GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 22.3: Class Constructor

Celia gave Vel a quick pat on the shoulder. "See you after class, then?"

"Definitely," Vel replied with a nod.

They exchanged brief smiles before Celia and Konomi merged into the stream of students heading toward the western buildings. Vel watched them for a moment before turning his way, suddenly aware that he was walking alone while most students moved in pairs or groups.

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Vel navigated through the crowded main hallway, weaving between clusters of chattering students. As he turned down the pathway leading to the unstable attunement area, the crowd thinned dramatically.

He found himself walking alone across a gravel garden—no portraits on these walls, no ornate decorations. Functional, almost an afterthought, fitting for a class the Academy seemed reluctant to acknowledge.

Ahead, the classroom door stood open. Only five desks arranged in a semicircle, sunlight streaming through tall windows. The sparse room felt larger than it probably was.

Tomas, already seated at one of the desks, raised a hand in greeting. "Good morning!" he called out with unexpected enthusiasm.

Vel stepped inside, glancing around at the empty seats. "Morning. Where do I sit?"

Tomas gestured broadly at the remaining desks with a small grin. "Anywhere, I guess. No one would compete with the top student of our class."

The comment caught Vel off guard, and he couldn't help but smile. "Top student of the smallest class—not exactly a crowning achievement."

Vel took a seat beside Tomas, placing his bag on the desk. The polished wood surface was noticeably better quality than he had expected for the "unstable" section, making him wonder if Instructor Lyvenna had something to do with it.

Before he could ask Tomas about their schedule, the door creaked open again. Enya Lorrath walked in, her dark hair tied back in a practical braid. She looked more composed than she had during their entrance exams, though she stifled a small yawn as she surveyed the room.

"Did you hear about the betting pool?" she asked without preamble, dropping her satchel on a desk across from them.

Vel looked up, puzzled. "The what pool now?"

Enya's expression soured as she took her seat. "They're taking bets on which one of us will be the first to drop out."

"Who is?" Vel asked, feeling his mood darken.

"Everyone else," she replied, gesturing vaguely toward the main academy buildings. "Apparently the elite attunement students started it, but now even the standard classes are joining in."

Tomas nodded solemnly. "It's a tradition, my cousin said. Passing the entrance is one thing, keeping the grades is another."

Vel frowned, remembering how quickly the other students had dismissed their group during testing. "That's... lovely."

"You did hear the archmagister's speech," Tomas continued, his voice dropping slightly. "Who cannot keep up will be removed." He mimicked Elyssia's authoritative tone with surprising accuracy.

"So they're betting on our failure before we've even had our first class?" Vel asked, feeling a surge of indignation.

The classroom door swung open again as Rohen Delmar stepped inside, his slender frame silhouetted against the hallway light. His eyes darted around the room before settling on the remaining seats.