A sudden spike in the air density causes Isaac to stagger and collapse against a wall, nose bleeding.
"Are you a wandering boy?" Orthellius' voice cuts into his ears like a scalpel. "How… quaint."
The man matched his narrative descriptions: early 50s, silver-streaked hair, strong eyes with a stronger gaze. His robes were kept proper.
Isaac spat blood. "Spare…"
"Spare?" Orthellius crouched, tilting his chin.
"You reek of the Stormbreak's dust. Yet here you stand.. Show me your identification, little one."
"I don't have any identification on me."
"Tell me… Why should I not ask you to depart?"
A gentle smile is scary. Not as scary as h̷̺͙̠͉̫̲̗͕̠̖̄̒i̴̡̢̛̤̖̺̺̙̠̜̖̱̅̄̏͌͛̏̓̏̔̽̑̚͝͝s̵̛̱͖̙̥̤̪͚̓͆̐͊ demonic face. But still scary.
Gamble everything. Now.
"I know things… that most don't. A student who will usurp you in terms of potential will enrol soon."
His grip tightened. "What a theory. What could this 'genius's name be?"
"Caelum Veldt. And it's a fact."
"Tell me more about Caelum Veldt…"
"He will be the cause of the most problematic cohort to date. He will befriend and come to love 3 of the most influential students in your Institute. He'll prove and improve Noësical theories just like you have."
One pause for dramatic effect…
"Specifically, polarised nodal-line semimetals…"
Of course, it was called something easier in the lore of the game. But seeing as this world is alive, the usage of the proper scientific terminology should trigger him to recognise the project he was working on.
Isaac coughs up blood once more.
Silence.
"Fascinating. How Fascinating…"
The Headmaster lets Isaac down.
"Where did you get this information from? You do not seem like a Wave Binder nor A Cultivator. A Vidvān perhaps? No. Perhaps you are an Esoteric Kabbalist? That would explain how you have insight into these theories and my Light Module."
Quick updating of my working memory: Module = Element.
Also, what the fuck?
"I deduced it."
Blatant lie again.
"How very interesting, and what are you doing near my academy, foreigner?"
Now's my shot
"To enrol… to study… and to usurp you and him myself."
The silence between the two is unnerving. Yet Orthellius' laughter is a bold, loud one.
"Do you have the qualifications for enrollment? The funds? It is already past the application time, and even if I were to extend it, as I mentioned previously, I need you to show me your Pactum Passport."
"Uhhh… I don't have anything listed."
What's a Pactum Passport??? Ah shit, so much is changing.
"Then how do you plan on enrolling?"
"..."
"..."
"I'll make an exception about the application date. How about I offer you a position as a scholarship student? We keep this interaction a secret between us and our information on each other confidential. I won't pry into how you know much about my secrets and the future out of the excitement this brings me."
A bold declaration.
"If you have your guardian sign a waiver and have yourself prove your knowledge by thriving in a single term. If you maintained a perfect 5.0 MAI. No. I'll give you some leeway. If you can maintain an MAI of 4.6 consistently every semester, then I'll allow you to continue till graduation. If you fail or pass away before? I will personally preserve and dissect your encephalon to unravel how you possess such confidential information."
Hmmm…
I'm assuming MAI = GPA. From what he said. It is implied that 5.0 is the maximum 'MAI' a student can get.
If I enrol, I will most likely be taking 4 subjects as the system is similar to Earth's A-Levels by Cambridge.
That means I need to maintain a 4.6 MAI, which is equivalent to a 3.6 GPA, which would be a score of ~90% for EACH subject.
What the hell with no prior knowledge of anything, how the hell am I supposed to score near perfect???
"Isn't that quite high for a scholarship, Headmaster?"
"Considering the class of education you will receive, the amenities provided by the Institute and the externalities from even being a student? I'd say it's the bare minimum to maintain that MAI."
"Fair enough, sir. That wasn't my main issue either way."
"Is that so? What could be the problem then?"
"I don't have a guardian figure…"
"... Huh?"
The wisest scholar in the world. Perplexed by such a simple question.
"Yea…"
"Hoh… I see. It would be in reasonable doubt that you would not have a guardian figure, seeing as you're basically an illegal immigrant."
Owww. Harsh.
"Do you know your age at least? I do find an interest in you, seeing as the Magestrials mentioned over the reports that you were able to In-Thread 'Wind Walker' for a distance of 144 kilometres and that you are aware of my thesis. But, it is policy that minors require guardian or parental approval, Mr?"
"Isaac. Isaac Mun."
"Mr Mun. It would also be beneficial for the Institute if I brought in a talent like you, but unfortunately. I require you to first register yourself as a citizen in Elenos and second, get your Pactum Passport, a guardian figure and certifications."
"Oh… I see. If so, could you place a reserved spot in the scholarship list for me?"
