"…That's all for today," Professor Burbank said after checking his watch. "Tomorrow, we will have a test on Chapters 5 and 6, and then, we'll start our lecture on Shamanism."
"Oh, come on, another test?"
"Would you prefer a paper?"
"No, no, we're good."
"I thought so," Professor Burbank nodded. "One more thing: I must remind all Life Mages or Arcane Mages who wish to be healers to register for Biology Classes in the Virtual Learning Lab. At the halfway point of this course, you will have specialized classes, and you should prepare for that.
"Additionally, if you are a doctor or have a degree in the medical field, the tower suggests you specialize as a Life Mage. We will provide a [Mana Conversion Potion] to change the nature and characteristics of your mana."
"Sir, what about Light Mage?"
"You can do so if you wish, but it's not mandatory."
"Sir, what if other specialized mages want to be healers?"
"I already answered your question."
"No, I mean, can I become a healer while keeping my lightning specialization?"
"No. You must convert to an Arcane mage, or better yet, use the unique mana of Life Mages."
"In that case, never mind."
Professor Burbank ignored him and packed his bag to end the day. Zane waited until there was no one in the classroom before he approached the professor's desk.
"I heard you signed up to be an Analytic Mage?"
"Hmm, yes."
"You do know such clubs are designed for the later stages of the program?" Professor Burbank glanced at him.
"I've heard, but this is an excellent opportunity to learn. Even if I don't get in now, it will be a great learning opportunity."
Professor Burbank looked at him for a moment before sighing deeply, "I wish I had your mindset when I was young. If I did, I wouldn't be a 60-year-old 3-ring Mage."
"He's in his 60s? I thought he was in his 40s," Zane thought. "He must be using mana channeling to preserve his youth."
"The Grand Mage Path is not a race — it's a destination. I'm convinced, professor, you'll get there very soon," Zane said with utmost sincerity.
"Hehe, I never thought you were a flatterer," Professor Burbank smiled. "What is it that you want to ask?"
"Does Earth have a Primogenitor Ruin?"
"Highly likely," Professor Burbank nodded. "These things tend to appear in Materialist Dimensions after they are connected to the Astral Realm. More importantly, even since the modern epoch, many dimensions that have activated Dimension Law 9PZ3 will have a Primogenitor Ruin suddenly descend."
"That doesn't sound like a coincidence," Evans stated.
"It probably isn't, but I don't know the exact correlation — if there is any."
"What are the benefits of this ruin, exactly?"
"There are many. Whether it's the Primogenitor's technology or the historical value of the ruin itself, they are all valuable. The tower will open channels for you to sell what you've discovered, allowing anyone who participates to amass a great deal of wealth. However, that's all on the basis that there is a ruin. While it's highly likely, it's not 100% guaranteed."
Zane nodded. He had two questions for the professor, but the first — about the objectivity of science and the subjectivity of magic — had already been answered. As such, he did not stay long once his curiosity about the ruin was answered. His next destination was the library, where he organized his notes and furthered his reading. Evans separated from the group, leaving Tom and Zane to study together.
"Why do you waste so much time taking and organizing notes?" Tom Nguyen suddenly asked.
"It's a good way to review the material and organize my thoughts," Zane casually replied. When he was in school, he used to be like Tom, barely taking notes, and when they did, they were a mess that only he could understand. However, after spending time in solitary confinement, he began writing down his thoughts to pass the time. Now, it has become a habit.
"If you say so."
After organizing his class notes, Zane retrieved his book — [Logic of Runes I] — and continued reading and taking notes. The Analytic Club will have activities in the afternoon, and he didn't want to be completely clueless as he was yesterday. Yesterday, he read about [Rune Graphing & Positioning], so now he knew what the Alleric, Belfont, Chiron, and Disfra Quadrants were; he didn't fully understand, but he knew what they were.
Half an hour later, Evans came back with a pale complexion and red eyes, holding five books on warding and architecture.
"Are you alright, man?" Zane asked.
"I'm fine. I didn't expect the second knowledge transmission to be so severe."
"You're being reckless with your soul," Tom Nguyen warned, and Zane agreed.
"I really should have waited for a week or more, but I was too excited," Evans sighed. "However, I'm not injured or anything. I just need a few days of rest."
