Touch of Fate

Chapter 102: Feeling Classy

Mike awoke next day feeling refreshed again, having slept in comfort throughout the entire night. The dorm beds, even the ones in the secondary bedroom were extremely comfortable, to the point he was beginning to suspect the presence of an innocuous magic item.

He dressed, and went out into the living room to join Tal for another quiet tea break. It was cut short this morning when she and Brenden dragged Sera out of bed. The beastman had apparently found a training yard that was available for student use, so the two, more experienced, adventurers decided to run the Oracle through some exercises prior to her first request.

Mike couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the Sera struggling sleepily as the pair carried her out the door.

He headed downstairs himself shortly after, only to be waylaid by the Dorm Manager who had a letter for him. It was from Broderick, inviting him to attend a small gathering at the end of the week. He made a mental note to let the rest of the group know.

After a quick breakfast, he walked back to the Magic Department, and spoke to the student on duty. Following the directions he was given, Mike eventually reached a set of double doors on the top floor. 'Emmanuel Garthun, Magic Department Chair' was painted on it.

[Department Chair? Am I in the right place?]

A pull cord was mounted into the door frame, seemingly attached to something inside. Once pulled it caused a high-pitched, ringing noise inside the office.

"Come in!" A deep male voice called from within.

Mike opened the door and walked into the office. The furnishings were high quality, if a bit garish in style and color. Shelves lined the walls, filled with a variety of occult objects and books. His eyes fell on a humanoid skull, and he wondered why a University professor would even need one.

The Department Chair himself was a short, swarthy man with black hair slicked back against his skull. There was an ageless quality to his face that made his age difficult to determine. He was dressed in the same outfit he'd seen Instructor Thomas in, save that the Chair's robe had four stripes on each sleeve. One was blue, two were a glossy black, and the last was grey.

"Ah, you must be Mike. Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss." He spoke in a rich luxuriant tone that dripped with charisma.

Once Mike was seated, he continued. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Emmanuel Garthun, the Magic Department Chair of the University of Almirn. More importantly, I am a Tier 4 mage specializing in Elemental Magic, which is the reason I have been selected to be your advisor during your time at our school."

A quick scan with Appraise verified the information shared.

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Emmanuel Garthun

Age: 76

Race: Human (Sun Elf)

Class: Dimensional Mage

Title: The World Strider

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[He somehow has a Sun Elf bloodline? Interesting, I wonder if that has something to do with his age.]

"It' honor, sir. I am Michael Rasmussen, but please call me Mike."

"Likewise," Emmanuel nodded, then brought out a sheet of paper and a quill. "Now then, you are here to build your class schedule, so let's get started with a few questions to help make your decisions. First of all, tell me a little bit about why you came to attend this school."

"Well, I'm an adventurer by trade, and I recently assisted a powerful noble in a matter. He gave me a letter of recommendation and offered to cover my tuition as payment. So, I took the opportunity to expand my knowledge and develop my skills."

"An admirable goal. I hope you find your time at the University enlightening. As to your area of interest, I know you are an Elemental Mage, but what elements are you proficient in?"

Mike paused to consider his answer. He had been debating with himself about how much information he should reveal concerning his abilities. On one hand, if he hid too much, it might hinder his later education. On the other, if he revealed too much, it might lead to questions he would be hard pressed to answer.

After a quick internal debate, he decided to just hide his knowledge of Healing Magic, since that seemed to cause the greatest number of problems.

"I'm most proficient with fire and water, but I am capable of using earth and air as well. I recently learned to use light, but I have not had much of a chance to practice with it."

The department chair stopped writing and gave the youth a hard look, "Are you seriously claiming to have access to five Elemental Magic skills?"

[I may have miscalculated.]

"I am."

Emmanuel continued to look doubtful.

Not wanting to sound like a liar to his new advisor, Mike lifted both of his hands, and created a ball of fire and a ball of water, one in each hand. After dismissing the fire, and drinking the water, he summoned a spherical rock and an invisible wind. Finally, he produced a small pinpoint of light, before setting the newly formed ball of stone on the Department Chair's desk.

The room was silent for a few moments, as Emmanuel simply stared at the ball as it slowly rolled across the surface of the desk before plopping into his lap.

He whispered, almost inaudibly, "Dual Casting.."

"I'm sorry?"

With a cough, the Department Chair cleared his throat. "I see you were indeed telling the truth. I apologize for doubting you. Out of curiosity, do you perhaps have an unusual or unique class?"

"I haven't heard of someone with the same class as me. Of course, with how secretive people are about their classes, I can't say for sure whether or not it could be considered unique."

"I don't suppose you'd be willing to speak on the nature of your class?"

Mike leaned back in his chair. "Unless it is required, I would prefer to keep silent about it."

"Fair enough. I won't press you on it, but I want you to know that as your advisor, I will be available to answer any questions you might have on the future development of your magical skills. Knowledge of your class will help me guide you on the correct path."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Emmanuel gave a curt nod, but evidently gave up on getting the answer right now. "So that leads to the question, what sort of courses are you interested in? The department starts its Elemental Mages in a basic, combined class until they are ready to master their individual elements. In the rare case that students have more than one element, they will need to take multiple classes to have the same level of education in each. This, of course, slows down their advancement."

