Chapter 14: The Magic Academy of Heliriox

Sassen is the imperial capital and also the birthplace of magic.
Of course, at that time, magic was not called magic but alchemy, and those who practiced it were known as alchemists.
The origins of alchemy can be traced back a thousand years ago, when the orcs were defeated and driven to the distant west of the continent by the alliance. However, humans discovered that in the mountains in the southeast of the continent lived terrifying creatures even more powerful than the orcs—dragons!
Dragons posed a great threat to the lives and property of humans and other races. Many warriors went to slay them, but they soon realized that a dragon’s strength could not be overcome solely through force.
By then, the elves had been forced to hide in the jungles; they were no longer allies of humans. Other races, such as dwarves and barbarians, also had tense relations with humans. Thus, humans could no longer seek help from their former allies.
At that time, there was a special profession among humans called smelters, the predecessors of alchemists. They first created substances harmful to the body, and these formulas were the beginnings of magic.
Later, alchemists discovered that by communicating with dragons through certain languages, they could weaken or even restrict the dragons’ movements in battle—this was the origin of curses.
Since dragons hoarded vast amounts of treasure, it inspired some greedy individuals to seek ways to obtain it. They gathered many alchemists to refine alchemy. To distinguish it, they named their refined version “magic,” which is known today as ancient magic.
During the reign of King Sassen I, magic was further refined, and a distinction was made between black magic and white magic.
Black magic mainly involved various forms of enhancement, cursing, attacking, transformation, summoning, and body control. It also included a small amount of barrier magic and magic that allowed one to drain another’s life force, all serving as means of causing harm. Black magic was not necromancy, and white magic had no special effect on black magicians themselves.
White magic, on the other hand, focused on healing, barriers, summoning, blessings, and mind control. Later, aggressive area spells like [Holy Light] and single-target attack spells like [Light Arrow] also appeared.
If white magicians represent the fair use of magic, then black magicians embody the exploration of magic’s dark side.
In modern times, the applications of magic have become more diverse. White magic can now be used for attack, and black magic can be used for defense.
It is worth noting that green magic, or nature magic, falls within the category of black magic to some extent.

※※※
Eurichen, a land belonging to Sassen in the Imperial Imperial City, means “place of origin” in ancient languages.
Sassen is also home to the empire’s most famous building—the Sassen Magic Academy, Heliorox, which means “remnants of the saints.”
Heliorox, abbreviated as Riorox, was the residence of magicians hundreds of years ago. At that time, no less than 30,000 magicians lived here, making it a “city of magicians.”
Politically and administratively, although Eurichen belongs to Sassen, it is not guarded by the Imperial Royal Knights because it is a “free nation” for magicians—a promise made by the king of Sassen to dark magicians hundreds of years ago.
Moreover, the empire has no right to order any dark magician from Riorox to do something they do not want to do, but dark magicians from Riorox are obligated to assist the empire to a certain extent.
In general, dark magicians from Riorox are free and have a bright future. After graduation, you can choose to join the Royal Magicians and enjoy noble treatment, or you can stay and focus on your magical research.
However, most dark magicians from Riorox choose the former after graduation, as researching magic requires a large amount of funding that individuals cannot afford.
In short, becoming a magician is the best path to joining the upper nobility of the empire—of course, provided you have outstanding talent and are a powerful dark magician.
If that’s the case, not only the empire but also the Heliorox Magic Academy will invite you to become a professor.
So, strength is the foundation of everything!
And Jiang Zhe understood this truth in his past life…
But before he could achieve such strength, Jiang Zhe encountered a problem—a very awkward problem…
The old drunkard Niman was right. The 20 gold coins left for Jiang Zhe by Old Loy were indeed a considerable sum, but they were far from enough to enroll in Heliorox, let alone the fact that Jiang Zhe now had less than 18 gold coins…
Somehow, he suddenly remembered a saying he heard in his past life: Heaven is kind, but it is also fair—sometimes, behind what seems like luck lies even greater misfortune!
Tch!
Indeed, Jiang Zhe was lucky to arrive on the last day when Heliorox accepted students, but what lay behind this luck?

