Chapter 48: Choosing Electives

Chapter 48: Choosing ElectivesAdrian’s mind lit up with excitement as the notification flashed in his vision:

’Yes!’ he thought, a grin tugging at his lips. This was what he’d been waiting for. From the Basic Forging Technique to the Basic Shooting Technique, the System’s skills had always given him a boost, guiding his hands and sharpening his focus.

Each one had made learning faster, smoother, like a shortcut to mastery. He couldn’t wait to see how this new skill would help him in hand-to-hand combat.

Maybe it would steady his shaky punches or make his blocks instinctive. Whatever it did, he was ready to grow stronger.

His thoughts were cut short by Master Von’s voice booming through the dojo. "You’ve all done well," he said, his tone firm but approving. "Today’s combat class is over. Now, head to the main hall in the Year 1 section. There, you’ll choose your Electives. They’re mandatory to pass, so choose wisely."

Von paused, his eyes sweeping the group. "You’ll meet the Mages there. Don’t let them intimidate you. Keep your heads high. You’re Knights. Act like it."

Adrian frowned slightly, wondering if there was some kind of class divide in the Academy. Were the Mages looked down on? Or was it the other way around?


He pushed the thought aside as the other Knights nodded, some murmuring agreement. They grabbed water containers, gulping down the cool liquid, their breaths still heavy from the drills.

Adrian drank his, the water soothing his dry throat, but his mind was already racing ahead to the Electives. What would they be? How would he choose?

Von dismissed them, and the group shuffled out of the dojo, heading toward the north wing where the main hall was located.

As they walked, some chatted, their voices filling the stone corridors. A few talked about the fist-fighting drills, others about what Electives might be offered.



One mentioned hoping for something "less sweaty" than combat training. Another laughed, joking about picking the easiest option to coast through.

Adrian stayed silent, as he didn’t care to join in on the chatter.

The walk wasn’t long, but the Academy’s sprawling layout made it feel endless.

Finally, they reached the main hall, a massive building with high ceilings. The hall was already bustling with students — Mages, Adrian realized, spotting their special uniforms.

He activated [Analyze] and the data confirmed that there were a 100 Mages in present, mingling in small groups or moving between the boards.

The Mages’ uniforms stood out sharply against the Knights’ normal clothes.

The Knights, sweaty and disheveled from training, stared. A few whispered, their voices tinged with surprise or envy.

The Mages, for their part, barely glanced at the Knights, their focus on the boards or their own conversations. The air felt tense, like two worlds brushing past each other without meeting.

Adrian didn’t linger on the Mages. He moved into the hall, weaving through the crowd toward the boards lining the walls.

Each board was covered with parchment, detailing schedules and Electives. He scanned them, his eyes narrowing as he took in the information.

One board showed the timetable, but it obviously didn’t use hours or minutes — time was marked by bells, a system Adrian found clunky.

’First bell, second bell...’ he thought, frowning. ’I’ll make a proper timetable for myself later. I just hope the clocks reach their ears on time, or maybe I’ll recommend it to the board.’

The timetable was structured clearly, though. Every day started the same: the first bell was for the cafeteria, a time for meals and rest.

The second bell was for main classes — Combat Training for Knights, Magic Training for Mages. The third bell was a break, giving students time to recover.

The fourth and fifth bells were for Electives, though some days had two Electives running at once, discouraging students from offering multiple Electives.

Saturdays and Sundays were free, marked as rest days.



On Monday, Alchemy was offered during the fourth bell and Rune Making during the fifth bell.

Tuesday provided Forge Mastering at the fourth bell and History at the fifth bell.

Wednesday had Alchemy and Rune Making for the fourth bell, with History scheduled for the fifth bell.

Thursday was Forge Mastering, then Alchemy.

And finally, on Friday, the fourth bell offered a choice between Rune Making or History, while the fifth bell was reserved for Forge Mastering.

Adrian shook his head at the bell system but memorized the schedule.

He had learned of the Electives. Each of them sounded intriguing, promising skills that would help him.

He headed to the registration desk, where a line of students waited and he joined the line, his mind racing through the options.

When his turn came, a staff member, a stern woman with a clipboard, looked him up and down.

"Knights are required to take at least one Elective in their First Year," she said. "Each Elective builds skills you’ll need to pass. Alchemy is about potions. Rune Making is crafting magical symbols. Forge Mastering is weapon and armor creation and enchantment. History covers the past and the world’s conflicts. Which do you want?"

Adrian paused, thinking carefully. ’The pill had convinced me to go for Alchemy already.’

He was already skilled in Rune Making, thanks to the System’s knowledge, but learning more couldn’t hurt. ’It’s probably easy marks, and I can deepen what I know.’

Forge Mastering was a must for him.

’I love history, so there’s no reason not to chose it.’

Since all the options were promising, why not take them all? He could handle it.

"I want to take all of them," Adrian said, his voice firm.

The woman blinked, then stared at him like he’d grown a second head.



"All four?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "That’s... ambitious. It’ll be tough. You’ll have to attend every class, balance the workload, and there are exams for each. If you do poorly, your rating will suffer. You sure about this?"

Adrian nodded, unfazed. "I can manage. It won’t be a problem."

She sighed, scribbling on her clipboard. "Fine. Your choice." She reached under the desk and pulled out a badge, handing it to him. "This is your Academy Badge. It grants access to the Academy and your classes. Don’t lose it."

Adrian took the badge, examining it. It was a small, circular medallion, made of polished bronze with a faint magical glow.

Etched into its surface was the Academy’s crest. Around the edge were four colored gemstones, each representing an Elective: a green emerald for Alchemy, a blue sapphire for Rune Making, a red ruby for Forge Mastering, and a white opal for History.

The gems pulsed faintly, as if alive. He turned it over, feeling its weight, and slipped it into his pocket.

The woman handed him a parchment copy of the timetable. "Your classes are listed here. Follow the bells. Don’t be late."

Adrian glanced at the schedule, already being aware that he had Alchemy at the fourth bell.

’That’ll be a good start,’ he thought before folding the parchment and tucking it away, ready to head out.

He turned, scanning the hall. The Mages and Knights were still moving around, some registering, others checking the boards.

He didn’t find Karl due to the number of students, so he decided to leave alone.

’I should begin looking for the Alchemy Hall.’