“So this is Cyalis Academy,” Adion muttered as he stepped through the gates of the Academy proper. He had left with his siblings as soon as they all woke up. Due to the late night, though, it was already well past noon.

“This is just one small part of it,” Aiden said, gesturing for Adion to continue following him and Ailera. “The Academy is the size of a town, so it will take a while before you get to see all of it.”

“It’s that big?” Adion questioned.

“Well, besides the many unique facilities, there are about 20,000 people living here, so it’s not strange that it needs to be so big,” Aiden said.

“Right,” Adion nodded. He knew the Academy was big, but it was still hard to wrap his head around. In his mind, the Academy was just the Tower of Cyalis and a few surrounding buildings.

“What’s this place then?” Adion asked as they walked past a few buildings with a lot of students going in and out.

“Stores, restaurants, training facilities,” Aiden listed, “This is the commercial area; it basically has everything that the public Academy has, but only students and faculty are allowed here, of course.”

“Shouldn’t we stay and look around?” Adion asked as his siblings just kept walking while he tried to examine everything they walked past.

“You’ll have plenty of time to explore later. Let us show you around some more first,” Aiden said.

“Alright,” Adion nodded.

“Let’s go to your dorms first, shall we?” Ailera suggested.

“I suppose that might be a good start,” Adion nodded, “Do you know where I should stay?”

“I forgot about that,” Ailera said. “Since you didn’t go with the guide, you’ll have to check with the administration about where to go. The dorms are far too big a place to start knocking on doors.”

“Where is the administration?” Adion asked.

“For this, we should head to the Old Academy,” Aiden said.

“Old Academy?” Adion asked.

“It’s where the Tower of Cyalis is located,” Aiden explained, “The Academy used to be a lot smaller long ago when we had just arrived from Quemer and started settling here. There are a lot of interesting things to see there.”

“Like what?” Adion asked.

“Like the Ruins,” Ailera said with a small smirk.

“What are those?” Adion asked, feeling like a child with endless questions.

“Haha,” Ailera laughed, “It feels nice to be on the opposite side of things from last night.”

“Just tell me,” Adion said.

“It’s structures left behind from the Age of Wonder,” Ailera explained, “But students aren’t allowed to go near it. It is said that these ruins are the reason that the people from the Tower of Sages decided to settle at this place.”

“So no one believes that the Ruins are just collections of old rock,” Aiden said, “But only the Council truly knows what hides there.”

What could it be? Some artifact? Maybe a teleportation formation like in the Remori manor? Maybe I could find a way to sneak inside and take a look.

“How well guarded is that place?” Adion asked.

“Adion…” His brother looked at him seriously, “Don’t do anything stupid. Your powers might have helped you before, making the impossible an easy task. But this is Cyalis Academy. We have no idea what means they have. I would be surprised if they didn’t have a runic device capable of sensing even a Pure Soul mage trying to hide.”

“Something like that?” Adion asked, surprised.

That would make things very difficult, I guess.

“Remember that this place began with the most powerful people in the world showing an interest in it,” Aiden said, “And whatever they found has been built upon for thousands of years. Even knowing about your special circumstances, I would take care not to underestimate the most powerful institution on the continent.”

“I get it, I get it,” Adion said, “I’ll stay out of trouble.”

Still, all this secret information is too enticing.

“Is there a way to get to know secret information?” Adion asked, “I mean the stuff they won’t teach in classes and the like. The information has to be passed to some people, right? What if I get the rank 1 spot? Would that carry any special privileges?”

“Having that rank will help a lot,” Aiden nodded, “As much as the Academy shares its knowledge with its students. A lot of information has to be kept a little secret. But as you said, it's possible to gain information that is not available to all students. But that has to be bought with credits.”

“Credits can give me secret information?” Adion asked, feeling extremely thankful to professor Haul for his generous contribution.

“Credits can get you anything. It’s more valuable than money, in a way,” Aiden said.

“How can something be more valuable than money?” Adion questioned.

“I guess it’s not entirely true, as it’s common for students to exchange credit for money,” Aiden said, “But credits can get you things that money can’t. No matter how much money you offer, you won’t be able to gain access to the restricted part of the library, but credits can get it done easily. The same goes for a whole lot of other things. At the Academy, credits can get you anything money can, but not the other way around.”

“Interesting,” Adion murmured, “How do I get credits? Actually, I already have 110 credits from the admission, I think.”

“Oh?” Aiden said, “I guess that makes sense considering your talents. Anyway, you gain credits through all sorts of things. Most professors give it out to students to their liking. They can’t give it out indiscriminately, though, as they have to pay for those credits themselves.”

“That’s generous, I guess,” Adion said, “Wait. Do they get to keep the credits they take away?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Of course not,” Aiden shook his head, “That would never work. But they have the power to take away a certain amount of credits as they like. So don’t annoy anyone with that power. It can become really troublesome.”

“I’ll try,” Adion nodded, “So professors use credits just like students?”

“They do,” Aiden nodded, “They are also interested in the things that credits can earn them. I think only the Council stands above credits.”

“So I get credits by impressing professors?” Adion asked.

“To a very small degree,” Aiden said, “Someone like you would earn the most simply by holding your position. If you actually gain rank 1 in the diamond class, you will be earning an immense amount of credits.”

I get credits from being rank 1?

“How much will I get?” Adion asked.

Aiden smiled ruefully and looked at Adion, “1000 credits per week.”

“What? Isn’t that…like a lot?” Adion asked.

“It’s crazy,” Ailera said, “I only gain 50 credits every week. And I’m in gold class. The difference is truly staggering.”

