grimace before he changed the subject entirely.
"Elysia contacted me as the Sunfire Queen a few days ago."
Interest sparkling in his eyes and ears perking at the mention of his old teacher, he gestured for Shepard to continue.
"According to her, some dangerous creatures dwell in the neutral kingdom of Durazmarn. She issued a mission to capture and bring them back to her territory on the southern continent."
He tilted his head to the right, a puzzled frown creasing his brow.
"Where is Durazmarn?"
"Did you forget? The dwarf kingdom in which we subdued a tier-six evil ghost. Anyway, she refused to give us any details about the creatures. I only know they are divided into two societies. One lives in the heart of a dense forest while the other hides in an underground city."
Unbothered by the request, Shepard shrugged.
"She promised a reward even an arcanist would desire for whoever completed the mission. So, interested?"
A brief silence lingered as his mind raced to piece the information together like a puzzle.
First, the mission came from Selene, not Elysia. Second, it had to do with his creations. Third, he couldn't move himself or risk angering the Beast Emperor, especially after they struck a deal. Therefore, he asked for external help.
'Vampires and werewolves?'
Closing his eyes to remember what he had read about them, an icy shiver uncontrollably ran down his spine.
Like Ossian's creations, they ranged from the fourth to the fifth tier ten thousand years ago. After such a long time, some must have reached the sixth, making the mission a death trap.
As if it wasn't enough, they didn't use mana like normal mages. Instead, vampires' abilities were deeply rooted in their DNA, making them natural liquid manipulators with powerful physiques. On the other hand, werewolves had the hair-chilling ability to shapeshift into colossal magical beasts and manipulate darkness.
A soft nudge of their paws could shatter boulders, and their thick fur protected them from damage like armors.
His thoughts sorted, his eyes grew firm, and his voice solemn.
"Do you want me to die?"
"Of course not. Since you like to negotiate everything, I thought you might want to try your luck with them, too."
Shepard's lips curled into a playful smile as his eyes glinted with mischief.
"Anyway, I already arranged for you to transfer for this year to the Arcane Academy of Enchantment. You'll go to Orion's next year."
"Hah? Why did the order change?"
His voice resounded, laced with confusion.
"Because Jadevale's king negotiated for the School of Astral Projection to house the inter-academy tournament next year. At first, he wanted this year's battle monster tournament, but the Academy of Summoning firmly opposed him."
Shepard patiently explained the situation before concluding.
"This way, you'll learn craftsmanship this year and will have time to prepare under Orion's care next. As much as I dislike the cunning old fox, he is a dependable and honest man."
Adam's eyes sparkled in understanding as he answered.
"Let me guess, the Academy of Enchantment is in Durazmarn. That's why you brought the mission up?"
"As sharp as ever," Shepard's smile stretched to reach his ears as he threw him a new student card. "They already accepted the transfer and are waiting for you next week. Improve yourself before considering Elysia's request, and try only when you are sure to succeed."
He returned the smile, this time unbothered by the decision.
"I planned to delve into craftsmanship and engravings this year, anyway."
He remembered Durgrim's soul orb resting untouched in his soul sea and the promise to resurrect his name. With it, he didn't really need the academy's knowledge since he had theories up to the fifth tier. However, new crafting methods certainly appeared after the dwarf's death. So he could broaden his knowledge by going.
Even if they didn't, he would at least have access to their facilities and immerse himself in the life of a smith.
Excitement flashed in his eyes at these thoughts as he bid Shepard goodbye and left the room.
However, he returned a second later.
"I want my room to be the number zero. I won't accept anything else."
Puzzled, Shepard squinted at him, trying to read his smirk for a second.
"Why? Don't you like the number two?"
"I have nothing against it. Just that I'll surpass you soon, so you might as well make the numbers reflect that."
Shepard's roar echoed as he quickly closed the door.
Laughing as he escaped, he found room number two and lunged inside before locking the door behind him.
With a quick sweep of his eyes, he noticed it was almost identical to Shepard's. He didn't have a personal lab or a conference table. Instead, racks filled with many types of wooden weapons placed before rows of sturdy training dummies filled the side room. Engravings pulsed on the tiled alabaster walls, absorbing excess mana like a vacuum and strengthening the room's integrity.
He didn't bother to check the rest since love at first sight struck him like a thunderbolt.
'I'll spend my time here. He offered me the royal treatment with this room!'
Fists trembling in excitement, he rushed inside, finding it a shame to leave after such a short time.
A wry smile stretching his lips, he sat and opened Vivian's grimoire, planning to test his study's result on the dummies.