Chapter 62.

PART 1.

Landing from the ships, the students are directed by people who do work in the Academy, but are not professors. As a result, they rarely get any attention. In my opinion, it is a gross injustice, and the author should fix it pronto.

Instead of going through the wilderness, where the professors hoped some students would eliminate themselves kindly from the gene pool, the second-year students are taken to carriages to take them to the Academy. This is much more pleasant compared to the journey of the previous year. And let me assure you, those carriages are not pulled by invisible horses. Children these days, believing everything written in books. Don’t you know that books can lie to you?

“Hmm.” Said Hatori, examining the carriage. “I think it needs some modifications.”

“What kind of modifications?” asked Josh.

“Why, it should have fiery wheels, a storm brewing above, and horses made of lightning should pull it.” He described the modification. “And of course, when we disembark, there should be a thin curling mist as we slowly walk out of it.”

“I think you’re mad.” Said Josh.

“I think it’s a great idea.” Said Shin.

“I think it is horribly impractical.” Said Raven.

“I think it’ll be an interesting project.” Said James. “What do you say, we should appropriate some carriages? and do the modifications.”

“What? Have some scruples!” said Josh.

“What are those?” asked Hatori. “Are they tasty?”

“How did I end up with immoral friends?” lamented Josh, while everyone laughed.

“Dude, you’re pretty immoral yourself.” Reminded Raven. “Remember—” he begins to remind Josh of his embarrassing and immoral moments.

“I can’t hear you!” said Josh covering his ears.

They all arrive by the time of dinner. Marching up to the mess hall, because they are all hungry, and according to the info they have, they will get their schedules there, they enter the mess hall. Much like their previous year, the first-year students haven’t arrived yet. Taking the empty table for themselves, Hatori and his friends have a lot going on in their minds for this year.

Josh wishes to actually build his network; as Hatori told him, he is good with people. Josh also wishes to improve himself in magic and become strong like his friend sitting near him. Raven, James, and Shin also Have Hatori as a target to reach.

Meanwhile, Hatori wishes to take himself to beyond his current level. He must become strong; he won’t let anyone torment him like they did the previous year. They did not talk because they were hungry, and they didn’t have the time to talk because they left as soon as they received their schedules.

No need to give the warden any trouble; they are perfectly capable of taking over a room, and are willing to fight for it if necessary.

Once the room is theirs, Josh asks Hatori a question. “So, do you have any books from Zeko this year?” Josh is already looking for the advantage. If they can get the books recommended by Zeko, their task of becoming strong will be a lot easier.

“Not this time.” Said Hatori, putting his trunk in the rack. “I had already asked him before we left. He said I should focus on improving my elemental magic, and keep working on what I know already.”

Josh is disappointed to hear that. “But if you need it, I can give you the list which he gave me the previous year. I still have it.” Said Hatori. “You won’t have any competition for these books. Students rarely take them out of the library.”

“That’s good. Thanks.” Said Josh.

“Not a problem.” Said Hatori, done with settling his trunk. “Besides, he might not have assigned anything to me. but this doesn’t mean I can’t learn new things on my own.”

“That’s true.” Agreed Shin.

He is looking to incorporate more of his musical talent into his magic this year. He will need some specialized books for that.

After that, they look at their schedules. “Oh hey, we have different classes each day.” Said Josh.

“Good. I don’t think I can take the previous year’s schedule. It was tiring!” said Raven.

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“Potions and combat are split across two days. Why does transmutation have only one day?” wonders Shin.

“Whatever.” Said Hatori. “I’m going to follow the plan of self-study.” Said Hatori. “I already have taken a look at the books of this year. I know what they’ll cover. I’ve marked the difficult things for which I may need to be present in class, but otherwise—”

“You’ll skip, yes, we know.” Said everyone together.

“Good thing is, this actually gives us more free time.” Said Raven. “We’ll need to utilize that time properly for us, for both training and rest.”

PART 2.

Next day in the first class of the potions of this year, professor Dhiraj is telling them about the potions they will be brewing this year. “As you can see, the potions listed here are quite difficult.” He spoke.

Here are some of the potions on the list. Blasting potion, which Hatori already brewed last year; brightness potion, which also was brewed by Hatori last year; the hydrating potion is new, as the potion to cure the cold. “The cold-curing potion is quite tough. If you make a mistake, you can end up creating a poison instead. I do hope my slave will be able to instruct you properly.”

“Better than you.” Said Sultan. “Unlike you, I’ve been more of a professor for these kids than you.”

“You take that back!” screamed Dhiraj.

“Aww, make me.”

The children watch this argument, wondering, when will they start on these potions.

PART 3.

Hatori is out to check out his secret training ground, which he found last year. So, this is a perfect time to discuss how to surpass him. his friends wouldn’t mind discussing this in front of him, but apparently, they are thinking that that would be rude and might offend Hatori.

“Okay, so I found the methods he learned last year, and they are brutal.” Said Shin. “No wonder he needed to take off from classes. He would have dropped dead. Not to mention he wouldn’t have enough time anyway.”

“That’s true. But that kind of training requires the use of nutrition potions, and a carefully monitored diet.” Said Raven. “Otherwise, our bodies will collapse instead of becoming strong.”

“I can brew these potions,” said James.” Provided you can get the ingredients. I… can’t do it for the whole group, not for the long term.” James is hesitant in saying that he must rely on Mathis for actually getting any money for his own.

“But the school is not likely to give us the ingredients.” Said Shin. “They are not rare, but they are specialized. They would rather keep them in reserve for older students.”

“I can buy the ingredients.” Said Josh, and the door to their room opens and Hatori comes back from his inspection.

“Who is buying what now?” he asked, sitting on his bed.

“We were talking about a training regime of our own,” said Josh. “But we don’t have anyone to buy the ingredients for the nutrition potions. James has agreed to brew them for us.”

“I can buy them for you guys.” Said Hatori.

“What?” They all said it together.

“Yeah, Zeko has been giving me pocket money since I became his apprentice. I didn’t have any chance to spend it, so why not now? I’m sure at least for this year, I can help you guys.” Explains Hatori.

“Wow. Didn’t think Zeko was so generous.” Said Raven.

“He really is, once you get to know him. except for the training part. He is ruthless when it comes to that.” Said Hatori. “Speaking of which, you guys better follow the regime and become strong, or else I’ll be very displeased.” Hatori uses some magical pressure on them unconsciously.

“Message received.” Said Josh nervously.

PART 4.

“Today, we will learn about weapons which are commonly used as foci.” Said Bali in his first combat class of the year. “Now, there are some exotic weapons, but most of the time, you’ll see knives, swords, bow and arrows, and spears as foci.”

“Maces were used in the past heavily.” Bali lifts one from the rack to demonstrate the weapon in question. “But as you can see, it is heavy and unwieldy. Aside from exercise equipment, and for some idiots who insist on using them in the weapon duels, they have largely fallen out of use.”

(End.)