The moment the old man spoke, the air between them thickened.
The once warm and nagging grandfatherly demeanor melted away, replaced by an unyielding presence—a strict teacher, not to be trifled with.
His darkened gaze fixed on Ashok, unblinking, steady, filled with a silent warning.
Gone was the casual ease of their conversation; in its place, a subtle yet unmistakable sense of confrontation emerged.
There was a reason for this sudden change.
The Academy was no ordinary institution—it functioned like a vast, intricate machine, upheld by three dominant Departments that ensured its continued existence:
The Blacksmith Department, the Maintenance Department, and the Medical Department.
Though their names seemed ordinary, almost misleadingly simple, their contributions were nothing short of monumental.
The Blacksmith Department's purpose extended far beyond the mere forging of weapons.
