Kairos sat in front of a furnace, tinkering with the fire spell when suddenly his door was knocked open.

He lifted his head to see who had barged in when an old dwarf with the pointiest beard he have ever seen shoved his face right over.

The chin hair was split in two and made into sharp cones. It was huge and magnificent but hilarious.

Just as Kairos jumped back in surprise, or perhaps to dodge the beard cones, the dwarf loudly asked, “What are you doing lad?”

“I… I’m starting the furnace fire,” Kairos hurriedly answered while terribly confused.

“Wrong!” the dwarf exclaimed.

“I’m not…?”

“You’re making a bomb!”

Kairos looked at his magic circle again. Sure, it is a little flashier than the textbook spell circle, but its firepower should not be elaborate.

The dwarf shook his head and traced a finger at the diameter of the spell then said, “Your heat timer overlaps each other, this makes it try to start a fire multiple times at once. The spell will be taking in excessive amount of air and everything will go boom! Kid, you almost flew away together with this room! Just what is old Edgar teaching?!”

Just as Kairos was about to defend Edgar, the old dwarf pointed his pointy beard over and barked, “Rub this part away!”

Without a word, Kairos did as instructed and carefully removed the fine stray lines and the tiny blobs of spilled ink, however, his mouth still twitched involuntarily. He was in the middle of cleaning this spell when the strange old dwarf appeared.

Kairos is not clumsy nor careless by nature, however, his control of the brush is still lacking. Regardless how he practices, the lines seemed to have a mind of their own and will stray from his path.

“Over here as well. Boy, there are twelve-year-olds with better penmanship than you.”

Kairos rolled his eyes and cleaned up the magic circle. At least, the ink to conduct spells is made of mana crystal dust and some kind of adhesive and is easy to wipe off with a wet cloth.

In his heart, he secretly grumbled that if he had used Breath of the Ancients to control his brush, his spell circle will be perfect.

But that way, he will not be able to practice.

One must understand that the Origin Cultivation will only improve one’s innate talent according to the person’s desire.

This means that not only must one be passionate in the pursuit, but years of practice cannot be forgone.

As a result, the cultivation method will keep raising one’s limits, allowing the person to reach as far as desired. In a way, this works in accordance to Kairos’ philosophical belief.

The dwarf continued instructing Kairos on the different spells that a blacksmith will use, including metal control spells to extract refined ores, water purification for cooling the metal, and compounding spells that can increase a metal’s density.

Kairos was astonished by the dwarf’s knowledge and carefully heeded every word. As he followed the instructions, he quickly improved.

Pleased at the aptitude that this student shown, the dwarf suddenly said, “Observe,” and he suddenly tapped the blocked of practice metal bar.

Kairos watched in disbelief as the object liquefied.

Looking at his expression, the dwarf laughed, “I had the same look on my face when I first saw Metalwork.”

As he spoke, he gestured at the metallic solution and it flew up from the table and swirled around.

At the same time, Edgar’s ten non-dwarf students are having a meeting in the biggest room of this place.

Heading the group is of course Glittersprout the gnome smith, his second-in-command – John Doe – stood by his side.

“The newbie, Kairos, I heard that the master already let him see his scroll.”

Just this opening sentence from Glittersprout was enough to make the majority of them turn grim.

They feel threatened that Kairos is getting privileges.

When the message seemed to have sunk in, John Doe added, “We must do something, or else… you guys know the consequence for a newcomer to overtake our positions.”

The room immediately turned noisy. Their rankings are scrutinised by all the lords of the land, and how well they live after they graduate from here depends on it.

Moreover, although it was left unsaid, they are all worried if Kairos is named the successor by Edgar therefore they quickly decided he must be removed.

Of course, not everyone had the same thought. Amongst the group, one individual refused to participate: the only elf that Edgar accepted into his discipleship – Von Von Arisfon.

