Having been four months since the previous chapter's events, Ashter is seen...
"CLING CLANK BANG!" His skills had improved drastically.
"His dragon is about eight months old. That makes him a juvenile," Lukas monitored his growth and took notes.
"But even then... Its magical capabilities are astonishing. Even for a young dragon, it's simply... Fascinating..." Continuing to talk to himself, Professor Lukas was truly impressed. Even Diamond Rank Dragons show similar growth as other dragons, but their size is a lot bigger; it's only until the dragon is in their Juvenile Stage that their true potential shows.
"Since then, the dragon has shown early signs of Bond Skill at the second stage, experienced multiple growth spurts, and it's astonishing." Continuing to think, it had been a while since the start of the first year.
Most students managed to get by on their own. Some even bypassed their basic knowledge of magic and the Bond Skill; some exceptional students even rose in the ranks via monthly assessments to determine their dragons' rankings.
While most stayed the same, a few managed to have the strength to reach the next rank. However, these are rare, and many don't accept those of lower ranks into their own.
For example, a Bronze Rank Dragon could become Silver Rank, but the Silver Ranks never acknowledged them as one of their own.
... Dan Lake was that very man-a man who was drafted into a horrible war because he was Silver Rank and above. He died in battle, and his dragon was forcefully taken by the Ironclad Kingdom and used to breed dragons with potential, resulting in many more in their ranks.
Castalix tradition even states the deceased owner's dragons are to be let go, but Ironclad ensures they're on top by enslaving dragons, using their might to subdue them. It's a vicious cycle... A vicious war... It ended, but someday... Maybe in this generation...
It might start up once more.
"Phew." Ashter wiped his forehead as the musketoon rested in his hand.
"Impressive growth, Lake. I have never seen such a fine student with potential in my years as a professor," Lukas soon praised him.
"Thank you, Professor Lukas," Ashter bowed.
"I hope you will be ready for the upcoming midterms. It's a moment for all Dragon Rider Academies, big and small, This is truly a once-a-year event where Dragon Riders prepare to be accepted by one of many Orders or Guilds into their ranks!" Lukas said, smiling.
"The Midterm... Oh! That midterm!" Ashter had forgotten about that! After all, he was simply training because it would be winter.
"Yes. The Midterm is an event where many prestigious Dragon Rider groups and academies band together. They, alongside their other Dragon Riders, participate in many events to determine who will come out on top! As you know, Castalix houses millions of people and, with that, thousands of Dragon Riders. The Castalix Dragon Rider Academy has around 1,000 students, from years 1 to 4," Lukas explained.
... "Other academies will scout out potential students, too, but rarely. This event, however, allows guilds to take in students during their winter break to learn from the best-to become full-fledged Dragon Riders. Hence, only the exceptional are ever scouted," Lukas continued.
"In fact... It was only six years ago that my comrades and I were the top four students. The best of the best," Lukas remembered... All four of them... The strongest around!
"Wow..." Ashter was awed by such stories, never knowing that such tales existed.
"I hope you don't disappoint us, Lake," Lukas hoped.
"Right!" Ashter promised, as eventually...
"WHAT!?! The Midterm is right around the corner!?!" Cale was awed, shouting even.
"Yep." Ashter watched as Bismuth was being pampered. One thing, however, was certain: nobody dared pet him. He'd bite.
... The Midterm will be in a week. During that time, we're to train as hard as we can. Even the Bronze Rank students are, depending on their ranks, dependent on the challenges. Of course... Well..."
"Seems the events are being changed," Principal Janus explained, much to the varying reactions of the other professors.
"They had to change the events since I was participating..." Sinking into the table, Cale snapped a piece of food from something... like celery.
"I think it'll be good to still participate, even if the events changed," Cale said, much to Ashter's relief.
"At least I have someone who thinks so..." Still down in the dumps...
