Chapter 629: First Day In School [Part 2]
Of course, Northern had not expected that any being who set their eyes upon him should instantly know that he was the greatest of all time without having to be told.
He was not famous at all; perhaps only the survivors of the dark continent would know him quite well. But here in the vast Central Plains, it was not so. Nor did he have any expectation in that regard―he had never even thought about it.
However, there's this thing that humans have: it's called being honest to oneself.
How a human of a certain class and caliber should be able to discern immediately when another is way beyond their level and humble themselves before inviting unnecessary insult.
At least, Northern felt like that was a thing. Or was it not?
It had to be. Humans had this unparalleled ability granted to them by the nature of their fear and greed to recognize greatness when they saw one and act accordingly.
What then could be the case with this strange boy, whom without a second look, anyone would deduce was the lowest-level character in this workshop, a ground-level mob character?
Frail figure, uses glasses, has a nickname. Because there was no way in the twelve constellations that his name would be Shampoo.
Northern bet that this name probably had something to do with his reproach to his first day in school, which turned out to be pretty embarrassing for him.
'And now he is trying to do the same thing to me, hoping that mine will overwrite his...hm, I see, that is why he is so blinded that he can't see it. He is desperate to be accepted and recognized even though weak and useless...'
A cold light glinted menacingly in Northern's eyes as he leered at the boy.
'How unlucky...'
"Wh-what are you looking at?"
With the cold menace that Northern was emitting, even the strongest in the room would stutter-not Shampoo.
"Tell me, Shampoo, where do I get a change of clothes?"
The boy's face contorted darkly as his brows creased together.
"How dare you call me that?! Know your place, you freshman..."
Northern flashed a grin. 'I was right...' Almost immediately, a look of boredom climbed his face. 'But seriously, even his tone lacks the power needed for a successful intimidation.'
The boy sounded like a whelp trying to act tough.
'If I touch him, he could break all his bones before I get to inflict any satisfying pain. Tsk, this has to be the peak of uselessness. Can't even be a sturdy punching bag.'
Northern visibly clicked his tongue in irritation.
"What is that look on your face? I am warning you."
"Where can I get extra clothes?"
The boy gritted his teeth, his eyes burning viciously, desperate for attention, which was the one thing he wasn't getting, even from the new boy.
Northern wasn't even looking at him and instead admired the smithy with a delighted smile plastered to his face. His entire demeanor conformed to convey that he perceived no significant being before him.
And that only infuriated the boy more and more. But right now, Shampoo could not do anything. The number one rule of the workshop was that there was no fighting in the smithy.
If not, he would have bulldozed the new guy and beaten the shit out of him. With that thin, fragile body and pale skin like he was sick, Shampoo was sure he would be able to do numbers on Northern.
Now was not the time, however; he would have to wait for lunch break. He adjusted his glasses and looked down at Northern once again, a vicious smirk marring his face.
"There are no extra clothes. So you will probably have to work bare-chested today."
Northern sighed. 'I would prefer not to walk around with my chest flying around if possible. It's been a while since I've seen even my own chest.'
"Alright, Shampoo. Where is the changing room?"
The boy grimaced, biting his lips madly.
But the look of indifference and uninterest hung lazily on Northern's face.
"I'll just find it myself then."
He walked away, heading towards another student that was offloading his wagon and asked the way to the changing room.
The boy pointed towards an exit at the corner where they cool weapons.
Northern naturally, with power and purpose, strutted towards the place, entering the exit that read 'Changing Room'.
All the while, Shampoo glared at Northern from the entrance where he stood.
Then a nasty grin besmirched his face. "Let's see how long you will last. The heat of this place is so strong that even the head forgemaster can't dare to work bare-chested. A fragile boy like you? I'm sure you will faint in barely one hour."
The boy paused, "What am I saying? One hour is too much. Let's give him ten minutes!" He returned to his station of work, offloading his own wagon of mineral ores.
A few minutes later, the door to the changing room opened and someone majestically walked out, his pale skin almost glowing under the golden light that filtered through the high
windows.
The forgemaster dipping a newly forged sword into the water was the first to notice; he turned his head, eyes widening.
"What a body," he muttered, but loud enough for the other forgemaster that was just leaving
to notice.
The other one, a brunette-haired man with bushy beards and mustache, immediately ran close to Northern, running his hand across him to feel the texture of his skin. Northern frowned and took a step back. When he saw the man coming, he thought it was for something important, only to have him crazily touching him.
"What is the meaning of this?" Northern demanded with an overwhelming authoritative
tone.
The forgemaster's eyes widened, "What amazing power? Boy, where are you from? You new?"
Northern's frown slowly relaxed as he answered the man, "Yes. I am. Today is my first day." His eyes, however, stayed on the man, warning off any suspicious attempts with just the
vicious light in their depth.
"Come under my wing. I will teach you all that there is to learn about the art and act of forge." "Oi oi oi, look at you being a gobblemaster. Come work under you? Really?" The first forgemaster walked closer to them; he had dropped the sword he was cooling off.
He reached Northern's side, brushing his little grey beards framing his golem-like face.
"Boy, this guy's skill is second-rated. Come to me. I and the head forgemaster learned from the same master, the very best of the continent for a hundred years before he went back to the
constellations."
At this point, every other student but sophomores and first-years who were busy working all paused, staring with a shocked expression.
The smithy has three forgemasters, whose skills are beyond legendary. Each of them has an immediate instructor who teaches the students directly; they are never known to express any interest in teaching anyone themselves. All they do is forge weapons or throw insults at
anyone doing a crappy job.
However, right now, two of the three forgemasters are fighting over teaching a single boy?
Shampoo, from where he was stationed, stared with wide and trembling eyes.
'What is going on? This is not how this was supposed to go.'
Unbeknownst to him, in his attempt to humiliate Northern, he had set the stage for him to
shine.