Posting the story I proposed on GitHub here to give everyone the chance to suggest changes until the PR revising the current description is approved.
Introduction
In a quiet corner of the ancient Library of Patterns, you discover the Diamond Tome, an artifact whispered about in legends. As you open it, the first page reveals a trial known to test skill, focus, and creativity: creating a perfect diamond shape from letters.
Each layer must grow outward to the middle, then shrink back in, forming a balanced and flawless pattern. The letters must align perfectly, their symmetry reflecting precision and care. Many have tried and failed, but those who succeed are said to uncover the tome’s deeper mysteries.
The air around you feels alive with anticipation. This is no ordinary task — this is your chance to prove yourself worthy of the tome’s secrets. Will you rise to the challenge and craft a diamond that stands as a testament to your mastery?
A tiny nitpick: codex is masculine, so the adjective should end in -us rather than -um (for instance, the Codex Atlanticus). I also am not sure that diamantus is an actual Latin word–maybe Codex Adamantinus?
If we were to match the gender of codex with an adjective, then what you are saying would be fine — for instance, Codex Diamantinus or Codex Adamantinus, as you suggested.
However, that wasn’t the intention. The word Diamantum is fictional and not a Latin adjective. Codex Diamantum is meant to be interpreted as Codex of Diamonds, with Diamantum functioning as a genitive plural form, which explains the -um ending
Correct, it would probably be Diamantium or Adamantium if we were to adhere more rigorously to Latin grammar rules. However, unlike Adamantium, which is a Latinized word, Diamantium/Diamantum isn’t a classical Latin word — it’s fictional. As such, the choice between the two is more about aesthetic preference than grammatical consistency.
My high school Latin memories would go for Codex Adamantii using the genitive case to have one noun describe the other. However, I don’t think it matters a whole lot to the student one way or the other.
As the author, you are fully within your rights to create a new Latin-like language for aesthetic reasons. I am just offering the feedback that at least one of your readers pulled up short and said “Huh, that doesn’t sound right.”
keep in mind that a lot of people using exercism with english as second language or even learning english at the same time. so stories should just be simple and straight to the point instead of making things more confuse for them
