Chapter 114 - 113: Credits

Chapter 114: Chapter 113: Credits

Gaode hurriedly took the Magic Formula and Magic Potion handed to him by Mage Lael, carefully tucking them away close to his body.

"Then let’s head to the committee right away and finalize the ownership of your bottle of Spirit Ascension Water," Mage Lael said. Now that the deal was struck, he was afraid of unexpected complications arising from delays and wanted to take Gaode to the committee immediately.

"However, once we get there, you must say that you are transferring the Spirit Ascension Water to me. The actual contents of our transaction are our private business, so it’s best not to mention them.

"The Academy has never had a policy of temporarily lending Spirit Ascension Water," Mage Lael instructed earnestly.

"I understand. Please rest assured, Commissioner Lael." Gaode had no objections. Since he had already accepted the benefits and lacked the qualifications to refuse anyway, all he could do was cooperate as best as he could.

As for whether it was truly a "loan" or a "transfer," that ultimately depended on his future performance in the Academy. It would not be determined by whatever they told the committee, much less by Mage Lael’s verbal promises. Gaode was acutely aware of this fact.

***

Mage Lael was a rather impatient person.

This became evident because, right after they left the Guest Reception Building, Mage Lael lightly tapped Gaode. Immediately, Gaode felt his body become lighter, his steps turning swift and nimble. The distance he covered with each stride was now four or five times greater than before.

"The 1st Ring Magic, Great Stride Run. It’s one of the most commonly used 1st Ring Magics. If you advance to a 1st Ring Mage, you will definitely learn and master this Magic as well," Mage Lael explained proactively, seemingly detecting Gaode’s astonishment.

Leaving the Guest Reception Building meant officially entering the bounds of the Cyrus Magic Academy. It was only upon truly stepping onto the Academy’s grounds that Gaode sensed the grandeur and magnificence of this institution hidden amidst the mountains.

The vast majority of the Cyrus Academy’s territory was situated across a large sloped valley and flatland halfway up Mount Cyrus. Its architectural style was classical and exquisite, seamlessly blending with the terrain to create an extraordinary landscape.

Because their deal had been successfully struck, Mage Lael was in a good mood. He even introduced a few of the Academy’s special buildings to Gaode as they passed by.

"That is our Academy’s library. You can enter by swiping your identity nameplate," Mage Lael said. "With your clearance, most of the books are available to you for free. Of course, they are mostly general books or the empirical theories of our predecessors. Magic Formulas and Magic Skills knowledge still require payment.

"That is the Cultivation Building. It is equipped with a Magic Node Array, and all students can use the Basic Cultivation Room for free. However, High Level ones require payment. Moreover, they have credit requirements; you can’t just buy your way in."

"What are credits?" Gaode caught the keyword.

"They are the most important things for you students in the Academy," Mage Lael replied. "You can think of them as your grades, or as points. Once you reach a certain amount of points, you rank up. Many facilities in the Academy require credits to use.

"At the same time, credits also function as a currency within the Academy, capable of purchasing many things that Gold Coins cannot buy. For example, after advancing to a 1st Ring Mage, if you wish to obtain Guiding Techniques and Meditation Techniques from the Academy, you can only purchase them using credits.

"Most importantly, the Academy requires every student to earn at least ten credits each academic year. If you fail to meet this requirement for the first time, you will be placed on academic probation, and all student benefits for that year—including free accommodation and access to the free Cultivation Room—will be completely revoked. If you fail to meet the credit requirement for two years, you will be expelled directly.

"As for how to earn credits? There are many ways. The simplest and most direct method is through Mage Level breakthroughs. During the Mage Apprentice stage, becoming a First-class Mage Apprentice rewards you with one credit, a Second-class Mage Apprentice with two credits, and a Third-class Mage Apprentice with three credits.

"You don’t need to worry about having broken through too early and missing out on those past credits. When new students officially enroll, a settlement is made based on their current Mage Level. For instance, you are currently a Second-class Mage Apprentice. After officially enrolling, you will receive the one credit rewarded for breaking through to a First-class Mage Apprentice, plus the two credits for breaking through to a Second-class Mage Apprentice, for a total of three credits.

"In addition, completing corresponding courses and passing the assessments will also earn you credits. This makes up the bulk of how students in the Academy earn their points.

"Also, meeting certain standards set by the Academy comes with credit rewards. For example, advancing to a 1st Ring Mage before the age of twenty rewards you with three credits, with an additional credit for every year earlier than that. Or brewing a One Tier Magic Potion will grant a one-time reward of five credits—though, of course, this is only rewarded the first time. There are quite a few of these standards, though none are easy for you students to achieve.

