CH50: Academy Graduation  

***

CH50: Academy Graduation

The Graduation Party...

If you know anything about these ball events, you'd know they were plays. Some people would act as the protagonists while others would act as the audience, critics, judges and rumourmongers.

For the Hunter Academy's Graduation party, the protagonists where undoubtedly the best Graduating students.

The Hunter Academy, also called the Union Academy, hosts this lavish party every year outside the Academy campus to introduce the graduating students to the big players in the nations they are located.

It could be seen as a silent compensation for the hard work put in by the students during their time within the academy walls.

The party offered a good opportunity, for those who could make the most of it, to build bridges with major players in their chosen industry.

While the Academy was divided into two sub-schools, the Combat and Lifestyle Schools, it had a lot more departments within.

For the Combat School, you had profession departments like Swordsmanship, Spearmanship, Archery, Shield Warrior, Strategist, Tacticians etc.

For the Lifestyle School, almost every discipline was represented, however, only a few of them got new blood every year. These include Herbology, Alchemy, Blacksmith, Mana Engineering, Enchanting, Tailoring, Cooking, Architecture.

The top graduates from each department had the chance to build connects with the major players in their fields. As long as they could take the chance, their futures would receive a significant boost.

That said, the top graduate from each of the two schools, especially the top graduate in the year, would undoubtedly receive a boost to their careers as everyone would swoop to build connections with them, no matter how small.

It wasn't a question of 'if' they would build connections to major players, but 'how many' connections they could build.

As a result of this, these two were the protagonists of the party. Everyone's eyes would undoubtedly be on them. Everything about them would be scrutinised and judged. They would be critic for every action they make and word they speak. Rumours would fly around from the very moment they step foot at the venue.

You must be wondering why am I saying all this...

It's because Zora and I are these two 'fortunate' protagonists.

**

To be honest, the way the two of us arrived was just begging to have rumours spread about us.

The initial plan was that I'd arrive in my personal carriage while the rest of the party would share two carriages, one for the ladies and the other for the guys.

This was a simple, quiet entrance method.

However, Rowland managed to convince us that it would be good for the guild if we arrived in a different order. And since we were all members of the Guild, we had no choice but to obey the Guildmaster, although he said it was just a suggestion.

So, we arrived in three carriages bearing the Guild logo/crest of a Red Lionhead with a Black Mane.

The first carriage arrived at the front of the hotel entrance before the red carpet. Three of the party members got out of the carriage.

Fenton and Milos first got out of the carriage, then they helped usher Ramla down the carriage. They formed the first line.

Their carriage moved away then the second carriage.

The big guy, Jaras, and the annoying beauty, Ella, got off. They were picture perfect as their physique and clothes contrast and matched each other perfectly.

They formed the second line.

Finally, the last carriage arrived.

I got off the carriage first. Then, I reached into the carriage and helped the lass, Zora out of the carriage.

She smiled so beautifully that it was blinding.

I recalled the first time I met her. The small shy girl was gone without a trace.

In her place was a beautiful budding woman. You could already see the traces of a mature beauty she would become. The red dress Ingrid chose for her, complimented her crimson red hair and made her build standout more. She also gain a mature charm which complement my mature presence to make us look like the perfect couple.

I knew Rowland and Ingrid were trying to help their daughter by setting this up. What could I do? I can't blame them for trying to help their daughter, could I?

Not to mention, I think it worked a bit, because I felt my heart tremble a bit in the moment I helped her down the carriage.

I won't lie, the girl's constant attacks were chipping away at my defences and this attack here took a big chunk of my armour away.

Walking down the carriage, she held my arm as we joined the others to enter the venue together as a group from the DoomMane Guild.

We received attention the moment we entered.

I picked up different chatter.

Some people talked about how each of us from the DoomMane Guild were the best graduating student in our chosen schools.

That shouldn't be a surprise, right?

With how poor this world's techniques were, the simple but mature techniques I had drilled into the party members made them standout amongst the rabble.

Ramla was the undisputed best Archer in the year; Fenton topped the Swordsmanship and the Blacksmith classes; Milos led the plant cultivation and Javelin subclasses; Ella was the best Healer as well as the overall best in the support division while Jaras was the best in the Shield Warrior class.

Also, Ella and Jaras were also voted the best combi-team in the year.

Zora was the best in Spearmanship and Tactician classes as well as the overall best Combat student in the year. On the other hand, I was the best Lifestyle student while also picking up the Herbology, Alchemy, Enchanting and Mana Engineering top positions.

Eventually making me the top student in the year.

It was a clean sweep for the Elite Camp.

