Chapitre 109: Micah - 11.2
I laid onto my bed, looking through my notebook. I made notes and corrections until I was rudely interrupted.
The door burst open with a loud bang, and Lodur's voice filled the room. "Behold! Expel him!"
I turned to see Lodur standing triumphantly next to a stern-looking older student. His uniform had the letters RA embroidered onto the left of the chest. He surveyed the scene with a critical eye.
He let out a weary sigh and turned to Lodur.
"Is this what you dragged me here for?" he asked.
"Yes!" Lodur exclaimed, not bothering to even look in the room, "He's taken over the entirety! Look at this mess!"
The RA shook his head, "This isn't a mess, Lodur."
"But—" Lodur began, but the RA cut him off.
"I'm not wasting my time on this," the RA said, turning to leave. "Figure it out yourselves."
Lodur stood there, mouth agape, as the RA walked out of the room, leaving him speechless. I couldn't help but smirk a little as I watched Lodur's face contort in a mix of shock and frustration.
"You heard him," I said. "Figure it out ourselves. Sometimes I need to work on my own stuff, and sometimes I do not."
Lodur turned to me, his eyes blazing with anger.
"This isn't over," he hissed, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice now.
"Whatever you say," I replied, turning back to my book. "Just don't touch my stuff."
Lodur stared at me for a moment longer, then stormed out of the room again, slamming the door behind him. I let out a sigh of relief, hoping that this would be the end of his interference.
As the bell tolled, I gathered my things and prepared to leave the dorm. I pulled the black cloak over my uniform and let it adjust itself to my size. I stepped out into the bustling corridor of the residency and waited for an opening in the tide of students.
I headed to the hall Sable paraded us through previously.
Upon entering, I was greeted by the sight of rows upon rows of chairs, all facing a grand stage. A large board behind the podium displayed a floor plan of the hall marked with arrows and names of professors.
I found mine, Sable Isolde, and took a seat with my fellow classmates.
"Welcome, all," she began, her voice carrying effortlessly across the room. "I hope you enjoy our time together as much as I will. Homeroom is mandatory and will prepare you for your time at the University."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in before continuing. "I'm sure some of you generational students already know, but everyone will select four more periods each season. As first-year students, your choices will be limited to introductory selections, however."
She traced her mana across the board behind her, forming the titles of the available curriculum.
Introduction to Herbalism
Basic Enchanting
Elemental Manipulation I
Magical Creatures and Their Habitats
History of Magic
Introduction to Artifice
Fundamentals of Will
Professor Isolde continued, "You will now have some time to select your courses. Please choose wisely. Your choices today will shape the direction of your future here at the Arcane University."
With that, she stepped down from the podium, and the room erupted into a flurry of activity. Students began discussing their options, weighing the pros and cons of each course. I pulled out the course selection form provided and began to make my choices.
For my first period, I chose Introduction to Herbalism. Alchemy had always fascinated me, and I wanted to deepen my understanding of its principles. For my second period, I selected Basic Enchanting, mastering enchantments would be crucial for my plans. I could not pick anything related to spells, so for my third period, I decided Magical Creatures and Their Habitats. Finally, for fourth period, Introduction to Artifice would do swimmingly.
Once I had made my selections, I handed my form to Professor Isolde, who nodded approvingly.
After everyone finished their assignments, Professor began our first lesson.
"Today, we will start with a brief history of Arcanium, a place of learning and discovery founded just under a hundred years ago. Understanding our history is crucial to appreciating the legacy you are now a part of."
Sable turned to a large, ornate map of the university and its surrounding grounds, which had been magically projected onto the wall behind her.
"The Munthe, the Xanthippus, the Zoticus, the Pryderi, and the Llyr. Each family brought unique strengths and traditions, creating a foundation that has allowed us to flourish."
"The Magnar Munthe, the Allrquin, provided the initial vision for the university. His contributions to our understanding of the interplay of elemental forces is unparalleled. The Xanthippus family, outcast from Aune's academy, laid the groundwork for the structure of the school."
"The Zoticus family, experts in life and the natural world, designed our extensive gardens and greenhouses, ensuring we have the finest resources for studying magical plants."
"The Pryderi wanted to foster a new generation of legendary protectors, so they offered to teach melee combat and battle tactics much the same as the Llyr."
"The university is more than just a school," Sable continued. "It is a living testament to the dedication and passion of these families. As students here, you are expected to uphold these traditions and contribute to the legacy of our great Arcanium."
As the bell tolled, signaling the end of the lesson, Sable dismissed us, and I made my way to find my next class. The hallways of the Arcanium were labyrinthine, filled with portraits of historical figures and tapestries depicting legendary battles and feats of magic. I walked through the throngs of students, each hallway more magnificent than the last, until I found the door labeled Introduction to Herbalism.
Stepping inside, I was greeted by the earthy scent of various herbs and plants. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of dried leaves, roots, and flowers. At the center of the room was a large table covered in fresh herbs, mortar and pestles, and other alchemical tools. The instructor, a middle-aged woman with greying hair tied back in a loose bun, smiled warmly at the class.
