'There're so many options...,' Lone thought as he read the massive list of available classes. 'It's a bit weird why all of the classes are basic ones though. Hmm... Let's ask about this.'

"Teacher Rax," Lone called.

"Hmm? Are you confused about something, Student Lone?" the teacher asked as he lifted his gaze from the papers on his lectern.

Lone nodded. "Why aren't there any advanced forms of magic listed here like space magic or gravity magic? Also, why are all of the classes only entry-level ones? I'm guessing that's to ensure that you have a proper skill level to be learning more advanced skills or theories, while the rare magics will only be taught to personal disciples since the teachers of those magics are few in number, but I'd like some confirmation if at all possible."

"It's exactly as you said. The Academy pays for all basic supplies to each and every student, so if someone foolishly believed that they were a master at, let's say, fire magic, and we gave them a magical tool attuned to properly amplify such talents for their practical classes, but in truth, they had lied, not only could they accidentally damage the tool, but they would have also wasted the time of the skilled professor dedicating their time to teaching them," Teacher Rax explained. "This is a minor loss if you only wish to experiment by trying a magic that you are unfamiliar with, but only at the entry-level."

He scratched his chin thoughtfully then added, "As for the rarer magic schools, yes, we only have a handful of professors skilled in them, and those professors also have additional obligations, so while The Academy would love to make the teachers of those schools more openly available, I'm afraid it is simply impossible. Should you make it known that you have talents in a school of magic not listed in the available entry-classes, then an appropriate professor shall be notified and you may be tested to join their classes or luckily gain the chance to become their apprentice."

"I see," Lone replied. "Thanks for the detailed answer."

"You are very welcome," Teacher Rax replied with a short smile. He then quickly returned his attention to his papers.

Lone tapped his jaw as he thought. 'Well, I should choose my mandatory classes first. For practical non-combat magic, I think healing would be wise. I only have nature magic right now and my Creation Magic when it comes to healing others, so who knows, insight into raw healing magic could result in my soul oracle skills improving too. I could get inspired and create a subskill that'll help Sophie and Rachel.'

With that decided, Lone used his quill to tick the box next to the class labelled 'Practical Non-combat Class: The School of Healing Magic For Beginners' which had over 20 professors listed as possible teachers for the class.

"Hmm..." Lone read and reread all of the available theory classes several times before he had finally decided on his four mandatory ones.

As it would so happen, alchemy was considered a theory class, as were many other classes that didn't centre around active skills like the classes teaching ritual-based magic and the concept of summoning. Since so much was still unknown about these schools of magic, it had been decided for them to count as either a practical non-combat class or as a theory class, which was very helpful for a good number of prospective students.

As for Lone, he wasn't concerned about this, but he was happy that he could apply for the basic alchemy classes without it having to consume a free slot. 'With this, I'll learn more about potions, which, again, might be very helpful for Sophie and Rachel, Sophie in particular. From what I know, I can substitute a lot of the needed mana to create her body with some of the rarer magical concoctions.'

On that topic, Lone had also signed up for the herbology classes since it was a complimentary one to the alchemy class.

As an interesting sidenote, Teacher Rax was one of the seven professors that was available to teach alchemy.

As for Lone's two remaining mandatory classes, he chose to sign up for The Theory of Sub-skills and The Root of Magic. The former was a class devoted to researching and determining how magical sub-skills were formed and if the process could be replicated and standardised, while the latter was something akin to a history class, but it included several field trips to mysterious locations believed to be linked to magic.

As for Lone's mandatory practical combat class, he was very tempted to sign up for Lightning Magic For Beginners but instead decided to choose the class labelled 'Metal Magic For Beginners'.

Why? Simply because he felt that if he could obtain some powerful skills in the subschool of the earth school - the metal school, then perhaps he'd be able to create tools and weapons with his Creation Magic at a far cheaper MP cost in the future.

It was a very simple idea, but Lone felt that there was no risk involved. After all, if it proved to be a waste of time, he could always swap it out with a magic that was far more destructive like his patented lightning magic or something more exotic like lava magic next year.

With all of his mandatory classes selected, Lone moved onto his four free selections.

Naturally, he picked the practical non-combat magic class Enchantment Magic For Beginners.

While Lone was happy with the lessons he was receiving from Eolande on the topic, Lone still felt like he could improve so much more if he had a few more sources to learn enchantment magic from, and, the sooner he was a powerful enchanter, the sooner he could stop worrying about his store's employees and the teens.

For his other three class options, Lone decided to sign up for the other two classes teaching the remaining types of earth magic while his last slot was used for a practical non-combat class. He signed up for Earth Magic For Beginners, Sand Magic For Beginners, and, lastly, Utility Magic For Beginners.

Since he was going to be focusing on metal magic this year, Lone figured he may as well go all-in on the earth school. As for why he had decided to learn utility magic, well, he had a feeling that Swind would be choosing that class as his mandatory practical non-combat one, so he wanted to be there to make sure Swind had a friendly and familiar face with him as he was learning the supposedly most useless school of magic.

