The teenager frowned slightly at Adam's question. He took a moment to ponder the answer, then brushed a hand through his hair. "I'm surprised you don't know. But hey, so many achievements qualify that it'll take me quite some time to explain them all." He tucked his fingers around his chin, nodding. "I can tell you about those that reward the most, though."
A brow raised, Adam gestured for the student to continue.
"Well, first comes the achievement of winning the annual competition." The student's eyes sparkled with something akin to a dream or desire—probably both, in Adam's opinion.
"It's a big event," the student continued. "Every noble House shows up to witness the rise of a new genius or assess how far their heirs have come. In short, the entire noble district attends, and every student fights fiercely for this glorious occasion. As for the rewards..."
Adam nodded, eager to hear about them. However, the teenager paused, scratching his head awkwardly, like someone reluctant to admit he didn't know the answer.
"What about them? Do they keep it a secret that only winners are entitled to discover?" A heavy sigh escaped Adam.
If a few million Prestige or an artifact were the sole rewards, he would mark this competition as a waste of time without a second thought. But what if there was more? Rare minerals, herbs, or even secret grimoires filled with long forgotten spells? They would be his in that case. He would make sure of it.
A soft breeze carried the garden's sweet scent to them. The teenager inhaled it like relaxing incense, the answer forming at the tip of his tongue.
"That's a good question, junior—a really good one. First comes Prestige, of course. I remember last year's winner earned around fifty million!" His lips curled into a grin, his eyes igniting. "Half of what he needs to become a count, just like that. But that's not all."
As his voice grew solemn, the soft flutter of petals spiralling in the helix dimmed in Adam's ears.
"An opportunity—one of a kind." A finger raised, the student spoke with almost religious zeal. "No one knows besides the winners, but my guess is a meeting with the rector. The rector! Think about how enlightening it would be to discuss with the most ancient and powerful mage in Brineheart's history! Of course, I'm speculating like most students. Some even believe the winners actually met with Leviathan in person, while others lean on forbidden grimoires or artifacts—the kind that's best kept secret if you know what I mean."
Adam crossed his arms over his chest, a furrow creasing his brows. Secrecy to avoid theft or... worse, murder. 'Wise, but upsetting. I want to know now!'
Still, he doubted the top ranker's reward would be something as simple as a mere conversation with the rector. No choice. He would compete. To satiate his curiosity while hoping for a reward worth his time.
Begrudgingly, he nodded to show gratitude for the information, yet only managed a crooked smile that made the student chuckle.
"What can we do? Everyone wants to know, but there is only one method: to crush every rival and seize the top rank!"
Engrossed in his explanation, the teenager shifted to another achievement that instantly made Adam's eyes widen.
"You can also get something similar if your House wins and you're deemed as the top contributor."
"House? Win?" Adam massaged his temples. "I have no idea what you're talking about, so why don't you start from the beginning?"
Beside him, Quintella nodded. "We don't even have a house yet. Is it fine if we make the hotel win?" she muttered with the seriousness of a child pondering an existential question spelt in a foreign language. At least it was to her, who only knew about commoners and cultivators. All this hierarchy might as well be dragon-tongue.
While Adam patted Quintella's blond hair, a soft smile tugging at his lips, the student widened his eyes.
"Wait, you don't know?" His voice cracked upward, his jaw going slack. His shock made his satchel slip from his shoulder, revealing the emblem hidden beneath its strap.
Surprisingly, it wasn't the expected representation of Leviathan. Instead, it was a horned mask floating above a summoning circle, with chains spiralling outward. The longer Adam observed them, the more they gave him the impression that they shifted. Written in cursive letters pulsing an otherworldly gold, bent around the base, was something he believed was a motto. "We call, and the world answers"
"Seriously..." the student muttered. "I'll start to believe you know nothing about the college at this rate."
"Act as if I didn't." Adam winked before picking the satchel up. With a genuine smile, he passed it to the student. "I'm grateful for your answers, senior."
However, the teenager pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'd rather not answer this one. It'll take too long for something you'll see for yourself in four days." With a sigh, he pointed at his emblem. "I hope you'll join my House, though. Curiosity and methodicalness are assets in our discipline. Since there is nothing else, I'll take my leave, junior. The dorms are calling, and the earlier I'm done setting, the sooner I can return to my studies."
Before Adam could answer, he waved his hand and strolled through the garden. His steps echoed against the marble pavement, petals drifting around him as if he were the eye of a gentle storm.
Adam watched him go, thumb brushing his lower lip. Four days. Of course! That's what the ceremony was about. Houses. Separation of students? But why?
Understanding dawned, and a sharp glint sparked in his gaze as he slotted the pieces. "Students are distributed into houses, each with its own discipline. Perhaps something like mage orders. I wonder how many there are."
"Mhh?" Quintella tilted her head, blinking her eyes before they curved. Then, she shoved three fingers upwards, grinning. "I bet there are three!"
Adam's thumb paused mid-thought—where had she pulled that number from?
"I bet there are a hundred, then." Chuckling, he lifted Quintella on his shoulders and walked toward the gates. "Let's see who's right in four days."
Her shoes bumped against his chest rhythmically as she giggled. "Hehe. You can't beat me this time, big brother."
Adam tilted his head. "How are you so sure?"
She puffed her chest like someone who had uncovered a great truth and was generously sharing it. "Because the answer is always three or zero!"
"..." For a moment, he didn't know how to answer. Eventually, he gave up and just shrugged. "Sure."
'I hope they have math classes.'
AN: Who's right? I wonder...