"There are high level Geomancers," Kira pointed out to Minthe and Meriandra as they sat down in the common room after lessons the next day, surprising the Demi-Demona twins who once again failed to sense her presence. The Human sat on a couch between Ribbon and Brigit, reading books purchased from her System shop while waiting for the rest of their classmates to answer their summons.

"I beg your pardon?" Mint said slowly, tilting her head back to look down her nose at the girl.

"You said when we met there weren't any," Kira said. "But someone else told me she met one."

Technically Simon also agreed there weren't any, but he didn't keep up the snooty attitude so she wasn't picking on him about it.

"Must have been an insignificant hack of a mage then," Mint scoffed. "No one who ever mattered to the world was a Geomancer."

"Mint..."

"Hush, Meri! You know it's true! Just because one can use a single spell proficiently doesn't mean Geomancers are worth anything!"

Meri's expression flickered between concerned consternation and amusement as she gazed at her twin, then looked away without another word.

Kira shook her head and decided to ignore the twins. She'd get her petty revenge in a moment anyway, judging by the steely glint in Brigit's eyes.

Chen Tuskhorn, the First Year General 1-9F representative, finished dragging over enough armchairs for everyone to sit in a circle once they'd arrived. Kira wanted to include (almost) everyone in their little science experiment, so Brigit appealed to their representative to send out a summons.

Simon and Asim arrived in a whirlwind of playful bickering, kicking aside Chen's carefully arranged chairs to drag over an entire couch for themselves instead. Dani was the last to arrive, slumping out of the elevator and draping herself across a particularly large and soft armchair. She yawned wide, her jaw audibly popping, as she glanced at the faces of everyone gathered. "What's all this about then, Chief?"

"Your guess is as good as mine! It's Brigit's show here."

Simon and Asim snickered at the Drakke who suddenly looked a little uncomfortable under everyone's expectant gazes. She stood, hesitated, then sat back down. "Er, right. So, we have a theory."

"Who's we?" Simon said with a cheeky grin, receiving a withering stare from the Drakke for his efforts.

"Kira has a Passive that increases her comprehension of spells-" Mint and Meri sat up straight at those words, fixing an intense stare on the Human, who slouched to hide behind Ribbon. "-which we discovered thanks to Simon's efforts in learning the 【 Throw Rock 】 spell on his own and comparing it to the 【 Throw Rock 】 spells of Asim's Earth Djinn... Er. Cousins. Simon, Kira, if you would?"

They both nodded, and brought up the screens showing various 【 Throw Rock 】 definitions, arranging them neatly so Brigit could showcase the obvious comparisons. She explained their conversation from the previous day, about the System omitting information and inferring meaning from provided information rather than accepting them at face value.

"In conclusion, we would like to ask for your cooperation in testing. Kira and I will purchase several low-level low-cost cantrip spells in multiples, everyone can choose which ones they want to learn. Then we'll go to a training zone and practice. Kira will learn some herself, and she also agreed to read everyone's spells to see if she can offer insights from the spell description that we may have overlooked ourselves. In doing so, we hope to raise up our entire class to a level where we can contend with Elite and Core classes in the next Trial.

"This is something that will benefit all of us, whether our theory holds true or not. It's always good to have a wide array of spells at your disposal. However," Brigit turned a cold gaze to the twins, who suddenly felt cold sweat dripping down their necks. "As we are funding the endeavor, and making use of Kira's passive... If Minthe and Meriandra wish to take part, they will need to apologize to Kira now, and promise not to talk shit about Geomancers in the future."

There it was. Kira bit her tongue to keep from grinning, but the smug light in her blue eyes made the twins grit their teeth in frustration. They exchanged glances, then simultaneously muttered "Sorry" through their clenched teeth, barely inclining their heads enough to avoid the Human girl's gaze.

Brigit glanced at Kira, who shrugged. She didn't really want to help people who were rude to her, but cutting them out would hurt their chances in the upcoming Trial, something which everyone else seemed to take very seriously.

Kira understood the idea of everyone needing resources - she checked the shop, and spell books cost in the thousands even for the most basic low-cost cantrips. Items to increase stats were similarly priced, and often came with side effects if you went for the cheaper ones.

