"We're going to school." You said with your best smile.

"Eeehh?" Herta and Bertha exclaimed at the same time.

"School is, like, so boring..." Your Warrior muttered.

"As the Goddess of Artifice, these human concepts are beneath me." Herta huffed haughtily.

"Sounds like you're just trying to skip on work again, you lazy goddess." You said.

"You're talking about the Centrian Academy of Science and Magic, right?" Said Mel.

"Yeah." You confirmed.

"Fufufu... my gallant Master surely has something planned for such a prestigious place." Ruby smirked. "I've heard there are many impressionable students there..."

"Well I've heard that it's a place where jerks become bigger jerks." Bertha said without regret.

"We're just going there to check it out." You said, much to the relief of a certain hammer-wielding warrioress.

"It is a place that specialized in teaching magic to adults." Gerty added. "Though I would still recommend the military schooling instead, sir!"

You recall hearing how it held various courses for many professions. If Nicondemus' ramblings were to be trusted.

"I can't speak for Herta, but why the heck don't you like it, Bertha?" Mel asked.

"I've heard about schools back in Aquataine... I don't wanna go there when I already know everything I need to know from my parents." Bertha pouted.

"I will say that not all places of learning are terrible." Gerty said. "I was able to hone in my abilities because of the teachings of Preceptor of Westphalia's Most Noble Bane of Westwall." She added with a hint of pride.

"I think this'll be fun!" Mel said with a smile. "I had a tutor that came from the Centrian Academy when my parents were on leave, and she was alright. I wonder if she's still around..."

"If you want us to go then I won't complain, guv." Cattleya trusted your decision.

Breakfast was seen to, your kitsune waking up from the smell of food.

"I might be of assistance here, my love," The groggy kitsune started speaking before breakfast was in full swing, "If you are talking about the Academy of Magic in Centria. I believe I helped the principal's first wife some decades ago when I was working as a midwife."

"Likewise, I have been able to find some strings that could lead us to the Academy proper." Ruby revealed as she sipped her morning tea.

You asked some questions to kitsune and Mastermind both, and they answered everything to the best of their abilities.

===

You'd taken some twists and turns for the sake of a 'shortcut' Ruby had told you about. Despite her directions, you were now at the gates of the Academy.

The Academy...

It was just as prestigious as you expected it to be. It had some similarities to the Merchant's Guild, though it reminded you of some higher education buildings in your old world. This was true, save for the smatterings of magical objects, an almost obscene amount of gears, and other generally steampunk designs that touched every major building you knew about.