Chapter-23

Theron's proficiency with fire, honed through spellcasting and alchemy, provided him with an advantage during the forging process. Though not a master, his familiarity with the element contributed to the success of the blade.

"It's not bad for a starter. Indeed, I may have got a good apprentice this time," Cedric remarked, eyeing the newly forged blade. "Give it to me. I can polish and make it into a real sword. You can learn about it later. Look at yourself; you need a rest."

Taking heed of Cedric's advice, Theron noticed the beads of sweat on his skin and the heat radiating from his body. He sat on a chair, accepting the water Aria offered.

As Theron rested, Cedric meticulously worked on the sword. He polished, ground, and heat-treated it with practiced skill. The blade underwent tempering to relieve stress from the heat treatment, followed by another round of polishing. The final result was a sword that shone with a sharp and clean hue.

Theron observed Cedric's craftsmanship, and Aria joined in as well. The sword surpassed their expectations, and a surprising expression appeared on Cedric's face. Soon, his surprise turned into genuine joy, and he began to laugh heartily.

"I hit gold this time! I hit gold!" Cedric exclaimed, his laughter echoing in the forge. Aria couldn't help but join in, finding the scene infectious.

"I was just lucky," Theron humbly mentioned.

"Luck or not, you made it on the first try. Even if it's luck, it shows your talent! Hahaha!" Cedric expressed his delight as he took the finished sword, placing a handle on it.

"I can keep it as one of my souvenirs."

__ __ __

(1 week before the exam)

In the Veridale academic mansion, Seraphina found herself intercepted by her mother, Omettia Veridale, upon returning from her training and learning session with Theron.

"I have been waiting for you," Omettia greeted with a stern expression.

"Mom," Seraphina replied, slightly surprised.

"I was expecting you to be working hard and studying since your grades in exams were bad. But who would have thought you would just be going out around," Omettia scolded, waving a red sword that she promptly made disappear when Seraphina tried to snatch it.

"It's fine even if you go to physical camp but you chose the special camp" she continued, her frustration evident. Omettia scrunched her eyes and held her temples, visibly concerned. As a mother, she desired a balance for her daughter, not just excellence in combat but a well-rounded education and social life. Yet, as her mother, she wanted Seraphina to have a fulfilling and enjoyable childhood.

Seraphina was exceptionally talented in swordsmanship from a young age. Since the age of 13, after awakening her martial bone and mana core, she immersed herself in training. While other children might not make much progress during that age due to bone and core maturation, Seraphina defied the norm, making notable strides.

From the age of 13 after she had awakened her martial bone and mana core, she had started to train. Even though children from age 13 to 18 won't have much progress due to their bone and core starting to mature, Seraphina would train and it would reap rewards as she had progressed some ranks during that time but as her mother, she wanted her to have fun and be like other children as well. 

Despite her prowess, Omettia wished her daughter to experience the joys of friendship and a well-rounded life. She was grateful that Elysia had become Seraphina's friend.

Upon Seraphina's enrollment at the academy, Omettia knew she would excel at combat but was taken aback by her poor academic performance. She knew it would be bad but not this bad at the least. As a mother, she didn't want to see her daughter failing. It was not because of the fame but if she was like this how would she be when she would chose her future life partner. Academic knowledge and relationships might not be directly connected, but Omettia believed that she would at least be able to know what is wrong and right if she were to be more knowledgeable.

Reflecting on her past parenting, Omettia questioned whether she should have been stricter, insisting on a more balanced education between combat and academic. Sighing, she recognized that dwelling on the past was futile. 

'The past is in the past, let it go'

To encourage her daughter's academic pursuits, Omettia decided to take away Seraphina's favorite sword, a birthday gift from her father. She made it clear that if Seraphina improved in academics, the sword would be returned.

Seraphina started to learn academics while also maintaining her sword training. Seraphina was very headstrong so when her mother told her to go to the combat camp as it was a chance for her to just learn combat but even after a talk with her father and her, Seraphina still decided to go to the special class, when her mother wanted her to go to the combat class. She was headstrong in regards that when she chose something, she wouldn't look back. Omettia didn't want her daughter to be hurt when her grades appeared.

Omettia had hoped that her daughter was making positive changes after learning about her efforts to study with Elysia. However, after the last exam, she sensed a shift in Seraphina's dedication. Rather than witnessing the same level of diligence, she observed a more carefree attitude, with Seraphina going out on weekends earlier and not putting in as much effort. 

Concerned as a mother, Omettia decided to stop Seraphina and inquire about her recent behavior. 

Maybe the grades before had affected her, she didn't know. But as a mother, she wanted to at least know what was up so she stopped her and wanted to investigate. 

"But I was studying though, Mom"

"Studying"

She didn't mind her going out that much, she was fine with it but she wanted to know what her daughter was doing but a lie was what she didn't expect. She knew that she was not with Elysia as she had asked Elysia's mother. She wanted to know whether she was telling the truth or not so she handed Seraphina a set of questions, a pen, and a blank sheet,

"Fine, if you are not lying, then fill in the answer for these questions" 

Omettia declared, her tone firm.

"You have exactly an hour"

There were not too many questions so it was able to be done within an hour. Seraphina started to see the first question.

'Ohh, I remember this'

She said as she remember the notes and simplified terms which Theron made her remember and she was able to answer the questions until she encountered the fourth one. It was one she couldn't remember or relate to. Frowning, she touched her head, attempting to recall the information. But she remembered something it was not the information she was needing but rather a memory. She pouted as she remembered it.

__ __ __

(Flashback)

"Why have you not written in such a long time?" Theron questioned.

"I don't know this question," Seraphina admitted, facing a question she didn't recognize on a sheet provided by Theron. She had been stuck on it, thinking intensely for ten minutes.

"Hahaha," Theron chuckled. 

"Why are you laughing?" Seraphina shot a glare at him with tearful eyes.

"Little Seraphina, if you encounter a question you don't know, skip it. Why would you waste so much time on it? You don't need to answer every question to pass. Remember that," Theron advised, flicking his finger on her forehead.