Free Web NovelIn the new semester, Sylutia's life gradually stabilized, and she immersed herself in learning new knowledge and skills every week. Influenced by her, many of this year's apprentices also began preparing for advancement ahead of schedule, and some had already crossed the threshold into the Third Tier.
In May, the weather turned warm. After the apprentices finished their mid-term assessments, they were given an eight-day holiday.
"Does anyone have any places they'd like to go?" Sylutia stood at the podium, dressed in a lovely black skirt that gave her both a youthful, vibrant energy and a touch of soft elegance.
Hearing their young Chief's inquiry, the apprentices below shared where they wanted to go.
"How about boating on Blue Tear Lake? The climate is warm there, and the surrounding forests are good for hunting."
"No, I've been there too many times, I'm sick of it." Some noble-born apprentices shook their heads in opposition.
"What about Violet Forest Valley? It's said that area produces a lot of crystals, and the scenery is unique."
"Although the scenery is unique, it's a massive chasm leading deep underground. There aren't any comfortable inns to stay at. I just want to relax properly now, not exhaust myself hiking again."
"Are you that lazy?" others teased and complained with laughter.
"How about we go to the Abandoned Capital, Branuir, for a vacation? There are plenty of beautiful old buildings, not many people, it's relatively quiet, and the places to stay are absolutely luxurious."
"That place... it feels a bit desolate, I suppose, but some of the ruins and architecture are indeed quite grand."
"It's a bit of a boring place, but it's quiet, which suits my need for good sleep and rest."
Seeing that there weren't many objections among the apprentices, Ya made the decision. They would travel together to Branuir for their vacation.
"Hedra, I've been there before. Let me help with the arrangements this time." Afterward, Spencer came over to propose.
"Is that so? Then I'll leave it to you." The young girl nodded. It was a trivial matter, and the two quickly settled on the subsequent itinerary.
Before departing, Sylutia went to the library, intending to understand and explore, so she flipped through the materials there.
"Branuir" was once called the "Capital of Star-Gazing" and the "City of Art." At the center of that region stood the "Tower of Peering into the Sky," said to be even taller than the current "Tower of All Things" of the Mithril Clock School, capable of overlooking the entire outline of the continent.
In the past, it was the center of the Mage Alliance and the seat of the "Star-Gazing School."
As one of the most powerful schools in history, it gathered countless brilliant talents, created many miracles, and attracted many scholar mages who came to leave their insights and works for later generations to study and admire.
However, this powerful school collapsed during the civil war within the Mage Alliance hundreds of years ago. A large number of its members died in internal conflict, and the few surviving members were eventually absorbed into the "Clock School," becoming the present-day "Mithril Clock."
Professor Focalin had mentioned that great war of internal strife to Sylutia before—it was the "Peak Seizing War."
After the war ended, Branuir was gradually abandoned. Then came the time when "Abellid" became a Named One, and the Hours brought down calamity, followed by decades of catastrophe until the Hours' wrath subsided.
By this time, Branuir had been desolate for too long. It was ultimately abandoned by the Mage Alliance, which established a new city elsewhere—the "Tetis" where they currently were.
It is said that although "Abellid" originated from the "Clock School," he had also studied in Branuir, learning many secret arts of the "Star-Gazing School." Later, as the "Clock School" flourished, he proactively accepted the surviving personnel and descendants of the "Star-Gazing School," integrating them into his own school.
In its early days, the "Clock School" did not have the "Alien Star" Aspect's secret arts. His ability to become a Named One was inseparable from the "Alien Star" Aspect. This is also why the descendants of the "Star-Gazing School" could naturally integrate into the "Mithril Clock" School.
"They actually plan to go there?" In the office, the instructor, having heard Sylutia and Spencer's report, slightly raised his teacup in surprise.
"Of course. There's nothing wrong with going there. I'm just a bit surprised they chose that place over the scenic lakes and mountains."
"Is there something wrong with it?" Sylutia asked, curious and puzzled.
"There's nothing wrong. It's just as desolate as ever. I'd imagine some scattered minor schools have taken up residence there by now," the instructor explained slowly.
