My Little Tinkerers

"I win."

"You owe me a frost giant." Grandpa Lich spat, scowled, and threw his arm towards the Tower in a rude gesture. "Now, get your vassals and go to sleep. The ceremony is tomorrow."

I fought back my grin and bowed as he stepped off into a nearby shadow. Leaving me in the dead, cold forest with a permanent, prideful smile plastered across my face while I waited for my vassals to trickle in one by one.

Together, we returned to my wing on the guest floor to celebrate our years of hard work coming to an end. We ate, shared stories, took turns playing music or singing, and laughed at Toril and Jaimess' comical dancing until the sun began to rise over the Mortal Plane.

Much like the students on the floors below, celebrating their upcoming graduation from Corvus Academy.

I awoke around noon and made myself a quick breakfast before emerging from my wing. Only to take an immediate step back inside.

"So many people." I groaned, peering beyond the edge of the threshold.

Parents and families; hundreds of them, were strewn all about the guest floor. Migrating in and out of the rows of shade elevators or flocking around the hundreds of wings and annexes lining the expansive perimeter of the floor. Before I turned around, some were even approaching the edge of my 'driveway' to pay their respects.

Hastily, I bowed back into my wing and sealed the crowd of expectant and excited faces behind the door. And with a deep sigh of relief, I assumed my Wraith Form and ascended to the upper floors.

"Pardon the intrusion," I said after briskly knocking and stepping into my Grandfather's office.

"I have nothing more to teach you, Amun." He grunted without even shying his eyes away from whatever he was writing.

"Except proper necromancy, that is." I snorted.

A cold gaze darted up to me and immediately settled back down on the few papers scattered over his desk. "Once you graduate from the academy and learn to raise undead on your own, I will teach you. For now." He sighed. "You are to return home, but only after the ceremony."

'Still salty, I see.' I internally chuckled, lowering myself in a formal bow. "Thank you for everything, Grandpa." I genuinely smiled.

"Yeah, yeah." He dismissively waved, his gaze still focused on his desk.

With that, I descended to the 72nd floor; to the tinkerers' workshop, where I found Jaimess barring the six candidates' entry from the place.

"Good afternoon, Your Grace." Jaimess and the six candidates bowed in unison once I appeared.

"Jaimess." I nodded to him, then to the rest. "Everyone, congratulations on your graduation from Corvus Academy, and on making it to the final round of our competition. As always." I continued after a short pause. "I'll be taking my time to go over each display. The caveat, however, is that I'll be announcing the winners during tonight's ceremony. Regardless of who wins." I added with a raised finger. "Remember that one day, I will return to Odissi to recruit people for my guild. Missing this chance is not the end of the road. So." I gave a closing bow. "Thank you for all of your efforts, and, I will see you all tonight."

"Yes, Your Grace!" They resolutely bowed before slowly scattering. Leaving Jaimess and me by our lonesome.

"We're departing for Deap Ridge tomorrow morning." I turned to him. "Tell the others to have their things packed and to get as much rest as possible, both before and after the ceremony. We have a long journey ahead of us"

"Of course." He curtly nodded, then stepped off down the hall at a brisk pace. Leaving me in a perfect environment to assess the displays.

I stepped in to see more of an empty classroom setting, rather than the modulated workshop they'd been working in thus far.

The space contained only six display cases, placed side-by-side. Each with a small glass case on the right side, containing four watches and a coat rack beside it, while the spaces behind them were reserved for the larger creations.

As it'd been the first year and every round thereafter, each candidate had been instructed to transcribe the features of their creations and chose a number that was to be kept between themselves and Jaimess. Jaimess would then transcribe those summaries in his own handwriting, and add them with the numbers associated with each anonymous display. Reducing the potential for biases or favoritism to come into play during the judging process.

For the bills themselves, I gave them instructions even a troglodyte could understand. What I didn't tell them, was that I would give them bonus points for aesthetics and creativity. Something that few seemed to take into consideration in the first couple of years, much to my disappointment.

I was all for things being functional, but aesthetics were just as important. Only the most industrialist of people would openly choose an ugly something that worked simply, over a beautiful creation that simply worked.

Something that the tinkerers began to realize for themselves, as time went on.

As planned, I was now faced with the best that the graduating class had to offer. Making me all the more excited to finally decide who my little tinkerers would be.

Having seen the first three bills already, I paid most of my attention to the new ones and kept the older ones in the back of my mind to use in the event of a tie.

For my would-be tailor, I had them design a rucksack and uniform for my future guild. Of the six, five of them ranged from outlandish armor and hefty bags to a simple, but beautiful tunic, trousers, and satchel combo; though, it was the sixth one that particularly stood out to me.

For all intents and purposes, it was exactly what I'd envisioned when I pictured a member of my guild: Something along the lines of a magical, modern soldier.

The clothes were similar to my garb. The bottom consisted of a pair of somewhat baggy, gray pants, tucked into a pair of black suede, minimalist boots. On top, was a silken, gray shirt with long-sleeves made of a denim-like material that'd been sown-in rectangles and squares between the elbow and shoulder to indicate where patches, insignia, and name tags would go. It was essentially a combat shirt. Meant to be worn under whatever armor the individual favored.

What was most interesting, however, were the accessories the uniform came with. The creator seemed to not only guess that I intended for these designs to be enchanted at some point, but they also took the suggestions and techniques I deposited on all the competitors to heart. The result of their drive was a rather compact book bag with a duffel-style opening, strapped to an ergonomic frame. On the front, was a medium-sized pouch with a smaller one placed on top of it. Both were secured by leather-wrapped buckles and lined with MOLLE webbing along the front and sides, greatly expanding the overall function of the piece.

On top of that, they went above and beyond by providing a canteen and all its accessories, as well as the three greatest inventions known to humankind.

The foldable stool. The poncho. And the beloved poncho liner; also known as, the Woobie.

Naturally, number 16, whoever they were, was now my new tailor. And so, I dragged their displays into my Pocket and moved on to pick my horologist.

I moved through the displays, picking each watch up in hand to closely inspect and study each model in turn before I even started to make my decision.

Like the uniforms, they ranged from elegantly simple designs to the complete and polar opposite. However, riding on the high of choosing my tailor had raised my standards, and I quickly found myself retracing my steps through the displays in search of something… more.

And it didn't take long to find.

It was a rather unremarkable watch, from a distance. Composed of an unremarkable leather band that was attached to a mildly detailed, gunmetal-gray bezel that was filled with similarly colored symbols, numbers, and dials.

Upon closer inspection, however, I saw more functions than I ever expected to see in a watch made in this renaissance-esque society.

In addition to the basic function of a watch, a silent alarm had been integrated into the rotating bezel; and, it boasted two miniature dials placed in the center of the face, with a full calendar on the left and a stopwatch on the right.

Most fascinating of all, however, was the sun tracker. A two-toned ring that sat outside the ring of numbers. Black on the top, gold on the bottom, with a small, silver hand to track the sun's movements with.

As eagerly as I'd done the last, I pulled number 7's display into my Pocket before turning my attention to the last category.

For the last bill, I decided to give my future Chief-Engineer creative freedom. With that freedom, nearly all of them managed to create a plethora of tools that I'd find myself using sparingly, if at all. Things like armor, weapons, or musical instruments.

All but one individual.

It was, by far, the largest thing in the room; including the displays themselves. A long, wide, and sleek carriage made of intricately carved blackwood, with brass inlays. Standing next to it, it looked like a limousine in wagon form. Only chopped in half to resemble more of a sports coupe. Complete with a sharply angled cockpit with rails and reigns protruding from the front. By estimates, it had to be at least two meters wide and five long from the end to the front of the cockpit, and tall enough for me to stand inside comfortably.

According to the extensive description, it was made to be as light and sturdy as possible while retaining the maximum amounts of space and comfort. And as far as amenities go, it included a meditation loft for me at the rear of the carriage, with seating for four inside and for another two in the sealed cockpit upfront.

'Surely a must-have for riding through the snow-capped lands of Odissi.' They wrote.

In addition to the interior furnishings, storage pockets and chests had been installed all along the in and outsides, and it even boasted an outdoor kitchenette in the trunk for camping. Complete with a sink, a few hot plates, a refrigerator box, and an oven.

"It's perfect." I grinned. Stuffing number 39's creation in my Pocket.

With my decisions finalized, I took a final look at the other displays to commit them all to memory before making my way up to the guest floor, Full Wraith Form enabled, in order to bypass the masses of families mingling with each other.

Entering my wing, I took my own advice and began stuffing the few things I kept out in the open, into my Pocket. On top of that, were things that weren't necessarily 'mine.' Innocuous or easily replaceable things, like towels, flowerpots, and a whole lot of food.

Once done, I joined my vassals in lounging in my wing about until the masses began to migrate to the amphitheater.

And after a bit of waiting, we followed them to the 22nd floor and loitered in the backstage of the amphitheater until the ceremony began.