By contrast, 4 ply toilet paper from the System shop with 120 sheets per roll, cost 0.80 credits, the same as a bottle of fresh water or a small packet of chips. Street food cost a few credits at most per serving, while a meal at a small family restaurant shouldn't cost more than a couple dozen.

Tickets to teleport across the country at any city's Hub cost 500 credits as a flat fee. Rent for single room apartments in the city ranged from the high hundreds to low thousands of credits depending on neighborhood even if you were contracted with a decent company providing their own housing, according to Brigit who gladly moved out once she received the scholarship.

Apparently the System based its prices on the value of the Euro or something similar from Kira's time, perhaps one of the Dollar currencies, but she didn't mention that aloud. System prices didn't change, so it created something of a fixed economy based around its standards.

Living necessities were more than affordable when purchased through the System. But gear, spells, skills, materials, stat-raising items, enchantments... Their ridiculously high buying and selling prices in the System shop were a baseline, and people exchanging goods in person wouldn't deviate too far above or below the standard price. An economy that had its various pros and cons, for sure, but what economy didn't?

According to what Brigit and Ribbon explained during their study sessions, getting into the Atmont Academia was difficult and expensive because it provided excellent facilities and resources for the students, while having a long and storied history of legendary heroes and famous idols among their alumni.

Anyone in a General class was there through the hard work of their families, or through one scholarship or another. They may have had money but no status, status but no money, or nothing more than a whole lot of luck.

Elite and Core students on the other hand entered with recommendations from powerful people alongside generous donations from their families, all of them born into privilege with spoons of silver, gold, and mithril alike.

The school hired professional mercenaries and adventurers to teach lessons, had their own private Dungeon, and awarded stat-raising items or spell books during frequent Trials throughout the year. For Elite or Core students, it was a status symbol on top of some relatively safe practical experience. Graduation was a matter of course, and the resources the school provided were just the icing on the cake.

For General students, it was their chance to fight for a better fate. For themselves, their families, their descendants. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, where even the graduation emblem alone would grant them better pay and high ranking positions in prestigious companies.

So Kira could understand everyone's desire to succeed, to prove themselves in the Trial and get those valuable resources, all in the hopes of one day living the life of their dreams! But she didn't appreciate the attitude she got from the Arvex twins, or their condescending sneers whenever they said the word 'Geomancer'. Like it was unworthy filth on their pretty little tongues.

She liked being a Geomancer, and couldn't help but take their derision personally.

"I'm sorry too," Simon said suddenly, glancing at the Demi-Demona twins from the corner of his eye before holding his hands up in a placating prayer gesture toward Kira. "I thought Geomancers sucked, and none of us were very nice about it! I've never heard of high level Geomancers either, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. There's tons of Classes that haven't gotten famous or popular or anything, and Geomancers aren't the only ones getting the short end of the stick, but that doesn't make what I said any less hurtful. I'm super sorry."

'Now I really can't pick on him about it,' Kira thought, acknowledging the Elf's apology with a short nod.

Chen shuffled his heavy feet, then bowed his head. "I'm sorry too, Kira."

Asim huffed, looking rather smug about the fact he never said anything nasty about Geomancers. "I've both heard of and personally met high level Geomancers. I knew you all were being stupid."

"And why didn't you say anything?!" Simon grumbled, punching Asim lightly on the arm.

"No one ever believes me!" Asim gestured emphatically at the twins, who wore matching expressions of disbelief mixed with contempt. "And all the Geomancers I met were super low key anyway. They don't like attention at all."

Everyone turned as one to glance over at Kira, who immediately shrunk to hide behind Ribbon again.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"That checks out."

Dani sat up with a yawn that flashed sharp little fangs in her mouth, pulling a flask from her inventory and taking along swig before speaking. "Ok... Now promise not to talk shit or...?"

The twins flinched. They glanced around the room, taking in the various expressions on everyone's faces, before exchanging a glance and sighing. Meri's hands trembled so she clenched them into tight fists, the inner turmoil churning behind her neon blue eyes hidden by a veil of hair as she inclined her head once more. For once it was Mint who spoke up as the voice of reason between the two, gripping her twin's hand. "We... We promise."

Brigit met Kira's gaze again. The Human half-shrugged then reluctantly nodded once. Obviously there was something going on behind their specifically targeted vitriol, but she had neither the incentive nor the inclination to dig deeper.