She is the oldest in this group and had been training even longer than many of the dwarves. However, her ranking is often at the bottom last.

Von Von is not untalented. In fact, to be accepted by Edgar despite an elf – a race thought to be delicate, beautiful, and too weak to beat the irons – she is immensely gifted.

Her low ranking is because of two things. She had been an understudy for such a long time that people are questioning her ability. It’s inevitable that her popularity is rather low.

Besides, Von Von is an elf after all, and that is always a minus in the blacksmithing trade.

In the end, their rankings were given by the lords of Axis Mundi, and not a true representation of their skill.

Von Von took one look at them discussing about what they should do to get Kairos expelled, and she walked out of the room.

If she had the time to plot against a newbie, she will rather use it on improving herself.

The rest that are used to her lone wolf character did not bat an eyelid nor persuade her to stay.

A short while after she left, the group seemed to have come to a consensus. They need to find out more things about this newbie first, and then tackle his inexperience. When he makes a mistake, they will be able to complain to their Master Edgar.

A few more times, Master Edgar’s impression of Kairos will surely drop. By then, the newbie will surely be expelled if they find the right time to frame him.

With the general directions decided, the nine of them chose to act right after. After all, the longer they wait, the harder it will be to trap Kairos who is studying hard.

Back in the training room, Kairos is diligently following the strange old dwarf’s instructions on the forging spells and metalworking when suddenly the door was barged open again.

Just as before, he looked up from his work to see who had come in, only to see nine of his seniors appearing.

In one glance, he saw their unkindly expressions and determined that there is trouble brewing.

“What a headache. I only want to work hard on my craft,” Kairos sighed privately, but he wasn’t fazed by their hostility. After all, he had plenty of experience from Saint Cadets Academy.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

The nine senior students smiled at Kairos without noticing the strange dwarf on the side scowling at them, then Glittersprout said, “Kairos Astroire, as a new student, you don’t seem to pay the proper respect to your seniors.”

“’The proper respect’? Oh, did you want some desserts? I’m sorry I’ve given all out.”

Kairos’ reply instantly caused Glittersprout’s snide remark come to a crashing stop. The gnome wanted to provoke some sort of impertinence from Kairos, but the reply made him out to be a child looking for sweets.

Coupled with the gnome’s natural knee tall height, it really looked like a child being unhappy when not given treats.

Moreover, Kairos’ tone of voice was faultless. He remained cordial and regarded his seniors properly with eye-contact.

Only Glittersprout knows the silent sufferings he is going through.

Just as he was about to respond with a witty comeback, the strange old dwarf scoffed, “You younglings are here to learn, not fool around like this! If you have the spare strength to chatter, spend it on practice instead.”

Only then did Glittersprout spotted the dwarf. Irate by the interruption, the gnome had a terrifying look on his face, “Who let an old beggar in here! Throw him out now!”

Two of the lower ranked students hurriedly went forward to apprehend the dwarf. This isn’t a place that anyone can enter at will.

However, the dwarf became remarkably furious and started shoving them back and it turned into a scuffle.

While the dwarf is strong for his size, the two students had greater mass and used it to their advantage to forcefully remove him from the compound.

Kairos, of course, quickly came to his aid and it caused an insidious smile to appear on Glittersprout’s face.

“I’ve caught you,” the gnome thought darkly.

He wasn’t the only one with the idea. Almost at the same time, John Doe stood forward and grabbed Kairos who was trying to shield the old dwarf, “Junior, don’t you know this place is restricted? You will get punished for helping an outsider. Master Edgar won’t be pleased.”

On the side, the dwarf who heard it violently pushed back the two students trying to apprehend him and shouted, “You think this house belongs to you? I can come and go as I please, who are you to stop me?”

Kairos shook off the hand gripping his arm, the gentle tug caused John Doe to feel as though his fingers were going to be ripped off.

