Chapter 9. Magic Schools
“Your Harmonization Method is already quite good. Just make sure you do not make that mistake next time.”
“Understood. Thank you, Instructor. I was a little distracted at that moment…”
In the end, Fulan admitted that it had been her own mistake and did not mention that this had actually been her first time brewing a Strength Potion.
“Since you are already capable of brewing potions on your own, I will keep my promise and recommend you to the Alchemists’ Association.”
That is exactly what I was waiting for—the Alchemists’ Association, Fulan thought.
In this otherworldly society filled with powerful factions, where recommendations were required almost everywhere, the Alchemists’ Association was a classic example.
It had almost completely monopolized all potion formulas. Only a small number of relatively useless ones were made public.
The Strength Potion was a perfect example of this.
Its effect was to increase the user’s strength.
The problem, however, was that the effect was extremely weak. When the user’s Constitution was low, the potion could increase it slightly. But the higher one’s Constitution already was, the smaller the improvement became.
On top of that, the formula was printed in the massively distributed book “Basic Compendium of Herbs,” which meant that the market supply of Strength Potions was enormous while the demand was very small.
Sometimes they even had to be sold at a loss.
The truly profitable potion formulas, however, could only be exchanged by members of the Alchemists’ Association.
Furthermore, the Association monopolized the purchase and sale channels of those potions, taking a storage fee from every single bottle…
Fortunately, as long as someone genuinely met the requirements, obtaining a recommendation was not particularly difficult.
At worst, the cost of practice materials would simply be quite high.
Lita took out a sheet of purple paper, wrote Fulan’s name in the blank space, and handed it to her.
“Just give this to the front desk of the Alchemists’ Association. After registering your information there, someone will guide you through the Association…”
“Thank you, Instructor Lita… However, may I ask you a few questions?”
Lita was in a good mood and did not refuse.
“You may ask. But we do not have much time. I still have a gathering to attend later.”
Fulan spoke.
“Could you tell me about Magic Schools?”
“Oh?” Lita looked at Fulan before suddenly understanding. “That makes sense. You will need to choose a school soon as well…”
Lita cleared her throat before beginning her explanation.
“You should know that some apprentices call themselves ‘Senior Apprentices,’ correct?”
Fulan nodded.
“The reason they call themselves that is because they truly have the potential to become official mages.”
Fulan noticed that Lita’s tone changed slightly as she said this, as if there was some story behind it.
“The ones who determine whether they have the potential to become official mages are the examinations held by the various societies under the Magic Schools. Once you pass, you may call yourself a Senior Apprentice.”
“The key point is that after joining those societies, you gain the opportunity to compete for the position of an official mage.”
Compete?
Do you actually have to fight for the chance to become an official mage?
Whenever she had a question, Fulan asked it immediately. It was one of her good habits.
“Instructor, do people really have to compete in order to become official mages?”
“Yes and no…” Lita sighed. “Once you become a Senior Apprentice and join those societies, you will eventually realize that your spells stop improving. Your magical research makes no progress at all. When you experience that kind of helplessness, you will understand why competition becomes so important.”
So that happens too?
Fulan blinked.
Still, she was not worried. She did not believe that her spells would ever stagnate as long as she had her game-like panel.
“Now, I should explain the apprentice training system of Cuilan Academy and the entire City of Apprentices,” Lita continued. “The academy is only responsible for educating you during your apprentice stage. It does not handle anything beyond that.”
“What you might not know is that the academy conducts an annual evaluation at the end of every year. In previous years, apprentices who could not cast a spell by the end of their first year were expelled and could no longer study at the academy.”
“However, this year the Headmaster proposed giving them another opportunity. Those apprentices may continue studying magic within the army.”
Wait… so I misunderstood the Headmaster?
Fulan’s mouth twitched.
The Headmaster was actually someone who fought for more opportunities for apprentices and refused to abandon any of them.
It was all because the apprentices liked to add conspiracy theories whenever they talked about the battlefield.
Things like: “We apprentices cannot do anything anyway. Once we go there, who knows what they will do to us? They will probably crack open our skulls and use our brains as giant magical amplifiers…”
“After the first year,” Lita continued, “the academy stops holding annual evaluations. Apprentices are free to choose any courses they want. Those with strong spellcasting ability may join the societies under the Magic Schools.”
“Cuilan Academy has a three-year system. If you fail to join one of those societies within three years, you will graduate and can no longer continue learning magic here.”
“However, apprentices who join those societies may remain in the academy until they become official mages.”
As she said this, Lita’s tone carried a hint of melancholy.
“Returning to the competition for becoming an official mage… Only apprentices who have joined those societies are eligible to participate.”
“There is also an evaluation held every year at the end of the year. All society apprentices in the entire city take part.”
“Those who achieve high rankings receive precious resources—new spells, items that increase Spirit, or even things that directly improve one’s mastery of magic…”
Lita sighed again before continuing.
“As for which Magic School you choose to join, that is entirely up to you. Everyone has a school that suits them best. I will not recommend one.”
Fulan nodded again before asking another question.
“Instructor Lita, if I want to learn new spells, where should I look?”
This was currently her biggest problem.
She still did not possess a single offensive spell. She had come to learn magic, yet she had ended up fighting purely in close combat. Unfortunately, she had not been able to find any suitable spells so far.
“Oh? That…” Lita thought for a moment before answering.
“You could obtain spells the same way you obtained the Harmonization Method. If you perform excellently in courses, you may receive spells as rewards. Alternatively, you could join the societies under the Magic Schools. They have a well-established exchange system within them.”
However, after looking at Fulan, Lita felt that those methods were probably too distant for her right now.
“You could also visit the Emerald Heart Tavern in the Apprentice Market. Look for a man wearing a hat decorated with feathers. His name is Elan. Just speak to him directly. A spell usually costs a few dozen silver coins.”
A few dozen silver coins again…
Fulan currently had no money at all. She had even wanted to purchase a combat technique but lacked the funds.
It seemed she had to hurry to the Alchemists’ Association and start making money.
After thanking Lita again, Fulan asked her final question.
“Instructor, have you ever heard of Richter?”
Although her future self had defeated him easily, she still believed it was wise to understand her enemy in advance.
Lita looked somewhat surprised, but she answered.
“Richter is a member of the Life Renewal Society under the Modification School. He has been an apprentice at Cuilan Academy for five years and is a strong contender for a high ranking in the evaluation…”
“Why are you asking about him?”
“It is nothing. I am asking for a friend.”