If he didn't have the freedom to cultivate the magicapita, then he would rather have gone to another magicademy. Thankfully, the only thing that the Institute cared about was results.
And Cæ was confident that he could provide results.
The two of them continued to discuss tangentially relevant topics to the two of them. One of the other things that Cæ was concerned about was how prevalent classist discrimination would be against him.
The executive had already confirmed that the school system would be meritocratic, but that didn't mean that Cæ's fellow peers would embody the spirit of giving him the respect that he deserved based on merit.
"…I unfortunately cannot speak on behalf of students that have yet to have joined. There are always good and bad students." Executive Neiman's tone was careful. "However, I can assure you that the school strictly enforces our rules against discrimination regardless of the background of the perpetrator or the target. We do everything in our power to suppress such behavior. Additionally…"
Cæ narrowed his eyes as the executive continued. 'In other words, the school doesn't endorse it, but such behaviors do happen.'
This was what he was able to infer from the Executive's behavior.
He refused to believe that the man before him didn't have a clear understanding of what student dynamics were on campus. Thus, the fact that he insisted he could not say most likely meant that the answer was not pleasant or was something that the executive feared would cause Cæ to reconsider going to the Elendir Institute of Magic.
Of course, Cæ had no intention of reconsidering.
This was the optimal path to achieving his goals.
He just wanted to be prepared for dealing with any potential discrimination he was confident he was going to face.
The reason was simple.
The people of the slums were viewed as the scum of the world by those who lived in more posh districts of the Colohen City.
They were viewed as violent crooks who could not be trusted by a lot of people, unfortunately.
The worst part was that there was an element of truth amid the prejudice. There was a reason that Cæ slept with one eye open or used to be able to before he unlearned that habit.
And yet, that didn't make it any better.
Of course, on a day-to-day basis, Cæ didn't experience any disdain, but anytime anybody learned about his background, they were instantly wary. He was even refused his tuition loans purely on the basis of his background, and only after he resided in the middling districts of Colohen City, did he finally be deemed eligible for one.
As for his fellow students in the yet-to-commence academic year of the Elendir Institute of Magic, while there were plenty who were going to be of a more humble background with less arrogance and ego at their profile, there were also certainly going to be plenty of rich kids from wealthy families.
In fact, despite constituting a minute proportion of the total population, the rich accounted for at least half the population of the Elendir Institute of Magic, despite the magical aptitude test being an unavoidable barrier to entry to the institute.
This was because magical aptitude was not an immutable trait.
It could be improved.
There were mages, magical resources, and fields of highly advanced magic that could improve magical aptitude.
Of course, these were avenues only available to the rich.
It was why all businessmen who hit it big financially and cultivated a lot of mana suddenly gained the power to pursue magic despite being well into the latter half of their lives, with some even going on to become powerful archmages by the time they were senior citizens.
In this world, power was absolute.
Even if it didn't seem that way on the surface to certain unsuspecting civilians.
Cæ had no doubt that he was going to share his year with some powerful students who would undoubtedly look into his background as the top scorer.
There was no telling what his interactions with them would look like when they learned that he was from the slums.
Even in school and college, he faced some degree of social isolation due to his background.
He couldn't even imagine how much he would face if he joined the magicademy with a bunch of rich students from prestigious and powerful families. He would be hapless in front of those students if not for the Institute aggressively pursuing meritocracy and equality.
Soon enough, their conversation came to an end as Cæ clarified some surrounding doubts that he had about the institution while trying to sound out more information from the man sitting before him.
Regardless, his decision hadn't changed by the end of the discussion.
"Then, if I have clarified all your doubts and answered all your questions, would you like to proceed with signing the registration form and signing the scholarship contract?"
Cæ raised an eyebrow. "We can seal the deal right here and now?"
"Of course," Executive Neiman replied with a confident smile. "Normally, you'd have to enter through the normal channels, but for the very top-most scorers, you are entitled to take some liberties."
"That's good to hear," Cæ replied with a nod. "Then, let us proceed with the process."
"As you wish, Mr. Cæ."
It wasn't too long before an assistant entered the office with the necessary documentation, placing it in front of Cæ.
"Most of my details are already filled." Cæ raised an eyebrow. "It hasn't been too long since I did the test."
Executive Neiman bore a proud smile. "We employ fine diviners, many of whom have graduated from this institute. What would take other institutes days or even weeks to learn, we can learn in under an hour."
That was indeed impressive.
Cæ grew more intrigued and interested in the field of divination. He was certain that he would need to master it to accomplish his ultimate goal of destroying the current world order and building a better one.
Knowledge was power.
