Mark of the Fool

Chancellor Baelin handed Alex several sheets of parchment. Here you go; your exam results, Baelin said solemnly. "You did well, to the surprise of absolutely no one."

The young archwizard took the papers from his mentor, quickly searching for his marks.

Magic Lore: 100%. Alex nodded, pleased with his mark. The exam was probably challenging for most, especially those who tended to underestimate the subject. It had mostly focused on memorisation, and defining different aspects of magical history and lore. Thered been a number of essay questions requiring the examination of different perspectives on the history of magic, and others requiring alternate perspectives on common theories. There was also a mathematical portion of the exam covering spell arrays and magic circuits, that section was meant to demonstrate the depth of the wizards knowledge in the practical aspects of wizardry and how comprehensively they understood the building blocks of spells.

Next, were the results of his Summoning Exam: 100%. The written portion was meant to examine the students knowledge of the various planes, relationship building, aspects of diplomacy, and how negotiations might change; depending on the sort of being one was bargaining with, and common ways used by summoners to entice spirits into their service. There was also an in depth essay question on pitfalls that often led to a summoners destruction by devils and other dangerous servants.

Since Alex had summoned a creature as powerful as Asmaldestre the Unmaker, taking the practical part of the exam wasnt necessary, and repeating the deed served no real purpose since he'd already exceeded the standard for students of summoning to successfully graduate from the university. Professor Mangal had also personally witnessed the summoning, so shed written her recommendation without hesitation.

According to her, he'd more than proven himself by reaching ninth-tier.

The alchemy exam, despite alchemy being one of his greatest strengths, had actually been one of the trickiest for him.

Professor Jules allowed him to challenge the Exam for Credit, but she certainly wasn't about to let him go easily.

For the practical portion, he had to assemble complex magical equipment within a time limit, then craft potions using those same pieces of equipment, then purify the potions with certain delicate analytical tools, then use those tools to analyse a substance that was new to him.

Once he finished analysing the substance, he had to use it in a summoning ritual, one he remembered from long ago. Hed carefully planned his steps, then conjured a lesser shoggoth, just as Professor Jules and her research team had when he was in first year. Back then, just watching the process and seeing the results hadseemed extraordinary, but now, it all felt very commonplace.

Negotiating with the lesser shoggoth had been simple: the potions he had purified turned out to be sensory enhancement potions crafted from the brains of Mindfish, which as it turned out, lesser shoggoths found delicious.

Hed used the potion to successfully negotiate with the lesser shoggoth for a portion of chaos essence, then sent the creature on its merry way, and presented the chaos essence to Professor Jules.

The entire time her eyes had scrutinised his every move, alert for carelessness, neglect, him missing or overlooking evena single safety procedure, even for a moment. Hed made sure not to disregard a stepthough he was usually less rigid outside the lab. Professor Jules had given him a ninety-five percent, dockingmarks because, as shed put it at the time, she found his summoning technique to be: too free and easy, and potentially dangerous. And knowing Professor Jules as well as he did, he hadnt been surprised at that. The written exam was a snap since Alex had memorised enough information from upper year alchemy textbooks to be able to create the exam, let alone write it.

On that section, Professor Jules had given him; one hundred percent, without reservation.

His mana manipulation exam had him guiding mana through what appeared to be a cloud of silver mist. In reality, the mist turned out to be thousands of advanced mana-nodes that Alex had to touch in a specific order. It was tricky, but not tricky enough to stump his advanced mana manipulation skills.

Compared to the nightmarish process he had gone through to rid himself of the Fools Mark, it was simple.

And at the end, hed gotten a hundred percent.

Alex finished flipping through the sheaf of papers, his expression relaxing and growing happier with each one. He looked up to see Baelin watching him proudly across the desk.

So this meant

Convocation is at the end of spring semester. Baelin leaned forward, sliding two forms toward him. One of those is your invitation. It has the date, time and other information that youll need on it. Please fill out the other form as it is the application for your convocation ceremony. I will approve it right away and hand it to Registrar Hobb.

It's Alex paused. Graduation's not that far away.

No, it is not, Baelin said. There is no formal dress code for graduation, but you will be expected to wear a robe of some kind. We also He sighed, placing his head in his hands. The university will be providing conical hats that you will be expected to wear for the duration of the ceremony. He shuddered. They are adorned with designs of stars, moons, and suns, for some unfathomable reason.

Oh, you mean like a wizards hat? Alex asked.

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It is not a wizards hat! Baelin stated. I have known almost no wizards to wear such costumes, nor do I have any idea where the myth that we do came from! I find these spurious hats quite embarrassing, but the university refuses to repeal their use! Bah, a Proper Wizard does not traipse around in a dressed up dunces cap! Why would we dress those who are at the pinnacle of academic achievement in caps that denote stupidity!

Baelin shook his head. Every board of directors I have ever approached considers them aesthetic, traditional or charming.

Well, I don't mind. As long as it isn't a jesters cap, I'll be okay with it, Alex said.

Traitor. Baelins voice dripped acid. In any case, on your form you are asked to provide the number of guests who will be attending your ceremony. You are permitted up to thirty individuals.

That's a lot! I thought itd be like five, tops! Alex said.

Of course not, Baelin said. We have students here from cultures and species that consider entire clans to be their immediate family. I actually argued for a higher cap: there have been students who have wanted their entire village to attend their graduation. Who are we to tell them no?

