After leaving the small town and returning home, Oliver took all the silver coins he had earned over the past month and laid them out on the table.

A total of 340 silver coins piled up on the old wooden table, their surfaces gleaming in the sunlight. The intricate engraving of the queen on each coin sparkled, creating a sight so beautiful it brought a sense of joy just to look at them.

In just over a month since arriving in this world, Oliver had managed to gather such a substantial amount of money. Now, he could finally afford to attend the Magic Academy and study magic.

Magic.

The most coveted and mysterious force in this strange world—he was finally going to get a chance to experience it firsthand!

After counting the coins, Oliver took 130 of them and carefully placed them into his coin pouch. Of these, 120 were reserved for his tuition, while the remaining 10 were for personal expenses. The rest of the silver coins were hidden safely in a small hole under his bed.

Once enrolled in Oakridge Academy, he would surely need the extra money for something. Plus, taxes were due soon, and there were a few things he needed to buy—some warm clothes, a blanket, and other necessities. He still had many expenses ahead.

Once everything was hidden securely, Oliver stepped outside, looking around to make sure no one was watching. Only when he was sure it was safe did he feel a sense of relief.

He was no longer the weak, scrawny boy who had first arrived in this world. But caution was still a virtue. There were always thugs and troublemakers in the town and village.

The next morning, Oliver headed to the town square to meet James. Both of them were excited, but there was an undeniable weariness in their eyes.

Today was their first day at the Academy, and neither of them had slept a wink the night before!

Together, they walked toward the gates of Oakridge Academy.

The Academy was located on the busiest street in town, a far cry from the rural areas where Oliver, a former farmer and hunter, had spent most of his life. This area was dominated by nobles and affluent townspeople, the kind of people Oliver had never interacted with.

The stalls along the street were much more refined, and Oliver even saw some shops selling white bread. Unlike the coarse rye bread common in rural areas, white bread was made from finely milled flour and was considered a luxury item reserved for the wealthy and noble.

There were also luxurious-looking cakes on display and high-end restaurants selling caviar and foie gras. These were foods that, even in his past life, he could only dream of.

It was clear that the rich in this world enjoyed a life of great comfort and luxury, while those like him lived in more grim and impoverished conditions.

Eccleston, though only a small town, already boasted such a grand street. Oliver couldn’t help but wonder what life in the larger city-states must be like.

As they passed through the street, he bought a lemon pie, tearing off half and sharing it with James. Both of them were delighted.

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Finally, they arrived at the Oakridge Academy.

The Academy was not large, but its marble floors and towering statues of wizards at the entrance gave off an air of reverence and awe.

It was registration time, and young men in robes stood at the entrance, ready to welcome newcomers.

“Are you here to register? Studying magic is expensive, not just tuition fees, but the costs thereafter are considerable. Do you fully understand what you're getting into?” one of the robed youths said seriously.

“We understand,” Oliver and James replied.

“Tuition is 120 silver coins for the most basic course. For 250 silver coins, the school provides both food and lodging. For 500 silver coins, the Academy offers food, lodging, and a supply of basic magic potions. Note that this is only for one term…”

The different tuition levels were shocking—there were three tiers, and the highest tier cost 500 silver coins.

Oliver nearly gasped at the thought. Even with his accumulated savings, it would be a long time before he could afford that kind of tuition.

After all, it was already difficult to find a slime at the edge of the forest. Unless he ventured deeper into the forest, which was far too dangerous.

For now, both he and James decided to go with the lowest tuition tier.

“Alright, then,” said the robed youth. “Please register your name, age, address, and provide your identification.”

There was no sign of disdain from the youth, despite them choosing the lowest tier.

After completing the necessary paperwork and paying their fees, Oliver and James each received a silver-plated nameplate engraved with their names.

“From now on, you are students of Oakridge Academy,” the youth said with a smile. “I am your senior, Hector Brown.”

“Senior Brown!” both Oliver and James said in unison.

Seeing that there were no other new students arriving, Hector led them into the Academy. “I’ll give you a tour and introduce you to some basic magical knowledge.”

Oliver’s ears immediately perked up. He had been eager to learn about magic for so long.

Finally, he would learn what magic really was.

“Magic,” Hector began, stopping to face the two of them,

“is a force that intertwines with the laws of nature. In truth, it exists in everything around us. The majority of people simply fail to notice it.”

With a flick of his hand, small points of light appeared in the air, drifting like stardust, before vanishing into nothingness.

“These points of light are not just ordinary lights. They are a manifestation of magic itself, a visible representation of ‘Source Power,’ also known as mana. This Source Power flows through the world, existing in every minute detail. Different forms of magic are simply different ways of tapping into and utilizing this Source Power.”

Hector smiled gently and continued,

“Just like the movement of water or the hardness of rock, every natural phenomenon hides a power that we can understand and control.”

Oliver’s eyes sparkled. He was captivated by the new world of magic unfolding before him. “How do we begin using this power?”

Mana, Source Power! How could he tap into and control it?

“Good question,” Hector nodded. “As I mentioned, mana is everywhere, but it differs in strength and quality. For beginners to control mana, there are two methods: the first is through incantations, and the second is through magic potions.”

Incantations allow the caster to sense, gather, and control mana. Strong and intricate incantations were extremely valuable.

“We at Oakridge Academy have many precious incantations, and we’ll slowly teach them to you.”

“What about magic potions?” Oliver asked.

“Magic potions work similarly to incantations, but they are an external force, a shortcut. Those who consume rare potions often progress faster and further on the path of magic,” Hector explained. “Every powerful magician relies on various rare potions.”

There were many types of magic potions, some for enhancing magical abilities, and others for different purposes. But potions could also have side effects, and excessive use could harm the body.

“Magic potions…” Oliver mused. The slime he had caught earlier was full of mana and could be used to create potions. Many magical plants also served as ingredients for potions.

The things rich in Source Power were incredibly valuable to both knights and magicians. It was no wonder their prices were so high.

To become a powerful magician, it seemed that hunting in the forest for magic creatures would be a necessity.

Oliver felt a rush of excitement. He had the perfect advantage—his Super Magic Core allowed him to capture magical creatures and gain their skills, giving him a huge edge when hunting in the forest!

James, on the other hand, grew silent.

It was said that powerful magicians rarely came from poor backgrounds. This wasn’t a matter of discrimination; magic required a lot of money. James had already struggled to gather enough for tuition, and he certainly didn’t have the funds to buy magic potions.

Noticing James’ mood drop, Hector gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, James. If you have extraordinary talent in magic, you can still become powerful even without magic potions.”