Chirp chirp

The chirping of the outside birds woke up Dante. He glanced at the small window and saw that it was already day time.

I slept for a long time... I have also missed the dinner. Sigh

Dante sighed as he got up from the bed and stretched his body. He closed the small window and took off his clothes. He then went to the bathing area and took a much needed bath.

After some time, he finally got out of the bath. He then soaked himself with a towel on his side and wore the blue Tuxedo that he bought yesterday, along with a small hat.

He then opened the door and went downwards at the counter.

“ Oh, I am sorry. I was tired last night and so wasn't able to attend the dinner. ”

The man at the counter was the same one as yesterday. He nodded and replied,

“ There is no problem, Sir. The yesterday dinner would be shifted to today. ”

Dante nodded and then left the inn.

Today, I have to gather all the necessary information about the academies... The best place for this kind of work is undoubtedly the library.

Dante then asked a pedestrian for the directions of the Library and thanked him before leaving.

I really need to buy a map of the kingdom. But I don't know here I would find it..

Dante then followed the direction of the man and reached the library. This library was not very big from outside and looked very simple. On top of the building, ‘ Luminal Archives ’ was written.

He entered the Library slowly and went to the counter where he was greeted with a girl that looked to be in her 20's. She wore glasses and a beautiful red dress.

Upon seing Dante, she greeted him with a smile-

“ Welcome, Sir! My name is Audrey and I am the receptionist of the Luminal Archives! Are you here to issue a book or just to read? ”

“ I am here to gather some information about the academies of Solarionis. Are there any books that might cover this? ”

“ Oh, No problem Sir. You can find information about the Solarionis kingdom on the right corner of the Library. The fees for entering the library for a day is 4 Luminal Essence and if you want a weekly membership, it would be 15 Luminal Essence. Which one would you like to buy? ”

Dante thought for a moment before replying,

“ Just a Day, Miss Audrey. ”

She gently nodded before taking out a register and a quill.

“ What's your name, Sir? ”

“ Dante Marcellus ”

.....

After giving all the necessary information to Miss Audrey, Dante went to the right corner of the Library.

Geography of Solarionis.... History of Solarionis.... The Royal Family.... I really want to read all of them but unfortunately I don't have enough time. I have to quickly learn about all the academies of Solarionis and a plan to enter them...

After some time, he finally spotted the book that Dante was looking for.

Solar Academia Almanac... This is the one.

Dante took the book from the shelf and walked towards a quiet table and sat there.

After half an hour, he finished reading the book and thought for a while.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

The kingdom has many academies. They are Radiance Academy, Solarius Sanctum of Magic, Aetherium Magi Academy, Aurora archane Academy... There are more but only these academies accept people from outside the kingdom.

Radiance Academy is out of the question as it is focused on training knights. Now I am left with 3 choices.

Solarius Sanctum of Nodesmiths is focused on raising Nodesmiths and it's students should be Neophyte Rank 1. I match the criteria. But it also teaches about the history of the Kingdom, Potioneering, Formations and more...They are not permanent but I have to choose one out of them.....

The second one is Aetherium Magi Academy. It also focuses on raising Nodesmiths but it heavily focuses on researching about the Cosmos... This academy is quite weird. Why are they so focused on Cosmos ?

The third one is Aurora Archane Academy. Just as the above, it also focuses on raising Nodesmiths but just like the Aetherium Academy, it also heavily focuses on prophecy and divination. They are responsible for the safekeeping of the kingdom... This is also suitable for me as I have a technique implanted on me by the Old man...

Which one should I choose? It's between Solarius Sanctum of Nodesmiths and Aurora Archane Academy.... Although, I find the Cosmos Fascinating, I would not like to study about it in a world full of Powerhouses...

After a few minutes of thinking, Dante finally came into a conclusion.

Aurora Archane Academy although matches me, I am not confident enough to show my technique there.. What if the technique is a forgotten and a forbidden technique?... Although it's unlikely, if it were true then it's likely that I would be tortured to reveal how I got the technique...

Dante shuddered slightly at the thought of being tortured.

Solarius Sanctum of Nodesmiths is my final choice... The entrance for the Academy will begin tomorrow..... I don't have enough time. It's already quite fortunate that I reached the kingdom before it.

The Academy is also not free. It's fees is 20 Radiant Shards. This is quite cheap... The Kingdom really puts emphasis on the the Education and the supernatural sector....

The good thing is that it's not difficult to enter the Solarius Sanctum... You just need to be little skilled and hardworking.The academy focuses on nurturing people who are hardworking along with being skilled. But it's also mentioned that upon entering the academy, you sign a contract with the kingdom , that you will stay here and contribute to the kingdom for atleast a year after becoming a Nodesmith. This is only applicable to people who are not from the kingdom...

A years... I can manage it.

It's also mentioned that the tests keep on changing every year. So it's not possible to be prepared beforehand.

He then recalled the information of the academy.

Solarius sanctum of Nodesmiths was established in the year 1532 and It's currently 1678. The Academy mainly focuses on nurturing Neophytes in becoming Nodesmiths. The headmaster of the Academy is Mr. Alraic Terranis...

After some time, he got up and put the book back in the shelf. Dante then strolled around the Library for a few minutes.

The library doesn't has anything about the Epoch's that the Old man told me... Upon entering the academy, I would search it's library before coming to a conclusion.

He then sighed before he left the library.

I also have the Imperial Essence Lily. Selling it would give me a lot of money.. But where should I sell it?... Solar square must be the place.

Dante then walked towards the Solar Square and searched for a shop to sell the Lily. After some time, he saw a shop that was selling various herbs and flowers that were brimming with Essence.

Dante walked towards the shop. The face of the owner of the shop was covered with a black scarf. He was wearing a dark blue cloak.

He is a Nodesmith...

“ I have something that you might be interested in buying. Do you want to see it? ”

Dante said calmly gazing at the grey eyes of the owner.

The owner sized up Dante for a moment before slightly nodding.

Dante then took out the Imperial Essence Lily and showed it to the owner.

“ This is the Imperial Essence Lily. I am sure you must be interested in it , Hehe. ”

Dante chuckled a little. The owner on the other hand raised his eyes a little bit. He said with his hoarse voice,

“ What price? ”

Dante calmly replied,

“ What are you willing to pay for this? ”

The owner stopped for a few second, before continuing-

“..... 70 Radiant Shards. That is my price.. ”

Dante deeply gazed at the owner's eyes before saying,

“ Too low. 200 Radiant Shards. This is something that can amplify the attacks of Nodesmiths. You know it's not worth 70 Radiant Shards. 200 Radiant Shards is the minimum I can do. It's value isn't worth any lower. ”

“ Also, I want some information on the Nodes of the Neophyte. They should be extremely Detailed. ”

The seller looked at Dante for a while who was grinning slightly.

“This is acceptable....Wait for a minute, let me take out the information you need. ”

He then took out a small notebook that was near the counter and closed his eyes. He then placed his hands on his head.

Suddenly, an ocean like Essence surged on his hands which had little symbols on it. He then touched the empty pages on the counter and suddenly, a large amount of text appeared on the notebook.

He then took out a ring that was embedded with a green ruby and threw it towards Dante.

“ The ring contains 180 Radiant Shards. The remaining 20 Shards have been deducted for the cost of the ring. If you don't want the ring, you can tell me. ”

“This is fine. ”

Dante slowly nodded before he injected the ring with his Essence. Instantly, a white space appeared in front of him. On the ground of the space were Sharda that were of Green colour. Dante counted them and after a while stopped the flow of the Essence.

“There are 180 Radiant Shards. The deal is closed. ”