Enrollment

'Be that as it may, I have a camp to investigate. Time to check out the academies I can choose from.' -Leylin stretched insignificantly to loosen his tensed muscles from that painful first test.

And so, Leylin set out to roam around the campgrounds with no destination in particular. During the tour, he saw all sorts of exotic-looking tents with strange shapes and sizes.

One was like a giant mushroom, where a small fan-shaped door opened in the middle. Another academy had employed some sort of strange horned devil skull as the façade for their tent. The would-be students could walk right into the tent through the devil's ferocious mouth, as though they were stepping into a fair's haunted house.

Regardless of the themes they were built upon, however, at their entrance stood a rock sign etched with the academies' names and emblems. Under the names were various details for the acolytes to consider, such as their main specialization areas and famous Magi alumni.

Leylin did not enter any tent, and instead took a closer look at all of the signs, whilst Aralis recorded everything on them.

'It is manifest that an academy must be chosen in accordance to my elemental affinities, before anything else.'

Leylin nodded his head: 'My elemental affinity with the Dark element is the highest, so that will be the priority filter. Fire is secondary, and thus optional. The Plant element is completely negligible unless I wanted to remain as an acolyte forever.'

[Got it. Task established.]

'Wait, scratch that. I have a better idea...' -Leylin took out the Magus ring that hanged around his neck day and night.

'Aralis, scan the patterns on the ring and compare them with each of the academies' emblems. Show me the report when you're done.' -Leylin ordered, entertained by the possibility of being accurate in his hypothesis.

[Hmm, alright. Establishing task. Beginning scan... Scan complete. Comparing with symbols in my database...]

This took the A.I. a mere moment.

[Comparison finished. Here it is, Doctor.]

//

Pattern designs similarity level - Abyssal Bone Forest Academy 67.3% || Mercifura Academy 54.4% || Sage Gotham's Hut 23.1%

//

'Excellent. Just like that, we've narrowed it down to these three academies.'

[At the end of the day, would it have really mattered if I just filtered them out like usual?] -Aralis questioned.

'I ordered you to do it not because I thought it was laborious to sort out the academies, but because of the magical nature of my ring, as well as its history... If I happen to enroll in the academy with the highest similarities, it is conceivable that I encounter that Magus Leylin's great grandfather saved. Or perhaps someone who knew him. This could represent a potential benefit for me.'

[Oh, I get it now.] -The A.I. said.

[From the various descriptions of the academies, we know that Mercifura Academy specializes in the Fire and Plant elements, as well as the creation of magic artifacts. Sage Gotham's Hut is not known for any outstanding Dark element Magi either...]

Leylin then stroked his chin: 'I have no doubt about it: Abyssal Bone Forest Academy is, by all accounts, the best choice for me. They're famous for their specialization in the Dark element, and they have a reputation for pioneering in the research of souls. I would be a fool not to select this academy.'

'It's settled then. I remember their recruiting area for acolytes; it was on the east side of the camp. Let us go.'

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Leylin walked for about 10 minutes and finally reached a tent which was on the smaller side, compared to the other, more flashy ones.

This tent was constructed with numerous white bones and black stone. A series of faintly phosphorescent black bones on the marquee was arranged to present the words: 'The Abyssal Bone Forest Academy welcomes you!' The peculiar materials had scared most of the passing acolytes away, and observing this caused Leylin to grow speechless.

'Look at those pitiful brats, scared of a few dusty bones. Hah, I spit on their so-called noble lineages. Thin bloods is more like it. Unable to see through the most basic of covers... How can they hope to unravel the secrets of the universe?' -Leylin swayed his head in derision.

[How do you know it is a trick and not just their decoration tastes?] -Aralis inquired.

'Nonsense. They may like dark themes, but this is ridiculous. They don't want to be taken seriously, compared to that Ivory Tower academy, what with their palace-like tent and refreshments table... No, this academy's staff think they're so smart trying to weed out the candidates. Although, with this type of setting, they are actually inviting me in. They might as well have sent one of their members to pick me up after the aptitude test...' -Leylin thought with a hidden sneer.

He composed himself in an instant and forthwith walked into the provisional building in a casual stride.

As he entered, a cold aura that reeked of blood engulfed Leylin and made his hair stand on ends. But not for the reasons a regular person could think of...

Rather, it was because it brought him vivid memories of a simpler time in his previous life; when he did not care about concealing his true self from others. A time where he was feared by all. He had moreover assumed himself to be untouchable. But he had been wrong.

"Heh heh heh... After waiting for so long, one has come!"

"Where are you? Who is speaking?" -Leylin raised a brow.

"Excuse me! You are stepping on my hand!" -The voice traveled from beneath Leylin's feet, which made him jump in a pretended fright.

Only then did he realize that his shoes were stepping on a withered palm. Leylin hurriedly jumped away: "Sorry, my Lord!"

"No worries, but could you move your feet? They are stepping on my right leg now!"

Leylin then recognized that the ground inside the tent was uneven and there were many dried bones littered about, and earlier he had unsuspectingly stepped on some.

