Reward

"Have you read that new paper? The summary is brilliant; with this method, submitting manuscripts in the future will be so convenient..."

"I know, right? I wonder which society president wrote it—it's simply incredible!"

"Could it be someone from the Arcane Society, or perhaps the President himself?"

"Probably not. I heard they are looking for the author too..."

Information traveled fast, especially since Borne's article was pinned to the top of the bulletin board, instantly becoming the academy's number one "trending topic." They even posted the paper template separately, which was unprecedented.

Anyone with a functioning brain knew that the academy's upper management was pushing this!

Many also noticed that not only was the format standardized, but the entire library layout had been adjusted. The reading areas were now divided by level, allowing students to clearly find materials suited to their stage of study!

Shortly thereafter, the article Three Steps to Writing an Excellent Paper was officially added to the academy's mandatory reading manual.

Before long, the author of the article, "Doctor," became known to the entire academy.

More people speculated that the author must be a teacher, a high-ranking official, or even a vice-dean.

Doctor—a man of great learning!

Who else in the academy could use such an "arrogant" pen name and still get away with it?

It was just too obvious...

Because of this, several heads of great noble houses even came to visit the Dean, only to be met with a closed door.

However, a vice-dean came out to explain that the Dean had not written it.

The great nobles looked thoughtful and did not ask any further questions.

As the person involved, Borne paid no mind to the undercurrents. After the first day of publication, his points began to skyrocket like a runaway horse.

Holding a massive amount of points, Borne spent his time soaking in the library. But after a few days, he noticed his points stopped increasing. Just as he was wondering why, he discovered his work had been publicly "pasted" into the mandatory reading manual.

Soon after, Evans found Borne.

"Your article is excellent. The upper management has decided to adopt the template in your text as the standard format for all future academy papers, and your article will be used as a model, made public and free of charge," Evans said gently. "Of course, there will be some compensation. You may choose two items from this list."

Borne was not surprised. Since his work had been "requisitioned," it was only right to show some appreciation...

When he submitted it, Borne had already prepared himself. Nothing was faster than clinging to a powerful backer. The Count was a High Arcanist, and he was an Arcanist; there was no talk of playing both sides or taking advantage of others...

This article was less of a paper and more of a strategic plan. It naturally carried certain risks, much like a primary school student proposing a teaching curriculum to the national department of education—a highly feasible plan, at that.

What did this imply?

The academy hadn't had any effective reforms in decades, yet it was fixed by a kid who had just enrolled and was a special admission student to boot.

Were the high-ranking officials all eating dung?

If it were anyone else without a background, they would have been dragged into a dark room. Some High Mage or Arcanist would have checked everything from their body to their soul, even finding out how many times they had wet the bed.

But Borne's grandfather was a vice-dean of the academy and a High Arcanist. He had counted on this; no one would suspect Borne of having issues. They would only say that a genius's thoughts are always different from ordinary people. Coupled with the "genius" halo he had cultivated for years, his record was clear and verifiable.

Borne was the youngest Arcanist in existence. He might not be the last, but there certainly hadn't been one like him in the last few decades.

Being young had its advantages: innocence, unconstrained imagination, and the "genius" label made it perfectly normal to have thoughts different from the masses.

If he were older, his past habits would be traceable, and there would be no "fated" changes. Like the fortuitous encounters in novels—taking "smart pills" or having an old master in his head—if a person suddenly changed their personality, turning from timid and weak to decisive and witty, wouldn't that be a blatant signal that something was wrong?

Being sent to the stake would be a light punishment; practitioners like Necromancers were very interested in these "otherworldly" souls.

This was the benefit of having a backer. Who knew if this was the Count's "intention" or Borne's genius idea? Did it even matter?

Borne took the scroll and gave it a quick scan. The content on the parchment was simple, and each option was very attractive. It roughly read:

1. 1,000 points as compensation. 2. Three beginner-level spells. 3. One magic item. 4. A chance to ask the Dean or another vice-dean a question. 5. One hour of reading time for the Nether Scroll.

