GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 32.5B: R & D

"Is there any way for me to examine the attunement artifact?" Vel asked, keeping his voice steady despite his intimidation.

The old man set his quill down. "That depends. Regardless of your purpose, you need accommodation from at least two instructors. And I should make it clear—the artifact will not leave this building, or even its chamber."

Vel calculated quickly. Lyvenna would certainly give her permission if he explained his theory. But who else? He didn't have connections with many other instructors yet.

"Maybe..." Vel leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "Can I just look at it? During the entrance test readings, the crystal was fluctuating and struggling when reading my attunement, unlike with other students."

He paused, watching the old man's reaction before adding, "I think something might have happened to the artifact."

This seemed to pique the man's interest. He straightened slightly, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.

"Struggle how?" he asked, his tone more engaged than before.

"It was flashing multiple colors erratically before settling into a white cloud," Vel explained.

The old man's eyebrows rose. "White? Are you sure it wasn't grey?"

"I'm certain," Vel insisted. "The examiner might have called it grey, but what I saw was definitely white—almost blinding."

The old man studied Vel with open doubt, his expression flat.

"I've never heard anything like that," he said simply. "White cloud. Erratic flashing. In all my years working with these artifacts, no such phenomenon has been recorded."

Vel's mind raced. He needed to convince this man, but what leverage did he have? He was just a first-year student with an unusual entrance reading. No authority, no connections, nothing to—

"I can prove it to you," Vel said quickly. "If you let me take the reading again."

The old man's eyebrows rose slightly. He studied Vel for a long moment, then leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Are you Velarian?" he asked suddenly.

Vel blinked in surprise. "How would you know that?"

"Lyvenna has been over here a few times," the man explained, his tone casual but his gaze sharp. "She mentioned a student this year. One who seems to know more than his age would suggest."

He was silent for another moment, then sighed heavily.

"I don't believe your story," he said flatly. "But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt—for Lyvenna's sake, not yours."

The man stood up slowly, brushing down his robe with deliberate care. "Follow me."

The old man led Vel to the center of the empty space, where a circular platform stood. Upon closer look, Vel noticed complex patterns etched into the stone—concentric rings filled with delicate runes and symbols, each ring connecting to the next as they radiated outward from the center.

Their boots clicked against the stone as they stepped onto the platform. The sound echoed through the open space around them.

"Don't trip," the old man said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.