Into the Unknown World

Chapter 22. The mock battles | Part I

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Early in the morning, when we finally reached the Academy 's entrance, several other breathtaking wooden beast-drawn carriages were waiting outside to come to visit the maze-like city structure of the Academy. So even if it encompasses a vast flat landscape near the coast, several more trees are present, indicating that it has the right number of beasts that could also be ideal for potential great outdoor hunting. So it not only shows that many people who are here could therefore live but also the apprentices and their servants.

While we are still waiting for our turn to be searched, Professor Strauss showed me another parchment of the academy's map. Upon checking it, the academy's structure looks like a huge box surrounded by a water canal with three small boxes inside. There are four gates in each direction on the first wall, through which every traveller must pass. It does seem to have control points in each of these gates, where each transport is carefully assessed by means of a certain wizard's mystical item called "crystal balls".

It is situated in the southwest region of the Kingdom of Darathos, by the sea, such that the inhabitants of the Fortress of Lunaria can have convenient access from their trip. As we followed after our carriages were checked extensively. Professor Strauss has shown a thin steel bar that he says is an evidence that he lives in this place. It is granted not only to teachers and students, but also to merchants and guardsmen entering and leaving the Academy for proof of citizenship.

He also mentioned that the sons of the lords were the ones supposed to take the position vacancies in the castles. Exceptions might have been made, but in fact, it was a question of who the mates of your father and mother were. Mages are different, though. They are selected as long as you have magical power. So, anyone can join.

"Fear not. You'll get your badge soon, child. As you can see, as heavy as it is, this is to ensure the safety of the people living inside."

The carriages are positioned in an extremely ordered manner within the next stone wall. In this wide area individuals who mounted their carriages will leave them for further assessment and walk from the first ground to the next where trade stalls and recreation facilities are situated. It's a half hour walk to the next ground, where I need to register for a building where freshmen need to sign up.

Behind the third wall, there are small meadows and pubs built especially for students, where students stay and sleeping quarters are situated. We have hurriedly gone to the next establishment for that reason, and Professor Strauss seems hell bent to find a way to put me to an assessment tomorrow. Even though I'm a little excited about what I saw, I kept walking before we got to the building.

Knights-to-be student dorms are situated in the eastern section of the ground, while mage apprentices are situated in the western sector. Ages ago, students were also in the northern and southern regions, however due to the decline in student numbers related to the conflict, they are not being used and maintained for future generations of students.

The deepest portion of the Academy's heavily fortified stone walls, which is also in the fourth ground, is the massive and ancient castle where the teachers reside, with the exception of the Headmaster who stays as the Royal Archmage in the Royal Castle. Professor Strauss has confirmed that he never attends the academy if there is no case at the moment or special need to regularly attend.

I let my sight marvel at the tranquility of the walls surrounding this academy, and I began to ask, "Do I truly belong here?"

As soon as we reached the inside of the building, there were only five people in the Mage apprenticeship Department, while there were 15 in the Knights Freshmen section. They might be here to register as well. Professor who left me a while ago said that I need to fill in some of the details that the interviewer requires, so I should be ready for the assessment next morning. Thanks to Sir Lyol's showing me how to write and read my name, I 'm sure I'm able to put it down.