Weapon Selection

Two weeks later.

The Griffin class was lively. None of the students were absent and everyone was discussing something exciting.

But as soon as the class teacher entered, the lively atmosphere became silent. Everyone stood up and greeted her.

The instructor returned the greeting before saying, "An exciting day, isn't it? Everyone of you will get choose your own weapons today."

"Yes!" Everyone replied in chorus, except a certain individual.

"Adrian Darkheart." The instructor called.

"Here."

"I heard that you have applied for a custom weapon. Normally, the Academy does not accept such requests. But considering your exemplary results in this year's entrance examination, the principal decided to accept your application. After the class, you will follow me to an expert smith. Understood?"

"Understood." His answer was as lazy as usual.

Meanwhile, the other students were curious about his application.

'What weapon does he want?' They thought.

"I hope everyone has already decided their weapon choice. Remember, a weapon is a circler's lifeline, especially if you want to be an augmenter. Don't worry about defensive and support equipments now; they will be provided later."

Everyone nodded.

"Okay. So, let's begin today's lessons. The topic is 'magical immunity.' Anyone ever heard of this before?"

All the nobles raised their hand, except Adrian who was too lazy even to do that.

"The resistance that is formed in your body when you comprehend an essence against that very essence is called magical immunity. For example, fire circlers who comprehended the <Heat> essence will develop a resistance against heat. So, they will be immune to fire spells. Of course, that depends on the power difference; if a level 9 fire circler decides to fry a level 1 circler of the same attribute, the latter will be defenceless.

"Wind circlers will develop kinetic vision. So, extreme speeds will not affect them in any way. Earth circlers will get superhuman strength to crush hard objects. Water circlers are a bit special as they get a bit of all the 'magical immunity' powers mentioned earlier. Water circlers are called the most balanced for a reason.

"But the most special 'magical immunity' belong to the dark circlers." She stopped and looked at Adrian, the only dark circler in the class.

She continued, "The essence they develop immunity against is <Conceal> which means that it is hard to conceal something from them. Due to this heightened sensory ability, they are a tough foe to fight against and especially- to assassinate."

Everyone, except a few, looked at Adrian. The commoners found it a pity that the Academy had no further properties. The Darkheart house is the only family in the Confederation to have a property for the darkness attribute. And this one property was enough to make them one of the strongest families in the whole continent and better than most families with two properties.

The class went on for a few more minutes until the bell rang.

*Ding. Ding*

"Everyone, follow me to the armoury."

All the students stood up and began to follow their instructor.

The armoury was in a separate building beside the library. A young male instructor, wearing a white robe with bronze embroideries, was waiting beside the entrance of the building.

"Greetings, Miss Bell." The assistant instructor bowed.

"Greetings. They are the future of our Confederation- the Griffin class. Help them choose their weapons."

"This is my duty. I will naturally do my best." He bowed again before taking the students into the building.

Adrian was still standing behind Abegail- a little too close.

The moment she turned around, his handsome face was right in front of hers. They were both looking into each other's eyes.

She barely saved her soul from getting sucked into those abyssal eyes. She stepped past him and quickened her pace- her face all red.

'Damn! Why is he so handsome?' She could not get him out of her head.

"Ahem… Instructor, are you sure we are supposed to go this way?"

His statement brought her back to reality.

She changed her direction in such a way that would not let Adrian look at her face- the face which was even redder than before.

'Fuck! I lost all my dignity as an instructor today.' She wanted to run away and hide herself.

But Adrian was thinking something else.

'Who will be the first to fall? The daughter? Or, the mother?' He secretly smiled.

Soon enough, they reached their destination- the Academy guesthouse. The guesthouse was a building whose grandeur was not any lower than that of the main building. Even though it was not as big as the latter, it's stunning architecture and idyllic surroundings made up for it. This showed how the Academy treated their guests. But this was of no surprise as only the best of the best were worthy to be the institution's guest.

