The day passed in that fashion, with most classes being theoretical. They weren't useless, though. Even if these Magus-related topics weren't of much use to him, they at least helped him understand more about the Maguses of this world.
Classes ended around 4 PM, granting Alvin and Linfel two hours of free time before they had to go to the Floating Blades Faction. Outside the classroom, Linfel looked at the plaque by the door and asked, "Alvin, why does it say Rank F? Are there different ranks for classes?"
Connor was the one to answer, though. "Sigh... there are, but Alvin won't be here for much longer."
Alvin shook his head. "That's not true. The only thing good about me is my Master Familiar Connection. I myself am still pretty much a Rank F Magus for all intents and purposes."
Felia then explained to Linfel, "It is all about talent and resources. The better you do, the better the classes you can take. It goes without saying that those with rich backgrounds could spend a lot more resources, getting themselves into better places even if they don't have better talent."
Connor shrugged his shoulders. "Yet, even that isn't enough to get you to Rank A and B Classes. Fortunately, resources can only elevate you to a Rank C Class at most. Rank A and B classes prioritize talent and effort above all else. Of course, it doesn't change the fact that having a lot of resources will make it easier to enter those two top Ranks. Over 90% of the students in Rank A and B classes are rich."
"It isn't all that bad then," Linfel mentioned. "Still, we are only Rank F? That's too sad."
Linfel then remembered something. "Right! There are classes for Familiars, right?"
"There are," Alvin nodded. "That's what we are going to check now. However, the number of classes for Familiars is very limited. Can you guess why?"
Linfel pondered a bit and understood. "Normal Familiars have all the theoretical knowledge thrown into their souls when they are created. There isn't any point in having theoretical classes for them, which are many more of the Maguses' Classes."
Felia, Connor, and Alvin confirmed. "You are correct. That said, the Familiar Classes are all about practical teaching. While we have five different classes on the first day of the week, you only have one or maybe not even that."
"It makes me wonder why Familiars haven't conquered the world by now. Hahaha!" Linfel couldn't help but joke.
Connor smiled. "It isn't that simple. Sure, Familiars have a great head start with all the knowledge they get from when they are created. But once a Magus achieves a similar level of knowledge, it levels up. From there onwards, it is all about ingenuity, and this is a field where normal living beings excel a lot more than Familiars."
"Why?" Linfel asked back.
"Knowledge itself," Alvin explained. "Familiars are born with all the knowledge, and that becomes their greatest barrier when it comes to development."
"Oh!" Linfel could see the sense in that.
The process of learning can also open doors to new ideas. It is while you are taking in new knowledge that questions arise, and those questions could lead to new fields that haven't been thought of before. Familiars were born with all the theoretical knowledge, so they didn't have the chance to question any of them. It is simply there for them to use.
Felia looked a little sad. "That's exactly the case. It is not like Familiars can't evolve, but the early acquired knowledge makes it hard for us Familiars to thread into new horizons. We all instinctively rely on that knowledge that is already there instead of trying anything new. Familiars that can break away from this bind are rare, really rare. It is a mental barrier."
Alvin smiled at Linfel. "You, on the other hand, won't have this issue."
"How come?" Connor asked, confused. "He is also a Familiar."
Alvin turned to Connor. "Let's just say it is part of the process of creation I used to make him." Obviously, that was a lie.
"By the way," Linfel noticed something. "You mentioned classes only on the first day of the week. Are there no classes on the other days?"
"Oh, that's not it," Alvin shook his head. "I'm talking about theoretical classes. During the rest of the week, it is all about practical training and Magic Energy Absorption. Not to mention, we need to take missions to gain academy credits. Theory can only bring you so far, right? Practice makes perfect."
"I understand," Linfel nodded. "Do we have practices together?"
"Of course!" Alvin quickly confirmed. "It works like this: Theoretical Classes on the first day of the week. Familiars would be mostly practical ones, obviously."
"Oh, right! I almost forgot," Alvin suddenly mentioned. "I told you Familiars don't need to take theoretical classes, but it isn't like they don't exist. You can apply to take them. Sometimes for whatever reason, a Familiar might be lacking in some kind of knowledge. Maybe an error during creation, maybe the knowledge they took in during their creation was outdated, or something like that. In any case, you can take theoretical classes specific to Familiars."
Linfel was happy. After all, he knew nothing about Familiars and how they worked. Since Familiars are much closer to him than humans, their theoretical classes are just what he needs. Besides, he still needs to learn how to integrate Magic Energy into his core so he can increase his level.
Alvin continued. "Anyway, on the first day, you can take theoretical classes. Then you have five days of freedom. Finally, you have a field exam at the end of the week. This one is not obligatory, but it is a good moment to put into practice whatever you learned. The practices and missions you do during the week or the field exam at the end, you can do it all with your Familiar."
Connor bitterly smiled. "Well, he said five days of freedom, but you can't truly just do nothing during it. In anything, these five days are the hardest as you need to acquire Academy Credits to get Magic Stones for training. Simply put, it is always a packed week every week."
Alvin agreed. For low-ranked Maguses like them, it was especially harsh.