Chapter 20: The First-Year Graduation Exam Announcement

The grand hall of Helheim Academy buzzed with excitement as the students gathered in anticipation. The end of the academic year had arrived, and with it came the most awaited event—the first-year graduation exam. It wasn't just a test of knowledge and skill; it was a rite of passage, a stage where students proved their worth and potential before the eyes of their peers and the academy's elite.

Headmistress Elowen stood at the podium, her regal presence silencing the room. Her sharp gaze swept across the sea of faces, each student eager yet nervous. Beside her stood King Alaric, an unexpected guest whose presence made the occasion even more significant.

"Welcome, students," Elowen began, her voice steady and commanding. "Today marks the culmination of your first year at Helheim Academy. You have been tested in the classroom, on the training grounds, and in the workshops. But now, it is time to prove your mettle in the field."

The students held their breath as she continued.

"This year's graduation exam will take the form of a competition. You will be divided into teams, and your task is simple: outwit, outmaneuver, and outperform your rivals. The competition will test your combat skills, strategic thinking, teamwork, and creativity."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the hall. A competition? The stakes felt higher than ever.

Elowen raised a hand, calling for silence. "The battlefield will be a controlled environment crafted by the finest mages and engineers of Avalon—a sprawling arena filled with obstacles, traps, and resources. Your objective is to secure the most points by completing various tasks and challenges. Points will be awarded for defeating rival teams, uncovering hidden objectives, and demonstrating exceptional skill or ingenuity."

She turned to King Alaric, who stepped forward with a warm smile. "This competition is not merely an exam. It is a chance to showcase your potential. To those who excel, rewards await—not just accolades but opportunities. The Order of the Old Ways, the royal court, and influential guilds will all be watching closely. This is your moment to shine."

The room erupted into whispers and murmurs of excitement. The gravity of the exam was sinking in.

Elowen spoke again, her tone sharp and final. "You have two days to prepare. During this time, you may refine your equipment, strategize with your team, or train. When the exam begins, you will have no second chances. Remember, this is not only about individual strength but also how well you can work as a team. Dismissed."

As the students began to disperse, the hall filled with a mix of tension and excitement. Aeris stood near the back, his mind already racing. This competition wasn't just a test—it was an opportunity to put his inventions to the ultimate test.

Zord clapped him on the back, grinning. "Looks like we're going to have some fun, huh? You've got that new toy of yours ready, don't you?"

Aeris smirked. "It's not just ready, Zord. It's perfect."

For Aeris, this was more than just an exam. It was a chance to prove to himself—and to mana—that he was worthy, even in his own unique way.

Aeris's gaze shifted back to Zord's old, battered sword. The blade looked painfully out of place compared to the newly upgraded magitech brass knuckle resting beside it. Aeris frowned, picking up the sword and examining it closely.

"This sword doesn't suit you, Zord," Aeris said, his voice tinged with frustration. "It's too... ordinary. You need something that matches your strength. Something that commands respect."

Zord scratched his head. "Well, it's done its job so far. But if you've got an idea for an upgrade, I'm all ears."

Aeris eyed Zord thoughtfully, his gaze drifting over the man's towering frame and broad shoulders. He needed a weapon as imposing and powerful as the man himself—something that wouldn't just be effective but iconic.

"What about something bigger?" Aeris asked. "A greatsword or an axe, maybe? Something heavy enough to use all that muscle of yours."

Zord's face lit up at the suggestion. "A greatsword sounds good. Big, flashy, and knightly. An axe could work too—nice and brutal. I can handle either." He grinned, flexing his arms. "You know I'm built for smashing things."

Aeris chuckled. "True, but neither feels quite... you. Let's think outside the box."

He set the sword down, crossing his arms as an idea began to form. Zord's rugged demeanor, combined with his raw, unyielding strength, called for something primal—something that didn't just cut or slice but obliterated.

Aeris snapped his fingers, the concept crystalizing in his mind. "Forget swords and axes. What you need is a mace. Or better yet, a club—something massive and devastating. The kind of weapon that could level a wall in one swing."

Zord blinked, then grinned. "A club? You mean like those barbarian stories? You think I should drop the knight act and go full brute?"

"Not a barbarian," Aeris said with a smirk. "Think of it as a juggernaut's weapon—pure destruction. With the right enhancements, this thing could be more devastating than any blade."

Zord's grin widened. "Alright, genius, I'm sold. Let's see what you've got."

---

Designing the Magitech War Club

Aeris sat down with a blank parchment, his pencil flying across the page.

1. Core Structure: The weapon would resemble a massive club, its head forged from ultra-dense mana-infused alloy. It would feature jagged, spiked ridges for added impact, each spike etched with glowing magitech runes.

