Leylin followed the shadow slave and passed through several corridors, two large halls, and a garden. It then stopped in front of an area designated as experimental labs by an opaque bronze plaque.
The shadow slave turned translucent and immediately passed through the door, leaving Leylin outside. He did not knock on the door since there would be no point. It was evident that the dark ball would fetch the professor. Therefore, he just waited outside patiently.
After a moment, there came a middle-aged man's voice denoting civility: "Please, enter."
The youth did not hesitate and pushed the doors of the experimental lab open.
A sweet and spicy aroma filled the laboratory room, mingling with the odor of poisonous fumes and liquids, which made Leylin furrow his brows outwardly. Under his mask though...
'I could swear the first lab I had built in New York smelled just like this! Oh, the memories... Anyway, let's see what I am greeted with. I just hope the man is competent enough, and all will be well.'
[That was quite the change in mood, Doctor. A few minutes ago I could swear you were brooding.] -The A.I. noted.
'You know I'm not one to get stuck in just one idea or emotion. Things are taking place all around me, and fast. I cannot afford to lag behind.'
A huge table took up the space of almost half the lab. Placed on top of it were various test tubes, flasks, and beakers, as well as some other apparatus that neither Leylin nor Aralis could identify yet.
In front of the laboratory table, there stood a white-haired, middle-aged man who wore white robes denoting his status as a consolidated Magus. His collar was embroidered with golden patterns, and his irises emitted an indistinct golden light, like two golden gems protected by a display case.
"Welcome to my alchemy lab. My name is Kroft, and even though I've already received the details about your registration from the shadow slave, I would appreciate it if you introduced yourself properly." -The white-robed man told in an authentically gentle voice.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Lord Kroft. I, this humble acolyte, am Leylin Farlier; the firstborn son of Viscount John Farlier. My aptitude is only of the third grade, but what I lack in talent I make up for in dedication." -After his eloquent statement, the youngster did a proper noble's bow.
[Technically, you did not lie once. Except for the 'humble' part.] -Aralis chimed in.
'In fact, I did. It was not a pleasure to meet him.' -The Farlier heir corrected.
"The feeling is mutual, Leylin. So, are you willing to become my apprentice?" -The man named Kroft put down the test tube in his left hand and spoke gravely.
"It would be my honor, Lord Kroft." -Leylin responded, keeping an even tone.
"Marvelous... Since the necessary arrangements have been taken care of by the academy, I'll accept you as my disciple starting now. Oh and please, drop all of that nobility etiquette with me. It is not expected from you, as long as you treat me with the respect I'm due as your teacher." -Kroft stroked his beard, a warm smile painting his face.
"I am in your care then, Professor Kroft." -Leylin returned the smile but did not bow this time.
"You definitely seem like a decent fellow, Leylin. I look forward to working with you." -The man told, as he quickly swept his eyes across the room.
'Well, I'll be damned. I've actually gone and chosen the nice guy from all of the possible pieces-of-shit teachers in this academy. I am just hoping this guy does not have a secret dark side to him. I would on one hand find it very interesting to deal with, but on the other, a naive and tame person will be easier to deceive and manipulate to my own ends.' -Leylin concluded.
"Although the spiritual conditions in my lab are normal, it's enough to let you undergo the initiation. It is very peaceful around here and we won't be disturbed in the process."
"Pardon me, but what initiation are you talking about?" -Leylin had some doubts.
"The initiation of a Magus, of course! It's fine if you don't know what it is. You'll find that it is quite easy." -Kroft replied.
Leylin only nodded in understanding.
"Now describe to me, Leylin. What is a Magus to you?"
'Guess I'll give him the 'kid filled with dreams' response...'
"A mysterious person with the ability to call forth thunder and storms, manipulate flames and other forces of nature!" -Leylin said with feigned enthusiasm.
"Correct... However, it's not the full answer." -Kroft mentioned.
"A Magus is a title we have given since ancient times to people with the power and knowledge on how to control and manipulate the energy within ourselves, our world, and the universe itself. They are ever-persistent in their pursuit of wisdom and the truth of all things." -Kroft explained to Leylin.
