Ernst Academy only admitted a hundred students each year, and those students came from every corner of the continent.
Ulada was not nearly as strict, but it could not compete with Ernst Academy. Even though many people from the Dark Alliance applied to Ernst Academy every year, few were accepted.
Ulada Magic Academy ranked third on the continent, but aside from the top school, who remembered the second? Let alone the third.
So it could only lower its standards a little.
This year, the academy had discovered an exceptionally gifted seed of a mage: Jonathan. The academy's instructors were all excited. His affinity for the Earth and Dark Elements was exceptional, and his mental strength was sixty-four times that of an ordinary person—far above even the usual exceptional level.
Ulada Academy might not encounter a talent like him for decades, or even a century.
After the news spread, people in the Dark Church had already begun paying attention to Jonathan.
As long as Jonathan didn't falter later on, he would undoubtedly be given a high-ranking position if he joined the Dark Church after graduation.
The Dark Church might even continue to nurture him until he became a true powerhouse capable of standing on his own—a sharp blade to wield against the Light Church.
Jonathan and Ford had arrived relatively early, so after waiting an hour, it was finally their turn to complete their enrollment paperwork.
"Jonathan, reporting to the academy. Here are my acceptance letter and identification."
"Jonathan?!"
The staff member who took the two documents exclaimed, "You're Jonathan?!"
"Yes."
The staff member opened the documents and looked them over, then smiled. "That's right."
"Ulada Magic Academy hasn't had a student as outstanding as you in a long time. You have no idea—you haven't even started classes yet, but your name is already on everyone's lips."
"Not just the instructors and teaching assistants, but the students have all heard of you, too."
"Now I can finally see you in person!"
"Go over there and take another magic test. As long as your talent matches the records—or exceeds them—you can officially enroll."
Jonathan nodded.
The magic talent test here was the same as the one at the church, since both had been established by the Dark Church.
In the months since his last test, Jonathan's strength hadn't advanced, and he hadn't formally begun studying magic. On top of that, he had deliberately kept his abilities hidden, so he lasted about as long as before during the mental-strength test.
Ford went after him.
Ford also passed the test without a problem, officially becoming a student at Ulada Magic Academy.
"2023."
Jonathan looked at the number attached to his dormitory key.
Just then, Ford leaned over and said excitedly, "I just prayed we'd be roommates, and it actually came true!"
"Great!"
Jonathan sighed inwardly. It seemed he couldn't escape this inexplicable bond between them.
"Come on. Let's check out the dorm first, then take a look around the academy."
"Whatever you say."
Ford had practically become Jonathan's little sidekick.
Ulada Magic Academy wasn't as ancient as Ernst Academy, but thanks to the Dark Church's lavish investment, the campus was breathtaking, with shady trees, lakes and stone bridges, covered walkways and pavilions, pyramid-shaped buildings, obelisks, and more.
Every so often, Ford couldn't help exclaiming in amazement.
After asking someone for directions to the dormitory, the two headed straight there. Once they arrived, they followed the room numbers from 2000 onward and soon found the right room.
Ford opened the door and peered inside. Two people were already sitting in the living room. When they saw the door open, they looked over.
"Hello."
Ford greeted them with a smile.
"New roommates? Come on in. We were just wondering when you'd get here."
Ford went inside, and Jonathan followed.
One of the two who had arrived first stood up. "Now that everyone's here, let's introduce ourselves. My name is Collet McNeil."
Collet was a full ten centimeters tall, making him the tallest of the four. His golden hair was particularly eye-catching, and he was handsome, though not as handsome as Jonathan.
The other boy was about a meter and a half tall. He looked rather scholarly, with a faint smile on his lips, and was no less handsome than Collet.
"This is Charles Bandas."
"My name is Ford."
"Jonathan."
"So you're Jonathan, the most gifted student admitted to Ulada Magic Academy this year!"
Collet was a natural conversationalist. Hearing Jonathan's name, he exclaimed, "Your reputation spread like wildfire before you even enrolled. Everyone's heard of you!"
"They say you're the most gifted student Ulada Magic Academy has seen in a hundred years. I never thought I'd get to room with a genius like you. It's an honor!"
"It's only talent, not strength. Maybe all of you will surpass me someday," Jonathan replied politely.
Then he looked at Charles and asked curiously, "Your surname is Bandas. Could you be a member of the royal family?"
Collet smiled. "You guessed right. Charles is the kingdom's current sixth prince."
Ford was so surprised he wanted to bow, but Charles stopped him.
"Once we're at the academy, we're all fellow students. Besides, status doesn't count for much at Ulada Magic Academy, considering the Dark Church stands behind it."
Noticing that they were still carrying their bags, Collet said, "You two should put your things in your rooms first. Rooms one and two are Charles's and mine. You can decide between rooms three and four yourselves, all right?"
"Of course," Ford said with a grin.
Ford let Jonathan choose first. Jonathan didn't refuse and picked room four. Once inside, he looked around.
The room was simply furnished: a bed one and a half meters wide and two and a half meters long, a desk, a brown wooden chair, a wardrobe, and a bathroom.
Across from the bed was a set of shelves built into the wall, where he could put small items.
The room was about forty square meters, just right for one person.
The bed had fresh bedding and a pillow. A floor-to-ceiling window faced south, its huge panes letting sunlight spill onto the balcony outside.
After putting down his bag, Jonathan spent a while on the balcony before leaving his room and returning to the living room.
When Ford saw him come out, he said excitedly, "Jonathan, Collet and Charles are both really talented. They're both better than me!"
"Really?"
"Yeah. Collet is ten this year. His affinity for the Wind Element is high-grade, and his mental strength is sixteen times that of someone his age—also high-grade."
"Charles is the same age as Collet. His affinities for the Dark and Water Elements are both high-grade, and his mental strength is eighteen times that of someone his age, a little higher than Collet's."
Collet smiled. "Ford, you don't have to say that in front of Jonathan. You're making us feel embarrassed."
"Exceptional affinity for the Earth and Dark Elements, and mental strength sixty-four times the norm. We can't compare. We really can't!"
"I heard Jonathan is the only student admitted to Ulada Magic Academy this year with two exceptional ratings. Only three students have exceptional ratings in both elemental affinity and mental strength."
"By the way, let's celebrate meeting each other by going out for a feast. Heh, His Highness the Prince can pay!"
"You're the son of a marquis. You're not exactly short on money. Why should I pay?"
"How can you compare yourself to me? Ever since I enrolled, my old man has kept a tight leash on my spending money. He only gives it to me once a month—two hundred gold coins. How's that supposed to be enough?"
"Two hundred a month isn't enough?" Ford asked in surprise. "I only get a hundred gold coins per semester."
Collet was quite perceptive. Realizing that Ford and Jonathan came from small towns, he explained with a smile, "Actually, a hundred gold coins per semester is plenty. If it isn't enough, you can apply for academy assistance. You can also earn gold coins by helping an instructor or organizing the library."
"I see," Ford said, nodding as he understood.
"Come on, my treat. The prince is paying. You two aren't going to turn us down, are you?"
Jonathan smiled. "You've put it that way, so don't blame us if we make you pay through the nose."
The four of them burst out laughing and rushed out the door.
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