Special Chapter II - Planning A Tour (part 2)

I turned away and began flying away. I landed in the female dorm, where I will go back and wash for a little bit in my room. After washing, I took out my paper and writing tools from my ring.

I gave the entire thing a lot of thought while noting them down on the paper. For the rest of the day, all I did was walk around my room while thinking, and sit down on the chair only when an idea pops up.

This is a routine I always do back in the day whenever I need ideas for something. Surprisingly, it works the best.

Night finally comes, and I have written down multiple papers containing the details on the study trip. Tomorrow, I will talk to Julius regarding these, since he is the arch-mage, he definitely has a high ranking when it comes to the mages corps.

In the end, I still can't figure out some of the stuff that is very detailed. I will just have to rely on Julius tomorrow.

That night, I grabbed dinner in a dash from the canteen and ate in my room while thinking some more. After I got tired, I went to bed and the night slowly changed into morning.

Early in the morning, the academy was quite surprised when they heard that the arch-mage will be visiting. After all, he is a busy man, and he is quite high in the ranks too. Having him visit is a great honor to have.

When really, he was just visiting to see me.

Arfius probably sent a letter yesterday to his dad, and being the best father of the year, Julius came as quickly as he could. It's not even two hours past the first bell, and he's already here.

Outside the main building, at the center park, a lot of students seemed to be crowding, talking and discussing about the sudden visit of the arch-mage. Meanwhile, I tried walking past the sea of students just to get to the building.

"So? Why do you need me?"

The eye-patch blue haired guy, Julius, asked me after we got settled down in Veneo's office. Aside from us, Arfius and Veneo are also here, probably to listen in.

"It's a bit of a business project between the academy and the mage corps."

"I'm aware. Tell me everything!"

Looks like he is also quite excited about this.

I gave him all the things that I have about that idea, such as the internship program and what we expect from having this relationship. 

"The students are to be taught and watched directly and personally by the professional mages, and will be given a special chance to go on a mission. So far, is it good?"

I asked him, and he nodded.

"So far it is indeed possible. I don't know about training directly, but if it's just supervising, we can definitely do that."

"Great. And the chance to go on missions?"

"Can be done as well. We can find some easy missions for the students so we can reduce the risk of them getting harmed or in danger. Plus, it's way easier to monitor easy missions."

"I agree, but if the missions were too easy, then it wouldn't create any experience on them. As much as I want them to be safe, I want them to learn something as well."

"Then, what are you suggesting?"

"It will be a multi-levelled learning process. 

First, start off with an easy mission where they are being supervised. Second, go on a harder mission without supervision, see how well they do. If they do well, then Third, they will be going on a difficult mission with the professional mages, as equals."

"As… equals…? You mean instead of being supervised, the mages and the students will work together, is what you are trying to say?"

"Basically, yes. I want the students to get hands-on experience on a real mission, but we can't just send students to their deaths. That is why the second level of the learning process was necessary, to see if they are actually capable."

"I see… And if they succeed in the second level, then they will proceed. Who will decide whether or not they succeed?"

"Well, you."

I explained to him how the mages can judge whether or not the students are capable, and he noted every idea I gave. He also pitched in on some ideas, like grouping the students and giving them one supervisor on each group, and I do added that it is also possible to include teachers in.

He agreed on this, but he will give a few terms. First, the mage corps will be the one doing the calls and such, and the students will be handed to the corps completely.

Veneo agrees, and I also don't see anything wrong with it.

Second, if something terrible were to happen, both the academy and the mage corps will be holding the responsibility. Normally, if something were to happen, the ones getting blamed would be the mage corps. That's why Julius mentioned it beforehand that the ones responsible will be both the academy and the mage corps.

Third, for the grouping of the students, that will be left for the academy to handle. The mages are only there to supervise and guide during the internship program.

"There is something you should note, though. If you want to pull off a stunt like this, you will need permission from the kingdom first."

Julius warned, and I got quite confused as to what he meant.

"Can't we just ask the king?"

"It was never that easy. This isn't Mazino, where the highest rank is held by the king. You know about the Seven Great Families of Xyphon?"

Ah… fuck.

Once again, my workload became even heavier… much-much heavier.

"You will have to ask for permission from each family before you continue. Just these seven, really."

"I get it, I get it… this will take a while."

"Honestly, I don't expect this to go fast as well. But if you can pull off a quick one, then I won't lose. Let's set ourselves a race!"

"S-Seriously…"

Seeing the grin on his face made me sigh even heavier. Behind me, Veneo and Arfius chuckled, because they know what kind of person Julius is.

We ended up agreeing on a month's time, where we will have the project ready by one month. If one of us weren't prepared in that one month, then the loser will have to do a favor from the winner.

How did this turn into a bet again…?

Whatever. I will just have to prepare as quickly as I can.

Oh god… I won't be able to slack off at all, huh…?