The admission hall falls behind as Femme Soule passes beneath the academy gates, still dizzy and mana-drained. Hemme walks close beside her, while the admission examiner leads them into the inner court.
Hemme Soule
Easy pace, Femme. The floor is not going anywhere.
They enter a circular registry chamber beneath a vaulted ceiling. Four stone alcoves surround a central table, each bearing a carved seal for water, fire, earth, or wind.
Four faculty clerks wait around the table in layered charcoal robes, quills and registry slates ready. Their attention fixes on Femme Soule as the examiner places the academy record before them.
The Admission Examiner
Her reading is confirmed: exceptional reserve, controlled release, and all four elemental affinities.
The four seals answer with muted colored light. The clerks exchange guarded looks, preparing to decide whether one branch claims her or whether all four will compete for her instruction.
The Admission Examiner
Registry faculty, present your recommendations. The candidate is entitled to hear the decision.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure a place within the academy
“I reason I should be instructed by all four academies.”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +2)
Femme Soule
My affinities are not divided between the branches. Each element answered clearly, so I should be instructed by all four academies.
The argument settles over the registry table with the weight of a well-cast spell. Blue, scarlet, amber, and silver pulse from the four carved seals in turn.
Faculty Clerk 1
The water branch cannot claim exclusive instruction from a reading this broad. Her case belongs before all four faculties.
Faculty Clerk 2
Earth agrees. Her reserve and control justify a complete foundational course, not a narrow placement.
Faculty Clerk 3
Fire agrees as well. Let her study attack, enchantment, and energy under proper supervision.
Faculty Clerk 4
Wind will open its branch to her. The recommendation is unanimous: instruction through all four academies.
The admission examiner writes the ruling beneath Femme Soule's reading. Hemme's guarded expression breaks into open pride as the four seals shine together, granting her the complete course.
Quest Complete
Secure a place within the academy