Chapter 11: Professor Ironheart's Test

Professor Ironheart pointed to the chalkboard with his ruler as he spoke, going over a formula that Ariella already knew. So she reviewed the classes assigned books once again, making sure there was nothing new, and as she expected, there wasn’t, but that’s what worried her. She was worried that the master class would be no different, but there was no way to know unless she got into it.

The bell rang, and Professor Ironheart stopped his lecture. “It seems like we’ve run out of time. If you have questions, then come to my desk.”

Not wanting to take up time or make it awkward while her classmates wanted to ask questions, Ariella leaned back in her seat and waited for the long line of students to dwindle down. Advance Enhancement was the common stopping point for warriors. While they would benefit from taking their learning to the next level, all the master classes, from what she heard, were very tough. So for warriors, this class was the perfect stopping point. They learned everything they needed to know, but not enough to actually challenge themselves.

The class slowly grew quiet as the students gradually left, and when no one else remained, Professor Ironheart looked at her. “Ariella, you had a question?”

Ariella stood up and grabbed her books. “I do.”

“You’re not focusing in class. Is it about that?”

“You noticed?”

“I may not look like it, but I am making sure my students are paying attention, including the one who asked such a weird question on day one.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Ariella smiled. “But the question I have is related to that.”

“I’m all ears,” Professor Ironheart dropped his pencil and clasped his hands together. He had heard about Ariella from the basic enhancement teacher, so he was already prepared for what she was going to ask for. She told him that Ariella wasn’t only gifted but was ambitious. Always trying to learn more than what was taught.

“Is there any way I could prove my knowledge so I could be put into the master class? I was told I could only take the basic classes and wasn’t allowed to go beyond that until I turned fifteen, so instead of waiting, I taught myself as much as I could, which ended up being a lot more than I thought. I looked over the material that will be covered this semester, and I’m confident I already know all of it. So I was wondering, is there any test I could take to prove it? Enhancement magic has been my favorite kind of magic since I learned about it, and I only wish to keep improving.”

Professor Ironheart listened quietly to her explanation. The school didn’t have a rule for testing out of a class. Those decisions were decided by the professor and were always a case-by-case decision. It also helped that the same professors who taught the advanced classes also taught the master classes too. But it wasn’t only knowing the concepts and understanding how the enhancements functioned, but it was also properly casting the magic and using it properly. That’s what made Professor Ironheart’s master class the hardest to join.

Practical usage and magical concepts were the two factors of magic. The former is the ability to understand magical circles and how magic works. To then use that to craft their own spells. These kinds of people were often known as magical researchers. They didn’t need to have an abundance of mana to cast their spells, but they needed the brains, the understanding of magic at its core, to come up with the ideas they do. The latter are the combat mages. The mages who can cast the far more demanding spells. They enjoyed the practical implementation. To figure out the best way to use certain spells in a fight. They both had their strengths, and both needed to work together in harmony, but they also required an immense amount of knowledge, and as for Professor Ironheart’s master class, he required the student to excel in both. They didn’t have to be the best, but they needed to meet a threshold that proved they could handle the class.

“There is, but it’s difficult. Are you alright with that?”

“It’ll be easy,” Ariella said in her confident tone. “Well, what I mean is,”

“It’s fine,” Professor Ironheart stood up from his desk. “You see, the reason I became a professor wasn’t only to teach enhancement magic to others. Dwarves are warriors, not magicians, so we discovered ways to use our mana to improve our strengths, and that became enhancement magic. We are also stubborn. Headstrong in what we believe is right, which in this case is our magic. For a long time, we kept enhancement magic to ourselves, and that caused stagnation. We needed perspective from the outside, so I campaigned until the elders allowed us to teach enhancement magic to other races.”

“Was it worth it?”

“While there’s been nothing extraordinary, the small improvements the students bring to me have been fantastic stepping stones on some impressive improvements. Now,” Professor Ironheart grabbed a small stack of papers from his drawer. “The test has two parts. The first will be the written exam. You display your understanding of the concepts we’re working with. Grading is standard. As long as you get the answers right, you will pass. The second half is the practical exam where you’ll show me your capabilities of using the concepts you know and put them into action. This is also where you show me anything new or any improvements you’ve come up with on your own. Is that clear?”

Ariella nodded. “Can we take it now?”

“That was the plan if you’re free. The quicker we test you, the better. If you’re able to handle my master class, then I would like you to be there as soon as possible. Staying in the advanced class will be a waste of time, and I would rather the ones who prove their abilities to be where they should be. So, are you ready?”

“Never been readier.”

“Take your time with your answers. There’s no rush, and if you fail, you can always try again next year. I allow every student once a semester to take the test, and as long as you pass both sections, you can join. It doesn’t matter how old you are; all that matters is if you’re capable.”

“Then let’s do it. I’ll pass with flying colors.”

“I hope you do.”