"On the official roster of the Mage Alliance, there are thirty-three major schools. That means only these schools have formal districts, academies, and various institutions, and can host exhibitions, recruit students, and so on."
"Does that mean other schools don't exist? Well, not exactly."
"There are also some lesser-known schools. They may have few members, limited heritage, no path to high-tier advancement, or they have simply declined, with dwindling numbers and weak influence."
"We generally call such schools 'unofficial schools,' 'free mutual aid groups,' 'study circles,' and the like. Most of them don't have headquarters or campuses. Instead, they linger in less prosperous areas, remote regions, or corners of big cities to survive."
"The strongest member in these minor schools might be at the Fifth Tier. Many only have Fourth Tier members. In some miniature schools, the leader might be a Third Tier Official Mage."
"The Alliance's official stance won't support or encourage them, but they won't deliberately suppress them either, unless they break the rules."
"Occasionally, one or two decent talents emerge from these minor schools. They might leave their original school to be recruited by one of the official thirty-three schools, becoming new members."
"These small schools are a mixed bag. Some are professional and have a good reputation, while others engage in all kinds of illegal activities. To gain resources and funds, they often dabble in illicit industries and get struck down by the authorities."
"Six or seven hundred years ago, Branuir was the most prosperous place in the Mage Alliance. It gathered countless brilliant talents eager to ascend the 'Tower of Peering into the Sky,' and it was a place where aspiring youths exchanged ideas and opinions."
"Members from many schools would share their insights there and gain new Inspiration. That era was a golden age for new secret arts and techniques in the Mage Alliance, and many schools of various sizes were born from it."
"However, this overly frequent exchange eventually gave rise to many strange and aberrant creations. It was also during this time that the Star-Gazing School developed internal disagreements over this behavior. Some believed restrictions were necessary to control the birth of certain overly vicious experiments and creations."
"But the opposing side argued that Branuir and the Star-Gazing School had developed precisely because of this spirit of free exploration. If they banned it, wouldn't they be just like those stubborn scholars who hoarded knowledge in their treasure troves until they died of old age?"
"At first, they argued and insulted each other. Then the conflict escalated, and Branuir turned into a battlefield. People with differing opinions fought each other in the streets, destroyed their competitors' property, framed each other, and so on. This eventually evolved into a full-scale civil war that swept through the entire Mage Alliance." After saying this, the instructor put down his teacup.
"It's not bad for you to go there. It's a good chance to see the ruins and learn about this sealed history."
"The 'Star-Gazing School'..." Sylutia mused, then asked.
"Is there any connection between it and the beast that looked up at the stars, the overlord of the Fourth Epoch?"
"Heh, yes, its name originates from that. Those mages believed that it was by looking up at the stars that the ancient Primordial Beast gained wisdom. And they, as pursuers of wisdom and knowledge, should also raise their heads and seek revelation from the endless starry sky."
"Some have said that the 'Star-Gazing School' was a resurgence of the 'Star Observation School,' just purged of knowledge about the Star Palaces to avoid offending the Hours. But in reality, there are significant differences between the two."
"Many of the secret arts of the Star Observation School arose from mere curiosity and attempts to harness the powerful force of the Star Palaces. They craved this new power. The 'Star-Gazing School,' however, placed greater emphasis on the exploration and reflection of the unknown. Their aims and methods were not limited to the so-called Star Palaces. They were more expansive, and naturally, their ambitions were also grander."
"Although the 'Star-Gazing School' ultimately split and failed, many of the things they researched still remain, having been absorbed into various mage schools. Nominally, we are the inheritors of its legacy, but in reality, we have inherited only a small part."
"The Mage Alliance was first led to prominence by the 'Origin Hourglass.' However, the 'Origin Hourglass' has always had a restrained style, and other schools would occasionally eclipse its name. The 'Star-Gazing School' was the powerful school that overshadowed the 'Origin Hourglass' for those two hundred years. After they split, the number one position returned to the 'Origin Hourglass.'"
"Although we are number one now, who knows what will change in the future? Perhaps in a few hundred years, the 'Origin Hourglass' will return to the top. They are famous for their long history and enduring legacy, heh."
"Alright, I've said enough. When you go there, you'll gain more insight and understanding."
