Rorschach was unaware of these sordid dealings. He was overjoyed. Although the night school was just a temporary solution, it ant that students from poor families wouldn’t be completely deprived of an education.
So, as arranged, he returned to Valuva High Master that day. Sure enough, Andre was there, and he had brought two classmates with him.
Rorschach handed them paper, pens, and lecture notes, and also told them about the night school at the textile factory. "If you want to go, you can start by making a list of the classmates you can contact, gather their addresses and living situations, and then Andre can compile all the information."
For these teenagers, safety was the primary concern for attending night school, so it was best to leave such matters to an experienced organizer. Andre agreed, but his expression was evasive. The other two classmates left cheerfully, leaving only him behind. After a long while, he finally said, "Teacher Rorschach, I’m sorry, but I can’t go to the night school."
"Is it because of your night shift?"
"My father is still looking for a job. If I give up my work, it’ll be too hard on my mom... She’s cleaning houses and washing clothes for people now... and I have younger brothers and sisters."
If he had been born into a well-off family, he wouldn’t have to worry about food or clothing. With his Magic Talent, he could have even beco a Mage or another type of Professional, earning a high and steady inco. But now, even attending school was a problem. Rorschach also didn’t understand why Andre hadn’t displayed his talent at the Church’s Grammar School. If he had, he certainly would have been recruited as a Divine Benefactor.
There was no way of knowing now, and his case wasn’t unique. "If I have a new job opening, would you be willing to take it? It’s in the mages’ research building."
"Huh?" Andre was not only surprised, but the idea was also beyond his comprehension and imagination. Rorschach had no choice but to explain about the Alchemy Departnt and the job he had found for him.
"You can read, write, and do arithtic now. With a referral, you can definitely find a much better job than your current one. In the Alchemy Departnt, there’s a lot of work that requires writing and calculation." A pri example was drafting blueprints. For a set with hundreds of sheets, just writing the title blocks was a massive undertaking. Then there was checking all the various labels and serial numbers, and organizing docunts. Snow had complained more than once about the chaotic state of their docuntation.
Rorschach felt Andre was perfectly capable of handling the work ntioned above. "Everyone in the Alchemy Departnt is a Mage. They can be a bit... odd, but they’re all good people. You can learn so simple Magic from them in your spare ti."
Considering when Andre’s powers had awakened, Rorschach figured his Casting Ability wouldn’t be very strong without training from a young age. However, practical little Tricks and Low Tier Spells were things he could master, as long as the old-tirs were willing to teach and Andre was willing to learn. "So, if you go to the Tower of Stars’ Alchemy Departnt, you can have a normal schedule, but it’ll be a work-study arrangent. I can only offer you three gold coins a month. Can you accept that?"
The salary was very low. Factoring in the exchange rate between Paper Currency and Gold Coins, it was about one-fifth of the subsidy Kano had initially given Rorschach. But even this price was a pleasant surprise for Andre. At this ti, a farr’s annual inco was about 150 Livre, while an industrial Professional earned slightly more, at around 300 Livre.
Three gold coins a month! The inco was simply incredible; Andre didn’t even dare to dream of it. It not only surpassed his current night shift wages but was even higher than what his father used to earn. "You... you are too generous. Thank you. I am willing to accept your help, but I don’t know how I can ever repay you."
"Just not getting my na wrong will be repaynt enough. Let’s go. We’ll check out the Alchemy Departnt today." Rorschach recalled an "amusing story" Master Kano had told him: the Queen had a hat that looked like a rooster’s comb, and every single feather on it was worth 2,000 Livre. When Kano told the story, he had ntioned it casually: "Because it was so ugly and ridiculous, our Queen flew into a rage and threw it out the window. It even spun in the air like a bird."
Rorschach brought Andre to the Alchemy Departnt, where Snow gave him a tour of the first floor. "Andre, we’ve all heard about your situation. Welco. But it’s best if you don’t go to the basent or the second floor. I’ll arrange a work and study schedule for you."
Rorschach insisted on walking Andre through each room. So of the old-tirs in the Alchemy Departnt glanced up before going back to their own business, while others greeted Snow and Rorschach. Rorschach had Andre respond to them.
Rorschach’s insistence on accompanying him was not without reason. He wanted to make it clear to everyone that Andre was with him, to prevent any bullying. Although Rorschach believed the old-tirs in the Alchemy Departnt wouldn’t go so far as to target his student, the situation was special, and it was better to be cautious.
To test Andre’s literacy, Snow first gave him a simple task. Then, he spoke with Rorschach alone in his office. "So, what are your plans for this student?"
"It would be best if he can adapt to this place and handle the work. If it really doesn’t work out, I have another place I can arrange for him." ’If worst cos to worst, I’ll have him work at "Hercules" and attend night school with the other students in the evening.’
Antoine Nixingen was now in charge of the Research and Developnt Departnt here in Valois and often corresponded with Rorschach to discuss various issues. Andre’s skill level was more than enough for him to be Antoine’s assistant.
Unexpectedly, Snow had another idea. "Would you be willing to have him assigned to the Ethereum Generator?"
"I agree. As long as he’s trained well and his safety can be guaranteed." Rorschach had a thought. ’If he gains experience operating the generator here, then later I can "rope" Andre into going to Bayern. The Ethereum Generator under the future Bayern Mage Tower could be entrusted to him.’
Snow held out his hand. "So, where’s that plan soone promised? The one to replace the Secret Silver Rods? Hand it over!"
Rorschach took out his notebook and explained to Snow his idea from the Energy Gathering Array at the Town Mage Tower, proposing that reversing the inner and outer rings could be a substitute for the Secret Silver Rods.
"The efficiency would be lower, but the cost would indeed be greatly reduced... Yes, this could work. It would at least drastically lower the initial investnt." Master Snow nodded, agreeing that it was feasible to apply this technology to the collectors.
By the ti they were more or less finished talking in the office, Andre had also completed his clerical work. He checked it over twice, treating the docunts that could change his life with even more care than he would an exam at school.
Finding no issues, Andre breathed a long sigh of relief. He was afraid of even creasing the papers, so he held them gingerly as he knocked on the door. "Master Snow, I’ve finished. Please review it."
Snow opened the door and took the papers with a smile. "The only one in this building who gets called Master is Kano. You can call Master Snow or Director. Just don’t get it wrong again."
Apprehensively, Andre passed his trial. Then, Snow asked him to demonstrate his Magic in a practice room. The last ti this happened, he had set his textbook on fire.
"Ever since I was... spoken to about it, I haven’t tried again..." Andre grew flustered. To be honest, he had been tense from the mont he started walking toward the research building. He tried more than once, but fortunately, Rorschach and Snow were very patient, even giving him pointers on the essentials of gathering the Fire Elent.
Finally, a small fla flickered to life in Andre’s palm. As it danced, the boy who was Casting couldn’t hide his happiness.
"Congratulations." Snow clapped earnestly, then asked Rorschach to demonstrate the Fireball Skill.
BOOM!
The first and second layers of Protective Magic were shattered instantly. The Magic Lamps in the room flickered a few tis before stabilizing, and a backlash of heat washed over the three of them, warming their faces.
"See that? Don’t let Teacher Rorschach’s efforts on your behalf go to waste. From now on, practice your Magic to this standard! Take this." Snow pulled a set of Apprentice robes from his Storage Bag and tossed it to Andre.
"Yes, sir!"
’You’re going to warp his perspective!’ Rorschach protested vehently.
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