Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Classes within the Department of Unified Thaumaturgical Theory were designed to give the children a lot of free time for personal study and self-advancement.Depending on whether or not you were in the Magic Knight or True Mage classes, you would have a total of three four-hour lectures, three two-hour lectures, and two practical lessons every week. The four-hour lectures focused on your main topic of interest so, if you were in the Magic Knight course, you would spend four hours training under the guidance of Galahad in the morning before studying theory with Da Vinci and Sion in the afternoon. The inverse was true for students in the True Mage course as they would spend their mornings studying theory before exercising for two hours in the afternoon.In between every standard day, the two courses would combine for practical lessons that could take as little as two hours or as long as eight. They would be given various challenges and would have to form teams in order to overcome the trials that had been set for them. This was their opportunity to earn bonus points for themselves and improve their individual rankings so most students took it very seriously in the hopes of elevating their status.The only real issue with the current system was that several small cliques had already formed within the class. Those in the lower rankings tended to mingle with each other and lay low while those in higher positions would band together to form 'strong' teams. This seemed to be perfectly natural in the minds of the students and, while it wasn't exactly an unexpected outcome, it was still more than a little troublesome.Fortunately, Vahn didn't have to step in to personally address this matter as Mordred had used her high [Charisma] to penetrate virtually every group. Though she had a way of unnerving other people, primarily those with greater ambition than willpower, it was impossible for anyone to send her away. Thus, with her acting as the lynchpin, the various cliques were required to interact with each other as she didn't really accept their excuses for wanting to distance themselves from others.Because of her actions, Mordred had seeded herself as a figure of authority and leadership between both classes. She encouraged certain team structures and pushed everyone to get used to working alongside each other, taking advantage of the militaristic structure of their curriculum. This put a lot of pressure on those that only enrolled in the program to advance themselves but, due to the prior teachings of the Clock Tower, they lacked the ability to accede to her insistence.Mordred's arrangements required that those in the highest positions take on proteges from the other end of the rankings. As the Rank 1 student, she helped guide the Rank 37 student and, while this was an 'optional' responsibility, even Sakura and Mash had gone along with Mordred's whim. As a result, Rani and the other Atlas Temple students did the same so, while there was a fair amount of tension and awkwardness, the average strength of even the weaker students was being elevated to a higher standard.The only two students within the top 10 that opted out of participating in the mentorship program were Astrid and Zoë, each for their own reasons. They didn't want to end up being paired with any male students and, not wanting to be accused of unfair treatment, they decided not to take on any females students either. They would rather focus on their individual interests and focus on their own students for the time being so they wouldn't participate in such movements until they had become more comfortable with the class as a whole.As the entire class had realized that Astrid and Zoë were 'untouchables' at this point, everyone tried to be nice and polite around the two as upsetting them in any way all but guaranteed that Mordred would give you some 'advice' on how you should act. She was very protective of everyone belonging to the Imperial Quintet but Astrid and Zoë were like her reverse scale. This caused most of the boys to feel nervous around the two but, as Astrid and Zoë never really pressured others, Mordred didn't have to step in all that often...---In spite of her efforts, there was bound to be some dissent caused by Mordred's 'tyrannical' actions. The boys hailing from the Clock Tower, in particular, felt as if they were being ostracized by their predominately female classmates. Though they weren't overtly talked down to or suppressed, they felt as if the average female student looked down on them, at least within their mind. It was difficult to interact with any of their female classmates without drawing looks of suspicion and ire from their other classmates, at least from their perspective.Of the nine male students, five hailed from the Atlas Temple so the group that feeling suppressed only amounted to three people. Though Silvain also felt a little pressured by Mordred, he didn't have the same mentality as the other boys as his ambitions and fears offset his frustration. He considered the possibility that they were under constant supervision so, even if he felt the same way as the rest, he distanced himself from such conversations for fear of drawing negative attention to himself.The other three students obviously considered they were under observation as well but, feeling the need to vent their frustrations, they still met up with each other to complain during their time off. It was really their only option as it was borderline impossible for them to interact in any meaningful way with the female students. Since they were effectively cut off from the rest of the Clock Tower, for a variety of reasons, the only people they could really confide in were each other...With a dull expression on his face, a boy with grey hair and dark green eyes leaned against a pile of stacked pillows with his Companion, a sheep-type model, sitting in his lap. Stroking its soft and fluffy fur help him relax but, with his fellow beaten dogs present, he still commented, "I'm not sure if I'll be able to complete the curriculum at this rate...I always expected that I would find a nice girl to unwind with between studies. This sucks..."Hearing his friends remark, a boy with neatly combed brown hair and hazel eyes laughed dryly while playing a fighting game on a handheld gaming device. Across from him, his Companion