"Yes, I'm a witcher of the School of the Wolf. I've spent these past years traveling with my seniors, and this time, on the recommendation of a senior in the Order, I've come to continue my studies at Oxenfurt Academy..."
Before Yavi could finish, Elena immediately perked up. "What! You're going to study at Oxenfurt Academy too?"
Startled by Elena, Yavi scratched his head, looking somewhat at a loss. "Yes, I'm going to study alchemy and help a friend of my teacher's take care of a few things while I'm here. I might not stay very long."
Realizing she had rather lost her composure, Elena steadied her fluttering heart. Her face was slightly flushed, and she kept stealing glances at Yavi.
Marvin exchanged a glance with his wife but said nothing more, simply chatting with Yavi on and off. Yavi was fairly talkative and could get along with anyone. As they talked, the conversation turned into a storytelling session, and Yavi began telling everyone about his years of slaying monsters and demons. The stories were full of twists and turns, leaving everyone spellbound, as though they were experiencing it all themselves.
It was late at night. With the bedtime stories over, everyone returned to their tents or carriages to rest, leaving only the crackle of the campfire in the night...
The night passed without incident.
At first light, Yavi was woken by the sounds of everyone getting up and packing their belongings. He stepped out of the carriage and gave a comfortable stretch in the cool but refreshing air.
"Coffee?" Marvin offered him a chipped tin cup with bits of coffee grounds still floating on top. Yavi accepted it and took a small sip. A warm current flowed into his stomach, driving away the morning chill. After a simple breakfast with everyone, they set off for Oxenfurt. Yavi rode his pony at the head of the caravan the whole way, but he sensed neither people nor monsters along the road, so the journey remained quite safe.
They traveled like this for another four or five hours, only reaching the entrance to Oxenfurt around noon. The tall, thick walls and the city's ornate, imposing buildings drew murmurs of admiration from Yavi. The western entrance was the main gate, and the bridge leading to the castle was broad and sturdy, probably wide enough for three or four carriages abreast. There were no guards at the entrance; instead, several magical golems stood watch. Since Oxenfurt Academy was neutral territory, it had no guards-or rather, since Oxenfurt had its own sorcerers, it had no need for guards at all. Magical golems were stationed throughout Oxenfurt. Powered by magic, they needed neither food nor rest, and because they could not communicate effectively with people, there was no corruption or embezzlement. Compared with human guards, magical golems were more efficient and safer.
While Yavi was still looking around, they arrived at the gates of Oxenfurt Academy in the very center of Oxenfurt. The sight of a statue holding a book in the square made Yavi feel that, wherever one went, one needed the power of knowledge...
Just then, a student wearing the robes of Oxenfurt Academy approached. "Welcome to Oxenfurt Academy, everyone. Are you new students here to register?"
"Hello, I'm a new student here to register. My name is Yavi, and this is my proof of admission." Yavi handed his admission document to the senior student, who checked it and returned it after confirming that everything was in order. Elena also climbed down from the carriage and handed over her own admission document.
After confirming both documents were in order, the senior student said to them, "Welcome, juniors. You can complete your enrollment at the reception desk by the academy entrance. Once that's done, someone will arrange for you to go to the dormitories."
"All right. Thank you."
"Thank you, and sorry for the trouble."
After thanking the senior student and saying goodbye, the group parted ways there. Marvin and the others went to find an inn to stay in, while Yavi and Elena went to register.
Yavi and Elena could not help slowing their steps as they passed through Oxenfurt Academy's magnificent archway. Towering Gothic spires pointed toward the heavens, and stained glass refracted the sunlight into splendid halos, lending this sanctuary of learning a measure of solemnity and mystery. A fountain burbled in the hall. Many bronze statues stood along the left wall: some held books, some seemed lost in thought, and others silently proclaimed the eternity of knowledge with their profound gazes.
A glance to the right revealed the office with an oak sign reading "New student registration." Unlike the bustling crowds they had imagined, only a handful of students were filling out forms in the hall, while the clerk behind the teak counter leisurely sorted documents. Yavi handed over the parchment records he had prepared beforehand. The female clerk, who wore gold-rimmed glasses, merely checked the wax seal before tracing an elegant curve in the register with her quill.
"Welcome, new students. You've arrived a little early, so you can spend the next few days exploring Oxenfurt and getting familiar with your surroundings. If you go straight from here, you can pass through the academy. Then head east to reach the student dormitories. You can go there first to have your rooms assigned..."
The receptionist very patiently explained what the two of them should do next and gave each of them a new student handbook, which contained a detailed map of Oxenfurt as well as some things to keep in mind. Just as they were about to leave, Yavi suddenly remembered what Professor C had told him, since he still had a letter from Professor C to deliver to the headmaster. "Once he sees this letter, the headmaster will look after you for me, but it won't be for free. You may need to do a few things."
Recalling this, Yavi asked where the headmaster's office was. Upon learning that it was on the fifth floor, the academy's top floor, he decided to visit the headmaster shortly. He said to Elena, "Miss Elena, let's part ways here. Your parents are still waiting for you, and I have other things to do. I'll go to the men's dormitory later to have a room assigned, so if you need anything, you can find me there."
"Mm... All right, Mr. Yavi. I'll head back first, then. See you later..." Elena was a little too embarrassed to look at Yavi, so she kept her head lowered, looking at the tips of her shoes. Her voice was very quiet, and she seemed rather bashful. Yavi did not mind. After saying goodbye to Elena, he headed straight up toward the fifth floor. Along the way, he noticed that every floor except the fourth and fifth contained classrooms, with many different sections as well. The alchemy he would be studying was on the third floor, while other subjects, such as mathematics, literature, music, art, economics, and the rest, were housed on different floors. Besides the classrooms, there were also some student clubs, all located on the first floor.
It seemed Oxenfurt Academy placed quite an emphasis on diversity and students' all-round development...
While Yavi was marveling at Oxenfurt Academy's forward thinking, he arrived outside the headmaster's office on the fifth floor. He felt a little nervous, though he did not know what he was nervous about. Then he gently knocked on the door...