"Lastly, completing some tasks issued by the Academy can also earn you credits, but such opportunities are not very common. Mage Level breakthroughs and taking classes will be your most practical channels for obtaining credits.

"The enrollment task is the first credit-bearing assignment that each of you new students will encounter. It’s worth two credits, which is considered a perk for freshmen. With your three credits as a Second-class Mage Apprentice serving as a foundation, plus the two credits from the enrollment task, you only need to earn another five credits to pass. Therefore, you basically don’t have to worry too much during your first year. Just focus on adapting to Academy life.

"Instead, what you guys really should be worrying about is the enrollment task..." Mage Lael chuckled, though he didn’t elaborate further with Gaode and shifted to other topics instead.

***

Along the way, everything Mage Lael told Gaode was common knowledge within the Academy. However, to a newcomer like Gaode, these things were incredibly fresh. He listened with rapt attention, gradually developing a certain level of understanding of the Cyrus Magic Academy’s situation.

Throughout their journey, they also encountered quite a few senior students. In the Cyrus Magic Academy, every student seemed to be preoccupied with urgent matters, walking with hurried steps as if pressed for time. Because of this, unless these students ran into instructors they knew—where they would stop and politely say hello—they wouldn’t go out of their way to greet anyone. Even though Mage Lael was more or less a high-ranking official in the Academy, no one approached him proactively, and everyone seemed entirely accustomed to the duo’s superhuman movement speed.

In truth, just based on its course selection and credit systems alone, the Cyrus Magic Academy was extremely similar to a university. And in a university, you couldn’t graduate if you didn’t earn enough credits.

Amidst their conversation, the two had already arrived at their destination. It was an independent, elegant, and uniquely styled small building, hidden amongst lush roadside trees and brilliantly colored flowers. Wisteria vines climbed the walls, making it look like a charming little garden villa from a distance.

The two stepped onto a path paved with crushed gravel and arrived at the front door of the building. A plaque hung above the lintel, engraved with large characters reading: "Cyrus Magic Academy Committee."

Mage Lael took a step forward and brought out an item similar to the identity nameplate in Gaode’s hand. With a quick SWISH, a ripple appeared at the doorway, and the heavy door opened automatically.

Gaode guessed inwardly that it was a Magic Array design similar to an access control system.

Following Mage Lael’s footsteps, Gaode arrived at the Vice Commissioner’s office on the third floor. After a KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK on the door, a dignified "Come in" echoed from inside.

Mage Lael pushed the door open and entered. Thus, on his very first day of enrollment, Gaode had the opportunity to meet the Academy’s Vice Commissioner: a man with long hair woven with silver and white, deep eyes with a faint blue light flowing in his pupils, a straight nose bridge, and tightly pursed thin lips.

It was a quintessential Mage image.

"Commissioner Martin," Mage Lael bowed.

Gaode hurriedly followed suit and gave a bow of his own.

"No need for formalities." Martin nodded slightly. "Are you the new student who enrolled with the recommendation letter left by Dean Gavin?"

"That’s him," Mage Lael interjected, impatient as always. Not waiting for Gaode to answer, he spoke first, "Commissioner Martin, I have already discussed this with Gaode. He is willing to transfer his quota of this year’s Spirit Ascension Water to me."

"Is that so?" Martin didn’t waste any words, looking directly at Gaode to ask.

"Yes. Since I am only a Second-class Mage Apprentice right now, I don’t have any use for the Spirit Ascension Water yet. I would rather yield it to someone who needs it more," Gaode replied, immediately assuming a respectful and submissive demeanor.

"Good. Since you possess such awareness, your wish shall be granted." Martin nodded, pulling out a document and pushing it in front of the two. "This is the transfer agreement. Please sign your names."

The transfer agreement had been prepared long in advance. This meant this wasn’t solely Mage Lael’s idea; at the very least, quite a few Academy higher-ups were aware of this matter. Furthermore, they were banking on the fact that Gaode would have no way to refuse Mage Lael’s demand.

Thinking about it, it made sense. Without the tacit approval of the Academy’s leaders, how would Mage Lael dare to conduct such a private transaction with a student? If anyone could act so freely, the Academy’s order would have descended into chaos long ago. Various thoughts flashed through Gaode’s mind, but on the surface, he was extremely cooperative as he signed his name.

After both of them signed their names, Martin spoke, "Then the matter of the Spirit Ascension Water is settled."

Seeing the dust settle on the arrangement, Mage Lael couldn’t help but feel elated.