"That means we NEED to get you their uniforms! Since the renovation of the 5th Circle, your mother should have the funds to tailor a uniform for you, right!?!" Since the start, Ashter had NEVER worn a uniform, which consisted of a dark blue vest with a white long-sleeved shirt and black pants. A medal engraved with the academy's logo is also included.
... "Costs so much though!" Ashter whined.
"Oh, don't be a baby. After all, you have us to rely on. As a loyal Dragon Rider to my family, we give only the best of the best!" Cale explained.
"It's not that simple... I'm already indebted to you, Cale..." Still, as if a puddle on the floor, Ashter whined more than before.
"Hmph! I am simply here to help an up-and-coming Dragon Rider loyal to the royal family! Why wouldn't we pamper you? You said it to my father yourself. You wanted a better life." Explaining, Ashter did say that...
"B-But-"
"No buts!" Cale soon got up, dragging the man by the ear.
"Hurry up!" She soon pulled him and...
"Hng... So constricting!" Ashter complained, as the uniform had everything a normal one has: vest, shirt, pants, and the medal.
"Well, you are the 6th Platinum Dragon Rider in Castalix. You're going..." Cale soon said.
"Crouch for a bit," she ordered, as Ashter was confused.
"Why-"
"Do it," she said, as the man bent down a bit, as...
... "!" His body froze, as...
"Hm..." Grabbing the hair stick, Cale soon grabbed a white cloth as she put Ashter's hair in a bun.
"Ouch..." Whining to himself, the woman ensured the bun and any strands were away from his face, revealing a delicate jawline and sharpened eyes. She soon slid the hair stick into the bun.
"It's a lot better than your hair covering it up, isn't it?" Ashter did feel a difference, as he stared in a window...
"Huh..." The glass did...
"..." He smiled.
"Thank you, Cale." Thanking her, Cale smiled back.
"It's nothing," she said.
'After all... Father did declare my marriage to you, after all.'
"Excuse me!" But soon, in a shop in the 5th Circle...
"Can I buy some bread? Maybe two?" There stood...
"Ashter, dear." Zariah smiled warmly as she walked over to her son, hugging the man.
"How's academy life treating you?" Zariah asked.
"It's fine. Look... I might not be able to come by for a while," Ashter stated, confusing the woman.
... "What do you mean?" Zariah grew confused by the idea, as soon...
"The Midterm... Wow." Zariah continued to smile brightly at her boy.
"Your father was just as excited to tell me such things. It was when we were just newlyweds! He was excited to show how much he and his dragon had grown, it was spectacular! I am sure you will impress a certain someone if they wish to"
"A-Anyway..." Ashter changed topics.
"I'll be stuck in the academy until the exam ends. But... That also marks my possible scouting into cool, high-profile guilds!" Chuckling, the man was going to make the most of whatever internship he got into.
"That's... That's amazing, Ashter." Smiling once more, Zariah only breathed a good sigh of relief, knowing her son...
"CLANG! CLANG!" Soon, the slamming of hammers was heard, as in the great blacksmithing guild of the Castalix Kingdom...
... "Now THIS is a lot of scales. From decently strong dragons, nevertheless," spoke the blacksmiths, as in their hands, plenty of scales were being used to craft weapons for those unfortunate enough not to have a Bond Skill-based weapon.
Many dragons (Retcon) aren't able to sustain such a form due to mana or ranking. Ranking is the reason Bronze Rank Dragon Riders aren't desired... But...
"Hehehe...!" Giggled a blacksmith... Their quarters are separate from the others...
"I can't believe it...! A Platinum Rank Dragon! With scales of white and a special quality, nevertheless!" Giddy with excitement, this was a man on a mission, to utilize the quality of the scales given to him by Bismuth himself. Due to becoming a proper juvenile, Bismuth shed his scales for the first time, and won't do so again until he becomes an adult.
"CLANK! CLANK!" Working for hours on end...
