Published at 16th of February 2024 2:24 pm

Chapter 55. Final Exams Approach

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All of Nox’s lecturers had either finished teaching their course material or were close to doing so. Most had moved on to revision classes or answering practice questions. Only Intermediate Dungeon Theory still continued to slip in new material.

“Only two of the three major roving dungeons reside in or on the body of titans,” the professor said. “This should be an easy question for anyone with good attendance. But please name the dungeons and summarize the most popular theories of why they attracted fallen gods and the titans allowed domain creation.”

More than half the lecture hall raised their hands. Even though Nox wasn’t one of them, he was the one that got picked. The professors in his theory classes only recently started paying attention to him. Ratra’s Knightly Brews, the knighthood, and his contributions to the city were getting Nox attention, which he didn’t quite enjoy. Delving and the business had resulted in him falling behind in Intermediate Dungeon Theory and Introduction to Sumoning And Familiars. Artisan’s Library helped him with neither, and he used the classes to catch up.

“Terrastalia on land and Leviathan in the sea,” Nox answered, struggling to arrange the mess of information in a presentable fashion. “The fallen primarily gravitated toward leylines to settle their domains. Many weren’t so lucky and sought places of power. As ancient beings toeing the physical, spiritual, and arcane realms, the titans count as the latter. They also helped weaker gods avoid the first dungeon destroyers and cannibalistic competitors. It, of course, limited their available space. Even though Terrastalia is titanic, room for dungeon expansion is significantly less than Sundarshahar or the northern archon and expert dungeons’ territory.

“As for why the titans allowed gods to settle and war on their backs, that’s a more debated topic. My favorite theory would be the symbiotic relationship. The dungeon lords protected them from more predatory titans, forcing them into hiding in the deep deserts and oceanic trenches. More powerful dungeons and cults seeking to consume or manipulate a titan’s will also have to contend with the residing god. I believe Terrastalia and Leviathan have grown intelligent during their long lives; they have picked the best means of survival in a changing world.”

“I asked for summaries of the most popular theories, Sir Ratra,” the professor said. “Not your favorite. Your answer would only earn you about half the marks if the question were to appear on the final exam. I'm afraid your knighthood and contributions to the city won’t earn you any leeway.”

“Salty bastard,” Lillin mumbled. She was currently ahead of Nox as far as theory was concerned and had spent most of the class doodling gravity orbs and new arrangements for her spiral spell. “He’s just mad his two decades of research has gone nowhere. I hear he’s been spell-weaving for rich war mages to keep up with his wife’s lifestyle.”

Nox ignored her and took notes as the professor explained what else he needed to include for better results.

“Next question. Why are there so many aerial roving dungeons, and none of them are on the back of titans?” The professor scanned the front few rows. “Oriana Stone. You look like you’re struggling to stay awake.”

“There aren’t any aerial titans left,” Oriana stifled a yawn. “As far as we know, at least. Besides, the fossils we found all had hollow bones and were significantly smaller than their terrestrial and aquatic cousins. It’s unlikely they had the strength to support a dungeon.”

“That’s it?” The professor asked when she didn’t continue. “Someone complete the answer, please.”

“Settling on the back of an aerial titan is pointless when thousands of floating islands populate the skies,” Oriana added, rolling her eyes. “The magic granting them flight also makes them places of power. They travel along leylines, too, giving godly domains two sources of sustenance. There are significant benefits to settling a dungeon on a floating island over a titan, aerial or not.”

“Thank you, Miss Stone. That’s closer to an answer worth full marks.”

Nox felt significantly more confident about passing his remaining courses. Introduction to Summoning and Familiars had significantly easier subject matter, and Nox had built an excellent foundation before contracting Otis. His research as he tried to befriend Bi Xi built on his knowledge, and Nox only needed to study the reading material to cover a handful of gaps in his knowledge.

“Anyone who successfully contracted a partner this semester using rituals and spells taught in this class will receive bonus marks.” A wave of grumbling protests washed through the lecture hall. The summoning professor was a lot friendlier and almost appeared apologetic. “I know it’s not fair, but if the rest of you got your summon or familiar without outside help, you wouldn’t be taking this class, would you? I’ll also settle for a planet dedicated to either.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“You still have a couple of weeks, so if you’re close, now’s the time to finish the ritual or complete planet formation. Don’t rush into anything for bonus marks, though. Patience is especially important when dealing with primordials, spirits, or whatever entity you’re trying to contract.”

A male student with a baby face and a high-pitched voice spoke without raising his hand. “Professor, what do you advise we do when a spirit keeps running away just before the ritual’s conclusion? It’s friendly and plays along—”

“Is it some sort of wind, shadow, or trickster spirit?”

