Graduating is Troublesome

Kayneth was coming to Japan.

"What should I do... actually, I don't really know."

According to Merlin, Kayneth was coming to Japan mainly for two things—Naoki's basic course graduation and his ranking assignment.

However, what made Naoki's head spin was that he wasn't very clear on the specific procedures for both of these matters.

"Master, you experienced this before, tell me about it?"

"Asking for my help... but that was ten years ago, I don't really remember either." Touko rubbed her temples, thinking for a moment, "Let me think, for basic course graduation, it seems there are three aspects of grades that must meet the requirements."

"Three aspects?"

"First, attendance grade, this is usually not a problem. Then the martial arts grade, with your physical condition, just punch the teacher who's teaching, it should be fine." Touko gave a very honest suggestion, "For the last one is the practical grade, as long as you complete the tasks given by the teacher on time."

"Then after everything is done, the people who can graduate will be gathered together, and the ranking ceremony will be held simultaneously."

'Graduation ceremony... not much different from high school.'

Naoki recalled his own situation.

'Attendance grade... hmm, shouldn't be a problem, although I basically always arrive on time, but never skipped, if I didn't come there was always an official excuse letter, so it's fine.'

'Martial arts... hitting Professor Kayneth is no problem, just hit him gently, and at the same time relax his whole body. He often sits in the office for a long time, letting him move around is also good.'

'Practical grade... wait a minute!'

His thoughts suddenly stopped, and Naoki immediately covered his face.

Shiki: "What's wrong?"

Naoki: "It seems I haven't attended classes at the Clock Tower for half a year!"

"..."

Touko also couldn't help but be stunned.

It seemed, that was indeed the case?

"I thought you had completed all the procedures before coming to seek me out as a teacher?"

"That... was because I wasn't sure if I could find you smoothly at first, so I only planned to stay here during the winter vacation, but I didn't expect to meet you directly, and after that because life was too natural I forgot that I still had to go back to school..."

"I'm sorry, Brother, I also forgot... even though I should have reminded you..."

Seeing Gray blame herself, Naoki hurriedly waved his hand to comfort her, "It's okay, this is basically all my fault, Gray is not at fault at all, really! Don't think about it!"

"But this has become a bit troublesome." Touko said in a serious tone, "Young man, you said you came during the winter vacation, that means, you skipped all the first semester courses at the Clock Tower—no, you didn't even report. Your attendance is clearly insufficient."

"Although the Clock Tower has rules for early graduation, it's also based on meeting the graduation requirements. The normal five-year basic education, as long as you're not an idiot you can definitely graduate, but you skipped half a year directly..."

That meant he still had to go back to school for another half a year.

Naoki couldn't help but scratch his head, "I've already learned almost all the basic course materials, I really don't want to go back, compared to that basic knowledge, I'd rather stay here and learn about dolls."

"I'm glad you said that, but basic rules must still be followed, besides, about dolls, you can learn after you graduate. My Garan no Dou doesn't plan to close for the next two or three years, you can come anytime."

"That's true too."

The reason Naoki visited Touko this past year was because he was sure that only this year could he find out Touko's whereabouts. After this year, this person in front of him would go somewhere else again. But since she herself said she didn't plan to leave for the next two or three years, then returning to England to finish his education temporarily wasn't bad either.

"Then what about the ranking ceremony?" Naoki continued to ask, "Merlin said the Professor plans to give me the 'Festival' rank, if I'm not mistaken that's a rank given based on special talents, and because of that the level of Magus in this rank varies greatly."

Touko nodded, "This matter of ranking is indeed a bit troublesome, but you have a Lord as your teacher, he will help you settle all matters, but there is one more problem standing in your way."

"What problem?"

"Thesis. That rank is actually the same as an academic rank, if you want to advance, you must show your own research results, the thesis is just one form of it, the important thing is results. If it were me, showing a doll would be enough."

Saying that, Touko pointed at Naoki, "But you don't have one, do you?"

"Hmm... Merlin said earlier it was based on my physical condition."

"But that's because you merged with the power of a Heroic Spirit, that can't be considered your own research result. And again, you might even receive a Sealing Designation. Merging with a Heroic Spirit, in the history of the Clock Tower you should be the first, I can imagine how those Magus will react."

What kind of conditions are needed to be able to merge with a Heroic Spirit? Are there physical requirements? Does the magic circuit change because of merging with a Heroic Spirit? What is the condition of his body?—and so on.

Driven by such doubts, those Magus would do everything possible to start researching Naoki's body.

Simply put.

"You will be dissected."

"In such a situation, the Clock Tower will definitely disappear, in various senses."

However, Touko's assumption did indeed remind Naoki, his physical condition was too abnormal for a Magus, especially the fact that he merged with a Heroic Spirit.

"Why not just keep quiet?" Shiki, who had been silent all along, suddenly interrupted, "Just say your physical condition is innate."

"That won't work. What's needed to advance is research results, innate talent is useless, you have to use what you obtained afterwards to produce something valuable."

"Magus are really boring..."

"Agreed."

Touko finished the beer in her hand in one gulp, then stood up and stretched, "In that case, since my beloved disciple is in trouble, I, as his teacher, will be kind enough to help him this once. Naoki, that initial idea of yours, how about we try it?"

Initial idea?

Naoki was instantly stunned for a moment, then his eyes immediately lit up, "Okay—no, wait, my doll techniques are still immature, if I make one now it might not reach the standard I expect."

"That's why I'm helping you. Writing a thesis isn't just the student's business, if all students did it themselves, then what's the point of a teacher?"

Flicking Naoki's head, Touko laughed, "But in return, the final thesis you submit must include my name."