The first week was over, and Zorian considered the difficult classes to be spells, formulas and advanced mathematics. Maybe battle magic.
Guardianship, the art of protecting things with magic, is an extremely complex field. You have to consider what the thing you want to protect is made of, what the dimensions and geometry are, how the guard will react with the magic that's already there...
But the professor will fail your answer, so that's not an option in class.
Zorian is a patient, methodical man when it comes to magic, and has had good results dealing with serious criminals. The problem was, their teacher, a stern woman with short, shaved hair, didn't know how to teach.
Absolutely not. Oh, she obviously knows a lot about the subject matter, but she just doesn't know how to translate that knowledge into a proper lecture. She leaves out a lot of things, apparently without realizing it, because while these things are obvious to her, they are not obvious to her students. The textbook isn't much better, reading more like a professional caretaker's manual than a student's textbook.
Question 6: You are tasked with establishing a research outpost on a level 1 mana well in the Highlands. The building is designed to support a crew of 4 and the surrounding area has a large winter wolf and borer wasp infestation. You have a budget of 25,000 pieces and are assumed to be a certified second circle guard.
Assuming that only mana drawn from the mana well can be used to power guards, which combination of guards do you think is the best choice for an outpost? Explain your reasoning.
Draw a floor plan of the outpost and explain how the planned layout of rooms and the shape of the building itself will ensure the effectiveness of the protective shield.
Do you think the best way to deal with a borer problem is to use a pest-repellent shield house or to choose building materials carefully? Explain your reasoning.
Let's say you were tasked with building not one but five outposts. The budget remains the same. How does this change your answer? Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Zorian rubbed his eyes in frustration. How should he answer? He didn't take architecture as an elective, and he didn't know you had to take it to do well in the guardianship class. Not to mention this question assumes they know what the market price is for purchasing the necessary materials, or that they know where the high ground is. Zorian was very good at geography, and he didn't know, but considering the existence of monsters such as winter wolves, he suspected that they were somewhere in the northern forest.
At least he knows how to answer the third part of the question. The correct answer is definitely the ward (with protective cover). Even if this outpost is inedible to borer larvae, it is still a prime location for nesting. Considering how territorial these insects are, you don’t want them living near you. In theory, the "Choose Materials Carefully" option will free up mana that would otherwise be used to maintain repellent wards, especially if they are specifically targeting borer wasps.
His thoughts were interrupted by girlish giggles from the back of the classroom. Zorian didn't even have to turn around to know what was happening - Zach was entertaining the students around him again. He wishes the teacher would punish the guy, especially during exams, but Zach is kind of cute for the stern woman since he's the only student who gets good grades on the exams. There is no doubt that this guy has completed the test with 100% accuracy. Which, by the way, makes no sense - for their first two years, Zach was a below-average student due to his charm rather than magical talent. Kind of like a better version of Toph, actually. This year, however, he excelled in everything. everything. He has a wealth of knowledge now.
How does one become so good in one summer?
After 15 minutes, he threw the pencil on the table and called it a day. He only filled out eight of the ten questions, and he wasn't sure how correct they were, but that was all.
He had to set aside a few days for self-study because the lectures meant less and less as time went on. The only student who spent as much time in the classroom as he did was Akoja, who turned in their papers around the same time and followed him out.
Of course, the reasons why she stayed so long were entirely different. I stayed to tie up some loose points. She stayed because she was a perfectionist and wanted to triple-check everything to make sure she didn't forget anything.
"Zorian, wait!"
Zorian slowed down and Akoja caught up with him. This girl could be insufferable at times, but overall she was a good person, and he didn't want to lose his temper with her because he didn't go as well as he could on a test.
"How was it?" she asked.
"That sucks," he replied, not seeing the point in lying.
"Me too."
Zorian rolled his eyes. His and her definitions of "bad" are very different.
"It only took Nyoru half an hour to do it," Akoja said after a brief silence. "I bet she'll get a perfect score again."
"Ako..." Zorian sighed.
"Jealous, but that's not normal!" Akoja said in a low but excited voice. "I'm smart and I'm always learning, but I still have questions about the classes. We've been in the same class for the past two years, but she's never been better. And... now she beats me in every class! "
"Kind of like Zack," Zorian said.
"Just like Zach!" she agreed. "They even hung out together, two of them with another girl I didn't know, and acted like... like they were in their own private little world."
"Or like they're a couple," Zorian said, then frowned. "Three people? What's the word to describe a romantic relationship between three people?
