Chapter 13

I return home annoyed. I just lost my only source of income. I've got about 25 silvers saved up, and that'll last me about five months. I briefly consider ransoming the captive off or something, but no, I need her for the break-in. and even if I didn't need her I don't know how to ransom people, I don't even know who I'm supposed to ransom to.

Thinking about it, the only people who kept the crime in this sector of the slums relatively stable was the Gray Cobra gang, now that they're gone, I can start pickpocketing again tax-free. Well, I suppose I should return to my pursuit of wealth via forced donations from the masses.

But still, I wonder what the true dimwits of the gang did to piss off the organization running the gangs.

And so time passed, my great self pickpocketed enough to keep my money in stable condition. As predicted now that the gang didn't oversee the slums, crime rates increased dramatically. I thought it was bad when I originally showed up, it's far worse, crime is basically rampant here.

Something the masterful I thought was interesting, was, that every time somebody who was seemingly relatively successful in their illegal ventures, thay oddly seemed to disappear.

While I was in the gang I learned that: there were 4 gangs in the slums all of them tolerating each other's existences just enough, that a relative equilibrium was reached. So it seems likely that another gang will soon come in to take the Gray Cobra gang's place.

Finally, it became time to see the info dealer again. Heading into the office he gave me a stack of papers, which is surprising because paper is very expensive, but I did pay 4 gold for his damned services, so this is the least that he could have done. He also asked if I wanted anything else, the nincompoop. I said no, and headed straight home.

I head into my room and sit down on my bed because the only chair is occupied. I get comfortable and start reading through the info.

Apparently, the academy was created about 500 years ago by the kingdom's arch-mage. It was made to educate the high class in magic. The academy pumps out about 50 mages a year.

It is widely believed that the place is blessed by the god of knowledge. Because, Apparently in the academy knowledge is digested easier. I find this claim suspect, but in a world of fantasy, anything can be true.

The academy is divided into 4 years, first years wear dark green robes, second years wear white, third years wear gray, fourth years purple and graduates wear blue robes.

All students are given Identification necklaces shaped like teardrops that are bonded to their souls. If this necklace senses the wearer's death, it will send an alert to the academy of its and the wearer's death location. As I thought my genius never stops to impress me, if I had let the idiot wizard get crushed underneath the rubble, I would have probably been found by now.

If someone tries to enter the academy without the necklace, they will immediately get caught with unknown magic and get punished.

Looking over the info I found nothing about the enchanted ring. Then I imagine that this is some sort of magic Item that she bought herself, or more likely as she is probably rich, someone gifted her. I'm still not putting it on.

The info also has a small part of the academy's layout. It only has where the main building is, which is where the actual learning happens, the dorms for all the students, and the clock tower which chimes at certain times of the day, considering it's in the middle of the whole academy it's probably some sort of magic.

I am annoyed to find that the rest of the information is the people who will be joining the academy for the next semester, which starts in 2 weeks. Looking over their information I find nothing of note, there are just the children of the higher crust of the city.

But as I am looking through the info one of the children catches my eyes, his name is Jeldard Ustos. He is the bastard of Bigil Ustos, one of the viscounts of the kingdom. After he was about 5, his father severely burned his face to signify him being a bastard and ordered healers to not heal it, which sounds a bit extreme but hey I'm not complaining.

Apparently, he applied himself diligently to his studies, laboring to earn his father's approval and deem him worthy of entrance into the academy. After his unwavering dedication, his relentless efforts bore fruit, his father, impressed by the display of intelligence, finally granted permission for him to enroll in the magic academy. Truly heartwarming. He has about the same height as me, has the same colored hair, the same skin color, only our voices and eye colors differ.

A plan started appearing in my divine head, a great plan.