“He did nothing wrong,” Kairos said as he protected the dwarf. This stranger had helped him tremendously, and Kairos feel he will be ungrateful if he did not stand up against them right now.

However, this is exactly what Glittersprout and the rest wants.

It was around this time when a pitiful moan caused everyone to look towards John Doe. The human smith had keeled over like a shrimp, curled up around his hand. If not because some moments have passed, he would still be in too much pain to make any sound.

If John had let go when Kairos had utmost gently pulled his arm away, nothing would have happened.

However, at that time, John decided an iron grip was the most appropriate manner to show Kairos who’s boss.

Most unfortunately, four out of five fingers were dislocated, because one does not simply try to stop a battering ram with fingers.

Kairos himself did not expect such damage to be done and was at once speechless.

No one know what happened, because no battle had taken place, yet there is already a casualty. They wanted to provoke Kairos to scold or even hit them. That way, they can go straight to Master Edgar and destroy him. However, before there was a fight, someone is already lying down. Just… what happened?!

Although no one managed to figure out how John was downed, the 8 remaining senior students quickly pinned it on Kairos.

“Junior student! What is the meaning of this? Your senior, John, only tried explaining to you the house rules, why did you so violently hurt him?!”

“Junior student Kairos, I did not expect you to be such a brute. This is a place for study, yet the moment you feel a little unhappy you will you strike your seniors. How preposterous.”

“Our craft do not welcome a hothead like you!”

Next to Kairos, the little dwarf was just as thunderstruck by what happened. Others may not have seen it, but he had been right next to John Doe when it happened. The dwarf had secretly thought at first that this young chap, Kairos, was commendable for standing up for him.

A talented youth that was humble and able to side justice despite facing the bullying of his seniors.

Then, the next moment, the unreasonable senior student is already on the floor, taking quick breaths to handle the pain.

People say, the fingers are connected to one’s heart, as it is torture to dislocate four at a time.

Large beads of sweat poured down John’s forehead as he turned deathly pale.

Just as Kairos and the dwarf was paralysed by fright, the two of them was shoved out of the door. When they recovered their senses moments later, the dwarf looked at Kairos and curiously asked, “Did you really pull out his fingers?”

It is apparently that the dwarf had been frightened. No sane person will dislocate another’s fingers as the first approach to a dispute. Even the hot-tempered ones that easily get into a fight wouldn’t cruelly twist out another’s fingers… but Kairos did just that!

When the dwarf thought about how he had badly scolded Kairos from the beginning, cold sweats beaded all over his face. M… maybe he should quickly apologise now before it is too late. He didn’t mean any harm in the first place, it was just habit kicking in that he slightly raised his voice.

Right… there should still be time to apologise before this young man, Kairos, act rashly and de-finger him as well.

Kairos quietly shook his head, “I didn’t do anything. Honestly, it was his fingers that were too fragile.”

The dwarf had a face full of disbelief but did not say a word.

After a while longer, judging that Kairos was not going to do anything, the dwarf finally felt safe enough to speak.

“Come, follow me back in.”

The strange dwarf grabbed Kairos, wanting to pull him back into the house, before letting go of the teen’s arm with a great shock, as if he had grabbed something scorching.

Kairos sighed, and followed him back into the forging hut.

It was then that Kairos realised that they walked passed the door without kicking off the magic barrier in this place.

Every house has a protective barrier, like the key and lock, to prevent outsiders from entering. However, this magical spell cast upon the place also have a defensive mechanism that allows the owners to completely isolate the structure.

Kairos had been given a pass by Edgar so that he may enter this place while strangers must be brought in by someone.

Just like when Kairos took his tests, Edgar led him into the place while the onlookers waited outside.

However, right now, the isolation mode had been activated by the 8 senior students after shoving the two of them out the door.

Yet, this strange dwarf just ignored it completely. Kairos’ mouth twitched again, thinking that he might have missed out something when he was studying the spells. It can’t be helped, he had only started on learning the knowledge that Axis Mundi offered.

