So, how is the house assignment process for students in Mistheaven?
The process is quite simple. Students just need to stand under the orrery in the main hall. This device, with its intricate gears and celestial models, will then perform a divination, examining the student's past, present, and future.
The orrery will rank the eight planets from the most compatible to the least, each planet symbolizing a different house.
These eight planets represent the eight houses, each possessing the following qualities:
• White Mercury: Self-Reflection, Self-Introspection, Inner Guidance
• Yellow Venus: Compassion, Nurturing, Public Service
• Red Mars: Justice, Fairness, Law
• Silver Jupiter: Authority, Influence, Power
• Purple Saturn: Brotherhood, Harmony, Relationships
• Green Uranus: Wealth, Success, Abundance
• Blue Neptune: Knowledge, Mystery, Spirituality
• Brown Pluto: Change, Technolgy-Advancement, Transformation
Every year, only 50 students are accepted into each house. If a student's most compatible house is already full, they will be placed in the house corresponding to their second-most compatible planet. This process repeats until all the houses are filled.
Those who are placed in a house based on their third or lower-ranked planet are often called "misfits," as they might not fully align with the house's primary qualities.
[Let's start with the highest-ranked student. A round of applause for Allan De Quatermain. Come on, young man, please head to the stage.]
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
*Dun* *Dun* *Dun*
The sound of applause mixed with the rhythm of drums echoed through the hall, creating an intense atmosphere.
Allan, with his neatly styled brown hair and strikingly handsome face, looked like the perfect noble.
Any girl could easily fall for his charms, especially since he came from one of the most prestigious noble families.
His tall, commanding presence and the way he carried himself with elegance were exactly how one would expect a nobleman to behave.
Now, standing confidently before the podium, Allan faced the crowd of new students, his posture dignified and unshaken.
*Cling* *Klang*
Above him, the orrery rotated, its delicate gears and metal plates creating a soft yet palpable tension in the air. All eyes were locked on the celestial device, anxious to see its divination.
*Click*
Suddenly, a sharp click was heard, and the eight planets lit up like radiant lamps. Numbers from 1 to 8 appeared over each planet, signaling their compatibility rankings.
Jupiter showed the number 1, and Mars the number 2. For students ranked as highly as Allan, the third and lower-ranked planets were of little importance.
[Allan De Quatermain has been accepted into the House of Jupiter.]
The House of Jupiter and the House of Uranus were often filled with nobility, but not all nobles desired to be part of them due to the intense competition for power. However, for those who could rise to prominence within these houses, a future of political and economic dominance awaited them.
A proud smile spread across Allan's face as the announcement was made. A magical formula suddenly illuminated beneath his feet, its runes glowing brightly.
Allan's black robe, once plain and unadorned, began to transform. Intricate designs formed, with the Mistheaven logo and the House of Jupiter's insignia becoming visible. Silver accents appeared along the inner collar.
[Let's review the divination results of Mr. Quatermain. He possesses the ambition of Jupiter and the sense of justice from Mars. Strong-willed, but with no intent to cheat or manipulate. Whoa, if all nobles were like you, Stellarkeep would surely flourish.]
The headmaster made a satirical remark, subtly addressing the nobles residing in the upper echelons of Stellarkeep. Of course, no noble dared to challenge or refute the headmaster's words.
Allan then stepped down from the stage and returned to his seat, now the focus of the entire hall.
His divination results, coupled with the headmaster's praise, had placed him in the spotlight, a fact that undoubtedly sparked envy among the other noble students.
[Next, Estella De Havisham. Please come to the stage.]
This time, the stunning Estella took the stage. With her long, flowing black hair that shone like the finest silk and her perfectly poised figure, she captivated the attention of every boy in the hall—including Oz.
— Brr. The protagonist's girl sure knows how to enchant people. I almost strayed from my path in pursuing Professor Goldilock.
*Cling* *Klang*
Once again, the orrery spun above the stage. When it came to a stop, Mars held the number 1 spot, and Jupiter was ranked 2.
[Estella De Havisham has been accepted into the House of Mars.]
The House of Mars was known for being home to those with strict adherence to rules and an unwavering sense of justice. They were rigid and uncompromising, but they could not tolerate injustice or abuse of power.
[Whoa, another noble with qualities of both Mars and Jupiter? This one even leans more toward Mars. Hahaha, the top two ranked students have very distinct qualities. Hahaha.]
The headmaster continued with his satirical remarks aimed at the nobles. Only Professor Goldilock seemed brave enough to openly mock the nobility, apart from those living on the 12th floor of Stellarkeep.