"Alright," Brigit said, sweeping aside one of Simon's System screens as it drifted toward her face, directed into her personal bubble by the mischievous Elf. "Then let's all look at cantrips and pick out our favorites. No more than one per person for now, since we need to purchase multiples."

Kira smiled at everyone excitedly discussing options, and brought up her System keyboard to send a Chat message.

Kira What are the odds of you being interested in funding a student research project? Completely unrelated to my allowance or other school expenses because its way outside my casual budget. Karl ...I have never before been more terrified to open a message. Kira, are you up to shenanigans? Kira no Kira the whole class is, its not just me

Karl chuckled as he gestured for Lilian to bring a cup of tea, making the message visible to allow her to spectate.

Karl Alright, tell me about this group project of yours. Kira We compared 【 Throw Rock 】 spells when a classmate learned it after seeing me use the spell on a bunch of rocks at once oh hey nice auto-brackets there, and he was able to cast it without touching the rock like I can which proved it wasn't a mastery-limited function of the spell and then another classmate has Earth Djinn relatives that have it mastered too? One of them even has Gold quality 【 Scan 】 like me! And it's maxed too! We compared all the spell descriptions and they were all super different

"They noticed that quickly," Karl muttered, sipping his scalding hot tea.

"Good. With that knowledge they will close the gap between themselves and their Elite rivals," Lilian said with a nod.

"Mm. Though I'm not sure how good that will be in the long run..."

Kira So uh, I told them I have a passive that increases my spell comprehension? To explain why I had more info than the person with a maxed out Gold 【 Scan 】 spell. Which I do. Two of them actually, I forgot about Human Adaptability but I couldn't mention that one anyway... Karl I KNEW IT Karl Er, sorry, carry on. Kira Ok?? Don't worry I was vague about it so they assumed it was a bloodline ability or whatever. Now me and Brigit are using your Dragon blood money to buy cheap spell books for everyone to learn, and we're gonna try out the limitations of some cantrips and see if we can't finagle extra utility out of other spells that isn't otherwise explicitly stated in their descriptions Karl Blood money...? Kira The Trial is in, uhhh.... A month? And it's super important to everyone for us all to do well, so we're testing this out and hoping it works. Plus more spells is good overall. But like, spells are expensive... And there's nine of us including me. And we have to buy multiples for testing purposes so we're all only picking one each but still...

Karl pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Lilian, remind me to have you teach Kira how to do presentations. She meanders and chatters so much..."

"One can assume she is nervous about asking for money, Sir Karl. She is over explaining in an attempt to make you realize she is not casually asking for a handout. I have no doubt Miss Hawthorne does not know you well enough to feel comfortable asking for money, when from her perspective you are already providing so much."

The Dragon glanced at his Automata aide from the corner of his eye. "Only from her perspective?"

"Miss Cinderscale is a young Squire, lacking awareness of magic fundamentals and the Arcana, while Miss Hawthorne thinks her value is due to your Fixation alone. However, we both know just how important Enliss knowledge is, Sir Karl. Surely you do not truly think you are being fair to the girl with a mere Gold Scholarship and minuscule allowance. Such an amount may impress her peers in the General class, but no one else will think twice about paying ten times as much for access to her knowledge. In fact, such people may consider you quite cheap in comparison, even borderline cruel for withholding what she deserves."

Karl grimaced. "You really like her, huh?"

"She is more appealing to me than you are, Sir Karl." Lilian's glowing eyes, flickering with a strange crimson light, seemed to flare brighter for just a moment. "She is not a person with a position of power grifting - ah, taking advantage of - a naive and ignorant child relying on her for survival in a new and foreign world. Sir Karl. And I did tell her, as per your orders, to request additional funding when required."

"Okay, okay, I get it! I didn't want to overwhelm her with too much wealth or anything too quickly, you know. She's obviously the child of a commoner, I didn't want it all to go to her head. Dumping a bunch of wealth on a child with no adult guardians could end with her taking a very unfortunate path in life!"

"I am sure you think you believe that, Sir Karl. Miss Cinderscale and Mrs. Reid will be interested to learn they are as chopped liver in your eyes."

Karl grimaced as he brought up the Chat window, carefully choosing his words before sending a response.

