Part 1

"We can do this another time, if you're not feeling well you know?"

Inside the office, the most apparent visual you can't ignore is that the room is full of books.

If a freshman were to accidentally come into the room, they might think that this was some sort of a library and the dean a librarian.

Cobwebs filled some parts of the ceiling which meant that the Dean didn't want anyone besides him take care of the room.

"I'm fine. The battle will start the day after tomorrow so I can't slack off."

Between her watery eyes and snotty nose, the Dean didn't know if she was lying or convincing herself.

Nevertheless he took a box from his personal cubex. He opened it and a Corus emitting a bright red light shone in front of them.

"This is a special Corus I'd like you to use from now on."

A Corus is the main core of a Sky Ship. It is generally placed near the cockpit and is connected to the controller cores.

Depending on the Corus, the ability of the ship drastically changes. Some Corus provide faster flight, some give additional defense.

Coruses like the one presented before them are rare if they can be placed in any ship they wanted to.

These types of Corus are called.

"Aptum Corus."

"It's the first time I've seen one!"

Aria's eyes shone and watered as she drooled all over the fact that they were receiving their own personal Corus.

This gift will definitely improve their chances of winning the competition.

Their next enemies are the sophomores. Elias Venti and Minerva Von Eurus.

Two people from well established family and it's apparent that Elias was out for blood considering their confrontation in front of the school.

"You can use this when battling your next opponent."

"Isn't this favoritism on your part? What's the catch?"

Valion was cynical about this whole thing.

The Dean helping him pass his classes and giving the two of them a valuable item.

It all seems wrong in his mind. Something like this isn't done by someone without a catch.

"This academy's primary goal is to cultivate young students to reach their potential. I'm just helping the two of you realize it.

I know that it's hard for the both of you because of the responsibilities you carry but I hope that you realize that someone is looking after you here."

"Thank you Lord Chlys!"

Aria quickly grabbed the Corus, It was bigger than her palm. It's size was similar to that of a basketball but it's weight is heavier than it looks.

After realizing that, Aria made Valion carry it which irritated him a bit.

"Well anyways this is the extent of help I can give you. I hope you do well in your competition.

The gift I gave to those two have definitely improve their power so I'm expecting a good match."

This was news to Valion. It seems like the Dean really does hand out Aptum Coruses to the freshmen who wins the tournament.

This all made sense in his mind.

Giving the Aptum Corus early can pave way to them honing their skills which revolves around the Corus that they're handling.

"We'll do our best I promise!"

"If you want to customize your ship for the next fight then might I suggest the two of you to go and consult with the Ship Building Club."

"Thank you for all the help!"

She said that with a bright smile as her snot ran down to her pale lips while bowing to pay her respects.

'She really was sick but her dedication to improve is admirable.' Valion thought.

And so they left the Dean's office to test out the capabilities of the Corus handed to them.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Part 2

My name is Etsa Greytalc, I'm a third year and a member of the Ship Building Club in the Sky Reacher Academy.

I've been diligently training myself since freshman with hopes of becoming a great shipwright.

And because of that I'm often here at the clubroom reading books to further my knowledge.

Sometimes I get invited by people to help them out on the ship requests that they are entasked with but because I'm a dwarf nobody bothered to give me my own project.

The competition started again this year. It's the same as last year. Everyone was invited to help except me so it's gonna be the same as last year for me.

Stay here with my books until an opportunity comes but then something unusual happened.

Two freshman walked into the room completely ignoring me.

"Why are we here anyway?"

The kid looked around as if checking the surroundings but he's completely ignoring me. It's as if I don't exist!

"Don't be that ignorant. Lord Chlys told us this is the best place to look for a shipwright. I don't see anyone though.

Maybe we came at the wrong time. A lot of them might be resting after the battles of the sophomores and juniors just ended and are now watching the seniors."

Wait even the girl hasn't noticed me?! This is really striking my nerve!

"Let's come back another time. It's a shame I wanted to know how this Aptum Corus works."

An Aptum Corus is inside that box?! I wanna see! Now that you mention it they look kinda familiar.

Yes! They're the ones who won the freshman competition! I see so the Dean gave them a Corus.

"Uhmm guys!"

The two of them looked back but didn't see me.

"Did you hear something?"

"I thought I was just imagining it."

This is bad they don't know I'm here.

Oh! I know I'll raise my hand.

"Huh?"

The boy finally saw me. I screamed for a second because his stare startled me.

"Hey stop looking at her. Don't you see she's afraid of you now."

"No it's okay. I was just surprised that's all."

"Thank goodness! If our shipwright were to be frightened then I don't know how we'd manage."

"S-Shipwright?"

"Yes shipwright! I officially announce you as our very own shipwright! Congratulations!"

Is this girl crazy?! We've only just met and does she think that I'd easily accept? Even I have standards!!!!

"Y-You can't decide that without my consent!"

"Oh so you decline? Oh well. Hey Valion let's go look for others!"

"W-What?! You're just gonna leave?"

"Yes you declined right? We can't waste anymore time with pleasantries. Well then bye!"

"No wait stop please I'll do it!"

"Really? You will? Can you prove you're capable?"

"Of course! I don't look like it but I'm very good at making ships!"

When I say ships I meant ship models. I haven't even gotten my hands on a Corus other than the basic ones. As I a third year, I'm really a failure aren't I?

"...I see."

She looks unconvinced. Oh no! My shot at becoming a shipwright is dwindling. What should I do?

"I-I can prove it! Let me inspect that Corus of yours and I'll tell you what you wanna know."

"Hmm alright I'll give you a chance."

She handed me the Corus that easily? What if I ran away with it? If this was sold on the market, It would be pretty expensive.

But wow this is an Aptum Corus.

Wait! I have no time to stand here in awe. I need to use one of the tools here to check what the heck this is.

Good thing the club left tools to appraise Corus like this one. Now let's see here.

"!!!!?"