Of course, they may not be in the same class, but it really wasn't a popular school of magic, so while there were over 50 available teachers, Lone had a feeling that there were only one or two classes for it.

As it turned out, Lone was the first person to finish choosing his classes for the coming year, so he had to patiently wait for everyone else to complete their own choices.

'I kinda wish I had a sort of clairvoyance-type skill... I'm really curious what everyone else is picking, but I can't see anyone's class selection sheets from here... Oh well. I guess I'll read a book while I wait.' Lone summoned a book that was all about the flora and fauna of Altros - a rare novel he'd managed to get along with a whole stack of rare tomes and grimoires on random things in exchange for curing a blacksmith's dying toddler son - and he then flicked it open then immersed himself in its pages.

Teacher Rax raised a curious eyebrow upon seeing a book appear out of thin air in front of Lone instead of being pulled out of an item bag, but he paid little attention to it beyond his initial reaction.

A good chunk of the teachers and professors were keenly aware of some of Lone's talents since he had been anything but shy when it came to showing them off in Mystopolis, which was why Teacher Rax wasn't too surprised by a book suddenly appearing in front of the foxkin.

After 30-minutes had passed, everyone was finally done with their class selections.

Teacher Rax collected all of their sheets after getting everyone to write their names on them. Once he'd done that, he told everyone to follow him again.

A few minutes later and they were back at The Academy's central square where they quickly approached the large building labelled 'School Year Supplies'.

"You are all entitled to a single staff or wand, an enchanted robe or set of clothing, a set of books based upon your selection of classes - these shall be given to you during your classes, and not right now, as well as specific wands or staves for the classes you selected, again, you shan't receive these until your first class in the relative magic school," Seeing everyone nod in response to his words, Teacher Rax continued.

"You all should have also received a special badge that serves as the proof of your acceptance into The Academy. While it isn't required to wear that badge while on academy grounds, should a member of staff, a teacher, or a professor ask you to show it, then you will be required to comply. Either you do so, or you risk being thrown out of The Academy temporarily then punished accordingly for failing to follow the rules," Teacher Rax calmly detailed as they entered the building that still had students flowing in and out of it.

"That's fair," Lone said. "Ah, by the way, I don't really need a staff or any robes."

"Indeed, you do not, however, you are still allowed a set. Choose some that interest you. They will belong to you, so you are free to destroy them and take them apart in the hopes of learning more about their enchantments and magical structure," Teacher Rax said.

"Oh? Is that so? I'll take you up on that then," Lone replied with a smile.

Eolande chuckled. "He is absolutely going to play about with them until he learns everything about them, now isn't he?"

Swind nodded. "Without a doubt. He wouldn't be Mr Immortus otherwise."

"Master is wise. If anyone can learn anything about the equipment, it's him," Breena boasted.

Teacher Rax smirked. "I wouldn't be so sure. Everything in here was created and enchanted by absolute masters. Regardless, we're running out of time. All of you, you have exactly 1-hour to choose your robes or clothes and your wand or staff."

The old man and the boisterous young teen seemed to be the most excited at this opportunity out of everyone, so they immediately said their thanks then wandered off to inspect the thousands of items that they could choose between.

Following their lead, the rabbitkin, Prince Seto, and Lone's group all split up and did the same.

Lone nodded at his choice of items. It had taken him a while to find the ones with the most powerful enchantments on them, but find them he did.

[Unnamed] Staff of Mending Description

Created by the master mana woodcarver Grella Millson, and the master enchanter Enchon Sibloy.

This staff is a mass-produced unit, but in a stroke of luck, it has managed to absorb some of the atmospheric mana upon its creation, resulting in it being a rank stronger than it was originally intended to be.

This tool allows its wielder to cast any and all healing spells for a reduced cost.

Rank Epic Stats Durability: 4,000/4,000 Weight: 5 Abilities All spells that have a healing effect shall cost 30% less MP to cast (does not apply to Divine Magic or Soul Skills).

From what Lone had seen, the normal cost reduction was 15%, making this staff twice as good as it should have been.

[Unnamed] Robes of Shielding Description

Created by the master mana weaver Unthar, and the master enchanter Enchon Sibloy.

This set of robes is a mass-produced unit, but in a stroke of luck, it has managed to absorb some of the atmospheric mana upon its creation, resulting in it being a rank stronger than it was originally intended to be.

These robes shield the host from magical dangers.

Rank Epic Stats Durability: 10,000/10,000 Weight: 7 Abilities All offensive magic used on the host shall be weakened by 20% (does not apply to Divine Magic or Soul Skills).

As for those robes, well, the original effect was only supposed to be a weakening of 5%, making them 4-times better than the other ones of its kind. In fact, these robes were the best item in the whole building as far as Lone could tell.

'Man, as much of a cunt as he is, Clicker's power sure is helpful,' Lone thought as he made his way back to the building's entrance where Teacher Rax and everyone else was supposed to be.