<h4>Chapter 23: Merits and Rewards</h4>


    In Brynhildr Academy, practical tests were just as important as daily lessons.


    They were needed to prepare the students for field missions that the Academy would assign from time to time. Usually, First Years only did these missions once a month, and always under the supervision of an upperssman.


    These missions were meant to test how capable the young Wizards and Witches were, and their merits, and rewards, would be based on their performance.


    “Listen closely, okay?” the Prefect of Dud Manor, Henry, tapped the ckboard with his wand. “Since you’re just a first year, you’ll probably start doing Field Missions in the next two months. Before that, I will exin the basics to you.”


    Ethan nodded his head as he listened seriously to Henry’s exnation.


    “There are several types of divisions when ites to Field MIssions,” Henry continued his exnation. “The first type is what we call Solo, or Soloists. These Wizards and Witches are able toplete missions on their own, and are highly regarded by the Academy. That girl, Nicole Asta, is probably aiming to be a Soloist. I was very impressed by her performance.”


    When the Initiation Ceremony started, all the Pirs that were chosen by the Professors were observed by everyone through special Projections that acted like T.Vs.


    Everyone saw how Nicole defeated the zombies effortlessly, as well as one-shoted the Boss Monster whom Ethan’s group had trouble with.


    “Soloists who canplete missions alone are given the highest Merit Points, as well as rewards,” Henry continued his exnation. “Merit Points can be used to purchase special items that are exclusive to the Academy. Of course, there are also Manor Exclusive items that you can purchase using Merit Points as well.


    “Our Manor’s exclusive utility belt is a hot seller, and many students purchase one of them before or afterpleting their first mission,” Henry smiled as he pointed at the Utility Belt that had many pockets on his waist. As a member of the Dud Manor, you will get one for free. But for now, let me continue my exnation.”


    Henry picked up the chalk and started writing on the ckboard, creating a pyramid system that exined the hierarchy of the different divisions.


    “The one on top is the Solo, or Soloists,” Henry stated. “The one below them are the Duo’s. Just like the name implies, this division isposed of two people. Usually, one of them will always be an offensive type, and one a defensive or healer type. Of course, there are also instances when both Duo’s specialize in offense, thereby clearing the mission faster.”


    Henry paused for a bit before pointing at the next division.


    “For Duos, the rewards will be split into two,” Henry exined. “Any rewards they gain will be shared equally between the two people. Merit Points will be shared that way as well. This is why people who are able to Solo missions go alone because they don''t have to split the rewards with anyone else.


    “Also, the Merit Points, and the rewards they receive are doubled. These people are what we call VIP’s because everyone wants to be their customers.”


    Ethan nodded. This was quite easy to understand. If Soloists didn’t get some extra benefits frompleting a mission alone then there was no point to go Solo.


    “The next is Trio,” Henry stated. “Simr to Duo, the rewards will be divided into three parts. However, Trios are more bnced because this allows them to have more flexibility. There can be two fighters, and one healer type in the party, giving them higher survivability.”


    Henry kept on writing on the ckboard, while Ethan simply looked. He had no need to take down notes because his memory was very good. Although he didn’t have an Eidetic Memory (Photographic Memory), his ability to remember things was just as good.


    “The final one is Quatro,” Henry encircled the word Quatro on the ckboard. “Most missions, especially the hard ones, are done by Quatros. On rare asions, two Quatros would merge, forming an Octo. This is the highest number of members that is allowed at any given time in a single team.


    “Right now, you and your cousin have formed a Duo. But, in the future, don’t hesitate to recruit more people if you think that you and Chloe will not be able to handle it on your own. It is better to ask for help than fail miserably, or worse… die because of pride and stupidity. Ethan, although First Years don’t go on dangerous missions, there’s always a chance that things can get out of control. If that happens what you need to do… is run.”


    The Prefect of the Dud Manor looked at the blue-haired boy with a solemn gaze. Clearly, Henry was doing his best to inform their newest member about the reality of the Practical Exams.


    “Sir Henry, I have a question,” Ethan asked. “When we get Merit Points, does that mean we can trade with anyone? Can I also sell something for Merit Points?”


    “Don’t add Sir and just call me Henry,” Henry replied. “And yes, you can trade with anyone in the Academy for Merit Points. This works both ways. You can be the buyer, or you can be the seller. Whatever works is fine, as long as you don’t break the rules of the Academy.”


    Ethan nodded in understanding. He was very curious about what kinds of items he could buy with Merit Points, so he asked his Prefect, and thetter was more than willing to answer his questions.


    Three hourster, Ethan met Chloe at the za of Beginnings. Both of them were going to explore the Academy together in order to familiarize themselves with all of itsndmarks.


    However, just as the two were about to start their adventure, a beautiful youngdy with long pink hair called out to them.


    “Are the two of you nning to explore the Academy?” Nicole asked with a smile. “What a coincidence, I was nning to do that as well. How about we all go together?”


    Ethan and Chloe exchanged a nce. The blue-haired boy just shrugged while his cousin pondered a bit.


    In the end, both agreed that having Nicole apany them wasn’t a bad thing. Also, it would be best to have a reliable person in their group, just in case they got lost or something.


    The three then first headed East to check the library of the Academy, because Ethan wanted to borrow a book about the history of the Magical World.


    This way, he would better understand the history of the Wizards and Witches, whom he had thought were only the stuff of myths and legends.