"Welcome to Introduction to Herbalism," she began, her voice gentle yet authoritative. "I am Professor Elowen Adderley. In this class, you will learn to identify, harvest, and process the basic herbs needed for medicinal and alchemical purposes."
She led us through the basics of herbology, from identifying common plants to understanding their properties and uses. We were then tasked with creating a simple healing salve using a mix of ground remedy root and hearthfire berries.
I had wished for something more nuanced, something more engaging of my talents. Before I knew it, the bell rang again, signaling the end of the period. I packed up my things and headed to my next class: Basic Enchanting.
The enchanting classroom was filled with rows of workbenches, each equipped with a set of enchanting tools. The walls were adorned with glowing runes and sigils, casting a soft light over the room. The instructor, a tall, slender man with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, introduced himself as Professor Wulfric Wolstenholme.
"Welcome to Basic Enchanting," he said, his voice smooth and commanding. "In this course, you will learn enchanting is a delicate art that requires patience and control."
He demonstrated the process of creating a simple enchanted object, a small stone that emitted light. We were then given our own stones and tools to practice with. I carefully followed his instructions, etching the runes into the stone, quite the bore.
I moved on to my third class. The classroom for Magical Creatures and Their Habitats was more like an atrium, filled with plants and enclosures housing various arcane species.
A petite woman with wild, curly hair and a constant smile, greeted us enthusiastically.
"Welcome, everyone! I am Beatrice Biddlecombie! In this class, you will learn about the diverse and wondrous creatures that inhabit the island of our school. From the majestic gryphons to the elusive guardian of the grove, each has its own unique behaviors and habitats."
We spent the class learning about different creatures, their diets, and their magical properties. It was the first class I did not have all the answers beforehand, so I took detailed notes, eager to learn as much as possible.
Finally, I headed to my last class of the day: Introduction to Artifice. The workshop was filled with various mechanical and magical devices, tools, and raw materials. The instructor, a burly man with a thick beard and a booming voice, introduced himself as Professor Garret Ironwood.
"Welcome to Introduction to Artifice. Here, you will learn to combine magic and machinery to create innovative tools and devices. Artifice is about creativity and problem-solving."
He demonstrated the creation of a basic mana-powered lantern, explaining the components and the process. We were then tasked with creating our own devices, undirected by a preconceived subject. I rummaged throughout the spare parts and materials available in the supply.
I decided to create something complex, something that would challenge my skills and push the boundaries of what I could achieve. I found several small gears, springs, and metal plates, along with some high-quality mana crystals. My plan was to create a small golem, capable of performing any command given, such as retrieving butter or writing notes.
First, I started with the base, constructing a sturdy frame using the metal plates. I meticulously measured and cut each piece, ensuring they fit together perfectly. Next, I assembled the internal mechanisms, carefully placing the gears and springs to form the core of the automaton's movement system. Each gear interlocked with precision, creating a seamless flow of motion.
I then integrated the mana crystals, embedding them within the core of the device. I carefully etched runes onto the crystals, connecting them with fine vines to channel the mana throughout the golem. I used the prison enchantments, hidden beneath a false skin, to constantly refuel to poor-quality crystal powering my creation.
For the outer shell, I used a combination of lightweight metals and a flexible alloy to create a protective yet adaptable casing. I designed the golem to resemble a featureless human, with articulated arms and legs.
I placed the automaton on the workbench and activated it. The mana crystals glowed softly as the gears began to turn, bringing the automaton to life.
"My master." it spoke in a surprisingly clear, almost musical voice. "How should I serve?"
I smiled, the thrill of success coursing through me. "Make another of yourself. Here are the parts."
"Your wish is my command," the automaton replied, bowing slightly.
I watched in amazement as the small golem began to work, its tiny hands moving with precision and skill. It selected parts from the pile I had provided, arranging them in a neat order before starting the assembly process. The effort was strenuous for such a small construct, but it moved with a determination that was almost human.
Piece by piece, it began to construct another automaton, mirroring the same meticulous attention to detail that I had used in creating it. The gears clicked into place, the metal plates were aligned perfectly, and the mana crystals were carefully etched with runes. As it worked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the possibilities this creation represented.
As the second automaton neared completion, Professor Ironwood approached our workstation. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw the small golem assembling another of its kind.
"Well, well, what have we here?" he said with astonishment.
I looked up, "Thank you, Professor. I did not know what to make, so I made something that could make itself."
Professor Ironwood watched intently as the second automaton was brought to life, its mana crystals glowing softly as it activated.
"My master," the new automaton said, turning to me. "How should I serve?"
I gestured towards the remaining parts. "Continue making more of yourselves. Here are the parts."
"Your wish is my command," the automaton replied, bowing slightly.
The two little friends built a third, twice as quick.
"My master," the new automaton said, turning to me. "How should I serve?"
I pointed to the original, "He knows my wishes. Follow his orders."
The trio bowed and began working together, their movements synchronized with an uncanny precision. The other students gathered around, their faces filled with awe and curiosity.
Professor Ironwood shook his head in disbelief. "Micah, this is beyond anything I expected from a first-year student. Your ingenuity and skill are truly exceptional."
I nodded, "You should see my work in Aetherhaven."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone