Chapter 5 – First Day in the Guild Academy
Kei woke with the first light of dawn filtering through the small window of his apprentice dormitory. His heart fluttered with a mix of nerves and excitement. Today's the day. His first real class as a guild apprentice awaited him. He dressed carefully in a simple linen shirt and sturdy trousers, fastening his newly acquired apprentice pin to his collar. The pin – a tiny wooden gear symbol – glinted with promise. Kei took a steadying breath as he ran a hand through his dark hair.
A polite rap sounded at his door. "Kei? Are you up?" came Fiona's cheerful voice from the hallway.
Kei opened the door to find Fiona practically bouncing on her toes. The energetic redhead beamed at him, her own apprentice pin proudly displayed on her vest. "Morning! Ready for your big debut in class?" she teased, green eyes dancing.
He managed a shy smile. "As ready as I'll ever be, I think."
Fiona chuckled and handed him a warm pastry wrapped in paper. "Here, Aunt Marna dropped these off early. Thought you might skip breakfast from nerves."
Kei's chest warmed at the mention of Marna – his first friend in this world, who had taken him in like a nephew. The flaky pastry's sweet, spiced aroma reminded him he was a bit too nervous to eat in the bustling dining hall just yet. "Thank you," he murmured, touched by their thoughtfulness. He took a bite – flaky crust giving way to a fruity filling – as Fiona led him down the corridor.
The guild hall bustled with morning activity as apprentices and instructors moved about. Kei noticed, not for the first time, that nearly every face was female. A few older guild members paused to watch him pass, whispering behind their hands and smiling. Kei's cheeks warmed; he still wasn't used to being such a curiosity just by existing. Fiona gave an encouraging nod and steered him through a pair of oak doors into a spacious classroom workshop.
Inside, about twenty young women were gathering at workbenches arranged in a horseshoe. Sunlight streamed through high arched windows, illuminating motes of sawdust dancing in the air. The room smelled pleasantly of fresh wood shavings, oil, and a hint of magic – an undercurrent of ozone from runic devices lining the walls. At the front, a chalkboard was half-covered in diagrams of enchantment circles.
Kei hovered just behind Fiona as they entered. Almost instantly, the chatter in the room fell into a hush, twenty pairs of eyes swinging toward him. Kei felt heat creep up from his neck to his ears. Here we go again… he thought, forcing himself not to shrink under the attention.
Master Leena, the instructor, had been writing something on the board. At the collective gasp and silence, she turned. Leena was a trim woman in her thirties with silver-rimmed spectacles and ink-stained fingers – clearly a seasoned enchantress and crafter. Upon seeing Kei – an unfamiliar young man in her class – she nearly dropped the piece of chalk in her hand. It slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor.
"Oh!" Master Leena quickly composed herself, smoothing her navy teaching robes. "You must be Kieran Beckett – our new apprentice." Her surprise melted into a warm, if slightly flustered, smile. "Welcome. I, ah, apologize for the staring. It's not every day we have a male student join us."
A wave of murmurs swept the class. Kei gulped and stepped forward, giving a polite bow as Marna had taught him. "P-pleased to meet you, Master Leena. I prefer Kei, if that's okay," he said softly. His voice came out more timid than he'd hoped, but at least it didn't crack.
That simple act – a modest bow and soft greeting – set off a ripple of reactions among the apprentices. Some giggled or whispered excitedly ("He's so cute!" he heard someone say under her breath), while a few watched him with open curiosity or skepticism.
Master Leena nodded. "Kei it is. Class, please welcome Apprentice Kei to our ranks. He'll be training alongside you." She paused, perhaps realizing a standard introduction might not suffice here. With a gentle gesture, she added, "Kei comes to us on Guild Master Helena's recommendation. I trust you will all make him feel at home."
Before Kei could respond, a bold voice from the middle row piped up, brimming with enthusiasm. "Hi Kei! I'm Kara." The speaker, a tall, athletic girl with her dark hair in a ponytail, was already half out of her seat. She fixed him with bright hazel eyes and fired off a rapid barrage of questions: "Where are you from? How did you learn crafting? What's your favorite tool? Do you have a betrothed or any special someone?"
Kei's brain spun at the onslaught. "Oh, um—" He barely managed a startled laugh. Kara's unabashed curiosity and the mention of a "betrothed" turned his face bright red.
Fiona, standing beside Kei, snorted and whispered, "That's Kara for you. Hang in there."
Before Kei could attempt an answer, Master Leena cleared her throat pointedly. "Kara, let's save personal questions for later, shall we? We have a lesson to begin."
"Right, sorry, Master Leena," Kara said, unabashed. She shot Kei a wink and a grin as she plopped back down. Kei offered a polite, if nervous, smile in return, still trying to process that last question. (Betrothed?! Already?)
As Master Leena motioned for Kei to find a seat, another girl stood up from the front row. She was a petite apprentice with soft features, her light brown hair braided neatly down one shoulder. "You can take my seat, Kei," she offered sweetly, gesturing to the stool and drafting table she'd been occupying. "Here, please—sit. I don't mind standing at all!"
Kei blinked in surprise. The young woman looked earnest, even a bit flustered as she hurried to clear her papers off the desk for him. "Oh, that's very kind of you, but it's not necessary," he replied hastily. "I can sit anywhere. Maybe there's an empty spot in the back—"
"No, please, I insist!" she said, misunderstanding the hesitation on his face. She bit her lip, suddenly worried. "Unless… unless you don't want my seat? I-I didn't mean to presume— I just thought you'd like the best view—" Her cheeks turned pink as she stammered, clearly mortified at the idea she might have offended him by implying he needed special treatment.
Kei waved his hands frantically, panicked that he'd upset her. "No, no, I'm not offended! I just didn't want to trouble you— really, any seat is fine! Please, you haven't upset me at all."
A few of the nearby apprentices hid smiles or rolled their eyes fondly at the polite back-and-forth. Master Leena stepped in, her tone gently amused. "Nia, it's quite alright. Why don't we fetch another stool so you both have seats? And everyone else, settle down."
Nia nodded rapidly, relief flooding her soft green eyes. "Yes, Master." As she moved to grab an extra stool from the side wall, Kei realized she'd given her name indirectly. Nia. I'll have to apologize properly later for the confusion, he thought.
Soon, with the seating kerfuffle resolved (Kei ended up sitting at the front-row desk next to Nia, who was now perched on a spare stool), the class finally quieted to a manageable buzz. Master Leena clapped her hands lightly to focus everyone's attention.
"Alright, apprentices. This morning we'll start with a practical exercise to warm up our minds and hands." She tapped the chalkboard where a simple schematic of a rune-inscribed lantern was drawn. "We've been reviewing basic enchantment runes this week. Today, you'll apply them by crafting a basic mana-powered lamp. Consider it a getting-to-know-you project, since we have a new addition."
She gave Kei a quick smile, then continued, "Each of you has a kit with the components you'll need – wood for a base, a small mana crystal, wiring, and a sheet of runic foil. Follow the diagram, etch the provided rune sequence onto your foil, assemble the lamp, and let's see if we can make them glow. The goal is a steady light, not necessarily a bright one, so focus on precision."
Around the room, apprentices were already eagerly unpacking small wooden boxes of materials. Kei did the same, heart thumping with anticipation. This was it – real crafting work in a magical world. He picked up the thin metal foil provided for engraving runes and examined the diagram on the board. It showed a standard enchantment circle that funneled mana from the crystal to produce light. Kei's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. The design was serviceable but, in his eyes, a bit inefficient. It's like an old circuit with only one path. Maybe I can make a parallel rune line here…
He reached for a charcoal pencil and sketch paper from his desk, chewing his lip in concentration. Back on Earth, Kei had dabbled with electronics alongside woodworking. He remembered soldering LED circuits and learning how to reduce resistance. If mana flowed like electricity – which, based on the glowing devices he'd seen, it might – then a more efficient pathway could improve the lamp's brightness.
As he scribbled a modified rune diagram, he became oblivious to the rest of the class. His tongue stuck out slightly in focus as he drew additional lines and tiny runic symbols like a series of connected loops rather than the single spiral everyone else was likely doing.
A shadow fell over his sketch. "What in the world are you doodling?" came Kara's voice from the next bench.
Kei glanced up, realizing Kara had leaned over to peek, her ponytail swinging. On his other side, Nia paused her careful copying of the board to also look curiously at Kei's far more elaborate sketch.
Feeling self-conscious, Kei explained quietly, "I, uh, thought of a small change to the rune sequence. If I loop the flow here and add a second conduit line, it might boost the mana transfer efficiency. In theory." He gave a sheepish shrug, expecting them to maybe laugh or be confused.
Kara did arch an eyebrow. "I don't recognize those runes. And double lines? That's not in the textbook." She wasn't mocking, just genuinely incredulous. "Are you sure you're not just scribbling?"
He flushed. "It's just an idea. I'm not certain it'll work, but I want to try."
Nia offered an encouraging smile. "It looks interesting. Like… like a vine wrapping around the main rune circle? I've never seen that, but it's pretty."
Kei relaxed a fraction. At least Nia didn't think it was silly. "Thanks. If it works, I'll show you how it functions," he replied softly.
Kara gave a little competitive huff, playfully nudging his shoulder. "Well, I'm sticking to the basic design – I know that one works. But hey, if your doodle-lamp actually lights, I'll owe you a meat pie or something."
Kei found himself grinning at her easy camaraderie. "Deal," he chuckled.
With that, each returned to their task. The workshop filled with the quiet sounds of tools and scratching pencils. Kei carefully transcribed his augmented rune pattern onto the foil using an etching stylus. The mana crystal – a thumb-sized shard of quartz faintly glowing blue – needed to be seated in a wooden base and connected to the rune-engraved foil so that its energy would channel into the glyphs.
Kei carved a snug circular groove in the palm-sized wooden base to cradle the crystal, using a small carving knife from his kit. He found comfort in the feel of wood beneath his blade – it reminded him of countless hours in his old Earth workshop, carving for the joy of it. The wood here, a golden oak, had a pleasant earthy smell as curls of it peeled away under his knife.
Once the crystal sat securely, he affixed the foil around the crystal, forming a sort of cylindrical sleeve that would catch the mana radiating outward. On a whim, he also improvised a tiny wire coil, connecting it to the foil – hoping it might help regulate the mana flow (or at least that's what he imagined, treating it like an electric coil).
As he assembled the final components – attaching a glass dome over the crystal and wire – Kei bit his lip in anticipation. The last step: activating the rune. This was done by a drop of one's own mana or blood to bind it, according to Master Leena's earlier lessons (which he had read about in a textbook Fiona lent him). Since Kei didn't know any formal spells to spark it, he opted for the more visceral method.
He pricked his index finger lightly on the tip of a stray wire – flinching as a bead of blood welled – and let a single drop fall onto the engraved foil where his runes were waiting. With a faint sizzle, the blood was absorbed, the lines of Kei's rune design flaring for an instant with blue light as the circuit took.
Inside the glass dome, the mana crystal glowed to life. Light blossomed, warm and steady… and then grew brighter. Within seconds, Kei's lamp was shining at least twice as bright as the one on Kara's bench, which she had just finished and activated.
Startled, Kei shielded his eyes a little. Did he overdo it? Nia let out a soft gasp beside him, her own lamp only just flickering to a modest, candle-like glow.
Master Leena noticed the surge of radiance and strode over, eyes widening. "By the Goddess… that's a bright lamp," she exclaimed. The instructor leaned in to inspect Kei's work, adjusting her spectacles. "How did you manage—?"
Kei's throat went dry. Around them, other apprentices were also staring in amazement. Kara had her jaw slightly open, both impressed and baffled. He suddenly felt every bit of that attention, and it was daunting. I didn't mean to show off…
"Um, I-I tweaked the rune sequence a bit," Kei explained timidly. He carefully lifted the glass dome off to reveal the etched foil. "I made a sort of loop here so the mana cycles through twice, and added an extra line to channel any excess energy back into the crystal for reuse… I thought it might improve the efficiency."
Master Leena's eyebrows climbed higher as he spoke. A slow smile spread on her face. "Innovative thinking. No wonder Guild Master Helena spoke highly of you." Instead of scolding him for deviating from the instructions, Leena turned to address the class. "Everyone, pause your work for a moment and gather around here."
Kei's stomach did a little flip. Oh no. He wasn't expecting to be put on the spot in front of everyone. But there was no backing out as curious apprentices crowded around, a chorus of excited chatter:
"His lamp is so bright!"
"What did he do differently?"
"Look, the runes are all loopy, that's not in our primer, is it?"
Master Leena held up Kei's foil carefully. "Kei tried an alternative rune configuration. It appears he's created a self-reinforcing mana loop. Look at these lines—" She pointed, and a few girls leaned in so close that Kei worried they might bump heads. "This wasn't in the assignment, but it's yielded a remarkable result. Kei, would you mind explaining your method?"
Kei swallowed hard. His instincts screamed to shy away, but the encouraging look from Master Leena and the expectant eyes of his new peers nudged him on. He cleared his throat. "O-okay. Um, so the standard design had one path for mana to flow from the crystal and convert to light. But I noticed mana tends to dissipate at the edges of the rune…"
As he spoke, he gained momentum. He described how on Earth he'd learned to create circuits with feedback loops to stabilize current, and how he applied a similar concept with runic glyphs to effectively make the mana pass through the light-emitting glyph twice, doubling output before returning to the crystal. He sketched quickly on a scrap of paper to illustrate the changes.
The apprentices listened in rapt silence, broken only by gasps or "oh!" as some grasped the idea. A couple of the more academically minded scribbled notes furiously. Others watched Kei himself more than the drawing – his earnest face, the way a lock of black hair fell over his forehead as he demonstrated, the slight tremble in his voice that only made him more endearing.
Fiona, standing opposite in the circle, gave him two discreet thumbs-up and an encouraging grin. Kara crossed her arms and gave a mock-offended huff, but she was smiling too. Nia clasped her hands, eyes practically sparkling at Kei's ingenuity.
By the end of his halting explanation, Kei's nerves had settled somewhat. He realized he enjoyed talking about the craft itself, losing himself in the technical details and forgetting, for a moment, his shyness.
Master Leena placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture of genuine approval. "Excellent work, Kei. And thank you for the mini-lecture. I daresay we all learned something new." She addressed the class, "Innovation like this is at the heart of craftsmanship. Never be afraid to experiment – carefully – and learn from each other's strengths. Now, everyone, back to finishing your lamps. You can refine them using Kei's idea if you're quick about it."
As the circle dispersed back to their workstations in a buzz of excitement, Kei exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. A wave of relief and pride washed over him. He had wanted to prove he belonged here as more than a token male, and now he'd done it in his very first lesson. Perhaps a bit too well – some of the girls were still sneaking admiring glances his way that made him blush.