Akoja scoffed. "Anything. The key is that the three of them did nothing but waste time and confront the teacher. They got full marks anyway. They even refused the opportunity to transfer to the first echelon. Do you believe it!?"
"You're too excited," Zorian warned.
"Aren't you curious how they did it?" Akoja asked.
"Of course I am," Zorian scoffed. "It's hard not to. But what can I do? Besides, Zach has never done anything to me."
Zorian felt Beni suddenly join them, he just appeared out of nowhere and walked beside them. Sometimes Zorian wondered if the fat boy could smell gossip.
"I know what you mean," Penny said. "I always thought Zach wasn't good at anything. You know, like me?"
"Ha. Well, there's no way he could do everything so well in one summer," Zorian said. "I guess he's been pulling the wool over our eyes."
"Man, this is stupid," Penny said. "If I were that good, I would stop everyone from knowing it. Ha"
"I don't think he's pretending not to be okay two years in a row," Akoja huffed. "He slips at least occasionally."
"So, what's left?" Zorian asked. Can such rapid growth be achieved using magic? Because most of them were crimes, and he was sure the Academy had checked on Zach to make sure he wasn't a shape-shifting imposter or possessed by a ghost. A long-dead master?
"Maybe he knows the answer ahead of time," she suggested.
"Unless he's an oracle," Penny said. "Last Tuesday, when you came home early, Bull gave him an oral examination, and he rattled off his answers as if he'd swallowed a textbook."
The three of them filed into the alchemy classroom, which looked like a large alchemy workshop. There are about 20 tables, each filled with various containers and equipment. All the materials for the day's lessons were already in front of them.
Alchemy, like guarding, was a complex art, but their alchemy teacher knew how to teach, so Zorian had no problems in class. Technically, they had to work in groups of 2 or 3 students because there weren't enough tables and equipment.
"Hey Zorian," Penny whispered. "I've never noticed before that the teacher is kind of sexy!"
Zorian gritted his teeth. This damn idiot can't keep his voice down if his life is in danger. There was no way she hadn't heard it.
"Benny," he whispered to his partner. "I need to do well in alchemy to get my dream job when I graduate. If you mess this up for me, I'll never talk to you again."
Penny grunted, then resumed staring. Zorian refocused his efforts on grinding the wasp shells into a fine powder to produce a specific type of glue.
It is undeniable that for a 50-year-old woman, the female teacher is indeed in surprisingly good shape. Beauty treatment? —She is the alchemy teacher after all. Maybe even real youth potions, although they are very rare.
"Why do you like this class so much," Penny complained. "No magic required here. It's all about finding the herbs, cutting the roots the right way...just like cooking. Oh my gosh, we're making glue. You should leave that to the girls."
"Benny..."
"Really!" he protested. "Even our teacher was a girl. A hot girl, and I read somewhere that the roots of alchemy go back to covens of witches, with potions and all. Even now, the best alchemy The family is also descended from witches. I bet you didn’t know that, right?”
In fact, he does know this. After all, before entering the academy, he had been tutored in alchemy by an honest, traditional witch. In fact, she's so traditional that she scoffs at the name "alchemy" and refers to her skill strictly as "potion-making."
"If you don't shut up now, I won't partner with you." Zorian told him seriously.
"Hey!" Penny protested. "So who's going to help me with this? I'm not good at this!"
"I don't know," Zorian said innocently. "Maybe you should get a girl to help you."
Luckily, the teacher was too busy fawning over Zack's handiwork to bother with Zorian's desk at the moment - somehow the boy had managed to create some kind of strengthening potion from the materials provided, which was obviously very impressive. Azrin doesn't seem to mind that Zach completely ignores the task of making the magic glue and does his own thing.
Zorian shook his head and concentrated on his work. There were times when Zorian tried to wow his teachers, but he was told to work hard on the basics and not be arrogant because arrogance kills. Is it because Zack is the heir to the Novida nobility? Or is it something else?
-. . . . . . two. . . . . . .
"That concludes today's lesson," Ilsa said. "Before you leave, however, I have something to announce. As some of you know, the Academy traditionally organizes a dance on the eve of the summer festival. This year is no exception. The dance will be held next Saturday in the Great Hall. For those who don’t know, it’s mandatory this year.”
Zorian shouted, banging his forehead on the table, eliciting snickers from the rest of the class. Ilsa deliberately ignored his reaction.
