When I opened my eyes the following day, the sun was already beaming through the sole window of my new room. I blinked, slightly surprised by the rare sight as I usually woke up long before sunrise.

'I guess I must have been a lot more tired than I thought...' I mused briefly before shrugging it off as I eagerly jumped out of my flimsy cot.

My new roommates seemed to be already out and about, so I had the entire room for myself for the time being.

I didn't hold it against them for not waking me up since I knew that with the whole ranking system and everything, it felt more like we were rivals than classmates, and everyone was here for themselves.

So, after checking the sun's position through the narrow window and realizing I had only about an hour before the first lesson was supposed to start, I then quickly began getting ready for the very busy but exciting day ahead.

I donned my brand-new novice robes for the first time and watched the flowing fabric with a silly smile on my face. 'Shame there isn't any mirror here...'

Not that I was being vain or anything, but it's been a very long time since I wore anything of such quality.

At first glance, the robe itself looked like something a commoner would wear—the color was dull grey with no decorations to speak of.

However, on closer inspection, it was anything but. The fabric was soft to the touch yet firm enough that it could probably stop even a sword strike. 'Not that I would ever try that, of course...'

Anyway, it was clear that this was not something a peasant could afford, and based on its appearance, it fitted well into the whole austerity vibe they seemed to be going for.

Dressed and cleaned, I curiously looked at my new schedule. But like yesterday, the only item on it was the sole [Theory of Arcane Arts (Novice I.)]

'Is that it?' I furrowed my brows, wondering what we were supposed to do for the rest of the day. I wanted to ask Gil about it, but I forgot to do it yesterday, and now he was already gone. 'He's probably already claiming a spot in the mess hall,' I chuckled.

Apart from the maze-like corridors full of small, cramped cells, I've also learned that there was supposed to be a mess hall somewhere on the floor where we would be provided breakfast and dinner.

I wasn't feeling hungry yesterday so I decided to skip dinner to steal myself a few precious moments of quiet to train magic.

Still, it would be odd if I didn't show up there today, too, so, with a sigh, I finished stuffing my satchel with my brand-new writing supplies and then finally stepped out of the room, closing the doors behind me.

'Now, where would a mess hall be?' I briefly wondered, but then my lips curled upwards as I began making my way along the narrow corridor with confident steps.

Even if I somehow missed the faint smell of freshly brewed porridge, the sight of several strugglers like myself, all hurrying in a certain direction, was a solid indication that I was going in the right direction.

There were also apparently multiple eateries on the fifth floor where you could buy whatever food your heart desired—as long as you had the money to do so.

After yesterday's dinner, Gill seemed especially eager to go there for some reason. 'Is the food served here really that bad?'

Speaking of money, I've finally managed to learn what those dull white coins I had earned during the second Trial were.

Officially, they were called the Soul Essence Certificate of Merit or soul coins for short. Made out of a special kind of rock mined somewhere within the Labyrinth's depths, they apparently had the amazing ability to contain essence.

It was also the official currency of the Tower, and therefore, it could only be used inside the Tower and, to some extent, within the wider Labyrinth city.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

As the name suggested, they were mainly a reward for completing tasks and for placing highly during the various competitions—a stipend to motivate gifted students.

When I told Gill I already had some in my possession, he looked at me with a mix of admiration and envy, which told me they seemed to be highly coveted among the students of the academy.

Thus, from now on, I decided to always carry them with me and never leave them unattended. Nodding to myself, I then stopped wondering and focused on the way ahead, and soon, I arrived at the spacious mess hall.

I joined the few first-years still in line and, before long, was given a simple bowl of what looked like watered-down porridge and a cup of tea to wash it down.

I sat down in a far corner to not be bothered by anyone, and while gobbling down the meager breakfast, I curiously observed my fellow novices.

Most had already finished eating and were eagerly chatting and exchanging a fresh dose of gossip. Yet it didn't take me long to notice that a clear hierarchy in the seating order had already taken place.

It was centered around the few nobles among the first-years who claimed the most prominent spots at the head of the tables, and each of them was surrounded by a small group of bootlickers, with the rest of the commoners maintaining a healthy distance.

'It looks like it's the same everywhere...' I shook my head before turning my attention back toward the bowl in front of me.

The food was okay, I guess - if sating your hunger was all you asked for. However, the taste was as bland as expected from a bowl of weak porridge. 'They really want to deprive us of any sensory pleasures to focus solely on our training.' I thought with exasperation.

'Now that I think about it, maybe the mother's favorite ertiber mesh wasn't that bad, after all...' I chuckled.

I knew that the Tower was rich, and they surely were not lacking in money. Plus, the overflowing market down in the city also suggested there was no food shortage whatsoever, so the only possible reason for such treatment could be the stupid forced austerity again.

But to my dismay, it was working. The idea of eating such a travesty of food for the whole year made me extremely motivated to advance my rank as soon as possible.

Thus, with a full stomach and filled with determination, I joined the sea of grey novice robes, walking out of the mess hall and down the winding staircase toward a spacious auditorium located on the ground floor where my first magic lesson was about to begin.

The auditorium was a large hall with long wooden benches spanning its length on all sides. I chose to sit near the back of the room, away from any prying eyes.

The space slowly filled with more and more novices until the hall was nearly full, their excited chatter echoing off the vaulted ceiling.

Then, with the chiming of a bell signaling the full hour, all heads turned towards the front as a severe-looking woman in silvery white robes strode in, her gaze raking over us like a hawk surveying its prey.

"Be welcome, Novices, to your first lecture on magical theory," she began, her voice crisp and authoritative.

"I am Master Ayleth, and I'll be overseeing this course... It's great to see you attend in such great numbers. It gives me hope that you won't supplant the advancement of your paths with idle indolence."

As she moved her piercing eyes over the assembled crowd once more, everyone unconsciously straightened up; many even began gulping down nervously.

I blinked, tilting my head in confusion. It was like Master Ayleth could exert palpable pressure with just her gaze alone, and despite speaking in a relatively low voice, each and every one of her words could be heard clearly even all the way here at the very back of the spacious hall.

It was like she was standing right next to me. 'Is she using air magic to do that?' I perked up eagerly.

"I see that some of you have already broken the surface of the arcane arts, but don't let it cloud your judgment. What you had learned until now tis' but a tiny speck within the great tapestry of magic, and it will take you many years, maybe even decades, to fully master it- if you have what it takes, that is."

With this closing statement, Master Ayleth seemed to have finished her introductory speech, and then the real lesson had begun.

I nodded along as Master Ayleth lectured us about the foundational principles of magic—how it flows through all living things and how some are born with a greater aptitude to channel it.

I already knew most of this, thanks to my late master, Lily, and her wonderful lessons, so I spent time observing my fellow novices to see how they were doing.

Many were furiously scribbling down notes to keep up. Some, like me, seemed to already grasp the concepts, listening with quiet focus. A few in the back row whispered with each other, clearly not paying much attention despite Master Ayleth's warning.

I itched to jump ahead, to delve into complex spells and obscure magical theories. But I remained patient, knowing there was no point in blindly stumbling ahead without fully grasping the basics. 'There will be time to sate my curiosity soon enough...'

Time seemed to pass quickly, and before I noticed, the lesson had come to an end. Everyone began rushing toward the exit, yet I didn't join the eager crowd. Instead, I lingered on until only a few strugglers remained. Then, I rose from my seat and slowly approached the older woman in front.

"What do you require of me?" She said without even raising her sigh from the scroll she was perusing

I took a deep breath, knowing there was no turning back, and said, "Honourable magister, can I ask you a question about my path?"