Arsene asked Clem about the mentor system and how to access the underground areas that were said to be academies for the other classes. Clem didn't know much himself,
but he had some knowledge from attending Master Malaghan's workshop, which included students from various classes.
Clem explained,
"Of course, every mentor has a private chamber in each academy—a space where documents and administrative work are handled, and naturally, where they meet with their students and disciples."
Mentors aren't always stationed in a single place. Usually, each one teaches three classes over the span of five days, spending one day in each. If they're responsible for fourth- and fifth-class students, they spend two days there due to the heavier workload.
So the mentors at Regis Academy had it tough. But in return, their privileges were enormous—and very few actually knew what they received.
Still, their struggles were nothing compared to those of the students. You could say they lived in luxury.
"As for how they move between these underground academies," Clem continued, "most mentors use teleportation circles. The academy uses them too—for transporting goods and supplies. But this kind of magic is expensive. There are some tunnels that make normal travel easier, like enchanted hearths, but they only transport two or three people at a time. So using them frequently adds up in cost, and they're not that efficient—especially since they only work for living beings."
"But that just shows how serious the academy is about its mission. The education and the quality they offer are no joke."
That was Clem's answer to some of Arsene's many questions. The four of them—five, technically—spent the night together and once again enjoyed Clem's cooking.
It was a good time, so long as you were surrounded by people like them.
The next morning, Arsene went about his usual routine with some slight changes—like visiting the mess hall to grab breakfast. After that, he was headed to a hall that would host one of the most important lectures he'd hear this year.
But before that, he had to stop by Erebus's office to take care of some morning paperwork. Only then could he rush to the hall before the lesson began.
He opened the office door—and to his surprise, Erebus was already inside, doing the paperwork himself. Arsene stepped closer and greeted him,
"Good morning, Master Erebus. I might be a bit late—sorry, I overslept!"
"I wanted to talk to you about something. I've been training in advancement behind your back without telling you. I kept it a secret—and of course, how could you not notice?
I know it's forbidden, especially for first-class students, but I couldn't help it. Curiosity and excitement always lead me into things I end up regretting later.
That's why I understand if you've been avoiding training me. I'm sorry for what I did."
Erebus smiled as he continued writing on the papers. Arsene never understood why Erebus did so much paperwork himself, especially since he'd heard there were always people assigned to clean up after the mentors.
Erebus looked at him and said,
"I'm glad you took the initiative to apologize. You can train and grow stronger, shake the world with your power, even make your name known across the continents…
But if you can't refine your character, recognize your mistakes, take responsibility, and fix what you've broken—then you're a failure in every sense."
Those were heavy words. Arsene was surprised—not by the sentiment, but by the fact Erebus was actually talking this much, and outside the context of training.
"I'm sorry again, Master Erebus," Arsene replied. "I came to handle the paperwork, then I'll leave for the lecture on singularity."
Erebus smiled again,
"No need. Everything you'll hear there is trash. Even if you learn a single valuable phrase, it won't help you—especially since you're already a singularity of Grade 0."
Erebus stood up, grabbed his coat from the hanger, and put it on.
"You're coming with me."
That's all Erebus said. Arsene felt nothing—didn't even know what had happened. In the blink of an eye, he found himself seated in the back row of a lecture hall.
Then a voice echoed in his mind,
"Don't move when class ends. You're now in the third-class academy. Sit, listen to the lecture, and try not to ask too many questions."
It was Erebus's voice—clear in his ears—even though the man was nowhere to be seen.
The hall wasn't packed, but there were still a good number of students. No one really noticed someone new showing up in the back seats, except for a few nearby who glanced at him, surprised, before looking away.
A young man walked into the hall. He looked to be in his early twenties, dressed with precision and elegance. Handsome, with a smile that never left his face.
Arsene's first thought upon seeing him: "Idiot."
The man reached the large blackboard behind the podium and placed a leather bag holding his belongings.
There was some murmuring from the front rows, especially from the female students, who seemed to know him well. Their admiration was clear.
He clapped his hands once, as if to silence the room. Once things settled, he spoke:
"Most of you already know me, but I'll reintroduce myself. I'm Daniello Danielli, your elder from the fifth class. I volunteered to give this lecture to the third class in place of Mentor Kvarats, who's currently unwell.
Let's all wish him a speedy recovery. Now, as for today's topic, I'm sure most of you already have some information—but I'll explain it in detail. And since we have enough time, we'll leave room at the end for questions.
So please, save your inquiries until the end of the session."
The hall went quiet. He had silenced them early to keep things smooth. Repeated questions only waste time, and there wouldn't be enough left to explain anything meaningful.
With a smile and a flick of his golden hair, Daniello continued speaking. It seemed he would talk straight through until the end.
"Singularity—and those who possess it. I assume most of you here are singularities. Of course you are—you wouldn't waste your time here otherwise.
Unless you came just to see me. Hmm. Not likely!"
He chuckled, then continued,
"If I had to guess, your happiest moment as singularities was probably your very first session last year—when you found out you could start the advancement process to raise your singularity grade.
That's what gives you the chance to reach Grade 0 singularities.
I, Daniello, standing here before you, am a prime example. I'm a singularity of the magic type. I used to be Grade 2—but now, I've advanced to Grade 0.
So there's always hope, as long as you're ambitious and brave enough to make the sacrifices needed."
"There are six types of singularities:
Body-type singularity
Illusion-type singularity
Magic-type singularity
Information-type singularity
Weather/Energy-type singularity
Spirit-type singularity
These six types were categorized by Arazekiel the Great during the ancient era, after the flood of singularities that followed the Barrier Fracture incident.
Each group fits its name. If your singularity enhances or transforms your body—changes your features, turns your silky hair into iron, lets you control blood or anything like that—
then you're a body-type singularity. And you can apply similar logic to most of the others.
But when it comes to advancement in singularities, you can't apply the same method to each type. You can't even apply the same method to two people of the same type.
In fact, you can't even apply the same process to two different individuals.
Because it's all completely personal."