After reaching the fifth floor, Robert paused to absorb the unique sights he had encountered on the way. He had strolled past a classroom where students were using peculiar pens to scribble on objects making them do strange things, and another where a teacher appeared to be demonstrating an ice spell. He also observed students working on what seemed to be magical machines, and others cooking in cauldrons. Additionally, he thought he glimpsed a walking skeleton in yet another class. All of this seemed very strange to him. Once he arrived at the fifth floor, he stood and took in the environment around him - Girls walking around in their short skirts and giggling... Boys talking and laughing... flower pots moving strangely...
"Who do you talk to now?" Poison asked curiously.
"I have no idea," Robert replied, scratching his head. Just then, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw a boy around his age, same height, with blonde hair and a cheerful demeanor, who seemed eager to chat. This could be his opportunity to find out where Dean Seig's office was located.
"You must be looking for the Dean, right?" the boy asked in a soft, girlish voice.
"Oh, uh, yes, I am. Do you think you could show me to his office?" Robert asked, feeling a little embarrassed.
"This way," the boy said, and started walking up the stairs. Robert followed, relieved to have found someone willing to help him.
As they walked, the boy began to talk. "I heard Alex's henchboys talking to you. They're always fawning over him. I don't know why - Jean doesn't even like him, you know, the girl with the blue hair?" the boy said, and Robert nodded.
In Robert's mind, Poison couldn't help but chuckle. "This kid is surprisingly polite and unlike any of the others you've met so far," he thought.
"By the way, I'm Zack. I'm in the Magic Technology class. I'm from Bening, you know, the state to the east of Heiss. What about you? Are you a wizard?" Zack asked.
"I'm still in the process of applying," Robert said.
"Hm, that must mean you come from a pretty well-off family," Zack mused. "But why aren't you dressed in the fancy clothes that all the rich kids here wear?"
"Is this school only for the children of wealthy people?" Robert asked, not knowing what to expect.
"No, but it would take a non-wealthy family a long time to save up the fees," Zack explained.
"Oh, really?" Robert asked. "Well, I'm Robert, from Axille."
"The deserted town?" Zack asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"It's not as deserted as you might think," Robert replied.
"Why would a rich family live there?" Zack questioned.
"I'm actually not from a rich family," Robert said, "I'm being sponsored by Manh... otter," Robert realised he shouldn't disclose anything about Manhawk.
"Manhotter?" Zack asked, a look of confusion on his face. "Is that, like, a person?"
"Yeah, it's what I call my sponsor," Robert replied, cringing a little. That had sounded even weirder out loud than it had in his head.
"Ooookay," Zack said, his expression awkward.
"So, why aren't you studying magic?" Robert asked.
"My sponsor refused to pay for magic classes because they're too expensive," Zack explained. "I'm learning magic technology instead. It's cheaper, and my sponsor thinks I'll have better job when I graduate."
"Hmm, cool," Robert said with little enthusiasm.
"Oh, look, we've arrived at Dean Seig's office," Zack said, pausing in front of a brown door. He held out his hand, "time to settle up."
"Why do I have to pay you?" Robert asked, feeling bewildered.
"It's the cost for bringing you here, two gold coins," Zack explained.
Running short on time and not wanting to argue, Robert reluctantly pulled out two gold coins from his pocket and handed them over.
"You're welcome," Zack said as he started walking away. "If you need to find a different place, give me a call. I might be able to offer you a discount."
Robert bit his tongue to stop himself from saying something rude. Instead, he watched as Zack rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.
With a deep breath, he turned back to the door and knocked gently. A deep voice called out, "Come in."
Opening the door, Robert found himself in an oddly decorated office. Flowers hung from the walls, moving as if they were alive. Paintings shifted and morphed. A strange spherical machine sat in one corner, humming and whirring. Hanging from the ceiling was a peculiar eyeball, it's gaze flitting around the room. His gaze finally fell on the man being the desk, Dean Seig. He was bald and imposing and had a friendly expression. He wore a neat black robe.
"Ah, you must be Robert Manuel, am I right?" Dean Seig asked with a warm smile that brightened his whole face.
"Yes, sir," Robert replied, momentarily glancing up at the curious, large eyeball suspended from the ceiling.
"That's a wizard eye," Dean Seig explained, understanding Robert's fascination. "It functions just like CCTV cameras, but with a little bit of magic added in. It can see invisible things."
"Oh, that's amazing," Robert replied, his eyes filled with wonder.
"Now, about the form?" Dean Seig inquired eagerly.
Robert passed the form to Dean Seig, who accepted it and entered some data into the computer before casually discarding the paper into a nearby trash can. He then rose from his seat and approached Robert, peering down at him with a hint of mystery in his eyes.
"I'm not sure why Manhawk recommended you," Dean Seig spoke with an authoritative but kind tone, "but there must be a good reason. Now, hasten, you need to awaken your element. Your classmates have already achieved the rank of 2nd level common wizards, but you haven't even awakened yours, let alone learned how to brand and release your magical energy. Follow me to the awakening room." Dean Seig said and dashed out of the office. He moved with surprising swiftness for his size, and Robert quickly followed. After navigating several turns, they arrived at a door, which the man opened before leading them both inside.
Once inside, Robert observed the white room filled with students in loose white clothing sitting in the lotus position, deeply engrossed in meditation. A sense of calm and peace filled the air, as if the room itself was radiating pure magic.
"Do you feel that, Robert?" Poison whispered softly in Robert's mind, "That's pure magical energy."
"Well, I don't feel anything, except for the chilly temperature," Robert replied.
"Robert, come over here," the man called out, and Robert hurried over.
