I felt a bit sorry for Faralda, but my plan was simple: find a follower, learn a bit of Conjuration, and get the hell out of here.
First, I needed to narrow down the candidates for a companion. The professors were obviously out of the question, which meant I had to pick from the students.
With this world's added setting of 'magical talent,' I wasn't sure how useful they'd actually be. Still, I figured it was best to check the established NPCs first, so I went to find J'zargo.
I found him in the Arcanaeum, buried in books. I approached him naturally and struck up a conversation.
For the record, as long as you aren't making a scene, talking is permitted in the library.
"Hey there. Studying hard, I see?"
"J'zargo has no such friend. Who are you?"
Spoken like a true Khajiit, using the third person. Since it was our first meeting, he was understandably guarded.
"Actually, I'm a new student who joined today. I just wanted to introduce myself and get to know you."
"Ah—is that so? J'zargo is sorry, but J'zargo intends to be a great Destruction mage. He has no time for play."
Just like in the game, his ambition was high, and he didn't seem particularly interested in expanding his social circle. His specialty was clearly Destruction, as expected.
"Hmm, is that so? That's a shame."
It was fine. I still had plenty of candidates.
"That concludes today's lecture. Also, the College will be heading an excavation at the ruins of Saarthal. Interested students should meet in front of the ruins tomorrow around 2 PM. That is all."
'What a drag. That was boring and a total waste of time!'
Choi Ha-neul, who had decided to attend Tolfdir's lecture, was deeply disappointed. She had expected to see people flying on broomsticks or shooting laser beams out of their hands—
Instead, he had droned on about how 'safety is paramount' and how 'one must control their Magicka,' before demonstrating a simple ward spell and ending the class abruptly.
The professor mentioned a field trip to some ruins, but after that snooze-fest of a lecture, she didn't have a lick of interest.
"Sigh... I should have listened to Mister."
Ha-neul finally understood why the MC had left. She began wandering the halls, looking for Faralda to see if she could learn some Destruction magic instead.
She checked the main gate, the library, and the dining hall, but when Faralda was nowhere to be found, she headed toward the third-floor classrooms.
'If there's a lecture going on, maybe I can sneak in and eavesdrop? Hehe.'
Unfortunately, her wish didn't come true; there were no classes in session. Just as she confirmed the Destruction classroom was empty and turned to head back to the 'Mister' who was talking to a cat in the library—
"This isn't right!!"
A sudden shout made her jump.
'Whoa, scared me.'
She followed the noise and found a student sitting there, hair disheveled, frantically scribbling something in a book.
'The lecture is over and they're still staying behind to study? Talk about dedicated.'
Dedicated she might be, but the student looked miserable. She scowled and crumpled the pages of her book, clearly unable to solve whatever problem was in front of her.
"Ugh... if I draw it like this, the Magicka becomes unstable and the structural formula collapses!"
'She's studying spell circles. That looks fun!'
Ha-neul had intended to leave, but her curiosity regarding the student's work began to pique.
"Aaaaagh! I should just drop out! Ah..."
The girl finally screamed and slammed the book down, only to make eye contact with Ha-neul, who was peeking through the back door.
"Um... hi?"
In the heavy silence, Ha-neul offered the first greeting. The student asked sheepishly,
"Did you... see that?"
"Ah. Sorry. I heard a noise and got curious, so I just—"
The female student replied, looking embarrassed.
"No need to apologize..."
"You were drawing spell circles, right? Show me how!"
Ha-neul approached her with friendly enthusiasm, asking about her studies.
"You want to learn? I mean, it's not impossible, but—"
"Wow! Thanks!"
Before the girl knew it, Ha-neul had pulled up a chair and plopped down right next to her. The student was taken aback, but unable to refuse those sparkling, expectant eyes, she began to explain with a reluctant sigh.
"My apologies. I don't know any Restoration magic."
"No, it's fine..."
Following J'zargo, I had tracked down Brelyna Maryon and Onmund, but neither of them knew a thing about Restoration magic.
