The Ascension Age

The three days of testing passed in a flash while Aire's group used it for their training. Because of the tests, all the factions were closed for the students, so after the three days of testing were over did the factions open their doors again. On the morning of the fourth day, the final rank was announced.

-Dormitory 174, Room 863: 6074 Points.-

-Position: 4759th-

Aire's group looked at that and sighed in relief as one of them said, "We could have done better if Aire's tests didn't get that problem. However, it still went well."

Kymei nodded as he prepared his things. "That's good enough. After all, the people ahead are probably some Risers with high Stellar Energy Aptitudes, not side occupations. If we consider only our side occupations, I believe our room would have gotten at least in the top 1000."

Soon after, he turned around and prepared to leave, saying,. "Anyway, the factions are finally open again. I postponed my tasks on the Jaka Transmission Stellar Rune because of the tests, so I need to go." Before anyone could answer, Kymei was already gone.

Aire couldn't help but ask, "What is this Jaka Transmission thing?"

Sera then explained as she also prepared to leave, "It's a type of rune that can work with six lanes of Stellar Energy at the same time. It was first implemented by the Calau Research Team on Planet Zuao of our Baulmu Alliance. Kymei and his friends there are researching it to see if they can increase the output of each lane without reducing the number of lanes." Of course, that just left Aire more confused.

Altina then touched his shoulder and shook her head, giving Aire a piece of advice. "Give up. I also took a long time to barely understand what they mean, but I'm still leagues away."

Sera couldn't help but laugh before she also comforted Aire. "Don't worry. As a Stellar Smith, you'll eventually get used to all these terms. Probably much faster than Altina since her warrior faction usually only teaches the basics of Stellar Suit maintenance. As for your faction, Aire, they're deeply connected to both mine and Kymei's."

After that, Sera put her things on her back and made her way out of the room. However, just as she was about to leave, one thing popped into her mind. "Oh, right! I'm struggling a bit with the alloys necessary for my new project. Usually, I wouldn't be able to get them without paying an exorbitant price. Though, I think it shouldn't be too hard for you if you get used to forging it. The alloy I need is called Latom Blue."

Aire was taken aback from hearing that, hastily saying in response, "Wait! I just joined the faction. There's no way I can forge anything of quality, let alone an alloy." Obviously, Aire had no confidence whatsoever.

However, Sera reassured him. "It's fine. This is one of the simplest alloys out there. If you ask to be taught this first, I don't think the Stellar Smith Faction Branch you're in will refuse to let you work on it first." With that said, Sera turned around and left.

Altina, of course, left as well. "Well, I guess this is my turn. I'll see you here tonight."

"Aren't you going to bring anything with you like Sera and Kymei?" Aire asked, seeing that Altina was leaving only with her clothes and bag.

Altina shook her head in response, replying, "I'm part of the warriors' faction. For security measures, all weapons and related equipment are kept at the faction. We're prohibited from bringing it back with us. Anyways, I'm going. See ya."

Aire was the last one remaining. "Well, I have the normal classes this afternoon, so I guess I'll just sleep until then."

'Stop right there!' Stella, obviously, wouldn't let that happen. 'Are you trying to kill us? Stop running away from work, and let's go to the Stellar Smith Organization. Since the others are already open, our own organization should be open as well.'

'Sigh... I should at least have some time to laze around, no? After all, I've broken through on the very first try.' Aire was unwilling as always.

However, Stella's eyes began to get teary when she heard that. Naturally, her emotions also started to invade Aire's.

'Fine, fine! I'm going, I'm going! Just don't start crying, okay?' Aire once again lost before it even started.

'Thank you, Aire~!'

Unwillingly, Aire made his way to the Stellar Smith Faction. Surprisingly though, Cala was already there, waiting for him. "Hey there, you finally arrived. Didn't you read my message, telling you to come earlier?"

"Message?" Aire then put on his communicator, which he usually took off while sleeping. "Oh, there is a message. Sorry, I didn't see it."

Cala sighed before grabbing his hand and pulling him inside. "Alright, just make sure you turn it on first thing in the morning from now on. Let's go to the repository. I need you to take the study material and focus on learning the basics of the equipment and materials you'll work on during the next weeks."

Aire couldn't help but ask, "Is there a need for you to follow me on that?" It was a valid question since Cala was supposed to be one of the few Stellar Smiths available.

"Don't worry. I'm one of the teachers around as well. Not to mention that I've already finished normal school, so I'm free to do whatever I want during the day. That being said, I work as a teacher in the morning and as a smith the rest of the day."

Cala then winked at Aire as she continued, "Besides, Branch Supervisor Due ordered me to teach you personally so that your Stellar Smith aptitude doesn't get wasted."

Aire thought that to be unnecessary. However, Cala was so eager that he couldn't say that in her face. "Sigh...fine. By the way, my roommate asked me if I can start working on Latom Blue Alloy first for my training."

Cala pondered a bit and nodded in the end. "Well, it is one of the easiest Stellar Alloys to make, after all. No problem. Once you finish learning the basics with me, I'll let you work on it."

Aire was satisfied to hear that, asking soon after, "Thanks. Also, how long are we going to study in the repository?"

"That depends on your learning abilities. Usually, memorizing and understanding everything you need at first should take one to two weeks."

"That's quite a lot, no?"

"There's no helping it. After all, our equipment has too many modes of operation that work differently depending on the material used," Cala explained. "One to two weeks just to learn the basics is already very quick."

Aire didn't think it was that bad. After all, monotonous tasks were things he liked to do. Not because he was diligent, but because he was lazy to do any heavy work instead. "That's fine, I guess. I'll do my best to learn as fast as possible." That was a lie. Aire was, in fact, planning to look as dumb as possible so he could stay there for much longer. Unfortunately for him, Stella's presence made that situation highly unlikely to happen.