Becoming a respected professor was the sole obsession in his heart. Any opportunity to climb upward, any bit of knowledge that might allow him to stand out, he would never let slip!
Blazing flas burned in his eyes, flas nad ambition and desire.
"It's still not too late to register now!"
Not just registration—
He also had to find a way to grab a seat at the front!
There were more than a few competitors with the sa thought as Barrett, spreading through this "vast yet narrow" cafeteria.
Everyone was excitedly discussing "science," though they didn't really know what exactly this so-called science was.
But no matter what, seeds sown always have a chance of sprouting.
Thus, this unfamiliar and mysterious new term spread like a plague in the unseen shadows under the High Tower...
…
Prince Colin's class was still ten minutes away from starting, yet the enormous tiered lecture hall had already descended into a near-chaotic fervor.
This was one of the largest lecture halls in the Academic State, with semi-circular seating rising in tiers that could accommodate five hundred apprentices listening simultaneously.
Yet at this mont, at least a thousand people had crowded in, and there seed to be a continuing trend of increase.
Not just preparatory students who hadn't yet been assigned to a Mage Tower, even senior apprentices and mages were flocking in groups. They squeezed together with acquaintances or simply sat on the floor in the aisles.
Even in the shadows of the back row, there were a few graduates who had already attained "Mage" status, preparing to either leave school or stay.
These self-assured prodigies at this mont all bore scrutinizing and curious looks, wanting to see what made this newly appointed master different.
The seats were already taken, and Barrett despairingly found that no matter how early he ca, there was always soone earlier, and even every step of the stone stairways was filled with people.
Yet he was still lucky, for soon the hallways were crowded with people.
Kurs, owing to his senior status, carved a path through the sea of people, like a gallant escort ushering Ilana to a relatively front position, and Finn was brought along thanks to his sweet talk and diligence.
As an "apprentice helping out the admissions assistant," Kurs's influence didn't always work, but there were always so willing to curry favor with him.
Ilana thanked the students who squeezed to make room for them, while Kurs complained about the stifling air, attempting to straighten his wrinkled robes.
As the ti arrived, the side door of the classroom was pushed open, and the noisy crowd instantly hushed, transforming into whispers of excitent or anticipation.
Guided by an assistant, the esteed Prince Colin arrived promptly.
He was dressed in a tailored dark scholar's robe, devoid of any extravagant ornants to display his status, his deanor composed and his presence dignified, as if he naturally belonged to this academic sanctuary.
At the mont of seeing that face, Ilana was montarily stunned for a few seconds, her breath involuntarily paused for a beat.
Kurs glanced at her discreetly, his gaze instantly alert, and when he looked back at Prince Colin, his eyes were no longer simply worshipful, but tinged with a trace of jealousy-fueled hostility, and an unease born of fear.
Finn, on the other hand, had no change in expression; this simple young man only wished to climb the academic tower.
Standing in the corner, Barrett beca excited, clenching his fists, though he couldn't find room to move. Otherwise, he'd have raised his arms and waved.
Perhaps Prince Colin would recognize him, the one who once wielded a Warhamr to protect him!
Alas, there were too many excited people here, one less wouldn't matter.
Take, for example, the assistant following behind the Prince, whose eager expression spoke volus.
Getting to serve as an assistant to the esteed Prince was an opportunity he had secured among dozens of competitors!
He straightened his chest, aiming to present his most professional side, ensuring that he wouldn't disappoint the Prince in terms of etiquette!
Soon, he noticed the chaos inside and outside the classroom, these lads and lasses of little decorum actually squeezing from the classroom into the hallway!
If they truly wished to attend the Prince's class, they should have understood earlier and registered in advance, instead of waiting until the course was about to start to join the commotion here.
He quickly walked to the heavy oak doors of the classroom, preparing to close them.
However, just as his hand was about to touch the cold brass ring, a hand gently pressed on his shoulder.
"No need to close the door, let it stay open."
At so point, Luo Yan had appeared behind the assistant.
He didn't look at the assistant, instead, he gazed inside and outside the door, surveying every young face filled with longing, tension, and curiosity.
The voice was clear and gentle, not very loud, yet enough to quiet the entire noisy classroom.
The assistant froze, turning back with confusion to look at the unorthodox Prince.
"But Your Highness, what if they disrupt your sacred class..."
"Sacred is not the classroom, but every soul in pursuit of knowledge. How can we, for the sake of so intangible dignity, shut out these children with a thirst for progress? Unfortunately, I lack the ability to build ten thousand Mage Towers, otherwise, I would fit them all inside, rather than leaving them in the hallway."
Luo Yan smiled kindly, looking at the stunned assistant, and continued.
"They are willing to listen to my teachings, it is my honor. Let them listen, and I believe they won't interrupt at inappropriate tis."
User Comments
0 comments from readers