As the two of them entered the house, the strange old dwarf brought him right towards Edgar’s room.

Along the way, the dwarf stopped so suddenly that Kairos almost walked into him. Only then did he see another dwarf was walking down the hallway.

The old dwarf walked briskly forward and caught up, and then excitedly greeted the other party.

Kairos looked at this person carefully. A female that looked like a ten year old human girl, but it is obvious she is a dwarf. Of course, for dwarves that could live to seven hundred and fifty years, she might be actually be a few centuries old despite her look.

Like the others of her race, she had a beard on her chin, although for females it is likely just a wig for fashion. Her beard flowed down smoothly like a waterfall. The picture of a starry sky was dyed on it. If looked closely, the stars are actual gems.

Kairos quickly came over and greeted her respectfully. Although she looked like a young girl, this person is definitely his senior.

The lady dwarf looked at Kairos with a cute smile on her face as she slightly tilted her head, “Goldplate, is this boy the one we had heard about?”

The dwarf nodded a few times, “This boy, green between his ears he may be, is indeed astute. I think Old Edgar wasn’t lying.”

“Hmph, of course he wouldn’t dare to lie. Speaking of Silverforge, what is he doing when we are already here?”

“I’m about to find him myself. Shall we go together?”

“Let’s go.”

As the two led the way, Kairos quickly followed. He noticed how they seemed familiar with this place and started guessing who they really are. At this time, the strange dwarf called Goldplate started chatting with the girl, “How have you been these years, Ami?”

She scrowled and said, “Don’t call me Ami, we are not close enough! I am Amethyst Brightgem.”

“R…right. Sorry Ami. Let’s go find Edgar.”

“Firewrought Goldplate! You! You’re still!” the one called Amethyst raged easily but halfway through, she laughed, “Piff… I did miss you guys. Let’s go.”

A look of reminiscence flashed across her eyes.

As their party arrived at Edgar’s room, two dwarven apprentices stood by the door and halted them, “I’m sorry, teacher is in close-door research. He do not wish to be disturbed.”

The students looked at the two dwarves strangely, but did not chase them away. Instead, they had a look on their face as if they are searching from memory where did they see these two persons before.

Unexpectedly, both of them did not care to wait around and started shouting for Edgar at the top of their faces.

Somehow, it looked quite similar to children calling out their friends to play.

Very quickly, the 8 senior students rushed over to see what was causing all the commotion. They are still hotly angered by what happened before, and Firewrought’s shouting was like pouring oil on fire, so when they spotted Kairos and the strange old dwarf, they were furious!

“Take the brooms! Chase them out!”

Glittersprout shouted, and everyone leapt into action. The two dwarven students by the door wanted to say something, but knowing how the gnomes are, they kept quiet.

Moreover, the dwarves’ booze supply comes solely from their gnome cousins. When Glittersprout was happy, he brings limited labels for everybody, the price of a single bottle often costs as much as a small carriage.

It was around this time that Edgar finally opened the door.

A look of excitement was on his face when he saw Firewrought and Amethyst, but when he noticed his students taking out brooms, his expressions quickly darkened.

With their backs turned to gather brooms, many of them did not notice Master Edgar’s arrival.

“You old beggar! How did you get back inside?!”

“And you brought a friend along with you?”

A student shoved Goldplate with a broom while another was threatening Amethyst.

However, Glittersprout himself had turned deathly pale.

Kairos took one look at them and thought, “Oh no! This is heading towards the worst possible situation.”

Of course, he is only looking at things in his seniors’ perspective, since he himself is not involved.

If he had guessed Firewrought and Amethyst’s identities correctly, the senior students had chased out Edgar’s close friend and threatened his old flame.

As Kairos stood cross armed wondering if Glittersprout and his cronies would survive, he did not noticed that there are three broken brooms around him and the several students that attacked had wounded hands.