Heaven's Greatest Professor

"So you were enamoured," Elder Vess laughed, at their expenses.

"Elder Vess, I believe this topic is inappropriate at this moment," June added curtly.

"Of course," Elder Vess said, still with a smile, and turned to Warden again. "Since you are a tier 5 Runesmith, would you want to take some classes on artificing and runesmithing? You won\'t be working for nothing, obviously. You would be fairly recompensed with arcane credits. How about... 200 points for a class?"

Just a moment ago, she praised him for not making a rash decision, so Warden didn\'t accede immediately, even though he wanted to teach others. Instead, he asked, "Does the academy have an artificer department? I thought that is the speciality of the 4th and 5th academies."

"4th and 5th arcane academies specialise in artificers, builders and all the auxiliary classes, but that doesn\'t mean the others don\'t have departments for it. We are just known less for it," Elder Vess said. "Do you think the needs for equipment and other articles could be met with just two academies?"

"There is also the problem of location," June added helpfully.

"So what do you say?" Elder Vess asked.

"What\'s the usual rate for a teacher of runesmithing?" Warden asked.

"We have two senior professors of Runesmithing and forging and half a dozen junior professors," she explained. "While your expertise stands higher than the junior professors, it does not quite touch the senior professor yet."

"What do the junior professors get?"

"10,000 credits per month as a flat total with extra benefits, according to their work," it was June who answered.

"And how many classes do each of them take a month?"

"It depends," June answered again. "Twenty is compulsory, though most of them do extra work."

"So, 500 credits for a single class," Warden remarked, giving the elder a smile. "I think it is better. I won\'t make any rash decisions now."

Elder Vess smiled like an old fox. "Looks like I have to fire a junior professor to get you," she said with a sigh.

Warden frowned. "No, I don\'t want someone to lose their job just because I want fair benefits for myself."

The elder clicked her tongue. "You are straightforward and humble for your own good," she said. "Perhaps that\'s why Professor June finds you so charming."

June snorted.

"Do you know how arrogant and frightful these artificers are?" Elder Vess continued. "I would have excused such behaviour if their capabilities speak for their arrogance. But I dare say half of the junior professors can\'t do a tier-4 script and with no hope of ever reaching a master grade.

But they were the bunch we got, as Artificers tend to be aloof and arrogant to be attracted by the benefit we offer."

"Most capable ones tend to go to the fourth and fifth academy as they are built upon a foundation that all forgers would desire," June added. "Though I reckon there are plenty of master crafters in the first and second academy as well."

"It is one of the reasons Dragonforge thrived in the empire," Elder Vess said.

"Still, it doesn\'t make me feel good that someone would be fired for my sake," Warden said. "And you haven\'t even seen me to judge."

Elder Vess scoffed. "Please, this contract was enough for me to judge. Dragonforce did not just give such benefits to any young runesmith, but we can talk about firing a junior professor later. I\'ll perhaps give them some time to prove themselves."

Even if they did not meet the criteria, they already earned more than any regular ranker with their work. Just getting fired from the academy would be nothing more than a minor setback.

After a little more talk, Warden finally agreed to take some initial classes. Warden could only agree to a few classes with everything going on. Elder Vess would just limit the number of extra classes the junior professor could take and pull all the credit to remunerate Warden.

So with that settled, Warden would amass another 5,000 credits just by taking 10 more classes, which he reckoned wouldn\'t be difficult with his schedule. That felt like a large sum. Where should he use them? He wondered.

"If you want, I can make a contract for you to offer to Dragonforge," Elder Vess said as they agreed. "I would just customise this one to accommodate your needs."

"That... sounds great," Warden said.

So, for the next half an hour or so, Warden discussed what he would need to take out and what to add to the contract. Mostly, he asked her to cut out all the exclusivity and add in more freedom on his end. He kept some of his work the same while deleting other benefits, such as the auction house forge and other facilities.

Most importantly, he said he would be free to work with anyone he likes, while he would give Dragonforge priority being with a contract with them, that was. Of course, he would also be free to purchase raw materials from the Dragonforge for his personal needs.

"Do you think they would agree with this?" Warden asked.

"Your asking is not overbearing," Elder Vess said. "As long as you did not want their Dragonsteel and Dragonfire, I don\'t see why they won\'t want you. They are always in need of gifted runesmiths for the number of orders they get. I am mostly sure they would take it, though they would want to negotiate more. I would advise you to stick with it."

With that completed, the elder turned to the Elven woman. "So June, did you think about my offer?"

"I have," June said meeting her gaze, sitting straighter. "Unfortunately, I would have to decline. I would not mind doing a few things here and there for you if there is no other option, but I cannot give my all for it."