After advancing, Sylutia thought for a moment and still went to find an instructor at the academy to give a simple report.
"Your advancement speed is quite astonishing, Hedra." The instructor took her to the academy's medical hall and conducted a thorough examination, worried that the girl's overly hasty advancement might leave some aftereffects.
Fortunately, all her vitals were healthy, and even exceeded the average by a considerable margin, which put everyone's minds at ease.
"Since you've already reached Third Tier, you can now get involved with many things." The instructor led Sylutia to the academy's archives, helped her register, exchanged her for a new school badge, and also gave her two brand-new sets of school uniforms.
Compared to the simple style of the apprentice stage, the attire of Official Mages was considerably more dashing. Both men and women wore styles similar to trench coats, though the women's version had a skirt underneath, and the outer trench coat was long enough to cover the back and sides of the skirt, only revealing part of the thighs in the front.
Wearing this in winter would probably require pairing it with thick stockings, Sylutia briefly evaluated after receiving the new clothes.
After that, the instructor began to introduce Sylutia to the things she could access after becoming an Official Mage.
"First, you can participate in expeditions to the Shadow World and carry out related missions."
"Generally speaking, students only get involved with these after their second year at the academy. At that point, an instructor will lead the team, gradually teaching you to adapt, explaining all the various details you need to know for expeditions, and so on." Sylutia listened and nodded, then recalled that back in the Hidden Grove, she had learned these adventure skills while executing missions, listening to the explanations of older members.
From this perspective, the Mage Alliance's arrangements seemed more reasonable. Knowledgeable and experienced instructors gave unified lectures, rather than the Hidden Grove's method of self-discovery or being informed by senior members.
"In the initial stage, it's not recommended to take on dangerous missions. Only after you gradually become familiar with and fully master the various abilities and methods of an Official Mage can you attempt higher-difficulty areas." The instructor explained a series of matters needing attention in the Shadow World, but Sylutia already knew most of this from her time in the Hidden Grove.
"Second, after becoming an Official Mage, you can take on practical duties."
So-called practical duties refer to school members undertaking certain responsibilities, such as crafting needed tools and instruments for the school, or holding a position in a certain location to manage local affairs, etc.
For the first three years at the academy, the school does not assign practical duties. After that, based on the student's strength and circumstances, different responsibilities will be assigned. These responsibilities often cannot be shirked arbitrarily, but communication is possible to choose the parts one likes and excels at.
After completing each type of duty, rare resource subsidies are provided based on performance. These resources, needed for advancement and practicing higher-level abilities, are often unattainable through other channels.
The higher-ranked the school, the richer and more generous the resources they possess. As for the calculation of rankings, it involves scores in three areas: academic research, talent cultivation, and duty contribution.
Among these, the academic research part is generally incomprehensible to outsiders, and duty contribution fluctuates very little. However, talent cultivation depends on the triennial academy grand competition, which is something everyone pays attention to.
"Finally, there is the advancement reward given by the academy."
The instructor took Sylutia to the academy's "Dawn Hall," where quite a few resources and equipment suitable for Third and Fourth Tier mages were stored.
"First, pick a spellcasting equipment. There are three main types here: 'Spellbook,' 'Orb,' and 'Staff.'"
"Among them, Spellbooks are suitable for rune-based spells. You can think of it as an external 'Spell Frontispiece.' You can use the runes inscribed on it to construct spells without occupying a spell slot. However, the downside is that spells cast through a Spellbook often have their power reduced by two tiers. For example, a common Third Tier spell cast this way would only have the power of Second Tier, but the power and mental energy consumed would still be at the Third Tier level."
"You should have seen Orbs before. Classmate Marg used one during the competition at the start of the semester. Their structure usually uses a special 'gem' as the core, activating the fixed spell patterns inscribed on the orb. The power is even slightly enhanced compared to casting on your own, but the downside is that you can only use those specific spell patterns."
