Chapter 10: Advance Enhancement

A stubby and gruff dwarf rubbed his long, thick beard as he stood at the chalkboard, looking at his class. The classroom was the size akin to the ones Ariella was used to, and while the number of students was nowhere near what the magic class had, there were still quite a handful ready to learn.

“Welcome to Advance Enhancement,” his voice matches his looks: low and rough. “Enhancement magic is magic crafted and made by dwarves, but several decades ago we began teaching it to other races. If you want to know why, I won’t tell you, but if your goal is to learn more about enhancement magic, then you’re in the right place. You may call me Professor Ironheart.”

Ariella immediately raised her hand, eagerly waiting for the professor to call on her.

“The one with your hand up, what do you need?”

“What exactly will we be learning in this class? Do we go into more than the basics?”

“It’s called Advance Enhancement, so yes, we will. But not as much as you think. You’re a freshman, right?”

“Yes.”

“If you’re in this class, then that means you took the class Basic Enhancement when you were younger.”

“A few years ago,” Ariella nodded.

“That’s impressive considering your age. While Basic is the building block to understanding enhancement magic and how it works, this class will be your stepping stone to expand that knowledge, and if you’re still interested in enhancement magic and you pass my class, then you can sign up for the Master Enhancement course. That class is a lot smaller, but they will cover everything you need to know. But until then, you’re stuck here.”

After the professor explained the class, he jumped right into his first lesson, but Ariella already knew what he was teaching. While it’s true she took Basic Enhancement a few years ago, she also dabbled far beyond just the basics, so she was hoping there would be something new to learn, but after skimming the books and seeing where the class started, she didn’t have hope for that.

“How do I skip the advanced class?” Ariella mumbled while pacing around in her room.

“What?” Alice asked. “What are you trying to do now?”

“For our magic class, we didn’t need to have taken the basic course, right?”

“Yes, but that’s because most people learn and are taught by private tutors before enrolling, so as long as you know the basics, you can attend the class. Enhancement is different if that’s what you’re thinking about. The only exception to that rule would be if you were a dwarf.”

Ariella sighed. “I have a feeling I already know everything in advanced enhancements, so I wanted to see if there was a way to skip it and join the master class instead.”

Alice laughed. “There’s no way they’ll let you skip a class.”

“But why not, if I can prove that I already know everything?”

Marking the page she was reading, Alice shuffled her chair and faced Ariella. “There is a chance,” she stated after gauging her sincerity. “But being cocky about it won’t get you anywhere.”

“I’m not cocky, though. I think?”

“You definitely are, even if you don’t mean to be, and while I’m used to it, others aren’t. Why do you think you don’t have any other friends? Even the ones from your own village didn’t want to get along with you.”

“I don’t want to be friends with everyone, anyway. I’ve never been a fan of that.”

“And that’s fine, but that’s not the reason, and you know it.”

Ariella rolled her eyes and shrugged. Alice wasn’t wrong, and while she didn’t think of herself as antisocial, she also just never tried to befriend others. Alice was luck in a way. She didn’t think that was a bad thing, and she cherishes their relationship, but being roommates for as long as they have made it very easy to befriend her. So much so that if Alice ever needed anything, it didn’t matter what it was, Ariella would help as much as she could.

“So, what should I do?”

“Just ask your professor. Don’t say his class is boring or that you know everything already. All you need to do is see if he can move you to a Master Enhancement class. See if there’s a test or something you would have to take.”

“I know I can be blunt, but I don’t think I’m that bad.”

“You definitely are. Did you already forget what happened earlier today?”

“How was I supposed to know Barrett took duels that seriously?” Ariella waved her hands as she raised her voice slightly.

“Even if he didn’t,” Alice clasped her hands on her lap and met Ariella in the eyes with a serious stare. “I don’t think there’s many people in this world who wouldn’t get upset or angry if you looked as if you were mocking them.”

“And that wasn’t intentional.”

“But it doesn’t need to be intentional, Ariella. That’s the point.”

Ariella paced around the room, thinking about her words. “Fine. You’re right. Being blunt can come off poorly. I get it.”

Alice sighed in response. “Being blunt is fine; it’s how you do it. You are the way you are, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. But instead of being blunt during the duel, you should have mentioned something before it. Ask Barrett what kind of duel he wanted.”

“A serious or learning duel?”

“Yes. It’s still straightforward, but it won’t backfire on you.”

“Fair, that makes sense.”

“You should also expand that friend pool of yours. Having me as your only friend isn’t something to be proud of.”

“But there’s no reason to. It’s not like I’ll be staying here when I graduate.”

“Then where will you go, back home?”

“No, I’ve already told you. I plan to slay the dragons.”

Alice leaned back in her chair at her words. She was already familiar with how Ariella felt about the dragons. She was obsessed with learning about them. Ariella made it known from the start of their friendship that she hated them. And while Alice agreed the dragons weren’t gods, they were still way too strong for a single human to handle. She couldn’t comprehend where Ariella’s confidence came from, and to be frank, she really didn’t want her to try. Ariella was her best friend, and Alice didn’t want to see her die.

“Do you have to be the one to do it? Can you even do it by yourself? People have tried before, and none of them even reached their feet.”

“I’m positive of it,” Ariella said with great confidence.

“Fine,” Alice rubbed her eyes. “Let’s say you can, then wouldn’t it be better to befriend other students so you can learn from them? Look at Barrett. Sure, it was a rocky start, but you’ll be able to learn aura from him.”

“That’s genius!” Ariella rushed towards Alice and grasped her shoulders. “You’re right. If I can find others who excel in something, I can then learn what they know.”

“That won’t be easy. You got lucky with Barrett since he needed something you have, but it won’t be a guarantee for the others.”

“It should be fine. I’m not bad with people, I just choose not to try.”

Alice chuckled at the idea. “Well, good luck with that.”

“Hey, I used to have a handful of friends back in my village.”

“Of course, of course. And pigs fly.” Alice pushed Ariella’s hands away and turned to her desk. “While you conduct a plan for all of that, I need to study. The classes are pretty difficult this semester.”

“I mean, I’m not one to say this, but that’s your own fault.”

“Got to start somewhere.”

“Indeed, we do.”