was using a similar device and, though it had tiny fingers compared to a human, it had enough dexterity to easily play games. It was even better than the boy himself at the game so, while it was frustrating in many ways, the boy actually enjoyed the competition.The final member of the trio, a boy with pale auburn hair and cat-like eyes, heard the complaint from where he was reading a book so, without taking his eyes away from the page, he remarked, "I won't disagree with the sentiment. From the perspective of finding a girlfriend, this situation is pretty shit. It doesn't help that most of the girls here are the type that escaped some shitty situation so the odds of them being coaxed and favoring any of us is slim..."As even the boys were the type that had basically fled their families, it wasn't as if they were unable to empathize with the girls. They were all going through a lot and, with the opportunities provided by the Empire, there was a chance they could truly seize their own destiny. This made them less likely to consider things like dating as, for the time being, they were more focused on securing a place for themselves in the Empire.All three of the boys understood this but, as almost every one of their female classmates could be considered a beauty, it was 'very' frustrating for them. They no longer had any background to rely on as leverage for establishing a relationship so, with most of them being in the lower half of the ranks, it was difficult to even approach their classmates, much less ask them out.The only thing the boys couldn't really complain about was the classes themselves as, compared to life within the Clock Tower, the Empire seemed relatively easy going. Though they had to be serious during lessons, they were given a lot of free time to relax and self-study. The most surprising part of this was that the classes taught by Professor Alpha and Sir Galahad were extremely effective so, even with their leisurely schedule, they were quickly increasing in strength. This had come as a surprise to all of the fourth and fifth-year students as it felt like everything they had learned during their studies in the Clock Tower was meant to guide them down the wrong path.Upon realizing that was very likely the case, the determination of the average student had increased considerably. They refused to become a pawn of the Mage's Association and, while there was a good chance they would become pawns in the Empire, they would at least have more power. Some people on the BBS even speculated that the Aldrnari Empire would become a global power in the future so, while they might feel a little suppressed right now, the boys knew their future prospects were better than anything they could have hoped for under the thumb of the Nobles. There was even a chance they could become an actual Knight, earning the title of Baron for themselves and becoming a lesser Noble in the process.This was the hope of all three boys present in the room so, even though it made them feel less than dirt when comparing themselves to the Imperial Quintet, they joined the Magic Knight class. As the entire class consisted of nine people, they were forced to directly interact with people like Mordred, Sakura, Mash, and Zoë. This put a lot of pressure on them due to the monstrous difference in their strength compared to the girls but, believing they would eventually be able to surpass the girls due to their male physiques, they continued working hard...at least when they were supposed to.The curriculum of the Department of Unified Thaumaturgical Theory was designed to reward those who worked hard, both within the classroom and outside of it. Those that let the stress get to them, causing them to take long breaks and use all their free time to relax, would ultimately fall into the lower ranks. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing but, if you wanted to succeed within the Empire's merit-based system, a genuine effort was required.What the boys didn't realize was that their attitude was the main reason none of the girls showed any interest in them. As boys, they hadn't experienced the darkest parts of the Magus community so it was easy for them to fall into a routine where they used their recreational time to relax and play video games. They were fundamentally incapable of thinking themselves talentless and, while they were far behind the girls in the class, their rapid increase in strength caused them to carry an air of arrogance about themselves.A stark contrast to the boys, the average female student treated their studies extremely seriously. If they failed out of the program, a tragic end was their only outcome. With this in mind, they focused wholly on improving and, with so many like-minded people surrounding them, they supported each other to become stronger. The didn't particularly look down on the boys but, seeing how lax the trio were, they would rather associate with those putting in effort than being dragged down by a group that just wanted to put in only the required amount of effort.With Mordred, Rani, Sakura, Mash, Zoë, and even Astrid setting a strong example of how strong a woman could become, most of the girls were extremely motivated. They would proactively seek advice from those stronger than themselves and, though there was a fair amount of tension between some of them, they at least pretended to get along with everyone else. The decisions they made now would shape their entire future so, in order to ensure they did not become victims a second time, they couldn't afford to play around with boys who cared more about alleviating their boredom than excelling in the program...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Mordred is da Queen...!','Youths...','The difference between prioritizing comfort and suffering hardships to shape a better future o3o...')(A/N: This micro-arc will have quite a few school chapters and, while Vahn is still the MC, some of his children will take the limelight for a few chapters. He is more focused on dealing with things behind the scenes and self-improvement so, without doing a time skip, it would be a lot of the same kind of chapters. Don't worry, as things will develop in a potentially interesting direction in the near future!)