"If that's what it takes to master my skills, I don't mind. Besides, my tuition is being covered."

"I just wanted to let you know of what it might entail to study all of your elemental skills at the same time." He picked up the quill and started writing again. "Now, for your classes, you will have two to three required classes each quarter depending on your course of study. For new students, that is Introductory Magic Theory, and Initiate Chanting Practicum. Regardless of how advanced your skills are, all Magic Department students are required to take these classes in order to ensure a solid foundation, and prevent potentially dangerous accidents at later stages."

"Alright."

Emmanuel consulted a chart and used it to start building a schedule for Mike. "You will have Magic Theory at five bells, and Chanting at seven bells. Each class meets during the first four days of the week, and lasts for and hour and a half. The fifth day is dedicated to organizational events, which can included anything from guest lectures, to sporting competitions, to a group study day in preparation for the end of quarter exam. The sixth and seventh days are days to rest, recuperate, and prepare for the next week. Are you with me so far?"

Mike nodded. [Its basically just high school all over again. At least this time, I'll get to study something interesting.]

"A quarter lasts about three months, depending on holidays, and you can take up to five classes a quarter. While there is no obligation to take more than the required classes, it's highly encouraged to do so. The chosen elective can be from any department, so, if you decide you want to expand your studies into other areas, you are able to do so."

"I'm interested in maximizing my time here, so I'd like to take five. Do you have any recommendations as to what classes I should choose?"

Emmanuel sat back in his chair, and taped his chin with the finger of one hand. "With the exception of introductory level courses, other classes in our department are barred to you until you complete your first quarter. It's part of a department policy designed to ensure our students have a sufficiently well developed foundation before attempting more advanced magic. As such, I would recommend taking Basic Elemental Magic, at the very least."

"That sounds good, but you also mentioned that all introductory level courses were available, correct?" Mike asked with a small smile.

"I did. Why do you ask?"

"Is there anything preventing me from taking another introductory class, like...I don't know, Basic Summoning Magic?"

Emmanuel frowned, "Technically no, but unless you are able to gain the skill, you would be unable to pass the class." He paused, eyes lighting up with sudden realization. "Your class allows you to do such a thing, doesn't it?"

Mike nodded.

"Could you maybe....No, I promised I wouldn't ask. Anyway, I take it that means you have an interest in summoning magic? It would be unorthodox, but I don't see any reason we can't allow you to pursue that interest. I'll mark it down for you. Any idea of what you want as your last class, Basic Arcane Magic, perhaps?" He said with a chuckle that died on his lips when he saw Mike seriously consider it.

"No, I think I have enough Magic on my plate for the moment. What class outside of the department would be good?"

Emmanuel resumed his thinking pose, "As adventurer, you wouldn't have much need for finance or art, so I would pass on those. Martial Arts would be a solid choice, for obvious reasons. The Science Department has a few classes with solid practical applications for the adventurous sort, such as Monster Biology, Alchemy, Botany, and Geography. A portion of their department is dedicated to perfecting the mundane crafting arts, if you have an interest in such a thing."

"Alchemy isn't part of the Magic Department?" Mike asked, slightly confused.

"Its what we like to call a hybrid course of study, one that spans both departments in order to better meet the needs of the students who pursue that path. There are several other similar programs throughout the University, and more are popping up every year. Why, we just had a Song Magic course developed with the Arts department recently."

"I think I would like to take Alchemy. It sounds like an interesting field of study."

"A fine choice, just remember, that as a crafting skill, Alchemy will require a Primary skill slot. Make sure you have one available before you attend." The Department Chair commented distractedly while consulting his chart. "It looks like you are in luck. Basic Elemental Magic is offered at four bells, Basic Summoning at six, and Alchemy at eight. Assuming you are fine with this, we can finalize your schedule."

"Sounds good to me."

"Alright then, I'll make sure to get this to the clerks so you can start classes tomorrow. In the meantime, please head to the central courtyard, under the Tower of Will for the beginning of term ceremony."

Standing up, Mike nodded his head, "Thanks,....uh...professor?"

Emmanuel chuckled, "That will do, and you are welcome Mike."

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As soon as the youth left the office, the Magic Department Chair slumped into his seat. Over the course of his long life, he had rarely felt so stupefied.

[He can command five elements at his age, was confident in his ability to pursue multiple forms of magic, and has no fear of using up his Primary Skill Slots! This is absolutely ridiculous. He must have a legendary class.] He searched his memories, but couldn't think of one that would fit.

It was clear that the young adventurer was a prodigy of the highest caliber, one that will make his mark on this world in the near future. Unfortunately, that just complicated Emmanuel's situation.

Such an unusual individual was most likely not a spy or assassin. He stood out too much. On the other hand, he definitely came to the University thanks to the recommendation of Count Graveston, and that one never made a move that didn't give him an advantage.

Emmanuel stood and looked out the window at the crowd gathering in the courtyard. Students in black robes mingled with the handful of newcomers still wearing their original clothing. As the person in charge of the welcome speech, he would need to head down there soon.

A hint of a smile played across his face, as he considered what the young adventurer might be capable of in a few years. He suspected that it would be something to behold.

He just hoped that his department would survive the resulting storm.

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