Every single one of these held great appeal for him.

Most Arcanists were "academic elites." Except for scholars better than themselves or Arcanists of the same rank, they looked down on everyone. They wouldn't even spare a glance for a beginner Arcanist. For Evans to be speaking to a student and waiting patiently like this was simply inconceivable in the eyes of other students.

In Evans's view, Borne's reward was largely due to the Count, or perhaps it was even the Count's own idea. However, as part of the academy faction, Borne was considered "one of their own," and there would surely be many opportunities for "exchange" in the future.

Plus, with this kid promoting to Arcanist before the age of seven and having such a solid backer, even the most stubborn person would show goodwill.

Borne didn't think for long and said, "I choose the first and the fifth options."

Evans was clearly not surprised. When he noticed the browsing rights for the Nether Scroll, he knew it was prepared for Borne. Even he only received a little reading time each month after promoting to a Mid-level Arcanist and becoming a teacher.

"Given your young age, only one volume of the Nether Scroll will be opened for you," Evans explained patiently.

"Thank you, Teacher Evans, I understand," Borne bowed.

Evans smiled and said, "Give me your point badge; I will grant you the authorization."

Borne hurriedly took out the wooden badge and handed it to him.

Evans also took out a plaque, joined the two together, and whispered a few incantations, causing both plaques to glow with blue light.

"Here, it's done."

Returning the wooden plaque to Borne, he said, "Alright, I'll be off then."

Borne bowed once more, and as a gust of wind blew by, Evans cast Fly and soared directly away.

"Goodbye, I look forward to your next 'work'!"

"'Work', huh?!"

Borne's eyes flickered slightly. It seems I'll have to keep a lower profile from now on, but this really was an unexpected windfall. The Nether Scroll! I never imagined I'd come into contact with one so soon.

The Nether Scroll possessed a magical power; everyone who finished reading it would gain an Arcanum unique to themselves, though each scroll only offered a chance to comprehend an Arcanum upon the first reading, and even then, it was limited to the entry level.

Many apprentices in the academy would save up their points to borrow it right before breaking through to a new rank; of course, such a shortcut could never compare to the effectiveness of a "World-given" breakthrough.

Borne had become an Arcanist first and then learned magic, whereas most people learned magic to become Mages first, then studied arcane arts, and later transitioned into Arcanists—the gap between the two was far from insignificant!

Although Borne looked older due to his disguise, he couldn't hide the fact that he was only seven years old; even in his past life, a child of that age would have just started elementary school.

Most people were ecstatic just to become an Arcanist by graduation, and even intermediate Arcanists were extremely rare. Yet, even if Borne spent his days idling away and only meditated sporadically, his mana would still grow with his age, and reaching the intermediate level would be absolutely no problem.

This was enough to make quite a few people green with envy!

In a villa by the academy's lakeside garden, a group of young nobles were enjoying afternoon tea.

"Who do you think this 'Doctor' who suddenly appeared is?" asked a tall, radiant woman.

"Who knows? But one thing is certain: it's definitely not His Excellency!" a young noble remarked.

"A student? The handwriting and writing style are truly unlike anything I've ever seen. Could it really be a freshman?" McCarthy gritted his teeth and said.

"Gerald, how is the investigation going?" Anderson turned his head to ask.

"Minister, I have compared the copies of submissions from the past three years, including those from several seniors currently interning, and there is indeed no information regarding this person. No one has even seen this handwriting before," Gerald replied.

"Although the text was written in 'Netherese', the writing style is indeed that of a true noble," Anderson said in a low voice. "Could it really be a freshman?"

"Minister, do you think it could be him?" Gerald lowered his head slightly.

"Who?" Anderson asked in a deep voice.

The others turned their gazes toward him as well.

"Ioulaum! Borne Ioulaum!" Gerald adjusted his glasses. "The genius Arcanist of Netheril!"

"Hm? Hmm!"

Anderson's pupils constricted slightly, and a sharp glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.