"I will try. However, I cannot guarantee you that I will find another student appealing. Especially the Caelum Veldt you mentioned."
"Hmmm. If I get back to you by this evening, would that spot be available with 100% certainty?"
"By this evening… Yes, I think it would."
"Alright, Headmaster. I'll be back here by 6:30 PM maximum. Will that do?"
"Yes. So long as you get your Pactum Passport and a guardian, then it would work."
"Can do. If it is not so rude as to demand, could you refer me to the National Orphanage of Elenos? Just help mention that a 17-year-old male will be visiting and is in urgent need of an adoptive parent. Personality? Caring and a family man. Hobbies? Science and combat sports. Languages spoken? Pentalingual in English, Malay, Chinese, French and German. Contribution? Future scholar of the family. "
The last part was a joke. But hey? Anything goes.
"You have quite the humour when being yourself…", A chuckle from the headmaster.
"No problem. I'll inform them."
"Then I will take my leave, Headmaster. Thank you for your time and patience."
"Please. Go."
Phew~ That was more hectic than originally planned. No time to waste.
Isaac returns to Kári's Breath's and immediately sprints towards the orphanage.
…
How very,
Very interesting…
He does not speak his age, and his attitude, even when coughing out blood, was commendably composed. He is efficient and blunt in his speech.
And yet…
He knows about the orphanage.
The orphanage should not be public knowledge yet…
Isaac's first slip-up. An in-the-moment recollection error.
Orthellius Sol Tharis thought to himself as he returned to his chambers.
Yet, there stood a boy similar to Isaac, awaiting his return in his office, holding the documentation for a scholarship as well.
"The period to submit applications is over. Who might you be, young one? To enter my office without my permission?"
How did he get past the Magestrials outside?
"... caelum…"
"Formalities, please. Caelue,m who?"
"caelum veldt…"
Hah… Isaac Mun… That boy…
The scholar, who thought he knew it all and more, felt the first perplexity in his life post-education.
And as well.
The first goosebumps in a long time…
…
15 minutes of continuous travel. Isaac finally reaches the National Orphanage of Elenos and knocks. Seconds later, a fair lady greeted him at the doorstep. Inviting him in, he takes a look around and notices all the other orphans playing with each other. In fact, some of them are floating in the air, as others produce elemental playthings to idle by.
These damn orphans… They're better than me…
Shit.
That's humbling.
"And you must be Mr Isaac Mun, yes?"
"Yes. I am. Has anyone accepted the adoption request Headmaster Orthellius put in?"
"Ah! Actually, there have been a couple looking for a boy around your age. I'm still awaiting their response."
"I see. Please do inform me when they do."
"Yes. You may have a seat first."
"Thank you."
Isaac takes a seat. And he begins lampooning his situation.
What does it mean to have a family…
Is it comfort? Security? Obligation? Or is it nothing more than a system of mutual exploitation dressed up with words like "love" and "bond"?
If these people are nothing but background characters—NPCs assigned to play the role of parents—then why should I see them as anything else? They feed me, house me, clothe me… but only because the script demands it. In return, I play the role of the dependent child, pretending at affection when necessary, tolerating their presence as one tolerates the furniture.
Am I fine with that? With leeching off the couple about to step through that door? Or should I call it what it truly is: survival?
…
Minutes later. A fine couple walk through the door to the orphanage. They greet the attendant, and they begin walking to Isaac.
Oh… Shit, that's them.
Okay. You got this, Isaac.
"You must be Isaac Mun, I presume?"
A deep voice from the man. Contrary to his Asian appearance.
"We're Mister and Misses Wén."
Ah! Chinese. That's good…
Years ago… I was Chinese.
Okay. Fucking cringe, Isaac. Lock the fuck in.
"早上好. 我的姓氏也是文. 我的全名是文义升. (Good morning. My last name is also Wen. My full name is Wen Yisheng.)"
"哦! 真巧啊! (Hoh! What a coincidence!)"
"哦! 他真的会说中文! (Oh! He really can speak Chinese!)"
"But I do prefer English if you would allow me."
"Please. Please. Speak in whatever you feel comfortable."
"Thank you for accommodating Misses and Mister Wén."
Isaac bows. Another gesture to buy them over.
"Oh, honey, he's so polite. On top of that, not a lot of them speak Chinese here."
She turns her attention back to Isaac.
"What do you think about joining our family, Isaac?"
"It would be my honour, Mrs Wén. But please, introduce more of yourself as well."
"Ah. How could we forget?"
Mr Wén takes over.
"My full name is Wén Qǐxuán. And this is my wife Wén Shīhán. Our English names are Benjamin Wong and Grace Song."
"Nice to meet you both, Mr Wong and Mrs Song."
"The pleasure is ours."
"Of course, let's tackle the obvious. Why are you looking for a boy if I may ask?"
