Chapter 23- Respect

Alex's inclusion and interference with canon events, Abeth's death to be precise, played a catalyst to bring this sudden change in recruitment process.

It's the third year for Edric and his classmates and in their final year they would get some real life experience by being recruited by some known personalities. They can be anyone: knights, mages, raiders, hunters, even some of the teachers.

No student has the right to choose their mentor since this process is solely devoted to grant some much needed experience to the students. And working under a mature person allows them to see what as a student they fail to notice.

This internship continues for two months before the final exams and after that, based on their connections and the experience they went through, many students choses those jobs which they never intended to join when they first enrolled in the academy.

In a way, the academy manipulates the students by assigning them to those people who can change their perspective. Like, for example, assume Edric had a dream of becoming a medic or something related to it, the administrative department would have appointed a knight or sorcerer to be his mentor.

In that way, after working for a warrior, Edric could have gained some motivation and rather than 'wasting' his talent indoors, he would have chosen to go out there and wield his talent to take down enemies.

This is how it goes.

However, now that Abeth's secret has been uncovered and the Headmaster made it public that the current teaching system is flawed, students can't get recruited fairly based on their records.

After all, such a lunatic like Abeth surely would have favored many students and granted them extra points. That's why judging a student's potential based on their past records was abolished.

A new system is introduced: intensive training before testing the students and based on their scores, they would get recruited.

And the idea of it was introduced by none other than the Prodigy genius and the man who gifted this world with some of his brilliant inventions; Devon Inkshell.

The man with a golden eye and someone who would be participating in the contest as a judge. Surely, Devon is strong but the lack of offensive spell in his arsenal doesn't allow him to become one of the ten champions for the ascension contest.

However, based on that one cannot judge the man's worth. He is truly a genius and someone who can be very vital in the contest.

"Agh…" Alex groaned as he lifted his body from the bed and rotated his neck left to right.

Melissa was startled to hear the moan as she hurriedly advanced towards Alex's bed; surprising the silver head as he asked,

"You are still here?" It was already half past midnight and the nurses of the night shift had filled in. That's why Alex deemed this as the best timing to leave.

However, he was unfortunate.

"Mister Alex, I warn you. If you don't lay back down I will-"

"Tie me down until you are satisfied? I know." Alex heaved a sigh and laid back down.

The lady pressed the bridge of the glasses and looked at Alex sternly.

"Miss Melissa, I feel hungry. Can you feed me something?" While slowly rubbing his belly, the boy asked.

Melissa nodded, "Wait here." She walked away and soon returned with a tray of food in her hand.

Sitting down on a stool, she said, "Don't move, I will feed you." Alex's body needs rest as much as it could get and given his arms were injured, it would be wise if he doesn't move them even to eat.

Tearing some bread she brought it near his lips.

Alex opened his mouth without complaining and bit the bread.

He could taste the bitterness of medicine from the food which explained why she didn't want him to eat it by himself.

"It's hard, no?" Alex asked, making Melissa raise her brows as she heard him adding, "Working as a medic, you can't have a personal life. Have to take care of problem children…wash their filth and wrap their wounds. You can't even sleep at night in the fear of letting one of your patients suffer."

After spending a few hours, consciously, in the infirmary, Alex could tell how difficult their jobs are. Every doctor bears the responsibility not only for the patient in their care but also for the hopes and expectations of everyone connected to them.

A single wrong decision and they get robbed off all the hard work and dedication they have shown their whole life. And if they fail, the blame comes down to them even if there was no chance of succeeding in the first place.

There was a smile on Melissa's face. She never expected a student to be so thoughtful of those people who always remain on the sidelines. Although the role of a medic remains crucial in every battle or wars, very rarely they get recognition.

"It's true that the medical team goes through several hardships…but there are many who diligently performs their jobs because they love being a healer. And the best reward a healer receives is to see their patient recovered and returning to their daily lives."

There was a very rare smile on Melissa's face that urged Alex to raise his brows.

Sensing his gaze, she coughed and continued to feed him. However, this time when she brought her hand to his mouth, Alex held her hand and said,

"Now I understand why Grandmaster Devon is infatuated with you."

Melissa's eyes widened and slight redness appeared on her cheeks, as along with food she fed him a lot of scolding before with a 'hmph!' she walked away.

Left alone in his bed, Alex called forth his grimoire,

"Garesta."

The familiar ancient book levitated before his eyes before Alex looked at his stats,

[Name: Alex]

[Age: 17]

[Str: 25] (Avg: 30)

[Spd: 32] (Avg: 30)

[Int: 81] (Avg: 25)

[Skill: Storage, Sword Arts, Rapid regeneration, Heightened comprehensibility.]

[Soul Energy: 492]

[Upper limit: 500]

[Lower limit: 25]

…

None of his stats increased except for his Soul energy given until he doesn't breach the upper limit his stats would remain the same. As for Soul points, one might think that defeating a possibly A-rank beast would have granted hundreds of Soul Points.

Well, that would have been true if only Alex would have defeated the wolf all on his own. And also, with only one attack.

However Eve, Valarie and Edric also had a role in killing that mutt and also, Alex used a hefty sum of his soul energy in those attacks.

Mid-way he tried intimating the Sword Dance which he learned from the book….but Alex utterly failed.

Now, before recruitment, he has to show his skills in order to get recruited by a strong man to gain valuable experience.

'Let's hope for the best….'

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A/N:- First arc concluds here. Thanks for reading.