As Leylin moved backward, the few dried bones of hands and legs began to assemble into a skeletal figure.

[Just when I thought this world couldn't get any stranger...] -Aralis mused.

Taking a closer inspection of the figure, the Farlier detected a faint layer of mummified skin on top of this skeleton, which had covered the bones. On the skull's eye sockets, two green lights flickered faintly. This made for an extremely terrifying visage.

Leylin though, could not bring himself to feel anything other than the desire to study this specimen.

'So these guys took the bone gimmick to the next level, even going as far as putting a literal fucking skeleton in charge. This creature though... is its existence proof of necromancy in this dimension? Or it just an extremely ancient Magus whose flesh decayed over the centuries?'

"I apologize, my Lord. I did not notice your presence at all!" -Leylin gulped and hurriedly apologized.

"It's fine!" -The white bony teeth clacked and produced a human voice: "Let me introduce myself: I am a professor of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy. You may call me Dorotte. I teach in the Dark element."

"It is an honor for this son of Farlier to meet you, Lord Dorotte. I am Leylin, son of Viscount John." -Leylin bowed like proper noble.

"You coming here, it can only mean you wish to enroll in our institution. Correct?" -The bony white Dorotte conjured a black robe from nowhere and concealed its body within it. Leylin promptly soothed his expression accordingly.

"But before that, I would like to see the rules set by the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy."

"Heh, alright!" -Dorotte took out a dusty sheet of sheepskin paper from behind a desk and handed it over to Leylin.

"According to our ancient agreement, after entering the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, you are receiving the right to partake in our basic lessons. This includes a set of elementary meditation techniques, 5 years of lodging, and three meals a day for that period. All of the aforementioned is free of charge. We also allow you to use magic crystals as currency to transact for knowledge from the professors, as well as other amenities and services available..." -Dorotte discoursed nonstop, while Leylin read rapidly and compared with the information continually presented by his A.I. assistant.

He discovered that what Dorotte said was the exact same as the information on the sheepskin paper. In terms of hospitality, it was pretty similar amongst the various academies.

The feedback from Aralis also indicated that although she could not successfully scan the person in front of him, Dorotte had unintentionally released fluctuating radiation waves which implied that Dorotte's strength was above the 3 white robes of the caravan.

'Nothing surprising there. This guy is evidently a big shot.' -Leylin inferred.

"I have understood the basic terms. Now, I only need to know what kind of payment is needed to enter the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy."

"Thirteen magic crystals or an item of commensurate value." -Dorotte stated.

"I will use this item to pay for my admission." -Leylin did not hesitate and withdrew the magic ring hung around his neck.

"You seem to have an interesting toy there!" -The green lights in Dorotte's eyes flashed imperceptibly.

The bony white hand took the ring and placed it in its palm, and then took out some kind of magnifying glass and scrutinized it.

"Mmmn... It is indeed somewhat interesting; I haven't seen these patterns in a long time! It resembles something created within our Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, and there is even a carved inscription of a hastening spell formation. But it is damaged... As a low-grade magic artifact, this item is worth fifteen magic crystals."

"Therefore, kid, are you willing to exchange this ring for your school fees? Once you have decided, the ancient contract to join our Abyssal Bone Forest Academy will be effective!" -Dorotte said, with an accentuated tone.

"Yes, I am. However, my item exceeds the required value by two magic crystals..." -Leylin's resolute voice sounded.

"Are you, a simple mortal, trying to haggle with me?!" -Dorottes voice pitch was heightened and his eyes flared.

"I was informed that Magi stand by the 'equivalent exchange' doctrine. I am merely appealing for fair trade. Was I wrong to deem you an upright member of the Magi community, Lord Dorotte?" -Leylin did not flinch.

[Doctor! This thing could kill you with a turn of its palm!] -Aralis was worried but did not press further.

"Hahahaha! You have what it takes to be a Magus, kid! Here, your two crystals... I hereby declare that the contract is completed. Hand over your form to me." -Dorotte said as he gave the Farlier heir his change.

[How did you know it would not turn you to ashes...?]

'Judging by the whole set up: the bony tent, the skeleton reforming itself once I entered... This guy has a hard-on for willpower tests, so it was just a matter of throwing my dice of luck. I also needed to learn how much a powerful and eccentric Magus can bend before breaking. I was not disappointed, and even got the crystals as a bonus.'

After receiving Leylin's form, Dorotte laughed: "Dark element affinity, no wonder you chose our academy. From all the academies here at Death Beach Camp, we are the most outstanding in this branch of magic!"

The skeleton made a pause.

"Normally, third-grades and below are required to perform an additional entry test. But since you have already proven yourself to me, I hereby announce that you are admitted directly... Take this card; it is your key to one of the rooms at the acolytes' inn. Tomorrow we will set out to the school, so you had better rest!" -Dorotte took out the metal card.

Leylin received it and saw there was a number '9' branded on it.

"Then I shall do as you say and take my leave, Lord Dorotte." -Leylin bowed respectfully and walked out of the tent.

He read the instructions on the reverse side of the card and made for the area behind Death Beach Camp.