Where does the ceremony take place? Is there that much room, wherever itll be? Are we using the stadium? Alex asked.

The young archwizard couldnt remember seeing or hearing about a graduation ceremony on campus. Well, hed heard about them after the fact, but hed never seen one take place.

Baelin grinned at Alexs question. Are we using the training stadium? he asks. No, we are not! Graduation takes place in a more spectacular location than that: after all, you are graduating from the greatest school of wizardry in this entire world, not from some simple country school.

Fair enough.

Everyone is to assemble on campus at the designated time and place, to then be taken to where the ceremony will take place, Baelin smiled. I think you will be pleased to see it. So, be ready! You only graduate once for the first time: maybe you will return to do graduate studies, but that is an altogether different affair. Anticipate it, be ready for it, and most of all, enjoy it.

I will, Alex said, leaning over the desk to fill out his form, writing the names of everyone he wanted with him: Selina, Theresa, Brutus, Khalik, Thundar, Claygon and the Lus.

He pausedthen added four more names. Alex doubted theyd be able to attend, but he still wanted the option of inviting them, just in case they could make it.

Done, he said.

Excellent, Baelin said. I must catch up on this paperwork. It continues to loom over meand looks like I've hardly made a dent in it since my returnso I shall allow you to carry on with the rest of your day. So tell me, what will you do with your time, now that you no longer have formal classes?

Alex froze at that.

It was true.

He didnt have classes anymore.

No more undergraduate classes.

Acknowledging that felt sad: he was happy to graduate, since it meant hed officially be a wizard and was moving on, but at the same timeit felt like he was losing something.

Having trouble wrapping your head around the fact that classes are over for you? Baelin asked him.

Howd you know? Alex said.

I have seen that look on thousands of faces just prior to graduation, Baelin smiled. Many thousands, not surprisingly, over the centuries. You are no doubt pleased that you are going on to the next stage of your life, but you are also realising that you're about to leave a significant experience behind: one you can never revisit in the same way. Graduating students often end up wondering if they have made time to examine what the experience has meant to them before it has passed them by.

You hit it on the head, Baelin, Alex admitted. Feels like some of my classes are a blurin a way, the Mark of the Fool kind of changed the experience for me.

Indeed, but it was your experience. Treasure it. In any case, you never answered my question.

Oh! Alex shook himself. I'm going to do some training with Cedric, then Ill go tell my family that I passed.

Very good, Baelin said. Well, dont let me keep you from sharing your exciting news with your loved ones.

I appreciate it, Baelin Alex said. Thanks, thanks, for everything.

For everything, so far, the chancellor said. I doubt we are done with each other quite yet.

Alex laughed. True. Alright, see you later.

Goodbye for now, Baelin said.

With that, the young archwizard teleported back to his room in his familys home above the bakery, putting his exam results on his desk.

He paused for a moment.

It was quiet in the apartment, aside from the noise coming from the bakery downstairs.

Theresa, Brutus and Claygon must already be in Thameland.

Selina was at school, and the Lus were in the villa.

Alex felt a little disappointed that no one was at home so he could share his news with them. Maybe he could teleport to where they were after he got Cedric's lesson set up.

He shook his head, looking at the stack of parchment.

There lay the sum of three years of work, hard work, and in truth, what should have been four. Each sheet of paper represented a part of his evolutionfrom apprentice to full-fledged wizard. Soon, the sheaf of papers would be replaced by a degree.

That degree would provide him witha wealth of opportunities and choices. He could choose graduate studies and do research if he wanted to teach a magical subject that interested him. Wizardry had given him the chance to gain wondrous abilities, meet unique people, and have a lifetime of exceptional possibilities; anything from sitting on the Generasi Wizards Council, to creating transformative potions, devices, and other alchemical items, to being sought after by empresses and merchant princes around the world, to exploring different worlds.

As an archwizard he could do almost anything he wanted. Untold opportunities were waiting. He might choose some, or he might continue on his current path of building his businesses, at least, until he decided to do something different. He had the time, after all. Especially, if his plan to extend his life worked, once the Ravener was defeated.

In the end, graduating and earning his degree felt surreal, almost like a waking dream.

He had accomplished so much in the last three years, yet these pieces of parchment made things feel different. Special. Maybe, because of the depth of what they represented. Perhaps, as time passed, he wouldnt think of them and the degree hed be getting just as much. He wondered if Baelin remembered every accolade he'd received over the course of his millennia of life.

Probably not.

But for now

You are no doubt pleased that you are going on to the next stage of your life, but you also realise that you're about to leave a significant experience behind: one you can never revisit in the same way.

Baelins words came back.

And, he took the moment to reflect, to stop and think on the experiences that had brought him to this point. His journey with his family from Alric. His battle against the mana vampire on the Red Siren. Mastering the Mark of the Fool. Taking the Art of the Wizard in Combat for the first time.

His good friends, and how they supported each other.

The professors hed met.

The knowledge and experiences he gained.

He took a breath and performed his grounding exercises, he breathed and reflected. He letevery bit of it soak into his bones.

I thank the Traveller that I came to Generasi, Alex whispered.

After reflecting and being deep in thought for a time, he opened his eyes, nodded to himself, then teleported to Thameland.

He was looking forward to graduation.

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