“Yes, professor. A combination of two the three, at least.”

“In that case, your best bet is to add a trap element to the base ritual or utilize wards,” the professor said. “You always run the risk of angering the spirit and scaring it off for good, but it's your best bet when dealing with flighty or mischievous entities.”

“Professor, what would you do about a flighty injured spirit?” Nox asked, approaching her after class. “It’s unwell and hurt and probably scared of humans. I want to help it more than contract it at this stage.”

“If it's hurt and scared, then trapping wards and rituals should be avoided at all costs,” the professor answered. “It might lash out or withdraw for good, voiding all your efforts thus far.”

“What would you suggest then?”

“Is it a nature spirit or one of land or water?”

“I'm not sure exactly,” Nox replies. “It calls itself Bi Xi and presents itself as a tortoise.”

“That means it's a spirit of the land, probably ancient, and gained enough sapience to self-identify in the far east. Such a spirit is more than likely to have a physical presence in the material world. I'd suggest you find that and see if it has a problem you can solve. Be careful, though. It might not be as friendly as it is in dreamscapes or the spirit realm.”

Nox was sure he’d have no trouble with the Live Spell Weaving and Finesse Shaping final exams. Both involved a supervised practical and demonstration. Diya had employed students from the war mage department to create stressful situations. Nox would need to keep his composure during them to create and use spells relevant to the situation. Dean Woodson planned to manufacture a similar testing environment.

Since Nox used both skills during Advanced Dungeon Combat and delves, he was confident in his ability to demonstrate his skills with both techniques masterfully. There was a lot of room for improvement, of course. Nox needed to diversify and grow his pool of spells. His speed needed to improve, too, but he was among the top three in his class and believed it was enough to gain the teachers’ approval.

Business boomed as the semester’s end rapidly approached. Invitations to social events piled in Nox’s office, and the city’s affluent flocked to purchase his skin and new haircare products. He reorganized the store to make his customers more comfortable. Hilda ran the cosmetics counter while Argus’ wife, Emily, took care of the other half. Meanwhile, Allen drifted between the two, depending on who needed more help. Nox believed men wouldn’t want to purchase cures for balding or male performance drugs from pretty, young women.

The business marketed the latter new product not just as a marital aid for men struggling with their virility but also to individuals pursuing a jolly good time. As a result, it was no surprise when eavesdropping women bought a vial for their husbands or lovers.

“Get a crate for Ateeq,” an older woman said, teasing her friend. “Your failing slumlord probably needs an ego boost.”

“I'd rather get some for the new stable boy.” Her friend giggled. “The lad is hung like his wards but has no stamina.”

Nox did his best to ignore the talk and remain professional. Opening the store had taught him that noblewomen were as crude as sailors, and they didn't care to hide it around their ‘lessers.’

The apprentices begged for the opportunity to get involved in Nox’s private research. It was an excellent growth opportunity for them, after all. If Nox’s flame slime research papers or the patent mentioned their names in the footnotes, it would significantly boost their careers. The brew was already famous in the City of Ygg, and word would eventually spread.

Nox rejected their offers of volunteering time outside of regular work hours. He liked Aisha and Kishan. They had proven themselves invaluable to the business. However, neither had his complete trust. Nox was almost sure the Singhs had planted a mole in his company. Their research had followed an alarmingly similar path to his after he submitted the patent, and Nox wasn’t one to give much weight to coincidence. Besides, he had done most of the legwork alone and refused to share credit with anyone besides the friend who assisted him with the testing.

When the day of the party came, Nox had no choice but to help in the store until lunchtime. There were far too many customers for the salespeople to keep up. The salesmen were struggling with the stacking work orders, too, forcing Nox to bounce between the basement and ground floors. By lunchtime, Aisha’s work no longer needed her input, so she assisted with sales, letting Nox get some studying in before he started preparing for the party.

Despite his distaste for such events, Nox struggled to contain his excitement and wished Aria was around so they could enjoy it together. Unfortunately, they all needed to attend the party as separate entities for his plan to work. She and the Woodsons would set off from the university. Joey would be in attendance, too, as Caitlin’s date—fortunately, the pair appeared to have resolved their relationship problems.

Unfortunately, Lillin didn’t have an invite, and Nox couldn’t take her along since the invitation prevented him from taking a date—she had a role in the plan, too, but it involved staying away from the Round Table. Instead, Swati arrived in a carriage to collect him precisely at the sixth bell. Before they set off, she applied some finishing touches to his outfit with a gold and sapphire lapel pin and matching cufflinks. Nox struggled to deny how phenomenal he looked or that they made for a charming couple.

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