"Typically, we'd perform an awakening ceremony for new students," Dean Seig explained. "But since you've started late, we'll have to do it now. Place your hand here," he said, gesturing to a crystal orb set on a pedestal. It was giving off a faint white light, as if it were emitting some kind of energy.
"The element you'll get is a matter of chance," Dean Seig went on. "So don't get your hopes up about a particular element. Now, close your eyes and let the awakening orb do its work."
Robert gently placed his hand on the orb, closing his eyes as he welcomed the crackling sensation of energy coursing through him. The hairs on his arms stood on end, responding to the magic energy surging from the orb. As he focused, the regular darkness within his mind was abruptly illuminated by a swirling, rapidly changing kaleidoscope of colors. How could he make it stop?
"Psst, Robert," a familiar voice whispered.
"Not now, old man. I'm busy trying to avoid landing a useless element," Robert mentally dismissed Poison.
"I have a method that can ensure you obtain the element you desire," Poison persisted.
"But Dean Seig said it's entirely random," Robert retorted, skepticism coloring his tone.
"Hey! Don't compare my knowledge to that of a human", Poison snapped, "I was a God wizard before I passed away. Now, listen. It's similar to the games you play on that shiny flat box you call a smartphone. As the colors switch, you need to learn their pattern and time the exact moment the color of the element you desire will appear. Once it's time, will the color to stop switching... Oh, you already did it! Wow!" Poison cheered in his head.
The room filled with commotion as the students, who had been meditating, turned their attention towards him. As he opened his eyes and glanced at the orb, he realized it was emitting purple light - just the element he had been seeking. Poison's strategy had worked!
"Wow, congratulations, son!" Dean Seig exclaimed, "You have awakened the lightning element. You know, this element is quite rare, but fortunately, you've obtained it. Okay, I think you're finished for today because you'll need to return home and let your body become familiar with the lightning magical energy. Then, you'll need to stabilize it, and after that, we can continue with further training," Dean Seig patted his shoulder kindly and walked out of the room.
Robert had hoped for the other students to acknowledge his achievement and offer their congratulations too, but they just resumed their meditation, making it seem as though he was invisible and nothing of significance had taken place. He couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
"Son, if you desire acknowledgment, perhaps consider presenting yourself more professionally when you visit again, a purple robe would do," Poison suggested.
"Are you willing to cough up the cash for it?" Robert asked telepathically, an amused smile on his face.
"Umm, well..." Poison replied, clearly caught off guard by the question.
Robert let out a small chuckle, "I thought so," He said telepathically, shaking his head. He sighed and exited the room. As he stepped into the empty corridor, it became apparent that all the students were in their classes. He made his way down the stairs, and as he passed the classrooms, his heightened senses, courtesy of Poison, allowed him to overhear some students murmuring.
"You know who that is, right?" he heard one student whisper. "That's the new guy who tried to talk to Jean, Alexander's girlfriend. He must be lucky he's still breathing."
"Yeah, he's definitely not from a rich family," he could hear another student mutter. "Did you see his highschool uniform? They're so plain and regular - he must be from a poor family."
"I heard his parents had to become servants for a sponsor, just so he could attend the magic academy," a third student added. "I doubt he'll ever amount to anything here."
"He seems to be coming from the awakening room. I bet he awakened a stupid element like water or wind," another student added.
Blah blah blah.
"Hah!" Robert couldn't help but laugh.
The other students, dressed in their fancy clothes, clearly had no idea who he was or what he was capable of. Their pride had blinded them so much that they thought a handsome boy like him, dressed in normal clothes, must be a loser from a poor family. Little did they know that his family wasn't poor, just not as wealthy as theirs. They often judged elemental types based on their initial appearance, without realizing that a water wizard was just as strong as a fire wizard of the same level. All they cared about were fancy things.
"Hey, I don't even know where the gate is, and I certainly don't have two gold coins to pay that jerk," Robert grumbled to Poison.
"Oh, just hide behind a bush, turn into sand, and fly back to school, easy." Poison suggested with a chuckle.
"By the way, I have a question for you," Robert said. "Can all wizards elemental morph? i mean, change into their element, like I can?"
"No, a wizard only acquires that ability after the supreme realm," Poison explained. "That's when they've fully merged with the nomological power of their element. Only then can a wizard be called a god. The only reason you can use it now is because I'm a god wizard, and you've fused with my soul. Your physical body isn't strong enough to grasp all my power, so you can only wield the strength of a mystic earth wizard when you use my magic. As you rank up, you'll be able to access more of my power."
"I'm a bit confused" Robert said.
"To put it simply," Poison began, "you're a first-rank common lightning wizard who can't even cast a first-rank common lightning spell. And because my power is limited by your physical body, you can only use the strength of a first-rank mystic earth wizard if you utilize my magic. But as you advance, for instance, if you become a 2nd rank common wizard, you would then be able to utilize my second rank mystic earth powers. However, you can turn into an elemental, have improved perception, speed, and healing because those are all part of my earth god wizard power. Since my soul is within your body, you have all those benefits, but your body can't handle using my full power yet."
"I think I get it now," Robert said.
"Good," Poison said with a satisfied tone, "Now, turn into sand so we can leave. If we return to school, your element will stabilize by tonight, and your body will be able to gather magic energy. I'll teach you element branding and casting, okay?"
"But Dean Sieg said he would teach me those things after my element stabilized, tomorrow," Robert pointed out.
"I told you to stop comparing me to a mortal!" Poison snapped. "Just trust me on this, will you?"
"Fine, fine," Robert said, and with a whoosh, he transformed into fine sand and flew in the direction of Axille.