Karl Alright. I'll fund it, but you must treat this as a proper research project. Papers, video recordings of the tests and results, budget proposals, the whole works. Don't worry about making them sound professional, I'm more interested in the results themselves. Karl And tell your classmates not to go around spreading research information to other classes, keep the knowledge to yourselves for now. Karl Make lists of the books you're purchasing this time around so I can reimburse you and Miss Brigit. Kira Okay! Thanks Mister Karl!

Lilian glanced at the Chat window before Karl closed it, then looked away with a faint, mechanical sigh.

"You're the one who pointed out she's nervous about asking for money, making it a business transaction between us will put her at ease!"

Another sigh. "As you say, Sir Karl. Perhaps my exhalation had nothing to do with my feelings on the Council and their Arcana limitation policies. Telling children not to share their findings on how to use magic more effectively without explaining the reason why is certainly no cause to sigh or otherwise express discontent. Shall I also increase Miss Hawthorne's monthly allowance? In expectation of her hesitation in future fund requests. She may wish to regard you as a last resort rather than a presence to be relied upon. Understandably."

"You're cutting deep today, Lilian..."

"I have to speak my mind, Sir Karl, before the meeting starts. Those decrepit old husks - ah, distinguished gentlefolk - do not take kindly to my honesty or advice, as you well know. I do not wish to receive a penalty again."

"So you take it out on me?"

"You are acutely aware that you deserve worse, Sir Karl, and so you do not reprimand me. I appreciate your self-awareness. And masochism. Is that not why you keep me around?"

Karl grunted something between a sigh and a laugh as he drained a cup of cold tea in one shot, then stood. He held out his arms so Lilian could help him into several layers of stiff, ceremonial Council robes. She tied the ribbon of his sash with a bit more force than he would have preferred, eliciting a pained groan and pointed glare from the Dragon, which Lilian promptly ignored.

"Lilian. By telling her to make it a research project, I'm taking the heat off them should anyone find out what her class is getting up to. You know how bad it would be if the powerful families and organizations learned a bunch of commoner students were delving into the Arcana skill on their own, no matter what those student's intentions might be."

Lilian clicked her tongue and looked away. Her silence spoke volumes about her feelings on the matter, and it wasn't the first time she complained about that law in particular. She often pushed him to bring it up at the summit conferences, but he knew it'd be no use.

Karl was on the Council, sure, but his influence was pitiful compared to those old fogies with deep roots and dark shadows. He couldn't change laws without their cooperation, and Mordred's Law of Arcana was too important in their eyes.

Those in power loathed nothing more than threats to said power. Usurpers were their greatest fear.

Karl pulled his Council Staff from his inventory, and activated the hidden magic circle beneath the floor of his office to teleport directly from his private office to his assigned personal antechamber several miles away.

The Council frequently held official meetings in a glass domed building close to the center of Atmont, known simply as the Conclave. Each of the 25 councilors had their own antechamber attached to the dome, where they could safely teleport themselves and their aides without worrying about the magic circle being blocked. Inside the dome were rows upon rows of desks and chairs in a half-circle layered amphitheater arrangement, facing a stage where a primary speaker giving specific presentations would be the center of attention.

Meetings broadcast through a webpage in the System browser as well as various crystal screens outside the dome, and were recorded for posterity. Atmont was an independent democratic city-state where citizens could vote on everything from Council representatives to law reforms, so public meetings were important.

Karl took his seat at a desk bearing his name on a bronze plaque, glancing around at his fellow councilors filing into the Conclave with various expressions on their faces. Some shot him rather nasty glares, to which he naturally responded with a smug knowing smile that only made their frowns deepen. Lilian stood behind him, eyes flicking around the room to pick up gestures and body language Karl wasn't able to catch on his own, taking mental notes for later.

The opening of the meeting always involved discussions about general affairs, small things like road repairs and economic shifts. Midway the tone shifted to sightings of monster attacks, reported Dungeon Breaks in the area, Dungeons close to Breaking that needed more Delvers funneled their way, Rank B or higher monsters on the move, and other potentially life-threatening information.

It wasn't until the meeting was nearly at an end that Karl, for the first time in a long time, was well and truly surprised by one of his fellow councilors. An older Lepidor with grizzled grey fur and sharp brown eyes rose from his seat to signal a topic change, raising one velveteen paw into the air.

"I'd like to open the floor for discussion regarding the Clanless Human that recently came to Atmont."