“Student Arthur, do you have the answer?” Teacher Hemingway’s voice interrupted Jin’s thought process.

However, it didn’t take much for him to snap back into focus and respond, “It’s the 6th Dialect of Arcadia.”

“That is… correct.” Teacher Hemingway was mildly surprised, yet nonetheless continued the lecture.

Soon, the bell rang, and class finished for the day.

On his way out of the classroom, Jin was asked to stay behind.

“You’ll be participating in the Continental Tournament this year, won’t you?” Teacher Hemingway asked, his voice low and somewhat pleading. “You see, the Dean—”

“I know what the Dean wants,” said Jin. “But this tournament, I still can’t join.”

“But Student Arthur…. Haiz…” Teacher Hemingway shook his head, a bit dismayed. “You’re more than capable enough to give the top players of the tournament a run for their money, so why is it that you always reject the invitation to participate…?”

He, along with the Dean and the rest of the staff, had been wondering this very thing for the longest while. However, out of respect for Arthur and his status as Crown Prince, the staff refrained from pressing the matter too hard after hearing his rejections.

But with this being the third one, they needed something better than “I can’t.”

This was their reputation at stake. And because of all the bragging the Dean and teachers did over the years, they had gotten themselves in quite the awkward predicament.

Unless they revealed the muse of their bragging, before long, their relations with all the world’s nations would sour beyond repair.

Jin made a complicated expression, and feeling another rejection about to arrive, Teacher Hemingway hurriedly said, “The Dean has promised you all the Super Element Crystals you could want. Moreover, you’ll be allowed unlimited perusal of the Academy’s most secret tomes and grimoires. Additionally, your position as Honorary Elder of the Academy will be finalized.”

Jin’s brows furrowed.

Super Element Crystals? Sure, the him of two years ago definitely would’ve been interested, but not anymore. No amount of Super Element Crystals provided by the Academy could help him.

The ones he required were in the hands of the True Spirit Gods.

And what of the Academy’s secret tomes and grimoires? He had already snuck into every exclusive place on the continent, including the Academy Library, and comprehended everything there was.

As for the position of Honorary Academy Elder, that was even more useless.

He had already established a vast network spanning more than a dozen kingdoms. In a way, his empire had already been recreated; it just lacked a public presence.

So what use could he possibly have for a mere Honorary Elder title?

‘Then again, maybe this is the time,’ Jin reconsidered. ‘I’ve scoured the continent several times over, and save for the treasuries of various regions and the kingdoms themselves, there’s little more I can gain from down here.’

‘Up, however…’

That was where the True Spirit Gods resided.

And also where the world’s most valuable treasures were stored.

‘With hundreds of thousands of strands of Cosmic Singularity Intent, my strength should have reached the pinnacle of this world,’ he speculated. ‘But having had no decent challenge since I got here, it’s hard to say if I’m actually the strongest or not. I’ve never actually battled any of the Gods, after all.’

In the dozen years he’d been on the True Spirit Continent, not once did he glimpse a True Spirit God. They didn’t descend from their abodes, and except for a select few devout followers, interacted with no one that wasn’t them.

Jin only knew approximately where they were staying, as their ‘Sky Abodes’ stuck out like sore thumbs for his perception.

‘However, with this world being their turf—their home ground—I’ll need to be extra certain that I can take them all down before they can react.’

This was why he had wanted to wait until he reached Rank 3, for by that point, there’d be no way a bunch of secluded, narcissistic entities with god complexes would escape his grasp.

‘But this Continental Tournament that happens once every so often, if I’m remembering correctly, it’s right around the time this tournament starts that the Gods’ presence in this world increases,’ Jin thought. ‘Presumably, they spectate the tournament, likely scouting out any potential youths possessing the potential to achieve the pinnacle of the Archmage Realm and become Limit Mages.’

Jin wouldn’t even be surprised if it was revealed that the True Spirit Gods were behind the creation of the Continental Tournament. It’d actually make a lot of sense.

It was also this assumption that led to Jin keeping some distance from the tournament.

Until now, that was.

