The Imperial Mage Academy started its courses quickly. Almost immediately after all students had chosen their majors, the various branches began offering public lectures.
Generally, each branch has at least ten instructors, allowing for rotations without interrupting their individual research. However, there was one exception—a branch that, rather than lacking instructors, didn't even have a proper classroom. This, of course, was the newly reinstated Alchemy Branch, which had only recently been recognized by the Mage Tower.
To prepare for the recruitment of new students and the first public lecture, Ska had gone to great lengths. He not only convinced the academy to approve the use of the Alchemy Tower as a teaching location but also spent the patent fees he had previously earned to renovate the first-floor room at the tower's base into a large classroom. Ska was the only instructor besides Edward, making him both the brains and the brawn of the operation, practically working himself to the point of collapse.
Meanwhile, Edward, acting like a completely hands-off overseer, arrived at the academy in a leisurely manner only on the day classes began, finding Ska, who now looked visibly more haggard. Judging from Ska's exhausted expression, one might think that he, rather than Edward, was the head of the Alchemy Branch.
"Edward, you finally showed up! You're supposed to teach the first class today, right? I almost thought you weren't coming and would leave everything to me..."
Ska grumbled, but Edward merely chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "Haha, how could I not show up for something we agreed on? But just so you know, I'll only be teaching one class per week since I still have a movie to shoot."
"Fine, one class per week it is. You should know, though, the administrator has confirmed countless times that you'd be the one giving today's lecture. If you didn't show up, I wouldn't know how to explain it to him."
"The administrator? Why's he in such a hurry?"
"Isn't it because of that thing you mentioned before—what was it called? Television, right? Ever since you proposed the idea, he's been asking me about the design and feasibility for days. Now he's just waiting for you to personally answer his questions."
"Heh, who would've thought the administrator would be interested in something like that..."
Indeed, Edward had casually mentioned the concept of a television to Ska before. However, given that the technology behind teleportation arrays hadn't been fully mastered yet and the stability of signals was extremely poor, he hadn't dared to push for the idea's implementation. He certainly hadn't expected anyone else to be more enthusiastic about it than himself.
Ska sighed helplessly. "It's not just the administrator. Any Grand Mage who's happened to learn about this project is hoping you'll invent it as soon as possible. After all, for these shut-ins, something that lets them pass time while lying at home would be amazing."
"Heh, I haven't even outlined the prototype, and they've already decided on their shut-in lifestyle goals?"
Edward finally understood just how vivid these mages' imaginations were. But it made sense. After all, mages were the only group in the world with access to the highest form of education.
For these cutting-edge 'magical scholars,' even someone like Edward, with knowledge from another world, only needed to present a basic concept, and they would immediately grasp its potential. Compared to the confused reactions he encountered in Nosrick City, the Mage Tower was clearly a better fit for him. Or rather, this was why most mages gathered here.
To put it in modern terms, who wouldn't prefer chatting all day with friends who truly understood them over dealing with mundane people and their boring conversations?
In a world where knowledge is power and mages stand far above the rest of society in intellectual prowess, it's no surprise that most of them prefer to stay in their isolated haven—the Mage Tower—rather than return to the mundane world. Of course, those who became mages purely for money or due to life's pressures had no choice, but such individuals were invariably looked down upon by true scholars of magic.
In this secluded paradise, where the intellectual level far surpasses that of the outside world, Edward found that he didn't need to hide his ideas. Speaking openly not only earned him more understanding but also a sense of belonging—one of the few things that brought him solace.
<+>
"Finally, we've made it. So, this is the Alchemy Tower?"
"It should be here."
After much effort, Picole and Dillon finally found the classroom for the Alchemy Branch. They weren't alone; around fifty other students had also gathered. It was clear that all these individuals had chosen alchemy magic as their major.
However, the turnout was far lower than Edward had originally anticipated. This was inevitable. Other branches had gone all out with promotional campaigns to attract students, stopping just short of outright poaching. In contrast, the Alchemy Branch had made no such efforts. Without the manpower to promote the branch, they had little choice but to accept the lower numbers.
Picole and Dillon entered the tower. While the first floor had been refurbished, it was still far less impressive than the classrooms of other branches.
Picole, a noble, frowned almost immediately.
"This place feels too remote. I'm starting to lose confidence..."
Dillon sighed, exasperated by his roommate's attitude. "Don't say that. If you feel that way, how do you think I feel for tagging along with you?"
"Let's see... I'd guess there aren't even fifty students here."
"Yeah, we're the first to try something new, so we'd better keep up appearances..."
They walked through a nearly empty corridor. When they opened the classroom door, Picole's expression changed instantly, and he quickly closed it.
"What's wrong? Why didn't you go in?" Dillon asked, puzzled.
Picole forced a laugh. "Maybe we got the wrong room. I just saw at least twenty Grand Mages and nearly a hundred High Mages inside—Even the administrator was there! Haha, we must've accidentally wandered into the Mage Tower."
"Accidentally wandered into the Mage Tower? That's impossible. We're clearly at the Alchemy Tower..."
"Then... was I hallucinating?"
"Let me try opening it."
Dillon stepped forward and opened the door. Sure enough, all the mages inside turned their eyes toward the two newcomers. After confirming they were just ordinary students and not the person they were waiting for, the mages turned away and resumed their quiet discussions.
Realizing they weren't seeing things, Picole whispered in disbelief, "What the heck is going on? Did we really not take a wrong turn?"
The scene was overwhelming for the two freshmen. Seeing over a hundred elite mages in one room was something they had never imagined. Stiffly, they walked to the back of the room and found seats, their nerves heightened by the palpable aura of the Grand Mages around them.
To put it in modern terms, it felt like two high school freshmen walking into their first class, only to find the room filled with the likes of Confucius, Socrates, Einstein, Newton, and Tesla—all behaving like ordinary students. The oppressive atmosphere from being surrounded by so many legendary figures left the two struggling to remain composed.
Adding to their tension, seated quietly nearby was the administrator, the most powerful Grand Mage of their era, Hohenheim.
As Picole, Dillon, and the other genuine freshmen sat nervously, two figures entered the room from the front.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting," Edward said, stepping up to the podium. Ska immediately followed and ceded the stage to him. It was only then that the freshmen realized their lecturer was a young man who looked no older than themselves.
"Is he the lecturer?"
"Who is this guy?"
Most of the students had heard rumors about Edward but had never seen him in person. More perplexing to them was the idea that so many Grand Mages had gathered just to listen to this young man's lecture.
Edward, fully aware of their confusion, smiled faintly and began, "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Edward Durin. I am the Alchemy Branch head and one of the lecturers of the newly re-established Alchemy Branch. However, I'm usually busy, so I'll only be giving occasional lectures. Most of the time, Ska, the Deputy Head, will handle the teaching. Of course, if any of the Grand Mages present would like to join our academy as instructors, that would be greatly appreciated. I'd hate for Ska to overwork himself to death."
Edward's words caused an immediate stir among the students. Ska's expression twitched in frustration, while the genuine freshmen were dumbfounded. It was only then that they realized this young man was none other than the director and writer of the movie Fate/Zero.
Naturally, the first thought that crossed the students' minds wasn't about the lecture but rather a unified plea: "Hand over the second chapter of Fate/Zero already!"
<+>
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