Chapter 188: Opening the Institute

  Time had passed in the blink of an eye. Reinhart remained secure, steadily growing and developing.

  The newly constructed Institute stood proudly at the heart of it all, its grand opening set for today.

  The building rose three stories high, its deep sapphire-blue exterior gleaming subtly beneath the sunlight, a striking contrast against the rolling fields of Reinhart’s trademark wildflowers that swayed in the breeze.

  Its architecture blended function with charm, bearing the solid, dependable design of an adventurer’s guildhall—wide, symmetrical, and built to last.

  Massive wooden beams, dark-stained and polished smooth, flanked the entrance, framing a set of arched double doors reinforced with carved iron bands.

  Intricate stonework lined the lower foundation as flowers were carved on it.

  Balconies jutted from the upper floors, their railings wrapped in ivy and soft lantern light, suggesting spaces for contemplation, meetings, or even magical study.

  The building exuded warmth—a place for growth, discovery, and community.

  A second structure, more refined and academic in appearance, stretched behind it—this was the development section of the institute, where magical research and experimentation would take place.

  Combining the two gave the place an aura of exploration and scholarship, a fitting addition to Reinhart’s growing presence in the magical world.

  Though the event wasn’t meant for them, several officers had been discreetly dispatched—not to participate, but to ensure the day unfolded without incident.

  It was clear that both Burt and Mayor Elliot were invested in the institute’s success and treated its opening as more than a formality.

  Lieutenants Sander, Emilia, and Jenny had taken up quiet positions around the perimeter, blending into the environment but keeping sharp eyes on the growing crowd.

  Abu stood at the forefront, no longer clad in his officer’s uniform but instead wearing the flowing blue robe of a faculty member of the tower.

  A silver badge, marking his official position, was pinned to the left side of his chest.

  He had personally overseen the preparations for this day, and now, as he surveyed the crowd gathered before him, he found himself surprised by the sheer number of attendees.

  Many of those present belonged to families with ties to magic—names Abel had mentioned to him before. Others were curious individuals, drawn in by the Institute’s promise of opportunity.

  The invitations had detailed the Institute’s mission, emphasizing that research would be unrestricted so long as it remained within legal bounds.

  There would be no blind persecution of rogue magic users; instead, the Institute sought to establish mutually beneficial contracts with those willing to cooperate.

  With a steady breath, Abu stepped forward and opened the tall front gates, his hand pressing against the iron handle with purpose.

  The crowd stirred as he called out, inviting everyone to enter the main hall of the institute.

  Inside, the space opened into a warm, welcoming interior, bearing the charm and coziness of a well-kept community area.

  Sunlight poured in through high windows, casting soft beams across polished wooden floors, stone archways, and walls lined with colorful banners bearing the institute’s insignia which was an eagle beak.

  A faint scent of aged parchment and fresh wood lingered in the air, and with the door opening, the scent of flowers also seemed to seep through.

  Some of the robed figures in the crowd paused, gazes wandering as they took in the intricate details and inviting atmosphere—a far cry from the secrecy and shadows many of them were used to.

  As the last of them filtered in, Abu turned to face the group, his expression calm, composed, but burning with purpose.

  The turnout was beyond expectations. Abu adjusted his robe and took a deep breath, preparing to address the crowd.

  Abel, of course, was absent—he had left with the Tower Master.

  The atmosphere in the room was tense and awkward. Many of those present were used to working in the shadows, practicing magic in secrecy to avoid persecution.

  The idea of openly conducting their research, without fear of being hunted down, was an almost surreal concept.

  A place where they could focus entirely on their studies and even receive support for simply doing what they would have done in isolation? It sounded too good to be true.

  A win-win, yet skepticism still lingered.

  Abu cleared his throat and raised a peculiar artifact that resembled a bullhorn. Speaking into the narrow end, his voice boomed out from the wider end, instantly commanding the room’s attention.

  Conversations died down as all eyes turned toward him.

  Fighting off a bit of nervousness, Abu straightened his posture and spoke with conviction.

  “Welcome to the Eagle Institute,” he announced. “Bask is entering a new age, and with it comes new opportunities for all of us.”

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  He took a moment to let his words settle before diving into the core of his speech.

  Abu raised his voice with calm authority, outlining the core vision of the Institute—a place not just for study, but for growth, innovation, and mutual progress.

  He spoke of how it would serve both as a sanctuary for magical research and as a pillar to uplift the surrounding region through knowledge, opportunity, and collaboration.

  As he spoke, many of the gathered figures exchanged hushed whispers, some nodding thoughtfully, others skeptical but intrigued.

  The air buzzed with murmurs—the weight of potential and uncertainty hanging in the space between every word.

  Then, he shifted to the topic of registration, explaining the two types of contracts available for today.

  “The first option is the Adventurer’s Contract,” Abu declared. “This is a mutually beneficial agreement where participants can take on tasks issued by the Institute, primarily for the betterment of the surrounding area. In return, you will be rewarded with contribution points or, depending on the task, special rewards such as materials and artifacts.”

  At the mention of rewards, murmurs spread through the crowd. People exchanged glances, clearly intrigued. Abu continued, unfazed.

  “These contribution points can be exchanged for valuable resources—materials, tools, weapons, and even access to our laboratories. For those who accumulate enough, certain pieces of knowledge may also be made available.”

  Now, more heads were nodding in interest. Abu pressed on.