"Am I never going to find one at this rate?"
As I went around asking other students besides the original game characters, I began to realize a few facts.
First, Restoration and Conjuration were exceptionally rare talents.
The vast majority of students belonged to the schools of Alteration and Destruction, followed by Illusion.
Second, the students of the College of Winterhold hated the idea of adventuring.
In hindsight, it made sense. If you studied hard at the College, you could earn a degree and become a Court Wizard or a high-ranking hireling for an army or mercenary company—paths that were far safer and provided a steady income.
There was no reason for these students to become adventurers, a career with unstable pay and a high mortality rate.
Every Restoration student I managed to find rejected me immediately, claiming they were going to join a temple to become priests.
Worn out by these unexpected hurdles, I sat on the stairs, resting my chin on my palm. That's when someone spoke to me from behind.
"Student. Sitting there could be quite a hindrance to others trying to pass through."
I turned around to see a familiar face. It was none other than Phinis Gestor, the Professor of the school of Conjuration.
"I'm sorry, sir."
I hurried to stand up and move out of the way, but Phinis called me back.
"That wasn't the only reason I called for you."
"Sir?"
"The Arch-Mage made a request for me to provide you with private tutoring. I heard you possess immense potential for Conjuration?"
Savos Aren must have already passed the word along. How efficient.
However, I was currently exhausted from running around looking for a follower and just wanted to sit and rest.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'd like to be alone for a bit."
"Hmm? Are you not interested in Conjuration?"
It suddenly occurred to me that if I'd had a talent for Restoration instead, I wouldn't be suffering like this.
"Personally, I think Restoration is a better school of magic."
"Now, that's a comment that stings a bit coming from a Conjurer."
Oops. I'd spoken my mind too bluntly without thinking.
"I rarely offer private tutoring unless the circumstances are exceptional. And you, student, seem to be lacking in interest."
"Pardon?"
Phinis suddenly brought his hands together. Magicka began to swirl there, creating a navy-blue vortex of power. Shortly after, he released the concentrated Magicka trapped within his palms.
—Vrrroooom!
"Whoa—!"
A portal-like rift opened where Phinis was pointing, and a powerful surge of lightning erupted—
From the blue lightning and floating slabs of rock emerged a Storm Atronach.
The electric discharge didn't harm me, but the roar—reminiscent of a literal thunderstorm—surprised me so much that I fell flat on my ass.
"Conjuration magic makes even this possible. Do you still believe Restoration is superior?"
Utterly mesmerized by the majestic presence of the Storm Atronach, I brought my hands together respectfully and blurted out:
"Please, teach me Conjuration!"
Evidently satisfied with the response, Phinis let out a warm smile.
"Ho ho, that's the spirit."
Meanwhile, back in the classroom, Choi Ha-neul was fully immersed in studying magic circles with the other student.
"—So, once the caster flows just a little Magicka into it, the mana circuit activates and triggers the engraved formula."
Ha-neul sincerely felt this girl's explanations were way more interesting than Tolfdir's. On top of that, they communicated surprisingly well.
"Whoa! That's so cool! And you're really good at explaining it!"
The student scratched her cheek sheepishly.
"Well... I wouldn't go that far."
"What's your name? I'm Choi Ha-neul!"
Ha-neul shouted confidently, leaning in close to the student's face.
"Quite a unique name for an Altmer. I'm Meriden Eloise. Good to meet you."
"Eloise? That's such a pretty name!"
"I think it's rather plain, personally."
"Hehe. You think so?"
The conversation died down, and a quiet moment returned. To break the awkward silence, Eloise asked Ha-neul first.
"What kind of magic is your specialty?"
"For me, it's Destruction and Illusion! How about you?"
"My focuses are Alteration and... 'Restoration'."
"Restoration!?"
While the MC was out chasing his own tail, the Dragonborn had stumbled right onto what he was looking for: a talent destined to be their companion.