Today, the duchess's mansion was full of young men and women of all races for another lesson on runes that Edmund gave to all of them once a week. For the rest of the week, he needed to teach math and calligraphy so that they could replicate what he did and how to write the runes correctly.

  His real aim was to speed up manufacturing because, right now, he only had Leah’s help. After two months of teaching, he realized she was not the norm, but at least they had built their tables.

  ‘The topic of the lesson today is avoiding death.’ Edmund finished writing on the board on the wall.

  All the students didn’t understand what he meant; even Leah was puzzled.

  ‘I have three examples of devices by my side: one that is perfect and a good idea, one that might be risky, and one that is just a death trap.’ Edmund looked at the class.

  Edmund took three devices from behind his desk and put them on the table. When they saw the devices, the students started talking to one another, discussing which device was perfect. He then gestured for all of them to come closer to the desk.

  ‘Some of you just don’t get it; you need to do something like this here; the creator calls it a hair dryer; it dries hair; it is simple, but it could have been something ?dangerous, but first the person built prototypes.’ He spoke?.

  Edmund brought three comparable devices from behind the table and placed them on the hair dryer. Edmund continued to speak as the students drew even closer to the table.

  ‘This one had too much output and shot out flames; take note, Leah; that can be used for another device. You did well.’ Edmund pointed to Leah.

  ‘Thanks, teacher.’ Leah turned on her tablet and started writing on it.

  ‘Well, the one in the middle somehow has cold air coming out of it, and the last one, the prototype, is a complete mess; it just doesn’t work.’ He smiled while looking at his students.

  ‘There are steps to the process; that is why making these things is so difficult, teacher.’ A student replied.

  ‘You are correct, but some of you don't understand, like the next one... This box should do something, but it doesn't.’ Edmund took a glance at all of them.

  He put the prototypes behind the desk, and Edmund pushed the next device to the front.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  ‘What happened to the prototypes? All of you might ask: nothing; the student used my prototype as a base, and it didn’t work?. That is why you build prototypes. Don’t cut corners.’ Edmund explained while opening the box with one of his tools.

  Edmund opened the back of the box, turned around, and showed it to his students; they all gathered to see what it was.

  ‘What is missing?’ He asked.

  ‘I don’t see a battery.’ A student replied.

  ‘Correct. This student believed that the device could function just using the collector to gather magic from the surroundings, like your tables, but it can’t; that is why my original prototype had a battery.’ Edmund indicated the component inside the box that was supposed to gather magic.

  While Edmund spoke, everyone started to write on their tablets, taking notes while the white-haired young man pointed inside the device.

  ‘Remember, the collector of magic works like a mage does when gathering magic; as far as I’m aware, there is no way to speed up the process. Even though it already takes less time than a typical mage, basic storage is required.’ He used his finger to tap the box on the side.

  ‘We know this, teacher.’ A student in the back spoke.

  ‘No, you don't; it is right here. Are you guys blind?’ Edmund yelled and exhaled deeply.

  Edmund's abrupt yelling at the students startled them; a girl even let her pen fall because he cried abruptly.

  ‘I just want you all to be safe; it would be one thing if you guys died four years into the future with all this knowledge; that would be on you for not following the process, but for now, you are all under my responsibility.’ Sadness could be seen in his eyes as he observed the students.

  The young boys and girls exchanged glances, feeling bad for Edmund.

  ‘Sorry, teacher.’ The students said it in unison.

  ‘Well, you are all new at this, so you need to follow the procedure and learn how to conduct experiments to avoid killing yourself or the person who will eventually use this device, like this ball right here, which is essentially a bomb.’ Edmund took the box away.

  He placed the third device, a black ball, in the desk's center. The students were intrigued by its shape.

  ‘I already deactivated; it is a miracle this thing didn’t blow up when assembled.’ He got his hands on the ball.

  Edmund opened the ball in the middle to show the students what was inside.

  ‘Another ball is suspended by strings inside it. The magic explosion is triggered when the inside ball makes contact with the inside of the shell. It doesn’t do anything, and I bet there is not enough mana in the ball to make the magic work.’ Edmund removed the small ball to show the students.

  ‘I did this one; I’m sorry, teacher; I just thought that since we are the same age, I could do as you do.’ A Shafran boy came forward.

  ‘Don’t compare yourself to me; try to compare to and assist your peers. Just follow the rules and don’t try to create weapons.’ Edmund grinned at the student.

  All the students were focusing on Edmund while taking notes on their tables when, suddenly, Ariadne entered the room. Only her eyes were visible because she held a fan covering the rest of her face.

  ‘So they are the best in my duchy; they appeared very happy; you are doing well, peasant.’ While the fan was still covering her mouth, she smiled.

  ‘I’m teaching them not to get killed while doing experiments; what brings you here, your Highness?’ Edmund crossed his arms.

  ‘Humm… Indeed, don’t waste your life; be extra cautious because you are all precious to me.’ Ariadne closed her fan and smiled tenderly at the students.

  Her beauty took every one of them aback. Although the dress was not as impressive as they had seen before, her smile warmed their hearts as if they connected with her; if a word could describe it, it would be happiness.

  ‘Well, class is over; the next time we discuss the possibility of flying, it may be far more feasible than you think.’ Edmund took his tablet from a drawer in his desk and looked at Ariadne.

  ‘Come to my office; I want to hear your thoughts.' Ariadne spoke calmly, looking at the young man.