The towering shelves filled with glossy books could be seen in the distance as Emery entered the hall with Cedric. They made their way to the center of the hall where lies a dwarf-receptionist manning the behind the counter who also had a bushy beard but wasn't as overgrown as Master Grom's was. Cedric greeted a couple of acolytes, wearing the same uniform as him along the way, as well as other dwarfs, half-blood humans, other seniors and some ladies that seemed to have been electrified when Cedric waved at them.
Cedric was taller than Emery by at least a head and had the typical air of a handsome and fresh aura, which matched with his long wavy hair. On top of that, the acolytes Cedric had greeted seemed to be respectful of him even though they seemed to be of the same age.
After they had reached the receptionist, Cedric talked to the dwarf, and the receptionist summoned a couple of items from his dimensional ring, which Cedric handed over to Emery after.
Emery received the items and as he stared at the new set of uniform along with two scrolls sitting on top, only then it somehow dawned on him that he had actually reached the second rank acolyte and became an apprentice in an institution; he had made it.
He shook off his thoughts and when he unrolled the two scrolls, the parchments vanished into thin air while a new notification popped out in his mind.
[Universal flora knowledge - rank 1]
[Analyze flora - rank 1]
The circle with a straight line cutting the symbol in half on his hand glowed and formed new tiny images of markings on the edges. Emery focused his thoughts on the symbol and saw a variety list of plants along with their uses and where to find them, including the four-leaf moon clover he had been tasked to gather last night.
"Do you have any crafting or potion making experience?"
Emery was about to answer yes but decided against it. Although he had experimented with concocting potions with the ingredients he had found and equipment back home, it was severely limited. Mainly, he was only able to create potions that warmed their bodies during the freezing winter. Hence, Emery felt his experience need not be conveyed. "Not really, senior."
"That's understandable. Normally, our institute doesn't allow apprentices to touch the cauldron until reaching rank 3," Cedric answered in reply, while nodding.
"Then senior what are we doing until then?"
"You will be assisting the senior apprentices and collecting enough contribution points to increase your rank."
"Contribution points?
Cedric's eyes twitched. "I see. I understand now. Since you don't even know about this, I'm assuming you came from a lower world, yes?" He then sighed and added, "I wonder how you're going to succeed in this academy."
Cedric beckoned Emery to walk with him and approached one of the acolytes behind another reception desk and said, "Pardon me, we have a new apprentice, can you show him what's in store?"
"Certainly, Adept Cedric." The apprentice then placed a translucent crystal similar to the one Emery had in his private quarters.
"Please," the apprentice said, gesturing at the glowing ball. Emery lay down his uniform on the counter first and then touched it as instructed. New information appeared in front of him.
[APOTHECARY STORE]
[Herbs] [Tools] [Potions] [Knowledge]
A long list of items was shown and almost everything written had a number written on its side. Of course Emery couldn't understand most of the words. Emery selected the knowledge tab and immediately saw the names of the two scrolls he had received before. They were situated on top of the list under the basic scrolls for beginner apothecary apprentice.
[Universal flora knowledge - rank 1 - 500 spirit stones]
[Analyze flora - rank 1 - 500 spirit stones]
Emery had no prior knowledge of what a spirit stone was but he felt like this would be an important thing to keep track of. He asked, "What are these spirit stones?"
Cedric no longer appeared surprised, but Emery could tell he was getting slightly tired of explaining every single thing.
"That's the universal currency the whole academy uses as well as other magus academy's in the galaxy. Spirit stones are the culmination of humankind's ingenuity. They can be exchanged into contribution points in a 1:1 ratio, think of it as a reward whenever you are finishing a task or a mission. Just note that you can exchange contribution points into spirit stones but not the other way around. We don't want spoiled rich nobles buying their way into the top now, do we?"
Cedric then showed Emery how to access the point counter by using a tattoo on his hand.
[Emery Ambrose]
[Contribution point: 0]
[Tasks and missions are not available for first year acolytes]
"The best thing about being selected into this magus academy is even if you don't have spirit stones or any contribution points, the academy will pay all these starting items for you. Just like the items you receive just now and it's all the same with all institutions and paths; crafting, combat or the elementals."
Emery suddenly realized something important. He wanted to ask Cedric that even though he had already passed the academy's requirement, he still hadn't succeeded in being accepted into any of the elemental institutions; hence, he was still unable to do the basic spells of the elements he had an affinity with like the others.
His mind wondered what would be the best way to receive these benefits on his last day. Emery had been going around from Darkness Institute to Plant Institute and then this Golden City. He was concerned that even if he were to take portals, he wouldn't have enough time to pass the tests and get acceptance for those spells. He reluctantly asked about his problem to Cedric as well.
"I don't think you will be able to do so. As you've said, each institution has their own unique examinations before they accept you. I am not sure whether they'll allow you to do it on the last minute, especially on the last day, but of course you can try your luck."
Emery remembered about the earth institute test on moving the rock, there should be other similar tests with all the other institutions. Not only was the time short, he wasn't even sure he could move the rock.
He was starting to feel helpless again, he still hadn't slept and even though the potion gave him a burst of energy, his mind was drained to the most it could muster. Should he just give up hope on learning spells before returning to Earth?
"Dear me, you are so hopeless. I can't help you much about the other things outside the apothecary, however, this is Golden City. You can find the answer to almost anything in here," Cedric said, proudly.
Emery liked where this was going as Cedric answered what he seemed to have on mind.
"Alright, since I'm feeling a bit generous today, I'll take you to a place where they can help magi such as you."
Cedric took Emery out of the building and walked amongst the varying people in the city until they soon arrived at a building that was no less crowded than the crafting institute building.
[Golden City, Magus Guild]