"For those of you who can't dance, dance classes are held every evening at eight o'clock in room six. I won't let you embarrass me on prom night. Fired. Miss Strozzi, Kaczynski Sir, please stay after class.”
"Oh, great," Zorian muttered. To be honest, he was planning on skipping the dance, no matter how mandatory it was. Does Ilsa realize this?
"So..." Ilsa began as he and Akoja were the only remaining students. "I assume you all can dance?"
"Of course," Zorian said.
"Uh..." Akoja fidgeted. "I'm not very good at it."
"It doesn't matter," Ilsa said. "We'll bridge the gap easily. The reason I asked you to stay is because I wanted you to help me with my dance lessons."
Refuse outright? — It was not something he wanted to spend his time on — but he thought it might be a favor that would allow Ilsa to forgive him a transgression or two. Like, not going to the mandatory dance? However, before he could express tentative agreement, Akoja made his decision.
"How can we help you?" she said, obviously delighted that they had been chosen for this "honor". Zorian raised an eyebrow and ignored her presumption that she was speaking for him.
“You only have five days to teach everyone how to dance,” Ilsa said. "That's why we use magic to help."
"Action spell," Zorian guessed.
"Yes," Ilsa said, and quickly began to explain for Akoja's benefit. "There is a spell that can guide one's limbs and body in any dance. But if you practice dancing under its influence, you will learn it much faster than you would otherwise."
"How does this work?" Akoja asked curiously.
"The spell will make you move like a marionette until you learn how to move with it," Zorian said. "Eventually you won't need the spell to dance correctly."
"I see you have personal experience." Ilsa said with a smile.
Zorian resisted the urge to frown. Being bewitched by Daimen was one of his childhood traumas. This is not funny at all.
"Of course," Ilsa agreed. "However, those who reject this approach will have to attend at least three meetings instead of one, so I expect most people will choose this approach over the traditional one. Regardless, I hope you two The course helps me cast spells on people. I need some help."
"Specifically, why did you choose us?" Zorian asked.
"You all have decent control over your magic, and you seem responsible enough to accept such a spell. After all, animation spells for characters are restricted and not something students can access."
hehe. So how did Daimen get it? In his second year, no less?
Well, whatever. At least knowing how to cast the spell will make it easier to fight it later.
"Anything else?" Ilsa asked. "Okay then. Come to my office after class and I'll set up some dummies for you to practice on before turning on people. This spell can be very uncomfortable if not controlled well. We don't want it on anyone. Come trauma.
"Ms. Strozzi, you can go—I still have something to discuss with Mr. Kaczynski."
As soon as Akoja left, Ilsa started talking, which surprised Zorian. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and focus on what Ilsa was saying.
she said with a smile. "How do you get along with your mentor?"
"He asked me to practice triathlon," Zorian told her bluntly. "We are still conducting levitation exercises."
Yes, even after 4 weeks, Xvim still had him levitating a pencil over and over again. Again. Again. Again. Zo
ia
The only thing learned in these lessons is how to dodge the marbles Xvim keeps throwing at him. This bastard seems to have an endless supply of these.
"Yes, Professor Xvim wants his students to have a firm grasp of the basics before moving on to advanced topics,"
Or that he hates his students. Zorian personally thinks this understanding is more reasonable.
"Well, I just wanted to tell you that you might be able to change tutors soon," Ilsa said. "One of my students is dropping out after the summer and I'll have a gap to fill. That is, if you're really interested in transferring."
"Of course I'm interested!" Zorian half-shouted, which made Ilsa laugh. He frowned. "Unless you're going to throw marbles at me too?"
"No," Ilsa laughed. "Xvim is special in that way. Well, I just wanted to see what you thought. Have a nice day."
It wasn't until he walked out of the classroom that he realized how complicated this development had become. He can't annoy his (potential) new mentor too much, or he'll be stuck with Xvim for the rest of his studies.
-. . . . . three. . . . . .
"Why can't we cast the spell ourselves once the dance starts?"
Zorian let out a long sigh. "You can't make an animated spell do something you don't know how to do yourself. You don't know how to dance, so you can't inspire anyone to dance. Also, if you can't move your arms to where you want them to be, then once you dance Ending, how are you going to break the spell? This is really not a spell you should be casting on yourself."
"So how many dances do we need to learn?"
"Ten," said Zorian, with an angry cry.
