Arcane Heir: History's Strongest Mage

"What did you get for question ten?" Rudy asked, scratching his head as they left the classroom.

"I put B." Michael replied, looking unsure.

The guy groaned, almost pulling his hair in frustration. "I put D. I could have sworn that was the answer…"

"The answer was A, hundred-year ginseng… Did you guys even study properly?" Melody piped up beside them, wearing a judgmental expression."

Now it was Michael's turn to despair. If he were to believe anyone's answer—that would be Melody's. However, he quickly brushed it off. There was no point in complaining about results that he could not change.

"Stay sharp, we still have our elective exams today. Then tomorrow is spellcrafting…"

"Was that meant to make me feel better?" Rudy remarked, massaging his brow. "Just thinking about inscriptions is giving me a headache."

Michael's eyebrow rose, "I forgot to ask you, what sort of exam is it for inscriptions? Do you need to carve your own runes onto an artifact?"

However, seeing his friend's shoulders shrug in the next moment, he remembered that the guy had probably been sleeping for majority of his elective classes.

"It's the same as alchemy, a theory and practical test." Melody interjected.

"How do you know that?" Rudy asked with a blank expression.

"It doesn't take a genius to figure out. Most classes have a theory and practical—apart from combat class and some other electives we can't take until second year."

After a bit more back and forth, the trio bid farewell to each other and went their separate ways for the elective classes.

"Good luck, don't fall asleep during the exam." Michael said with a crooked grin, receiving a middle finger in response.

With a hollow chuckle, he went into the corridor leading to the ancient languages classroom. On queue, Magnus and a female student were walking towards him, likely just finishing their exams.

Michael nodded in greeting to the second prince on his way past, no longer feeling a sense of trepidation in his presence. Ever since the meeting they'd had a few months ago, he'd seen Magnus in a different light.

Though he was still a little annoying when in his lazy and languid mood, Michael saw him for just how capable he was.

"Good luck," Magnus said on the way past, flashing him a small smile.

"You too."

Soon enough, Michael found himself in the classroom in his usual spot in the middle to the side. After the whole Troy situation, no one had sat next to him—for one reason or another.

Even after the boy's expulsion, no one seemed to want to approach him.

However, this suited him just fine.

The problem was, the very reason he chose the ancient language class to begin with was to try and translate the scrolls and pills in his storage ring. But now that he'd already used the latter—he had lost all interest in the class.

Unfortunately, he would be stuck with the class for the following semester, only able to change electives at the start of his second year at the academy.

This sucks…

But there was no point in complaining, nothing would change even if he did.

What followed was a painful two hours stuck staring at mysterious symbols that started to blur together on the parchment in front of him. Of all the languages he'd been learning, none of them even seemed close to what was on the scrolls in his storage ring.

This only made him feel worse about his decision.

Michael tottered back to the great hall after the painful exam, thanking his lucky stars that he wouldn't have to sit through such a thing again until next semester.

He found Rudy at the far end of the table, his head in his hands—an aura of despair surrounding him. Any student who saw him quickly moved away, not wanting to be infected by the curse.

"Looks like your inscription exam went well," Michael chimed, taking a seat beside his friend.

"Don't get me started…" Rudy shot back, letting out a quiet wail. "I could have sworn we never even talked about half the shit on that test…"

Michael chuckled and placed a hand upon the guy's shoulder, "Well, it's over now. Maybe some magical beast meat will cheer you up."

"Maybe…" Rudy replied, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

They ordered from the network and were soon brought out their beast steaks with a side of fries and salad. The smell was heavenly—garnering some envious gazes from the other students nearby.

Rudy wiped the drool from the side of his mouth and muttered a prayer of thanks to a higher power. "I can't lose my special menu…" he said, determination oozing from his words.

"From now on, I'll work hard in every class. Next year, I'll also make it into the violet dorms—I swear it." He vowed dramatically.

Michael couldn't help but laugh, seeing how serious his friend was. The guy was like a dog, perpetually motivated by food. He didn't really believe the guy, but he still nodded along.

While they were tucking into their food, Melody and Lilly arrived, taking a seat across the table. Melody was lacking her usual confident expression, signs of fatigue obvious on her features.

Just when Michael was going to open his mouth to speak, she raised a hand. "Don't ask…"

"That bad huh?" he replied with some amusement.

At least it's not just me who is suffering, he mused inwardly.

"Don't worry, that's the final exam for today. We have spellcrafting and mana theory tomorrow—I'm at least confident in those two classes." Michael stated matter-of-factly.

These were his two best subjects. If anything, he was almost certain of passing these two.

"I just can't wait till this week is over so I can go back home," Lilly piped up, letting out a sigh.

"Oh that's right, I forgot we have a two week break." Michael replied, his eyes moving to Melody. "Are you going back home as well?"

"Of course… are you?" she asked, her eyes seeming a little unsure.

Michael shook his head, "I'll be staying here with Rudy, since he has nowhere to go."

Rudy's mouth opened in shock, a few fries falling out mid-bite. He stared at Michael in confusion, as if not understanding why he'd made such a decision.

"Really? You'd do that for me?"

"Of course man, we're good friends right?"

After a few moments Rudy nodded, wiping the corner of his eye with the back of his sleeve. "Yeah, best friends…"

Melody looked rather disappointed, but she did not press the issue. Instead, her eyes focused on another spot as she placed her food order.