Estella's robe also transformed. Red accents appeared on the fabric, with the Mistheaven and House of Mars insignia proudly embroidered.
The boys were mesmerized not only by her beauty but also by the stuning transformation of her attire.
*Murmur*
Several hushed voices rippled through the crowd, mostly from the boys, captivated by Estella's radiant beauty and graceful poise as she descended the stage.
After Estella, the third-ranked student was called, followed by the fourth, and so on, until the top twenty students had been assigned their houses.
When it was Oz's turn to be called, Professor Goldilock's demeanor shifted dramatically. The professor, who had been cheerful just moments ago, now wore a stern and almost icy expression.
[… ]
The two exchanged glances—Oz, with a mischievous grin, and Professor Goldilock, looking clearly irritated.
[Sigh, alright. Oliver Twist, come on up.]
Professor Goldilock tried hard to hide his irritation. If the other students noticed the growing tension between him and Oz, the gossip would spread like wildfire across the academy.
Oz made his way up to the stage, but instead of facing the audience of new students as the others had done, he boldly stared straight at Professor Goldilock.
"Psst, face the other way."
The headmaster whispered with a closed-mouth smile, trying to stay polite.
"Oh, right, I forgot."
Oz responded nonchalantly, turning around with a casual shrug.
"You little brat…"
Professor Goldilock's patience was wearing thin. His frustration was barely contained, and internally, he was chanting, "Stay calm… just stay calm…"
Fortunately for both of them, the conversation wasn't audible to the audience, as it wasn't picked up by the magical sound amplifiers.
However, the professors sitting behind them could hear everything and were struggling to suppress their laughter.
*Cling* *Klang* *Cling* *Klang* *Cling* *Klang*
The orrery continued to spin, and the clinking of its gears echoed through the grand hall. After nearly five minutes, it still hadn't stopped, making the tension grow among the students.
"Professor Goldilock, I think the orrery is broken."
Oz said innocently, pointing up at the still-turning celestial model above his head.
"What did you do this time?"
Professor Goldilock hissed, stepping closer to Oz. He glanced up at the orrery, but there seemed to be no obvious malfunction.
"Hmm, strange… It's possible that the divination is struggling to make a clear reading because the margin of error is approaching 40%?"
"I swear, it wasn't me this time. I only pulled one prank this morning. Oops…"
Oz almost let slip that he was the mastermind behind the morning's chaos with the five carriages.
"… Alright then… Just pick a house. I'll handle the rest."
Professor Goldilock, now visibly frustrated, was clearly at a loss as to why the orrery malfunctioned. Everything in the magical formulas had been set up correctly.
"In that case, I'll choose your house, Professor. Hehehe."
"… I'll send you straight to detention house. I'm serious."
"So am I."
Oz grinned.
"…"
In all his years at Mistheaven, never had Professor Goldilock encountered a student who could frustrate him as much as Oz.
"I'll choose House of Saturn then. Everyone there is so easygoing."
"Fine, I don't care. Even without the orrery, you do seem suited for that house."
Without further discussion, Professor Goldilock returned to the podium and made the official announcement.
[Due to an unforeseen technical issue with the orrery, after careful consideration, we have decided to place Oliver Twist in the House of Saturn.]
The magical symbols on the floor began to glow, swirling in vibrant colors around Oz.
Slowly, his once plain black robe transformed, embroidered with delicate purple stitching and the emblems of Mistheaven and House of Saturn. The deep violet hue now wrapped him.
"Thank you, darling."
Oz cheekily muttered under his breath as he turned to leave the stage.
"…"
With a gleeful smile on his face, Oz bolted back to his seat, clearly enjoying his moment, leaving Professor Goldilock with nothing more than a resigned sigh.
[Next up, Ebenezer De Scrooge, please step forward.]
— Hmm, this scent is… Belladonna…
Although Oz and Eben were seated only a few feet apart, Oz hadn't noticed the scent of Belladonna until Eben walked past him. More specifically, the Belladonna was masked by Eben's strong perfume, but Oz's sharp senses picked up on the subtle odor.
Belladonna itself wasn't the issue, after all, many elixirs used it in small amounts. The real concern was whether Eben had used the rarer variety. White Belladonna, also known as Glass Belladonna.
"Verinomus Animaviso!"
With a quick incantation, Oz's vision shifted. He now saw everyone in the room as dark, shadowy figures, each containing a miniature galaxy that represented their Verinomus. As he turned to observe Eben, Oz's suspicions were confirmed.
