A Day Trip

As the enormous sun rose, the sun wheel's glorious crown became ever clearer within the atmosphere. The Imperial Academy's mechanical clock tower began to chime as new magitech mechanisms drove massive gears and levers, hammers striking the bronze bells within the tower. Eight solemn peals rang throughout the entire Mage District.

Students in uniforms from the various schools left the dormitories scattered across the campus's four quarters. Accompanied by sunlight and bells, they set out along the broad walkways toward the academy's teaching facilities. Some wore confident smiles, while traces of drowsiness still lingered on others' faces. Some were still young and green, boys and girls in their teens, while others were already middle-aged with graying hair. These scholars, who came from all parts of the Cecil Empire and from vastly different backgrounds, were like converging streams flowing through this academy, the empire's highest temple of knowledge. They were filled and transformed by the knowledge here, and one day, they would flow forth from this temple to nourish the rapidly advancing empire.

Matilda stood atop a tower of the School of Magitech, watching students in black academy uniforms bearing rune-and-gear emblems gather from the plaza and walkways below, merging into a stream of people that poured into the tall buildings nearby. For a long while, she said nothing.

"Whenever I have a little free time, I like standing here and looking down over this academy," Gawain said slowly. Standing beside Matilda, he looked down at the scene below with an indescribable feeling. "Students come and go along these broad avenues and narrow paths, gather in courtyards and corridors, and rest beside gardens and fountains. Teachers impart knowledge in building after building, guiding their students and answering their questions. People from different regions and backgrounds gather here, enjoying equality before knowledge.