Magical Academy: Rise of the Supreme Magic Craftsman

'Arcane Technology? Isn't that the same as Lost Technology? So, they were aware of its real name... Anyway, this looks like a highly advanced product of science and technology for me rather than equipment made of magic.' 

Wallace thought after hearing Slaine explaining the origin of the machine. He had only learned that the Lost Technology that Aeolia was also curious about was called Arcane Technology because of the Pathfinder's reward.

He has this Optical Phenomena Manipulation technology that was still not being used. Of course, he already had some plans for it but it's not yet necessary at this point. He was first trying to accomplish all the immediate goals he needed to step forward in his main plan.

He was tempted to send out his Divine Sense but he won't be able to explain how did he learn the Soul Art if ever his master felt it and asked him about it.

For now, he can only trust his master and see for himself. Slaine then told him how to use the key to open up the machine. 

At the back of the Iron Knight wasn't a keyhole as he expected. He had to lay flat the metal key instead and a form of connection would activate to open it up.

This time, as soon as Wallace entered the cockpit, he found the keyhole to activate the Iron Knight. He inserted the key and the cockpit lit up with blue lights. 

[ Celestial Army - Iron Knights Brigade ]

It was the words he saw at the screen before he felt something similar to the quantum brainwaves control system that the Mech Frames have. But this time, the feeling was painful.

He then heard Slaine speak from the outside. 

"It's synchronizing... This will be yours if you reached at least 70% sync. But don't worry, with all the tests that you had, I'm sure that it will be easy to pass that number. Right, based on all the tests we had, the synchronizing process only failed to those that aren't single. Well, at least 99% of the time."

'Guh! Is that the reason why you only accept singles.' He couldn't help but think about it even if he was in pain. This Arcane Technology seems to have the weirdest requirements. 

"Yes, that's the main reason, I suppose..." Slaine said as if he was hearing Wallace's thoughts.

'W-wait... Although Master Slaine looks like a middle-aged man, he was someone who had joined the northern continent expedition. Does it mean that...' He remembered that there's 10 of these and nine will be given to his apprentices. The tenth must be for him, right?

Wallace stopped himself from his random thoughts. Anyway, he could no longer reply to Slaine as he tried to fight against the pain that he was experiencing. It should be as painful as Slaine's pressure test during the second examination. But this time, he can't escape the pain by connecting to his dimensional storage space. He had to experience this so as to reach the synchronization rate he was looking for. 

It took five long minutes to complete the process. 

[ 90% Synchronization Rate ] Showed in front of Wallace. This time, he felt like the machine was a part of him and could easily operate it. This is almost the same feeling when he was piloting a Mech Frame in his previous life. 

'Impressive. This is at least better than my Amplified Assault Armor but...' Wallace's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden question from his Master. 

"How many percent was it?" Slaine asked after noticing that the synchronization process was completed. Wallace even made some simple movements in its arms and legs to feel out his controls.

Anyway, the pain of synchronization disappeared as soon as it was completed. He then took a deep breath before answering. 

"Ninety percent, as it says." 

"That high? It's impressive."

"Er... What was the rate compared to others, Master Slaine?"

"You have four seniors. Farah Carlos, my fourth apprentice had 74%. Clark Gates, my third apprentice had 75%. L, my second apprentice had 85% last year when he was tested. Lacus Minerva had 89%. The latter two had reached more than 80% rates because of their superior-class body modifications. But based on our records, you didn't have any..."

'Crap!' is what Wallace immediately thought. He didn't have time to ask why his second apprentice only have a single letter as its name. Anyway, it was true that the Pathfinder's potions for body strengthening had not been detected by their tests. He then heard Slaine continue his words.

"Even Farah and Clark had top-class body modification later on before they reached 80% sync rate..."

"Er... Oh? Is that so... I'm working out a lot so maybe it helps." 

'If working out would give that kind of results then the companies creating serums, potions, and implants for body modifications might close down.'

