"As you wish,"
Charlotte's voice echoed in the realm of the Dark Tower.
...
When the training came to an end, Bairon roused from the illusionary world.
Opening his eyes, his gaze was clear, yet tinged with an undeniable exhaustion.
Charlotte was powerful, hence the training was successful.
Bairon had managed to break through to the 4th ring, and his Levitation had also advanced to level 2.
For a typical magus, level 2 Levitation could allow the caster to hover two meters above the ground for three minutes.
But Bairon was no ordinary magus; he had mastered the Level 3 Lightness spell, which meant he could jump higher and hover longer.
"How much time has passed?" Bairon inquired.
"Four hours," Old John replied. "I'd suggest that you get back to your bed in the inn and get some good sleep before dawn. The illusionary realm might not bring physical harm, but the mental fatigue is just as real."
Since the core of a magus's spellcasting was Mindergy, they needed to pay even more attention to their mental well-being than an ordinary person.
"Understood," Bairon nodded, glancing at the cuff of his magus robe.
This robe, acquired free of charge from the Magus Guild, bore the markings of the lowest, 1st-ring level.
In reality, Bairon was now an Intermediate 4th-ring magus, which meant he could wear a blue robe adorned with four white rings at the cuffs.
For many magi, updating their robes was the first thing they'd do after each breakthrough.
It was an acknowledgment of hard-won progress, and parading in such finery would undoubtedly catch extra eyes on the streets, a satisfying nod to vanity.
But Bairon had no intention of doing so.
Because, whether it's switching to a blue magus robe or adding another ring at the cuff, both actions required the expenditure of gold coins.
Bairon closed his eyes and rested for a moment.
Once he felt a sliver of his strength return, he sat up and dusted off his magus robe.
Before leaving, as was his habit, Bairon inspected the cardboard box he'd left behind.
As he sifted through its contents, a particular item caught his eye: a pure gold brooch adorned with an eagle emblem.
A memory stirred; it was a parting gift from Ajani Phillip when he left Sailport.
Recalling the words Ajani had said at the time, Bairon took out the golden brooch and slipped it into his pocket.
"Good night to you both," he said, before vanishing from the realm of the Dark Tower.
...
The following morning, in the Goethe Hotel, doors to rooms 204 and 205 opened early.
Even Seasoft, who usually enjoyed sleeping in, was roused by Evelyn.
"Why do I have to get up if Bairon is the one taking the exam today?" Seasoft protested, yawning.
"Because we've only paid for two days and one night," Evelyn said as she packed their bags. "Hurry up; it would be quite awkward if the cleaning staff comes to evict us."
"So where are we staying tonight?" Seasoft asked, forlornly stroking the duck-down duvet. Beds this comfortable were hard to come by in the Elf tribes.
"We'll find a long-term rental near the Magus Academy," Evelyn replied. "Once my brother passes the academy's entrance exam, it would be best for us to live closer to the academy."
Renting a place would naturally be more cost-effective than staying at a hotel.
Had it not been for Evelyn's immediate need for rest upon disembarking from the White Gull, Bairon would have looked for accommodations near the Magus Academy right away.
"So Bairon is off to take his test, and we go house-hunting?" Seasoft's eyes lit up.
"It's not a test, it's registration," Evelyn corrected. "But yes, we are indeed responsible for finding a place to live."
The light in Seasoft's eyes intensified. "So can we find a place with a duck-down duvet?"
"Those would be hard to find and expensive even if available," Bairon said, standing at the doorway with a hefty suitcase in hand. "I suggest you focus on a comfortable environment at a reasonable cost. We can always replace the furniture without much expense."
San Sorus, a city teeming with transients, had a booming rental market.
The landlords had developed a knack for providing the cheapest possible furnishings — the kind Seasoft wouldn't appreciate.
Seasoft looked at Bairon with eyes that spelled poverty.
It was then that Bairon remembered: she had spent all her 50 gold coins to purchase mana cores.
