NOVPUBChapter 173: Ch 173: Libration at last- Part 1
Once Kyle had settled matters with Sir Veldom’s family, it was time to turn his attention to the true reason he had come to Venuce—the craftsmen he needed to build the foundation of his growing settlement.
With that goal in mind, he made his way to the city’s famed crafting academy, reputed for training the best artisans in the region.
However, what he found there left much to be desired.
The students presented to him were all children of wealthy nobles or merchants.
Craftsmanship, for them, was little more than an expensive hobby—a pastime meant to bolster their social standing rather than produce anything of practical worth.
Their works were flashy, over-decorated, and completely lacking in utility.
Kyle observed ornate tools that would snap under pressure, furniture with gold inlays but no balance, and mechanisms so needlessly complex that they defeated their own purpose.
The longer the tour went on, the more Kyle’s disinterest became obvious.
He offered no praise, no comments—just a flat stare that unsettled everyone around him.
The tour guide, a middle-aged man with thinning hair and a nervous smile, began sweating profusely.
He had heard the stories.
All of Venuce had. Sir Veldom, one of the city’s most powerful men, had been brought to his knees—publicly and swiftly—by the very young noble who now walked silently behind him
And now, that same man looked as though he were growing impatient.
The tour guide’s fear bubbled over.
If Kyle found the academy lacking, would he respond the same way he did to Sir Veldom?
“P-please, Young Master Kyle, wait a minute. These students are merely the first-year crafters. If you would be so kind as to wait a short while, I shall bring our most experienced and promising talents to demonstrate their work.”
The man stammered, bowing with a slight tremble.
Without waiting for a reply, the guide turned and bolted down the corridor.
Kyle didn’t move.
His gaze swept across the students still watching him, most of whom avoided eye contact, clearly intimidated.
That was expected. After all, they had no real passion for the craft—only pride in their wealth.
He sighed inwardly. So far, this academy was proving to be a waste of time.
Bruce narrowed his eyes at the retreating tour guide and leaned closer to Kyle.
“I’ll keep an eye on him, young lord. Just in case he tries something stupid.”
Kyle gave him a faint nod, and with that, Bruce disappeared after the fleeing man.
Left alone with a group of nervous students, Kyle allowed his gaze to wander across the courtyard and workshop displays.
Almost immediately, he noticed the change in atmosphere.
Most of the students were doing everything they could to avoid his eyes.
Some pretended to examine their own work. Others busied themselves in whispered conversations.
A few simply stared at the ground, too intimidated to even look up. Kyle was used to that sort of reaction.
After all, word about Sir Veldom’s humiliating downfall had likely reached every corner of the city by now. These students probably feared that even a stray glance could lead to ruin.
It didn’t matter to him.
Respect born from fear was still respect.
His steps carried him across the courtyard until a particular display caught his attention—an intricate piping system, discreetly placed near one of the inner walls.
Unlike the other projects, which had been made to dazzle, this one was clean and functional. The design used minimal materials yet managed to maximize flow efficiency.
Even the angles and pressure reliefs were precise. It was work that required understanding and actual talent—not just money.
Kyle stood in front of it, studying the network of pipes with growing interest.
“Who made this?”
He asked, his voice steady but commanding.
There was a beat of silence. Then another.
No one spoke.
The students shuffled awkwardly, casting furtive glances at each other.
It was clear that the creator was among them, but none dared to step forward. Not until a smirking young man, dressed in fine silks and adorned with gaudy jewelry, finally stepped ahead.
“That would be mine, of course. Took me only a few days to put it together. Impressive, isn’t it?”
He said with an arrogant chuckle.
Kyle’s eyes met his without expression. The boy’s posture was lazy, his confidence clearly rooted in entitlement rather than skill.
But more than that—Kyle could already tell. The boy was lying.
Kyle’s eyes, calm and piercing, shifted away from the boastful noble brat to the quiet servant standing just a step behind him.
The servant was young, dressed in patched clothing, and clearly underfed. His head was lowered, and he seemed used to being ignored.
But Kyle noticed the bandages wrapped around the boy’s hands—raw, scarred, and freshly bruised.
These weren’t the hands of someone who idled.
These were the hands of someone who had worked tirelessly, likely through trial and error, to create something precise and beautiful.
It didn’t take much to piece together the truth.
The smirking noble’s air of confidence turned more irritating by the second, but Kyle remained composed.
If the rich fool wanted to claim credit, then Kyle would let him walk into his own failure.
“I see. I’ve been looking for someone with your exact skills—someone capable of producing systems like this for my territory. It seems I’ve finally found him.”
Kyle said slowly, turning back toward the noble student. The arrogant student lit up with delight, puffing out his chest.
“Of course, my lord. You’ve come to the right person.”
“I’ll give you a test. A real task to showcase your ability. Melissa will watch and report on your progress.”
Kyle said.
Melissa stepped forward, arms crossed, her gaze already fixed critically on the young man.
The noble’s smile faltered for the briefest moment.
Kyle continued.
“While you’re working, I’ll be taking him. with me. I’d like to assess his skills separately.”
His eyes slid to the servant
The noble student blinked, confused.
“Wait—why would you need him?”
“To judge how much of this invention was yours. Surely you don’t mind. If this was your creation, his absence won’t affect your performance.”
Kyle answered simply.
A bead of sweat trickled down the young man’s brow. He forced a laugh.
“Of course not! It’s just… I’m not sure he’s fit to represent anything.”
“Then it should be no problem proving your words.”
Kyle said, his tone cool but sharp.
The servant looked up in surprise, eyes wide, while the noble brat clenched his jaw. Melissa smirked slightly and stepped closer.
Kyle said no more.
He simply turned and beckoned the servant to follow.
Already, the truth had begun to unravel—and Kyle had no patience for liars.
The servant hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure if he was even allowed to move without the noble’s permission.
But Kyle gave him a reassuring nod, and that was enough.
Slowly, the boy stepped forward, still glancing nervously at his so-called master.
The rich student looked like he wanted to protest but bit back his words under Kyle’s watchful gaze.
Melissa gave a curt nod to the servant as he joined her side.
Kyle didn’t need to say more—he had already set the stage.
If the noble boy truly had talent, he would shine. If not, Kyle would know exactly who to invest in.
