The group relaxed in the modest, yet well appointed carriage. Elaine was playing with Audra while a jealous Sera looked on. Mike, meanwhile was in the process of talking to Broderick, who turned out to be a student at the University, himself.
"So, I have a letter of recommendation, but I don't know much about the admissions process. What sort of steps are involved?" Mike was asking.
"That depends a great deal on what department or departments you are applying to. Have you already chosen your course of study?" He asked patiently, with a gentle smile on his face as he watched his sister feeding Audra bits of dried meat. Elaine was ecstatic when the dragon licked the palm of her hand after finishing the most recent bite.
[Looks like a bit of a siscon. Seems like a decent enough fellow, though.]
"I'm afraid I am a little uninformed. Could you, perhaps, remind me what departments are available to choose from? Also, do you mean to suggest that you can apply to multiple departments simultaneously?"
Looking slightly surprised at Mike's ignorance, the noble started explaining. "The University is divided into five sections, each of which governs one of the major areas of study. First, there is the Finance Department, whose lessons are geared towards students who will be working with money in the future. They cover everything from topics like accounting and mathematics, to business management and geopolitical economics. In order to study there, one must pass a lengthy written exam testing basic knowledge followed by an interview. Coincidentally, this is the department I am studying in."
[While it could be useful, I really don't want to spend my time in a fantasy universe studying math.]
"Second is the Military Arts Department, which I assume would be your choice. It focuses on a combination of personal strength, martial skill development, and leadership in a effort to prepare the next generation of generals and officers. Supposedly, their entrance examination consists of a series of challenges designed to test your physical abilities and and your moral fiber. I'm afraid I don't know much beyond that."
[Interesting. I could benefit a great deal from enhancing my physical abilities. I wonder if there are any leadership related skills?]
"Third is the Sciences Department, which is dedicated to understanding the mysteries of the world. They work with the Magic Department, which I will explain in a moment, to investigate and classify everything from natural phenomena, to monster biology, to magical abnormalities."
He paused for a moment, pondering, "I am probably being a bit misleading. In truth, their collaboration with the Magic Department is relatively minor and tinged with a great deal of tension. The mages tend to view non-mages as inherently unable to comprehend the complexities of magic, while the Sciences Department thinks that the Magic Department is too bound in tradition to properly explore the truly vast field of magical studies."
A flash of anger appeared on Broderick's face, before subsiding. "Anyway, their admissions test consists of a written exam and a practical exercise of some type."
[I see he obviously has some strong feelings about this topic.]
"So, I suppose I better speak on the Magic Department. I surmise you have an idea of their course of study. Students learn about magic theory, master their individual magical skills, and assist the faculty in researching magic. A branch office of the Mage's Guild serves as advisory body to the department's leadership, but technically, it is an independent of their direct oversight. This makes the University one of the few places in Ea you can fully study magic without joining the guild. It is also one of the simplest to join, as a mere demonstration of a suitably developed magical talent is usually sufficient."
[That's where I need to go, from the sounds of it.]
"Finally, there is the Arts department. I know what you must be thinking, but it is considered a legitimate field of study amongst nobles, especially female nobles. They offer a number of courses concerning music, theater, painting and drawing, sculpting, poetry, literature, and the like. Unfortunately, they have a rather sordid reputation. It seems this department tends to attract students without any real ambition. Ones who attend merely to please their families. That said, they still have a rather strict admission process, requiring prospective students to submit a piece of original work to be judged by the faculty. I've heard that you'll at least need a high ranking Tier 1 artistic skill to have any real chance of success."
[Not something I'm particularly interested in, but interesting nonetheless.]
"As to your question regarding applying to multiple departments, it is indeed possible to do so. However, it is generally seen as a mistake. Every so often, some new student will try to graduate from two courses of study at once, but they usually fail."
"Too much for them to handle?" Brenden asked speculatively, proving that he had not been sleeping despite having his eyes closed.
"Partially, but its more like the faculty of each department has a tendency to get jealous. Unless a student is particularly gifted, they will often discriminate against anyone trying to graduate from multiple departments."
[Wouldn't be a human organization without some kind of petty discrimination.]
"That said, there is nothing preventing you from simply taking classes in other departments once you have a chosen field. Since the faculties' salaries are partially dependent on their student load, you generally won't be turned down. However, you can only graduate in your chosen department. Does this make sense so far?"
"Yeah, I'm following. So, assuming I have a department in mind, what's my next step?" Mike asked.
"You'll need to check in with Administration. There, they will check your eligibility to even take one of the admissions tests. Since, you have a letter of recommendation, they will likely examine it then. Assuming everything else is in order, they will direct you to your department for testing."
"Seems simple enough. Thank you, Broderick."
Smiling, the noble waved a hand dismissively. "Its nothing at all compared to how much you've helped me. Once you are finally settled in, please make sure to visit so I can thank you properly."
Mike started to politely decline, feeling that the young man was being overly grateful, but Sera cut him off. "We would be delighted."
Broderick told them to leave a message at Administration when they were ready, so that he could dispatch a carriage to pick them up. The rest of the ride was spent between exchanging pleasantries and listening to Elaine expound on the virtues of her many pets. (She has sixteen.)
Finally, after an hour of traveling, which had seen the surrounding buildings growing increasingly large and opulent, they arrived at the University's gates. An massive stone wall separated the center of learning from the rest of the city. A large double door, made of a strange glossy material, seeming served as the primary entrance, but was currently closed. Traffic seemed to be entering and leaving through two smaller doors on either side of it.
"You may be aware of it, but I would be a poor guide if I didn't explain. That," He said while indicating the double door, "is Ronolf's Passage, named for the tenth headmaster of the University. Supposedly a powerful mage, he is credited with erecting the walls around the campus. This gate was the capstone, made using a subsequently lost magical technique. It has proven impervious to nearly all attempts at damaging it. Upon Ronolf's death some years later, the door sealed itself and has never since opened. Eventually, the faculty created the two secondary entrances, which are used to this day."
"Interesting. I presume we enter through there?"
Broderick hesitated slightly. "Indeed, students and applicants are allowed entry through those two doors. Other visitors may be required to wait in the Administration Building's lobby, though. Are you planning on living in the dormitory?"
"I intended to. Is that an issue?" Mike asked curiously, glancing around at his companions.
Seemingly understanding the unasked question, Broderick continued. "Not particularly. Once you are admitted into a department, you can move into the dormitory. At which point you may collect the rest of your group. A student staying on campus is allowed to bring members of their household, such as servants, spouses, or children. The University generally doesn't interfere with your private life, so, as long as the three of you don't mind being labelled as such, you are free to live there."
"No problem. Lover." Tal broke in suddenly, hugging Mike's arm.
"Bwah?" Was the only response he could muster.
"Wha-wha-WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?" Sera yelled while jumping to her feet, already blushing furiously.
Tal gave her an unreadable look, then stuck her tongue out. "Relax, joke. No jealousy."
Sera remained beet red, this time for a different reason, and sat back down with a huff, crossing her arms and staring out the window sulkily.
Broderick laughed at their antics. "It seems like you have your hands full. Anyway, this is where we must part. I wish you all the best of luck."
"Thanks again. We will make sure to visit."
Once again, they were forced to separate Elaine and Audra, which took a fair amount of time. With another wave, the siblings departed, leaving them on the road next to the gate.