Sure enough, as soon as this statement came out, there was a lot of complaints. Thankfully, Ilsa took over the class at this point, instructing everyone to pair up and spread out across the large room to provide enough space.
I have a headache. Although room 6 is quite spacious, there are a lot of people there, and the invisible pressure is particularly great today.
"Are you okay?" Penny asked, putting a hand on Zorian's shoulder.
"I'm fine," Zorian said, waving his hand away. He doesn't like being touched very much. "I just have a slight headache. Can I help you with something?"
"No, you just look like you need company. Tell me, who is your prom date?"
Of course Penny wanted to talk about it.
Zorian has a bad relationship. The chances of a date are slim to none. Perhaps more importantly, all teenage girls like older men. For girls, dating a man two or three years older than you seems to be a status symbol, and most of them loudly disparage the rudeness and immaturity of men their age. When they are in first grade, all the girls want to date third graders. It's junior year now and all the girls want to date the graduates. Because there are many people willing to play together,
Plus, all this romantic stuff...well.
"Brilliantly?" Penny urged.
"I won't go," said Zorian.
"What do you mean 'I'm not going'?" Penny said carefully.
"As I said," Zorian said. "I skipped the whole dance thing. Turns out I had an alchemical-related accident and had to stay in my room for the night."
Zorian has discovered a particularly tricky potion that makes people become more outgoing and sociable? - It's entirely possible for him to try and make - if done wrong, it can make people very sick, but not kill.
"Oh, come on!" Penny protested, and Zorian had to pinch him to keep his voice down. Don't let Ilsa overhear him. "It's the Summer Festival! A special summer festival, the whole...parallel...thing..."
"Plane alignment," Zorian offered.
"Anything. The point is you have to be there. Whoever it is is coming!"
"I'm a nobody."
Penny sighed. "No, Zorian, you're not. Look, Zorian, we're all merchants' children, right?"
"I don't like hearing this," Zorian warned.
Penny ignored him. "I know you don't like hearing this, but-"
"No. Just don't."
"—You have a responsibility to your family to behave well. You know that your actions will affect them."
"There's nothing wrong with my behavior," Zorian snapped, aware that he was attracting the attention of those nearby but not caring at the moment. "You're free to go wherever you want, but don't get me involved. I'm a nobody. The third son of a small businessman from a remote area. People here don't give a shit about me. They don't even know about me Who is that. I like that."
"Okay, okay!" Penny protested with wild gestures. "Brother, you are making trouble..."
"Whatever," Zorian scoffed. "Leave me alone and let's go."
nerve!
He snorted, trying to calm himself down. Silly summer festivals and silly dances. Interestingly, unlike most people who hate this type of activity, Zorian isn't that bad. He knows how to dance, he knows how to eat without embarrassing himself, he knows how to hold a conversation. He must know these things because his parents used to drag him along to such events and they made sure how to behave better.
But he hates this. He had no words to describe how sickened he felt by these events. Since the academy has absolutely no right to ask him to participate in things he hates, why should it force him to participate?
No, they have no rights at all.
. . . . . Four. . . . . .
Zorian knocked hesitantly on Ilsa's office door, wondering why she had called him here. impossible…
"Come in."
Zorian glanced inside. Ilsa was sitting behind the table, drinking tea. She looked calm and serene, aware of a hint of dissatisfaction. Well…
"So, Zorian," Ilsa began. "You did well in my class."
"Uh, thank you, Professor." Zorian said carefully. "Let me try."
"Indeed, I can say that you are one of the best students in your group. After the holiday craze, I plan to take a student under my wing. Be a role model for everyone and can be the representative of the class."
Oh, this is bad.
"I don't-"
"So, excited for the dance this Saturday?" Ilsa asked, seeming to change the subject.
"Yes, I am," Zorian lied smoothly. "Sounds interesting."
"That's good," Ilsa said happily. "Because I heard that you were planning to boycott the event. I must say, that's rather frustrating. I believe, and I'm well aware, that attendance is mandatory."
"Rumors, Professor," Zorian said calmly. "It never occurred to me to intentionally boycott the ball. If I couldn't attend—"
"Zorion," Ilsa interrupted.
"Professor, why am I so important?" Zorian asked, a hint of weirdness in his voice. Getting angry at your teacher is a bad idea.
"I'm sick, you know? Crowds of people give me a headache."
She snorted. "They give me a headache too, if it makes you feel better. I can give you a potion. In fact, I am one of the organizers of the prom, and if too many students are absent, my record will be Put a black mark on it. Especially if someone as brilliant as you doesn't show up."