“So what about it? What do you think of bringing glory to your country and returning with loot abound—”

“I’ll do it.”

“Now I know this is a difficult decision to make, what with classes and school and all, but I swear to you that it’ll be worth it… Wait, what?” Teacher Hemingway paused. “Did you just… agree…?”

Astonishment painted his face. Then disbelief. And finally, extreme joy.

“This is good, my boy!” he exclaimed. “Very, very good. Yes, I must inform the Dean of this joyous news right away!”

Jin didn’t say anything else, and he also didn’t prevent his teacher from rushing out of the classroom.

‘A world-wide tournament to determine who the most fearsome genius in the world is.’ Jin smiled mysteriously. ‘For the last few years, it has been Ashvar Blackmist that took home the title of World’s Strongest Prodigy. And though I have no interest in something so childishly insignificant, I suppose I don’t mind taking the title for myself.’

Acquiring this title would also assist him in solidifying his position in the world after the Gods get… dealt with.

Rallying behind a recognized supreme genius instead of a no-name upstart was far better, was it not?

…

Later on in the day.

In a grassy area not far outside the Capital City.

“Seeing as you’ve called me out here so late in the night, I figure you have something important you wish to talk with me about?”

Jin and Lyla could be seen walking side-by-side over a cobblestone bridge. Below that bridge, a wide river flowed, with the luminescent moon above reflecting its quiet brilliance on the moving water.

And hearing the Crown Prince’s nonchalant question, the flowing river rippled ever so slightly in the face of Lyla’s fluctuating emotions.

Turning toward Jin, a resolute gleam shone through as she said, “I’ve decided.”

“Decided on what?” asked Jin, a slight smile forming.

“I’ve decided to join you,” Lyla elaborated, despite being well aware that he was purposefully teasing her. “On the quest, I want to join you on the quest. I can be useful, I promise.”

Observing Lyla’s crystalline eyes and fluttering eyelashes, Jin’s smile widened. “And what suddenly made you change your mind? Last time we talked about this, you seemed very averse to the idea of joining me. What’s different this time?”

“That…” Lyla averted her gaze, sheepishly poking her index fingers together. “I just want to, okay.”

“You know I’m not blind, don’t you, Lyla?” said Jin. “I know you’re not such a flippant person. There must be a more meaningful reason for why you’ve decided to take possibly the greatest risk of your lifetime.”

An almost indiscernible pout appeared on Lyla’s pretty face. “This is one of the things I’ve always disliked about you, Arthur. You’re way too mature and perceptive for your age. Way, way too much. It’s creepy—almost like you’re an old man in a little boy’s body.”

Jin’s smile remained unchanged.

After some more time of strolling around with an awkward silence lingering between them, Lyla finally relented.

“Fine… I’ll tell you the truth,” she unwillingly began.

After a brief explanation…

“So that’s how it is,” Jin mused. “Well, you do come from a rather prominent background, and though your talent is exceptional, you’re too young to have reached your peak. It’s not surprising that your marriage has been arranged.”

“So… Who’s the lucky guy—”

*Pow!*

“Not funny,” Lyla grumbled, retracting her hand from Jin’s stomach. “You asked. I answered. So now can I join you??”

While feigning pain, Jin replied, “You’re an adult. A strong, independent woman now. You can do whatever you want. But joining me… Are you positive you wouldn’t rather live out your life in some luxurious castle, feasting all day and getting whatever your heart desires?”

“My heart… desires this,” Lyla said firmly. “…Please… I’m begging you…”

Very rarely did so many words leave her mouth at once, but now that they were, Jin couldn’t joke around anymore.

With a serious expression, he said, “Very well. You can join me.”

Before Lyla’s excitement could boil over, Jin added, “But do understand that there’s a process to these sorts of things. In the coming days, I’ll have someone guide you through what’s required of you, and what your benefits will be. After everything is said and done and your loyalty is guaranteed, I’ll personally guide you.”

“Guide me… in my studying…?” Lyla tilted her head in confusion.

“No,” Jin chuckled. “In your Mage Path.”

“My Mage Path…?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep