“As you can see by this diagram,” Professor Haddick said, “By adding in a few runes, you can change the properties of the material you are working with. Wood becomes magnetic, metal turns soft as snow. Now, it doesn’t mean start enchanting everything you see. What it means is that you can do anything with it, but some enchantments may not bind as easily. For example, Iron.

Pure Iron rejects magic and setting an enchantment in it will be difficult. Alloys, such as steel receive it easier. A good swordsman versed in magic and coat their blade in it, but it will not last long. One or two strikes is all they’ll get out of it.”

The main clock tolled, and the students began packing up their desks. “Make sure you read chapter three, we’ll be covering Material Principles next week,” Professor Haddick called out to the class. Gavin stepped out into the crowded hallway, bag over his shoulder. It had been a month since the semester started, almost two since he arrived in Aramastis. During that time, he had been shadowing Lucia at her work and learning the basics of magic. He finally was able to reach out to the Atral Weave and create basic lights in his hands. His use was still basic, and it was still hard to perform the simplest of spells. He left the Enchantment Hall to relax in one of the groves.

His head was still spinning from the long day he had had. He had loaded himself up with classes and was paying the price for it. Now he just wanted to relax before getting some food and heading over to one of the crafting halls. Unfortunately, he would have to change his plans when he saw a group of guys harassing a young woman.

They were all noble born like his friend Alistair. They wore the fine clothes that marked their station. The crest of their houses on their chests. Gavin knew these guys. Edmund ur Kel had wasted no time using his family name to get what he wanted out of the student body. Apparently, his dad was a big shot back home and anyone who was from the same region as Edmund did his bidding. He also levered his family’s reputation and influence to get the other students to do what he wanted. No one had been expelled because of him, but rumors were already starting to fly. He yet had to try anything with Gavin, but it would be inevitable.

The woman they were harassing was a werebeast. A human-like race with animalistic features. Most had ears and a tail. Some just had horns or antlers. The white-haired woman he met when he was first summoned was one such werebeast. This one was cat-like. Black hair and ears. A Black tail that almost touched the ground. She could fight all of the guys around her and was even considering it when Gavin approached the group.

“Come on,” Edmund said, “I’ve seen the way you look at me. Don’t play coy.” The woman tried to back away from him and found a wall, “I don’t know what you are talking about. I’m not interested. If I looked your way, then it was to observe.”

“I mean, I understand wanting to observe,” Edmund said. The woman realized her mistake and tried to recover. Gavin stepped in to rescue her. “I don’t know about you, but my experience tells me that when a woman says no, she means it,” Gavin said.

“Ah,” Edmund said, “The nobody from nowhere. Pay us no mind, we’re just flirting.”

“I ain’t up to date with the culture here, but I don’t think forcing a woman to comply is a step in courting her.”

“You can always mind your own business.”

“I could, but then I wouldn’t be able to show my face around my hometown ever again. We tend to take these things seriously.”

“That is, if you have a home to go back to,” Edmund said, smiling. Gavin grinned back and slid in between him and the woman, “If you are talking about using your father to get back to me, try again. My family is well outside his reach. Now, let the woman go and try again later when you learn your manners.”

“You family is not the only thing that can be hurt.”

“Bless your heart,” Gavin said, “You think you can try that? You’ll find I don’t have much a care in the world. Spoiled shits like you are my bread and breakfast.” Edmund clenched his jaw as his anger was starting to boil. Who was this nobody who dared to defy him. “I am the scion of the Kel Family. My father is a magister in Gal. You will do well to know your place.”

Gavin’s grin deepened, “I’m sorry to break this to you, my homeland don’t recognize nobility. So, you can take your pedigree somewhere else cause I’m ready to go if you are.” The implication was there. Gavin’s hands were tensed. The look in his eyes told Edmund that this was a man who was dangerous even id he wasn’t trained. That he was just waiting for an excuse. Edmund backed off, “We’ll see each other again.” Gavin tipped an imaginary at him as he walked away. Once the group was away, he turned and checked on the woman, “You alright?”

“Thank you,” she said and bowed her head, “They’ve been hounding me for the past week.”

“Yeah,” Gavin replied, “I heard he’s been getting women to sleep with his with the promise of a better position in the future. Honestly, I think it’s just a rumor. Who the hell would sleep with that guy. He’s all hat, no cattle.”

The woman cocked her head, “That’s an odd saying.”

“It means he’s an idiot.” That got a laugh out of her, “You have an odd way of talking. Where are you from?”

“Texas.”

“Where’s that?”

