Second floor of the Mages' Guildhall.

Thesis Defense Hall.

Fuller sat in a chair, facing Selrandis.

"Lady Selrandis, what do you plan to name this new spell?"

"Rosen Rush. Isn't it clearly written in the thesis?" Selrandis pointed at the draft thesis papers nearby.

Fuller's brows rose: "I thought that was just a temporary name, and the final one should be Selrandis Rush."

He paused, then earnestly advised:

"I know your apprentice is outstanding, and you are very fond of him, one could even say indulgent, but naming a spell is a solemn affair. It's best not to hastily insert personal feelings."

Selrandis' expression was aloof, completely indifferent.

"This has nothing to do with personal feelings. The inspiration for this thesis came mostly from my apprentice, but he isn't a formal mage yet, so I as his mentor submitted it."

"Even as a proxy submission, I would feel deeply ashamed to deprive him of the naming rights. That would be despicable."

Fuller didn't expect this response, but after pondering it, he found it reasonable.

This thesis took a completely different approach from Selrandis' usual style, focusing on low-level, low-tier spells. He just didn't realize it was the apprentice's work.

He turned to look at the silent youth beside him, appraising him seriously for the first time.

The boy was on the short side, skinny, with a very youthful look about him, like a sapling that hadn't fully grown. But his eyes were bright and determined, with none of a teenager's shyness or sensitivity.

Recalling his previous magical performance, Fuller immediately took a liking to the lad.

"Is what your mentor says true?"

Rosen hadn't expected Selrandis to insist so firmly. He didn't expect naming rights at first, but since things had developed to this point, he naturally had to uphold his mentor's reputation.

"My mentor is an upright and noble woman, who would never deign to lie."

He paused, then explained:

"Of course, the initial inspiration did come from me, but completing this thesis required my mentor's expertise. So I personally don't insist on putting my name on the spell."

Fuller laughed at this: "Others fight desperately to get their names on spells, yet you two are actually demurring. How about this - let's take one character from each of your names, and call it the Selro Rush?"

"And this ingenious Levitation spell can be Selro Levitation too."

Selrandis glanced at her apprentice. Rosen blinked to indicate agreement.

She didn't insist further: "That's fine."

With the spell names settled, Fuller immediately moved on to evaluating the thesis' worth.

"Undoubtedly, the Selro Rush is an extremely valuable mobility burst spell."

"Not only does it greatly lower the threshold for using mobility bursts, it also significantly increases the combat power of low-tier mages. Its magical principles also greatly improve the fundamentals of gravity-type spells."

"We can foresee that with this contribution, gravity-type spells will see tremendous development."

The elderly mage placed a hand on the manuscript, his voice clear as if giving a speech.

"Additionally, this thesis precisely defines the abstract concept of 'force'. It will impact not just spellcraft, but all aspects of society."

"In that sense, this thesis on spellcrafting can be considered invaluable."

"However!"

The elder mage's tone changed: "According to the rules of thesis evaluation, subsequent social impact cannot be quantified and is not calculated. Its value should be left for later people to judge."

"What can be calculated now is only the Selro Rush itself, and its outstanding contributions to the field of gravity spells."

Having said this, he looked to Selrandis and gave his final verdict:

"Aside from tremendous prestige, this thesis will also directly bring you 100 crowns in income."

"As for the Selro Rush - if you choose installment payments, each copy sold will bring you 2 krays in royalties for 10 years. If you choose a lump sum buyout, that would be 200 crowns."

"The Selro Levitation spell is quite ingenious, but too low in power. Its price is a quarter of the Rush spell - 50 crowns for a buyout."

"Now, tell me your choice."

The two had already discussed this beforehand.

Selrandis softly said, "I choose a lump sum buyout..."

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"Wait a moment."

Before she could finish speaking, Guildmaster Fellen's voice sounded from the doorway.

He strode into the hall and stood by the round table.

All the mages in the hall rose and greeted the Guildmaster.

Fellen waved a hand, indicating everyone should mind their own business. He strode over to Fuller's table.

"According to the rules of the Mages' Guild, the total value of this thesis and both spells is only 350 crowns."

"But an esteemed nobleperson believes that dismissing the thesis author with only 350 crowns would highlight the miserliness and foolishness of Moonstride's mage community."

"Thus, this esteemed person made an exception by raising the reward. On top of the 350 crown base reward, they added this."

As he spoke, Guildmaster Fellen took out a deed written on blue-gold paper.

"Ownership rights to a 2-story stone townhouse and surrounding grounds in Greenleaf District, total land area 3.6 rams."

At this news, all the mages in the hall gasped, looking at Selrandis with envy.

In Moonstride, Greenleaf District was second only to Crescent District as an upper-class area. Built less than fifty years ago, almost all buildings were stone. It was one of Moonstride's top areas for the wealthy.

A 3.6 ram courtyard would cost at least 2000 crowns.

Rosen was also secretly shocked - '3.6 rams, about 3 acres. Not a small estate.'

Guildmaster Fellen placed the deed on the table and tapped it lightly with a finger, giving Selrandis a benevolent smile.

"My lady, this deed is yours now. You may freely dispose of it - live there, sell it, rent it out, anything you wish."

Selrandis was also very surprised, but having been a noble lady, she had seen much of the world and maintained her composure.

She felt perplexed, and even more uneasy.

"Which esteemed personage is so generous?"

Fellen shrugged. "The noble wishes to remain anonymous, but trust me, this is just a generous gift, to reward your virtue of freely sharing precious knowledge. Nothing more."

Having said this, he turned and left the Thesis Evaluation department.

