Chapter 33 (1/2)
Chapter 33: A Glimmer of Sunlight in a Cold Cruel World (2)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Eliard calmed down. Although his spirits remained gloomy, he was still able to keep himself under control.
When Link was sure that Eliard wouldn’t lose his temper anymore, he stepped forward and gave Vincent a reverent Magician’s bow. “Mr. Vincent, may I ask, how do I prove my own insight in magic?” he respectfully asked.
“Simple, all you need to do is write a thesis that shows your understanding of the world and the universe.” Vincent closed his eyes and lazily rocked in his chair. That good-looking young man had calmed down, but really, he was a bit disappointed. Had the boy dared to raise his hand, Vincent would’ve gladly carved a few magic runes on that pretty little face.
“Oh, could you be a bit more specific?” Link’s attitude was deferential, and that made Vincent happy.
“Your thesis need not be about magic, as long as you show a unique perspective and a deep deductive power, and if this thesis of yours receives approval of one of the tutors, you will be accepted into the academy. But of course, the tuition fees would still be 2000 gold coins, or if you come from a noble family, 1000 gold coins.”
“I see.”
Link was deep in thought for about five seconds, then he had come up with an idea. He then said in a tone full of regard, “Mr. Vincent, sir, thank you very much for your guidance.”
“Ha, now that is a young man befitting of a Magician.” Vincent leaned back in his chair on the courtyard. He nodded slightly, then looked at Eliard and said, “You, on the other hand, are just too brash. That attitude of yours needs some mending, otherwise, you’ll be regretting it when it’s too late!”
Eliard snorted, then turned his head around. He felt his blood boil again from the sight of that self-assured old geezer.
Link stepped backward a few steps until he reached Eliard’s side. “Let’s go back for now,” he said softly.
Eliard nodded. His face was pale, but he still followed behind Link.
He felt as if he couldn’t face his friend. He had thought that he could enter the academy, then somehow help Link. But now, all his plans had crumbled.
Once they were about 100 feet away from the school, Link consoled Eliard with a smile.
“Come on, stop being angry, he was just a Level-2 Magician. Once you enter the academy, I’m sure you could easily surpass him with your level of talent. When that day comes, he’d definitely flatter you like a lapdog.”
“I’m afraid there’s no way for me to enter the academy. I’ll never be able to get 1500 gold coins, that’s just too expensive!” Eliard’s face was full of dejection. He was just hit with a huge roadblock, and he had given up hope.
I have 200 gold coins, I can live comfortably as a commoner, marry a beautiful girl, live a decent life without becoming a Magician, how bad can that be? The idea flashed through his mind.
As these thoughts ran through his head, Eliard let out a long sigh.
All these years, magic had been his only goal in life, yet it had always brought him misery and pain, never once an ounce of happiness. He simply couldn’t bear it anymore.
Link saw the way Eliard looked and could guess what was on his mind. He softly patted Eliard’s shoulder, smiled, and said, “Don’t worry, my friend, it’s just the matter of fees. You don’t have to be so gloomy. I’ve still got 1300 gold coins with me, I can lend it to you, and add that to your 200 gold coins, then you’d have just enough to enter the academy.”
“What did you say?!” Eliard couldn’t help but gasp. He thought he misheard.
This was 1300 gold coins—not silver coins, not copper coins—gold coins. That was an amount of money that normal people couldn’t even imagine. It was about the amount that a few thousand commoners in River Cove town needed for food and other necessities in a year.
And now, this young man whom he had just met had offered this much money to him. He was dumbfounded and was unsure of what to think. He was a mixed bag of emotions: happiness, alarm, doubt, worry, and reluctance.