Zane felt relieved after contacting Tom Nguyen and Evans to complain. The situation of the Necromancer Guild and the Dark Guild was identical, which led him to believe they were a single system divided into different sections for better management. Misery loves company, and Zane's mood perfectly embodied that saying.
The group discussed their experiences over email before deciding to meet up for the Analytic Magic and Rune Chess Club, then separated again so that Zane and Tom could visit the math club, while Evans went on his own. After checking the map, Zane rode the elevator to the fourth floor, then headed northeast until he reached a corridor door leading to another area of the building. Evans was already waiting in the front, so Zane joined him.
"How was the art society? Were they as snobbish as they sound in the introduction email?" Zane asked.
"Yes, and no."
"Oh?"
"The email was worded as such because the organizer thought that's how Earthlings viewed and talked about art," Evans explained with a wry smile, which made Zane chuckle.
"As for the club itself, it was both disappointing and fascinating," Evans continued. "What these people considered art was limited to only painting. On top of that, because art is not easily accessible and something primarily for wealthy and free nobles, their development is quite limited. Plus, even magic painting is a niche field studied by a few."
Zane nodded, "They must have their advantages, right?"
"There are, primarily, the variety. They displayed samples from many different dimensions and races. The entire experience was a marvel," Evans smiled.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," Zane nodded. "So, are you considering magic painting as your profession?"
"Probably not. As I said, it's a niche field, and I've never been a good painter."
"You could consider recreating Earth's masterpieces and add a bit of magic touch to them; such projects should be quite popular with the club."
"Hmm," Evans exclaimed. "That's a good idea. I think I'll consider it."
"Consider what?" All eyes turned to Tom Nguyen, walking toward them.
"We were just talking about the art club."
"Oh, right, how was it? Were they as elitist as we thought?" Tom Nguyen asked. Evans shook his head before explaining their previous conversation. Tom Nguyen turned to Zane, "Do you know you just gave him a million-dollar idea?"
Zane wanted to roll his eyes, "Ideas do not have a price. What matters is executing them." So what if his idea was valuable? Without the ability to paint, without dedicating months to studying magic paintings, it was just that: an idea. Plus, Zane would bet all his meager wealth that many others had the same idea. However, what will truly determine these people's fate is who can better execute this idea.
"I don't know. I have a strong suspicion that in the magic world, ideas are worth even more than execution," Tom rebutted.
"If you say so," Zane replied before checking his phone. "Let's hurry so we're not late."
The trio opened the door and found themselves in a hall with black-and-red tiled floors and a long corridor enclosed by white walls. However, their focus was soon drawn to this black female mage sitting at a table, wearing box braids, a blue robe, and a 1-star pin. She glanced at them with a blithe demeanor and asked with an indolent voice, "Earthlings?"
"Huh, yes," Zane nodded.
Anusa grunted in annoyance before uttering. "You can register as temporary members. After three months, there will be an exam to become an official member. Temporary members have the right to attend class only. Before you decide to join, there will be a lecture in 20 minutes. I recommend you attend and then decide."
Zane looked at the others before turning to her, "Alright. Where is the lecture?"
"It's down the hall, to your left, room 301."
The three walked quietly down this white hall until they reached their destination. The moment they entered the class, countless eyes were on them. Zane and Evans resisted the urge, but Evans couldn't help but recoil a few steps backward. Luckily for the three, most of the people lost interest after seeing how they were dressed.
Zane resisted the anxious feeling of perceiving too many intense sights and focused on the class. There were five distinct groups, all separated by one or two rows of empty chairs. To his right at the front was a group of people dressed in luxurious magic robes; Zane was not familiar with the materials of the magical world, but even so, he could tell the robes were of the highest quality, not to mention the intense mana emanating from them. These people screamed "elite" and not in a good way.
In the left of the front rows was a group dressed in colorful medieval robes and gowns, with only a few wearing magical robes. Zane could also tell the material was high quality, but he didn't care for these people's fashion sense; they looked gaudy, like peacocks trying to show off their colorful feathers.
Two rows right behind those gaudy nobles was a mixed group. Some wore fine clothes, some wore magic robes, some wore leather armor, and a few of them wore ordinary clothes. The interesting aspect was that many of the people in this row seemed also to be apprentices — albeit more powerful than even the best Earthlings.
The fourth group, located behind the "elite" mages, all wore magical robes, but not all of them looked as luxurious as the "elite" mages. More importantly, not all of them glanced at Zane's group with immense disdain. Their eyes, facial expressions, postures, and demeanor showed intrigue, goodwill, pity, and envy.
Finally, the Earthlings gathered together at the back of the class. It was easy to recognize them, given the lack of magical robes and the variety of unique clothing. Zane briefly glanced around before walking to the back.
After sitting down, he looked over his shoulder to ask, "Does anyone know what's going on with this strict division and tension?" He ensured to use English instead of Gremorian.
"You ask the right person," a student of Filipino descent named Leon Dimaala suddenly said. "I've been here for a while, and from what I can gather based on their conversation, the group on the front left is composed of descendants of Grand Mages and Grand Knights. These people did not want to be here, and to say they are elitist is an understatement.
"The ones on the front right are nobles from whatever dimensions they are from. For them, you might as well write the words "arrogant" and "I think I'm better than you" in their foreheads. With those outfits, I have no idea where their confidence comes from."
