Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 293: Uncommon Blacksmithing Skill

"You've created a mana-resonant blade," Master Forge said, looking at Arthur with interest.

"That's a level higher than I wanted."

"The technique is crude, but to be able to do it is..." He nodded slowly. "Impressive."

He handed the sword back to Arthur. "You've built something useful. Not perfect—your hammer rhythm needs work—but genuinely useful. The resonance structure will amplify your mana input by at least thirty per cent."

A notification appeared in Arthur's vision:

[Quest Completed: Crafting Journey. Blacksmithing skill (Uncommon) has been rewarded.]

Arthur felt his blacksmithing knowledge and ability increase by an extra fifty percent.

'That was worth it,'

"Thank you, Master," Arthur said, accepting both the sword and the praise with a slight bow.

As the class ended and students began clearing their stations, Elara sidled up next to him, examining his creation with undisguised interest.

"That was cool, are you revising behind our backs?" she said, nudging him softly.

"Just a little," He smiled.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of lessons, with Arthur learning everything he could.

By lunchtime, the cafeteria was buzzing with activity. Students from all class rankings filled the space, naturally segregating themselves according to the Academy's rigid hierarchy. Elite Class students occupied the prime tables near the windows. A-Class students filled the next section, and so on down the line.

Arthur, Elara, and Sarah secured their usual spot among the Elite section. Sarah had been unusually quiet since they'd sat down.

'She is still thinking about the tournament,' Arthur observed, cutting into the rare steak on his plate.

A familiar scene unfolded once again—one he'd witnessed before.

Trenton Walsh, a B-Class student in the standard yellow uniform, had positioned himself directly in the path of a smaller boy entering the hall. The smaller student—Arthur recognized him as Jason Reed, C-Class—tried to sidestep, but Trenton shifted deliberately to block him.

"Watch it," Trenton's voice carried across the cafeteria, loud enough to ensure an audience. "Looking to spill your lunch on me again?"

The cafeteria quieted, conversations tapering off as students turned to watch the drama unfold. Jason clutched his tray tighter, shoulders hunching inward.

"I'm just trying to get to a table," Jason said, voice barely audible.

"What was that?" Trenton leaned in, menace radiating from his posture. "Didn't quite catch your mumbling."

Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly. The last time, he'd watched as Trenton had struck Jason for accidentally spilling food on his shoes. The Academy staff had done nothing—the incident serving as a stark reminder of the hierarchy's enforcement.

This time, however, something about Jason's defeated posture struck a chord. Arthur recognized that look—the expression of someone who'd accepted their place at the bottom, who expected the world's boot on their neck.

He'd worn that same expression once, long ago.

"This again," Elara sighed, shaking her head. "That B-Class student has a particular talent for cruelty." freewёbnoνel.com

Sarah's attention had shifted from her own troubles. "Someone should teach him a lesson."

Arthur made his decision in an instant. "Jason," he called out, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

Every head in the cafeteria turned toward him. Elite Class students rarely acknowledged those from lower ranks, let alone by name.

"Come sit with us," Arthur continued, gesturing to the empty chair at their table.

The cafeteria fell dead silent. Students stared in shock, some with jaws literally hanging open. An Elite Class student inviting a C-Class to share their table? Unheard of.

Jason froze, his expression morphing from fear to confusion to even deeper fear. His eyes darted between Arthur and Trenton, clearly calculating which threat was greater.

'Damn it. Why is it always me...' The thought was practically visible on his face, a look Arthur knew all too well.

Trenton's face flushed an ugly shade of red. He opened his mouth to protest, perhaps to challenge Arthur—but then reality seemed to catch up with him. Azarel wasn't just any student.

Challenging him would be suicide.

Trenton's mouth snapped shut. With a final glare at Jason he retreated to his own table where his friends waited, their former bravado noticeably diminished.

"Did he just..." Sarah began.

"He did," Elara confirmed, a small smile playing at her lips. "Azarel, you do realise you've just committed a major social faux pas?"

"Have I?" Arthur replied mildly, returning to his meal. "Jason," he called again when the boy remained frozen. "Your food's getting cold."

Jason approached their table with the caution of someone navigating a minefield. Every eye in the cafeteria tracked his movement, whispers erupting in his wake.

"I—thank you, but I don't think—" Jason stammered once he reached them, still clutching his tray like a shield.

"Sit," Arthur instructed, not unkindly but firmly enough to make it clear this wasn't optional.

Jason sat, his movements stiff.

"I'm Azarel," he said, though introductions were hardly necessary. Everyone at the Academy knew who he was. "This is Princess Elara and Sarah Draketower."

Jason nodded jerkily. "I know. I mean—everyone knows. I'm Jason Reed, C-Class." He added the last part as if it were a title that required acknowledgment.

Around them, the cafeteria slowly returned to its normal volume, though glances and whispers continued to be directed their way.

"They're all staring," Jason muttered, shrinking in his seat.

"Let them," Sarah shrugged. "Most students here are too concerned with social positioning to develop actual personality traits."

Elara nearly choked on her drink at the blunt assessment. "Sarah!"

"Am I wrong?" Sarah challenged.

"No," Elara admitted, "but there are diplomatic ways to phrase it."

They finished their meals quickly after that, the cafeteria's curious stares growing tiresome. As they stood to leave, Arthur turned to their newest addition.

"What's your next lesson?" he asked.

"I have combat," Jason replied, his shoulders already tensing at the thought.

"Oh okay. You're not in our class." Arthur gave him a reassuring nod. "Anyway, good luck with that. See you tomorrow."

"Thanks for... you know." Jason glanced around the cafeteria, where eyes still followed his every move.

"Don't mention it," Arthur replied casually.