“Just over yonder,” Gavin said making a general motion with his hand. “And where is yonder?” Gavin grinned even more, “Gotta figure that out. I’m Gavin.”

“Taviri.” The two shook hands. Hers were soft in his rough hands. There were calluses in the palms. “I’m going to go grab some food, want to come?” he asked. Tavira nodded, “I was already heading that way.”

“Good to hear,” Gavin said and led the way. “So, where are you really from?” Tavira asked. Gavin looked at her, “Texas.”

“Sorry if I don’t believe you,” she said, “But I have never heard of a place called that.”

“And you wouldn’t,” Gavin said. The cat-girl looked annoyed, “Are you from isolate part of, somewhere we haven’t discovered?”

“Something like that,” Gavin said.

“Are you are from Jaclis?” she asked excitedly. Gavin shrugged, “Eh, something like that. It’s not somewhere you guys have been or will go anytime soon. Let’s just leave it at that. Where are you from?”

“Nightweaver Forest,” she said, “It’s in the northern region of Gal.” Gavin nodded along, “No wonder Edmund cornered you. That guy seems to not do anything unless he knows he can win.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“You are not worried about retribution?”

“What can he do that hasn’t already happened to me? Worst case, I get kicked out. I’ll figure something out if that happens. Always do. Until then, I better make use of this edumication that everyone seems so interested in.” He got a giggle out of Taviri, “You really have a weird way of speaking.”

“I do? Everyone here seems keen on pronouncing every last word and syllable. I’m not weird, just efficient.”

“No, you are weird.” she teased. “Woman,” Gavin said, “I’ll have you know; I can skin a cougar in ten minutes flat.” He got a sly grin out of her, “Are you talking fur or something else?” Taviri moved closer, like a cat ready to pounce. Gavin didn’t move and let her get close. It was also the first time he noticed how attractive she was. While her feline ears and tail were the most striking, it was the little things that added to her figure. Lean muscle sat just under the skin. The curves of her body swayed when she moved. He even noticed a nice little mole under her left eye. Gavin had to take a step away.

Tavira noticed the movement and pulled back herself. “What are you studying?” Gavin asked. “I am studying to be an adventurer,” Taviri answered, “What about you?”

“Same,” Gavin answered, “I’m taking classes at the College of Artifice. I’m guessing you’re College of War?”

“Yes. I am studying scouting and expedition management courses as well as monster biology in the College of Medicine. Anything special you are studying?”

“Alchemy actually,” Gavin said as they arrived at one of the many dining halls, “I’ve got a few ideas, but I need to understand how some of the parts work.” They both got in line for food and grabbed a tray. “What are you working on?” Taviri asked. Gavin collected the food for that day. It was a steak with some gravy poured over it. He added gravy to his sides of biscuits and potatoes.

“I’ll show you,” he said and showed his badge for his food. One of the perks of having Lucia as a patron was a weekly stipend. It covered his housing situation as well as materials he needed for class. Gavin would save some of the stipend each week to build his own accounts in the world and use them for bigger projects in the future. Or for when he wanted to eat out.

The food in the dining halls was made fresh every day. It required each visitor to have a student or faculty badge to dine. “There’s an empty spot over there,” he said and moved to a spot where the two could sit and talk some more. They took their seats and Gavin emptied out his bag. He had a flat back with a strap that hooked over his arm. Back on Earth, it would be called a book bag or a satchel. At least on Aramastis, the satchel part translated. Note pads, charcoal pens and rulers scattered onto the table. Gavin flipped to a drawing that was very familiar with him.

“What is that?” Taviri said. Gavin grinned like a kid, “It ain’t built yet, but it is going to be a revolver.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a gun.”

“What is a gun?”

“A weapon from my homeland. You see these chambers? You can have up to eight in them for any given design. There are stories from home where there are people with more, but I like six. This way I can put a larger bullet in the chamber. It’s a pretty effective weapon in the right hands.”

Taviri studied the design. Gavin had measured and sketched out everything using his knowledge of firearms. He made the cylinder large and the barrel long and blocky. The grip was curved with divots where the fingers would rest. “I’m going to need Raihorn Ivory for the grip,” Gavin said, “The hope is to reduce the recoil. I even have ports of the barrel and I am going to weight it as well.”

“You seemed well versed in this,” Tavira said. Gavin took a bite of his food. The gravy was delectable. “I’ve been working on these guys for years before I came here,” he said, “I also have a ton of books at home about gunsmithing.”

“You were a smith?”

“In a way. I mostly handled this stuff when it broke, but I got to see how it was all put together. I could make a semi-auto, but those are a little too complicated. What about you, what did you do before coming here?”

