Amid everyone's astonishment, Antonia said, "By Atrelin's customary practice, once you receive an Arcane Star nomination, you're entitled to treatment equivalent to that of a High Mage.
"Although this isn't an official Arcanist rank, there's no difference whatsoever in the rights and benefits you receive.
"You also qualify for a special allowance from the Arcane Committee, serving as an expert adviser whom the committee can consult at any time."
Roland already enjoyed the latter benefit.
With the Arcane Star nomination added to it, he would probably receive an increase over his existing allowance of 3,000 gold coins a year, while also broadening the range of matters on which he could be consulted.
Some among the crowd knew these regulations and began discussing them privately. "The allowance for this nomination is 2,400 gold coins a year!"
"Are you an idiot? Who cares about the allowance at a time like this? Which nominee would care about that kind of money?
"The real point is that, as an expert adviser, he can communicate with the Grand Mages on the committee whenever he wants.
"He also gets special permission to read all kinds of forbidden knowledge. Ordinary people can't do that!"
The benefits of a nomination went far beyond these.
Besides the obvious advantages everyone mentioned, there were others that could not conveniently be stated aloud, but which he would nevertheless enjoy.
For instance, as an authoritative expert in a particular field, he could participate in judging various small and medium-sized awards, gaining the authority to evaluate other people's achievements in Arcana.
His reviewing authority at the Runes Editorial Department went without saying. After receiving an Arcane Star nomination, his influence would soar, and his opinions would certainly carry greater weight. The smaller awards associated with the Runes School might also recruit him as