At first glance, Eben's Verinomus appeared normal, but thanks to his Verinomus Animaviso, Oz could see the subtle color difference.
Seventy-five percent of Eben's starlight wasn't white, a clear sign that he had implanted starlight into his Verinomus.
—He's playing a dangerous game.
Typically, wizards used Celestite to craft wands. However, it could also be implanted directly into the body, allowing the wizard to absorb the starlight, temporarily boosting their magical power.
—If the implant can increase one's starlight, why doesn't everyone get it?
The reason was simple. Like the human body, Verinomus also had an immune system that would eventually reject the foreign starlight. Over time, this would not only destroy the implanted starlight but also damage the wizard's original starlight, weakening them permanently
The only way to suppress this immune response was by using an elixir made from Glass Belladonna.
—While not illegal, it's dangerous, and the practice has been banned in several countries. Even labeled as Dark Arts.
A more severe risk came from the accidental use of Blood Celestite, which was harvested from human sources.
If someone were to use it, they would die instantly, as human starlight isn't compatible with others.
Only the Philosopher's Stone, the ultimate creation of the Transmutation Dark Lord, could solve this problem and safely enhance a wizard's power without any risk.
*Cling* *Klang* *Click*
The orrery began to move again. This time, the planet Uranus displayed the number 1, and Jupiter showed the number 2.
[Ebenezer De Scrooge has been assigned to House of Uranus.]
It came as no surprise to anyone that Eben was placed in the House of Uranus. That house was known for attracting nobles and wealthy merchants, those who wielded power and influence in the realm of trade and economics.
—And Celestite implants and Glass Belladonna aren't exactly cheap.
[It seems the orrery is back to normal. The earlier malfunction was just a technical issue. Let's read Mr. Scrooge's divination results. He shows the qualities of Uranus and Jupiter, which indicate an ambition for great personal gain by using any means. Predictable, really.]
The Scrooge family had a reputation for being one of the wealthiest noble houses, dominating the New World markets.
With their vast network of business connections, it was no surprise they could obtain rare and expensive ingredients, like Glass Belladonna.
[Next student, please.]
One by one, the remaining students were called to the stage.
After Eben's turn, over a dozen students had passed through the selection process without any further issues.
Most of the staff had written off Oz's earlier mishap as a simple divination error.
[David Copperfield, please step forward.]
The room grew quieter as some students began to tire of the repeated ceremony.
They whispered to each other, their attention wandering.
But Oz, sensing something special, sat upright, his eyes gleaming.
—Something's about to happen. Just wait.
*Cling* *Klang* *Click*
When the orrery stopped spinning, the entire hall gasped in unison. Something remarkable had occurred.
All eight planets displayed the number 1. It was as if the universe itself was declaring that David had an unparalleled talents.
—See? I knew it. That's what happens when you're the protagonist.
*Murmur*
The hall erupted in a chorus of excited whispers, much louder than when Oz's orrery malfunctioned.
[It appears something extraordinary has happened. Let's try the divination process again.]
*Cling* *Klang* *Click*
Once again, the eight planets displayed the number 1. In the entire history of Mistheaven Academy, the maximum alignment had only ever been three planets showing the number 1.
Several professors huddled together at the back of the hall, engaging in a heated discussion. No one could hear exactly what they were saying, but it was clear that there was some disagreement about where David should be placed. Some professors were adamant about their preferred house.
This was a stark contrast to Oz's selection. During Oz's turn, most professors didn't care where he was placed—some even prayed he wouldn't end up in their house. But David was different. His immense talent made him a coveted prize, and every professor wanted him in their house.
"If I may. I'd like to be placed in the House of Mars."
David said, his voice full with confidence.
The professors, who had been arguing passionately just moments before, fell silent.
David's choice settled the debate. Those who had been pushing for other houses reluctantly accepted his decision. Even the headmaster gave a nod of approval.
—With a talent like his, he could've gone anywhere, even to the real Planet Mars.
The one laughing joyfully was none other than Professor Betteredge, the head of the House of Mars.
His deep, hearty laughter echoed through the hall, reflecting his delight at seeing David Copperfield, the star of the ceremony, express his preference for the House of Mars.
He was a man in his mid-50s, with graying red hair and a short beard that gave him a mischievous look. He adjusted his glasses as he clapped his hands.
—Well, of course, the protagonist has to be in the same house as the heroine.
Oz chuckled to himself, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
After the incident, the rest of the students appeared dull in comparison.
The aura of the protagonist, David, was so overwhelming that it naturally diminished the confidence of the supporting characters.
