??"Are you an applicant? You're late…"
A calm but intimidating voice stopped Kyle in his tracks.
However, instead of feeling terrified, the latter heaved a sigh of relief as he felt safe in his vicinity. They were currently at the bottom of the mountain and up ahead was the recruitnt site.
Kyle didn't know the person guarding the gate but the people chasing him would certainly think twice if they still want to capture him.
"Y-yes… I'm an applicant. Here's my token." Kyle stuttered as he brought out the token that was with him all this ti.
He was keeping the token inside his inner coat so even if he was dirty, soaked, and filled with bruises, the token remained clean in his possession. It also rained last night but the wooden token remained dry.
The guard looked at the young man's token and nodded. He can guess what happened to this person on the way to this site. He shifted his gaze to the long road behind the young man and felt the presence of a few people who were probably chasing him.
If this young man failed to be recruited by any academy on site, he would certainly be welcod by these people with bad intentions.
Anyway, it wasn't his job to ddle with their affairs. As long as those people know how to draw the line, he would remain in his station and guard the gate. Today is the last day of recruitnt as well so he didn't want any trouble.
"I heard that there are only four Academies left… Good luck." The guard reminded as he let the dirty young man enter.
Most Academies don't care about the identities of their students so it's not unthinkable to be recruited if he's capable despite his appearance. What they cared about is the talent you have and whether you suit the Academy's standards.
Furthermore, the young man wouldn't get the applicant's token if he was just an ordinary young man. Though he looks pathetic, there must be a story about why he beca like this.
"Thank you." The young man replied filled with gratitude.
"Mhmm…" The guard waved his hand as he wanted him to leave right away. Kyle stinks for a bit after all.
Nevertheless, Kyle was still thankful since he thought that the guard would make it difficult for him because of his attire. He looks more like a beggar after running away from his pursuers for three days and two nights.
It wouldn't be surprising if he was chased away so he was even prepared to give his entire savings. It was only five hundred zen but it should move the guard's heart and let him in.
Since he was allowed to get in without any issues, he was really grateful to this hardworking man.
Kyle then looked at the stairs heading to the top of the mountain as he composed himself.
He was uncomfortable with his wet socks and underwear that turned coarse while walking but he didn't mind it. What's important is to get recruited today…
It took him more than 20 minutes to reach the top and entered the recruitnt site, he realized that there weren't many applicants left. Furthermore, they are gathered in three different places.
The site has twelve buildings that should represent the twelve academies in the region. It seems that the other academies have already reached their quotas and closed their recruitnt…
'Hmm? I thought there are still four Academies. Why are they only lining up for three recruitnt buildings?' Kyle mused as he looked around.
He soon found the other open recruitnt building without any people lining up. It looks like a normal big house with a cloud of black smoke coming out of its chimney. Well, it looks like the other recruitnt buildings but the difference is the banner written outside the building.
Vermont, Academy of Dark Arts.
Kyle finally had an idea why no one is coming here to try their luck. Based on the mories of the original owner of this body, the Dark Arts had only beco legal a decade ago after the Treaty of Keslore was signed.
However, even if it had beco legal to practice Dark Arts, it doesn't an that it is publicly acknowledged.
People will still frown at those who train such ill-fated practices.
Of course, he has no plans of enrolling here as well so he imdiately went to see the open recruitnt sites.
Lakrine, Academy of Summoning Arts.
Dorelts, Academy of Mystic Arts.
Rakmiths, Academy of Elental Arts.
Kyle helplessly smiled after seeing this… He was previously hoping to enroll in the Knights Academy but it seems that he was too late.
His second option was the Academy of Alchemy Arts since it has low requirents but obviously, it was closed as well. They might even be the first Academy to reach their quota…
'Although the chief told
that I have no talent except for my good physique, I should still try…' Kyle had no other choice but to fall in line in one of the academies and hope to be recruited by any of them.
He first went to the Rakmiths Academy.
In any case, Rakmiths Academy is one of the largest Academies not only in their eastern region but in their entire country. Unlike other academies that focus only on one type of Elent, this Academy teaches every kind of them.
Today is the last day of recruitnt and it is already five in the afternoon. The recruitnt should be until eight in the evening so he should still have so ti…
While he was in his line, he wasn't bothered by anyone perhaps because of his attire or his sll. They only looked at him with a condescending look which didn't hurt him.
Even while others are chatting with their friends or making so acquaintances, Kyle remained quiet waiting for his turn.
However, he was actually cursing his terrible fate deep in his mind.
He was simply walking his dog to the park to befriend so beautiful girls who also own so cute dogs… It was a technique that was taught to him by his friend to et so new girls. Unfortunately, before his plan bore fruit, he was stabbed by a fleeing robber after attempting to stop him.
'I shouldn't have ddled with their affairs… I was too hasty showing my manliness in front of those cute--'
Kyle shook his head to erase his random thoughts. There's no point thinking of this right now, he can only learn from his mistakes.
He had transmigrated in a younger body with the sa na and living in so alternate world. Based on his mories, this is sohow similar to the Victorian Era with the vast industrial revolution going on.
As a matter of fact, his father is a train operator or engine driver in one of the steam-powered trains in the city. He's well aware of the situation of this current era… or at least, on the commoner's side.
The only difference in this world is that Arcane Studies exists… Although only minorities can learn them, it still greatly shows how different this place was compared to his previous Earth.
"Next…"
Suddenly, he heard the voice of the person guarding the doors of the recruitnt building…
It was finally his turn…
The twenty or so people who were previously in front of him had either remained inside or were sent out after failing.
As soon as he entered, the facilitator of the recruitnt waved his hand and washed away his filth using so sort of water spell.
It seems that his sll was truly unbearable…
"Thank you…" Kyle expressed his gratitude as he finally felt a bit more comfortable.
The middle-aged man with thick sideburns only nodded at him as he offered him a seat. He then explained to Kyle what he should do.
There were a series of tests to see whether he suits the Academy.
In this world, magic cos from life itself. All living beings possess magical energies within themselves, but only a select few can tap into these energies. For better or worse, life has changed drastically as a result of all these magical energies and the limits are far from discovered.
"I will be imbuing my energy to trigger your hidden potential… Don't resist. You just have to accept it." The middle-aged man said.
Seeing that Kyle was ready, he started…
He first checked the vitality of the young man and confird that he hasn't learned any Arcane Studies yet. Then, he proceeded to use his elental energies. He started with the water elent which is the most common affinity that people with potential could easily awaken.
Unfortunately, there was no reaction even after three minutes… He then proceeded with other elents.
After almost twenty minutes, the middle-aged man finally frowned.
"I've wasted my ti… You can leave now."
Kyle failed the first assessnt. He didn't even pass the most basic part so there was no reason to continue with the second and third assessnts.
Kyle has already lowered his expectations but he was still disappointed after hearing the man's words.
He had no ti to pity himself as he proceeded to the two other recruitnt sites…
Unfortunately, the results are all the sa. He has no talent. He didn't even pass their first assessnt and he was also ridiculed by the facilitator at Lakrine Academy.
In the end, he found himself in front of the Dark Arts Academy recruitnt building. This is his last option since he can't really go down the mountain or his death is guaranteed.
As he was about to walk inside, he heard a voice behind him.
"Hey, black-haired guy… Are you thinking of enrolling there? I wouldn't do that if I were you." A blond young man wearing an oversized coat called out to Kyle.
He looks like one of those guys delivering newspapers in the city.
"Why?" Kyle bluntly asked.
The blond young man didn't mind as he answered.
"Their recruitnt process isn't as gentle as the others. If you didn't pass the remaining academies, I don't think that you'll be lucky there. I'm just giving you so advice, don't bother…"
Before he finishes his words, he saw the black-haired guy enter the recruitnt building without any hesitation.
Kyle entered the building not because he wanted to die but because he will certainly die if he didn't get enrolled today.
"Welco… I'm Lesley, I will be assisting you with your enrollnt."
"Hmm?"
To his surprise, the person who welcod him is a beautiful woman who seem to be around 18 years old. He was expecting another old and strong-looking man to conduct the assessnt but this doesn't seem too bad.
"Wait--Am I going to be enrolled right away?" Kyle asked doubtfully after recalling her words. Shouldn't he complete their assessnt first?
"Ahh… We've been watching you since you entered the site. Even if you don't have talent, you can still learn the Dark Arts."
The young woman's words imdiately put hope in his dreary eyes… He couldn't contain his excitent and asked.
"Really?"
"Of course, you simply need to complete the enrollnt. We have a different way of assessing our students, after all."
'Finally!' Kyle was truly glad that he didn't listen to the young man's words. He didn't expect that he was talented in Dark Arts.
He completed filling out the form and paid his admission fee… It was 1,000 zen and since he was lacking, he owed the academy 500 zen. According to Lesley, he could make a promissory note and pay it at a later ti. The Vermont Academy seems very nice to its new students.
"Great… Now, student Kyle Marshall, you only have to completely awaken your talent… You just have to drink this potion and you'll be a talented student once we arrived at the Academy." Lesley explained with a gentle smile on her face.
Kyle didn't find it suspicious since he heard about this before. It happens in other academies as well after you completed their assessnt. It'll also leave a trace or mark on your body that'll help people identify you as a student of the said academy.
Also, anyone without this mark can't enter the Academy.
Kyle accepted the black potion and drank it upon Lesley's instruction…
Gulp… Gulp…
He emptied the vial with two gulps and felt his body heating up…
Soon, blood started oozing out of his orifices and he couldn't describe the pain he was feeling… He didn't even have the chance to scream as he felt his life disappearing… again.
Finally, he clutched his chest in pain and looked at Lesley who had betrayed him.
He wanted to punch her in her face but in the end, he died…
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