"Me? Famous!? I'm just an ordinary student!" Zorian protested.
"It's not like you think," Ilsa said. "To get this far requires extraordinary intelligence and dedication - especially for a student like you who was born a commoner and has never been exposed to magic in his life. People will pay attention to people like you. And, you are Daimen’s younger brother, we all know his reputation.”
Zorian's lips formed a thin line. Zorian was convinced that the last reason was what this was all about and that all other arguments were just excuses and attempts to curry favor with him. Even though his brother is on another continent, Zorian can't escape his shadow.
"You don't like comparing yourself to him," she guessed.
"No," Zorian admitted curtly.
"Then why?" she asked curiously.
"Always compared to my brother, I've been like this since I was a kid, before Daimen became famous. My parents were never shy about taking sides and I was always found wanting. My family doesn't need a withdrawn nerd, and over the years this has One point has been made abundantly clear. Until recently, they had completely ignored me and treated me more like my sister's nanny than their son."
"But something happened recently that made them notice you?" Ilsa guessed.
"Excuse me, Tov," Zorian said. "He failed several exams and had to bail out through his father's connections. He has shown himself to be unreliable, which is a problem because he is supposed to be the backup heir to the family business, just in case Daimen is around. He was killed in one of his escapades. So now I'm suddenly being taken out of the metaphorical closet so they can train me."
"But don't you want to be the substitute?" she guessed.
"I don't want to get involved in family politics, period. I'm not part of that family by any means. Never was. At best, I'm just a loose colleague. I thank them for feeding me and funding my education when I I would be willing to reimburse them when I get a job, but they have no right to make similar demands from me.
I won't hear it. I have my own life and plans, and I don't want to be a supporting role or waste my time at bland social events where people are constantly sucking up to me. "
He decided to leave it at that as he would only make himself angrier. Besides, he suspected that Ilsa was less sympathetic to him.
When Ilsa realized he wasn't going to say anything more, she leaned back in her chair and took a deep breath. "I sympathize with you, anyway, I think you are becoming a good mage yourself. Not everyone can be a prodigy like Daimen."
"Okay," Zorian said, refusing to look at her.
She sighed and ran her hands through her hair. "You make me feel like the villain here. Family issues aside, why are you so bothered? This is a party. I thought all teenagers loved parties. Are you still worried about finding a date? Just Ask some first-year students, and they jump at the chance — they can’t attend unless invited by an upperclassman, you know?”
"I don't have a date," Zorian told her, rising from his seat. "I may have to go to prom, but I'm pretty sure bringing a date isn't mandatory. Have a great day."
. . . . five. . . . .
Wearily walking through the corridor, he was in no hurry to return to his room. The teachers gave them no homework on the weekends, and all the free time was a godsend to Zorian.
As he entered his dormitory building, he noticed that someone was already in a celebratory mood as the walls of the corridor he passed through were covered in colorful splotches of bright yellow, green and red.
"Zorian! Just the person I'm looking for!"
Zorian was startled by the loud voice behind him and turned sharply to face the man who had invaded his personal space. He frowned at the grinning idiot in front of him.
"Why are you here, Toph?" he asked.
"What, I can't go see my brother?" he protested. "Aren't you too good to hang out with your brother?"
"Cut the crap, Toph. You never come to me when you just want to hang out with someone. Do you need any help right now?"
"That's just not true," he fumed. "You are my favorite brother, you know that?"
Zorian stared at him expressionlessly for several seconds. "Daimen is not here, so you just accept me?"
"Daemon is a bastard," Fortoff snapped. "Ever since he became famous, he's always been too busy to help his younger brother. This guy only thinks about himself."
"Very hypocritical," muttered Zorian.
"Sorry, I didn't catch that," Toph said.
"Nothing, nothing." Zorian waved his hand contemptuously. "Then what trouble are you in now?"
"Well, I promised a friend that I would make her an anti-rash potion," Toph said sheepishly.
"There is no anti-rash potion," Zorian huffed. "However, there is an anti-rash ointment that can be applied directly to the affected skin rather than being absorbed like a potion. This just goes to show how stupid you are when it comes to alchemy. What on earth were you thinking, making this to your friend Such a promise?"
"During our wilderness survival class, I pushed her into the purple reptile patch," Tov admitted. "Please, you must help me! If you are willing, I will find you a girlfriend!"