Abegail, who managed to compose herself, knocked on the door not more than thrice.

*Knock. Knock. Knock*

The door opened. An old bearded man whose sturdy body belied his age stepped out.

"Greetings, Sir Forge." Abegail bowed. Even though the greeting was usual, the respect it carried was a whole lot more.

"Tsk. Lass, just call me uncle." He replied in an annoyed tone.

She just smiled wryly in response.

"This is Adrian Darkheart. He shall be your customer this time."

"Darkheart, eh? Do your mother still use that rapier I made?" He asked in a grumpy voice.

"It has tasted more blood than any other rapier in the continent." Adrian replied proudly.

"I knew she would not waste it, it is one of my greatest masterpieces. And I hope you won't disappoint me either- neither with your weapon choice nor with its usage." He gestured Adrian to come in.

"I will leave then." Abegail bowed.

"You are not coming in?" The old smith asked.

"I am sorry. I have a very busy schedule today. I will visit later when I have the chance."

"Yeah? Go away then." He snorted.

Abegail bowed again and left.

'Busy schedule? I just want to stay away from him until it's absolutely necessary.' She thought while leaving.

Both of them sat opposite to each other in the balcony. There was a table between them upon which were papers and drawing materials. The beautiful scenery outside created a perfect atmosphere for discussions.

"So, I would like…"

It took about half an hour for the discussion to end.

"Are you really sure you want a weapon like this?" The old man raised his brows.

"Why? Any problems?" Adrian smiled as if he were challenging the smith.

"No, but wouldn't a spear be more practical for its longer range? A sword for its versatility? Or even a mace for its power to crush?" He was still a little doubtful.

"I still want this. If any weapon in the world suits me, this is it." Adrian stood firm to his decision.

"Suit you? I don't see any practicality of this weapon except…" his voice trailed off, his eyes opened wide as he looked at the harmless looking pretty boy sitting in front of him.

"Exactly!" Adrian replied as if he knew what the old man was about to say. It's because he really knew what the old man was about to say.

The old smith smiled and shook his head.

"If you are not the perfect example to 'Don't judge a book by its cover,' I don't know who is." He sighed.

"Oh, trust me. You wouldn't say this if you had seen my true self even once." Adrian replied after a short laugh.

"I seriously don't want to." The old man again shook his head.

"So, can it be done?" Adrian spoke in a serious voice for the first time since the beginning of the conversation.

"Though this weapon is a bit peculiar and unique, you also can't deny the fact that it is also one of the most common weapons out there. It won't be easy, but it is not impossible either." The old man also answered in a serious tone.

"The time?"

"Two weeks at most." The smith replied with pride.

"Just what I expected from the creator of the 'all-piercer'." Adrian brought forth his hand.

"I never felt pity for my creations' preys, not until this one." The old man brought forth his. They ended the deal with a firm handshake.

A few minutes later, Adrian met up with Isabella.

"Did you choose what I told you to?" Adrian questioned.

"Yes- the the 'Skyhunter composite bow' along with its necessary equipments and the 'Sabretooth twin blades'."

"Good, let's go back."

Two weeks passed.

"Young master, a staff came to deliver a parcel." Isabella brought a wooden box to Adrian's room.

"Looks like that old man has yet to lose his integrity. Put it there." He gestured her to put the box on the desk.

He went to the box and opened it.

The curious Isabella, who was unable to see inside, tried to peek but failed to see what was inside.

"Old man, you exceed my expectations." Her young master's mutterings were all she could here.

That night- dinner time.

Adrian had ordered a steak to celebrate the arrival of his weapon.

He had yet to begin eating and Isabella was busy serving.

She suddenly stopped and turned back.

"How many?" Adrian asked.

"Three."

"Not bad. But actually, it's four."

Despite Adrian's praise, she felt a little disappointed.

Adrian looked at a certain direction and smiled malevolently.

"Looks like tonight's feast just got better. Isabella, bring that box here."