The Commencement Ceremony

"The nature of existence is predicated on beginnings and endings. That which is, must have at one time begun. It's easy to look up to the famed heroes and saints of the world, and just as easy to see their successes as impossible tasks. Try to remember, their journey began with a first step, and yours must as well. Everything worth doing comes with both risk and reward in varying ratios."

- Excerpt from "Ruminations of a Geezer" by Octavius Signus, known as the "Mad Scholar"

Born with a Defective Gift, he used magic and alchemy through sheer talent to live for nearly a millennia. Once respected in many fields, he became an outcast after refusing to join the Eternal Saints.

---

The next day, the accepted students gathered in front of the academy with their families and friends. Several of the faculty members stood on the gilded marble steps to the front gate, and the headmaster stepped up to the podium placed at the center of the top step.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to see the next generation of Greoburg's best and brightest take their next steps toward the future.

"Under the graces of the 'God' Trefin, our world has flourished during the peace that came from respecting the order of the world. The divine Gifts we receive often echo those who come before us can make it difficult to remember the most important rule of nature."

A hard glint entered headmaster Dunstan's eyes

"Survival is for the worthy."

The crowd remained solemn as he continued,

"Just because your precursors were worthy does not mean that you are. Results mean more than any lineage. Your Gifts, your talents, your convictions, your persistence...

"All this and more defines how far you will go in life. The greatest Gifts won't take you far without the resolve to press forward. The staunchest ideals will go unrealized without the Gifts and talents to sypport them.

"Do you have the strength, the will, the intellect, and the fortune necessary to stand above the people of Greoburg? Here we will put you to the test. You will be provided instruction, resources, and opportunities. You will show us your results. And you will be judged."

"Welcome to the Royal Academy of Greoburg."

Determination filled the eyes of the students as the headmaster stepped down from the podium and Lucia took his place.

"My name is Lucia, and I received a perfect score on the entrance exam. That means, in our class, I possess the greatest results. If this offends you, outperform me. Until we've studied long enough to hold our class elections, I am representing our class.

"My policy is simple. I've heard education here compared to a sea voyage. We're in this together. If I find someone poking holes in the metaphorical boat we're stuck on, I'm sending you out for a swim."

That got a chuckle out of te crowd.

"For those who think I'm still speaking in metaphor, you would be wrong. Troublemakers will be thrown into the nearest body of water to cool off. Behave yourselves."

Several of the young men in the crowd bristled at the implication that the young lady at the podium could make them do anything.

Gaius watched on mirthfully, looking forward to seeing them look like half-drowned cats. Some people had to learn the hard way.

The Hungry Wolves gathered with their families for a quick goodbye, and as they made their way to the campus. As they did so, Gareth had something to say.

"Great speech Lucia. I'm looking forward to watching you deal with troublemakers."

"Oh really? Too bad, that's your job."

"What!?"

"Yes. I've decided to make you my deputy. Congratulations."

"I didn't agree to this!"

"This'll be a nice change of pace. Normally, you cause trouble and I deal with it. Thanks for volunteering."

"I didn't volunteer!"

"Going back on your word? Do you need to go on the first swim?"

"I didn't promise you anything! And you couldn't make me!"

"Of course I can. You wouldn't stop me. And you told the headmaster you'd help me."

"Yeah, help you, not do your job!"

As the rest of the party fought to contain their laughter, Conrad placed his hand on Gareth's shoulder.

"Give it up."

"Easy for you to say, she didn't conscript you into her little scheme!"

"True."

"Hey!"

"She might be the best student, but she lacks the strength to enforcer her ideals. You are the strongest individual in our party. Would you rather deal with malcontent students, or a vengeful Lucia."

"...Can I just dump water on them instead of dragging them to the nearest body of water?"

Lucia thought for a moment "...No."

---

The class filed into a lecture hall for orientation. One of the exam proctors moved to take his place at the lectern.

"Congratulations on getting here. You may call me professor Servatius. Your class is a disgrace. Twenty-four of you failed the written test. The average over the last two thousand years of this Academy's existence is around ten.

"If you think passing the entrance exam means anything other than that you've met the bare minimum threshold to join us, you may as well leave now. For those who don't get it by now, practical results mean more here than theoretical, but theoretical results do matter.

"For classes, those of you that failed the written will be attending supplementary courses every Phauna's day. Otherwise, you are free to choose which courses you take on any given day. You have a minimum credit requirement by semester, failure to attain those credits is grounds for expulsion.

"For the practical part of our curriculum, you are to report to the merit hall. Upon selecting a task, you will be permitted to use our nation's teleportation array to reach the magus station closest to your goal.

"Like credits, you will need to earn a certain number of merits to continue your education here. Merit points can also be spent on rewards.

"The teleport array is normally open only to the Magus Association. You are given access to it only because you need to engage with threats and tasks all around the country while attending classes here.

"Half the challenge of your time here will be coordinating your class schedule with your party's missions, don't bother asking for leniency if you fail to properly allot your time.

"You can leave travel plans with the relevant professors and faculty if you are going on a longer mission, but it is up to them if they will tolerate your absence. It will also be up to you to pass any examinations they have for you.

"Take this time to form parties if you haven't. Taking missions solo is not permitted. Afterward, report to the registrars and coordinate your classes.

"Oh, and remember that you are not to leave Academy grounds without faculty approval. Independence is a core value here, we won't have you relying on outside support."

The lecture hall burst into activity. While half the class went around looking for a party to join or to recruit or poach members to fill the gaps left behind by rejected students. The Hungry Wolves were among those who immediately left to select their classes.

---

Daniel's Notes: While scattered, the logic of the mad scholar the touches on some fundamental truths. Though what fascinates me about his work isn't his perspective on existence, but rather his implications about non-existence.

Is Nothing truly non-existence, or rather an empty form of existence? Does Nothing have a beginning? Or did Nothing end when everything began?... Either this is a thread worth tracing for research purposes, or I've been awake for too long... I'll revisit this after I get some sleep.