Taviri ate her food, “Nothing special, just helped around the village and the groves. I got here mostly due to my patron.”

“I’m guessing it’s natural for people to have patrons.”

“Yes, it is. Most common folk don’t have the money to come to Neres. The travel expenses are too great plus the admittance fee and the housing fee. It gets very expensive very fast. Thus, most of us have a patron.”

“Then there are the noble houses and aristocrats,” Gavin said, “They have the money.”

“Precisely. Without a patron, I would not have been able to come.”

“And it is also why guys like Edmund think they can bully us. Without out patrons, we are nothing.” Taviri nodded at that, “I know I need to be on my best behavior, or my patron will be cross with me. I might even be sent home. What about yours?”

“My patron and I have a similar agreement. She has helped me a lot with getting settled and ready for the Academies.”

“She sounds nice,” Taviri said. There was an implication in her voice that Gavin wanted to press. But he was interrupted by a cheery voice and an arm around his neck. “Hey Gavin!” Alistair said as he pulled Gavin out of his chair and onto the floor. “Hey Alistair,” Gavin said, trying to break out of the head lock, “How as class?”

“Good, good. We just finished up and I came in here to get some food and what did I see? You are talking to a cute girl and didn’t tell me.”

“Hey, it kind of just happened. Edmund was giving her trouble and I stepped in.” Gavin said. He tried feebly to break out of the head lock, but Alistair was much stronger than him. “I’m Alistair von Geld,” Alistair said to Taviri. He held out his hand while holding Gavin in place. “Taviri,” the werebeast woman said. They shook hands while Gavin flailed around in vain. “Is he alright?” Taviri asked. Alistair looked down at Gavin who started to go limp. He released the headlock and the older man sprung to his feet. “Finally!” he said, “I’m free!” Alistair tripped him into the table.

“Son of a-!” Gavin cried as he fell. “He’ll be fine,” Alistair said, “We’re in the same combat classes. He gets hit like this pretty often. I’m surprised there are no bruises.” Gavin held up a finger from where he lay, “I am one tough cowboy.”

“There you go again, being weird,” Alistair said and helped him up. Taviri spoke up, “If you are having trouble, you can spar with me. I need someone to practice with, but all of my classmates have partners.” Gavin sat, rubbing at the sore spots where he fell, “Maybe. I’ll need to work it into my schedule.

“Well, I’m available if you need one,” Alistair said, also taking a seat. “Alistair, you just want to sleep with her.” Gavin teased. Alistair feigned offense, “How dare you accuse me of such nonsense. I do not just want to sleep with her, I want to know how flexible she can be.” Taviri giggle, “Sorry, you have no chance. I see how many girls you have on the side.” Gavin pats the defeated Alistair on the shoulder, “I have an opening tomorrow morning around nine.”

“Nine works,” she said, “Training fields? We can get a private area if you want.”

“Let’s do it,” Gavin said, “It’ll make Alistair jealous.” The three laughed as they ate. Eventually, they would have to go their separate ways. Alistair was off to class. Taviri had to meet with her patron. And Gavin? He watched his new friends leave and reminisced.

He thought of his own friends back home. Barry and his crazy ideas. Luke who was in his final year of college. Kate and her new husband with twins on the way. They were people he grew up with, had known them since they were babies. Would he ever see them again? They hadn’t spoken in years, but Gavin still missed them. Deciding to take his mind off them, he decided to go work on one of his projects.

The sounds of tools on metal and wood could be heard from outside the workshop. Gavin entered as other students were working on various tools, decorations, and enchantments. Machines powered by magic filled the space, many he recognized to be similar to home, others were new to him. It was here Gavin felt most at home. Every student given access to the workshop was given their own work bench to practice the craft they wanted to pursue. The tools Gavin needed were the same as other trades up to a point. After that, new tools needed to be made.

“Master Morris,” a sharp voice like gravel caught his attention. A short wiry figure with wide hands and feet beckoned him over. “Master Gumnar,” Gavin greeting, “Do you need anything?”

“It is more of, can I get you anything,” The Dungar craftsman said and handed the human a wooden box, “Your order of parts and tools finally came in.” Gavin took the box. The smooth wood, etched with the runes of the Dungar people, was heavy to hold. He opened it to reveal what he had waited for two months. “I didn’t expect these to come in for several months,” Gavin said. Master Gumnar nodded, “Mistress Coleuses paid us well to expedite the process. I expect you to start making your own parts.”

“I will,” Gavin said, “I’ll need to enroll your metal working course next semester.”

“I expect to see you there,” the craftsman said, “Now tell me, what is it?”

Gavin smiled, “You would have no idea.”