“So everyone gets credits every week depending on their position?” Adion asked.

“They do. It makes for a fierce competitiveness among the students,” Aiden said, “You will have a lot of people after you as rank 1. Rank 2, even in diamond class, only gains 500 credits.”

That’s still a lot. But it’s a huge difference. Well, I’m not worried. I’m sure no one will be able to threaten my position.

“How about the other rankings?” Adion asked.

“Well, in the diamond class, everyone gains 100 credits every week. The top 10, 200 credits. And third place, 300 credits. Below that, people in gold class earn 50 credits a week, silver class 20 credits, bronze class 10 credits, iron class 5 credits, and stone class 1 credit.” Aiden said.

“That’s…how can anyone even do something with only 1 credit per week?” Adion questioned.

“They will have to do odd jobs or buy them for money, or count on getting them in other ways,” Aiden said.

“Seems rough,” Adion said.

“I think it’s a pretty smart system,” Aiden said, “It gets the students to work hard. No one placed in the stone class is happy with staying there after all. And their opponents are Bronze mages the same age as them, nothing impossible to beat.”

“I guess that’s true,” Adion nodded thoughtfully.

It seems like an excellent motivator for students to work hard.

“Since I will be earning so many credits, do you have any suggestions on what I should use them on?” Adion asked.

“Not in particular,” Aiden said, “Just don’t spend it carelessly. You might need a lot of them if it’s secretive knowledge you’re after.”

“Hm,” Adion nodded.

I don’t think I need anything in particular. Knowledge that is otherwise hard to come by seems to be the most worthwhile. I’m glad that rank 1 earns so much. It will let me think about other things besides hunting for credits.

“You should also know that you won’t be able to keep all of your credits,” Aiden warned.

“What do you mean?” Adion asked, looking to his brother.

“You will need to let go of some of it when you join a House,” Aiden said, “It differs from House to House, but every House takes at least a portion of the credits of its members.”

“What? Why?” Adion asked, not fond of the idea at all.

“Well, to gain all the advantages a House will give you, you have to give something up, right?” Aiden said, “At least someone in your position probably won’t have to give up all of their credits.”

“Then who gets the credits?” Adion asked.

“The Head of the House decides where the credits go. A lot of it would go to strengthen you and the other members, so it’s not an actual loss in a way. At least if you manage to get a good position, which I’m sure you will.” Aiden said.

“Why would anyone join a House instead of just using your credits for yourself?” Adion questioned.

“Because you gain a lot more,” Aiden said, “Think about it. Instead of a thousand people slowly waiting to gain enough credits to, say, buy a focusing pill each. They put all their credits together, and now they all get to share resources that they could never afford on their own. They could also influence the Academy more, as their credits weren’t enough to influence anything on their own, but together they become very powerful.”

“Right,” Adion nodded. He wasn’t stupid. He could see the obvious advantages. It was just that they weren’t so enticing to him.

“And joining a House would require you to listen to this Head of the House, I’m assuming?” Adion asked.

“Well, sure.” Aiden nodded, “Depending on the House. But it’s not like you would become a slave or anything. The Head of the House can be replaced if he is unreasonable, so they wouldn’t do anything unpopular.”

“Yeah…I think that’s not for me,” Adion said.

“Adion,” Aiden sighed, “I know you are extremely powerful, but think it through. You would gain access to a lot of valuable information. You would have access to facilities to help you grow. You would have a place to go even after the Academy. Connections are probably the most important aspect of joining a House.”

“I get all that,” Adion said, “I’ve heard Houses be explained before, but I guess I just feel…in the mood to be free? I don’t like the thought of subordinating myself. And I don’t want to have to give my credits away and have someone else decide how to use them.”

“Well,” Aiden sighed, “I guess there is no rush. You don’t have to make a decision now. But don’t turn anyone down too harshly if they offer you a spot in their House. Say that you’ll think about it.”

“What if I create my own House?” Adion asked.

“Your own House?” Ailera asked, “I never heard of anyone doing that.”

“I’m sure people have done it,” Aiden said, “Even in recent years. But why would you want to create your own House, Adion?”

“What you said about joining a House made sense,” Adion said, musing aloud, “It would be advantageous to be a part of one. The only problem is that I don’t want to be subservient to someone else and have them control what happens to my credits. So wouldn’t it all be solved if I created my own House? I could do whatever I want then, right?”

“I…guess,” Aiden said, “But what could you accomplish in just five years? Even with your powers, it wouldn’t be possible to challenge the top Houses. They’re all centuries, probably millennia old.”

“I agree,” Ailera said, “I feel like you would have to put in a lot of effort with little to gain. Not many would join a newly created House, even by a rank 1 student.”

“But it’s not impossible,” Adion said.

“Haah,” Ailera sighed, “Let’s talk about it more later.”

“Mm,” Adion nodded. He was liking the idea the more he thought about it. He had thought about it since he heard of Houses, but since he didn’t really see the value before, he just left it in his fantasies. But now that he knew about the credits and had seen a little of how restrictive Aiden was in his duties even as a highly valued member of a House, Adion thought the effort would be worth it.

And if I manage to make my House powerful, wouldn’t I have control over it even after the Academy? The other top Houses are very influential even on the rest of the continent. I could be the leader of Celestial Shadow and do things in the dark as Atao, while being the leader of my House as Adion Remori in the open.

But I shouldn’t take on more than I can handle. None of this can be done easily. If it gets in the way of me growing stronger, I’ll have to rethink things.