Indeed, he is not looking for just a boy apprentice, but an ally, and he has the patience and desire to raise him from scratch. Much time is nothing to him - judging by his attitude. I even assume that sorcerers here live much longer than ordinary people. This needs to be verified, and if this is really so, then my task is to live until the moment when I reach the maximum longevity. I had enough "luck" to end up in a very dangerous world. Another death could turn into a catastrophe.
With heavy thoughts we set off on a short journey, which did not seem dangerous at all, since human settlements were visible nearby. I also did not have to be bored thanks to the good-natured attitude of the unknown patron. He began to talk more openly when we approached the palace complex. The sorcerer told us that the academy was founded on abandoned elven ruins. These ruins are hidden by a forest that fences the territory of the academy from the road to Badger Gorge and from another road leading to the city.
Looking at the tall towers, I noticed that they were well fortified. Everything indicated that the place was prepared for defense and siege. There were even its own fortress walls. According to the mentor, there were also ancient elven tombs and hidden ruins nearby, hiding many dangers. All this is still actively studied by many sorcerers who are trying to learn from the elves.
As I understand it, elves are considered the most powerful magicians in this world and its founders. People learned magic from elves, so many believe that current sorcerers are their descendants. But according to the mentor, such assumptions are pure nonsense. People mastered magic almost immediately after the "Conjunction of Spheres", otherwise they would not have even had time to reproduce.
"See that building?" He pointed to a complex of apartments, and it reminded me of the anthills of my world. There were cramped rooms where hundreds of families lived on one floor. "They smuggle alcohol there, because it's forbidden in the dorm. It muddles and corrupts the minds of young talents. And yes, you'll live there until you get a few ranks of sorcery.
"What other rules are there?" I asked him.
— Beginners are forbidden to use magic outside their classrooms. Magic is too chaotic to learn on your own; attempts to cast spells without the necessary preparation will lead to catastrophic consequences, — he began to list, explaining the reasons for introducing these rules. — Dark arts are allowed only at a superficial level of study, deep immersion in them is forbidden, at least officially. The same "Goetia" is a dangerous area, and the summoned demon can destroy all the sorcerers if the summoner loses control or makes a mistake. Also, some experiments are considered forbidden, including sacrifices and chimerology, at least publicly. Otherwise, the king could declare a hunt for witches and sorcerers. Do not forget that we are first and foremost a political community. And, of course, the most important thing is to study diligently and achieve average results. You can not stand out too much, as I said. And, of course, you should not stoop too low, then I will not protect you. Believe me, you can survive in this academy without support, but it will be extremely difficult. For now, stick to the average level and try to grow above yourself.
As we headed to the rector of the academy, the mentor was actively talking about necromancy in this world. It is a vast science that allows you to temporarily revive the dead to obtain information, create dangerous monsters, and also relive the memories of the dead.
I have a chip that contains a lot of fantasy data about this science. If I can adapt this information to this reality, I can succeed. However, I am interested in all aspects of magic, especially those that are considered dark and forbidden. My experience in the past world has taught me that the more limited the field of knowledge, the less competition there is in it. In addition, by studying something unique, I become more unpredictable for my opponents. Everyone expects a sorcerer to master the four elements, but few expect the appearance of poisonous fog or the transformation of illusions into reality.
From the data I have received, this world is designed in such a way that I don't see any way to settle down anywhere. Monsters, crazy sorcerers and an atmosphere of endless medieval wars live here. I need to become strong, able to cope with any danger. Starting training, I will have to put in even more effort. I am sure that reality is much more dangerous than it seems in my imagination. And there is only one reason for these suspicions: I have only been in this world for a couple of hours, and I have already experienced many shocks. I have touched the tip of the iceberg.
Lost in these thoughts, I passed through the thin barrier without noticing it and found myself in a tower. It was a gigantic tower, judging by the number of steps I had to climb, at least seven or even eight floors. As I climbed to the very top, new shocks did not take long to come. An expansion of space? The corridor looked much more spacious than it should have… the tower could not accommodate it. The magic of illusions or space?
- So, - the professor of necromancy stopped in front of the iron door, decorated with gold, and suddenly, contradicting his own behavior, he winced awkwardly. - It's already late. We haven't met the students, and I'm sorry about that.
"Is something wrong?" I asked cautiously.
- Stregobor... a three-hundred-year-old dick, basically the last person I would want to run into of my own free will, - making a casual movement and spitting right onto the dark tiles, pitted by time, the mentor looked at me seriously. - Stay here and don't make noise. I need to talk to the rector about your admission...
The mentor's nervous tension did not go unnoticed. Before this, he seemed like some kind of outstanding sorcerer, but now he looked like a subordinate trying to avoid a meeting with his superiors. I would not be surprised if he had a lot of minor and medium-sized violations of the regulations on his track record.
The Necromancer prefers not to get involved in a hornet storm.
But the eyes waver and the legs move.
A few seconds later, he walked through the door into the darkness… Seriously? The rector's office was hidden in impenetrable darkness, as if a mystical spell prevented a random person from looking into the office of the most important person in this building. Is the rector's name Stregobor or does this person hold some position next to the rector?
"I don't need exact data, but let's say what year we are in?" he mentally addressed the chip, trying to kill time.
Standing in the cold corridor somehow oppressed me. I am not an aristocrat to look at paintings or do anything else. And there are no paintings here. Everything in this tower is in ruins, as if someone carefully preserved the cultural monuments of the elves in their original form. But it is strange that, for example, the anthill-dormitory was built recently. Perhaps the cultural values are related only to important places of the palace complex, like this tower.
[After comparing all the information received, the analysis shows that the user is at the end of the 11th century according to the Gregorian calendar with a probability of sixty percent. The number of historical deviations exceeds the permissible limits, an accurate assessment is impossible]
So, this is the period from 1000 to 1100. I was carried away to the distant past, but if magic allows you to live until the title of "three-hundred-year-old dick", then I have a chance to live until the distant future. I have a minimum goal - to live until the developed era; and the maximum goal is to become someone significant who will not be bitten to death in this society.
To perish from cholera and leprosy is the least I would like to experience.
Perhaps to become the most capable sorcerer. The mentor mentioned something about formulas - with that, the chip will be an invaluable tool. Now I just need to absorb at least a drop of knowledge to pass it on to Alice and reap its benefits.
More chapters on my P@treon: https://patreon.com/OOOTEN