Those who could afford to study here were all children of nobles, but this did not mean they could directly join Star Chant Academy upon graduation.
The Outer Academy of Star Chant Academy had a five-year curriculum. After five years, they would undergo an assessment, and only those who passed would truly become students of Star Chant Academy.
Furthermore, within the Outer Academy, there were requirements for advancing through the five grades, with assessments held at the end of every year.
Those who failed the assessment would be held back. A student could only repeat a grade up to three times; exceeding this limit would result in immediate expulsion.
“Instructor, why does Star Chant Academy have an Outer Academy? I heard they don't require an assessment, and anyone can directly become an Outer Academy student as long as they pay enough money.”
On the way to the Inner Academy, a freshman couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
The instructor did not avoid the question at all.
“You should know that Star Chant Academy has a large number of commoner students. To accommodate them, the academy only charges a nominal tuition fee.”
“In addition, some basic magic potions, basic alchemy materials, basic magic tools, and other low-level materials are free to use in the academy.”
“Either of these represents a massive expense. The academy ultimately needs to find a way to make money.”
Why was the Outer Academy open to anyone with enough money? Because the academy wanted their money.
Otherwise, where did they think the Inner Academy's excellent educational conditions, abundant resources, and superior living environment came from?
Of course, this was only part of it. Aside from that, the academy also took a cut from the value generated by magic creations made by those seeking promotion to professor, as well as the academy's clubs.
“Uh, so how much is their tuition?” one student asked curiously.
“About several thousand to tens of thousands of gold coins a year, depending on how they negotiate with the dean.”
Their dean was actually quite flexible; the exact tuition depended on the academy's revenue that year.
If the academy's income was good, the academy would show some conscience and charge less tuition.
But if the academy's revenue was poor, the nobles wishing to enroll that year had to prepare to bleed money.
However, because Star Chant Academy would still dispatch professional instructors to teach even in the Outer Academy, many nobles still sent their children here every year.
“Hiss—”
Hearing this number, even many of the nobles present couldn't help but gasp.
Tyr did some quick mental math. Based on what he had seen in Wayne Village, a commoner family's total annual income was only between twenty and fifty silver coins.
And the value of one gold coin was equivalent to one hundred silver coins, or ten thousand copper coins.
Just the tuition alone for a year would amount to tens of millions or even hundreds of millions in copper coins.
No wonder the Outer Academy only had nobles. Even the wealthiest of commoners could not support such an expense.
Let alone one year, they wouldn't earn that much in a lifetime.
After all, in this world, even if a genius among the commoners managed to build a business to this scale, the industry would eventually become a noble's possession before long.
In a transcendent world, only by possessing strength could one protect what was theirs.
“Alright, we have arrived.”
A moment later, the instructor led the group of freshmen to a palace.
Compared to the palace that welcomed the freshmen outside, this one was much smaller.
There wasn't much decor inside. Aside from the walls and other necessary finishes, there was only a massive magic circle on the floor.
“You might experience some dizziness the first time you use a teleportation magic circle. Don't worry, this is completely normal.”
Before activating the teleportation magic circle, the welcoming instructor warned them.
Following that, magic power flowed from her body, injecting a strand of magic power into the spot in the center of the magic circle where magic stones were placed.
With the injection of magic power, light-blue patterns gradually lit up on the pillar where the magic stones rested.
The magic power within the magic stones was gradually absorbed, sinking through the stone pillar into the magic circle on the ground.
Beneath Tyr and the others' feet, mysterious and complex magic circuits began to glow with a light-blue light. A blue barrier rose from both sides of the magic circle, enveloping them within.
Within this barrier, Tyr could see magic runes leaping, arranging, and combining, which then erupted with powerful fluctuations of magic power.
About three seconds later, the teleportation magic circle beneath their feet suddenly flared with brilliant light, and the light-blue glow quickly engulfed everyone.
A moment later, the light on the magic circle faded, but there was no longer anyone standing upon it.
At the same time, Tyr and his group had already appeared in another palace.
The layout and decor here were almost identical to the previous palace. If not for the slight sensation of dizziness, it would be impossible to tell they had changed locations.
“We've arrived, children. Follow me.”
Stepping out of the palace, they found themselves in a massive plaza paved with gray stone slabs. Beautiful flowerbeds lined the perimeter of the plaza, and in the center stood a uniquely shaped floral fountain.
In the distance stood Gothic, palace-style academic buildings that were countless times more luxurious than those of the Outer Academy. Even further away were mountain ranges, and Tyr could even see cascading waterfalls.
The welcoming instructor walking at the front turned around and smiled at the somewhat dazed freshmen.
“Children, welcome to the real Estelle.”
The place where Star Chant Academy was located was not on land, but on a floating island.
It was said that all the power supporting this island's flight came from the World Tree within Star Chant Academy. In times of necessity, it could carry the entire Star Chant Academy to make a strategic relocation.
“Let's go. I will first take you to collect your academy badges, and then to the dormitories. Once you've chosen your dorms, you are free to do as you please.”
The welcoming instructor first led them to an office in the academic building, where each of them received a badge emblazoned with the emblem of Star Chant Academy.
Following the instructor's explanation, Tyr injected magic power into the badge. Instantly, a blue interface popped up.
This was the school badge of Star Chant Academy, which also served as a communication device. All subsequent notifications from the academy would be sent directly to the students' badges.
Additionally, the badge possessed an item transmission function. After adding each other as friends, two badges could transmit simple items to one another.
“It's actually quite convenient.”
Tyr weighed the badge in his hand. It was somewhat like a smartphone, though without as many features, and could only be used for communication.
However, item transmission was a capability that smartphones did not have.
It proved that the development of metaphysics and science did not conflict; only their methods and logic of development differed.
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