Obstacles to Navigate

Augustine asked no more questions after Norah's reply. He had faith in Norah. Instead, he steered the conversation away to a more comfortable topic.

"Norah, you've been at this school for a year now. Don't you think that it's time for you to accept another student under you?"

"None have caught my eye. I refuse to lower my standards so that certain people may brag."

Augustine shrugged his shoulders lightly. The refusal didn't faze him since Augustine had placed no importance on the question. It was only asked for formalities. He simply needed an excuse when those nobles pestered him.

Thinking of those nobles, Augustine's mood soured. He waved his hand, shooing Norah away. "Go away and take that parcel with you. I have much work to do. I am a busy man after all."

Norah felt exasperated at the fickle chairman. This man was the revered chairman of the Magic Association, head of the Imperial college, yet his mood swung between different extremes like a pendulum.

…

It wasn't a long walk back to the teacher's dormitory. As one of the four buildings built for the faculty, it was a simple three-story structure. All the floors were used to house the professors.

Professor Lumen lived on the second floor, in room 209. To call it a room was but an understatement. It was actually a small apartment holding a kitchen, an open area where he hosts guests, a bathroom, and two smaller rooms used as his study and bedroom. The decorations were sparse, yet still kept a certain sort of warmth which signified that this was someone's beloved home.

As soon as he got home, Norah tossed the unopened package into his study. It arced and landed perfectly on his desk. Then he started to prepare his dinner. Although the College had a dining hall, Norah preferred to cook his meals.

Since the Imperial College built upon a floating island with an ever-changing location, getting frequent shipments was costly. Thus, the island was self-sufficient with its own economy.

With their own currency and own producers, there was little want of the outside world. Sometimes, the things produced by those on the island were far superior and far cheaper too.

Norah started his stove by lighting some wood. Those who had magic did not need to go through such a hassle. The Imperial College is a school designed for those with the ability to wield magic. Every student enrolled must be able to wield magic. But, the ability to use magic is manifested at different ages. Some could use it at five, while others would only manifest it at eighteen. Any younger or older than that range is impossible.

Therefore, the Magic Association and the Empire had jointly created the island. The duty was to house and teach those who could wield magic. The children would grow up on the island, learn to manage their powers before being admitted into the Imperial College. The scenario only applied to commoners and those who manifested their abilities under eighteen. Under eighteen, there was the risk of uncontrollable bursts of power. On the island, there were many mages who could prevent the worst of damage. So it was mandatory for the children to be under watch. Of course, unless one is a noble.

Nobles had the privilege and power to hire a mage to personally manage the power of their children until they were eighteen. Once eighteen, the aristocratic children must head to the floating island to attend the Imperial College.

The island is led by the Imperial College and Magic Association's chairman, Augustine Rex. He controls both the college and the affiliated singular city upon the island, Caligo. Augustine was only the chairman in name for the true ruler of the Magic Association was someone else.

Norah proceeded to cook, boiling vegetables and searing his steak until it was adequate for consumption. Mindlessly, he plated and ate his meal before cleaning up.

He walked to the study, picking up the parcel from the desk. Norah stood there for a while, fiddling with the parcel, but not opening it. Finally, he opened a drawer in his desk and threw the package in.

The item in the package held no significance to the current him.

There were more pressing matters to be dealt with. Soon would be the entrance ceremony for the first years. Professor Lumen taught the most important class of Year 1 students: General Studies of Magic. It is there, Professor Lumen's class, that the children will get exposed to the different branches of magic. It greatly affected the choices of the students' profession in Year 2.

He had already drawn up a lesson plan for Year 1 students and will have to present it at the faculty meeting tomorrow. Ah, the other professors will pester him again.

General Studies of Magic was the only course that Professor Lumen taught that was required for all. His other courses were all supplementary and available from Year 2 and beyond. Although they were extra, they were not unpopular. In fact, it was the contrary. They were a little too popular. The other professors would often tease Norah, claiming that he was stealing their proteges away.

Speaking of proteges, Professor Lumen currently had one under his tutelage. He would have to create a separate plan for him too. Professor Lumen sighed. There was truly much work to be done and no time to fester over what could be and what ifs.

Norah pulled out the leather chair from his desk and sat down on it. He grabbed a blank paper from the pile upon his desk and pulled out a fountain pen from his pocket. The fountain pen was clearly loved. There were markings on it, indicating that it was often used, yet it did not degrade its image. Instead, it caused an antique feeling upon seeing it.

Norah filled it with ink and started to write. It was going to be a long night.