Rorschach was unaware of these sordid dealings. He was overjoyed. Although the night school was just a temporary solution, it meant that students from poor families wouldn’t be completely deprived of an education.

So, as arranged, he returned to Valuva High Master that day. Sure enough, Andre was there, and he had brought two classmates with him.

Rorschach handed them paper, pens, and lecture notes, and also told them about the night school at the textile factory. "If you want to go, you can start by making a list of the classmates you can contact, gather their addresses and living situations, and then Andre can compile all the information."

For these teenagers, safety was the primary concern for attending night school, so it was best to leave such matters to an experienced organizer. Andre agreed, but his expression was evasive. The other two classmates left cheerfully, leaving only him behind. After a long while, he finally said, "Teacher Rorschach, I’m sorry, but I can’t go to the night school."

"Is it because of your night shift?"

"My father is still looking for a job. If I give up my work, it’ll be too hard on my mom... She’s cleaning houses and washing clothes for people now... and I have younger brothers and sisters."

If he had been born into a well-off family, he wouldn’t have to worry about food or clothing. With his Magic Talent, he could have even become a Mage or another type of Professional, earning a high and steady income. But now, even attending school was a problem. Rorschach also didn’t understand why Andre hadn’t displayed his talent at the Church’s Grammar School. If he had, he certainly would have been recruited as a Divine Benefactor.

There was no way of knowing now, and his case wasn’t unique. "If I have a new job opening, would you be willing to take it? It’s in the mages’ research building."

"Huh?" Andre was not only surprised, but the idea was also beyond his comprehension and imagination. Rorschach had no choice but to explain about the Alchemy Department and the job he had found for him.

"You can read, write, and do arithmetic now. With a referral, you can definitely find a much better job than your current one. In the Alchemy Department, there’s a lot of work that requires writing and calculation." A prime example was drafting blueprints. For a set with hundreds of sheets, just writing the title blocks was a massive undertaking. Then there was checking all the various labels and serial numbers, and organizing documents. Snow had complained more than once about the chaotic state of their documentation.

Rorschach felt Andre was perfectly capable of handling the work mentioned above. "Everyone in the Alchemy Department is a Mage. They can be a bit... odd, but they’re all good people. You can learn some simple Magic from them in your spare time."

Considering when Andre’s powers had awakened, Rorschach figured his Casting Ability wouldn’t be very strong without training from a young age. However, practical little Tricks and Low Tier Spells were things he could master, as long as the old-timers were willing to teach and Andre was willing to learn. "So, if you go to the Tower of Stars’ Alchemy Department, you can have a normal schedule, but it’ll be a work-study arrangement. I can only offer you three gold coins a month. Can you accept that?"

The salary was very low. Factoring in the exchange rate between Paper Currency and Gold Coins, it was about one-fifth of the subsidy Kano had initially given Rorschach. But even this price was a pleasant surprise for Andre. At this time, a farmer’s annual income was about 150 Livre, while an industrial Professional earned slightly more, at around 300 Livre.

Three gold coins a month! The income was simply incredible; Andre didn’t even dare to dream of it. It not only surpassed his current night shift wages but was even higher than what his father used to earn. "You... you are too generous. Thank you. I am willing to accept your help, but I don’t know how I can ever repay you."

"Just not getting my name wrong will be repayment enough. Let’s go. We’ll check out the Alchemy Department today." Rorschach recalled an "amusing story" Master Kano had told him: the Queen had a hat that looked like a rooster’s comb, and every single feather on it was worth 2,000 Livre. When Kano told the story, he had mentioned it casually: "Because it was so ugly and ridiculous, our Queen flew into a rage and threw it out the window. It even spun in the air like a bird."

Rorschach brought Andre to the Alchemy Department, where Snow gave him a tour of the first floor. "Andre, we’ve all heard about your situation. Welcome. But it’s best if you don’t go to the basement or the second floor. I’ll arrange a work and study schedule for you."

Rorschach insisted on walking Andre through each room. Some of the old-timers in the Alchemy Department glanced up before going back to their own business, while others greeted Snow and Rorschach. Rorschach had Andre respond to them.

Rorschach’s insistence on accompanying him was not without reason. He wanted to make it clear to everyone that Andre was with him, to prevent any bullying. Although Rorschach believed the old-timers in the Alchemy Department wouldn’t go so far as to target his student, the situation was special, and it was better to be cautious.

To test Andre’s literacy, Snow first gave him a simple task. Then, he spoke with Rorschach alone in his office. "So, what are your plans for this student?"

"It would be best if he can adapt to this place and handle the work. If it really doesn’t work out, I have another place I can arrange for him." ’If worst comes to worst, I’ll have him work at "Hercules" and attend night school with the other students in the evening.’

Antoine Nixingen was now in charge of the Research and Development Department here in Valois and often corresponded with Rorschach to discuss various issues. Andre’s skill level was more than enough for him to be Antoine’s assistant.

Unexpectedly, Snow had another idea. "Would you be willing to have him assigned to the Ethereum Generator?"

"I agree. As long as he’s trained well and his safety can be guaranteed." Rorschach had a thought. ’If he gains experience operating the generator here, then later I can "rope" Andre into going to Bayern. The Ethereum Generator under the future Bayern Mage Tower could be entrusted to him.’

Snow held out his hand. "So, where’s that plan someone promised? The one to replace the Secret Silver Rods? Hand it over!"

Rorschach took out his notebook and explained to Snow his idea from the Energy Gathering Array at the Town Mage Tower, proposing that reversing the inner and outer rings could be a substitute for the Secret Silver Rods.

"The efficiency would be lower, but the cost would indeed be greatly reduced... Yes, this could work. It would at least drastically lower the initial investment." Master Snow nodded, agreeing that it was feasible to apply this technology to the collectors.

By the time they were more or less finished talking in the office, Andre had also completed his clerical work. He checked it over twice, treating the documents that could change his life with even more care than he would an exam at school.

Finding no issues, Andre breathed a long sigh of relief. He was afraid of even creasing the papers, so he held them gingerly as he knocked on the door. "Master Snow, I’ve finished. Please review it."

Snow opened the door and took the papers with a smile. "The only one in this building who gets called Master is Kano. You can call me Master Snow or Director. Just don’t get it wrong again."

Apprehensively, Andre passed his trial. Then, Snow asked him to demonstrate his Magic in a practice room. The last time this happened, he had set his textbook on fire.

"Ever since I was... spoken to about it, I haven’t tried again..." Andre grew flustered. To be honest, he had been tense from the moment he started walking toward the research building. He tried more than once, but fortunately, Rorschach and Snow were very patient, even giving him pointers on the essentials of gathering the Fire Element.

Finally, a small flame flickered to life in Andre’s palm. As it danced, the boy who was Casting couldn’t hide his happiness.

"Congratulations." Snow clapped earnestly, then asked Rorschach to demonstrate the Fireball Skill.

BOOM!

The first and second layers of Protective Magic were shattered instantly. The Magic Lamps in the room flickered a few times before stabilizing, and a backlash of heat washed over the three of them, warming their faces.

"See that? Don’t let Teacher Rorschach’s efforts on your behalf go to waste. From now on, practice your Magic to this standard! Take this." Snow pulled a set of Apprentice robes from his Storage Bag and tossed it to Andre.

"Yes, sir!"

’You’re going to warp his perspective!’ Rorschach protested vehemently.