Slaine didn't point that out as all his apprentices have their own secrets. He doesn't want to meddle with it as long as they're doing their task as an apprentice and learn his legacy.

"Alright, come out for now. That thing will be yours anyway. You'll have a lot of time experimenting with that."

Wallace then left the cockpit but before that, he made some arrangements.

"Avalon, investigate its program for me." 

His armguard, previously floating sphere with a red light acting as an eye, opened a small compartment. A spider-like machine came out and connected to the internal system of the Iron Knight. 

The humanoid machine is an Arcane Technology that combines science and magic. This will be a very good reference for the future. 

Wallace thanked his Master Slaine and posed a question. 

"What's my task as an apprentice, Master?"

"Mhm... Some menial tasks will be explained by Clyne Troyard. He will also later give you another modified memory crystal. My aim was for all my apprentices to learn Awakening of Thunder and Lightning to its peak. Once you consumed the crystal, you must reach the 2nd level - Natural state of the AOTL before you can take out this Iron Knight. There's no time limit." 

"Second level?"

"Mhm... Breathing Technique was the first level and Lightning Break was second... Right, another gift I can give is that you can ask me two questions you have in mind, I'll answer it to the best of my ability. I just wanted to remind you that any questions related to secrets arts, soul arts, spirit arts, and other related questions to your profession can be answered by the memory crystal you'll consume later."

Wallace nodded after hearing it.

"Only two questions? Can I save it for now?"

"Yes, only two questions, it's the same for your seniors, and no, I'll be leaving soon and meet with some others who'll be joining me in my visit at the northern continent."

Wallace thought for a while, there's nothing that he can do about it. He knows that this is a precious chance so he carefully thought through it. 

"I found records that some people related to the Skywalker Academy in this capital had attempted space exploration but there were no results from it. I want to learn what happened."

Slaine was a bit caught off guard by this question. It's way different from his first apprentices where they ask about methods for their self-improvements, methods to reach Arcanist, methods to discover Arcana, or even ask for material things. 

He went silent for a while before taking a deep breath.

"Alright, but instead of me telling you, I will ask Clyne to bring you the documents about it."

"Really? Thank you so much, Master!" 

"Mhm... Next question."

It looks like Wallace was thinking for a while about his question but in truth, he was waiting for Avalon to complete its hack at the Iron Knight's system. 

Unfortunately, Avalon seems to be stuck at a 29% completion rate so he decided that it was enough.

"I would like to ask what's the most interesting fact or thing within the northern continent..." 

Slaine smiled after hearing it and looked deeply at Wallace finding this new apprentice very interesting.

"Haha! What a good question... Only the 24 survivors of the first large expedition were aware of this so you have to keep this a secret. Anyway, I'm sure that the others had somehow informed their trusted aides about this but we have to keep this knowledge to a minimum. Right, not even my first apprentice is aware of this so listen..."

Wallace couldn't help but gulp at this moment.

"...the most interesting thing I can say within the northern continent was the existence of the Celestial Beings."

"Celestial Beings?"

***

After Wallace came out of the well-protected room. Clyne brought him to his new and luxurious room and gave a box containing some items that would allow him to be recognized as Sir Slaine's apprentice. 

Wallace then asked Clyne to clarify some things about him working as an apprentice of Sir Slaine, he needed to learn what should he do and what he should not. Luckily, as the rumor says, being his apprentice was laxer than the others. 

As for the Iron Knight, although he can't take it out yet, as long as he has the metal key, no one can operate it. 

In the meantime, he made a necklace out of the key so he can keep it safe. He doesn't want to place it in his dimensional storage just in case it was suddenly asked to be taken out by his master. 

As he rested in his room, he noticed some notification on his mobile device from Tristan reminding him about the auction. After replying to him, he asked Avalon about the accident a while ago.

"So, what happened after we lost connection to the mainframe?"