The next thing going around was expectedly rumours about our romantic relationships.

It was obvious that Jaras and Ella were a couple, only the blockhead Jaras doesn't realise it.

Interestingly, there were rumours flying around of Fenton and Milos competing for Ramla's affection. The rumours claimed Fenton had a higher chance of winning because Milos was a pervert who harasses different women. Another group believes Milos has a better chance of winning because he was more proactive and it was more likely for him to break into Ramla's cold heart than Fenton who care about nothing other than the sword.

P.S: By the way, I got Fenton to take Blacksmithing by telling him it will help his swordsmanship with Andirin if he knew how swords were made. With his dedication, it was no surprise he became an excellent blacksmith.

Finally, there was Zora and I. Apparently, we were a couple groomed together from young. We were supposedly going to inherit the DoomMane Guild from our fathers. I would take care of the Lifestyle and administrative side of the Guild while Zora would handle the Combat and hunting side of the guild.

I must say, these rumourmongers were as imaginative as I expected.

-

Our group noticeably attracted a lot of attention. I seemed to be the centre of it all.

As much as I want to say it was due to being the best graduating student or because of my charisma, I knew that wasn't true.

The reason I attracted attention was because of what I was wearing. I wore a 'modern day' suit which differed from the vintage tux the other men where wearing.

The suit was a complete black set of jacket, vest, trouser, shoes and overcoat on a white shirt. My tan skin and blonde hair came out quite well which added on to my Charm stats and Zora's company made sure I was the centre of attention.

**

Before long, the Principal of the Academy, Tavon Radley, a fifty year old 6-ring Lord-ranked Hunter known for his high combat ability, kicked off the party with a speech.

It was the typical graduation speech describing how proud he was of the graduating students, the hope he had for their future and a plea to the invited to help harness their potential.

After which, I, in my capacity as the Best Graduating Student in the year, represented the rest of the graduates to give an appreciation speech.

Like the principal's speech, it was typical appreciation speech thanking the Academy staff for their diligence in teaching us, the invited guest for attending the event and supporting the Academy, and finally thanking the other graduates for the wonderful times we had together.

It was a simple speech but I notice I had the attention of the crowd all through. I unknowingly gained more supporters and well-wishers after the speech.

I guessed it had to do with the Charm stats.

I started realising the stats might have more use than I realised. Too bad it was a bother to increase.

-

After the speeches, Awards were given to the best graduates.

This was done to announce the individuals to pay most attention to by the audience. As after the award ceremony, the party kicked off in earnest with everyone being allowed to mingle together.

Many deals and alliances were made during this time.

I was especially busy as I was swamped by many people.

Zora and the rest had it easy. They had someone from the Guild close by to help negotiate deals from those who approached as well as keep away unwanted pests like other Guild agents who wanted to poach them away from DoomMane.

I, however, didn't have that. I didn't know if it was Rowland being tactful in not forcing my allegiance to the Guild or maybe he was trustful in my ability to negotiate deals for myself.

Either way, I was on my own.

I was grateful for the three days I spent with Navia in Pryford because it gave me the experience I needed to negotiate with the big named merchants at the event.

Leveraging on my Charm stats, and the little oratory and negotiating knowledge I had, I got many favourable deals with a number of different types of merchants; clothes, herbs, ore, circle ingredients merchants etc.

My biggest gain was my discussion with the heads of the major Lifestyle groups; Alchemy, Herbology, Blacksmithing, Enchanting and Mana Engineering.

"I was surprised when I heard a single person got the top positions for both Alchemy and Herbology. I was told only your practical ability in alchemy was poor due to your mana control." The Head of Landrose City's Alchemy Association said.

"Yes. It's unfortunate that my mana situation makes my mana control inadequate. I have quite the interest in Alchemy." I responded.

"I heard about your condition. What happened to your mother and it's final effect on you are indeed unfortunate."

"I've gotten over it and learn to move on with my life. In a way, I'm grateful I survived the ordeal. If it wasn't for my mother's determination, I wouldn't be alive today. I can't let her efforts go to waste."

"That's a very good mind-set to hold." The Alchemy head nodded in appreciation. "Still, it's a shame about your mana control. I believe you would've made an excellent Alchemist. If it weren't for that, you won't have needed to stoop to the lower class Herbology."

"Hey, I won't stand for that." The nearby Head of Landrose's Herbology Association couldn't let that stand. "I don't know what gives you Alchemist the superiority you feel. You dare claim Alchemy is better than Herbology, yet you can't even figure out why one of your stars died to his own creation."

