Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The room was mostly empty as the last of Adrian's classmates packed up their materials and left the Enchantment Course hall. The sound of footsteps gradually faded into silence, and soon, only the quiet hum of enchanted tools and the occasional flicker of mana crystals remained.

Adrian stood in front of his workbench, eyes lingering on the sword he had just completed. The course had ended for the day, but he had no intention of leaving just yet.

Across the room, the two instructors, Sibilus and Kiri, were watching him. Sibilus stood with his arms crossed, his snake-like eyes observing Adrian with that usual unreadable expression. Kiri, on the other hand, tilted her head slightly, her fox ears twitching as if sensing something different in the air.

Adrian approached them, his steps steady. Stopping a few feet away, he bowed deeply, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "Thank you both for your guidance and support. I've reached the peak of a 1-star Enchanter thanks to your teachings, and I couldn't have done it without you."

Kiri's smile was as warm as ever, and she nodded slightly, her tail flicking behind her. "You were the one who worked hard, Adrian. We only did our job as teachers."

Sibilus grunted softly, his gaze unwavering. "Indeed. You've proven yourself through your effort and hard work."

Adrian straightened, his expression shifting to something more serious. His eyes met both of theirs directly, a quiet intensity behind them. "I… I have one request."

Sibilus raised an eyebrow, not so surprised by the sudden shift in Adrian's demeanor. "And what would that be?"

Adrian took a deep breath and reached into the spatial storage. From it, he withdrew a sword—a finely crafted silver-black blade that gleamed even in the dim light of the hall. The sword held a weight beyond its physical form, a presence that could be felt by anyone attuned to magic.

It was the sword forged by Senior Anya, now a 4-star blacksmith who had crafted it specifically for him. It was a weapon meant to last, one that could grow alongside him.

"I'd like you to enchant this sword to its maximum capacity," Adrian said, his voice steady but with an edge of hope. "And I'll pay whatever it costs."

The room fell into silence.

Sibilus, without saying a word, stepped forward and took the sword from Adrian's hands. He held it up, inspecting it with a professional eye. At first, his expression remained neutral, but as the moments passed, his eyes widened slightly, a rare break in his usual stoic demeanor.

The snake-eyed instructor's grip on the sword tightened as he examined it more closely, his trained senses picking up on the unique properties of the blade. "This sword… it's…"

"Right, it can change its size at my will," Adrian replied honestly, he couldn't lie to a professional enchanter after all.

Sibilus's gaze sharpened, his tone shifting to one of respect, almost awe. "The materials… the craftsmanship… Who forged this?"

"Senior Anya Fawger," Adrian replied, watching Sibilus's reaction closely. "She crafted it for me."

Sibilus nodded slowly, his respect for the sword growing. "No wonder. This isn't an ordinary blade. The materials alone are rare, but the way it's forged… it's as if it's designed to grow with you, to adapt as you get stronger. That's very much like the Fawger style..."

Kiri, who had been quietly observing, stepped closer, her fox-like curiosity piqued. "I see," she murmured softly, running a hand just above the sword, sensing the magic flowing through it. "It has a lot of potential."

Sibilus finally looked back at Adrian, his expression a mix of intrigue and caution. "Enchanting a sword like this to its full capacity… It's not just a simple request. You'll be pushing it to its absolute limit, and it could take a toll on both the sword and you."

Adrian didn't flinch. "I understand the risks. But this sword is part of who I am. I need it to be at its best for what's coming."

Sibilus studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Very well. We'll need time to gather the right materials, and the enchantments will require precision. It won't be easy."

Kiri chimed in with a smile. "But if anyone can handle this kind of work, it's us. Consider your request accepted. As for the price, it will be a gift from us for being the best student."

Adrian smiled in relief, bowing again. "Thank you."

Sibilus took the sword from Adrian, his snake-like eyes narrowing slightly. "When do you need it?" His voice was calm but carried a weight that hinted at the complexity of the task ahead.

Adrian watched as Sibilus slipped the sword into his spatial storage, keeping his tone measured. "It would be best if it were finished in one or two weeks. The absolute deadline would be three weeks."

Sibilus nodded thoughtfully, he seemed to be calculating something, mentally organizing the process and materials required. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again, his voice low and even. "Alright..."

"..."

"Do you want to talk about something else?"

Adrian hesitated for a moment, his eyes glancing at Kiri. He knew this next conversation would be delicate, and Kiri, ever perceptive, caught the glance. She frowned, crossing her arms and pouting dramatically.

"Men are all the same," she muttered, shaking her head in mock annoyance. With a flick of her tail and an exaggerated sigh, she turned and left the hall. "I'll be in my office if you need me. Hmph."

Adrian gave her an apologetic smile as she exited, the tension in the room easing slightly with her departure. Once she was gone, Sibilus turned his attention back to Adrian, his eyes still cool and calculating.

"Now then," Sibilus said, his voice dropping slightly, "what is it you wanted to talk about?"

Adrian remained silent for a moment, collecting his thoughts. His gaze met Sibilus's, and though the snake-eyed instructor's expression was unreadable, Adrian could feel the intensity behind his stare. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but firm.

"Teacher," Adrian began, "are you the young master of the Devouring Serpent Tribe?"