Chapter 8: Appraisal

In the room next to the exam room, three teachers were busy deciphering the chicken scratches of the takers who could ’write’ and decide on a verdict. Of course, not all of them had bad handwriting. Some wrote like it was the only thing they had done since they were young.

“Guys, I think I found an interesting one.” The red-haired woman held up a couple of papers and showed them to the other two, the bald instructor from the Aether sensitivity test and a dark-haired woman in simple robes. The two dropped the papers they were currently reading and looked over the answers together.

“Certainly…” Hugh said with a thoughtful look.

“He’s the kind that doesn’t stop thinking. And he’s…a mage. Good. He’d get himself killed if he tried to fight up close with that kind of mindset,” Reina said with a decisive nod.

“Not necessarily. These are preparatory thoughts.”

“Don’t tell me, are you interested, Hugh?” Basra asked teasingly.

“No. But he’s definitely accepted.”

“I agree.”

“Good. Me too.”

“Mhm, me three.”

Hugh, the bald instructor, Reina, the dark-haired mage, and Basra, the red-haired swordswoman, turned around at the sudden appearance of a fourth voice standing behind Hugh and Reina, looking over their shoulders.

“Zalar…What are you doing outside the Library?” Hugh asked with a frown.

Zalar shrugged.

“I got a feeling that the new students would be interesting this year. By the looks of it, I wasn’t wrong. This guy, that blond kid, and that pyromaniac…

“Do me a favor, will you guys, and put them in the same groups during group assignments.”

Reina, Hugh, and Basra exchanged looks.

“Sure. Sounds fun.” Basra nodded before the others could answer.

“Great. I’m looking forward to it.” Leaving those words behind, Zalar disappeared as suddenly as he appeared.

Basra’s smile faded, and she put her head in her hands.

“I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“Yeah, those kids are going to suffer.” Reina nodded

Hugh put a comforting hand on Basra’s shoulder. But instead of offering comforting words, he said,

“Be sure to take responsibility.”

***

Unsurprisingly, Alec, Isidore, and Taryeon all got into the Academy. Since Taryeon and Alec were both mages, they were in the same dormitory, but not roommates.

Since this was the first time at any place of learning for many of the first-years, they were given rooms to share with older students, who could act as mentors and guides.

’He’s not here, though?’ Alec looked around his assigned room and made sure it was empty. It was like two identical rooms had simply had the wall between them removed. A bed, desk, and bookcase on either side of the room. They shared a window in the middle.

The only differences were the books in his roommate’s bookcase and the supplies on the desk.

Alec was tired, and since the rest of the day was meant for them to get used to the Academy and their rooms, he lay down on the bed and closed his eyes as he focused on a few things.

The first was something he hadn’t had the time to think about. It was the messages he had gotten the moment Taryeon and Isidore introduced themselves.

[Taryeon ???]

[Importance level: 7]

[Isidore]

[Importance level: 8]

The only thing that had helped him keep his face in check was the fact that he wasn’t sure what the System was trying to say with those notes.

’Hey, what’s this ’Importance level’ thing?’

[It’s an approximation of how big their roles in the original book were. It’s a scale of 1 to 10.]

’So, they’re pretty important.’

[You could say that.]

’In a good way? Can you show me more information about them?’

[Sorry, that exceeds the limit.]

’Figures. But as my amazingly fantastical guide, you can tell me if I should stick close to them or avoid them, right?’

[If you had been the author, you would have known what to do…]

’But I’m not the author!’ Alec shouted in his mind before sighing.

’Whatever. Let’s move on. My rewards?’

[Alright.]

[Minor Quest complete: Enter the Royal Academy’s Commoner Mage Division]

[Assessing *Alec Lantern’s* affinities…]

[Reward: Hollow Gale Magic Circle Condensation Method]

[Major Quest complete: Enter Vongrad Kingdom’s Royal Academy]

[Assessing *Alec Lantern’s* evaluation…]

[Reward: Skill: Appraisal]

Alec’s eyebrow rose. Appraisal sounded like a useful skill. As if to answer his thoughts, the System pulled up some detailed information.

[Appraisal: Reveal name and summarized information of the specified target. Pre-existing knowledge increases accuracy and details.]

Alec’s eyes narrowed. Specifically at the ’Pre-existing knowledge’ part. He had a feeling that it paired perfectly with [Reader].

’How do I use it?’

[How did you use Reader?]

’Subconsciously?’

[Close.]

’Can’t you just tell me?’

[Does a good teacher give the answer? Or do they guide the student in finding the answer for themselves?]

Alec sighed.

He hadn’t even noticed that he activated [Reader]. He only felt the headache afterward. But he knew it had come about when he tried to read the symbols on the Aether sensitivity testing slab.

’Is that it? Do I just need to try?’

[I would say it’s worth a shot.]

Alec opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling.

[Appraisal successful: Wooden Ceiling.]

The bookcase.

[Appraisal successful: Wooden Bookcase.]

The glasses-wearing student with short light-colored hair staring at him with a slight frown.

[Appraisal partially successful: ???. Second-year commoner mage student at Vongrad Kingdom’s Royal Academy.]

’Well, that’s useless.’

Alec held out his hand.

“Hi, I’m Alec, your new roommate.”

His roommate shook it hesitantly.

“Nicholas. You alright?”

“Just getting settled in.”

“Okay. I’m going to study. If you have any questions, I would prefer it if you ask them now.”

Alec nodded.

“Where did you get all of your books? Is there a way to make money as a student? How do classes work? Is there a curfew?”

“Library and bookshops in the city. If you’re smart, there are scholarships, otherwise, there are jobs in the city. Next year, you’ll be able to join Academy-sponsored monster hunts. During your first year, your classes and schedule are decided by the Academy. You should get information about that tomorrow. Yes, there’s a curfew. Sundown. Anything else?”

“Where’s the library, and can I go there now?”

Nicholas was silent for a moment as he looked at Alec. He was hesitant.

“Since you just got here, you might not get in. But then again, the Librarian isn’t much for rules like that, so it might be worth a shot. The Library is in the big central building. It shouldn’t be hard to find.”

“Thanks.” Alec nodded gratefully and stood up to leave.

“Oh, do I need any materials before classes begin? And how do I apply for a scholarship?”

“The Academy sponsors the first set of almost everything you need, including uniforms. I haven’t done it myself, but I think you just need to talk to any of the teachers in charge of the first-years.”

“Thanks again.”

“No problem.”

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