2. Shockwave Generator: A mana core embedded in the head would generate concussive shockwaves with every strike, amplifying the weapon's destructive potential.

3. Lightning Element Enhancement: The club's design would focus solely on channeling lightning energy. Embedded mana conduits would allow the weapon to build and discharge electric energy with every swing. When Zord struck with the club, the impact would release arcs of lightning, stunning enemies and conducting through metal or water to hit multiple targets.

4. Weight Control: The shaft would include gravity-manipulating runes, reducing the weapon's effective weight in Zord's hands without compromising its crushing power.

5. Aesthetic: The club would exude a primal, rugged aesthetic. The runes etched into its surface would glow faintly with blue electricity, crackling along the jagged ridges and hinting at the devastating power within.

When Aeris showed the sketch to Zord, the man's eyes lit up. "That thing looks like it could bring down a castle and fry everyone inside. Let's make it happen."

---

Forging the Weapon

The process took hours of precise work. Aeris first shaped the club's massive head, heating the alloy to extreme temperatures and hammering it into a jagged, fearsome design. The mana core was painstakingly calibrated to ensure it could channel and store immense amounts of lightning energy without overheating.

The lightning conduits required special attention. Aeris etched mana channels into the alloy with precision, weaving a circuit-like pattern that would concentrate and amplify the electric charge. A series of crystal capacitors were embedded in the head, ensuring that the weapon could store residual energy and release it in devastating bursts when needed.

The shaft was reinforced with lightweight composite materials and lined with runes to stabilize the weapon's weight and prevent the lightning energy from harming its wielder.

When the weapon was finally complete, Aeris stepped back and admired his creation. The war club was monstrous—nearly as tall as Zord himself, bristling with spikes that crackled faintly with blue electricity.

---

Testing the Lightning War Club

Aeris handed the weapon to Zord. "Go ahead. Give it a swing. And try not to fry my workshop."

Zord hefted the club with ease, the faint hum of energy coursing through the weapon audible even from a distance. He stepped forward, gripping it tightly, and swung it at a practice dummy.

The result was spectacular. Upon impact, arcs of lightning erupted from the weapon, enveloping the dummy in crackling energy. The dummy exploded into charred fragments, and the arcs of electricity leapt to nearby metal tools, sending sparks flying.

Zord stared at the destruction, then burst into laughter. "This is perfect! It's not just a weapon—it's like holding a storm in my hands."

Aeris smirked. "Good. I designed it to give you an edge in close combat, but it can also disrupt groups. Just remember to control the energy—don't hit anything you don't want fried."

Zord slung the war club over his shoulder, its spikes still sparking faintly. "Control, got it. But Aeris, you outdid yourself with this one. I can't wait to see the look on everyone's faces when I bring this to the exam."

Aeris folded his arms, eyeing Zord with a wry grin. "Honestly, with that club in your hands, you look less like a knight and more like a thug. A very scary thug."

Zord threw back his head and laughed. "Good! A thug with lightning in his hands sounds about right to me."

Aeris rolled his eyes. "Just don't scare the headmistress. I'm not bailing you out again."

With his new lightning-enhanced war club in hand, Zord looked every bit the unstoppable force Aeris had envisioned—a walking storm, ready to unleash devastation on the graduation exam battlefield.

Zord hefted the massive war club onto his shoulder, the faint crackle of lightning dancing along its spiked ridges. He studied it for a moment, a grin spreading across his face.

"You know about Norse mythology, right?" Zord asked, glancing at Aeris.

Aeris raised an eyebrow. "Of course. What about it?"

Zord gave the club an appreciative swing, the air humming with energy as arcs of electricity flickered around it. "This thing reminds me of Thor's hammer. Big, heavy, and full of lightning." He paused, his grin widening. "I'm naming it Mjolnir."

Aeris let out a short laugh. "Mjolnir? You do realize that was a hammer, not a club, right?"

Zord shrugged. "Details. Besides, it's got the same vibe—unstoppable and capable of smiting anyone in its path. It's a perfect name."

Aeris smirked, crossing his arms. "Fine, but if you're going to name it Mjolnir, you'd better live up to the title. Thor was a god, after all."

Zord puffed out his chest, holding the war club aloft. "Guess that makes me the god of thunder."

Aeris rolled his eyes. "Sure, you keep telling yourself that, Thor. Just don't go around trying to summon lightning storms indoors."

Zord laughed, giving the club another practice swing. "No promises. But I'll make sure this Mjolnir lives up to its name."

Aeris shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Great. My workshop's going to be famous for arming a self-proclaimed thunder god. Try not to electrocute your teammates."

With the name Mjolnir etched into his mind, Zord looked every bit the embodiment of raw power—a walking storm, ready to unleash devastation on anyone who dared cross his path.

With that the day of the fist year graduation exam came.