Intelligence wars were just as important as physical wars and, since the advent of the maginet, were arguably more important than physical wars in some circumstances.
He put his thoughts on the matter as he verified to ensure that the details were accurate before skimming through the scholarship contract.
He didn't feel shame in spending more than an hour pouring over every detail in the contract, making sure that there was absolutely nothing that he had missed.
Thankfully, the contract was exceeding clear and straightforward with absolutely no attempt to obfuscate any hidden clause or term in the fine print, stretching no more than five pages with terms and conditions.
"…Alright." He finally nodded with satisfaction over his scrupulous and tedious inspection of the contract. "Let's go forward then."
"As you wish." Executive Neiman supplied him with a pen.
Cæ quickly signed the registration form and the contract.
And thus, the deal was sealed.
Executive Neiman stood up with a bright smile. "Once again, welcome to the Elendir Institute of Magic."
"Thank you for the welcome as well as the aid that you have provided me," Cæ thanked him with a composed tone. "I look forward to my stay in the Elendir Institute of Magic."
They briefly discussed the transfer and the housing facilities.
"As was mentioned in the contract, housing will only be available to you shortly before the academic year begins a month from now," he explained. "Thus, you can only transfer a day before, I'm afraid."
"I understand," Cæ simply replied.
"And this…" he gestured to an assistant who entered the room with a case, "is your issued ID card."
Opening the case revealed a shiny golden-silver-black card mentioning his details as well as student ID number.
The mana emanating from the card stunned caused a realization to dawn on him. "This… this is an enchanted item?"
Executive Neiman's eyes lit up with interest. "Indeed, to think you have this level of mana sensitivity. That's quite promising."
Cæ narrowed his eyes as he studied the enchanted ID card.
"Don't be so suspicious, Mr. Cæ." He heaved a sigh. "They are enchanted to serve as proof identification for some of the magically automated facilities in the school. You won't be able to use many of them without your ID card."
Cæ stirred at his words.
His suspicion on the ID card didn't entirely subside.
And yet, it wasn't like he had much of a choice.
"Thank you."
And thus, upon the acquisition of the ID card, his business in the magicademy was over.
"Farewell, Mr. Cæ. We look forward to your journey in our Institute."
Thankfully, they were sensible enough to offer him a ride home, allowing him to experience what it felt like to sit in a luxury magicar for the first time in his life.
He heaved a tired sigh as he relished in the luxurious couches of the car, gazing at the noon sky with a thoughtful expression.
"It's been a significant day."
His plan to do his best to get rank one without being too excessive in his display of talent and potential has succeeded.
He was indeed treated very well and special by virtue of his aptitude. But it was clear that he hadn't crossed a limit beyond which he would be entirely unable to handle the attention that he received.
More importantly, his goal to get into the Elendir Institute of Magic and register for the Apprentice Program had also been achieved. The Elendir Institute of Magic produced the most excellent mages in the entire nation, so his second agenda of mastering magic was going all well and fine.
His first agenda of cultivating magic was still in research mode over the span of the past two months. There was so much to learn before he could even begin to get started. However, he had managed to narrow down the possibilities with which he could tap into the latent housing demand in the slums across the entire nation.
"Besides, whatever the solution will be, it will most likely involve magic."
This meant that he would need to learn more about it in the magicademy. He would find relevant experts in the esteemed staff and practicing professionals in the senior students. On top of that, after entering the Institute, he could also get connected to the alumni of the Institute, which could potentially help him.
Whatever services or goods he wanted to sell, it would require some magical research and development into the product well before he was ready to pursue this business idea. This would undoubtedly require people beyond him as he was too far from that point himself, having yet to attend even a single class of the Apprentice Program.
"Additionally, talking with the experts in a particular field relevant to solving the housing crisis in the slums will help me understand what ideas are most viable, realistic, and most profitable."
Thus, getting into the Elendir Institute of Magic was also a step forward toward his agenda of getting as much magicapita as possible, along with his second agenda of mastering magic. And by fulfilling these agendas, he was moving closer to his ultimate ambition of changing the world.
And thus, in the following month, he prepared himself for his life at the Elendir Institute of Magic. Not only did he do additional research on what his life was going to be like, but he also tried to identify candidates who could help him with his business ideas. After all, having formally become a registered student, he was able to gain access to his account on the online magisite, allowing him to learn more than was possible through the publicly available data.
The news of his success in the test and admission to the esteemed Elendir Institute of Magic came as a stunning yet wonderful surprise to the Selvigs, who wished him all the best for his future in the field of magic.
And thus, a month passed, and it was time.
It was time to take another major step towards realizing his ultimate ambition.
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