"Ah… That's a little personal… You see. It was always our dream to have a baby boy. But we're at an age where… conceiving one would be impossible."
Ah. Senile… Great to know…
"Right, and my wife and I still do want to fulfil that dream. However, I know it sounds quite ignorant and rude to the other kids here, but we don't necessarily have the time to raise another child from a child to adulthood. So we were thinking of just going for a teenager… I know, selfish and all, but that's our reasoning."
"Not at all. I understand your reasoning. I also promise that I won't take too much of your time. Specifically, I'll be only taking your time on weekends."
"Sorry. Why?"
"Ah… You see. Please do not take any offence at what I'm about to say. But I need a guardian or parental figure to help me gain a Pactum Passport so that I may enter Elenos Institute of Noësical Academics on a scholarship basis."
Silence quickly followed. All the heads in the orphanage quickly flickered to mine.
"T-THE ELENOS INSTITUTE OF NOËSICAL ACADEMICS?"
Expected reaction. Most prestigious school after all.
"Yes… Sorry. I forgot to mention that as the reason for putting myself on the adoption list. But yes, I need you to adopt me so that I may attend the lectures. I'll be staying in the dorms for the majority of my time, so I promise I'll return on the weekends to you."
"O-oh… I see…"
"Honey… W-what do you think?"
"Well. It's quite unexpected that someone on scholarship would like to join our family. But. I'm not against it. In fact, if all of this goes smoothly, please come back more frequently than every weekend."
"I'll try my best."
The conversation settled into leisurely discussions of passions and hobbies. Eventually, leading to conversations about documents with it quickly becoming signatures and finalities.
Once all was said and done.
Mr Benjamin Wong adjusted his spectacles and placed the fountain pen beside Isaac.
"I know you're aware that these are the formal papers," he explained, "From this moment forward, if you put down your signature, you will be recognised not as a stranger, but as our family."
Yes. Yes. I know.
"Right."
Isaac took up the pen and signed the respective segments of the document.
Beside him, now his step-mother, Ms Grace Song, offered a reassuring smile.
"Congrats. We're a family now."
Phew~
It was evident that they had been dreaming of this for countless days, seeing as Ms Song teared up in her husband's arms as he held back his.
Isaac nodded in return, lowered his gaze and pondered.
Uncomfortable… Sorry, step-father and step-mother.
But it's uncomfortable…
Everything he put forward was not a true reflection of his internal mental state.
How long has it been since I saw my actual mother and father?
Ah. Right… Nevermind… So long as I act like a good son, then they'll be happy. Eventually, I'll adapt and adapt until this feeling goes away.
I'll adapt. I need to adapt.
The word kept ringing in his mind. In his foster parents' eyes, Isaac was not a guest, nor a ward of circumstance.
He was their son now.
But in his eyes. They were contemporary. His lever to pry open the doors to the main narrative.
How despicable.
…
The first order of business they all agreed upon was to secure Isaac his position in EINA. Immediately, they hurried to the Foreign Ministry Affairs Office to get his Pactum Passport done at the Immigration Department and his Identification card at the National Registration Department.
This other card…
Eh. No clue what it does.
But this Pactum Passport.
What an improvement.
No more flimsy booklets, forgeries, lost documents and those damn stamps.
Albeit it was cool collecting them.
No.
Instead, this world has one card recognised everywhere.
Wow.
Due to the biometrics collection, immigration centres all over the world no longer question who you are.
In addition, from what I can pick up, the chip inside stores entangled keys, generated through quantum key distribution (QKD).
Any attempt to intercept or clone these keys collapses the quantum state, instantly exposing tampering.
A passport that can't be counterfeited, because duplicating it would require violating quantum mechanics.
How fucking genius. Wow!
I knew the technology of this world had diverted significantly, but to the point where carrying a quantum chip in your pocket is a requirement for all???
Shit man. Why couldn't Earth be this cool?
Give or take the basic steps of obtaining a passport and ID, the entire process concluded in just under two hours. With the adoption formalities stacked on top, the time now struck six in the evening.
Isaac, clutching the freshly issued documents, headed immediately to the Institute. In fact, Isaac thought about how Non-Noësis users would travel in the city. Simple. The economy for travelling by spirit in the same Stoicharterion Elenosar was an excellent financial decision by the God-King.
As such, the new family travels straight to enrol their 'child'.
"What's the due day, Isaac?"
"30 more minutes."
"Oh my…"
They accelerate the Concordees they ride upon to match Isaac's hurrying pace.
…
With the proper identification, the campus gates no longer barred his entry. Yet he spared not a glance at the scenery. For now, his focus was solely on sprinting straight toward Headmaster Otherllius's office.
…
Hah… So long as I get accepted, I'll gain narrative protection.
It's a must to get accepted.
On the count of 3;
1.
2..
3…
Isaac opens the office doors.