Chương 79: The College of Advancement

"Quite busy," I said while looking at the massive plaza that was filled with thousands of people applying to the College of Advancement. People were filling out the application forms with great intensity. Both older people and people my age were applying. We arrived early to avoid the crowd, but so did others.

"Indeed. We need to find where you should go," Healer Melon said. There were several guards directing people, and elite guards in the background watching over everything.

"Excuse me, where do pre-selected applicants go?" I asked a guard.

"You should go on over there. Under the golden banner with the College's symbol," he said. I looked at where he was pointing.

"Thank you." Healer Melon and I made our way over. A woman with a serious expression held a clipboard, guarding a roped-off area near a building.

"Name," she said as we approached.

"Justin Burnstock. My letter of acceptance came from The Mathemancer," I said. Her frown and stern look softened quite a bit as I handed the documentation over.

"Mister Burnstock, your prompt arrival on the first day of admission is welcome and appreciated. The man with you is your retainer?"

"Yes, Healer Melon of the Five Star Institute of Healing," I replied, and she nodded.

"Excellent. Staff Member Melody has been assigned to guide you for the entrance. She is one of the best."

"Isn't there an interview?" I asked, and the old woman nodded and glanced at the sheets in my hand.

"Indeed, there is. I see you have your status sheet already prepared, which is good. We will verify several of the skills and ensure that you are entering the school under your own desire. However, we waived the pre-admission screening." I got to skip a step, which was nice.

"Now, ask the attendant to help you find Staff Member Melody inside, and they will take you directly to the school." We went inside the building, and I let the attendant at the doorway know I was looking for Staff Member Melody. A middle-aged woman with a big smile came over. I noticed that most of the people were humans, not dwarves.

"Mister Justin Burnstock?" she asked me.

"Yes, Staff Member Melody?" I asked.

"Indeed. I have the name badge and everything," she said with a smile while gesturing at the gold name badge on her chest. It had her picture and name on it. The picture used material other than gold, capturing her appearance in high-definition color. It wasn't a painting, but a new technique of artwork.

"Are you ready to head to the College?"

"Yes."

"And you, sir. A retainer?"

"Yes, Healer Melon from the Five Star Institute of Healing," he replied, and she nodded.

"Rarely do we get a healer as a retainer. But as a healer, you are welcome. Come, let us go to the elevator to get to the College." We followed her through a long hallway.

"What happens now? I was told I got to skip the pre-interview?"

"We screen most applicants with a pre-interview before admittance. Someone rarely gets fast-tracked like you. It requires more than just connections or wealth. Only the Dean can approve such things. Once we get to the College, I will review your status sheet and do a final confirmation regarding your skills. Then, I will assist you with class selection and settling in. I am also your advisor for your time here in the College of Advancement."

"I am guessing most people don't get individual treatment?"

"Typically, we arrange students in groups of ten. Those who have more promise get better advisors. For most staff members, it is a second responsibility on top of their primary responsibilities, like food preparation, security, or other staff services. However, I am a full-time advisor here to assist students who will likely reach graduation."

"That is good to hear. I have a lot of questions, and I have already reviewed the course book for this year," I said as we reached a large metal elevator. It was big enough to fit four magical carriages.

"Admirable. It shows your attention to detail and desire to improve. Both traits will help you reach graduation and become a full graduate of the College of Advancement." We stepped inside the elevator. There was only one person at the controls. The door quickly closed, and we ascended.

"Not waiting for other people?" I asked. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"No. They can group up below for when the elevator returns. There is no need to wait for others. You must embrace this mindset. If you aren't first and getting ahead, you are already falling behind."

"Don't worry, I know how to work hard and get ahead. I am probably the most advanced student in relation to their age your College has ever received."

"A bold claim, but a possibility. You are at the minimum age we allow entrants who have received approval from the Dean himself. That isn't simple."

"My ears," I muttered.

"Just the pressure changes from the air. Swallow while keeping your mouth open to equalize the pressure in your head."

"So, the College is above Undercraft?"

"Yes. It allows us to take advantage of the city while remaining separate. Supplies, people, and other goods always go up and down this elevator. It has an alloy steel structure of incredible strength surrounded by a layer of rock. There are two separate safety mechanisms, so there is no need to worry about falling or having an accident. And now here we are."

"That was quick."

"There is passive runework reducing the effects of acceleration, making travel up and down incredibly quick," Melody explained as the operator for the elevator opened the doors. A cool, clean breeze refreshed us. The intense light in the sky made me blink multiple times. We stepped off the elevator, which closed behind us and descended. We were in a large courtyard, with the elevator building behind us. It opened directly onto multiple roads that converged at the elevator.