Looking at the notice on the wall of Rexx Magic Academy, he had no interest in admiring the moving text or the patterns of flowers blooming beside it. What mattered to him were the admission requirements written there:
1. Approval from parents, relatives, or guardians is required.
2. Age must be between ten and twenty; those with exceptional talent are exempt.
3. An admission fee of five hundred gold coins is required to cover magic studies, meals, and accommodation.
“Five hundred gold coins? Why don’t you just rob someone?” Jiang Zhe was furious. Then he thought of a dark joke: because that would be faster than stealing money…
Watching the once bustling crowd outside Rexx Magic Academy gradually thin out, with many kids signing up accompanied by their parents and waving happily at their relatives inside the gates, Jiang Zhe couldn’t help feeling a bit lonely.
Money can’t be created out of thin air, but without it, nothing can be done! Jiang Zhe once again confirmed the truth of this saying.
“Well…” A middle-aged magician wearing a magic cloak glanced at the crowd around and, seeing no more students signing up, turned to an elderly magician with gray hair beside him and said, “Is it almost done, Dean?”
“Hmm,” the old magician nodded, glanced at the crowd, and smiled, “Wait a bit longer!”
Following the old magician’s gaze, the middle-aged magician suddenly saw a child around ten years old pushing through the crowd and running up to him, saying, “I want to learn magic!” The child had dark golden hair, which was quite rare.
Looking around in confusion, the middle-aged magician asked, “Child, where are your parents?”
That child was Jiang Zhe, clutching the dozen or so gold coins he had. He had been standing in the crowd for about two hours, hesitating. But when he saw signs that Rexx Academy might stop accepting new students, he couldn’t hold back any longer.
“I came alone!”
Hearing those firm words, the old magician smiled slightly. He had noticed this child standing in the corner of the crowd, quietly watching them, along with the longing in his eyes…
“Alone?” The middle-aged magician was slightly surprised and asked hopefully, “Then, child, do you have five hundred gold coins?”
“I don’t…”
As expected! The middle-aged magician frowned, looking troubled. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a light laugh beside him.
“Child, where are you from?”
The Dean?
“From the west, west of Ron’s place!”

“Ron…” The old magician tapped his forehead thoughtfully before recalling that it was a small city far to the west. And to the west of Ron was nothing but…
The old magician frowned and said in a deep voice, “Child! Lying is not something to be praised!”
“I think unjustly suspecting others isn’t something to be praised either!” Jiang Zhe replied.
The old magician’s silver-white beard trembled as he studied the child before him. He noticed that although the child wore tattered clothes, his gaze was extremely firm—so firm that it didn’t resemble that of a ten-year-old at all.
“You’re right. I’m sorry, little one! But unfortunately, you don’t meet the admission standards…”
“Respected Mage, are you referring to the third criterion?” Jiang Zhe asked calmly, though there was a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
What an interesting kid!
Waving his hand to send the middle-aged magician away, the old magician nodded deliberately and said, “What if I say yes?”
“Then I’ll have no choice but to go back. After all, you are a respected great mage…”
“Hahaha,” the old magician laughed. He found the child increasingly interesting. Bending down, he asked, “How do you know I’m a great mage?”
“Intuition!” Jiang Zhe shrugged. Then, looking at the old magician seriously, he said, “Respected great mage, you know, I’ve always believed that just because someone is poor now doesn’t mean they’ll stay poor forever…”
“…” The old magician was stunned.
“So, if possible, please allow me to owe those five hundred gold coins for now…”
Owe them for now? Was there such a thing? The middle-aged magician wore a strange expression, turning to glance at the old magician, only to see him deep in thought.
“Child? Why do you want to learn magic?” the old magician asked in a solemn tone.
“There’s no reason. I want to become a powerful dark mage. That’s all!”
A powerful dark mage…
The old magician seemed to remember something. Looking at Jiang Zhe, he smiled slightly and nodded, “Very good, child. Remember, you owe five hundred gold coins to Rexox Academy! Um… five hundred gold coins per year!”
“Hmm?” Jiang Zhe was momentarily stunned before suddenly understanding. Nodding, he said, “Yes, I’ll remember!”
“Very good. Go in!”
Watching the child’s back, seeing how unbothered he was by the gossip over his old clothes, the old magician smiled slightly and said to the middle-aged magician beside him, “What an interesting kid!”

“Heh, heh!” The middle-aged magician forced a few laughs. He was surprised by the child’s boldness, but after thinking for a moment, he hesitantly said, “Dean, is this really okay?”
“There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just five hundred gold coins—those nobles might spend more on a single meal… Confidence is a prerequisite for being a magician…”
I have a feeling that Rex has recruited a kid who will become something great in the future…
“What’s that child’s name?”
“Uh, didn’t you ask?”
“…”