[A.N: P.S I'm not going to bother naming the Heads because they are just filler characters.]

"Nonsense! Who doesn't know that the so-called Fool was lying. How could Bailey have died to his own product? He just said that to ruin the company."

"Are you listening to yourself? If that's the case, why did your Association and Bailey's Family put out a reward for anyone who can explain what killed him? Then again, if the Fool was lying and he wasn't killed by his drug, what killed him? Poison? Wasn't his medicine suppose to work against poisons? Or are you going to claim it was a Midnight Fern? Because we both know that's not the case."

The Alchemy head gritted his teeth.

"Gentlemen, please there is no need for this. The circumstances around Mr Baileys death is still unclear. His death could've been caused by anything. It might be due to the drug like the Herbology head has said or due to something else entirely like the Alchemy head has said. There's no need to argue the cause now until the truth has been uncovered." I tried to diffuse the situation.

Fortunately my charm stats worked at this time and helped my words reach the minds of the two men.

The two men faked a cough.

"You're right." "Us two old men have disgraced ourselves before you."

"No. That's impossible. You've only showed how passionate you are." I flattered.

The two of them laughed.

"I'm even more disappointed you chose Herbology as your major." The Alchemy Head said.

"I'm also disappointed I can't become an Alchemist." I said, much to the joy of the Alchemy Head. However, I continued before he could express his joy. "However, whether I could become an Alchemist or not, had nothing to do with me studying Herbology." I said to the Herbology Head's joy.

"You see, sirs... I see Alchemy and Herbology as two sides of the same whole. Alchemy uses and strengthens mana to strengthen the body while Herbology uses and strengthens the body to strengthen mana. I imagine a potion set based on both Alchemy and Herbology working to give a holistic growth to the body. This is my passion for studying the two professions." I said in the yearning tone of a youth. Then, my expression became crestfallen, "Perhaps by combining the two professions' knowledge together, I can find the cure to my situation."

Thanks to this critical blow, the two men couldn't deny my dream.

Then, I sheepishly scratched my cheeks.

"I'm actually working on a project. I took the side-effects of some Alchemic products and tried to apply the knowledge of Herbology to them. I was able to reduce these side-effects by about fifty percent. Then, I did the same for Herbology. Many concoctions are limited in their effect due to not wanting to burden the body. By using Alchemic knowledge, I was able to raise the limits a bit so that the concoction could work some more."

"What?! Is that true?!" My words sent explosions through the two men's heads.

"Yes. Take for example, the low grade concentration potion which loads the brain with mana to keep it active to all information being sent to it. The problem is that the overload causes headaches after using the potion. The effect of the headache can't be allayed by other potions. However, I was able to reduce the headache by synthesizing a new painkiller for it. The painkiller is designed to target the area of the brain where the headache acts from. It soothes the area, improving the flow of stagnant mana which causes the headache. So far, the only side effect I've noticed is that the painkiller only works after the potion has been taken. Taking the painkiller without the potion instead causes headaches so the concoction is useless without the potion. Of course, there may be other side-effects but the limited facility available to students at the Academy makes it difficult for me to know."

I noticed the two men were frozen after I finished speaking.

"Are you sure about this?" They asked.

"Of course. I can show you my notes." I took out a notebook from my inner jacket pocket. "This is my prized possession. I always carry it on my person. It contains my research."

That was a lie. I brought the notebook specifically today to snap these big fishes.

I showed them my research note on the subject and experiment data.

"This is..." "...unprecedented." The two men said. "We've actually been missing such a big opportunity."

"This isn't all. I also have improvements I made to some concoctions and potions with the different knowledge."

I showed the two men more data in my notebook.

"Why are you showing these to us? This is worth a lot." The Alchemy Head asked.

"These are just my hypothesis. It still needs to be proved beyond all doubt. Unfortunately, I'm unable to do that with my current facilities. So, I want to give these to you two Association heads. Hopefully, the two associations can work together and improve my work. Maybe with this, we can revolutionise the potion and concoction world thus helping the human race as a whole. If that happens, I'll be able to leave my mark in history." I gave them a naive innocent smile.

Bait is set. Now, I just have to wait for them to bite.

(To be continued...)

AUTHOR'S RAMBLING

I'm sorry. I didn't plan to end it here but I ran out of word count.🤓 It was supposed to be a new character entry. We're going to have to do that in the next chapter.😇😇

See you then.🎉🎉

Almost forgot... If you're enjoying this, please take out a moment of your busy schedule to check out my other novel Soldiers of Time.

You're guaranteed to enjoy it... I also need the support 🤓🤓