After the Guildmaster left, the mages instantly relaxed and began animated discussions.

"Who's so generous?"

"This thesis really hit the jackpot! A whole house... Ah, it exceeds my 20 years of Guild earnings!"

"That young apprentice, Rosen was it? Very capable for his tender age."

"I know that brat. Perhaps some talent in spellcraft, but a debauched reprobate in morals!"

"Oh my... The fallen snowbird flies back to the branch~"

Fuller already had a rough guess about the 'noble's' identity, and shrugged. "Lady Selrandis, you've been blessed by fortune lately."

Selrandis also had an inkling, so she relaxed. After all, she had nothing for that personage to covet.

A faint smile appeared on her usually aloof face. "Yes, I have been quite lucky recently, it seems the Goddess of Fate smiles upon me."

As she spoke, she glanced at the silent apprentice beside her, her smile deepening slightly.

"But I still choose a lump sum buyout. So pay me the 350 crown reward."

Fuller shrugged. "I admit the Guild's accounting system is slow and prone to mistakes, but with your patron, it shouldn't be too bad."

"On long term payments, you could potentially earn over 1000 crowns."

But Selrandis shook her head firmly. "I insist."

"Alright then."

After some work, Fuller passed a token to his deputy. "Aldred - go get the money."

While waiting for the money, Fuller turned to Rosen with a smile. "Young man, have you learned the Three Virtues and Six Techniques?"

The Three Virtues and Six Techniques referred to the 9 standard spells a formal mage had to know - 3 support, 6 attack.

Following etiquette, Rosen first looked to his mentor for guidance.

"Fuller is your elder. You may frankly tell him of your magical progress."

With his mentor approving the man's character, Rosen answered honestly.

"Still learning. I've only learned one Virtue and one Technique so far."

The one Virtue was Flight, the one Technique was Magic Missile.

Fuller was somewhat surprised. "You've only been studying a short while, yes? Or did you have other mentors before this?"

Selrandis had come alone to submit a thesis a month and a half ago.

"I just started two months ago." Rosen still didn't conceal anything.

Revealing talent might invite jealousy from rivals, but could also gain a nobleman's favor.

Sure enough, Fuller was shocked. "Such progress in just two months? What about meditation - how long has that been?"

"Half a year." Rosen added some time, afraid of startling him.

"Low-tier mana in half a year... Ha. Lady Selrandis, he's catching up to your old records."

As chance would have it, Fuller also graduated from Laphraya Academy in Icydale, so he roughly knew about Selrandis' past.

Selrandis lightly shook her head. "Low-tier is just the beginning. The road ahead remains long. Fuller, your words may foster complacency in my apprentice, which would not be good."

"Very well, very well."

Fuller smiled gently, took out a blue-gold certificate from his drawer, signed his name and passed it to Rosen.

"Lady Selrandis and I were schoolmates, and are friends. Her mental state is much better now than before. It seems you've fulfilled an apprentice's duties well."

"As your elder, I should give you a welcoming gift."

"Here - this is a purchase certificate for a 4-star low-tier spell. Take it."

Rosen was startled. "Fuller, this is too valuable."

Such a spell would sell for at least 40 crowns. The gift was a bit extravagant.

Selrandis said, "Fuller enjoys nurturing young talents. Just accept it."

At this, Rosen respectfully accepted it with both hands. "I'm deeply grateful for your generous gift, Mr. Fuller. I will certainly focus on spellcraft and live up to your expectations."

Fuller was very pleased. With a hearty laugh he said, "Haha, a smart lad who understands propriety."

Rosen thought to himself, 'I've entered the mages' circle now.'

Back then, Cyrus took a 10 crown job to hunt bandits. Now just following a powerful mentor directly earned him a 40 crown spell.

Soon, Mage Aldred came over with the money, packed neatly in a flat wooden box - seven rows of fifty gleaming gold crowns that dazzled the eyes.

"Put it away."

Naturally the vulgar job of handling money fell to Rosen. As always he bowed first before accepting the box with both hands.

After that, Selrandis bid Fuller farewell and both of them left the Thesis Evaluation department.

Walking into the main hall again, Rosen noticed many gazes falling on him - surprise, envy, jealousy, everything.

He vaguely heard discussions like "One thesis, one house" and "Unjust fate, the debauched reprobate also has his springtime."

In any case, after this incident, both famous and infamous, the mage community of Moonstride now knew there was a character named Rosen.

'So I've now entered the outermost circle of Moonstride's mage community. Some are jealous, some appreciative.'

He wondered if he'd ever make it to the central spot.

Back in the carriage, Selrandis said, "Save the money for tests."

In private, Rosen was more relaxed. "Mentor, I can also earn money from painting. Use this money to decorate the new home!"

Selrandis was quite tempted, but still refused. "New home... No, that house is too big. Living there would have high expenses."

But Rosen didn't think so. An outstanding person like his mentor shouldn't keep living in a rundown cottage.

"Mentor, have you heard this saying?"

"What is it?"

"In Moonstride, the best ingredients go to Crescent District, next best to Greenleaf, and only the remainder is sold at the markets."

"Good ingredients make truly delicious food."

Selrandis' heart stirred greatly, her mouth even started watering.

"But Greenleaf's cost of living really is quite high. If we live there, it'd be hard to save money."

"Then earn more... Look, my paintings are gaining some fame now. I can go to wealthy households for portrait commissions, not just beauty portraits."

"That's proper work with decent, steady income. No need to worry about insufficient funds."

His arguments were quite convincing. After all, everyone desires a good life.

Selrandis was finally persuaded. "Alright, let's move then."