Between the four super-powers that keep peace across the world, there lies a small artificial island risen from the seafloor. Isla Lantis is the official designation of the place, but most simply refer to it as ‘The Academy’.

Where most universities and higher education facilities prioritize their own countries citizens and often act as funnels into the established industries of the land, the small secretive Academy in the center of the ocean differs greatly. For one, the school only accepts a handful of students every four years, and they choose from a pool spanning the entire globe.

Its one of the only international educational facilities with no ties to a foreign country or corporate power.

But none of these facts are what make the school so well-known and sought after, instead that renown comes from a very simple place.

The graduate list, apart from a handful stricken, is filled with some of the most influential figures in history.

Einstein, Hohenheim, Nobunaga, Da Vinci, Grahm, Terresact, Qianlong — names that changed the face of the earth once they set foot off the graduation stage.

There have been endless hidden rumors of the shadowy figure leading the school, some believe he’s Merlin from the Avalonian legends, while others say it’s an avatar of Lord Brahma, or even Sun Wu Kong himself.

The unchanging part between all the rumors is the might hidden behind the Academy and all of Isla Lantis, an untestable might that could topple nations.

Its no wonder then that the nations of the world step with their toes when handling the movements of the Academy, no nation dare draw the ire of the phantom headmaster.

Another difference from the ordinary academy or university, is the thesis-style graduation system. For a student chosen to fill one of the coveted positions at the school, a simply pass/fail system is far from sufficient in displaying the true abilities of the pupil.

This is why each student demonstrates their skills to a series of independent adjudicators chosen from across the world. Heads of corporations, secretaries of defense, even kings and princes flock to attend as prospectors.

For some students, this might mean a duel to prove their mana control, while for others this might mean the presentation of developed spells, or even a magical device.

Each class would display a mind-boggling presentation, and no matter how prepared the visitors made themselves, they never left without a shock.

‘And this year would be no different’ Carter Walsh thought to himself as he checked his watch between glances out the airplane window. Of course, he was excited for the chance to see his daughter again after all these years away, but that wasn’t the only thing that enticed him.

[Watch closely, there’s one who’ll be conducting their own test, and I doubt many will realize the limit of their vision.]

His own daughter had risked expulsion to secretly pass the warning to him, how could he dare ignore the curious message. Again, he impatiently glanced to his watch, they couldn’t land soon enough.

The small airplane was the fourth in a line of seven to be granted entry to the highly restricted airspace around the man-made island.

There was limited room for landing strips on the small Isla, so each plane that made their way towards the port were equipped with large angular floats that cut through the rough sea-waves as they landed in the protected cove.

One by one, the floatplanes were ferried into slips with the help of the olive-skinned locals who’d called Lantis their home for centuries.

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Again, just another one of the mysteries surrounding the Island. The locals who lived and worked around the Academy spoke a language completely foreign to the rest of the world, and somehow only those who attend the Academy could even communicate with them.

Its thought, that this too is the doings of the phantom headmaster, perhaps some sort of sophisticated security ward, but there’s no recorded history of any such magic existing; so again its left as simple rumor.

“Head Inspector Walsh,” A voice called out as Carter stepped from the teetering plank linking his jet to the stone wharf. Catching up beside him, the familiar face began again after an exchanged handshake. “How was your flight?”

“Your design is still holding up, don’t worry.” Carter chided with a glance behind his shoulder at the pricey investment.

“Aiya, I’m not after your purse,” Yan Zi laughed with a hand to his thin beard. “I called out to the ‘Head Inspector’, not to Chairman Welsh.”

“Right,” Carter laughed without pausing his step as the smooth stones of the wharf beneath his feet transitioned to the carved stone the island was famous for.

The marble roads of Isla Lantis, thought to be nothing but rumors and legends were a very real thing, but Carter didn’t gape or pray he simply became more vigilant for standing water.

“So what is it you need? You should know official business is strictly forbidden from happening outside of working hours.”

“But are you not here also representing the Bureau of Magical Usage and Ethics?” Yan Zi asked while gracefully walking with his arms tucked into his sleeves behind his back. “And as my report is perhaps enflaming, I fear making my accusation via official means could spark conflict, so it is perhaps better handled in official-unofficial ways.”

“Is there a reason you are seeking out me, and not officials from your own Emperor’s Celestial Ministry” Carter asked with furrowed brow, the Qing Dynastic Democracy didn’t have a particularly good relationship with the United States of Columbia. Half the foreign reports on his desk back in Philadelphia were accusations against the Q.D.D. But he had the responsibility to hear the man out so with a sigh he finally paused to face the highly regarded scholar and inventor.

“I already know how my country will react if given the information. What I want is a true assessment.” Yan Zi explained, again rubbing his beard as if contemplating the sea-spray the scented the wind. “I’ve received reports the imply the Republic of Yamato has employed the taboo in order to mass produce their newest generation of Mobile Suits. If you think about it, it’s the only logical—”

“Stop,” Carter interrupted raising a hand the moment he heard the word ‘Yamato’, “I am not touching that, no offense it’s just...”

“I am serious.” Yan Zi reiterated pulling a small fragment of Jade from a pocket hidden in his silk robes. “Take this at least, and realize that I am giving it to you, because I know exactly how it sounds given the history between my people and Yamato.”

Hesitantly, Carter accepted the thin engraved slip of jade and tucked it into a silver sleeved portion in his wallet. He had no way of knowing what was on the jade until he had it decrypted back in the office, but until then he also had no way of knowing what secrets mechanisms it might have hidden. Better it at least be insulated from any airborne mana in case it was a hidden bug.

“I’m hiding no tricks.” Yan Zi remorsefully said with raised palms as he noticed the care Carter had put into avoid direct contact with the simple slip of stone. “I only know what is written in those purchase manifests, it’s impossible. And you will see it too if you are willing to put aside your thoughts and simply investigate.”

“I can’t make any promises.” Carter said with a tired shake of his head. “I can only say they are an unprompted tip, and they will be handled as such.”

“Good.” Yan Zi grunted with a nod, turning as his business with the man concluded. “Although; Chairman Walsh, are you sure you won’t upgrade to our newest model, the Phoenix Wing? It uses the newest pinnacle of wind arrays scribed with nanometer precision to—”

“I’ll see you at the ceremony tomorrow.” Carter waved with a laugh as he turned to escape while he still could.

The both of them knew the grounds well, so it was no issue for them to separate, it wasn’t as if they would get lost. Yan Zi had graduated a few classes prior to Carter, but he was already a well-known name by the time Carter’s graduation arrived.

Perhaps it was because they both focused on rune-work and inscription for their thesis works, but they had a deeper comradery than most alumni of different years. Traditionally it was more of an adversarial relationship, unless of course those alumni were able to scoop up the graduates before someone else did.

That was the true purpose of the thesis judgement. It wasn’t so much judgement as it was advertising, and only the most powerful got the edge of being invited early as prospectors.

Every graduation the competition for the students was hotter, and to compete the graduates had only become more brilliant.

Carter was floored to see what this class would show. His daughter had made it sound like there was a hidden dragon amongst her peers, so the anticipation was bubbling in his chest.