"Looks like I owe you that meat pie," Kara quipped as she passed by to return to her bench, giving him a playful salute. "Color me impressed, Kei."
He rubbed the back of his neck, grinning bashfully. "Let's call it a draw until I see if it keeps working consistently."
Nearby, Nia carefully etched an extra line on her own foil, clearly trying to mimic his modifications. Her brows were furrowed in concentration. Kei noticed her hand shaking slightly as she attempted a precise curve.
He recalled how she'd been nothing but kind – offering her seat and praising his "pretty" design. Now she looked like she could use some help. And in truth, Kei loved teaching others about crafting almost as much as doing it himself.
Just as he stepped closer to offer assistance, a familiar soft ding echoed in his head and a translucent screen materialized at the edge of his vision, visible only to him.
Quest: Study Buddy – Help a female classmate with her project. (Reward: +Intimacy with that character, +Intelligence)
Kei nearly rolled his eyes. Of course the System would butt in now. It was the same strange game-like interface that had been pestering him with "social" quests since his arrival. Quests he always ended up completing by accident anyway. He wasn't interested in whatever "intimacy" bonus it touted – he just genuinely wanted to help Nia. Still, he couldn't deny the small thrill of seeing a quest actually related to crafting, even if framed in the usual suggestive way.
Shaking off the distraction, Kei approached Nia's desk. "Need a hand?" he asked quietly.
Nia looked up, the tip of her tongue peeking out as she concentrated on a swirl of her rune. "I… I think I'm doing it right?" she said uncertainly. Her version of his design had come out wobbly and a bit lopsided.
Kei gently took the stylus from her hand. "May I?" he asked. She nodded, cheeks pink.
He placed the thin metal stylus at the beginning of the flawed loop and carefully guided it, etching a smoother curve over her initial line. "Try to keep the pressure even… like this," he murmured, aware that to show her, he'd ended up lightly holding her hand to stabilize it.
Nia's breath hitched. She went very still, allowing him to direct her hand. Together they corrected the pattern, their heads bent close over the foil. Kei was too focused on the rune to notice the redness of Nia's ears or the quiet "aww" that a couple of watching apprentices let slip.
When finished, Kei released Nia's hand at once and stepped back, admiring their work. "That looks much better. Give it a try now."
Nia swallowed and quickly pricked her thumb to activate her crystal. Within moments, her lamp glowed to life – not as intensely as Kei's, but clearly brighter than it would have been. Nia's face lit up in delight. "It's working! Oh, thank you, Kei. I couldn't have done that alone." She gazed up at him with gratitude and something else in her eyes that Kei, oblivious, chalked up to simple happiness.
The System chimed softly. Quest Complete! flashed in text, followed by Intelligence +1. Kei felt a subtle warmth in his mind, as if a tiny ray of clarity and knowledge had just taken root. It was a pleasant sensation – the System's way of acknowledging the stat increase. He tried not to smirk; at least this time he got a useful reward without any embarrassing strings attached.
Master Leena, who had been observing from a distance, gave Kei an approving nod. She must have seen him help Nia. Kei returned to his station to clean up, heart lighter than ever.
By the end of the class, every apprentice had a functioning mana lamp. The room twinkled with a constellation of small lights as Master Leena dimmed the shutters to admire their handiwork. Students chatted excitedly, comparing their lamps and, more than once, complimenting Kei on his clever idea or simply thanking him for an interesting morning.
Kei found himself at the center of a small cluster as Fiona, Kara, and Nia gathered around.
"That was one way to make a first impression," Fiona laughed, patting Kei's shoulder. "You basically taught half the lesson."
Kei blushed. "It wasn't my intention, I promise. I just got carried away."
"And it was awesome," Kara declared, holding up her lamp – she'd managed to redo her runes to incorporate Kei's technique, and the lamp was shining a strong golden light. "See? I'm a quick study. Thanks, Kei."
"You did that all yourself," Kei insisted, though he was pleased she'd found value in his input.
Nia cradled her own softly glowing lamp with a content smile. "I think Master Leena was really impressed. She might even adopt your method for the curriculum."
At that idea, Kei's eyes widened. "Oh, I'm not sure about that…" The notion of something he introduced becoming standard in guild lessons was both thrilling and terrifying.
Before he could dwell on it, Master Leena clapped her hands again. "Excellent work, everyone. That's a wrap for this morning's class. We'll break for lunch and reconvene after for theory." She began to dismiss students, who started packing away their projects.
Kei helped gather stray tools and tidy his area, habitually neat. As he rolled up his sketch of the rune circuit, he realized how alive he felt. The anxiety that had weighed on him at the door had transformed into exhilaration. In just a few hours, he'd gone from "the odd male newcomer" to a contributing member of the class. Respect and perhaps even a touch of affection had replaced some of the initial gawking. He allowed himself a small, proud smile. Maybe I really can find my place here as a craftsman.
"Hey Kei, want to join us for lunch?" Fiona asked as the group started toward the door. Kara and Nia flanked Kei, one on each side, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Sure," he replied, then hesitated. "Um, where exactly…?"
Before Fiona could answer, Kara pumped a fist. "The cafeteria in the east wing has the best meat pies. My treat – I owe him," she declared, reminding him of her promise.
Nia giggled. "I'll come too. I could eat a whole stable of horses, I'm so hungry after all that excitement."
Fiona looped her arm through Kei's in an almost sisterly way, guiding him along. "Let's go then, before the line gets long!"
Surrounded by friends – friends! – Kei let himself be swept out of the classroom, feeling on top of the world. If the stares in the corridors at the sight of a young man escorted by three attentive girls still made him blush, at least now he knew those girls by name, and they knew him beyond just being male. They knew him as a fellow artisan. And that feeling was better than any stat boost the System could give.
After lunch, which passed in a blur of tasty pies and friendly teasing (Kara insisted he try a spicy relish that nearly made him choke, to much laughter), the apprentices resumed their day's schedule. Afternoon theory lessons on enchantment principles went by without incident – except for the occasional diverted gaze toward Kei whenever the instructor referenced the morning's lamp project. Kei did his best to sink into his seat and just listen, grateful the focus wasn't squarely on him for a while.
By late afternoon, classes concluded, freeing the apprentices to either study, work on personal projects, or attend to guild chores. Fiona, Kara, and Nia decided to show Kei around the larger workshop hall attached to the guild – a sprawling space where apprentices could practice and tinker outside of formal class.
The workshop hall was a craftsman's paradise. Rows of workbenches, anvils, and tool racks filled the cavernous room. The scents of sawdust, molten metal, and enchanting incense intermingled. A pleasant cacophony of hammering, sawing, and magical zaps echoed from various corners where some apprentices from other classes were already hard at work on personal endeavors.
As they walked, Fiona enthusiastically pointed out areas: "Over there is the forge section – we share it with the smithing guild apprentices on alternate days. And that side is woodworking – oh, we have an excellent lathe that runs on a levitation rune, you've got to try it sometime! The shelves along that wall are common supplies – wood boards, metal ingots, basic alchemy ingredients for finishing polishes… We just log whatever we take."
Kei absorbed it all, eyes shining. So much equipment and material, available for him to use – it made his fingertips itch to start a project immediately. "It's amazing," he breathed.
Kara flashed a grin and clapped him on the back. "You haven't even seen the best part. Come on, this way!"
