Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 314 Foreign Students

"Steel Bristle, look at this city! It's so clean and new, even the streets are flat and straight... and the houses on both sides, Mother Earth, they're just like they were copied from the same mold."

A group of young burrow dwarves were walking on the streets of the pioneer territory, looking around and making exclamations along the way.

The leading dwarf looked a little older, with a slightly thick, curly beard growing on his chin. It seemed to be carefully groomed frequently, and looked black and shiny.

"Hmm... The magic capital of Alayeh that Lord Bronze Hammer went to should be more prosperous and magnificent than this place, right? The scale of human kingdoms and urban construction is really amazing..." The young leader Steel Mane who led the team couldn't help but sigh.

He then stole a glance at the soldier leading the way, then turned and whispered a reminder to his companions, "Before we set out, Chief Noli and His Excellency Tongchui repeatedly reminded us that after arriving here, we must observe and learn more. We must not be outdone by the apprentices sent by the elves. This concerns the reputation and glory of our tribe..."

The leading soldier led them forward for a distance and soon arrived in front of a walled townhouse next to a street garden. The leading soldier smiled and waved his hand to signal them to come closer.

"Gentlemen..." The soldier bowed cordially, addressing the southern visitors, whose height barely reached his chest but whose arms were thicker than his thighs. "This is the Territory Spellcaster Academy. Someone will be arriving shortly to receive you. We'll only be guiding you..."

The young leader, Steel Mane, also greeted with a polite smile. After thinking for a moment, he took out two crystal clear light red gems from the dwarf leather bag at his waist. These were specialties of the Dungeon City, a kind of decorative gem that was very popular in the southern border. Although they were not priceless, they were still sold at a high price.

"Thank you, officer, for guiding us. This small gift is a token of my gratitude..."

The leading soldier's expression changed instantly. He straightened up and said sternly, "What do you mean? I'm a professional soldier of the Territory People's Defense Force, not some shameless vassal guard serving under the Southern Territory nobles! We never accept bribes or property. Take it, take it!"

Steel Mane was stunned on the spot, standing there awkwardly with two gems in his open palms.

Another dwarf beside him quickly stepped forward, pulled back his raised arm, and pulled out a delicate tin wine flask from his backpack. He smiled and said, "Apologies, sir! Please forgive our rudeness and disrespect, but please accept this small gift. This is a dwarven specialty, fermented rice wine. It's not a bribe or property, and it's harmless."

The leading officer's expression softened considerably, but he still politely waved his hand to reject the dwarf's kindness.

The gate of the Spellcaster Academy behind them suddenly opened, and a hearty laugh reached everyone's ears: "Hahaha, young guests, don't worry about it. Territory soldiers neither accept bribes nor drink alcohol, so don't make things difficult for them..."

Steel Mane turned around and saw a young spellcaster, about twenty years old, wearing a simple short spellcaster robe, standing on the steps of the academy gate and greeting everyone with a smile.

"you are……"

"Chris Bird, the head of the Territory Alchemy Laboratory and vice president of the Spellcaster Academy..."

Chris enthusiastically led the group of young Cavern Dwarves into the main hall of the academy. After glancing around, he gently asked, "Did Cavern City just throw a bunch of you youngsters here? Without even an older leader?"

Steel Mane shook his head a little nervously, then puffed out his chest and replied, "Mr. Bird, I am the leader."

"Alright... the elves arrived earlier than you, and we've already arranged for them to stay in the apprentice dormitory... You'll be living with them later. The academy is new, so the accommodations are a bit difficult. I'm truly sorry."

The dwarves quickly waved their hands to indicate that it was okay. In the past, they had lived in dwarven arch houses that were half stone and half earth in the dungeon city. Even if the pioneering territory had not prepared accommodation for them in advance, it was completely acceptable for them to dig caves or build huts on a hillside outside the city. They always kept their tasks and missions in mind. They came here to learn the advanced magical knowledge of humans, not to enjoy themselves.

Chris nodded, very pleased with the attitude of these foreign students. He then pulled out a stack of small cards with intricate patterns from his pocket and distributed them to everyone, instructing them, "Outsiders are not allowed to enter the lord's pioneering territory at will. If you want to move freely in the territory, you must carry this identification card with you at all times. If you encounter patrol officers wearing gray uniforms and strange metal clubs on their waists, you must surrender your ID for inspection... Never get into conflict with them easily." He paused and added an additional reminder, "You can wander freely in the market area and the college area, but avoid going to the industrial area, the administrative area, or the military camps easily or staying too long. The castle area where the lord resides is not open to entry unless summoned. Do you understand?"

Steel Mane held a stack of hard papers in his hand and nodded subconsciously, somewhat bewilderedly, "I understand!"

"Very good, then let me take you to the apprentice dormitory first!"

Chris turned and left. The young leader hurried over, gently tugged at his sleeve, and anxiously asked, "Mr. Bird! When...when can we start learning magic?"

This is the only important purpose of their coming here. For this reason, no matter how difficult the learning environment is, no matter how contemptuous and difficult the magic instructor is, they will not give up easily. After all, it is not easy to get this precious learning opportunity.

"What's the rush? Classes won't officially start until next week, and you still need to take a talent test and then pass the subject division."

Chris smiled bitterly and called over the staff of the academy who were responsible for receiving and accommodating these foreign apprentices. He quickly sent them to the nearby apprentice dormitory area.

……

"Mother...of the Earth!" The young dwarf stood at the entrance of the room on the second floor dormitory building, holding the apprentice uniform he had just received in his arms, staring blankly with his eyes wide open.

This... this is what Mr. Bird said... the accommodation conditions... are a bit harsh?
The spacious studio room, measuring over twenty square meters, had two exquisitely-glazed windows, tightly shut to prevent any wind or snow from entering. There were high and low wooden beds placed against the walls on either side. The beds were covered with a cotton mattress and blanket that looked warm and soft. The pillows were bulging, seemingly filled with some fluffy stuffing. A thick fur blanket was thoughtfully draped over the headboard...

No! It's much more than a spacious room and a comfortable bed!

There is a desk by the window in the room that can accommodate four people sitting side by side without feeling crowded. The table top has obviously been carefully polished and oiled, without a trace of roughness. There are also four small lockers assembled under the table.

The staff member in charge of receiving and placing the students raised his hand and pushed the young dwarf who was standing at the door, not daring to go in. "The dormitories are quite tight, so you, like the elf students, will have to stay in a four-person room for the time being..."

He casually pointed to a small, tightly closed room on the right side of the entrance and patiently explained, "Each dormitory has its own bathroom. Remember to flush the toilet after using it. Hot water is supplied at six in the morning and nine in the evening, for one hour each time. If you miss this, you'll have to wash and shower in ice-cold water. Don't forget!"

Separate bathroom...hot water...shower...

Steel Mane opened his mouth but found himself speechless. He could only hold the two sets of apprentice uniforms that were being exchanged in turn and stare blankly at the dormitory manager as he turned around and left to make arrangements for other members of his tribe.

"This...is this really prepared for us?"

He walked over to the bunk bed and carefully sat down on the soft bed under the gaze of his companions. He stretched out his rough palm and gently stroked the fur blanket.

So soft...and so warm!
In the spacious corridor of the second-floor dormitory, the sound of the dormitory manager clapping and loudly greeting people could be heard.

"Students, after you've packed your bags, please take your student IDs and go to the small building next door with the sign for the academy restaurant for dinner! If you're late, you'll have to eat bread in the dorms!"

(End of this chapter)