Oz didn't bother remembering the names of the other students who were still being sorted. He had his own methods for dealing with such tasks.
Sam was already busy committing every face, name, and house to memory. Oz, instead focused on the students he personally knew or had already taken interest in.
Sam and August were soon sorted into the House of Saturn, much to Oz's satisfaction.
Opheila, their other close companion, was placed in the House of Neptune
While Andrei, was sorted into the House of Mercury.
As the ceremony reached its final stretch, some houses had already reached their quota, and the orrery had to place the remaining students in their third or fourth-ranked choices.
"Misfits, huh?"
Oz mused, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the unfortunate few.
It was a fate that many students dreaded, as Misfits were often bullied, forced into servitude, or worse—completely ignored by their housemates.
"Well, at least I ranked 21st."
Oz muttered under his breath. But even that wasn't enough to entirely reassure him. He had chosen the House of Saturn himself, but deep down, he still harbored doubts.
At least in Saturn the atmosphere was relaxed, and the students valued brotherhood. Even the Misfits weren't treated poorly there.
Once the house selection ceremony concluded, a series of speeches and orientation lectures followed, each more monotonous than the last.
Oz fought to keep his eyes open, feeling a strange wave of drowsiness wash over him, despite the fact that he didn't actually need sleep.
[Thanks for everyone. The new student ceremony is hereby declared finished.]
The hall exploded with noise as students cheered, clearly relieved that the long, tedious event was finally over.
"Finally! Now it's time for room assignments. My body feels stiff as a board. I hope the beds are decent."
Oz grumbled, stretching his arms.
"Oz!"
Sam and August came running toward him, both grinning ear to ear.
"Haha! I knew it—our meeting was destined!"
August declared confidently, puffing out his chest as though he had predicted the whole thing. His arrogance made him appear like a fortune-teller who had just foretold the future with uncanny accuracy.
"Sam, who was the professor heading the House of Saturn?" Oz asked.
"Umm, if I'm not mistaken, it's Professor Dexter. He's the only professor in a wheelchair."
Sam replied thoughtfully, recalling the man's distinctive appearance.
By now, the students had begun gathering with their respective houses, each group distinguished by the colors of their robes. The House of Saturn students, wearing dark purple robes.
Oz's attention drifted to the eight large doors at the front of the hall. Each door bore the symbol of a planet along with its corresponding color, intricately carved and glowing faintly.
Oz hadn't noticed them before, likely due to his frantic arrival after the chaotic accident involving his carriage.
"Come along, kids, this way."
Professor Dexter called, his voice calm but firm as he waved to the Saturn students. Despite being bound to a wheelchair, he had a strong presence.
His muscular build and sharp features made him appear more like a battle-worn warrior than a professor. His light brown hair, tied back into a neat ponytail with a black band, and his piercing blue eyes added to his strong aura.
A long line of students formed behind Professor Dexter, following him as they walked down a dimly lit corridor.The walls were adorned with large portraits of past figures and magical landscapes, while ornate vases and decorative relics lined the hallway.
The dormitory at Mistheaven, as Oz knew from reading the academy's guidebook, was a separate building from the main castle. But due to its design, it appeared to be attached, making the entire structure look like a single, enormous castle.
The interior design was a blend of medieval and Victorian styles, with heavy wooden furniture, velvet drapes, and chandeliers casting a warm glow.
At the end of the corridor stood a fog door. Though smaller compared to the ones in Stellarkeep, it was still an imposing structure. It stood three meters tall, its surface swirling with misty, magical energy.
"Every day, the password for the fog door to the dormitory will change. So, always make sure to check the announcement board in the common room."
Dexter explained as they approached the door.
"What happens if someone from another house sneaks in using the correct password?"
August asked, curiosity piqued.
"Oh, if that happens, you'll all lose some Private Points,"
Dexter said with a mischievous grin.
Mistheaven operated on a point system: House Points (HP) and Private Points (PP). For every 1 HP a house earned, each student in the house received 10 PP. Additionally, the student who earned the HP received a bonus of 100 PP.
While the cafeteria provided free food, the quality was said to be dreadful. Students often compared it to eating wet tissue, flavorless and unappetizing. The real meals—those worth enjoying—could only be bought with PP.
If a student from another house correctly guessed the dormitory's password and entered, the affected house would lose 10 PP per student, and the intruding student would gain 100 PP.
However, this rule only applied once per day. No additional points would be lost, even if the password was guessed multiple times.
"Today's password is 'Galileo Galilei.' Remember it well."