She led them to a side area where a large tool cabinet sat. Swinging open the double doors revealed an array of gleaming tools hanging inside: hammers, saws, chisels, pliers – all in excellent condition. Kara grabbed a hefty iron hammer engraved with decorative scrollwork and hefted it. "This baby here was forged by Mistress Olara from the Smithing Guild. Enchanted to never dull a nail." She handed it to Kei to feel.
Kei accepted the hammer with both hands (it was that weighty), admiring the fine balance and the faint hum of magic that resonated from it. "Wow," he murmured, running a thumb over the engravings.
Behind him, Nia was rummaging through a lower drawer. "We have personal lockers too if you want to store any of your own tools," she explained, withdrawing a small wooden box. "And first aid kits, just in case." She patted the box with a knowing smile. "Wood splinters and solder burns happen."
Kei chuckled. "Good to know I won't have to run to a healer for a small cut."
They wandered further, chatting amiably. Kara recounted a funny tale of accidentally singeing her eyebrows off when an experiment with a smokepowder-fueled bellows went awry. Fiona bragged about the time she built a self-propelled toy cart that ran wild through the guild halls before crashing into the Guild Master's office ("Aunt Helena was not pleased, but she couldn't stop laughing either," Fiona admitted).
Kei felt completely at ease – until he noticed a large, battered toolbox lying by one of the benches, half full of metal scraps. A lone apprentice in the corner was struggling to lift it onto a table.
Without thinking, Kei stepped over. "Here, let me help with that," he offered, reaching for the heavy box.
The apprentice, a freckled girl about his age, looked up in surprise. Her arms were straining under the weight of the toolbox. But before Kei could grasp the handles, a pair of hands yanked it away from both of them.
"Oh no you don't!" Nia scolded, suddenly between Kei and the toolbox. Despite Nia's small stature, she somehow managed to intercept and hoist the cumbersome box, albeit with effort. She set it on the table for the freckled girl, who murmured a confused thanks and scurried off.
Kei blinked at Nia, taken aback by the ferocity of her intervention. "I was just helping—"
Nia turned to him, face flushed from exertion. "Kei, you shouldn't strain yourself with such heavy lifting," she chided, as if talking to a wayward child. "That thing weighs a ton! What if you hurt your back or dropped it on your foot?"
Kei opened his mouth, a protest on the tip of his tongue. He appreciated her concern, truly, but the toolbox hadn't seemed that heavy. He'd moved heavier lumber back on Earth plenty of times. "I… I think I could have managed. I'm not made of glass, you know," he said gently, trying not to sound ungrateful.
Nia's expression wavered, uncertainty creeping in. "I-I know you're not… it's just…." She fiddled with the hem of her sleeve. "Men aren't expected to do manual labor here. We'd feel awful if you got hurt doing something we could handle."
Fiona stepped up and put a hand on Nia's shoulder. "He's okay, Nia. I promise he won't break from a little lifting. But I get it." She shot Kei a sympathetic look. "It's just how things are here, Kei. People will feel compelled to shield you from any risk, big or small."
Kei sighed, shoulders slumping a fraction. "Because I'm a man," he said quietly.
"Because you're valued," Fiona corrected with a soft smile. "Humor us a bit, alright? We know you can do it, but you'll have folks jumping in to 'help' or rather, to stop you, every time. It's instinct."
Kara joined the little huddle, having observed the scene with an amused grin. "Tell you what," she announced briskly, "if Kei wants to prove he can pull his weight, I have an idea." She pointed to a stack of lumber at the far end of the hall. "We need to bring those planks over to the cutting table. How about Kei and I carry them together? That way Nia won't faint from worry, and Kei won't feel useless."
Nia pouted, but the corners of her mouth twitched in a reluctant smile. "I wasn't that worried…" she mumbled.
Kei brightened. "I'd like that. Thanks, Kara."
The four of them headed over to the stack of oak planks. Each plank was long and thick – used for heavy furniture frames. Kei and Kara took opposite ends of one and lifted in unison. The weight was solid, but manageable between the two of them.
Step by step, they carried the plank across the workshop. Nia hovered nearby with her arms half-out as if ready to grab the board if it so much as wobbled. Fiona walked alongside, biting back a grin.
As Kei and Kara set the plank down onto the cutting table with a satisfying thud, a spatter of applause and cheers erupted behind them. A few apprentices across the hall had paused to watch the unusual sight of a man doing manual work – and doing it cooperatively with a woman.
One older girl with soot on her cheeks gave an exaggerated bow in Kei's direction. "Bravely done, sir!" she called teasingly. "Don't steal all our jobs now!"
Another laughed and added, "Teamwork makes the dream work, eh?"
Kei's face burned, but he couldn't help a laugh. The clapping wasn't mean-spirited; the onlookers were clearly charmed by the little display. It was absurd, really, getting applause for simply carrying a plank, but if it was in good fun… well, he'd play along. He took an overly dramatic bow, sweeping one arm out. "All in a day's work, ladies," he quipped, a shy smile on his lips.
This earned him a roar of approving laughter. Kara clapped him on the back, nearly staggering him. "Look at you, turning into a regular showman!" she teased.
Inside, Kei felt a mix of embarrassment and acceptance. He was slowly growing used to these odd moments – being treated like a rare flower that needed both admiration and constant gentle care. If he didn't laugh at the absurdity, he'd certainly go crazy. And truth be told, the genuine goodwill in the workshop was infectious. These women didn't treat him like he was weak to belittle him; they sincerely wanted him safe. There was a bizarre charm in it, even if it pricked his pride now and then.
After that, the afternoon wound down. Kei spent a little more time exploring the workshop under Fiona's guidance, though Nia insisted on hovering whenever heavy tools were involved (just in case). By the end of the day, Kei had a smudge of sawdust on his cheek, a few charcoal marks on his fingers, and a heart full of contentment.
As the sky outside turned gold with late daylight, Master Leena popped her head into the hall to remind the remaining apprentices of the hour. "Don't forget to rest and eat dinner, all of you. Especially you, Kei – first days can be tiring. Good work today." She gave him a kind smile, then left.
Taking the hint, Kei and the girls cleaned up their workspace. Fiona and Kara headed off to fetch their personal belongings, leaving Nia and Kei walking back toward the dormitories together.
Nia had been uncharacteristically quiet for a few minutes. Finally, she spoke, voice hesitant. "Kei… I'm sorry if I offended you earlier. With the toolbox thing."
Kei glanced at her, surprised to see her looking down at her feet as they walked. "Offended me? No, not at all, Nia. I know you were just trying to look out for me."
"It's just, I heard what happened in Rosewallow, how you fixed a fence and people made a fuss. I guess I reacted without thinking when I saw you trying to lift something heavy here. I didn't want anyone to jump on you like that again or… or for you to get hurt because we expected too much."
Kei felt a wave of gratitude for her concern. It was such a strange new experience to have people worry about him this way. On Earth, he had mostly been alone; no one fretted over him carrying groceries or using a power saw. But here, even virtual strangers felt protective. "Thank you, Nia. Really," he said softly. "It means a lot that you care. I promise I'll be careful. And I'll also try to understand that this is normal for everyone here, even if it's a bit… um, suffocating at times."
She offered a small, relieved smile. "We'll all adjust together, okay? And for what it's worth, I think it's amazing you want to pull your weight. It shows you respect us and the work."
They arrived at a fork in the hall where the women's and men's dorm corridors diverged (well, in this case, "men's dorm" meant the single room Kei occupied in an otherwise empty hall). Nia made a shy half-bow. "Good night, Kei. See you tomorrow?"
"See you tomorrow," he replied warmly.
