At Qingyuan Academy in Chuyuan, thick vines climbed the ancient stone walls of the school, and the autumn sunlight filtered through the classroom windows, casting dappled shadows on the wooden desks. Eric sat in the back row, quietly taking notes on the arcane techniques the teacher was explaining. For others, the path of an arcanist represented the fusion of talent and power, but for him, this road was filled with hardship and loneliness.
Eric came from a poor family in Chuyuan. His entry into Qingyuan Academy, the nation's top arcane institution, was purely by chance—during a camping trip, he used an arcane blast to save a rabbit from a wolf attack. The rabbit's owner turned out to be an arcane master on a journey, and he recommended Eric for admission. However, after entering the academy, Eric quickly realized that what he once considered extraordinary talent was quite average here.
In the academy, arcanists focused on how to better harness and expand their arcane abilities. Some students tirelessly studied new spells and runes, aiming to master all forms of arcane power and become "omnipotent." Others specialized in one field, refining their craft to the extreme. The most gifted students could effortlessly cast complex spells, drawing admiration from their peers with each display of power. However, Eric's arcane casting was clumsy and difficult, making him a target for subtle ridicule.
From his first day at the academy, Eric knew he was no longer, or perhaps never was, the "genius" that people in his small town once praised. He understood that the rules laid down by generations of arcane masters had set a ceiling for him—his limit was that of a mid-level arcanist, nothing more. The master who had recommended him briefly returned to the academy and admitted he had simply believed that every child with spiritual talent deserved formal arcane education. But now, he acknowledged that his educational philosophy might need some adjustments. He asked Eric if he regretted coming to the academy. Eric only smiled bitterly and shook his head. He didn't regret it. He wasn't willing to live in ignorance, and during his time at the academy, a new idea had taken root in his mind: arcane power should not belong solely to the gifted, nor should it be limited to the extraordinary. It should have broader applications—perhaps even ordinary people should be able to harness its power through certain methods.
To prove his idea, Eric knew he needed to explore a vast and daunting topic: the essence of the arcane. Theoretically, the more powerful an arcanist, the closer they could come to touching the source of arcane power. Yet throughout history, most research on this topic had ended in failure. Many renowned arcanists had perished in their quest, using their own bodies as mediums for experiments, either being consumed by their efforts or gradually descending into madness.
Despite this, Eric was determined. He began collecting and reading ancient experiments, many of which were still preserved in their original form in the academy's library—some even bore bloody handprints. Eric read these texts obsessively, to the concern of his teachers. However, while Eric wasn't particularly gifted, he managed to keep up with his coursework, passing each class by a narrow margin, leaving his teachers with little to say.
Eric graduated from Qingyuan Academy with mediocre grades and was unable to stay on as a faculty member. He had no choice but to leave the academy and seek his own path. Shortly after leaving, he heard rumors about Norton. Norton—once the most prosperous ancient empire on the continent—was located in the heart of the land, known for its wealth in agriculture and its vast commercial network. Recently, however, Norton had been undergoing incomprehensible changes, and one piece of news caught Eric's attention the most: Norton was offering high salaries to recruit arcanists. For most arcanists, money was not their goal, especially not for the top students at the academy, who would rather pursue higher knowledge and honor in the field of the arcane. But Eric was different. His experiences at the academy had made him question the existing arcane system, and he was eager to find a new breakthrough. He hoped to discover a new opportunity in Norton, especially after hearing that the scholars Norton was recruiting were focused on the integration of technology and the arcane. This prospect filled him with excitement.
Eric decided to go to Norton. The recruitment notice had been clear: they were looking for researchers who could deeply understand the arcane. This statement captivated him. His time at the academy had made him realize that while he might not be the strongest arcane practitioner, he could still make breakthroughs in theory and application. He had been refining his research in this area, and much of his material had already been compiled during his time at the academy.
After days of travel, he finally arrived in Norton. The city's grandeur surpassed his imagination. Canals crisscrossed the city like a vast, intricate chessboard, with merchant ships constantly passing along the river. The bustling streets were filled with people, and the air was alive with the sound of vendors calling out their wares.
Eric used his meager funds to pay a boatman for passage, stepping off onto Fourth Street. At the end of this street stood Norton's premier institution, Norton Public Academy. His interview was to take place there. Nervous, he crossed a stone bridge and, from its peak, caught sight of the academy's outer walls. Passing a fountain, he saw an enormous building beyond, its architecture reminiscent of the stone structures of the Western lands. Some of its walls were covered in ivy, reflecting its age. Behind the building lay a green lawn where a few children were playing. Not far from there, he found the building where his interview would take place. It was a delicate two-story structure, clearly built with arcane methods.
The interview room was on the second floor, and many others were already waiting in the hallway.
"Next," a voice called from inside a room that resembled a meeting hall. Surprisingly, everyone stepped back, and Eric found himself moving forward, unsure of why others weren't going in. As if in a trance, he walked down the path people had opened for him. By the time he realized what was happening, he was already standing in front of three people.
Panic seized him. He fumbled with the papers in his hands—his prepared introduction, his academy recommendation, and his research materials—spilling them across the floor. He quickly crouched down to gather them, but the more he tried, the worse it became. Sweat began to bead on his forehead, and a cold chill ran down his spine.
"Don't worry, young man." Suddenly, a hand appeared in front of him, holding the scattered research materials. It was Wen Xian.
"Th-thank you!" Eric stammered, his voice shaking as he took the papers from the legendary arcanist. Two legends stood before him, one right in front and the other sitting just five meters away.
"Introduce yourself, and then tell us about your background. If you have any special research experience, feel free to share that as well," Wen Xian said as he returned to his seat, formally beginning the assessment.
…
"I have two ideas. First, we could develop devices that convert and output arcane energy, based on arcane origins, to help in societal production. Second, we could bypass the theoretical barrier of the arcane origin and attempt to enhance ordinary people, making the process of cultivating extraordinary individuals a stable one rather than one reliant on innate talent. In short, I believe the essence of the arcane can be understood…"
Eric spoke for a full thirty minutes, too engrossed to notice the changing expressions of his "audience." Meanwhile, outside the door, those waiting were stunned by his audacious words. In front of two legends, Eric had spoken of ideas like "talent doesn't determine character," "an extraordinary person without virtue is a disaster for mankind," and "how can ordinary people resist if the gifted lose their way?" These statements were practically an open challenge to the very people standing at the pinnacle of power—the "geniuses among the extraordinary" and "rulers of the Norton Empire."
After he finished, Eric immediately regretted it, but what was said could not be unsaid.
The faces of the three people in front of him were serious, especially Wen Xian.
"We will now announce the result of your interview. You are the first candidate to receive an immediate response," Wen Xian said, his tone grave. Everyone, including Eric, thought this reckless boy was about to be thrown out of Norton City.
"You've been accepted, Eric. Welcome to Norton Academy."