"So it is to say, the title of Magus is not limited to only humans?" -Leylin tried probing for more information on the subject.
"Indeed. There are demi-humans and other completely different sentient beings who have Magi existing among their population. For example, a Magus of the sea tribes, or even a dragon Magus." -Kroft said, ostensibly growing lively because of his new apprentice's inquisitive character.
'This does nothing to surprise me. I did encounter a talking storm that could conjure up spells, back in the dirigible...'
[Do I make a note for you to research this later?]
'You know the drill. This is surely something we'll come back to at some point, but right now there are a hundred more pressing matters for me to look into.'
"Alright, enough chatter. Now let us begin the rites. You don't have to be afraid, it's very simple." -Kroft declared, as he positioned himself in the center of the room.
Leylin scoffed to himself.
At that moment, the floor around Kroft visibly changed into another unknown material softer than stone. Transforming into a spell formation of sorts, calming energy emanated from within as it spread through the lab.
Lastly, the surroundings turned dark, with only a blue flame lit above and in front of Kroft's head.
"Give me your hand."
Leylin stretched his hand out and the older palm of the white robe clasped it firmly.
"Abiding by the rites of ancient times, I shall guide you -Leylin Farlier- onto the path of a Magus! Recite after me...!"
'Damn. I did not consider the possibility of forging an actual magical pact with this fool.' -Leylin clicked his tongue within his mind.
"I swear, I will forever remain in the pursuit of truth..." -Kroft used an unfamiliar language, but Leylin understood it completely, and his mouth could not help but produce the same sounds.
"I swear, I will forever remain in the pursuit of truth..." -As it was a voice of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old youth, there was still a little immaturity in his voice.
"Without the permission of my mentor, I swear that I will not reveal any of the information he passes on to me..." -Kroft continued to recite and Leylin mirrored him.
The two voices very soon eerily turned into one. In the heart of the formation, the flame suddenly grew brighter and blazed strongly.
"There, the ritual is complete. Congratulations on formally becoming an acolyte. I officially welcome you to my lab as my apprentice." -Kroft endorsed Leylin.
"Professor, could you answer me one question?" -Leylin did not want to waste the opportunity to find out more on a particular topic.
"Why, of course... As long as it is not about something too specialized, you may ask away freely." -Kroft returned to work at his table.
"Just now it resembled as if you spoke in the Byron language, and yet despite my ignorance of it, I understood every word you recited and was even capable of repeating them. Why is that?" -Leylin squinted his eyes.
"You are truly a curious one! See, whenever a Magus performs any kind of spell formation or wields a magic artifact, there is a residual charge of mana that escapes their soul. We Magi are able to interact with the residual energy, and can on a subconscious level absorb its hidden truths. Naturally, as one grows in power, it becomes viable to actively seek out this experience when in the presence of the energies."
Kroft continued, as he sat on a nearby stool.
"The release of this subtle energy is inevitable, and only by deploying a certain kind of barrier, can a Magus prevent it from being 'read' by other Magi. These barriers are used mainly in combat or when casting our most advanced and secret techniques. But in your case, not only did I have no intention to keep you from those truths, but I even encouraged it... And I am glad to see it paid off for you immediately. You're already beginning to think like a Magus. Stay on that road and you'll get far, Leylin."
The middle-aged man stroked his beard as he gazed at his student, and then went back to his project to let the boy digest his brief lecture.
'I couldn't ask for more in my first day. Professor Niceguy has already given me the clues I was planning to look for first thing in the morning... The Byron language mystery is hereby solved, and this also reinforces my theory on the nature of the arcane arts. I can now move on to cultivating that meditation technique from the crystal ball.' -Leylin felt assuaged, as he unwittingly stopped to look down at both of his hands.
After the mysterious rites, it seemed like he saw the world in a different light, yet at the same time, he couldn't pinpoint the difference.
[Doctor, I'm sorry to interrupt your celebrating, but I've found something odd in your brainwave readings. I don't know if it is bad or harmful for you, but I do know that your initiation had something to do with it.] -The A.I.'s feminine voice sounded with a business-like tone.
'I'd wager it is a change in my spiritual force; but since we don't have any additional information regarding this field, there's nothing to be done at the moment. As I once had promised, I will supplement your database soon.' -Leylin thought determined.
"The meditation technique in the crystal ball has already been given to you, right? Take a look at it when you go back to your room. Since you've completed your initiation, you are now ready to absorb the information contained within it." -Kroft brought Leylin out of his deliberations.
[You were already meaning to do that...] -Said Aralis with a figurative bored expression.
"You may leave now, my apprentice. Tomorrow, come here at six in the morning. Not one minute late!" -Kroft warned with a tone that betrayed the seriousness of his words.
"I'll do as you bid, Mentor." -Leylin waved goodbye and then walked out of the experimental lab.
|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|
'Here we are; the dormitories. I would've got lost in this maze of passages and chambers if not for you, Aralis.'
[I aim to please you, Doctor.] -She said happily.
Leylin was referring to the virtual mapping his A.I. assistant had worked on since he had first arrived at the academy's graveyard facade. The map was still far from finished, but it already showed the general layout of the extensive installations compounding the school, which allowed Leylin to get around without too much trouble.
After reaching the dorms, Leylin took the card key out from the sack issued by the old man. The card was an exact reproduction of the one he had used back at Death Beach Camp, thus serving as the final proof concerning his argument about this world's technology.
The key was labeled '783'. Right now, it was rather making a cold ambiance in the dorms, and together with how vacant the hallways were, it could drive one to believe it was an abandoned underground castle.
Leylin walked through the empty corridors, as he serenely listened to the echo of his footsteps.
Following the room numbers, he quickly found his own. Leylin swiped the card next to the door pommel, and the heavy metal of the lock produced a click.
As the large door opened, the darkroom automatically produced a flame.
'They even used the principles of magic to invent a system comparable to a smart sound activation system. These Magi... I can't wait to be the owner of all their knowledge. All of their powers...' -Leylin smiled innocently, contrasting with the dark and twisted ideas brewing in his mind at that moment.
The young teen placed his belongings down on the bed and inspected the place in which he was purportedly going to live for the next 5 years.
His dorm was a bit on the small side in general, but Leylin cared not for the amount of space. Rather, he prioritized its optimization.
The room was divided into three areas: the bedroom, study room, and bathroom. They were essentially self-contained living quarters, and there was even a complimentary package stored in the closet which contained daily essentials like basic food, various hygiene products, and an extra set of bedsheets. Everything looked prim and proper.
[I think we can both agree that this is a far cry from that dirty place they put you in back at the acolytes' inn.]
'Not one element out of place. Each furnishing is functional and keeps an air of rustic style. Spotless clean environment... Not bad at all.'
Straightaway, Leylin leisurely sat on his bed and took out the black sack given to him by the overseer wizard.
[Doctor, that set of robes in your hand has significant traces of mana radiation. There must be several charms cast on it. I've also run a series of simulations of its structure, and its level of protection should be equivalent to that second hand chainmail armor you left behind at Death Beach Camp.] -The A.I. dutifully informed her Master.
'Good job. As soon as you can get past the mana radiation interference, do a full scan of every object in my possession, my room, and even my body itself. You can do it as a background task, but send me a report if you find anything unusual. I don't trust these Magi not to put any type of locating or control spells on the acolytes to keep them under scrutiny.'
Leylin efficiently changed into the grey robes and pinned his acolyte badge to his chest. This attire was exactly the same as the one other he had seen other passer-by acolytes wearing.
What Leylin did next was to unpack the rest of his things, and do a closer inspection of the room in case there were any suspicious items he needed to get rid of. He could not know if there were any surveillance formations hidden within, so he would make the mistake of dropping his mask when he was in the 'privacy' of his dorm.
Once he was finished and went out to the hallway, the doors of the dorm beside him opened almost a second later.
A brown-haired acolyte walked out of it: "Hello, are you a new acolyte? I am Bill!"
[So, you got a nosy neighbor.]
"Greetings. I am Leylin, and I have just arrived today at the academy." -Leylin replied disinterestedly. "Excuse me now, friend, but I was about to go for a bite at the Dining Hall."
Hearing Leylin's voice, Bill's expression resembled as if he had expected it: "Right now it's pretty late, and it just happens that I'm about to go there too. Let's go together?"
Leylin clicked his tongue inwardly: 'For fuck's sake... Is this guy a spy? Or is he coincidentally this meddlesome? Anyhow, I might as well domesticate this NPC to be my obedient tool. Can't ever get too many of those. And if he is indeed a spy, I will find out in this way too, so that's two birds with one stone.'
"I couldn't ask for more. Let us go, Bill." -Leylin smiled gently as he locked his door.
"The Dining Hall is on level 3, and everything there is free. Of course, you could try to fork out some money and let them prepare whatever dish you want to eat!" -Bill led the way as he explained.
[If there is someone rich enough to waste precious magic crystals on food, they're probably teachers or the descendants of some grand empire.] -The A.I. noted.
"I am from the Poolfield Kingdom, and you?" -Bill wanted to do some small talk.
"A small territory nobody really knows about. It is located on the Chernobyl Islands."
"Heavens! So far?! You have definitely suffered along the way, huh?"
"I'll admit it was hard. Lost some good friends, too... But that is all in the past!" -Leylin faked the conduct of a resigned teen who was haunted by certain painful memories.
The neighbor was obviously a chatterbox, and Leylin managed to probe some information out from him in the subsequent conversation.
Bill was the same as him; a new acolyte, and had only arrived five days earlier than Leylin did. This made his suspicion about his being a spy diminish, but they would not disappear completely. As for the whole of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, the professors numbered close to a hundred, while the acolytes numbered over a thousand.
"Oh right, I forgot to ask! Who is your mentor?" -Bill asked.
[Soooo nosy...]
"Lord Kroft, head of the Department of Potioneering." -Leylin rolling his eyes without anyone noticing.
'The intel he has supplied me was not precisely useful, but I can at least confirm my estimated total of professors in the academy. In that compendium of available mentors we had to choose from, there were only 70 or so... Which means the other 30 are either the cream of the crop or have maxed their number of apprentices.'
"Alchemy? You must be really good, then!" -Bill was seemingly astounded.
"Why do you say that?" -Leylin raised a brow.
"You mean you don't know?! Not only is it very difficult, but to progress along the path of potion-making one requires a huge amount of resources and ingredients. People who don't come from a good family background will rarely choose alchemy for this reason. Notwithstanding, alchemists do tend to generate a lot of money after they have been certified..." -Bill gave Leylin a regretful look.
"You must have been randomly assigned a mentor during the selection, and then duped by that python Spotty! I feel for you, Leylin!" -The chatty acolyte tried to console his new friend.
'This bag of flesh and bones is not worth my time. His limited mindset is capable of taking away my appetite... But I can't tell him to fuck off yet. He may have some uses for me in the future.' -The Farlier heir thought bitterly.
"Oh really? Well, I think I'll find out just how bad it is tomorrow." -Leylin rubbed his nose, pretending to be simple-minded.
"At last, we're here at the Dining Hall. Grab whatever you want to eat, I'll find a table for us!"
The academy's mess was extremely extravagant, and the food was more delicious than what even the dirigible had to offer. Everyone who sat here was a grey-robed acolyte, and there were no signs of a Magus.
'Surely, they would not mingle with the lower members of this institution. There must be an exclusive lounge for Magus graduates and teachers. Or they may even have their own kitchens in their quarters.'
After dinner, Leylin had bid farewell to Bill and then returned to his room.
He was presently sat on his bed, with the portable crystal ball clutched between his hands.
'This is it. My first cultivation as a Magus. Let this mark the beginning of my ascension!' -Leylin's eyes flickered with ambition.