Chapter 258

Chapter 258

While Ajax and both of his classmates were given the exact same opening exam he could see that all of the other students were given exams that were completely different, with there being more than a dozen people there had to be at least two from the same class so it confused him as to why nobody was taking the same exam as their classmates like he was.

The exam had been very easy for Ajax, he had pushed his Alchemy both inside a dungeon and outside on top of his experiments throughout the summer. The potions he was asked to make had a number of steps but could easily be brewed at the same time if you knew what you were doing and could pay attention to it.

“These are acceptable,” professor Vilethorn said as Ajax turned in his exam. “Though I have to say you might have wanted not to do so well from the beginning.

The professor’s ominous warning was filled in by her teaching assistant as he helped Ajax set up a personal workstation that would be his going forward until he was kicked out of Alchemy class or he finished at the Academy.

“Your first exam sets the baseline.” the teaching assistant said “going forward your exams and goals will be structured so that you are constantly pushing yourself and not slacking off due to previous hard work.”

Ajax could admit that it was a good system, doubly so since all the classes were coming together so there was no way to have a class for everyone's skill level so a more individualistic system was halfway required anyway.

The rest of the class had also finished the exam, his classmates turning in their own potions not long after Ajax himself as they had the easiest test by far. While nobody had failed the exam, two people were told that their creations were subpar and that they would be expected to cover the difference between what the potions they made sold for and the price the academy paid for the ingredients.

“I thought he was a teaching assistant, why is he taking class with the rest of us?” Ajax’s Perception was high enough that he could pick up the questions that the other students were asking his classmates.

“They did that as a formality to handle a few of the issues he would have presented as a regular student.” one of his classmates answered. for new novels

“Why not just have him enroll sooner, or put him in a higher class?” by this point that entire section of the class was interested in the topic of conversation while the professor was grading the last few potions.

“He only recently became a noble, he’s not got a lot of the education we have grown up with and he still needs to make up for it.” The answer came surprisingly from someone outside his class.

“I still think they should have just enrolled him in a higher class, no need to make such an exception just for one commoner.” one of the nobles in the conversation said.

“And where would you want him placed?” the same noble who knew his situation spoke up again. “He put down most of last year’s sixth grade without breaking a sweat. This is a better solution that also gives us the chance to build a relationship with him.”

“Very much so.” the professor nodded, “The quick temperature changes that need to happen at that level are simply beyond them, I am in fact quite curious to see just how adaptable your form of magic is for it, Ajax.”

“Your lack of efficiency between power and mana cost is more of a positive than a negative in this regard.” the teaching assistant said. “It gives you a much easier control of the temperature, especially without a repeated chant that needs to be corrected through intent and manipulation.”

As Ajax heard this he knew he had made the correct choice by going into alchemy, not only because of his casting method but also because with a refined enough application he can use [Mana Syphon] to somewhat control the ambient mana inside a dungeon making alchemy there that much easier for himself.

“Baron Hearthbound.” one of the students called after him as they exited the class.

Ajax turned to look at the man and found his face both familiar yet foreign. “Yes?” Ajax dragged on the word as he finally placed where he recognised the face from, it was early similar to the one his opponent in the second round of the tournament had. Despite that Ajax could tell that this man and his opponent were closely related.

“As a member of House Stonewall I would like to thank you.” the man said as he walked with Ajax towards the training fields.

“What for?” Ajax asked, confused.

“Your victory over my twin brother. It left a lasting impression on him.” came the answer.

“Uh...” Ajax didn’t know what to say to that, the match had ended quickly with him utterly dominating his opponent. Not only that he had still been angry on Theron’s behalf and had taken it out on his opponent, making the battle end more humiliatingly for the noble than the beastkin.

“It took him a week to get over the loss.” his fellow student picked up on the reason for Ajax’s awkwardness. “But the results from his training since then have been better than ever before. His drive to improve has increased manifold. As such my grandfather has asked me to thank you, not only that but also offer you his support should you require it.”

“That is too much.” Ajax knew that the support of a Viscount’s house such as House Stonewall was not something to take for granted, especially not to be won over a simple duel in a tournament. Obviously the support wouldn’t be endless but it essentially meant that so long what he was doing wasn’t negatively impacting House Stonewall they would at least put the weight of their name behind him.

“His support also with a request and an apology.” the conversation quickly became slightly awkward. “The apology is for the duels that my brother will challenge you to in the coming years, with the request that you do not finish them as decisively to crush his spirit a second time.”