NOVEL NEXT Chapter 212: Class Representative
The residential area Lorraine had shown him before from afar was where Azel found himself now.
He had changed into a fresh set of clothes, the kind that felt comfortable yet neat enough to walk around in without looking lazy.
'I wonder where Lorraine is?' he thought as he adjusted his collar.
It was Saturday, wasn't it?
He was sure the academy didn't have classes on Saturday, but since this world had already proven it was not exactly the same as the game he once knew, he couldn't be completely certain.
He walked down the long path toward the cluster of student buildings.
He had not paid much attention to the residential area before but that he was walking through it properly, he finally understood the scale.
The buildings stretched far and wide. Some were towering sky-high dormitories with windows glinting in the sunlight, while others were smaller, more personal homes scattered along the wide cobblestone roads.
The architecture was both elegant and practical, carrying the signature of magic-enhanced construction.
Mana lamps stood neatly at the corners of every street, glowing a bit even in the daylight.
'So this is where the students really live,' Azel thought as he passed a row of dorms.
Most doors were closed, but he caught glimpses of people inside through windows, there were already some people here.
It gave the place a lively air, and he could almost forget he was standing inside the grounds of the Empire's most prestigious academy.
Eventually, he left the residential area behind.
From there, he continued walking until the wide-open marketplace came into view.
The marketplace was bustling as ever.
'Seems like today is an off day then,' he thought, noticing the atmosphere.
Unlike during class days, where everyone was in uniform, now the students walked about in casual clothing.
Some wore elegant dresses or robes, others simple shirts and trousers.
It gave them the appearance of normal teenagers out for a weekend stroll rather than future mages and warriors of the Empire.
As he strolled deeper into the market, Azel noticed a familiar figure. It was the merchant woman he had bought the storage rings from not too long ago.
She was standing behind her stall, arranging her wares carefully.
When her eyes met his, she immediately bowed politely and gave him a warm smile.
Azel lifted his hand and waved back, a small grin forming on his face.
The simple gesture made him feel oddly lighthearted.
'It feels really good walking around the academy like this,' he thought as he kept going, his boots tapping against the stone floor. 'I really have to be thankful for my reincarnation, it isn't easy.'
Azel left the marketplace behind and soon found himself standing before the main academy building.
The wide courtyard was strangely quiet today.
During weekdays, it would usually be filled with students rushing to classes, or like last time when they were crowding around Aegon.
He stepped through the tall front doors and entered the main hall. His eyes quickly landed on the familiar figure behind the counter.
"Ah, good morning, Sir Azel," Miss Brown greeted warmly.
She stood tall in her neat attire, her hair tied back as always, her posture flawless.
She offered a polite bow before continuing, "I hope you've had a happy weekend so far."
They were the only ones in the hall, the silence broken only by their voices.
"I trust you've received the letter and settled in?" she asked.
"Yes," Azel replied, stepping closer to the counter.
He rubbed the back of his neck with a small smile. "I was honestly surprised. I really didn't think I would make it to Number One."
Miss Brown's lips curved into a knowing smile, and she gave a small chuckle.
"Well, Miss Lorraine did tell me something," she said. "She said you even managed to get the professor who was marking the papers to react. She admitted she hadn't achieved anything like that herself during her own entrance exam."
Azel blinked, suppressing a laugh.
'So even Lorraine was impressed?' he thought.
Maybe he had gone a little overboard, but at least it had been worth it. As long as Reinhardt wasn't anywhere there.
"Since you registered under the Mage course, you'll have to select your subjects," Miss Brown continued, reaching under the desk and pulling out a sheet of paper.
She slid it across the counter toward him. "You are required to complete twelve courses, but you may pick from the list of available subjects. Some are compulsory, while others are electives. Please review them carefully."
Azel looked at the list:
…
[Compulsory Courses]
Magical Mathematics
Magical Physics
Magical Chemistry
Magic Battle Class
[Electives]
Magical Biology
World History
Runic Magic
Spellcraft Theory
Alchemy and Potion Studies
Enchantment
Familiar Studies
Elemental Affinity Training
Strategic Magic Deployment
Magical Linguistics
Divination Fundamentals
Magical Beastology
Ritual Casting
Mana Circuits and Flow Analysis
Magical Engineering
Illusionary Arts
Curses and Counter-Curses
Healing Magic Theory
…
Azel took a moment to think.
He had played this game long enough to know which subjects had been useful in the later stages.
Choosing blindly would only slow him down.
He ticked the compulsory subjects first, then carefully selected eight more electives: Magical Biology, Runic Magic, Enchantment Basics, Elemental Affinity Training, Strategic Magic Deployment, Mana Circuits and Flow Analysis, Illusionary Arts, and Healing Magic Theory.
When he was done, he slid the paper back across the counter.
Miss Brown scanned his choices with a practiced eye, then gave a satisfied nod. "Very well. A balanced selection — both practical and theoretical. That should serve you well, Sir Azel."
She tucked the parchment neatly under her desk and reached for something else.
A moment later, she placed a medium-sized bag on the counter.
"This will be your Astralis Academy uniform," she explained as she carefully pulled out the contents.
First, she laid out a crisp white long-sleeved shirt with a sharp collar. Then came the trousers, deep blue in color, and finally, a matching blue tie.
"The fabric is unique," she continued. "It has been enhanced to absorb small amounts of mana. This gives it a slight resistance to magical spells, though do not rely on it too heavily."
Azel nodded, running his fingers across the shirt.
The texture was smooth and he had to admit he liked the design too.
Next, Miss Brown lifted a large stack of books from under the counter and placed them beside the uniform.
"These are your textbooks," she said. "Unlike the general books in the library, these are exclusive to Astralis Academy. Each one has been written by former professors, and the knowledge inside cannot be found elsewhere. For that reason, I must warn you — do not attempt to sell them outside the academy. The punishment for doing so is severe."
"I see," Azel said with a respectful nod, hefting the weight of the books.
They were heavier than he expected, and he couldn't wait to memorize their knowledge.
Finally, Miss Brown reached once more under the desk and pulled out a black jacket.
It was sleek and elegant, bearing the Astralis Academy crest on the left breast.
"This," she said, holding it out with both hands, "is your Representative jacket. As the First-Year Representative, wearing this marks you not only within the academy but also across the Empire. You will be recognized as the face of Astralis's first-year students. With that comes honor, but also many responsibilities."
She paused, her gaze only on him.
"Shall I help you wear the jacket?"