Chapter 258: Barging in
Narios blew through his saxhorn, enjoying the beautiful sound that rang from it as he stood on the tiny podium by himself. It was his favorite spot to play nowadays—even better than his own room, which was adjacent to the classroom, making it all the more perfect.
He was about to focus on the piece's best part when he heard someone heavy running through the nearby halls. That by itself wasn't that odd. Students ran around the building at all times, even during eight-day. However, when the footsteps came closer and stopped at his door, he frowned. Lowering his saxhorn, he looked at the door at the back of the small and cluttered classroom. He recognized the specific cadence and thud of the person who had come.
He was about to ask what was wrong when there was a loud knock on the door, causing it to shudder in its frame.
"Irwin, you can-" he shouted quickly, worried the overgrown smith would just burst in.
The door was shoved open before he finished, and the towering metal smith ran inside, his face a mixture of wonder, awe, and confused uncertainty.
Well, that is new, Narios thought, suddenly worried.
He put his saxhorn on the nearby chair and quickly walked down the small, three-step staircase. Irwin hadn't been here for a while, at least not like Skylar had. Even then, each time Irwin did come, he showed that he'd been practicing a lot. Where and when Narios still didn't know, and he had thought the academy's piano was the only one around, and Irwin had just shrugged when asked.
"What's wrong?" he asked, not sure what to make of any of it.
Irwin stopped before him, then looked around as if to make sure there wasn't anyone else around.
This is getting more and more curious, Narios thought, his worry slipping when he saw the young Smith wasn't wounded.
"Teacher Narios, do you know what this is?"
Narios was about to ask what he meant when an absurdly large guitar made of gleaming metal appeared in Irwin's hands.