  “To maintain structure, we’ll be implementing a ranking system,” he explained. “Not everyone will be eligible for all tasks right away. There will be three tiers: Tier Three Adventurer, Tier Two, and Tier One. Each rank comes with an official badge that identifies you as a member of the Eagle Institute. These badges will track your contributions and can be used at any Institute across Bask.”

  As he finished explaining the Adventurer’s Contract, he moved on to the second option.

  “The second contract is the Volunteer Contract. This option still allows you to take on tasks and earn contribution points, but you will also take on an official role within the Institute.”

  He glanced at the crowd, ensuring they were following.

  “We will soon be recruiting young apprentices and expanding our facilities, meaning we will need staff—everything from guards to professors. Those who sign the Volunteer Contract will receive the same benefits as Adventurers, but with additional perks. Volunteers will have access to private quarters in the staff dormitories, their personal labs, and, once implemented, free use of the quick-transportation network instead of spending contribution points to access it.”

  That announcement caused another wave of murmurs—transportation in Bask was difficult and expensive, so the idea of freely traveling between Institutes was a major incentive.

  “Additionally,” Abu continued, “volunteers will automatically receive a knowledge book and the full support of the Institute in their research. However, there is one requirement: to qualify, you must be at least a Pseudo.”

  The crowd buzzed with conversation, weighing their options. Some seemed frustrated, but many were clearly intrigued by the potential opportunities. Abu let them discuss among themselves for a moment before giving them a final prompt.

  “Now, it’s time to decide. Choose your path.”

  At first, hesitation gripped the room like an unspoken tension. The gathered individuals exchanged glances, gauging each other’s movements, their expressions a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and lingering wariness.

  Then, the silence broke.

  Lena and Hector were the first to step forward, making their way toward the volunteer side without hesitation.

  It wasn’t surprising—Abel’s influence over them ran deep, and his trust in the Institute had clearly swayed their decision.

  Their movement seemed to loosen the hold of uncertainty on the others. Slowly, one by one, people began making their choices. The majority drifted toward the adventurer side, around twenty individuals in total.

  Abu’s sharp gaze scanned them, noting the mix of power levels. Some were fresh-faced, likely just beginning their journey into the world of magic, while others carried themselves with the quiet confidence of seasoned practitioners.

  Among them, at least five Pseudos stood out, their presence a reassuring sign.

  Still, Abu knew this wasn’t the full extent of the region’s magic-wielding population.

  Many still lingered in the shadows, watching and waiting, reluctant to expose themselves just yet.

  It was understandable—years, if not generations, of secrecy couldn’t be undone in a single day. But if the Institute proved itself, more would come. He was certain of it.

  A few figures remained motionless, their decision not yet made. Five in total—two Pseudos and three others who stood apart from the rest, each carrying weapons that hummed faintly with stored magic.

  Golden, the lean, sharp-eyed man wearing a rat’s mask whom Abu had noticed earlier, finally made his choice. With measured steps, he walked toward the volunteer side, his movements unhurried but deliberate.

  His decision earned a few murmurs from the crowd. Golden was known for his independent streak; for him to willingly place himself under an institution’s authority was unexpected.

  The remaining four hesitated for a moment longer before making their move, drifting toward the adventurer’s contract.

  One of them, a burly man with dark, curling tattoos running down his arms, let out a quiet exhale as he made his decision.

  “Well… might as well see what this is all about,” he muttered under his breath.

  Another, a hooded woman with piercing blue eyes, cast a wary glance at Abu before stepping forward. “I’m not signing my life away, am I?” she asked dryly.

  Abu met her gaze evenly. “Not at all. This is an agreement of mutual benefit, not servitude. You have full autonomy over which tasks you accept.”

  She studied him for a long moment before nodding. “Alright then.”

  With the last of the decisions made, Abu smiled. “Great.”

  He reached into his robe and pulled out a book with a faint green glow pulsing from its cover. Its surface shimmered with arcane energy, symbols shifting like ink in water. Holding it up for the volunteers to see, he addressed them.

  “This book contains a magical contract. It ensures that those who join do so without malicious intent. Place your hands on the book and take three deep breaths.”

  The volunteers exchanged uncertain glances. Golden was the first to comply, stepping forward and pressing his palm against the book’s surface.

  The glow flared slightly, surrounding him in a brief aura of green light before fading. He pulled his hand back, flexing his fingers, an unreadable expression on his face.

  One by one, the others followed suit. When the hooded woman placed her hand on the book, she flinched slightly as the glow enveloped her. “Feels weird,” she muttered, shaking her hand as if trying to rid it of the sensation.

  “It’s just a harmless verification spell,” Abu reassured her. “Nothing invasive.”

  Once the process was complete, Abu closed the book with a soft thud. He swept his gaze across the gathered recruits—volunteers and adventurers alike. This was only the beginning, but it was a solid one.

  “Congratulations,” he said. “In three days, return to receive your adventurer badges and undergo your assessment. That will determine your initial ranking within the Institute.”

  A few nodded in understanding, while others exchanged quiet words amongst themselves. There was still an air of uncertainty, but Abu could also sense something else—a budding sense of anticipation. Perhaps even hope.

  As the newly registered members dispersed, Abu watched them go, his hands clasped behind his back. He allowed himself a moment to take it all in.

  This was it. The start of something greater.

  And he did not doubt that soon, others would follow.