26. Betrayal

"Hiding?" Blaze raised his eyebrow as he was not clear what Aurora was talking about.

As an agent, Blaze had acquired an important lesson: the significance of obtaining clarity when faced with a question. He understood that failing to grasp the true intention behind a query could potentially lead to unintentionally revealing information that should remain concealed. This realization had instilled in Blaze the importance of carefully discerning the underlying meaning of a question before formulating his response, ensuring that he remained within the boundaries of what he was permitted to disclose.

"For you to have almost filled your liquid core, you must have an excellent mana affinity. However, during the practical test with Professor Aaron, you pretended to have a weak mana affinity. Trying to play a C-class average student when you are an S-class student," Aurora explained with a cold face but what she said left Blaze stunned.

"C-class average student? S-class student?" Blaze asked in confusion even though he already guessed what they meant.

"You don't know anything about the school? Check your amulet," Aurora said with her frosty face, but Blaze never minded. Opening the customized school amulet given to them, Blaze scrolled and went to look for the rules.

The amulet would have matched a cell phone, but it has one big flaw – low memory capacity.

While Blaze was preoccupied with other matters, Robin seized the opportunity and playfully pulled Priscilla and the reserved girl to occupy the seats in front of him. Although Blaze noticed Robin's actions, he had more pressing concerns to attend to and couldn't be bothered by Robin's lively and mischievous behavior.

Blaze took his time to thoroughly read the rules inscribed on the amulet. As he perused the contents, his eyes fell upon the class grading system. After carefully reviewing the details of the grading system, a wry smile formed on his lips.

S-class students were students with excellent mana affinity, who scored at least 70 points and above in at least two subjects. In this grading system, all subjects are evaluated on a scale of one hundred.

With a wry smile still lingering on his face, Blaze acknowledged his self-perception. "I'm not a potential S-class student. Just a regular student." Now he knows why he was getting strange stares from other students. They think he's faking his ability.

"You're still lying? When you already almost filled your liquid core. People like you disgust me," As Aurora's piercing gaze locked onto Blaze, she spoke loudly and with a cold tone that carried across the room, causing the other students to divert their attention toward them.

Blaze locked eyes with Aurora for a while before returning to his food. Knowing any explanation without evidence is pointless, Blaze did not try to do it, after all, he owes no one any explanation.

"I'm talking to you." Aurora pounded the table with her fist to get Blaze's attention again.

Robin wiped the sweat off his forehead.

With his spoon poised in mid-air, Blaze halted his movement and lifted his head to meet Aurora's cold gaze. He locked eyes with her, acknowledging the intensity in her stare.

"I owe nobody an explanation. Secondly, if you despise me, the path to leave is behind you. So, let me eat in peace," Blaze suddenly reduced the tone of his voice while talking slowly and unhurriedly, before returning to his food.

Aurora stared at him for a moment before standing up to leave. Blaze never raised him again and continued with his food. The lunch on his table turned awkward. Everybody ate in silence. After lunch, Blaze stood up and left Robin with the girl he brought and walked towards the spatial gate at the door of the dining hall.

Upon exiting the Spatial gate, Blaze found himself unexpectedly colliding with Aurora. However, his mental fortitude remained steadfast, and he refused to let the encounter unsettle him. With a calm demeanor, Blaze proceeded to walk to his seat, displaying no signs of nervousness despite Aurora's watchful gaze.

After settling into his seat, Blaze observed as other students began to filter back into the classroom. An hour passed by swiftly, and the teacher's portal suddenly materialized, signaling the arrival of Zara. She entered the classroom donning her teacher's robe, mirroring the attire worn by Aaron.

"How is everybody doing?" Zara smiled sweetly.

"Good!" The class chorused.

Zara addressed the class, her voice commanding attention. "Today, we will be delving into the industrial applications of mana. From weaponry and potions to magical arrays, mana serves as the vital link. Additionally, as many of you may already be aware, the functioning of the spatial portal also relies on mana. In light of this, the Dragon Light Academy has implemented a new policy. Each student will be required to attend all industrial classes for two weeks before making their career choices. This measure aims to prevent future regrets and ensure that you find fulfillment in your chosen path."

"So today, my role is to introduce you to the art of blacksmithing and manakinesis. Follow me." As Zara activated the portal, the students were taken aback when they found themselves transported to a blacksmith shop. However, the scene before them deviated from their expectations. Instead of a traditional forge, they were greeted by a meticulously arranged workbench, adorned with multiple hammers, each accompanied by a pen in a penholder.

The unique setup piqued the curiosity of the students, who eagerly awaited further guidance from Zara.

"Okay, everybody takes a stand." Zara clapped her hand and walked to the stage in front of the blacksmithing room.

A slender, silver-colored hammer, with a cuboidal hammerhead was resting on the workbench in front of the blacksmithing classroom.

As Blaze positioned himself at the workbench, he was taken aback when Aurora abruptly appeared beside him, occupying the next available spot. He turned to her, eyebrows raised in surprise, but she maintained a cold expression and pretended not to acknowledge his reaction. Despite the unexpected proximity, Aurora remained distant and aloof, leaving Blaze to wonder about her motivations and intentions.

