The eloquent and tree-covered city of Tavenas was separated from Sefrah by a long greenbelt stretching from the south to the north – in between the select districts of Tavenas and Sefrah. This green belt had high amounts of tall trees that did not reach the heights of the Crosstree Jungle, but instead were part of the domesticated forest that used to lie within where Sefrah is present. These trees are well maintained as the last thing anyone wants is for a tree to create a welcoming in their own living room.
In order to sign up for any academy, you must go to the Education District located directly on the other side of the greenbelt – across from the Central Tavenas Market District. With the deadline being at the end of the 6th fortnight, Elijah and Niko had eleven days to take action. However, they were both going in completely blind, and without any means of help and prior knowledge, they hoped no suspicions would arise.
Thankfully, Elijah and Niko learnt of the place called Sontiad. The known slums on the north border of the kingdom that houses anyone not fortunate enough to pay their taxes, which is a question Elijah needed to understand. If the kingdom used the emblems for identity verification – a special rune that could not be copied while being unique to the Gion Kingdom… Ahem, Banum.
Wouldn't the kingdom also have a physical record in some top security information storage center?
Despite the desire to experience the Orneas Waterway that began just after the Central Market District of Tavenas, they decided to walk to get a better understanding of their surroundings.
Once passing the greenbelt, Elijah and Niko relished the transition from the limestone and dark wooden buildings, to the white and blue roof buildings. With Elijah's favorite color being most blues, the sight was someone that gave him a small bit of motivation to someday live in the most populated parts of Sefrah. Although, he did have a fantasy for living in the deep jungle and wildlands.
Directly on the corner once passing the green belt were a few people lined up with large signs behind their heads – talking to anyone passing by about signing up for the different academies.
A five minute conversation with a woman named Cassie allowed Elijah to learn that to register, you must pick your classes and path before receiving the details of the test that will determine your talent level. Elijah and Niko explained to Cassie how they had just moved to Tavenas from Sontiad and are very behind while also explaining that they have talent for hunting beasts and combat.
What was learned before proceeding to the circular building with white pigmented columns and a blue roof was how there would be a test for anything combat related on the first day of the 7th fortnight. She recommended taking the Beginner Wildland Survival course as one of their skill advancements, which was explained to be a set of mandatory classes to choose from based on your wants. At least three classes related to your path and skill/knowledge advancement must be taken every semester. Also, any elective classes, which are not necessary, may also be chosen. If an elective is chosen, it can offset a maximum of one skill advancement class.
"Sounds simple enough, thank you for the guidance." Elijah walked away – following the crowd of similar looking boys and girls that funneled into the building.
What he saw was the beginning of a famous speech, one that would prove to be rather impactful to the minds and emotions of the crowd within.
"Have your emblem at the ready! Once you have obtained your admission tablet, please press down as hard as you can around each selection with the runic stamp! This will ensure it is clear to read as well as removing the possibility of anyone changing your admission!"
Matilda was not necessarily a fit woman, but was by no means struggling with her health. At close to 5 feet and 9 inches tall, she stood proudly with perfect posture that accentuated her critically acclaimed dress. A woman of obvious nobility, she romanticized her everyday life with colorful dresses and floristic hats.
Even her hand motions were well thought through, creating glimmers of hope in the eyes of everyone she gazed at. "Remember… This is a very important part of your future. Please choose the courses that you have discussed with your parental figures, or what you believe is best. This is nothing like the intermediate academies. These courses and path's will shape the rest of your future. If you feel you have made the wrong join and wish to switch, we can also arrange that."
It was obvious she had a niche hobby to the two imposter and peaceful children sitting down. Her bright green eyes gave Elijah the feeling of her possessing a special affinity as he had seen anything like it before.
Elijah and Niko received a large silver tablet akin to a notebook with both sides filled to the brim and a rectangular tool meant for rune engraving that had been repurposed. A red button at the top of the engraver to indent the silver tablet felt similar to the grenade in his spatial storage. With a quick glance, Academy selections, path selections, dorm selections, and other course selections were seen neatly organized into their own categories.
The feeling it gave Elijah while walking into a private room full of singular seats reminded him of a classroom with the only difference being the amount of sunlight that made its way into the room. From above, the sun shot through the skylight, bouncing off the shiny silver tablets. It seemed people were staring at everyone, trying to get a feel for the people they would potentially be grouped with.
Elijah and Niko's motivations for joining the academy were killing time and learning about the kingdom – alongside learning about the state of the world.
