After leaving the small town and returning home, Oliver spread all the silver coins he had earned over the past month across the table.

A total of 340 silver coins lay there, shimmering in the sunlight. Each coin bore an intricate engraving of the queen, her portrait gleaming under the sun's rays, making the sight of them almost too beautiful to behold.

In just over a month since arriving in this world, Oliver had gathered enough to make his dream of studying magic a reality. He could now afford the tuition for Oakridge Academy—the place where his true journey would begin.

Magic. The mysterious and coveted force that governed this world. He would finally get to experience it firsthand！

After counting the coins, Oliver took 130 of them and placed them carefully into his pouch. Of these, 120 were earmarked for his tuition, while the remaining 10 were for personal expenses. The rest of the coins he hid in a small nook beneath his bed.

Once enrolled, he'd surely need more money for other necessities. Taxes were coming up soon, and there were a few items he still needed—warm clothes, a blanket, and other essentials. Expenses would pile up.

After securing the silver, Oliver stepped outside and looked around cautiously, ensuring no one was watching. Only when he was sure it was safe did he relax.

He wasn’t the same frail boy who had first arrived in this world. But caution was still wise. Thugs and troublemakers were never far in the town.

The next morning, Oliver headed to the town square to meet James. Both were excited, but their faces carried an undeniable weariness.

Today was their first day at Oakridge Academy, and neither of them had gotten a single wink of sleep the night before.

Together, they walked toward the towering gates of Oakridge.

The Academy was located in the heart of town, on the busiest street. It was a far cry from the humble rural life Oliver had known as a farmer and hunter. This area was populated by nobles and affluent townspeople—the kind Oliver had never interacted with before.

The market stalls along the street were much more refined than those he was used to. He even spotted shops selling white bread—something he had rarely seen. Unlike the coarse rye bread in the country, white bread was made from fine flour, a luxury only the rich could afford.

There were also lavish-looking cakes on display, and restaurants selling caviar and foie gras. These were foods Oliver could only dream of back in his former life.

It was clear that the rich here lived in great comfort, while people like him were used to more meager conditions.

Eccleston, a small town, boasted such a grand street. Oliver wondered just how extravagant life in the larger cities must be.

As they passed through the street, he bought a lemon pie, splitting it with James. Both were delighted by the sweet treat.

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Eventually, they arrived at Oakridge Academy.

The Academy wasn’t huge, but its marble floors and towering statues of wizards at the entrance commanded respect and awe.

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

“Here to register? Studying magic isn’t cheap. Tuition is only the beginning—there are many costs after that. Are you sure you understand what you’re getting into?” one of the robed youths asked seriously.

“We understand,” Oliver and James replied in unison.

“Tuition for the basic course is 120 silver coins. For 250 silver coins, you’ll get both food and lodging. If you choose the 500 silver coin option, you’ll receive food, lodging, and a supply of basic magic potions. But keep in mind, that’s just for one term…”

The costs were staggering—three different tiers, with the highest priced at 500 silver coins.

Even with all his savings, it would take him a long time to afford that level of tuition. Finding slimes in the forest was already difficult, and venturing deeper into dangerous territory wasn’t an option.

For now, both he and James agreed to settle for the lowest tier.

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

There was no sign of disdain despite their choosing the least expensive option.

After filling out the 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, smiling. “I’m your senior, Hector Brown.”

“Senior Brown!” Oliver and James replied in unison.

Seeing no other students arriving, Hector led them into the Academy. “I’ll show you around and introduce you to some basic magical knowledge.”

Oliver’s ears perked up. He had long awaited the moment he would finally learn the secrets of magic.

“Magic,” Hector began, halting to face them,

“is a force that intertwines with the laws of nature. It exists everywhere around us—most 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 aren’t just ordinary lights. They’re a manifestation of magic itself, a visible representation of ‘Source Power,’ also known as mana. This Source Power flows through the world, present in every detail. Different forms of magic are simply different ways of tapping into and controlling this Source Power.”

Hector smiled gently and continued,

“Like the movement of water or the hardness of rock, every natural phenomenon hides a force we can understand and control.”

Oliver’s eyes lit up, captivated by this new world 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 said, mana is everywhere, but it varies in strength and quality. For beginners, there are two main methods to control mana: one is through incantations, and the other is through magic potions.”

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

“At Oakridge, we have many rare incantations, and we’ll teach them to you in time.”

“What about magic potions?” Oliver asked.

“Magic potions function similarly to incantations, but they act as an external force—a shortcut. Those who use rare potions often advance faster in their magical studies,” Hector explained. “Every powerful magician relies on various potions.”

Magic potions came in many types—some enhanced magical abilities, while others served different purposes. But potions weren’t without risks; excessive use could harm the body.

“Magic potions...” Oliver thought. The slime he had caught earlier was rich in mana and could likely be used to create potions. Many magical plants served as ingredients for these potions.

Items rich in Source Power were invaluable to both knights and magicians, explaining their high prices.

To become a powerful magician, hunting magical creatures in the forest seemed essential.

Excitement surged through Oliver. His Super Magic Core gave him a unique advantage—the ability to capture magical creatures and gain corresponding skills, an enormous benefit for hunting in the forest!

James, however, grew quiet.

It was said that powerful magicians rarely came from poor backgrounds. Magic was an expensive pursuit. James had already struggled to gather enough for tuition, and there was no way he could afford magic potions.

Noticing the change in James’ mood, Hector gave him an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry, James. If you have extraordinary talent, you can still become powerful—even without relying on magic potions.”