"...In order for someone to take the first step into the realm of mages, one must develop two things. Number one, create mana. Number two, feel mana. The order at which you accomplish it is irrelevant.
As I said before, we can interact with the world to create a particle, like an incredibly small pebble, but small enough that you can't even see it, called Virtual Mana Particle. You will go into more details on this during your Nuclear Physics class, but bear with me here. You can do that by, among other ways, knowing more about the universe. And that is why we study the laws of the universe extensibly, to aid in the production of this particle.
Once you know about this method, it is only a matter of time before you reach Rank 1. There has not been a single instance of an intelligent being not being able to reach Rank 1 after continuous study. In fact, since the discovery of magic, there have been geniuses that have been able to jump directly into the realm of a Rank 1 mage simply by being told that it existed and the way to get there. However, that degree of attunement is incredibly rare, and that is why you will probably not be able to reach Rank 1 before a few months of study."
She looked at us and continued:
"So what is the way to create and feel mana as fast as possible?
Mages have developed some tools and scriptures to help with just that. In fact, the results of your Appraisals also show strong correlation with methods of training most suited for you. Such methods include but are not limited to: meditation, reading books, exercising, creating things, using magic tools, etc. The specifics of your affinities will be sent to you with your personal handbooks after today's class, so you should be able to proceed from there."
Someone asked the professor a question while I was lost in thought.
"In summary, you have two duties: to study well and to maintain the training regimen tailored to you. Do not, under any possibility, stop your daily training, even if it shows no results after a long time. If you are having doubts, come talk to me or to other teachers and we will guide you further. Remember, it is normal to take a long time even with strong efforts, so don't be discouraged and slack on your training."
"Okay, I figure this is enough for your first class. I will end with a few reminders and orientations.
First, obey the guidelines written on your handbooks. Don't open doors you shouldn't, don't go to floors you can't. Do not go experimenting with magic outside the defined security guidelines. It is for your safety. I have seen many accidents happen, don't let the stupid one be you. Respect the 2300 curfew. Violators will be held in detention and may lose Contribution Points.
Second, follow your handbook to check-in at your assigned dorm rooms before 1800. Do NOT be late. Try to have a nice relationship with your fellow roommates, for you will be seeing each other a lot. If you really can't stand one of your roommates, you can still appeal to the Academy Registrar Office to change your or your roommate's room. But keep in mind that if your reason isn't good enough, you will be penalized heavily.
Third, the Academy does not authorize the use of magic on vertebrates, no matter the type, of magic or of vertebrate. They include: mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish. The penalty for this violation is very severe.
Fourth, your access to the web will not be restricted whatsoever. However, you must not leak any confidential information from the National Academy of Magic. That includes but is not restricted to: sensitive personal information (do not share your location or your activities), other people's information, N.A.M. information, etc. Anything regarding the existence and the particulars of magic is strictly confidential and must not under any circumstance leak to the secular world. The Academy has the right to observe your behavior and online activity ensuring no leakage of sensitive information. Not abiding by this rule is grounds for expulsion and permanent retrieval of permission to use magic. I have seen mages being exiled for this, so don't even think about it.
Refer to your handbook for more guidelines, rules and specificities, and feel free to reach out to any Academy staff regarding anything, from magic to other prohibitions."
I was quite overwhelmed by the speech it took me a few seconds to notice she had asked if anyone had questions. I slowly raised my hand and waited for my turn.
"Yes, Leaf?"
"What about those points you gave Ray? I don't think you've mentioned how they work."
Some students nodded their heads, many either shook them or smirked slightly.
"...Indeed. I apologize for that. A detailed explanation shall be written on your guidebook, but in short, Contribution Points are a sort of currency here at the Academy. You can use to exchange for resources, papers, mentoring, extra credits and more. Basically anything you want can be done by using those points. Is that suficient?"
"Yes, thank you Milady."
"You are welcome. Ah, despite that being the best way to address a mage, the Academy has the tradition of using our positions instead. So it's fine to just call me Professor, or Professor Fatima."
"Understood, Professor."
"Good. Any other questions? Oh, that reminds me. This is a warning I give privately to everyone who's not familiar with the world of magic, but since this year there are a lot of you, I'll just give it now."
She paused and assumed a grave stance.
"Becoming a mage is not easy. Being a mage is not easy. Studying here is not easy. We are proud of our low rate of withdrawals, barely at 5% every year, but you will soon learn to not look down on them. It is extremely demanding of your bodies and minds. Why?
Because of the sheer amount of content you will have to learn on a limited time period. You will have to learn in five years what others take eight, and become a mage in the meantime, and learn magic, and learn battle tactics, and learn graduate and doctorate-level subjects. Despite the higher efficiency that medicine and biotechnology has brought us, you will still find yourselves struggling to keep up, even with your Wednesday Breakdays and your weekends off.
If you find yourself wanting to give up, feeling that it is impossible, don't hesitate to reach out to our Psychiatrist on campus, Professor Hilma Sagiya. Her office is very easy to locate, but if you can't, just ask the receptionist at Maxwell's Culmination, the leftmost Indigo Spire when looking from Misiones. You will also start having classes with her from next semester, so you can also reach out then."
So it's in one of the three medieval spires, just like this one. So the order was probably something like North Star Tower 1, Maxwell's Culmination, North Star Tower 2, Huygen's Zenith, North Star Tower 3, where I had stayed with my parents, the last indigo tower, and then North Star Tower 4. Unless they messed the order of the North Star Towers, it should be something like that.
"I figure this is all for now. I will see you tomorrow. Class dismissed."
...
It felt like Fatima's lesson took several hours, but it only took most of one. Nonetheless, it was almost lunch time, so I decided to ask my parents if they wanted to have lunch together.
I left the classroom without any interventions from other students, which was a bit disappointing, but I made my way to Misiones with a spring on my step. After all, I would soon learn how to wield magic! My excitement was immesurable, and I checked my mailbox every couple of minutes for the famed handbook.
We had lunch at a burguer place near their house, but my parents had a Family Welcoming Ceremony to attend that afternoon, and I decided to head to my dorm early. The timing was perfect since just a bit earlier I finally received a new email.
"Wow, this is so long. Let's see, Rules, Responsibities, Facilities, Personnel, Organization, NAM AI, Campus Map, a lot of interesting stuff. Mental Health, Time Management, uh... oh! Training Affinity! Let's see, let's see..."
There was a detailed description of the meaning of this section and some general guidelines, and below were the affinities. They were in listed in no apparent order, and besides every method, like 'Enlightenment Meditation', was my affinity to that attribute and a step-by-step of how to do it. It even told where I had to go to get the books and other equipment. Nevertheless, there was a problem.
"Why are they all Average Affinity?" I scowled.
Wasn't this the same as my Second Appraisal? Is it just a coincidence?
"Damnit. I think I'll ask for some references from my roommates later."
I decided to just keep scrolling.
'Class Timetables, interesting. Contribution Points, great. Research Groups, what are those? Extracurriculars, oh, there are student groups here too! I heard those were fun. Okay, let's focus... Here it is, Dormitory Assignment.'