"Staves are the most common type, and they come in a wide variety of forms. They can broadly enhance one's own Aspect, mental stability, mental strength, inscribe fixed spell patterns, and so on. Different staves have different focuses."
After listening to the instructor's explanation, Sylutia browsed through the dazzling display racks in the hall. The shelves on this floor were all stocked with Third Tier equipment, about seven or eight hundred pieces of spellcasting gear in total. Each piece had a unique style and a different focus.
[Blade’s Edge Book] (Third Tier·Rare): Inscribed with seven combat-related runes: 'Sharpness, Blade, Arrow, Acceleration, Armor-Piercing, Bleeding, Ironization.' Can freely cast spells using the recorded runes. (Spell Power -2)
[Prognostication Book] (Third Tier·Excellent): Inscribed with four reconnaissance-related runes: 'Synesthesia, Farsight, Extension, Echo, Sound Discrimination.' Can freely cast spells using the recorded runes. (Spell Power -2)
[Ice Stone Orb] (Third Tier·Excellent): Contains a specially made ice crystal gem. Can cast four types of spells: 'Sudden Chill Wind,' 'Freezing Breath,' 'Ice Needle Assault,' 'Ice Shield Manifestation.'
[Magnetite Orb] (Third Tier·Excellent): Contains a specially made magnetic field gem. Can cast four types of spells: 'Magnetic Levitation,' 'Magnetic Control Weapon,' 'Repulsion Field,' 'Magnetic Arc Lightning.'
[Moon Blade Staff] (Third Tier·Rare): Can moderately enhance mental power, improve mental stability, and is inscribed with the 'Silver Arc Moon Blade' spell. (Mental Power +0.5, Mental Stability +1, can cast 'Silver Arc Moon Blade')
[Wandering Serpent Staff] (Third Tier·Excellent): Inscribed with two spells: 'Detoxification' and 'Snake Scales Attachment.' While holding the staff, you can sacrifice the embedded gem to summon an Astral Wandering Serpent (Third Tier).
The quality of the vast majority of equipment here was between 'Excellent' and 'Rare.' If purchased on the outside market, each piece would cost around 600-1200 gold coins. She hadn't expected them to be given directly as rewards to advancing students. It seemed the Mithril Clock school was indeed wealthy and generous.
Sylutia blinked her eyes, scanning the various spellcasting equipment on display, lost in thought.
Equipment that enhanced mental power would have no effect on her. Orb-related equipment was too rigid, and she rarely had use for it. After eliminating many options, her gaze settled on a dusty spellbook resting on a distant shelf.
[Star-Chasing Book] (Third Tier·Excellent): Inscribed with five star-related runes: 'Star Attraction, Star Chase, Falling Star, Bright Star, Starlight Ray.' Can freely cast spells using the recorded runes. (Spell Power -2)
Of the five runes recorded in it, she only knew 'Star Attraction.' The other four were completely new to her. Setting aside the functional aspects of the spellbook, just learning the four unknown star runes would be a huge gain. After all, her origin was the stars.
"I choose this one."
Under the instructor's surprised gaze, the girl pointed to that long-unnoticed spellbook.
"Star runes, huh..." The instructor took the spellbook in hand and briefly scanned the runes on it.
"Although the recorded runes are rare, their functions aren't particularly powerful. Are you sure you want to choose this book, Hedra?" the instructor reminded.
"This is the one." The girl nodded.
Soon, the dusty spellbook was placed in her hands, and the star runes within were revealed to her eyes.
The Star Attraction rune could be used to draw upon the power of starlight, enhancing spells.
The Star Chase rune could be used to construct spells with starlight power, increasing their speed.
The Falling Star rune could cause intensely sensed star power to descend, with a high difficulty of use.
The Bright Star rune could emit dazzling starlight, used for interference and illumination.
The Starlight Ray rune could condense starlight, enhancing its impact force.
