Bastion and the party had settled into a steady rhythm of clearing the orc dungeon a few times a week after classes. The rest of their time was spent attending lectures, visiting the library, or studying.
In Bastion's view, the academy was similar to a university in that students had free rein over the education they pursued. The curriculum was just as advanced, with the difficulty level rising well beyond standard general education as students progressed through the core courses.
The main difference was the absence of a formal degree upon graduation. Instead, students took pride in simply having graduated from the Royal Academy. While that prestige was mostly recognized within the kingdom, it still served as valuable bragging rights.
Classes maintained a high academic standard, with the added benefit of no assigned homework. Whether students actually learned anything was not the academy's concern. Those who failed could simply retake the course, provided they could afford the required fees.
This structure compelled students to take their education seriously, lest they squander the limited funds available to them during their time at the academy.
Of course, there were still students who lacked drive and took their education for granted, but they were usually nobles destined for political marriages and had little need for academic achievement.
Bastion relished the opportunity for higher education, something he had never experienced growing up. He took his lessons seriously and paid close attention during lectures, not just for the sake of grades but because he genuinely found the lessons fascinating.
Having given up smithing to prioritize leveling up, Bastion was left with only magic as his primary area of focus, one he couldn't afford to neglect.
He had several reasons for this. First, a deeper understanding of magic directly enhanced his combat capabilities. Second, passing his increasingly difficult classes required him to keep up with the material. Most importantly, mastering magic was essential for the future of his smithing, as it would allow him to create the machines he envisioned.
As a result, whatever time he had left after classes, dungeon runs, and library visits was dedicated to studying magic. In his remaining hours, he immersed himself in spells, inscriptions, runes, ancient scripts, essentially, the language of magic itself.
He began to notice striking similarities between magic and a blend of engineering and computer science. Runes functioned like complete commands, each with its own purpose. Magic circuits acted as the connections between those commands, combining them into complex effects. All of it had to be inscribed onto materials capable of conducting mana, forming the "hardware" for the "software" of magic.
The real challenge, however, was memorizing and integrating all the disparate pieces of this intricate system.
On Earth, engineers and programmers relied on computers to run simulations, debug errors, and analyze performance. On Gaia, no such tool existed. Magic didn't allow for safe simulations, errors meant wasted materials, lost mana, or worse. This made the learning process far more demanding.
Fortunately, heightened Intelligence allowed Bastion to process information quickly, while high Wisdom helped him retain vast amounts of knowledge. In essence, wizards were expected to become living computers.
But the cost of this intense study was steep. The process was slow, mentally exhausting, and often left Bastion with splitting headaches from overuse. To sustain the effort, he needed constant nourishment and long hours of sleep.
That was where Elyra came in. Whenever Bastion dedicated a full day to magical study, she would prepare and feed him five meals a day to keep his mind sharp and his energy levels high.
The food Elyra cooked was of exceptional quality, surpassing anything Earth could ever produce. This was largely due to the use of Rank 1 ingredients, which would have been prohibitively expensive if not for the generous supply provided by his family before he left.
Although the kingdom had access to an abundance of food from its farms and the great forest, the heavy taxes imposed by the central empire ensured that the finest produce was sent away. What remained was often little more than scraps, barely enough to sustain the local population.
As a result, ingredients of Rank 1 and above were only available to those with direct access to them, such as the military, adventurers who eat their kill, or individuals with the wealth to afford them.
Bastion was fortunate to enjoy this privilege thanks to his noble lineage, and Elyra prepared his meals with care and expertise every day.
Still, even the best cuts of meat could become monotonous. From time to time, Bastion would visit the academy cafeteria to indulge in a change of flavor and enjoy the lively atmosphere where students gathered to eat and socialize.
As the heir to the Diamondhart dukedom, Bastion was expected not only to excel in his studies but also to build connections with local talents and noble families. To that end, he often spent time in the cafeteria, quietly observing the crowd. His favorite pastime.
He wasn't required to act like a politician or draw attention to himself, but he was expected to know who was who. When someone caught his interest, he would discreetly ask Elyra to investigate.
She carried out her tasks with practiced precision, whether by slipping into the shadows to observe directly, eavesdropping on gossip with finely trained ears, or visiting the seedier parts of Southspire where an information broker usually had the answers she needed. She would then report her finding to Bastion who would keep the information locked in his mind for future use.
His primary targets were those with talent or noble lineage tied to resource-rich lands and thriving enterprises. Among them, a few names stood out immediately.
Lady Serina Vauntail, the Alchemy Prodigy, hailed from a minor barony rich in minerals and alchemical herbs. Quiet and studious, her potions had already made waves in academy duels, second only to Seraphina's, and whispers of royal interest trailed closely behind her work. Bastion saw her as both a strategic mind and a gateway to rare resources.
Lord Caldus Greymark, the Young Warlord, was heir to a military house supplying steel, soldiers, and siege engines. A student by title but a captain in practice, his presence carried weight. With his family's land bordering the southern mountains rich in metal, Bastion knew that earning his favor could mean securing a supply line to build his projects with.
Then there was Eliane, the Merchant Heiress. Not of noble birth, but her family's businesses rivaled the wealth of nobles. She controlled the flow of enchanted goods and even ran the student banking system. Bastion admired her grip on the academy's economy, seeing in her the kind of ally who could move mountains without lifting a sword.
Of course, Bastion did not limit his attention solely to the future titans of the economy or the nobility with powerful resources. He also kept a close eye on those who seemed insignificant, students with little talent, modest backgrounds, or unimpressive abilities.
To him, these overlooked individuals often held hidden potential or unique qualities that could prove valuable in unexpected ways. Sometimes it was the underestimated who became the wild cards in the complex game of alliances and power, and Bastion knew better than to ignore them completely.
Beyond the studies, battles, and political intrigues, Bastion also found himself appreciating the atmosphere of the academy. This was a magical world, where fantasy had come to life after all.
Whenever he needed a break, he would stroll through the academy grounds and take in the sights.
The castle itself was a marvel, its towering presence a seamless blend of old world grandeur, disciplined academia, and quiet magic. Every corridor felt alive, humming with enchantments and history. It was not just a place of learning, but a monument to the very idea of magical civilization, where the walls themselves seemed to watch, remember, and guide.
The Beast Warren radiated untamed beauty, a haven where magical beasts lived in harmony. It felt less like a zoo and more like a sacred preserve, alive with power and mutual respect. Bastion often found himself admiring the quiet strength of the creatures and the raw, unfiltered nature of the magic that surrounded them.
The Botanical Sanctum was a dreamlike space, lush and serene, as though the garden itself was breathing. Every visit was calming, the air heavy with magic and life. It was not just a place for herbs and study, but a retreat, a reminder of magic's gentler side in a world full of power and ambition.
Bastion would have loved to remain at the academy for another decade if he could. There was more than enough knowledge to keep him endlessly occupied, and with the tranquil atmosphere and magical environment, he could have been content simply continuing to learn.
But he had made a promise to his parents to take up the responsibilities of the dukedom. So instead, he could only cherish the memory of this place as best he could.
The last stop on Bastion's usual stroll was often the Training Grounds, where duels were fought and reputations made. There was an energy in the air, a sharpness born of steel, magic, force, and ambition. It was a place where theory met practice, and Bastion always paused to take in the atmosphere.
Soon, that same arena would host the Academy Competition, and his battle for resources was fast approaching.
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