For Victor's first class, he mostly spent his time learning about the various metals and materials, machines, and safety measures to take around the workshop. Victor wasn't allowed to touch anything yet, so most of it consisted of just watching Mr. Ferrcast as he made use of each of the forging tools. After he finished forging the blade of another knife, he then put it aside after finishing his demonstration.
"What I have just shown you is a mix of classical forging methods in combination with some modern machinery. If done properly, you will be able to forge a normal blade. But to forge one that can cut through a metal sheet, you need something else." Mr. Ferrcast then took a small hand sized book from off the shelf before handing it to Victor. "Now that you are officially my student, I can give you this."
"You may not know this yet, but abilities are not the only path in the galaxy. There are people who strengthen their bodies through experimental or supernatural means. There are also individuals who can lift objects with their minds and others who can manipulate the forces of the universe with a wave of their hands. This book contains one such technique. This is the Universal Standard Material Processing method."
"Standard?" Victor looked at the grey gunmetal cover of the book, questioning the value of such a book.
Sensing his thoughts, the old man glared down at the unappreciative boy in front of him. "Don't assume this method is unremarkable simply because the word 'standard' appears in the title. Every metal processor worth their salt uses this method as their baseline exactly because it is so extraordinary. Almost every modern advanced method is an offshoot from this. So if you want to reach higher in this field, this book is almost a necessity to read."
Victor couldn't help but ask curiously. "Still, isn't it better to have some production-type ability when using this method?"
Mr. Ferrcast shrugged. "While it is true that having a production-type ability can help you create better equipment, what is most important isn't innate ability but your mindset. Have you heard the saying, 'mind affects matter'? As you grow stronger, you will realize just how true this statement is."
While those words sounded strange to Victor, crazier things had happened in the past couple days. "What makes you think I'm such a good choice?
The white moustache on Mr. Ferrcast's face shook for a moment before he laughed. "Us teachers have been watching your performance for years. Do you really think we can't separate the wheat from the chaff? When I saw the students who came straight to our building this year, I'll have to say I was disappointed. None of them have the work ethic I was looking for."
Finally Victor got impatient and questioned the old man directly. "You still didn't answer my question earlier. Why do you seem so desperate for students?"
"Do you think the students are the only ones competing in games?"
Hearing the teacher's pointed question, Victor finally understood. "So the teachers also get rewarded based on the performance of their students?"
"Correct. The teachers in your morning and afternoon classes may be the group you have been assigned to, but the teachers of the evening classes are the faction you have unwittingly chosen. Starting tomorrow night, the simulated world will open up, allowing you to challenge all those in your year on this planet. A better performance means more rewards for you and for us teachers."
Hearing this, Victor was a little displeased. "So you're essentially piggybacking off of our hard work?"
"Your hard work?" Mr. Ferrcast fumed. "Do you know how many resources are used to raise you ingrates? Do you understand how much time and effort we, as teachers, must invest while waiting for you to mature? Do you think the skills I have mastered and plan on teaching you are worth nothing?"
Realizing his mistake, Victor quickly apologized. "Sorry, that's not what I meant. "It's just that I find it a little strange that you can be rewarded for the actions of someone else."
"How else am I supposed to be rewarded for teaching you?" The old man questioned briskly.
"I don't know. Maybe an allocated amount of funds in exchange for your time?" Victor offered.
Mr. Ferrcast then shot out a bunch of mocking questions. "Oh, and so everyone earns the same amount of money? What if my coworker wants to slack off, so I have to compensate with my time? What if one teacher is much more skilled and competent than the rest?"
Victor stared silently, unsure how to respond.
"Look, boy, we get credit for the results we earn. That's how the system works." The only man concluded with finality.
Victor pondered for a moment before he spoke once more. "What if a teacher had gotten sick today and didn't have a single student sign up for their evening class?"
Mr. Ferrcast replied quickly, expression unchanging. "Then they miss their chance. No results. No reward."
"Well, what if missing that chance led to them being unable to treat their illness?" Victor pushed further.
"Then they die." The old man stated simply.
Victor could only gawk in response. 'Just because of one mishap, they are fated to die?'
"Well, you don't have to worry about that. As long as you study hard, that will never happen to you."
Victor nodded obediently, but he wasn't entirely convinced.
Noticing this, the old man raised his hand and grasped Victor's shoulder with his iron grip as he looked into his student's eyes. "You are already one of the top performers in the school. Right now you are looking far below your station. What your sights should be set on are the rewards that can raise you even higher. Once you become more powerful, little things like that will be unable to affect you. Understand?"
Victor nodded again, this time more vigorously, causing the teacher's grip to relax.
"Rewards?" Victor asked as he tried to ignore the slight pain in his shoulder.
Having caught Victor's attention again, Mr. Ferrcast retrieved his hand. "Yes, there are 3 tier of items. The first includes various external items such as weapons, armor, artifacts, and gadgets. There are also consumables that can save you in an emergency or material goods you can use to craft your own items. These are generally the most common and least valuable items you can exchange for.
"The next tier of items includes body enhancements such as cybernetic implants, enhanced organs, and books that can teach you reality-defying techniques. I don't recommend this tier of implants and enchantments because they trade potential for power. You would probably only take these if you don't believe in your strength or out of desperation."
This explanation reminded Victor of some of what he had seen in his gym class yesterday.
"The final tier includes blood essence serums that can be used to alter your bloodline, probably the greatest reward you could earn in these trials. Consuming such a serum can basically grant you a second ability that you can channel through the strength of your body."
Victor's eyes widened in shock. "A second ability? But how?"
"Usually useful traits are extracted from extraordinary beasts, distilled into their essence, and treated before they are safe for consumption by humans. If you see humans with abnormal looks, it usually means someone in their lineage has a unique bloodline."
The prospect of another ability caused Victor's eyes to light up. "Where do I get a blood essence serum?"
"Pay attention to events that are schoolwide or bigger. Those are guaranteed to offer additional rewards besides just white shards. The easiest time to earn high-tier rewards is right now. As time passes, the gap between the weak and the strong will only grow larger. To become a top ranker when this year ends, just strengthening your ability is only the minimum requirement. A stronger body, better equipment, and training in reality-defying skills like the book I gave you are all necessary to lay the best foundation for your graduation."
Victor looked down at the small book Mr. Ferrcast handed him.
'Perhaps this might be my clearest path forward right now. That knife and Angie's ring seem to give me the same feeling. If I can make items like this, I could rival the stronger ability users.'
Victor looked up at his teacher with newfound determination, vowing to take care of it as he put it in his pocket.
"To activate and read the book, you are going to need this..." Mr. Ferrcast then handed him a piece of paper outlining the steps needed to properly activate the manual and gave him a few extra pieces of advice before Victor left.
The sun had long set as Victor was in the class, and now night was approaching. Having received his new book, Victor was feeling a bit impatient to get home and study it. However, Victor remembered he still had to meet with Rufus first before he went home.
Victor checked his communicator. Sure enough, there was a single message from Rufus indicating a time and the location of a private room without any pleasantries.
Victor sighed. "Alright, let's get this over with."