As Nia departed, Fiona reappeared, carrying a stack of notebooks and a toolkit. "Nia off?" she asked.
Kei nodded. "Yeah, she just left for her room."
Fiona waggled her eyebrows as she fell in beside Kei down the corridor. "She's sweet on you, you know."
Kei nearly tripped over his own feet. "Wh-what? No, she's just being nice—"
A light laugh escaped Fiona. "Sure, sure. Just friendly concern." She didn't press further, seeing his flustered state. Instead, she bumped her shoulder lightly against his. "How are you holding up? Survived day one with flair, I'd say."
They reached Kei's door. He exhaled, considering the day's events – from the nerve-wracking introduction to the triumphant lamp project, to making new friends and navigating the peculiar social norms. "It was… a lot," he admitted. "But a good lot. I learned so much already. And everyone's been so welcoming, in their own ways."
Fiona nodded, her red braid slipping over her shoulder. "You've earned it. I mean, you pretty much wowed us all from the start. I knew you'd be an interesting addition."
Kei rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I just hope I can keep up. And not step on any more toes – metaphorically, that is."
"You'll be fine," Fiona said, then gave a mischievous grin. "Though where's the fun in no toes being stepped on? Half of us learned more from your little oops moments and different perspective than we have from some lectures. Keeps things lively."
He chuckled. "Well, if I do something terribly inappropriate, it's not on purpose."
"We know," she said sincerely. "Don't worry too much. And if you ever have questions about etiquette or anything, you can always ask me or Aunt Helena or anyone. We'd rather help than see you fret."
"Thanks, Fiona. Really." Kei unlocked his door and stepped inside his cozy room. Before he closed it, he added, "Are you heading to dinner now?"
"In a bit. I've to drop these off," she lifted her notebooks, "and wash up. Maybe we'll see you in the dining hall later? If not, get some rest – you deserve it."
Bidding her goodnight for now, Kei shut the door and leaned against it, releasing a long breath. The quiet of his room enveloped him, a gentle contrast to the bustling day.
A soft ping and a semi-transparent status window appeared before his eyes, courtesy of the System. It summarized his progress: Woodworking +0.2, Basic Enchanting +0.4, Intelligence +1. A tiny pixelated confetti shower accompanied the stats, and a line of text popped up: Day 1 as Apprentice Complete – Achievement Unlocked: "Humble Trailblazer." The System added a winking emoji, as if congratulating him.
Kei huffed a small laugh and dismissed the interface. Humble Trailblazer? He certainly felt more at home now than he could have imagined yesterday. If carving a place here was the path he was set on, he'd continue to walk it – humbly, enthusiastically, and yes, maybe trailblazing now and then with ideas from another world.
As he washed his face in the basin, scrubbing off the dust and ink, Kei caught his reflection in the mirror above the washstand. He looked tired but happy. There was a spark in his grey-blue eyes, one that he remembered from long ago on Earth when he'd first discovered the joy of making things with his own hands.
"Not a bad first day," he whispered to himself, toweling off. Outside, the sounds of evening guild life drifted in through the window – distant chatter, the clatter of dinner plates, laughter in the courtyard. He wasn't an outsider listening in anymore; he was part of this scene.
Kei changed into a comfortable tunic and, after a moment's thought, decided to venture to the dining hall to join the others for dinner after all. He felt more confident now, enough to face the inevitable attention once more for the sake of good food and better company.
With a final glance around his room – the neatly made bed, the desk now housing his little mana lamp (which he'd proudly brought back) casting a gentle glow – Kei smiled. He truly felt a sense of belonging settling in his chest. The Artisan's Guild was starting to feel like home.
And with that reassuring thought, he stepped out to rejoin society for the evening, ready to continue this adventure one day at a time.
(Kei has gained a new sense of belonging and a successful first day, but many more challenges and surprises await as he settles into society...)
Chapter 6 – The Routines of City Life
The first rays of sun found Kei already awake the next morning. In fact, he had been up before dawn, stirred by a lingering excitement that refused to let him sleep in. When the city's bell tower chimed softly from afar, marking the early hour, he decided to start his day.
Kei quietly made his way out to the small courtyard adjacent to the dormitories. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the smell of dew-laden stone and the faint floral fragrance of morning glories climbing the courtyard wall. Clad in a simple sleeveless undershirt and loose trousers, Kei began to stretch, easing the slight soreness in his muscles from yesterday's activities.
Old habits from his previous life guided him through a light exercise routine. Back on Earth, crafting had taught him the importance of a steady hand and a strong back, so he'd often done morning push-ups or jogs to keep fit. As he dropped to the ground and started a set of push-ups now, the courtyard was silent save for the rustle of leaves and his measured breathing.
Silent, that is, until a gasp sounded from the walkway. Kei looked up mid-push-up to find an elderly woman in robes – a senior librarian by her attire – staring at him wide-eyed, a scroll clutched to her chest. Another younger clerk beside her had her jaw dropped. They had clearly not expected to see a man in the courtyard, let alone one doing… well, this.
Kei immediately stopped and knelt upright, a bit self-conscious. "Good morning," he offered politely, a sheen of sweat on his brow. Perhaps he made an odd picture – a lone male doing exercises, when most men here were probably still cosseted in bed or enjoying leisurely breakfasts brought to them.
The older librarian realized her gawking and gave a prim nod, though her cheeks were pink. "G-Good morning, young man," she replied, attempting a dignified smile. As Kei resumed his push-ups (slower now, feeling their eyes), he heard her whisper to her companion as they shuffled away, "Gracious, I thought he might be collapsing or something! What vigor…"
Kei bit back a chuckle. Collapsing? Do they think I'm frail as a kitten? To be fair, in this world's context, a man doing strenuous exercise probably was an unusual sight.
He switched to sit-ups and stretches. A few more guild staff passed through the courtyard during his routine – a gardener carrying watering cans who nearly over-watered a rosebush upon seeing him, and a pair of mage apprentices who giggled and offered a little wave which Kei shyly returned between stretches. The general reaction ranged from astonishment to endearing amusement.
By the time Kei finished and wiped off with a towel, he was both energized and a tad embarrassed by all the attention. Still, he felt good. His body was warm and limber, ready for the day. If nothing else, he hoped his morning exercise might normalize the idea that he wasn't as fragile as everyone assumed.
Stomach rumbling, Kei headed back inside, washed up, and got dressed in his apprentice garb. Today's classes would likely be more theory-focused, so he opted for a simple teal tunic and sturdy pants with plenty of pockets for tools. Pinning on his apprentice gear emblem, he took a breath and made his way toward the dining hall for breakfast.
The moment he stepped through the archway into the common dining hall, conversation hushes fell like dominoes. It was as if someone had magically pressed a mute button on the lively chamber. Dozens of guild members – mostly apprentices like him, with a few journeymen and staff – sat at long wooden tables mid-meal, and now most were staring at Kei by the door.
He froze for an awkward heartbeat, fighting the urge to retreat. You have to eat, and you can't hide forever, he reminded himself. Gathering courage, Kei offered a timid smile and moved toward an empty corner of one table.
As he walked, he caught snippets of whispers: "Is that the new boy?" "Yes, from Marna's village…." "Oh goddess, he's adorable." "I heard he made a lamp shine twice as bright yesterday!" "He's coming this way— act normal!"