***

"Friends, families, and citizens of Odissi, welcome to Corvus Academy. And give applause to the 195th graduating class." Grandpa Lich spread his arms before the thousands of spectators present in the amphitheater. Eliciting an ear-throbbing roar to bounce along the walls and concentrate on our position on stage.

"Class 195, is unmatched by any class of students that came before them." Grandpa declared once the roar died down, nearly causing another outburst to arise. "Each of the 556 graduates you see before you, can out-pace any of their peers across both Deapou and Odissi in knowledge, physical might, and elemental practice. And, I dare say, that claim could be extended to include all of Maru!" He exclaimed, ceremoniously tossing his arm up into the sky before leaning back over the podium to gently growl into the mic. "These words are no mere boast. Only pure facts. The reason?" He threw his arm back in gesture towards me, sitting behind him. "Amun, the Grand Duke of Odissi, shall explain!"

'Throwing me to the wolves again.' I internally grinned as I rose from my seat and studied the sea of roaring faces on my way to the podium. It was a daunting task, for sure.

Or it would've been, for someone who hadn't lived for as long as I have.

Either way…

'I accept the challenge.' I allowed my grin to surface as my arms came to a rest on the podium. I took a long look at the crowd as the roar died down to a murmur. Then, I softly cleared my throat before leaning into the enchantment. "For the last four years, I and my vassals, Toril O'Connell, Jaimess A. Corey, and Jonet Fischer, have been living and learning alongside your children in Corvus Tower. In these four years, we've come to know each of your grandchildren, your siblings, and your nieces or nephews, on a personal level. Each of the students you see before you, have devoted themselves to extracurricular training at the end of each day of instruction. That training was done under the supervision of my vassals and I." I gestured behind me. "The result of that training is five-hundred-fifty-six individuals with an expert-level proficiency in martial combat. Each and every one of these graduates have mastered elemental manipulation to such a degree that they are capable of flight. And all of them, have adopted my art of Elemental Fusion.

"Additionally." I leaned into the 'mic,' still smiling wide. "A few of these students have been engaged in competition with each other to see who will become my personal tailor, watchmaker, and artisan. So, without further adieu." I spread my arms to my sides. "Will contestant numbers sixteen, seven, and thirty-nine, please come to the stage."

With the expenditure of my words, a rolling thunder of murmurs erupted in the theater. Prompting the sea of heads to begin darting from side to side at a furious pace and eventually settle upon a single individual. A girl, bubbly bursting forth from her seat with a loud squeak of excitement before waddling up to the stage, visibly fighting back from leaning into an all-out sprint up to the podium.

Following her motions, was a far calmer individual who nonchalantly ignored the sea of stares aimed at him while he waltzed up to the front. And behind him, was an all-too-familiar face whose gaze was nervously darting across the sea of eyes focused on him as he shuffled towards me.

The rise of noise from the crowd grew to a crescendo once they made it up here and knelt before me. I then took a second to let the crowd die down a bit before saying. "Introduce yourselves."

"I am contestant number sixteen, Your Grace." The nonchalant one lowered his head a bit before looking up to me with brown eyes full of conviction. He was of a slim and tall build, even for someone our age. With red-brown colored skin and a few freckles scattered across a mildly androgynous face. Though, most notable of all was the afro on the top of his head, styled into a pompadour. "I, Giorno Nojo, swear on my very soul to serve you to the best of my abilities as your tailor for the rest of my days, and long after."

"And I, Letta Sinclare; contestant number sixteen, swear fealty to Your Grace. In both life and death, I will serve as your personal horologist." The bubbly one declared next. A young lady with a short and thick build, for lack of a better description. She was built like a softball player, or like a future lunch lady who had a perpetually joyful smile. Big-boned and full of muscle. With light, tan skin and brown hair that was tight tightly around a rather big head into a bun.

"I." The last, instantly recognizable one stammered. "I am contestant number thirty-nine. Edward Pascal. I…" He stammered again. Huffed and seemed to grasp onto some sort of resolve or conviction before calming himself, looking up to me and saying. "I declare my undying loyalty to Your Grace. And I will strive to do my best as your chief engineer."

"Giorno. Letta. Edward." I spread my arms out to them. "Stand."

I gestured for them to face the crowd and receive the full brunt of the waves of cheer and applause directed at them for a few moments while I studied their reactions.

Then, I motioned for them to settle in next to my vassals before I returned my attention to the crowd and leaned into the microphone.