"As a small token for those 50 Imperial gold coins you exchanged, I can lend you some," Bairon generously offered.
"Lend? You're such a miser!" Seasoft complained.
Half an hour later, Bairon led the two of them downstairs, returned the hotel room cards, and they left in a horse-drawn carriage.
Not long after they had left, another carriage pulled up in front of the Goethe Hotel.
It was a sleek, black affair adorned with golden tulip designs.
A man, dressed like a butler, stepped down from the carriage and approached the hotel's reception desk.
Upon seeing the golden tulip emblem on the butler's chest, the receptionist immediately sprang to attention. "Good day, sir. How may I assist you?"
The butler inquired, "Two days ago, did you have three young guests check in here? A man wearing a gray magus robe, a young woman in her twenties, and a little girl around seven or eight?"
"Ah, you must be referring to them," the receptionist immediately thought of Bairon and his companions.
"Which room were they staying in?" the butler's voice took on a grave tone.
"You've arrived at quite an inopportune time; they just left," the receptionist responded.
"Where have they gone?" the butler pressed.
"They are likely headed to the Magus Academy. The man in the gray robe was asking about the academy's enrollment period on the day they arrived," the receptionist answered.
"Thank you for your cooperation," the butler said, placing a gold coin on the counter.
The receptionist pocketed the coin but couldn't help asking, "May I inquire what they've done wrong?"
"That magus is suspected of murdering our family's young master, Dave Padorn," the butler said, his voice icy cold.
Upon hearing this, the receptionist's pupils dilated with terror, and an involuntary shudder coursed through his frame.
…
Nine in the morning, at the entrance to the Magus Academy.
The carriage stopped in front of the imposing academy gates.
"Choose a place that's quiet and comfortable," Bairon advised Evelyn from within the carriage. Then, glancing at Seasoft, he added, "But it shouldn't be too expensive."
Seasoft looked out the window, contemplating what lay ahead.
"I understand," Evelyn nodded.
Finally stepping out of the carriage, Bairon made his way toward the Magus Academy.
As the only institution in the Provincial Alliance teaching spellcraft, and fully funded by the alliance-level Citizens Assembly Hall, the academy held a peculiar and somewhat awkward status.
A colorful array of young people bustled in and out through the grand front gates of the academy.
Bairon noticed that even the lowest-ranking among them wore the green magus robes of a novice.
He alone wore a gray robe.
Because of this, upon entering the academy, Bairon instantly drew numerous glances and whispers.
Unperturbed, he located the registration desk and quietly joined the line.
A few minutes later, it was Bairon's turn.
"Fill out this form," said the clerk, sliding a sheet of paper across the counter.
Scanning the form, Bairon noted fields for personal information, magus occupation, magus rank, spells mastered, battle experience, and a referral.
"What does 'referral' mean?" Bairon inquired.
"If you know someone within the academy, you can fill it in. Otherwise, leave it blank," replied the admissions officer, instinctively looking up.
When he saw Bairon's gray robe, he paused, then stammered, "You're a gray-robed magus and you want to apply?"
"Is there a problem?" Bairon retorted.
While the Citizens Assembly did offer monthly stipends for academy students and staff, many found the allure of joining a magus guild—which promised power and wealth—more captivating.
As a result, the academy perennially struggled to meet its enrollment goals.
But this year was different.
"Gray-robed magi can certainly apply. However, competition this year will be fierce. Even green-robed magi may not secure a spot, so brace yourself," said the smug admissions officer.
"Thanks for the heads-up," Bairon replied. He chose not to write anyone's name under 'referral' and slid the form back across the counter.
The admissions officer handed him a temporary student card, saying, "There are five tests in total, each held every three days. The exact questions and rules will only be disclosed on the day."
Taking his temporary student card, Bairon turned and left.
As the admissions officer watched Bairon's retreating figure, a mysterious urge led him to glance at Bairon's completed form.
His eyes suddenly went blank, as if staring into an abyss of unforeseen ramifications.