Chapter 7 Admission (Part 1)
Chapter 7 Enrollment (Part 1)
As they talked, the five disembarked.
The pier where the White Sail was docked wasn't small, but it was already teeming with people, a sea of noise and activity.
The number of new recruits was estimated to be over ten thousand!
It turned out that the White Sail wasn't the only new recruit transport ship docked at the pier; four more had arrived!
Link's previous estimate of the number of islands in the Storm Sea was far off.
This was a problem caused by incomplete information.
After disembarking from the crowded ship, they boarded an even more crowded pier. Link and his group of five were jostled and pushed, barely able to move smoothly.
This reminded Link of the terrifying memories of buying train tickets at the train station window during holidays in his previous life before the 12306 website was available.
It was truly a scene of people crammed together, shoulder to shoulder, pushing and shoving.
Fortunately, this pier was specifically allocated to thirty-nine wizarding organizations for recruiting new recruits today. Besides the excited, expectant, and apprehensive recruits, only the recruitment staff from the wizarding organizations were present at the pier.
The recruitment area was quite conspicuous, a long row of covered walkways.
Above the walkways, the names and emblems of various wizarding organizations floated in the air, dazzling and vibrant with light and shadow effects.
Link glanced up and quickly spotted the emblem of "Rivosos Biological and Medical Academy.
" "We'll head over there first,"
Link said goodbye to Jimny and Chris, and headed in that direction.
Jasmine smiled slightly and took Link's right arm with her left hand.
Link didn't think much of it.
With Jasmine's physique, she would have a hard time getting there without some support.
The short distance of a little over a hundred meters took them nearly five minutes to walk.
About ten meters in front of the walkways, a cordon was set up with a sign that read "Queue in an orderly fashion, enter in a civilized manner." They couldn't rush in; they had to queue patiently.
Next to the sign was a square table with a large stack of colorful brochures resembling A4 paper, introducing the Rivosos Biological and Medical Academy.
Link and Jasmine were at the end of the line.
The line wasn't long, so the wait wouldn't be too long.
After all, the new recruits had just embarked on their journey, and most were still undecided about their next destination, with only a few having a clear goal.
Link casually picked up two brochures from the table, handing one to Jasmine in front of him and keeping one for himself.
The content on the brochure was largely the same as the "Overview of Wizarding Organizations in the Tudor Region of the West Coast," with a few more details about the campuses.
The Rivosos Biological and Medical Academy had three campuses: the main campus, the advanced academy, and the junior academy.
The main campus wasn't on the main continent, or even in the wizarding world, but rather in its own small world, with entry requirements not explicitly stated.
The advanced and junior academies were both located in the Rivosos district of the Michelle district, facing each other across a lake.
The junior academy was where the new recruits would enter; it was the place where the Rivosos Biological and Medical Academy trained wizard apprentices.
The Higher Academy is where formally trained wizards further their studies.
After reading it, Link gasped, his eyes widening involuntarily.
He seemed to see a seemingly endless system of education and learning, like the kindergarten, primary school, middle school, high school, university, master's degree, doctoral degree, associate professor, professor, renowned professor, and academician system of his past life. A
nightmare for underachievers.
Goosebumps instantly rose on his skin.
Terrifying, utterly terrifying!
Link shook his head, shivered, and then, with a thought, activated "Brain Occupation" to suppress this horrifying association.
"What's wrong, Link?"
Jasmine, who had just turned to talk to Link, noticed the slight fear still lingering on his face and asked with concern.
"Nothing,"
Link grinned, avoiding the real issue, "I was scared by so many people. I've never seen so many people gathered together before."
"I've never seen it either,"
Jasmine echoed, then her mood dipped slightly. "Actually, I've hardly ever left the castle, let alone the territory. This is my first time away from home. Many times, I envy my peers among the commoners; they can run freely. But I'm like a caged bird."
Jasmine's voice brightened again: "Fortunately, I'm free now!"
Unfortunately, Link couldn't empathize with her.
Even though you've never left the castle, even though you're like a caged bird, you live a carefree life.
Unlike the original owner, the blacksmith's son, who started helping in the blacksmith's shop at ten, eventually collapsing from heatstroke, hitting his head, and dying.
But considering Jasmine's naiveté, Link didn't say anything sarcastic about class differences or the lack of shared joys and sorrows.
"It'll be your turn soon, relax and get ready,"
Link quickly changed the subject, which had started off strangely.
However, the recruitment process for the Rivosos Biological and Medical Academy was indeed proceeding very smoothly.
A few simple words were exchanged: those willing could sign the agreement and go behind the pergola;
those unwilling could leave and not waste time.
Soon, it was Jasmine's turn.
She sat down, briefly answered the recruiter's questions, picked up a pen, and signed her name on the agreement provided.
Before going behind the pergola, Jasmine glanced back at Link, her large, watery blue eyes seeming to speak volumes. "
Don't go anywhere else and leave me all alone!"
Link understood Jasmine's meaning and could only sigh, "No wonder she's a noble lady; she's a natural at this kind of tug-of-war."
Unfortunately, she'd run into Link…
Women only slow down my sword-drawing speed!
Link steeled himself, activated "Brain Lockdown," and slashed away Jasmine's charming figure, who was glancing back like a deer. Instantly, all desires vanished, and his mind became completely focused.
He sat down on the stool in front of the recruiter's table, a well-behaved boyish smile on his face, awaiting his questions.
"Name?"
"Link Grand."
"Where are you from?"
"Quetzal Islands, Viscount Holloway."
After the brief exchange, the recruiter fiddled with a device resembling a tablet, seemingly inputting Link's information and searching for data.
A moment later, the recruiter looked up, scrutinized Link carefully, and clicked his tongue in amazement: "Wow, not bad, a fourth-tier aptitude, quite good, very good."
With that, the recruiter pushed aside a stack of standard agreements, took a new one from a drawer under the table, and placed it in front of Link.
"Take a look at the conditions, sign if you're willing."
Link picked up the agreement and read it carefully.
The agreement wasn't complicated, largely similar to what was recorded in the "New Blood Guide" on the ship, except for some differences in personal benefits.
Link would not only receive four years of free study, with all room and board included, but also a subsidy of three standard level-one magic stones per year.
It seemed that different aptitudes resulted in different treatment after enrollment.
Link decisively signed his name.
"Alright, go to the back."
The agreement was in duplicate; the recruiter kept one copy and gave Link a copy, giving him a casual instruction.
Link obediently went to the back of the pergola.