Chapter 146: 146 Invitation.

After the stormy training session passed, Jin, who the principal was taking, arrived at the office.

It was a separate building from the academy. The place had a three-story floor and magnificent architecture that reminded him of a blend of Medieval Europe.

Jin walked behind the principal, with Dannan behind him. They stopped before a door on the highest floor, right in the middle.

The principal raised the staff in hand and gently tapped the tip of the wooden door.

Mana in the area started to erupt as an intricate pattern emerged, glowing in a mixture of several colors. Red, blue, brown, green, golden and dark.

They create a complex structure that enhances each other’s strength, making the door impenetrable even with high-class magic.

Jin’s Jade eyes skill flared, seeing the bright contrast of color that blinded his vision momentarily.

A mechanical ’click’ rang, and the door slightly opened up, exhaling the trapped air inside.

He caught the smell of aged paper, and sharp ink filtered into his nose.

The principal pushed the door open with a creak, seemingly old, but when Jin stepped inside, the interior was sparklingly new and clean.

It was a spacious room with a round shape. Simple with no exaggerated luxury. Bookshelves adorned every wall and corner, stacked to multiple layers and filled to the brim with books and grimoires.

In the middle, there was a hollowed ground with four sofas and a rectangular table made with high-quality material.

A desk near a window that spilled golden light breathed color into the room.

“Sit, wherever you like”.

The principal took the innermost seat and flicked his finger. A tea set appeared on the table, still hot with steam from its long mouth.

Jin took the opposite sofa and let Dannan sit on the right side.

The old man grabbed the silver kettle and poured the contents into a cup, distributing it to the guests.

“Here you go”. The principal gave it to his left.

“Ah, thank you, Mr. Auremir”. Dannan meekly received the tea and lifted the cup, sipping the still-steaming tea.

“Now, Jin, this is for you”.

Auremir slid a cup to Jin, but he took a glance and then straightened his gaze ahead, watching every action the old man did.

“…Thank you”.

“Don’t be too on guard. I’m calling you here because I’m curious, that’s all”.

Despite the light attitude the old man showed, Jin crossed his arms and leaned toward the sofa, glancing at the corner of the top room.

Noticing his gesture, Auremir coughed and took the cup in hand, taking a sip.

“Now, now, there is nothing for you to worry about”. Auremir gave a smile while putting the cup with a clink.

Dannan, on the side, unaware of the occasion, alternated his gaze between the two. He held the cup gently as he was afraid of breaking it.

Jin’s cheek twitched as he noticed the presence on the roof disappear. He stared intently at the man opposite him, not wanting to waste his lunchtime.

Auremir rows knitted. He noticed the boy’s reluctant expression ever since he arrived in the building.

’I better make it brief’. Auremir gazed ahead, meeting eyes with Jin.

“The reason I called you here is that I’m curious. So, I assume you’ve affinity with Wind Elemental, like I do?”.

“Yes”. Jin nodded.

“Hoho, to be able to manifest that magic circle, it must be hard for you to maintain and create it”.

He kept his mouth shut before he replied. “…Not really”.

Dannan, who heard the boy’s curt response, gulped his saliva. Cold sweat began to trickle down his temple, down to his jawline, in chilling caresses.

’Jin, mind your own manners, please?’. Dannan swallowed those words back and leaned his back against the sofa, letting the warmth and softness soothe his pounding heart.

Jin peeked at his side, noticing his teacher sweating bullets. ’What’s wrong with him?’.

“You act so casually, but do you know where my position is, and also yours, kid?”.

He held his breath as the atmosphere trembled. Gravity pulled down, exerting heavy pressure that held Jin in place.

However, the boy was unaffected because this much pressure was nothing compared to what he had faced before.

Seeing the still-composed boy, Auremir gently tapped the staff’s butt on the floor, sending a tremendous amount of mana.

Jin exhaled; with half-opened eyes, he muttered inside. ’Cheap trick’.

[Mind Sword active]

The world screams as mana scatters across the atmosphere, trying to get as far away from the place as possible.

Time stilled, and sharp lines emerged in the air, crossing against each other like fractured glass.

Auremir and Dannan saw the reflection in each other’s eyes, seeing their bodies slid into chunks with blood splattered to the room.

The world hummed a lullaby of death as the two jolted back to reality, hands tightly grasped each respective weapon and bloodshot glare.

Principal Auremir gathered mana into his staff, ready to blast a powerful wind magic to chase away the terror.

Dannan jumped back, his back almost touching the bookshelves. He held a broadsword, its silver edge glinting viciously under the golden light, showing Jin’s shadows, who sat calmly on his sofa.

“Are we done with the conversation?”.

Jin’s voice was calm, yet it was like a blade that sliced through their consciousness, chipping their life away.

Auremir once again understood all those reports of Dannan and the other teacher in the entrance exam.

The boy in front of him was something compared to any student or teacher combined.

He was an anomaly, a monster that stood above others.

’With him by our side, the academy’s name will skyrocket.’ Auremir loosened the tension in his body and faked a cough.

“Sorry, for my earlier conduct”.

Auremir returned to his seat, followed by Dannan, who stored the broadsword back and gently flopped his butt.

“Are you aware that in a couple of months, we will hold a martial art festival in our academy?”.

With age came wisdom, and Auremir decided to brush the earlier event as if nothing had happened in the first place and scoop the cup, bringing it to his lips.

“Yes, teacher Dannan told me”. Jin nodded. His brows furrowed together, tightening the two adults’ throats.

The principal sipped the now lukewarm tea to moisten his parched throat. He barely hid the clattering sound of the cup in his hand.

“I see, this is going to be easy”. Auremir put down the cup and locked eyes with Jin, albeit shrank in fear.

“What is it?”. Jin tilted his head, oblivious to the thoughts of the old man.

Time ticked slowly as the boy and Dannan waited for the principal to spill what was on his mind.

Suddenly, the old man slammed both hands into the table with a ’bam,’ startling Jin and Dannand with wide eyes, then bowed his head.

“Please, for this academy. I ask you to win in the tournament”.

“…?”. Jin’s mouth was agape as words got stuck in his throat, and it refused to be out.

***

“Then, I will take my leave”.

Jin shut the door, leaving behind a silent thud that jolted the hearts of the two adults who stayed behind.

Auremir and Dannan exhaled, slumping to the floor, feeling utterly drained.

“Mr. Auremir, what did I say?”. Dannan sprung up and cracked the silence with laughter. “Is he amazing?”.

Meanwhile, the principal raised a palm to wipe the sweat in his temple.

“The word ’Amazing’ couldn’t even describe him”. Auremir shook his head and summoned the strength to stand.

“But is that okay, giving Jin the freedom in choosing the candidates?”.

The issue was indeed a bit problematic, knowing that the academy was filled with high-prided people who upheld old traditions rather than embracing new ones.

However, with the appearance of anomalies such as Jin. If that boy stepped forward, he could easily turn the system upside down.

Auremir unconsciously lifted the corner of his lips, hearing his heartbeat start to race after a long time.

“I think the tournament this time would be worth watching.”

Dannan tilted his head, unsure of what was hidden beneath the principal’s smiles, but he nodded.

“I couldn’t agree more”. Dannan glanced at the door and muttered. ’Jin, I’m counting on you’.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep