Chapter 45: Aorus Sacred Institute
Light was not in a rush to report to his dorm just yet. Instead, he preferred to explore the campus and familiarize himself with the surroundings before checking in. He knew that once he officially registered, he might be caught up with administrative duties, leaving him with little f awreedom to roam and truly experience the Aorus Sacred Institute.
As he wandered, he came across a part-time student. She was hurrying to a class but seemed approachable enough, so Light asked if she could show him around the institute. She smiled and readily agreed, giving Light a brief overview of the immense campus.
"The Aorus Sacred Institute has always been famous for its expertise in agriculture," she explained, pointing to various locations. "There are over a hundred labs scattered across the Andes Mountains. The smallest one is about the size of ten soccer fields!"
Light raised an eyebrow. "Is this place an agriculture enterprise?" he asked, half-jokingly.
The student laughed. "It might seem like that at first, but we focus on much more than farming. Still, our reputation for magical botany and cultivation is unmatched. Other reputable schools only have a few fields, but we've got plantations and fields spread across the mountains."
As they continued walking, the woman pointed towards a different part of the campus. "Over there are the dormitories, aren't they spectacular?"
Light's gaze followed her finger, landing on what looked like a scene straight out of a fairy tale. A colorful little town lay sprawled on the other side of the field, with unique buildings that appeared to float in midair. The roads were paved with marble, a material usually reserved for the interior of luxurious mansions. Yet here, it was casually strewn across paths leading to student housing.
It was clear that this institute spared no expense in maintaining its prestigious status. Everything outside the institute seemed like a slum in comparison. No wonder even part-time students here exuded an air of superiority—they belonged to an elite circle that was almost untouchable to outsiders.
Light eventually finished his tour and felt he had a good sense of the layout. He looked forward to his classes, which promised to be unlike any he had attended before. Instead of following his sisters' path of focusing on a single element, Light had chosen a different route: he would delve into Advanced Magic Formations, a discipline that would give him an edge in understanding the underlying mechanisms of magic.
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The next day, Light joined his first class on magic formations. The lecture hall was filled with over three hundred students, all from different countries and races. Despite the large number of attendees, the atmosphere was calm, almost like a professional conference rather than a typical class.
A middle-aged man stepped up to the podium. "Students, my name is Ben, and I'll be your lecturer for today," he introduced himself. His voice was steady, commanding attention without effort.
The lecture began, and the students sat in rapt attention as Ben dove into the basics of magic formations. By the time the class ended, Light felt invigorated. He had learned much in a short time, and his mind buzzed with new ideas and strategies for incorporating magic formations into his growing skillset.
He continued attending classes diligently for the first few days, taking in as much knowledge as he could. Soon, he figured out which topics interested him most and decided to only attend classes that aligned with those areas. This way, he could maximize his time for independent study and cultivation.
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Half a year flew by in the blink of an eye. During this period, Light had grown considerably, both in knowledge and power. He had taken part in various practical classes, including Excursion and Patrol classes, which offered valuable field experience. These weren't just classes—they were missions that tested the limits of the students' abilities in real-world scenarios.
Excursion classes were a popular option, as they involved trips into the Andes Mountains for training purposes. Students would have to pay fifty gold to participate, but it was worth it. Each excursion lasted anywhere from three to seven days, and the challenges they faced helped hone their magical and physical skills.
Patrol classes, on the other hand, were more focused on practical combat. In these classes, students patrolled the borders of the school and exterminated nests of demon creatures to control their population.
Light quickly learned the importance of keeping the number of these creatures in check. "Demon beasts are categorized based on their scale," one of the lecturers had explained during a Patrol briefing. "If the number of grown-up beasts in a group reaches fifty or above, it's considered a nest. When ten nests form, it becomes a pack. And if there are more than ten packs, you're dealing with a horde."
A horde was a serious threat. It usually involved over two thousand five hundred creatures, with Commander-level beasts leading the charge. Such a force was enough to trigger a Blood Alert, meaning the local authorities would have to mobilize every available mage to defend the area.
Light participated in several patrol missions over the months. Although most of the creatures they encountered were Servant-class or Warrior-level, he knew the importance of keeping their numbers down. The institute's students were encouraged to participate in these missions to keep the borders safe and to maintain their combat readiness.
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Halfway through the year, Light took a brief detour from his studies at the Aorus Sacred Institute to visit the prestigious European University Institute. He stayed there for a month and a half, joining numerous theoretical and practical classes. The competitive atmosphere was palpable, and the students were among the strongest Light had ever encountered. Still, he remained undefeated, winning battle after battle, revealing his unique talents.
His prowess in magic became well-known among the students. Light had chosen to reveal that he was a double element user—possessing six elements in total, including Space, Undead, Fire, Earth, Curse, and Shadow. His record stood at twenty-five wins and zero losses, and he had gained the respect of many of his peers.
Among those who took notice of him was Ayleen, a student from one of the most renowned clans in England. She had a sharp mind and a fierce determination, traits that Light admired. The two became fast friends, and Light appreciated her no-nonsense attitude toward both life and magic.
After the semester ended, Light and several other top students were selected to participate in an exchange program with a top institute in England. During this program, Light's strength played a key role in securing victories for his team. His contributions helped the European University Institute win the competition, solidifying his reputation even further.
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Time flew by, and before Light knew it, a year had passed since he first enrolled in the Aorus Sacred Institute. He had gained a wealth of knowledge and experience, but there was still much more to learn.
Around this time, his sisters had completed their training experience and were preparing to participate in the World College Tournament, which was being held in Venice, the city of canals. It was a prestigious event where the top magic schools from around the world sent their best students to compete.
Light arrived in Venice just in time to watch the tournament. The city was as breathtaking as ever, its waterways sparkling under the sunlight. The tournament's opening ceremony was a grand spectacle, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement.
Light's sister Athena was the captain of the national team, while Su Xuanhua served as the vice-captain. Their team had a strong reputation, and many expected them to go far in the tournament.
Light watched the early rounds with great interest, eager to see how his sisters would fare. He knew they had been training hard, and he couldn't wait to see the results of their efforts.