First day at the Academy of Magic and Science

Luc followed Draven to a nearby building, where they found a receptionist. Draven greeted her and informed her that he was bringing a freshman for registration. After a brief communication using a scroll, the receptionist directed them to a specific bureau. Draven led Luc to the office of Ms. Khadija.

Entering the office, Luc found a warm and welcoming environment. Ms. Khadija informed him that he had arrived later than his peers, as they had already completed their registration. She began by providing an introduction to the school. "The Academy of Magic and Science, formerly known as the School of Magic Studies, was established by Victor the first. It is the first state-owned magic institution in the Kingdom. The school was created to preserve the legacy of many individualist mages throughout the kingdom. With the integration of Science about 200 years ago, the Academy expanded to include scientific subjects as well."

Ms. Khadija continued, "The Academy is highly esteemed within our kingdom and holds a prestigious position. Our graduates are guaranteed positions within the administration. In terms of popularity, we rank near the top among major magic institutions in the Kingdom, and we hold a respectable standing on a continental scale."

"Before we confirm your freshman status, we require you to undergo a brief affinity test. This test will provide a more accurate evaluation of your affinity grade. Please place your hand on this stone, and the screen will display your affinity grades," Ms. Khadija explained.

Luc followed her instructions and placed his hand on the stone. As he did, a screen illuminated, displaying three rows of words. In the first row, Luc recognized "Mathematical Nexus" with a full black grade affinity. The second row indicated water as a mid-blue grade affinity, and the last row indicated spirit with a full green affinity.

"What an unusual result indeed! I must admit, I am not familiar with the concept of a black grade affinity. The full or mid grades preceding your affinity represent a new classification system aimed at distinguishing individuals within the same affinity. There are three levels: low for those who have just barely attained the affinity grade, mid for individuals with a well-established affinity, and full for those who have almost reached the next affinity grade," Ms. Khadija explained.

Luc was taken aback by this new information, but he felt a sense of joy knowing that he had several full grade elements. Ms. Khadija continued, "Now that your affinity has been confirmed, please wear this badge. It represents your identity as a student of the Academy of Magic and Science. You can bind it using your own blood. The badge is quite valuable and difficult to create, so please take extra care of it. If you happen to lose or break it, obtaining a new one will be a challenging task."

She added, "You can find some school supplies in the office across from mine. I hope you have a wonderful time in our magnificent school. As the freshmen representative, you will be required to deliver a speech at the beginning of the school year. Please prepare yourself accordingly."

Luc left the office, and Draven escorted him to an adjacent office where he was introduced to Sir Simons. After presenting his admission letter and student card, Sir Simons provided Luc with a blouse, some books containing the academy's regulations, and a set of tight-fitting clothes that could adjust to his size. "These books contain the rules and regulations of the Academy, and the clothes will adapt to fit you perfectly. You should visit Sir Adams to obtain your dormitory assignment," Sir Simons explained.

Upon informing Draven that he needed to meet Sir Adams, Luc and Draven proceeded to an office within the same building. There, they encountered a middle-aged man seated behind a desk piled high with stacks of papers. After explaining the purpose of their visit, Sir Adams handed Luc a key to his assigned dormitory and provided him with information about the school's dining program.

With that, they left the building, which had the appearance of a towering structure. Draven guided Luc towards his designated dormitory, sharing details about the Academy's layout along the way. "The Academy has two dormitory complexes, one for males and one for females, located at opposite ends of the campus." As they walked, Luc caught sight of the main teaching building, a spacious structure with multiple levels, as well as the science laboratory in the shape of a bottle and the star-shaped magic laboratory. They also passed by the campus restaurant.

Luc made a concerted effort to remember each location they passed by. Eventually, they arrived at the dormitory complex and began searching for Luc's assigned building. They approached an aged structure in the shape of a box, standing four floors tall and spanning two hundred arks on each side of the base. Draven led Luc to the entrance of the building, where he bid farewell. "Here we will have to part ways. It was a pleasure to be your guide. This is your dormitory building. The first digits indicate the floor, with zero representing the ground level, and the last two digits represent your room number."

With those parting words, Draven distanced himself from the dormitory. Luc entered the building and noticed a staircase. Using the card provided by Sir Adams, he determined that his room, 203, was located on the second floor. As he ascended, he soon found himself standing in front of a door. Placing the card in front of the door, he then used his student card to unlock the room. This way, he would only need to carry his student card for future access. Inside the room, he discovered that he would be sharing it with three other students, though they were currently absent. Luc chose the unoccupied bed nearest to him and began settling in.

Feeling the need for rest, Luc decided to take a well-deserved break. As dinner time approached, he made his way to the Academy's restaurant. The restaurant featured a buffet-style setup, offering a wide range of culinary delights. Luc filled his plate with a refreshing salad, a portion of succulent griffon meat, some fragrant rice, and a juicy fruit for dessert. Satisfied with his meal, he returned to his dormitory, finding that his roommates were still absent. With weariness settling in, Luc climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep, ready to embark on his new journey at the Academy of Magic and Science.