Kei set his tray down at the empty end of the table and sat. The wooden bench was long, with several empty spots around him – likely a ripple effect of people shifting once they noticed where he headed. A few tables over, he saw a group of familiar faces: Fiona, Kara, and Nia among them, trying to wave him over. Perhaps in his tunnel-vision to find anywhere to sit, he'd missed them. Or maybe he subconsciously thought sitting alone would draw less attention (how wrong he was).
Before he could decide whether to relocate, chairs scraped loudly beside him. In a whoosh of motion, Fiona and Kara plunked themselves down on either side of Kei, having hastened over. Nia slid in across from him, smiling shyly. And two more apprentices he recognized from class – the freckled girl he'd tried to help with the toolbox and another tall girl with glasses – quickly took the remaining spots. In an instant, what had been an isolated corner was now completely occupied.
Kei blinked at the sudden company. "Oh! Good morning," he managed, looking around at the five women now surrounding him.
"Morning!" Fiona chirped, already stealing a roll off Kei's plate to butter it for him. "We were calling you, but you didn't see us," she explained, as if materializing a whole group at his table was the most natural solution.
Kara nudged his shoulder in greeting, her mouth already full of porridge. "Mornin', Kei," she muffled out, then swallowed. "Sitting alone, huh? Not on our watch."
Nia poured Kei a cup of tea from the communal pot on the table, the steam fragrant with mint. "We wanted to make sure you had company," she said softly. "And enough to eat." She eyed his tray, which held a modest serving of eggs and toast.
Immediately, the two unfamiliar apprentices who'd joined them began offering bits of their own breakfast to him as well. The freckled girl pushed a small bowl of berries toward Kei. "Here, have some! You should try the spring berries, they're sweet."
The tall girl with glasses slid over a slice of cheese. "And this goat cheese, it's fresh from this morning's delivery."
"Ah, thank you, but—" Kei's mild protest was drowned out by Fiona plopping an extra bread roll on his plate (the one she had buttered liberally). Kara added a spoonful of jam atop it for good measure. In the span of thirty seconds, Kei's simple breakfast doubled in size.
He held up his hands in good-natured surrender, a flush creeping up his face at their doting. "Alright, alright, thank you, everyone. I appreciate it."
They all watched with satisfaction as he dutifully took a bite of the buttered, jam-slathered roll. It was delicious – rich and slightly sweet. Kei smiled in spite of himself. "This is really good."
Fiona beamed. "Told ya. Perks of guild life – great food."
As the general clamor of the hall resumed (once it became clear that the new male apprentice was safely ensconced with his friends and not about to do something wild like choke on air), Kei allowed himself to relax into the lively breakfast chatter.
The group around him fell into easy conversation about the upcoming schedule. Apparently, there was buzz that Guild Master Helena might drop by the workshop class later in the week to see the apprentices' progress – a rarity that sent a ripple of both excitement and anxiety through the ranks. Kara bragged that she'd be ready to show off her metalworking skills. Nia fretted whether her enchantments would be up to snuff. Fiona joked that Helena was probably more interested in checking on Kei's welfare and seeing if he needed anything special.
"Special? Like what, a throne in class?" Kei said dryly, sipping his minty tea. That earned a round of laughter.
As they ate and talked, Kei tried to keep up with the banter. Sometimes the girls spoke so fast or over each other that he got a bit lost, but he found he enjoyed just listening, too. The way they teased one another and included him with casual ease was heartwarming. It reminded him of the few times on Earth he'd hung out with a friend group at a café or pub – rare, precious moments of belonging.
At one point, as he reached for what he thought was his cup of tea, he accidentally picked up Nia's identical cup and took a sip. Realizing the mistake when he noticed his own cup still full, Kei's eyes widened. "Oh no—Nia, I'm so sorry, I drank your tea by accident!"
Nia blinked, then giggled. "It's fine, Kei. We have the same brew."
He still felt bad, as if he'd committed some social sin. "Here, you can have mine then," he insisted, pushing his untouched cup toward her.
Nia's cheeks flushed a gentle pink. "If you insist… thank you." She accepted his cup with a smile that seemed disproportionately bright for such a small gesture. Kei felt a strange flutter of nerves – had sharing a cup meant something more? On Earth it wouldn't, but here… he made a mental note to ask Fiona later if swapping cups had any implications. The last thing he wanted was another unintended signal.
A moment later, another minor mix-up occurred – this time with pastries. The tall girl with glasses had brought a special cream-filled pastry to treat Nia and set it by her plate. Kei, utterly unaware, had been idly nibbling at it between bites of egg, thinking it was just communal. When only a flaky crumb remained, he overheard the girl say, "Nia, did you like the custard tart? I got it just for you."
Kei froze mid-chew. Custard tart? He glanced down at the crumb on his plate, then at Nia's empty spot where the pastry had been. Oh dear. That tart had been meant for Nia, not him. And he'd eaten it without even noticing.
Color drained from Kei's face. He swallowed the last bit guiltily. "Nia… that pastry was for you? I… I'm so sorry, I ate it without thinking—"
Nia looked at his stricken expression and burst into soft laughter. "Kei, it's alright! I was offering it around earlier anyway, and you clearly enjoyed it." Her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Honestly, you looked so happy eating it, it made my morning."
"But—" Kei's protest was gently silenced by Fiona elbowing him.
"Relax. None of us mind, promise," Fiona said, while Kara smirked and added, "Yeah, a man who isn't afraid to eat sweets? Adorable."
Kei's face burned for what felt like the hundredth time, but it was with relief too. These little social slip-ups could have been awkward, yet his new friends only found them endearing. They're really not upset at all, he thought, marveling. If anything, they seemed pleased he wasn't overly formal or distant.
Soon everyone was finishing off their plates. The morning classes would start shortly. As they rose from the table, Kei bowed his head slightly to the tall girl and the freckled girl. "Thank you for sharing your food with me."
The freckled girl giggled. "Anytime, Kei! I'm Melie, by the way. We didn't get to chat much in class yesterday."
The tall girl adjusted her glasses, blushing a bit. "And I'm Yuna. Not the Chief Enchanter Yuna, obviously, just an apprentice with a similar name," she clarified hastily.
"It's nice to officially meet you both," Kei said warmly. He realized his circle of acquaintances was quickly growing. He made a mental effort to remember all the names – he didn't want to become one of those aloof men who didn't bother to learn about those around him.
Exiting the dining hall, the group split off for their respective tasks – Melie and Yuna waved as they hurried off to their mentor's workshop, while Fiona, Kara, and Nia accompanied Kei toward the classrooms again.
Today's schedule involved more advanced theory in the morning and then a supervised workshop session in the afternoon to start planning a mid-term group project. Kei listened to Fiona chatter about potential project ideas (she was keen on something involving gears and automation), and he felt a spark of excitement. A project meant creative freedom and teamwork – exactly what he loved.
Their path took them through the guild's central atrium, where messages and job postings were pinned on bulletin boards. Kei's eye caught one colorful flyer advertising an upcoming city event – the "Midsummer Masquerade & Market Faire – two weeks away". It boasted of enchanted light displays, artisan competitions, and a grand ball. The image depicted fantastical lanterns illuminating a night sky and masked revellers dancing in a plaza. Kei mentally bookmarked that; it sounded like a huge festival and probably something the guild would be involved in. Magical-modern aesthetic, indeed. It could be an incredible experience – both wonderous and, he suspected, ripe for more comedic misadventures given how events tended to go for him.
But that was the future. As they arrived at their classroom, Kei refocused on the present – lessons and learning.
