824 61 Days to Go Side Story: Year 24 of the Arcana Calendar (1/2)

The lights on the Triumph Avenue of Rentato were just on. The wind at the late spring was still somewhat chilly as the night fell, forcing the passersby on the street to cover themselves more tightly.

Donnie pressed his black top hat and got off from the bright yellow bus. Roaming on the street that was as bright as day, he walked toward the ”Knowledge Bookstore” near the Triumph Square.

”Has Herald of Arcana and Magic for this week come?” Donnie asked the bearded boss.

The boss, who had deep yellow hair, replied without raising his head, ”No, and it will never come again.”

”Is that so…” Donnie did not sound surprised. He simply heaved a sigh, as if he had seen it coming, with complicated feelings.

The boss finally raised his head and observed him with a pair of owl eyes. ”What's to be sorry about? After the magic stream screens were popularized into home televisions, and Ms. Heidi made major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, it was only a matter of time for such a poorly-poised newspaper to disappear.”

His weird pupils reflected a handsome young man who was no more than twenty years old. It was supposed to be the most vigorous years of his life, but his blue eyes were full of exhaustion and depression.

Donnie said with a bitter smile, ”I grew up reading the Herald of Arcana and Magic. It guided me to embark on the arcana path and pursue the truth of the world. For me, it is a beautiful memory and a part of my life that I will never forget.”

Thanks to the popularization of magic radios and TVs and the application of artificial intelligence, the citizens now had plenty more sources of information. They were much less dependent on the newspaper. Now that the basic knowledge of arcana had been disseminated, most ordinary people were not interested in the more sophisticated arcana theories anymore because they seemed unrelated to life. After all, they could learn the introductions from the mainstream newspapers, the radios, and the home TVs. Therefore, Herald of Arcana and Magic, as a newspaper that introduced arcana and magic, was no longer necessary, and the circulation had plummeted.

The magic apprentices and arcanists were not likely to buy the newspaper either, because they had more professional academic journals such as ”Allyn Impression” that better met their appetites and News of the World. So, since three years ago, or year 21 of the arcana calendar, a lot of such newspapers had gone bankrupt. Finally, it was Herald of Arcana and Magic's turn despite its fame and the fact that it represented the golden years of arcana.

The boss of the bookstore pointed at the bookshelves. ”If you want to learn the basics of arcana, there are many professional books here. If you want to learn the latest trend of arcana studies, you can subscribe to Allyn Impression or watch the News of the World TV Channel every day. There really isn't any need to read Herald of Arcana and Magic.”

Under the bright magic lamps, the rows of blue or black books emitted weird colors and made Donnie felt dizzy. His veins bulging, he said, ”That will be unnecessary. I haven't grasped my own books yet.”

He had come to the Triumph Square on the bus because Herald of Arcana and Magic was already unavailable near his school, but the Knowledge Bookstore still had it. Little did he expect that Herald of Arcana and Magic could not sustain any longer after only one month.

The boss chuckled. He looked at the badges of magic apprentice and intern arcanist on the chest of Donnie's black robe, as well as an emblem that was seven bright leaves on a black background, before he remarked, ”You're a fifth-grader of 'Nature's Heart School', aren't you? There are only 61 days to go until the College Entrance Exam of Advanced Magic, and you're still buying Herald of Arcana and Magic? You should focus on your studies.”

The moment he heard the ”College Entrance Exam of Advanced Magic”, Donnie's facial muscles cramped, and he looked confused, agitated, and depressed. ”It's the weekend today. There are no classes until eight at night…”

He explained subconsciously before he smiled in self-mockery. Why do I bother to explain that to him?

After twenty years of evolution, under the lead of the Congress of Magic, a three-tier school system, namely generic schools, alchemical and vocational schools, and advanced magic colleges, had been established on the whole continent.

The generic schools were mainly open to children and adults who did not know how to read. The education would take five years. Then, after passing the exams that included measurement of spiritual power and tests of basic arcana theories, the graduates would go to the preliminary magic schools, where they would become magic apprentices, professional alchemy workers, or take part in other occupations.

The preliminary magic schools had a five-year curriculum too. Through the real basic education of magic and arcana, qualified magic apprentices and intern arcanists were raised. Eventually, they would take the College Entrance Exam of Advanced Magic and be admitted to the major magic colleges.

In the College Entrance Exam, those who had already become official sorcerers would receive bonus scores.

Donnie was about to leave when the boss smiled and said, ”I can see that you have no magic items with you except for the three badges that the school gave you. I don't think you're from a rich family. You'd better focus on your studies.”

Under such a school system, the magic items and potions that could relieve fatigue, keep the mind sharp, and increase memory abilities were favored by most students.

Although such accessories and potions were forbidden in the real College Entrance Exam, they were of great help for the students to improve their learning efficiency. So, nobody would refuse them, unless they couldn't afford them.

Donnie blushed immediately. Shy and awkward, he was about to flee from the embarrassing bookstore.

”I have a 'Lucidity Necklace' here that I can rent you for two months…” The boss' unemotional voice came into Donnie's ears and made him stop.

Then, he turned around abruptly and looked at the boss. ”Why?”

He was both excited and suspicious. However, his eyes caught a book named ”Recognizing Different Deceptive Magic Contracts”, which was written by Lucien Evans, on the bookshelf. He thought to himself, Do I have to pay my soul as the price?

The boss chuckled. ”I am a loyal reader of the Herald of Arcana and Magic too. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bought it in the end. So, when I see you, I feel that I see myself from a long time ago… Why, are you scared that I have other purposes? You are free to bring the contract to the city hall for assessment.”

”I… Do I need to pay anything?” More or less relaxed, Donnie asked earnestly.

The boss thought for a moment. ”A down payment of ten coins, and working for me for two months after your College Entrance Exam.”