Tom Nguyen almost lost control and laughed. However, while he could resist himself, a few other Earthlings who knew English had no such reservation.
"The ones in the back right are descendants of non-mage staff and even regular staff. While their parents work for the tower, they now have access to formal magical education, a rare opportunity that they cherished — at least most of them do. Besides us, they are at the lower end of the hierarchy.
"Finally, the ones in the back left are descendants of mages. They despised the nobles, thinking the only noteworthy thing about them was their family's wealth and power. Ironically, they envy the Grand Mage descendants, wishing they had such a noble bloodline flowing through their veins. A lot of them also want to prove they are better than the descendants of Grand Mages.
"Well, that's the gist of it."
"That explanation felt like an episode of Game of Thrones," another Earth student added.
"Right?"
"Why are they here?" Tom Nguyen asked. "Since our class and everything are separated, shouldn't they have their own club and activities?"
"I don't know about that, but they have indeed ruined the vibe," Leon shook his head.
"You know we understand your language, right?"
All eyes turned to one of the students sitting in the [Elite Section], or the descendants of Grand Mages, Grand Knights, and Great Warriors, or [Advanced Transcendents], as they are broadly referred to. A white man with blue hair, a black robe, and intense azure eyes stared at them.
"So?" Leon Dimaala rebuffed. "You knew we spoke your language, but that didn't stop you from talking disparagingly about Earthlings."
"Can you compare to us?"
"You're right; we are nothing when compared to a bunch of [nepo babies]."
Another wave of chuckles spread from the Earthlings' side, and Zane had to praise this man's wordplay. The Gremorian Language had a few words for [nepotism], but none of them carried the negative connotation associated with the term in English. However, Leon successfully found two characters that perfectly conveyed the feeling people have when they call someone a nepo baby.
"You dare —"
"Alright, Mallick, why are you arguing with a bunch of short-lived people?" A female elite student with Asian facial features said, putting her hands on Mallick's shoulders.
"What did you say?" An Earthling suddenly stood.
"Did I lie?"
"That's right. Since when is telling the truth a crime?" Mallick sneered.
"Do you want to fight? If you're looking —"
"Alright, let's not escalate the situation," Zane suddenly said.
"But —"
"Do you want to start a fight you can't win?" Zane asked with a slightly harsh tone. The agitated student paused and immediately realized the situation they were in. In terms of magical abilities, the Earthlings were nothing compared to these kids, who have probably been learning magic since they were toddlers.
"Hmph, what a bunch of cowards."
Zane glanced at the group but remained silent. The Earthlings felt frustrated, but after the previous reminder of the difference in magical skill, everyone controlled themselves. It's been a week since they came to this school, and even the stupidest students understand the enormous difference between an apprentice and a 1-ring mage — let alone a bunch of children of Grand Mages.
The room became quiet, and the atmosphere intensified. Feeling that Leon was a linguistic talent because of what he had just done, Zane decided to get to know him and exchange crests — form connections and all. And his deduction was correct: Leon was indeed a linguist, focusing primarily on East and Southeast Asian languages. However, now, his focus could be said to be Gremorian.
Due to the tension, their conversation was brief, and Zane waited quietly for the professor to arrive. He had thought that nothing else would happen. However, he soon heard giggling from the back seats. With a glance over his shoulder, he saw a piece of paper being passed from person to person, and not long afterward, Tom Nguyen — who was once again trying hard to resist a laugh — passed him the sheet.
After opening it, Zane couldn't help but release a cackle. Someone had drawn most of the Elite mages in this ridiculous manner with big lips, crooked teeth, and tiny eyes. The worst part was the students' actions: some were picking their noses, some were eating earwax, some had body odor, and Mallick was caught directly playing with feces.
"How juvenile, and probably racist," Zane shook his head before passing it to Evans, who had the same reaction. He then folded the paper and passed it back, since they were the last ones to come into the class.
The Elite Students were suddenly interested in what made these Earthlings so jovial, but, out of pride, they couldn't just ask. So, they used a better approach. Josiah was the one in the group with the most knowledge about Divination, so they asked him to cast the 1-ring spell: Visual Scrying.
"You damn Earthlings, what's the meaning of this?" Mallick yelled while holding a piece of paper with the same drawing. The Earthlings looked at the perfect replication in shock before they remembered Divination Magic.
"Why are you in our business?" Leon first spoke.
"That's right. Haven't you heard of the right to privacy?"
"You are not the victims here," another elite student added.
"Yes — how dare you, ignorant plebeians, draw such vile artwork of us? My Father will not stand for this."
"Apologize right now, or I will put a curse on all nine generations of your household."
"In your dreams. I don't know what backward place you're from, but in this dimension, we have something called Freedom of Speech — Freedom of Expression. It's my constitutional right."
"I'm not American, but I agree with this sentiment. We can draw whatever the heck we want."
"You bunch —"
"Ahem."
As soon as that sound echoed through the room, all the arguments suddenly fell silent. All the students turned and saw a lioness Beastkin — a humanoid creature with lion ears and tails — in a black magic robe, staring at them intently. Her gaze was powerful, so powerful that it scared everybody without her even using an aura skill.
"Sit down and prepare for the lecture."
No one said anything else and swiftly returned to their seats.