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Exactly one month had passed since the start of class and, unlike most days, both the True Mage and Magic Knight classes were brought together early in the morning. They hadn't been given any prior notice to the peculiar class so many students were beginning to feel tense. If not for the ever relaxed Mordred and the rest of the girls forming the Imperial Quintet, tensions would have increased even more.Feeling emboldened, a girl named Yvette decided to try and ease her nerves by sheepishly asking Mash, "Excuse me, Miss Kyrielight...do you know why we were all told to come here so early...?"Hearing the girl ask her question, most of the students in the class became more attentive as Mash, with her usual smile, politely stated, "I'm afraid the particulars have not been explained to any of us. We may hail from the Empire but we're not privileged to know about events in advance. I'm just as nervous as everyone else, even if it may not seem like it on the surface..."Yvette gave an awkward smile in response to Mash's words as, looking at the calm and collected girl, it was difficult to believe she was even remotely nervous. This wasn't something that could be said out loud, however, so Yvette just combed her fingers through the fringe of her hair, saying, "Well, I just hope nothing bad happened...I've been enjoying the classes a lot..."Mash found Yvette's words somewhat peculiar but, before she could say anything further, the door to the classroom opened to reveal Da Vinci and Sion. This brought a prompt end to any discussions and, though there was still a lot of tension in the air, the focus of every student shifted to the two inordinately beautiful Professors.Upon taking her place at the lectern, Da Vinci's smile blossomed into a truly breathtaking visage that seemed to help everyone in the room relax as she explained, "I'm certain everyone has questions. I'll do my best to explain everything in detail so please, relax. You aren't wrong to be nervous but what we're here to discuss isn't anything particularly dangerous or disadvantageous~"As Da Vinci spoke, the massive monitor that had replaced the classroom's blackboard came to life. It depicted a very complex structure that looked like two pyramids welded together at their bases. This created a diamond-shaped superstructure that, upon closer observation, formed a complex network of tunnels and rooms, each listing a variety of different materials that could be found.Though the average student had only ventured into the upper layers of the Spirit Tomb, everyone in the class was familiar with the massive dungeon beneath the school. What surprised them was how detailed the infographic provided by Da Vinci was as, unless you traded a large number of materials or points, it was impossible to get a map of the Spirit Tombs interior.Before she could be bombarded with questions, Da Vinci explained, "Today is a very important day for each and every one of you. Today, you will establish a baseline for future growth by completing a task assigned to you based on your ranking and skill level. Each of you will be assigned to a group based on the data we have collected over the last month. There will be several different objectives, each with different ratings based on their difficulty. You may complete multiple objectives but keep in mind that, in many cases, it is wiser to return with lesser accomplishments than forcing yourself forward to your deaths. Judgment is one of the metrics you are evaluated on so consider each of your options as a team before deciding whether or not you'll put yourselves in danger..."Some of the students had actually been wondering whether or not they would be given access to the Spirit Tomb so, hearing they suddenly had to enter and complete challenges, they were both excited and nervous. Most of them had been looking forward to measuring their growth so, while it was productive to spar against each other during training, battling against monsters was infinitely better since you didn't have to hold back.To further excite the class, Da Vinci explained, "Over the last month, each of you has compiled a sizeable number of contribution points. I'm aware that it has been a rather popular topic so allow me to explain a bit of their use. The simplest way in which they can be used is to exchange for various materials and resources. After today, you will all be given a tablet that is synchronized with each of your Companions. Using this will allow you to access one of three different shops based on your class, overall ranking, and personal ranking. We'll go into greater detail about these different things upon the completion of today's exercise but here is a sample of what you can expect~"At Da Vinci's behest, the monitor behind her showed a list of various items, each neatly filed into a series of columns with their picture, use, and exchange value. What surprised the students was that, by exchanging a single contribution point, they could obtain relatively rare alchemical ingredients. It was even possible to exchange for a Philosopher's Stone, something that was heavily regulated by the Mage's Association, for a meager 100 contribution points...With even the cheaper items being of such high value, the students couldn't help but focus on the items at the very top of the list. There, various Mystic Codexes were listed, some of which could be considered a heritage item within an established family. At the very top, there were even seemingly legendary items like the [Golden Fleece] and [Decanter of Perpetuity], a highly sought after item in the Magus community due to its purported effect of restoring a person to their youth without any decrease in physical and magical capabilities...Da Vinci waited for the students to peruse the items for a short while before breaking their idle thoughts as she explained, "This is only a small portion of the items that will be available in the shop. In truth, there is no limit to what you can obtain. So long as you work hard, even purchasing items that increase your Od, unlock your potential, strengthen your body, or grant you a lesser form of immortality can be found within the shop~"As could be expected, Da Vinci's words caused a stir within the class as it was very difficult to believe what she was saying. However, considering what they had already experienced, a few students could be seen shaking slightly in anticipation of the future. One of them, Ophelia, couldn't resist the urge to