…
One by one, Elijah sounded out the names of all the possible courses…
Under the Path Courses, there are Wildlands Survival, Combat Ethics, Emotion and Intent Control, Runetec Mastery, Sword Mastery, Rifle Mastery, Power Mastery, Element Mastery, Art of Defense, Combat Communications, Surpassing Flaws, Beast Combat, Combat Strategy, Physical Combat, and many more that were crossed off — unable to choose due to it being Elijah's first year.
'I do enjoy that we are able to see our potential future courses. Makes it easier to plan for the future. For anyone without a power or affinity, it would make sense to choose one of the many weapon mastery courses, follow it up next semester with a Weapon Combat course, and end with a Specialty Formation course after rotating those two classes. Of course one could also choose both at the same time, and began forming the combat method of their liking far sooner. However, I have heard that there are quite a few people on waiting lists for different elemental affinities.'
Under the Skill and Knowledge Advanced courses, there are History of the Supernatural, Origin of Kania, Historical Figures, Financial Literacy, Tax Prep, Psychology, Ethics, Medical Support, Understanding Runes, and so many more.
"Ahhh…" Elijah yawned, wiping the saliva off his mouth and massaging his wrist. The stamping process was surprisingly tiring. Elijah was a perfectionist with many things related to organization, and thus took his time creating a nearly perfect indented circle around each class.
Under the Elective courses, there are Potion Mastery, Rune Mastery, Metallurgy, Anatomy, Health Principles, Mothership, Art, Music, Worship, Surveying the World, Wildlands and Beast Discovery, and so many more.
'I do like the idea of how any student can study runes. I guess the academy provides ways to test the waters before switching every class. These people are surely efficient.'
[Academy Enrollment]
[Northern Sefrah Academy]
[Path]
[Paladin]
[Path Courses]
[Wildlands Survival 1]
[Physical Combat 1]
[Element Mastery 1]
[Skill/Knowledge Advancement Courses]
[History of The Supernatural 1]
[Origin of Kania 1]
[Elective Courses - If Applicable]
[Potion Mastery 1]
[Dorm Selection - If Exception Exists, Please Contact Admission Administrator]
[Eastside]
[Full Name & Stamp of Approval]
[Elijah Veran]
…
[Academy Enrollment]
[Northern Sefrah Academy]
[Path]
[Paladin]
[Path Courses]
[Wildlands Survival 1]
[Element Mastery 1]
[Combat Strategy 1]
[Skill/Knowledge Advancement Courses]
[History of The Supernatural 1]
[Psychology 1]
[Elective Courses - If Applicable]
[Strength Training 1]
[Dorm Selection - If Exception Exists, Please Contact Admission Administrator]
[Eastside]
[Full Name & Stamp of Approval]
[Niko Trident]
…
What Elijah and Niko were not expecting when turning in their tablets after over an hour of being overloaded with information was the 500 Genny Admission fee!!
Elijah had to reach his hand into his spatial ring from the secrecy of his quality blue jacket once he had heard two people next to him begin to complain about the admission fee.
"Why did you choose Psychology Niko? You already have loads of experience in that brain of yours." Elijah asked while stretching his arms.
"I am just curious. A lot of it won't be useful to me, but since you are already taking the Origin of Kania course, I thought it would be a good idea to take a different course."
Niko was right. In fact, if Elijah had known more about the selections, he would've planned with Niko to choose a variety between the two of them. Thankfully, they received the location of the Paladin test, which they had learned is a test that will not result in you being accepted into the Paladin Path even if you participate. Runic Engineering and the Paladin path were two paths that required talent. If one did not have such talent, one was pushed into another path in order to not waste resources.
While Elijah had chosen the Potion Mastery course for obvious reasons, Niko had selected Strength Training to rebalance his physical and mental output courses.
There were path's for everything that was required of the kingdom. Elijah had seen the Business Path that relates to buying and selling of goods and services as well as anything to do with Genny. Apparently, what these people called "Landholdings", was very popular. This was known as real estate in Elijah's past life. After all, if you own five pieces of land with buildings that are rented out, you can make a very good life for yourself while living off the rent.
The early morning had just concluded, and now, it was time for Elijah and Niko to ideally recuperate their losses. Especially when they learned of the Entrance fee of 4000 Genny for the Paladin Path. In the coming fortnights, Elijah and Niko would be going all out within the compact jungle beast lands to save themselves from the financial worry. The last thing they wanted to happen was their admission being rejected for not having enough Genny to enter the academy. There was definitely a shortage of spaces as anyone not lucky or talented enough will end up on the streets, or in smaller specified academies with much less support.
Thankfully, they had both avoided anything to do with beasts when selecting their courses. It seemed they were tired and in need of a change of scenery.