"Then, go ahead," Zane nodded. Evans left immediately afterward; he had only returned to get the books he wanted and be courteous by telling his roommates. The headache he was experiencing was unbearable, so he rushed out of the library as soon as he finished.
Tom Nguyen snorted coldly, "He deserves it."
"Your jealousy is showing up again."
"Aren't you worried about him? There have to be consequences for taking these shortcuts, right?"
"Probably not. The tower should have tested the technology, and the fact that they limit the use to twice a month is probably to limit the danger it can cause," Zane replied.
"Let's hope."
After registering for the clubs, Zane's schedule became even more stressful. At around 2;30 PM, he left the Virtual Learning Lab and went to the cafeteria for lunch before his 3 PM class. Evans did not show up even after the two contacted him, so they recorded the class for him. Then, at around 5: 15, he had a quick second lunch before rushing to the Analytic Magic Association.
Zane discovered four other Earthlings who also registered. However, nobody seemed approachable. Two of them were Germans, one woman and one man, and their straightforward attitude made them appear cold. The third student was Japanese and an extremely polite man; however, he was not the friendly type of polite, but rather the socially expected kind that was not only fake but also kept anyone from getting close. As for the last one? It was a Nigerian student, and Zane felt that this man was giving him judgmental eyes for no reason.
After a brief interaction with these people, Zane immediately canceled the idea of creating a study club. Anyway, his instinct told him that most of these people would probably quit even before the three-month deadline. Heck, Zane wasn't so sure he'll make it himself. After seeing how much knowledge he needed to learn, much of which seemed locked behind a paywall.
Professor Malida entered the class at exactly 5:45 and drew the previous Spirit Flame Spell Model on the board. Without wasting another second, she began her lecture, and this time she showed them three other approaches to analyzing the spell, starting with the one that had the lowest success rate and was the most time-consuming.
The lecture ended at 7:45, and Zane rushed back to the cafeteria to grab a snack before heading to the Training Hall for the second training and meditation session. At 8:50, he entered the room for the Elite Class. Instructor Seiya and Assistant Luna hadn't arrived, leaving the others to wait.
Zane approached Keesha and Evelyn.
"Did you change your mind about teaching us mental channeling?"
Zane paused, "No. I just wanted to ask you guys how your club fair went."
"It was great. I joined the Mind Healers Association," Keesha replied.
"You want to be a psychic healer?" Zane asked.
"I always wanted to be a psychiatrist, but never had the opportunity. This is my chance."
"Good for you," Zane nodded. It's never too late for someone to pursue their dreams.
"Interested in becoming a patient?" Keesha smiled.
"No, thank you," Zane immediately denied. He didn't want anyone to dig into his mind and know his most intimate fear and regret.
"Well, it's your loss."
"What about you, Evelyn?"
"The Magic Knight Society."
"Aren't they quite unpopular in magic society?"
"Maybe before, but a lot of Earthlings have signed up."
"Why, though?"
"Isn't it obvious? Why defeat your enemy with a cowardly spell when you could destroy them with your bare hands or pummel them with a sword?"
Zane was speechless. He did not expect this rich young lady to have such a violent side. However, strangely enough, he understood her logic. Some people just don't find magic as interesting compared to the hand-to-hand combat of knights. But since they had the talent and were not offered a choice, they became mages. But the magic swordsman path seemed perfect for them.
"What club did you choose?" Keesha asked.
"Rune Chess and Analytic Magic."
"Analytic Magic? You dare sign up for that nightmare?" Evelyn asked. By now, everybody knows that the Analytic Magic Association, the Saint Healers Institution, the Planeswalker Order, and the elusive Counter Analyst Society were the four most difficult clubs to join. They were all designed for the later stages of the training, and even then, only a few people will be selected.
"I'm just trying it out. Anyway, they are offering free and valuable resources."
"But, don't you feel —"
"Stupid? Like, I don't belong? Yes, but it's not a big deal," Zane shrugged.
Evelyn shook her head. With her pride, she didn't last even ten minutes in that lecture. And it was the same for Keesha. The judgmental eyes of these tower students were too much; she wanted nothing but to curse or slap them.