Unfortunately, I had to spend a whole week straight just studying. Mornings with Rolf at the city library. Evenings with Alis after she'd finished her work at the guild.

The first day was all about things like the Principles of Magic, Energy Theory, and Souls and Systems. The last one even got into the connection between the World System and the way the universe worked by the will of the ten Shevira. Basically their idea of gods.

Science was not a thing here. Science here was just another form of Magic. And all Magic linked back to Energy and Souls. Everything about Souls related directly to the World System, which was itself part of a larger Universe System network.

I'd gotten the impression it was like religion in my first life, and I'd been right. Just like Greek religion named our days and months, the Shevirat named one of the days in the ten-day week. They also named each of the ten months in a year. Their holidays were all related to the Shevira, too. For example, my birthday was the Month of Ket'ha, and everyone who was born in that month celebrated on the first day of the month on Ket'ha's Day.

Of course, that was part of why I'd been all too happy to listen to Dear Old Dad back then that it wasn't necessary. It'd seemed ridiculous when I was twelve years old. It still did, but I'd seen enough now that I didn't think it was ridiculous. I just maintained that I needed to see it to believe it. And I'd seen not one single Shevira yet.

After getting all those basics out of the way, it was day after day of practicing more and more complex spells that called upon elemental magic like the one I used to light a candle. Now I could light a bonfire if I wanted, though I barely had enough therms to maintain it longer than a few minutes.

On the last day, Alis pressed me to work on increasing the amount of therms I could store in my Soul, but I hadn't made much headway in the night's worth of time I had before the exam.

By the end of a week of studying, I wasn't sure I was ready to pass the exam for the academy, but I figured luck was on my side. Or worst case scenario I'd find a way to ensure I passed. Blackmail worked well. So did death threats.

It wasn't until I was at the academy that I learned exactly what the exam would even entail. Caemor was located near the royal palace on the hill in the middle of the city. I assumed because the royal family all attended. Why would they want to commute?

The place was about as big as it seemed from a distance. Not quite the size of the royal palace, but big enough to be called a palace on its own. It had clock tower and steep roofs that looked almost gothic. There was a lot of stained glass, and in the front of the building, there was a courtyard with a fountain in the center. Inside, the decor was dark but looked both expensive and brand new. I doubted that it was, but magic and all that.

"Welcome to Caemor Academy," said someone just inside the entrance. I assumed to be a teacher or some type of faculty or staff. "Please register for the exam in that room."

"Thanks."

Off to the side, a door led to a room that felt heavy with anxiety. I could smell it rolling off the other candidates, who were all different ages from young to old and all different species. They wore all different types of clothes, so I figured there weren't only commoners hoping for their tuition to get covered. I'd dressed down a bit, but I hadn't needed to.

Although I didn't want to, I registered under the name Gerard Viscoti. Seemed stupid to use it when that'd made it easier for Father to find me in the north, but I was under the impression at this point he'd probably find me no matter what I did.

Rather than try to hide from him, I needed to prepare for him to come to me. Using my name here would maybe give me some protection. Would Caemor really want one of their students accused of a plot to kill a royal in another country when he'd been attending diligently? Doubted it.

The other reason not to use a fake name was that Rolf still attended. Getting caught in that kind of lie would make the fake name useless.

That didn't mean that I hadn't considered assuming another identity to attend. I'd just decided the fake identity might be better for other pursuits. Like making more money in a not-so-legal way so I could make some connections with the shadier side of Brugge.

I did lie about my Stats again though, but didn't everyone? I figured it was better to be consistent with my lies.

After registering, I was funneled into a big room with a large group of other hopefuls. The dean stood at the front talking with a few other teachers. I recognized her from another life. In a year, she'd be famous because of her contributions to Broweathen in the war. She was one of the few openly Cambion people, but with black curling ram horns, a thick tail, and dark purple hair, she didn't have the luxury of hiding it, either.

When all the seats were filled, she finally addressed us all.

"Your exam will consist of three parts," she announced. "First, we'll begin with a written test. You have two hours to answer these questions. Second, you'll demonstrate your basic spellcasting skills. Then third is an interview. As long as you have persistence, you will do well."

Suddenly, there were desks in front of all of us and a test. Convenient.

"Your two hours begins now."

I answered the first question quickly. Then the next. The last question took me a little longer, but I still finished well before the time was up. When I decided I was finished, the test disappeared on its own. I figured to be graded elsewhere as students finished.

[Notice]

Congratulations!

You have completed the first part of your Quest [Take Caemor Academy Exam]. Your reward will be calculated after you complete the entire Quest.

Once again, the System was pretending it was in control of my life, and I hated it.