“Preside over the compilation of teaching materials?” Adam showed so interest.
Writing textbooks was an excellent way to consolidate one’s own magical system, to study the systems of others, and to fill in his own foundations. Through analogy and cross-application, it could very well give birth to better magical innovations.
However—
Archmage Croft looked at Adam with a half-smile and said:
“You may be a genius, but your genius lies in having a broader vision and more flexible thinking than ordinary mages. When it cos to fundantals, you are still far from the level of the senior mages of each branch. To host the compilation of general textbooks is not yet your place.”
Adam flushed with embarrassnt.
“But as for the new branch of Electromancy—yes, your electromagnetic system—that textbook must be completed by you. The Static Shield spell you created at the first level has completely invalidated the forr value of the old Lightning branch. You are responsible for establishing this system.”
The Static Shield was the first spell Adam had created after his initial mission, based on the principle of the Faraday Cage.
Adam nodded. This was as it should be. Now that Maxwell’s equations had been verified, classical electromagnetic theory was complete. That was more than enough for ordinary mages to smoothly advance into the Transdinsional rank.
This was of great benefit to Adam. His lifespan was already long enough; the Fourth Era still had nearly endless years before it reached its end. He had ample ti to nurture and wait for new generations to grow, so they could help him together perfect the electromagnetic system.
“Of course,” Croft continued, “if you are willing, you may exchange with the mages responsible for writing in other branches. What you gain will depend on yourself. But there’s another matter I summoned you for.”
She paused, then said:
“This is an important reform. But as you know, from ancient tis until now, no mage has ever attempted sothing like this. How it should be done, what must be done—I want to hear your opinion.”
It was indeed an awkward matter. When mages lowered their lofty gaze and turned toward the ordinary people they had long chosen to ignore, they suddenly discovered they didn’t know where to even begin.
The ancient thods of selection were clearly no longer suitable. Yet if educational resources were truly invested into every ordinary life without distinction, how could they guarantee that what erged would be useful talents, and not parasites gnawing at the system’s roots?
This problem had nothing to do with strength or intelligence. It was purely a matter of experience. Adam didn’t even need to think long. He said casually:
“It’s simple. Grading solves everything. Grade the academies, and grade the apprentices and mortals.”
“First, divide education into three levels: compulsory education, interdiate education, and higher education.”
Adam explained one by one:
“Compulsory education should face all ordinary people, whether they possess magical talent or not. Ideally, funded by the Council, every city on the New Academy Continent should have one standardized, regulated, process-driven academy. These schools must teach the sa knowledge, with the primary goal of awakening intellect—bringing people from ignorance to awareness. Not all will have the talent of a mage, but through basic education, they can find jobs suited to them, and break away from the old era where nobles ruled, mortals tilled fields, and commoners only herded livestock.”
Archmage Croft listened carefully, recording Adam’s words.
“As for the ti of compulsory education—I think three to five years is best. After that limit, those without talent should graduate mandatorily, while those with talent should advance into interdiate education.”
“At this stage, interdiate academies should host the relatively intelligent. For mortals without aptitude, targeted training can prepare them to serve as city administrators or workshop operators. For mortals with mage potential, here is where they should be taught the basics—ditation, runes, low-level spells, and so on. Not all will beco mages, but even after graduating, they can fill those earlier roles. Cultivating them like this makes the foundations of mage society run more efficiently.”
“Compulsory education should be completely free. Interdiate education should charge modest fees. There doesn’t need to be a strict ti limit—as long as they can continue paying tuition, they may remain.”
“At the level of higher education, academies should only cultivate elite apprentices qualified to beco mages. These academies should be built directly by the Holy Tower or High Towers themselves, teaching them higher and deeper knowledge.”
At this point, Croft asked:
“Three-tiered education sounds excellent. But how will you distinguish apprentices from ordinary mortals?”
“Through examinations.”
“The exams should have both theoretical and practical parts. At the compulsory stage—or for mortals in general—it should focus on theory, since we cannot expect mortals to possess combat ability. At most they may reach the level of knights or great knights in physical prowess.”
“But for mage apprentices, both theory and practice should run together. However, that doesn’t an failing in one aspect ans abandoning their cultivation. After all, so mages excel in research, while others excel in battle. Higher academies must also tailor cultivation accordingly.”
Here Adam stopped. What he had given was just the frawork. The details had to be filled in according to the reality of the Mage World. But this frawork was sound enough to be applied directly.
Croft thought for a while, then said:
“Your plan is excellent. But I have one concern.”
Adam perked up, listening.
“Will this make things too easy? Knowledge cos too easily. Resources too easily. Guidance too easily. Will the new generation of mortals, apprentices, and mages cherish what they’ve gained? If they co to see all this as only natural, then no matter how successful this reform is, in essence it will be a failure.”
“This process may give them an upward path. But whether exams or gradings, it all feels too gentle. Will the mages it produces have the sa spirit as those today—like you, like every mage fighting in alien worlds—the will to carve paths through brambles and thorns, unafraid of everything, certain of victory?”
There was sothing Croft did not say aloud: she did not want all future mages to beco like the consortium-forming, conglorate-building Free Transdinsionals. That would be a disaster. Perhaps worse—a prelude to decay.
Adam fell silent.
Humans were different.
Not everyone was one of those true spirits who initiated revolutions and changed the world. Not everyone had Adam’s will, pursuing truth for truth’s sake.
There were those who sacrificed all for ideals, and those who sank into comfort and indulgence. No one could change that—not even the Mage Net.
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