Selection Of Mentor

As all of them quickly formed a line, old man Varek continued speaking, his voice carrying easily across the room.

"There are exactly two methods for selecting your mentor," he said, folding his hands behind his back. "The first is to use this special crystal ball I have here. It will analyze your affinity, talents, and other factors to assign you the most suitable professor."

"The second method is manual selection. I have a list containing names of available mentors, along with their affinities, areas of specialization, requirements, and other details."

He tapped a thick tome filled with parchments resting on the desk.

"However, it's important to understand that not every professor is on that list. Participation is voluntary. Some professors even don't accept students unless the crystal ball selects them. So, if you want access to all professors, including the reclusive ones, the crystal ball is your only option."

He let that settle in before continuing.

"It doesn't matter which method you choose, but understand this: once your mentor is chosen, there is no going back. This is a lifetime bond, just like choosing your organization. The only way to end it is if you surpass them in strength… or if they die."

A few students stiffened at that last part.

"Anyway, that's all you need to know," Varek said with a shrug. "Now, one by one, come forward just like you're lined up. I'll activate your academy bracelets and let you choose your mentors. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" the students replied in unison.

"Good," Varek nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Then let's begin."

The line started moving.

One by one, students stepped forward, handing over their bracelets and selecting their paths.

"Alright. Hand me your bracelet," Varek said to the first student in line.

The girl stepped forward and offered it to him.

"So… your name is Jenna," he said as he examined the bracelet. "Your aptitude is rank B, and your strongest affinity is with the Dark and Shadow Element. Correct?"

"Yes, sir," Jenna replied with a slight bow.

"Good. Your bracelet is now activated," Varek said, tapping it lightly with something. "From now on, this links you to the academy's system. It will be your most important item, so don't ever lose it."

Jenna nodded silently.

"Now then… how would you like to choose your mentor?" he asked.

"I'd like to go with the first method," Jenna replied. "The one with the crystal ball."

"If that's your choice, here you go," Varek said, handing her the orb. Its surface shimmered faintly with inner light.

"But are you sure?" he added, raising an eyebrow. "You do understand what it means, right?"

"Yes," she said firmly. "You said it yourself sir… That it selects from all professors, and it'll match me with the best one based on my affinities and talents."

"Well… you're right," Varek said slowly, stroking his beard. "But just remember, all it does is find you the 'best fit' on paper. It doesn't care if they're kind, strict, mad, or… let's just say creative in their methods."

'Not that it's my business if someone ends up as a living experiment…' he thought with a smirk.

"But if you're set on it, go ahead. Take your bracelet and place it on top of the crystal ball. It'll extract the necessary information and assign you your mentor."

Jenna bowed again, then followed his instructions, placing her bracelet atop the orb.

The crystal ball began to glow softly at first, then brighter and brighter until it started pulsing with energy as it read her information. Sparks of light danced inside, swirling like a storm of starlight.

After about ten seconds, the glow suddenly faded. The ball went dim, returning to its normal state.

"It's done," Varek said. "You can take your bracelet back. It already made its assessment."

Jenna retrieved the bracelet without a word.

The moment she lifted it away, text began to shimmer inside the orb, revealing a name and several lines of details.

Varek glanced at it, his brow raising slightly.

"Well, you're in luck," he said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "The crystal selected Professor Raynor—affinity with Dark and Shadow Element, specializing in assassination and soul research."

He handed her a document.

"Sign this to confirm your bond with Professor Raynor. Once that's done, wait over there for others."

Jenna nodded, signed the contract, and silently walked to the side of the room to wait for others.

"Next!" Varek called.

A tall boy stepped forward.

"Bracelet," Varek said.

The boy handed it over.

"Hm… Mortis Nacht. Aptitude: Rank A. Highest affinity: Blood Element. Correct?"

"Yes, sir," Mortis replied calmly, without bowing.

Varek didn't react to the lack of formality. He activated the bracelet and tossed it back to him with practiced ease.

"Now, how do you want to choose your mentor?"

"Second option," Mortis said without hesitation. "I'll choose for myself."

'Sure, the crystal ball might've picked someone optimal, maybe even someone who could be best for me to become an Official Magus. But something this important... I'd never let a anyone else decide it for me. I'll make my own decision even if it should be worse for me.'

Varek looked at him, but said nothing. He simply handed over the tome filled with parchments.

"Here's the list. You've got five minutes. Any longer and I'll pick for you, we don't want to be here all day, do we?" he added with a grin.

Mortis gave a curt nod and opened the tome with list, his eyes scanning quickly across the neatly written names and descriptions.

He took mental notes of the ones that stood out:

Professor Velexia

Highest Affinity: Dark and Shadow Element, but also focuses on Blood Element

Specializations: Necromancy, Anatomy, Neurology

Benefits: Will answer up to three questions of the student's choice and assist with them

Requirements: Assist in only one experiment.

Professor Thorn

Highest Affinity: Blood Element

Specializations: Soul Research, Transformation, Alchemy

Benefits: Offers assistance with any question, without restriction

Requirements: Student must assist in all of his experiments

Professor Dante (Recently ascended to Official Magus)

Highest Affinity: Blood Element, but also focuses on Dark and Shadow Element

Specializations: Combat, Monster Research, Anatomy

Benefits: Will assist with one question

Requirements: Help with important experiments, student will not be used as a test subject; assistance required only in safe experiments

Mortis flipped through a few more pages, but none of the remaining professors caught his interest. These three were clearly the best options.

Reaching the final page, he noted that he still had about a minute left. He closed the tome, letting his thoughts settle as he weighed his choices.

"Most of the professors here probably see students as convenient lab rats," Mortis mused, "I'm sure of that, especially after what old man Varek said about Professor Abarran. Though I doubt they'd openly kill someone with Rank A aptitude like me… but still I'm not interested in gambling my life for something like this."

He looked up, voice clear and steady.

"I choose Professor Dante as my mentor."