The theory lecture that morning was engaging, albeit rigorous. Master Leena taught about advanced runic combinations and the mathematics of mana flow rates. Kei diligently took notes, occasionally asking questions when something paralleled an Earth concept like electrical resistance or energy conservation. His contributions earned a mix of admiration from classmates and teasing ("There he goes again, Mr. Innovator," Kara whispered dramatically at one point, though she copied down everything he said).
During a short mid-morning break, as students stretched their legs, Kei stepped out onto a balcony to get some air. The city spread before him in daylight was a breathtaking sight he hadn't grown tired of – spires of guild halls and towers glinting, streets bustling with tiny figures moving to and fro, all under a clear blue sky. The smell of fresh bread from a bakery below wafted up, mingling with the distant tang of forge-smoke. Anderun felt alive and welcoming.
Kei's peaceful moment was interrupted by a voice behind him. "Hey Kei, can you do me a favor and bring these to the forge after class later?" It was one of the workshop aides, a woman balancing a crate of nails and metal fittings.
Kei turned, automatically reaching to help stabilize the crate. "Of course. To the forge, right?"
"Yes, the blacksmith wing. It's for Master Olara's order," the aide said gratefully, transferring the crate into his arms. It was reasonably heavy, but Kei held it without issue. "Thank you! I was just about to run them, but since you're heading that way later… oh, and—"
She was cut off by an audible gasp from a passing senior guild member. "What are you doing?" the older lady nearly squawked at the aide. "You can't ask him to carry that!"
Both the aide and Kei looked at her in surprise. The aide stammered, "Oh! I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean— I mean he offered to help—"
Kei suppressed a sigh and quickly interjected, "It's fine, really. I don't mind at all."
The older guildswoman gave the aide a mild scolding look but then smiled at Kei, as if charmed by his willingness. "That's kind of you, dear, but next time just call a porter golem or fetch one of the sturdier apprentices, alright? We can't have you straining yourself."
Kei mentally rolled his eyes but maintained a polite nod. "Understood, ma'am." As the guildswoman walked away, presumably satisfied she'd done her protective duty of the day, Kei handed the crate back to the sheepish aide for the time being. They agreed he'd pick it up after class to deliver.
He returned inside as the break ended, exchanging a knowing glance with Fiona and Kara who had observed the scene from the doorway. Kara snickered quietly; Fiona just shook her head in amused exasperation.
The remainder of the morning passed without much event – aside from the now-familiar dynamic of Kei trying to be just a regular student and half the room trying to either pedestal or coddle him. Master Leena, at least, treated him equally during Q&A, which he appreciated. The instructor even gave him a couple of pointedly challenging questions (which he managed to answer correctly after a moment's thought, to her satisfaction).
By lunchtime, Kei's brain was brimming with new knowledge. He was happy to have a break. Instead of the dining hall, the apprentices ate packed lunches in the workshop, eager to start brainstorming their group projects for the afternoon session.
Kei's team naturally formed with Fiona, Kara, and Nia – the four of them gravitating together when Master Leena said, "Pick your own groups of three to four." A few other girls looked momentarily disappointed that Kei was swiftly claimed, but they soon refocused on their own alliances.
Gathered around a workbench with bread, cheese, and fruit spread out picnic-style, Kei and his friends talked project ideas between bites.
"I think something to help the forge would be useful," Kei said, recalling his observation of the smiths struggling with manual bellows yesterday from the tour. "Maybe an automated bellows? It could keep the flames steady without someone pumping all day."
Fiona's eyes sparkled. "Oh, that's brilliant! Mechanize the bellows – I love it. We could use gearwork and maybe enchantments to regulate airflow."
Kara tore off a hunk of bread. "Sounds like a lot of metalwork too. Count me in for that. I can forge the frame and moving parts."
Nia nibbled a piece of cheese thoughtfully. "I can help with the enchantment side – perhaps runes to control the wind flow so it doesn't overheat or blow ash everywhere."
Kei nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, we'll need a balance of all our skills. We can call it a magi-forge bellows or something."
"Team Bellows, go!" Fiona cheered softly, raising her water flask in a mock toast. The others clinked theirs to it, grinning.
As they ate, Kei found himself at ease enough to share a bit more about his past experiences – albeit carefully edited to hide the whole "other world" aspect. He mentioned how on "his family's farm" (a white lie to explain his broad skillset) they rigged a water wheel to automate grain grinding, which impressed Kara. He spoke of loving to tinker with gadgets since childhood, which resonated with Fiona deeply.
In turn, he learned more about them. Fiona described growing up among engineers, hence her love for gears. Kara admitted her mother was a renowned swordswoman, and Kara had originally trained in combat before finding her passion in metal-crafting weapons instead of wielding them. Nia shyly revealed that she was from a long line of scribes, but she had mediocre handwriting and instead had a knack for magic formulas, so enchanting appealed to her.
The more they shared, the more Kei felt the bonds between them strengthening. It wasn't just them watching over the "precious male" anymore; he was one of them, a fellow student, teammate, and friend. The System's influence might have nudged some interactions, but what he felt now was genuine camaraderie beyond any game-like mechanics.
Unbeknownst to Kei, as he laughed at one of Kara's jokes (something about nearly enchanting her own hair green by accident), a small icon winked in his periphery – a tiny heart symbol next to each of his three companions' names on a status list he usually ignored. The System was quietly tracking "relationship points." But Kei didn't notice; he was too busy enjoying the moment in real life to pay heed to those gamified details.
After lunch, the formal workshop period began. The classroom buzzed as multiple teams scattered to different corners to plan and tinker. Master Leena circulated to offer advice. Kei's team claimed a spacious table and began sketching out a design for the automated bellows.
True to form, Kei took the lead on initial concept – drawing a rough diagram of a large bellows (like two boards with leather between them) attached to a gear and crank system, which could be driven by either a hand crank or a small rune-powered motor. Fiona eagerly refined his gear ratios, adding notes about connecting it to a foot pedal or even a small magitech engine. Kara listed materials they'd need – oak wood for the frame, steel for the gears, tough chimera-leather for the bellows bag that could withstand heat, etc. Nia jotted down the runes they'd require: one for consistent airflow, one for heat resistance, maybe even a small one to monitor temperature.
They worked together seamlessly, the afternoon sun shifting through the windows as time flew by. At one point, as Kei was leaning over the table drawing, Kara pointed out he had a streak of charcoal on his cheek from where he'd brushed his face. Before he could wipe it off, Nia had already stepped forward, concern etched on her brow.
"Hold still, Kei," Nia said softly. She pulled a clean handkerchief from her pocket, reached up and gently wiped the smudge from his cheek. The close, gentle contact made Kei's heart skip. He wasn't used to such casual, caring touches. The spot where her hand grazed his skin felt warm.
"Th-thanks," he stammered, offering an appreciative smile. Nia's face was quite close to his for that moment, and he noticed the light dusting of freckles across her nose, the sincerity in her eyes. She ducked back slightly, realizing perhaps the intimacy of what she'd done, and both of them blushed in unison.
Kara looked momentarily put out, as if thinking I could have done that, but she masked it with a smirk. Fiona pretended not to notice, though a tiny grin tugged at her lips.
A short while later, after some wood cutting, Kei got a smear of resin on his chin from glue they were applying. This time Kara pounced with a rag before Nia could, dabbing him perhaps a bit more roughly than necessary, but with a playful wink. "You're a mess today, huh?" she teased as he sputtered an embarrassed laugh.