Up above, in front of me, there was a massive tower, looming over everything. There were buildings below it, then a large amount of carefully manicured grounds as good as the Burnstock estate's own grounds. There were some more buildings, followed by an enormous wall around the perimeter. This was the College of Advancement, the pinnacle of learning skills and rapidly advancing them.

"Welcome, Mister Burnstock, to the College of Advancement. The premier educational institution in the entire world, overseen by the Dean, the Supreme Legend, The Mathemancer. For the next several years, you will compete against other students to graduate from this elite institution, ascending to even greater heights," Melody declared proudly while gesturing with her arm at the massive institution.

"It is huge!"

"Of course it is. It is practically a small city. With almost 32, 000 students, 20, 000 staff members, 1, 000 Assistant Professors, 180 Professors, 40 legends, 7 Assistant Deans, and course tracks, and 1 Dean, this is the pinnacle of education both figuratively and literally. The central tower houses the Dean, who controls the College's defenses, and is where the Professors and Legends live. Our defenses include the weather ward, which protects us from the harsh weather in the mountains.

The seven departments and Assistant Deans control the surrounding buildings. That is where you will take your courses. The outer buildings are for the students and staff members. Now let's get you through your final interview and registered." We followed Melody to a nearby building.

"First one Melody?" an older man asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"Well, interview room one," he replied, and we made our way into the room. I sat in the chair after Melody pointed to it. An orb was sitting on top of a table in front of me.

"This is a truth orb. Please remove any items that might conceal your status and place them in this tray. You can also set your status sheets to the side over here." I took off one of my rings and put the status sheets on the side.

"Good. I will use various skills to check your answers and your status. If you have lied on your status sheets, now is the time to say so."

"I filled them out yesterday so that they might be a level or so higher today?"

"That is fine. A level or two off is not a big deal. But anything three or more levels would require a more in-depth investigation, and I would need to get my supervisor. There shouldn't be an issue. Now I am going to ask you to put your hands on the Truth Orb. I will also use my skills and ask you questions. Any questions or concerns before I proceed?"

"No," I replied and put my hands on the crystal orb in front of me. It glowed yellow.

"Only answer yes or no. Have you entered this College and this place under pretenses or intending to cause harm or disruption?"

"No," I replied, and the orb glowed green. I felt a surge in Mana from Melody as she kept a hand outstretched towards me.

"Do you plan to cause disruption or intend to harm the environment, students, staff, or professors while you are studying at the College?"

"No," I answered.

"Were you forced to enroll in the College against your will?"

"No," I answered. The orb was still green, but there were some specks of red.

"Is your status sheet that you have submitted truthful to the best of your knowledge?"

"Yes," I replied, and it glowed green.

"Excellent. You can remove your hands."

"That's it?"

"Yes. Did a parent pressure you to attend?"

"My mother encouraged me, but ultimately it is my decision," I replied, and she nodded.

"That is fine. We don't want students who don't want to be here. That would waste time for everyone. Some encouragement is expected. Healer Melon, you will have to be asked similar questions as well."

"I understand," he replied. He passed all the questions with ease and had to show his identification from the Five Star Institute of Healing.

"Excellent. Now stand against that wall. I will take your photograph and get a silver identification made up for you," she said. We both got our pictures taken, and then another assistant took the camera and the crystal orb out of the room while we sat back down at the table. She still hadn't looked at my status sheets.

"You are enrolling as a silver student. We rank people like the Adventurer's Guild, but not based on level, but based on ability to learn. Of the 9, 900 students admitted through general admission, they start off as copper. The 100 recommended students start as silver. During your time here, rankings can change. A gold ranking is given to the top 10 students in each year, along with assistant professors and top staff members like myself."

"Do I get more privileges?"

"Better housing, Professors will look upon you more favorably, and priority course selection."

"I thought each course didn't have an entry limit?"

"The main courses we offer don't have a student limit. But there are around 300 sub-courses offered by Assistant Professors on more esoteric skills while they refine their teaching methodology. These courses often change and have limited spaces."

"Why would students take them?"

"The College might offer incentives if people take the courses, or they have something specific in mind they want to learn. They might also need combat or higher-tier skills, which often require personalized instruction if no suitable teaching methodology has been discovered. With a dedicated Assistant Professor overseeing these courses, the students get a boost from the Assistant Professor's skills," she explained, and I nodded.

I had been focusing on the main courses and didn't plan to change that unless something specific caught my eye.

"Now, this will be your map. Trust me, you will need it. I have included a map to my office and the hours I am present there. If you need to get a hold of me, leave a message at my office. Then we have the rulebook and main course book." I nodded as she handed over all the materials.