"I don't want a girlfriend!" Zorian snapped angrily. The last thing Toph would have arranged for him was a girlfriend like this. "Look, why are you bothering me about this? Just go to the drugstore and buy some."
"It's Friday night. All the shops are closed in preparation for tomorrow's festivities."
"That's too bad, because I can't help you," Zorian said. "The first two years were theory and lab safety, and I've just started my third year. We haven't done any serious alchemy in class so far."
He didn't learn much alchemy in class. He could easily make the antidote for purple creeper rash, but why spend expensive alchemy materials?
"Oh man, come on. You speak three different languages and you can't even do something as basic as this? What are you doing in your room all day if you don't learn how to do something like this?"
"You're one of those people who can talk!" Zorian snapped. "You're a year older than me, you should be more than capable of doing this yourself."
"Well, you know I never cared about alchemy," Toph said with a dismissive wave. "Besides, I can't even make vegetable soup, and I'll break my mother's kitchen utensils. Do you really want me to bring alchemy equipment?"
Well, when he says that…
"I'm tired," Zorian said. "Tomorrow."
"Are you crazy!? Tomorrow will be too late!"
"Oh, come on, she won't die from the damn rash!" Zorian said angrily.
"Please, Zo
ia
, I know you don’t care about these things, but she’s obsessed with this boy, and—”
"—If my friend's rash isn't healed by then, she can't go, and she'll never forgive me! Please, please, please—"
"stop."
"——Please, please, please, please——"
"I said stop talking! I'll do it, okay? I'll make the damn ointment, but you owe me a lot of money for it, you hear me?"
"Yes!" he said happily. "How much time do you need?"
"Meet me at the fountain in about three hours," Zorian sighed.
Zorian watched him escape, shook his head, and returned to his room to get the required alchemical reagents. The college has an alchemy studio that students can use for their own projects, but you must bring your own ingredients. Fortunately, he has everything he needs to complete this special task.
The studio was empty except for him, but that wasn't unusual. Most people are preparing for tomorrow's dance and are unlikely to engage in last-minute alchemical exercises. Zorian was not bothered by the eerie silence in the workshop. He spread the reagents on the table and started working.
Ironically, the main ingredient in the anti-rash ointment is the very plant responsible for this mess - the purple creeper, or more accurately its leaves. Zorian had dried them in the sun, now it was just a matter of grinding them into powder. Zorian had a simpler plan: He wrapped the leaf in a slightly damp cloth, then wrapped the whole thing in a piece of leather, then hammered the resulting lump until no resistance was felt. Irritating dust will stick to the cloth.
After mixing the leaf powder with 10 drops of honey and a spoonful of juice, he placed the whole thing over a low heat and stirred the contents until it was even in color and consistency. Then he removed the bowl from the fire and sat down to wait for the food to cool.
"That's really impressive work," a rather feminine voice said from behind him. "Great improvisation with the creeper leaves. I will definitely remember this technique."
Kyle isn't really a woman, despite some nasty rumors. He turned back to the Morlock boy, studying his white hair and piercing blue eyes, before returning his attention to the alchemical equipment.
Kyle struggled to think of a response as he examined the ointment with his practiced eye. This young man is a bit mysterious. I don’t know where he came from. He only joined their team this year, and he doesn’t like to talk much. Plus, you know, he's a Morlock. How long had the kid been staring at him? Sadly, when he's doing something, he easily loses sight of his surroundings, so he can't tell.
"Nothing special," Zorian said at last. "Now your work is... impressive. I feel like you're on a completely different level than the rest of us when it comes to alchemy. Even Zach can't beat you most of the time, and he seems to be on top of everything lately Outstanding."
The white-haired boy smiled gently. "Zach has no passion for the topic. Alchemy requires a craftsman's skill and a lot of patience, and no matter how extensive his knowledge is, Zach just doesn't have that mindset. You do. If you have enough alchemy like Zach If you practice martial arts, you will definitely surpass him."
"Ah, so you think he has experience too?" Zorian asked.
"Just like you," Zorian tried.
"Like me," Kyle confirmed. "I don't want to be rude, but are you done yet? I want to make something of my own today."
Zorian apologized to the boy for the robbery, which the Morlock dismissed as inconsequential, waved, and bade him farewell.
As he walked away, it occurred to Zorian that he should probably make some kind of sleeping pill for himself - he had to get enough rest tonight, because he certainly wouldn't get any tomorrow.