Even Fiona got her turn: when Kei adjusted a clamp overhead and a bit of sawdust sprinkled into his hair, Fiona reached up on tiptoes and brushed it out, fingers lingering a split second to comb gently through his dark locks. The action was quick and accompanied by a casual "Can't have our project manager looking dusty," but Kei caught the faint pink on Fiona's cheeks as she turned away to grab a wrench.
The truth was, all four of them were getting fairly messy from the work, smudges and all. But any excuse to fuss over Kei, however minor, seemed readily seized by the girls. Kei himself remained mostly oblivious to the subtext; he interpreted it all as friendly teamwork, which it was – just with a side of burgeoning affection that he was too modest to fully acknowledge.
Amid these lighthearted moments, actual progress was made. By late afternoon, they had the frame of the bellows assembled and one gear connected. Kara was tightening a bolt with a satisfying tink sound, Fiona was calibrating the gear alignment, Nia was carefully inscribing a trial rune on a piece of test parchment, and Kei was securing the leather diaphragm.
"Time for a test?" Fiona asked, practically bouncing on her heels.
"Moment of truth," Kei agreed. He pumped the foot lever they'd rigged. The gear spun, the bellows compressing and releasing with a whoosh. A steady gust of air puffed from the nozzle end, enough to scatter a pile of papers on the table and send a couple of lighter tools clattering to the floor.
With a squeak of surprise, Nia dove to rescue a rolling quill before it fell off the edge. Kara's ponytail flew in the artificial breeze. Fiona laughed, shielding her face from a fluttering sheet of blueprint.
Kei quickly eased off the lever. The papers settled back in a disheveled heap across the bench and floor. "Oops. Maybe a bit too much power," he noted.
Kara whistled low. "If that had been pointed at a forge, the flames would be roaring. But maybe a bit too roaring."
Nia retrieved the scattered papers, including one that had wafted up to land on Kei's head. She plucked it off with a giggle. "We'll need to regulate the output. My enchantment might have to cap the airflow."
"Better to have too much and dial it down, than too little," Fiona said, examining the mechanism. "But yeah, let's add a governor gear or use a weaker rune when we formalize it."
As they re-tuned the prototype, Master Leena strolled by to check on them. Her timing was fortunate; she had just stepped over when a clamp holding the bellows frame suddenly slipped (perhaps loosened by that jolt of wind earlier). The wooden frame lurched, toppling towards Nia with the heavy gear attached. Kei, standing opposite Nia, reacted in a flash—his reflexes sharpened perhaps by the very System that encouraged his dexterity. He lunged and caught the frame mid-fall, muscles straining. The gear's metal teeth grazed his forearm lightly through his sleeve, but he held firm, preventing it from crashing onto the workbench—or worse, onto Nia.
Nia yelped and stumbled back, but unhurt. Master Leena quickly assisted Kei in stabilizing the structure. "Careful there!" Leena said, concerned. "Are you alright?"
Kei exhaled, the adrenaline fading. There was a shallow tear in his sleeve and a reddening scrape on his forearm, but nothing serious. "I'm fine. It just caught me by surprise."
Nia looked mortified. "Kei, your arm! You saved me— it could have hit my hands or—" She fretted over his arm, which honestly was barely more than a scratch. But the way she looked at him, eyes dewy with gratitude and worry, one would think he'd taken an arrow for her.
"It's okay, really," Kei assured, rolling up his sleeve to show it was just a superficial mark. "See? Not even bleeding much." Indeed, the scrape was minor, a bit red with only a speck of blood.
Master Leena nonetheless fetched a small first aid kit (stashed conveniently on the wall, remembering Nia's earlier note that such kits were around). She handed Nia a clean cloth and antiseptic balm.
"Nia, go ahead and tend to that. And good reflexes, Kei," the instructor praised. "Your team looks like it's coming along nicely, sudden gusts aside. Just mind the safety. No project is worth an injury."
"Yes, Master Leena," the four chimed dutifully.
As Master Leena moved on to the next group, Nia gently dabbed Kei's forearm with balm. It stung slightly, but her touch was so tender that Kei barely noticed the pain. Kara hovered nearby, arms crossed with a mix of concern and relief that nothing worse happened. Fiona exhaled slowly, muttering something about checking the clamps twice next time.
"There," Nia said as she finished wrapping a thin bandage around Kei's forearm (despite his protest that it wasn't necessary). A tiny bow tied off the bandage neatly. "All better."
"Thanks," Kei said. He flexed his fingers – no pain. In truth, he felt a bit exhilarated by how quickly he'd reacted. Perhaps his agility or reflex stat had indeed improved from the System's subtle leveling. It saved Nia from a bruise for sure.
"Heroic and handy," Fiona quipped to lighten the mood. "Our Kei's got it all."
"Here we go," Kara grinned, "first day he's a genius craftsman, second day he's a gallant protector. Careful, Kei, or the whole guild will swoon at this rate."
Kei groaned in embarrassment. "Please no swooning. It really was nothing."
But the girls exchanged amused glances, clearly thinking otherwise. The incident, small as it was, had cast Kei in yet another favorable light – showing he could act decisively when needed. And in a society where men were thought to be the ones receiving protection, Kei flipping the script even briefly was bound to cause a stir if it got around.
They decided to call it a day on the project to avoid any further mishaps while fatigued. After tidying up the workspace and securing their in-progress bellows so it wouldn't collapse again, the four parted ways for the evening.
Kara headed off to an evening smithing practice, waving with a casual "Later, team!" Fiona and Nia walked with Kei partway back towards the dorms until Fiona split to attend a short tutorial on gear calibration (she was always seeking extra knowledge). That left Nia and Kei ambling quietly in the golden late-afternoon light.
As they neared the point where they'd normally separate, Nia hesitated. "Kei… would you like to join me for tea before dinner? There's a little tea lounge in the guild – it's usually quiet this time."
Kei, pleasantly surprised, smiled. "That sounds nice." He realized they hadn't had much one-on-one time outside of group activities. Nia was gentle and kind, and he enjoyed her company.
They slipped into a cozy side parlor off the main hall where, as Nia promised, only a couple of senior guild members sat in plush chairs reading. In the corner, a self-service tea station offered an assortment of brews kept warm by a heating rune. Nia poured them two cups of chamomile-lavender tea, and they settled by a window overlooking an inner herb garden.
For a while, they simply enjoyed the serene atmosphere. Kei savored the floral notes of the tea and the calm presence of Nia beside him. She was the first to break the silence.
"You were really amazing today," she said softly, turning her cup in her hands. "In class, with the ideas… and with our project, taking the lead… and then saving me from my own clumsiness." Her cheeks pinked.
Kei shook his head. "It's teamwork. We all have strengths. I might have ideas, but you're much better with the fine enchantments. And Kara with forging, Fiona with design… I couldn't do any of this alone."
"That's what makes it wonderful," Nia agreed. She glanced around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, then lowered her voice. "I also wanted to say… you've changed things here, you know. In just a short time."
Kei tilted his head. "Changed things?"
Nia smiled into her teacup. "The atmosphere. People are so lively and motivated. A lot of the girls in our year are pushing themselves harder, inspired by you. And not just because they want to impress you or anything," she added quickly, "but because you bring this fresh perspective. Even Master Leena seems more excited teaching. You remind us why we love our crafts."
Kei was at a loss for words. He stared at the pale purple of his tea. He had hoped to fit in, to learn – he hadn't considered he might actually inspire others. "I… I'm happy if that's true. Everyone's been so welcoming; I just want to live up to their expectations."
"You already are," Nia said, her eyes warm. "Just by being yourself."