... The man was going to forge a weapon that had never graced this world since the great Firebone Sword, made from the scales of the six Platinum Rank Dragons. A blade utilized by the king himself whenever needed. A union between his children and the dragon's kin.
"..." And he was done... Sleek white daggers...
"Yes...!" Holding them, he could tell...
"This weapon... Hohoho... I am sure the king will love them." Smirking... He was going to present them to his highness... Soon...
This is the Castalix Forge, home of the blacksmith guild and crafters of draconic weapons. While they do make normal ones, the scales of dragons are shed twice throughout their lifetime, and now they're gifted so much more than before.
... From Bronze to Silver, Gold and Diamond... Only one person meddled with the special properties of the Platinum Rank Scales... And that man was the guildmaster of the blacksmith guild, the many generational heirs of the guild. He is the crazed man dying to try out many new mediums, forging weapons of inconvenience and convenience. Right now, he was...
"Hmph!" Throwing the dagger, it sprang from one area to another, as if darting to find something.
"Sharp... Not the most exciting... but with the right magical skills... This masterpiece will be an unstoppable force!" Holding the daggers up, they shone... They twinkled!
"I LIVE FOR SUCH WORKS OF ART!!!" Crazed about his work, he soon coughed, placing the daggers in a box and covering them in cloth.
"I hope that boy sends me his dragon's scales when it grows... I will make... Make armor! YES, ARMOR! GLORIOUS ARMOR OF GRAND PROPORTIONS!" He giggled with excitement.
... These Draconic Weapons are items utilized by low-ranking Dragon Riders or by those able to buy them. Utilizing stronger scales is also how weapons of mass destruction are made, as it utilizes the properties the dragon possesses. In this case...
"I present the Crystalise Daggers, your highness." Being close to the king due to his talents, the man bowed respectfully and presented the daggers. The sharp white tips with the handle made of fine leather, it was something to witness, as...
'I can sense it... The magical power... It's weak but intense... maybe more than fully grown Gold Rank Dragons.' Thinking, the king asked...
"Might I hold them?" he wondered.
"Not all at once, your highness!" Soon, he was in front of the king, as he grabbed one of them... It was a sight to behold...
"Another Platinum Rank weapon... Draconic Weapons and Items have come a long way, haven't they?" Talking to himself, the king soon placed them back.
... "I want someone capable of such styles of combat to be brought here at once. Make sure it's the right candidate," the king ordered.
"I have a suggestion for you, your highness," spoke...
"Mr. Leon! How's the boy doing these days?" the king asked.
"He's learning exponentially. Dare I say he's a prodigy at every topic gifted to him? He works rigorously and could be considered fit to marry any noble they want due to his educational experience," Leon said.
"Education... One of the finest powers a person can have, peasant or not. I hope my daughter is ready for such an obligation in the upcoming years," the king chuckled, and until he graduates and becomes a fully fledged Dragon Rider...
Ashter Lake will be married to Cale Castalix, becoming tied by blood, including the powers of the Platinum Rank Dragon.
"However... Due to the Midterm that has come along... I have a suggestion for those daggers of yours," Leon soon said...
"Pick a candidate from the Midterm?"
... "Yes, I believe that if you send your scouts to the Midterm and find a suitable candidate based on varying factors, you will find yourself with another promising Dragon Rider under your belt," Leon said, explaining the plan beforehand.
"Interesting... Hm... I wonder what kind of Dragon Rider this promising person is... Oh, do I wonder..."
It was the day before the Midterm. Work was finished, and the academy's semester would end after the Midterm, where scouts would bring their candidates to their guilds for training, where they would experience what it means to be a full-fledged Dragon Rider during the winter.
"Wish me luck!" Ashter soon was seen going out of the house, as Zariah smiled.
"I wish you the best, Ashter." Soon, he was going to prove himself...
That he is the strong Dragon Rider of the Castalix Dragon Rider Academy!
End of chapter 8.