To ensure an undisturbed working environment, each workbench in the blacksmith shop was equipped with a partition. These partitions acted as a barrier, effectively separating one person's workspace from another's. This arrangement aimed to provide privacy and concentration for each individual, allowing them to focus on their blacksmithing tasks without interference or distractions from their neighboring peers. The partitions served as a practical measure to promote a productive and uninterrupted learning experience in the workshop.

"There is an inscription on the partitioned space of your workbench," Zara explained, guiding the students. "The first step is to purify the metal. Each of you has a steel ingot in front of you. Today, we will focus on purification, reshaping, and manakinesis."

She continued, "To ignite the fire, simply release your mana into the inscription in front of you. It's a universal flame inscription that absorbs any mana and ignites the flame. Your control over mana will determine the intensity of the fire."

Zara then shared a method for assessing the ingot's purity, saying, "To gauge the level of purification, after heating for a while, send a small quantity of your mana into the metal. If you feel any blockage, it indicates impurities. Although a tester is available with me, checking it yourself will enhance your sensitivity to mana."

Concluding her instructions, Zara emphasized, "Okay, everybody, watch me." She demonstrated by sending her mana into the markings on the table, igniting the flame, and showcasing the process to the attentive students.

As Zara focused on the markings, they witnessed a remarkable transformation. The seemingly ordinary imprinted petals on the workbench came alive, absorbing the mana released by Zara. In response, gentle blue flames flickered and danced upon the markings, creating an enchanting sight.

Guiding the students with her actions, Zara extended her hand towards the steel ingot resting on her table. With a deliberate and fluid motion, she waved her hand, causing the ingot to levitate and gracefully move toward the dancing blue flames. Gradually, the intense heat of the flames began to melt the steel, transforming it into a molten mass of liquid metal.

The students watched in awe as the steel underwent its metamorphosis, witnessing the power of mana and its ability to reshape and manipulate the physical world.

Without delay, Zara smoothly waved her hand in a fluid motion, exerting her control over the molten metal. The mass of metal responded to her command, twisting and morphing until it took on the distinct shape of a metallic dagger blade. It was a swift and precise transformation, showcasing Zara's mastery of the craft.

As soon as the blade of the dagger had taken form, Zara wasted no time. She waved her hand once more, directing the blade towards a small platform on the workbench. Placing it carefully on the platform, she then picked up a hammer and began striking the blade with rhythmic precision. The sound of the hammer meeting metal resonated in the workshop, as Zara skillfully shaped and refined the blade, infusing it with her expertise and experience.

The students attentively observed Zara's actions, captivated by her skillful craftsmanship and the creation taking shape before their eyes.

As Zara continued to hammer the blade with grace and precision, the rest of the students observed in awe, appreciating the skill and rhythm of her movements. However, Blaze's lack of interest was evident in his eyes. During his time on Earth, he never engaged in the manufacturing process of the weapons he used. His role primarily revolved around attaining a high level of proficiency in utilizing those weapons. Now, somebody is telling him to start making his weapon? Madness!

After some time, Zara set aside the hammer and picked up a pen that was on the table. With deliberate care and caution, she began to draw something on the surface of a nearby material. Every stroke of the pen was measured and precise, showcasing her attention to detail.

Once she finished the intricate design, Zara proceeded to attach a handle to the blade she had crafted earlier. The addition of the handle completed the creation of a new dagger, ready for use.

With a satisfied smile, Zara proudly displayed the newly formed dagger to the fascinated onlookers. To demonstrate its sharpness and effectiveness, she swiftly took hold of a steel ingot and effortlessly sliced through it using the dagger. The blade glided through the tough metal as if it were slicing through butter, highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship and keen edge of the weapon.

Zara took a moment to address the students, recognizing their curiosity about her ability to lift the steel ingot. She began to explain, "I understand that you may be wondering how I was able to manipulate the steel ingot. In addition to our elemental associations, there is a shared ability among all mana wielders called Manakinesis. Unlike the mana control you have previously learned, Manakinesis involves a different approach."

She continued, "In Manakinesis, you do not actively use the mana within your core. Instead, it allows you to establish a connection with the surrounding mana using your core as a conduit. This connection enables the conversion of your elemental mana into non-elemental mana. Once this conversion takes place, you can use your controlled mana to interact with objects."

Zara further elaborated, "By surrounding the target object with your mana, you can manipulate and move it. This ability grants you the power to control and interact with the physical world through the use of your mana. It is through Manakinesis that I was able to lift and manipulate the steel ingot earlier."

'So that's what that dude was able to choke me,' Blaze thought.

"I hammered to make the dagger even. Also, I hope you guys remember the inscriptions I made. The first inscription is to sharpen the blade while the second is to harden the blade. Remember, inscriptions make use of the surrounding mana. Okay, time for practical work. First, perform Manakinesis. If nobody succeeds, we will skip the blacksmithing part till tomorrow,"

———

Caroline was just coming from her room as she walked to the counter in the brothel when she spotted three soldiers clad in golden armor waiting at the counter.

"Sorry Miss Caroline, we just have some questions for you concerning the kidnapping of Princess Evelyn," One of the soldiers walked to the front and said in a plain tone that was neither rude nor respectful.

Caroline nodded as she knew the time had come. She walked to her drawer and opened it before retracting a scroll from inside.

"There's a depiction of the person who performed the operation in the scroll," Caroline said as she passed the scroll to the soldier. The soldier wasted no time to unfurl it.

"This kid? He killed the Ice Reaper," The soldier asked.

Caroline nodded weakly.