raise her hand and, upon being recognized by Da Vinci, asked, "Professor, I wonder if even Mystic Eyes can be exchanged and purchased from the shop...?"Ophelia was a girl that already possessed one Mystic Eye and, as a result, her life had been made very difficult. However, while it could be considered the source of her burden, it had also allowed her to establish herself as a capable Magus. Prior to joining the Department of Unified Thaumaturgical Theory, one of the avenues she had been pursuing was increasing her power to the point that it was difficult for her family to control her. If she made a good impression on a higher ranking Noble, she could avoid being married off by becoming a Governess or a bodyguard. It wasn't much better than being exploited by her family but, considering it would be a path of her own choosing, it was still the better option...Meeting Ophelia's expectations, Da Vinci didn't even flinch as she casually answered, "I'd prefer to avoid having to answer too many questions like this but, as you are the first, I'll make an exception, Miss Phamrsolone. To reiterate my earlier statement, there are very few things you cannot purchase from the shop. The only restrictions would be your overall points, your ranking, and the evaluation of your character. We will obviously not allow someone with destructive tendencies to buy a nuclear warhead with the intent of blowing up a classroom~"Da Vinci's words not only met Ophelia's expectations but, while it was an offhanded and casual remark, some of the students couldn't help but internally retort, ("We can buy nuclear warheads!?"). This seemed to convey there was very little they couldn't purchase, cementing Da Vinci's words in their mind, regardless of how ridiculous they seemed. At the very least, she had greatly increased the interest of each student in the shop and, now that they knew what the points were used for, those who had been slacking off over the last month began to lament...---After answering a few more questions and alleviating some concerns, Da Vinci began a long lecture on the various environments, monsters, and materials that could be found in the Spirit Tomb. Since it was on everyone's mind, she discussed how these could all be exchanged for points and, upon being asked how monsters could be counted, Da Vinci reminded them that their Companions were linked to the tablets so, even if they didn't bring back proof of the subjugation, they would get credit for any monsters killed. This wasn't a foolproof system, as hordes of monsters would be hard to count, but Da Vinci simply advised them to run away in such situations.It was only after the much longer than expected lecture that the students understood why they had been asked to come in so early. Had they started at a normal time, they would have to take a break for lunch and, if they were unlucky, getting stuck overnight in the Spirit Tomb was a real possibility. It had an enchantment that made leaving after a certain point in time impossible as the 'gate' would close for a few hours during the evening. Though there were some waypoints inside, allowing those within to teleport back to the Mining City, Magi's Fair, they would be forced to turn over all acquired items as compensation.Vahn's agreement with Solon allowed for relatively unrestricted access to the Spirit Tomb but, in exchange, everything gathered by himself and the students had to be returned to the Clock Tower. It was for this reason that he came up with the idea of a school shop as, with the virtually unlimited resources of the Empire, it wasn't that difficult to acquire the materials and items requested by the students. Though he had to put monthly, weekly, and daily restrictions on some goods, even the laziest students would be able to stockpile a considerable amount of wealth by the time they were preparing to graduate.Unfortunately for these students, the very concept of wealth would ultimately lose its meaning once the Empire came into prominence. Only those that sought to better themselves would be able to rise above others and live comparably luxurious lifestyles as, once the market system collapsed, the only way to obtain materials and resources would be through bartering for them or earning them based on your contributions and capabilities. Through the Empire, it was possible to get resources for free but, rather than stockpile them and treat them as 'accumulated wealth', you had to actually use them for their intended purpose.One of the primary corrupting factors within a society was wealth itself as, when one group began to accumulate and stockpile wealth, they used it to leverage their authority over others. So long as they made sure they had a monopoly on the most important resources, combined with the power to back it up, they could dictate how others lived with borderline impunity. This was only made worse when the children of such individuals, despite never having done anything to establish themselves within a community, believed they were better than others by virtue of birth alone...It was impossible to completely root out corruption but, with a system that primarily rewarded those that put in the effort to obtain their status, Vahn hoped to prevent its spread. This was the primary justification for the existence of the Virtual World they were creating as, with unlimited freedom in the virtual world, they could prevent a lot of problems in the real world from developing. There, so long as they followed the rules of the Virtual World, it was possible for them to be veritable gods in a world of their own design. They could eat the most delicious foods, walk on the surface of stars, or play catch with literal planets...all while affecting nothing in the real world.(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Surprise expedition~!','I want access to that shop...','Every human is a god in their own mind. They have absolute power within their own imaginations~')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Sinlaire on Devianart completed an updated Title Card for the novel! Please let me know what you think and, if you like their work, give them some love over on their page~! There were several other projects planned for the future so let me know if there is a specific character or scene you'd want to see illustrated!(www.deviantart.com/sinlaire)

Chapter 1297: Schoolyard Dynamics