Ernst Institute

Biodata

Admissions

• The institute is regarded as the foremost magic academy on the Yulan Continent and recruits only one hundred new students each year. 12 14
• Entry candidates undergo two examinations at the Radiant Church in Fenlai City:
  • Elemental affinity test — candidates place a hand on a magic crystal.
  • Spiritual energy test — candidates endure a light-element magic formation; greater endurance indicates stronger spiritual energy. 10
• Spiritual energy eight times greater than one’s peers is the stated minimum for becoming a mage, though the institute can make exceptions for extraordinary elemental affinity. 10 11
• Linley was admitted after demonstrating super-grade earth and wind affinity, medium-grade fire affinity, and spiritual energy eighteen times that of his peers. 11
• Moke was admitted despite presenting only eightfold spiritual energy, as his super-grade affinity for all seven elements was considered exceptional. 11
• The institute does not charge tuition; Baruch Clan students still require living expenses. 15

Campus

• The campus is described as being comparable in scale to a small city, with complete facilities including restaurants and bars. Mature trees over a century old contribute to its established atmosphere. 14
• Students are housed in both dormitories and private manors. Linley chose a dormitory, while Moke received a private manor beside Dixie's residence due to his rare all-element affinity. 14
• The institute’s back mountain is a regular training site for students practicing magic, meditation, and combat techniques. 16
• It lies less than one hundred li east of the Magical Beast Mountain Range; upper-year students traditionally enter the range for field training. 23

Education and Training

• Instruction covers magic theory, spellcasting logic, combat techniques, and cultivation methods. Moke attended classes to establish his magical foundation, then mastered the taught material within two months. 15 16
• The institute’s relatively relaxed course structure permits students to choose their attendance; Moke could leave for several days without consequence. 23
• Its student culture includes both rigorous cultivation and peer competition. Dixie challenges Linley to compare the value of magic crystal cores obtained during training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. 28

Notable Students

• Linley Baruch — Accepted alongside Moke; later recognized as one of Ernst Institute’s two unmatched prodigies and reaches Fifth-Level Mage. 11 28
• Moke Baruch — Accepted for super-grade affinity in all seven elements; receives a private manor and later reaches Seventh-Level Mage. 11 14 27
• Dixie — A once-in-a-century genius whose manor is adjacent to Moke’s; formerly regarded as the institute’s unquestioned number-one genius. 14 28
• Delia — Student and Dixie's younger sister; associates with Linley and Moke’s circle. 14 16
• Yale, George, Reynolds, and Lydia — Students within Linley and Moke’s social circle. 15 16 28

Story Role / Major Events

• Moke and Linley seek admission through the Holy Union’s magic recruitment examination in Fenlai City. Both receive Ernst Institute invitations, giving the Baruch Clan renewed hope of restoring its status. 10 11 12
• They formally enroll on February 29, Year 9991 of the Yulan Calendar. Linley enters the dormitories, while Moke moves into a private manor. 14
• Moke signs in at the institute through his Sign-in System and obtains Coiling Dragon Universe Top-Tier Comprehension, which enables him to rapidly understand the academy’s teachings and later master advanced combat-technique realms. 14 16
• Six years after enrolling, Moke remains in third year while Linley has become a Fifth-Level Mage and one of the institute’s leading prodigies. 28

Trivia

• The academy’s reputation is strong enough that Baruch Clan guards and Wushan Town residents view Moke and Linley’s admission as evidence that the fallen clan may rise again. 12
• Despite Moke’s public reputation as a diligent but comparatively ordinary student, Linley considers him Ernst Institute’s true number-one genius. 28