Chapter 70: Offer and Counter-offer

I was momentarily speechless by the unexpected proposition.

Deep down, I thought I would be interrogated about my dual core, but I never anticipated a suggestion to change my major.

“Although it’s a sudden proposition, I believe the Academy wants to pay more attention to students like you, Adrias, and provide opportunities.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but…”

Indeed, my expertise lies more in swordsmanship than magic.

If I were to nitpick, my abilities as a necromancer would be the strongest, but it’s not something I can casually reveal.

However, I’m currently training with the Deschurn’s Death Blade, so I didn’t feel the need to enhance my sword skills by changing my major.

I still had potions to research and various other magical abilities to develop, so the Knight’s Division was completely out of the question.

“I want to remain in the Mage’s Division.”

“May I hear your reasons?”

“I still have ongoing research on potions, and above all, considering the efforts my father put into making me a mage, it’s not easy for me to simply give up.”

“Adrias.”

Deos called my name in a firm, yet powerful voice.

“There’s a saying about choices and focus. Adrias, you possess talent in swordsmanship. Choosing to become a mage while giving up on such talent makes it difficult for me, as an educator, to simply watch.”

Why is Deos so determined to transfer me to the Knight’s Division?

To understand Deos’s intentions, I gazed into his eyes.

Let’s consider the benefits he would gain if I were to transfer to the Knight’s Division.

‘Perhaps it’s because he’s an aging old man who wants to achieve something significant. But I can’t think of anything particularly noteworthy.’

As I silently met his gaze, Deos eventually reclined back on the sofa, conceding.

“Adrias, how about this? If you transfer to the Knight’s Division, as a special privilege from the headmaster, you will receive a full scholarship and additional bonus points for graduation.”

He’s going to such lengths. It seems desperate.

By transferring to the Knight’s Division, Deos must have something in mind that he believes would benefit him.

‘I’m not considering the Knight’s Division, but…’

A full scholarship and bonus points are appealing.

Both are enticing prospects.

However, the important thing is that if I reject this proposition, Deos will not view me favorably.

“But I have no intention of transferring to the Knight’s Division.”

I made my decision clear, despite the enticing offers on the table.

Deos’s expression remained composed as he listened to my response.

“I see. Adrias, I respect your decision. Remember, the Academy is always here to support you in your chosen path. If you ever change your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Deos’s understanding demeanor put me at ease. It was evident that he wanted me to make a choice that aligned with my own aspirations and desires.

As I left the headmaster’s office, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I had made a decision that felt true to myself, despite the tempting offers. The path I chose might not have immediate advantages, but I believed it would lead me to the growth I sought.

If someone were to ask if the rewards for changing my major were significant enough, I wouldn’t be so sure.

Above all, without Deos revealing his true intentions, it was difficult for me to accept the proposition.

“I have confidence in my magical talent.”

“Hmm…”

Deos let out a sigh that sounded like a lament and eventually nodded his head.

“You went to such lengths… I understand. I let my greed get the better of me, speaking from a place of wanting the best for your education. I apologize.”

As Deos suddenly stood up and bowed, I almost instinctively scowled.

This shameless manipulator was trying to make me feel guilty and change my plans.

For most people, once they feel remorse, they expect some form of compensation.

“No, it’s possible.”

I forced a relaxed expression and stood up, extending my hand towards him.

After an awkward moment of both of us standing up, we sat back down.

“Adrias, your performance in the recent tournament was exceptional. Not only I, but all the spectators present felt the same way. In fact, one of the spectators in the tournament was the headmaster of Mirko Academy.”

Just when I wondered what he was going to talk about, my ears perked up at the mention of Mirko Academy.

“Unfortunately, he only started watching from the semi-finals. However, upon hearing about your showdown with Dianne Alven, the winner of this tournament, he expressed great interest. This tournament, with a winner from the Mage’s Division after 12 years, was a series of unexpected events. The headmaster of Mirko Academy, after confirming this fact, hoped for a friendly exchange between the two academies to take place in the near future.”

An exchange?

This was a storyline that didn’t happen in the game.

Moreover, there was another playable character in Mirko Academy.

‘I didn’t expect the future of the tournament to unfold like this.’

As I quietly listened, Deos continued.

“I also didn’t think it was a bad idea and accepted the exchange. Ten students from Mirko Academy will be invited, all of them top performers. I want to give you the opportunity to be among the students selected to accompany and live together with them.”

I couldn’t understand how the conversation had shifted so suddenly from changing my major.

Although it was a relatively minor request compared to changing my major.

‘By bringing up the subject of changing my major and then asking me to oversee a smaller request like this?’

Making a big request and following it up with a relatively smaller one increases the chances of compliance.

Furthermore, with his earlier apology, Deos had instilled a sense of guilt in me.

If he hadn’t intended that, he wouldn’t have apologized after making the big request.

“It’s a dilemma.”

His intentions were dubious, and I felt like I was playing into Deos’s scheme.

However, it was also an opportunity to build connections with the playable characters from Mirko Academy.

“Headmaster Deos.”

“Yes, have you made your decision?”

“I appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me, but I have a favor to ask.”

“Request? If it’s a request…”

“I want to use the personal research room assigned to the graduation class.”

Was it a completely out-of-the-blue request?

Deos looked slightly perplexed and asked in disbelief.

“Well, Adrias. The exchange event with Mirko Academy is an ‘opportunity’ that our academy is offering to you. I don’t think it would be unclear what that means, but it’s not a transaction, it’s simply something we are ‘bestowing’ upon you.”

“Headmaster Deos.”

I spoke softly, putting on a smug expression.

“I am not a fool.”

With just one sentence, I ended the conversation.

As I set the atmosphere, Deos’s poker face momentarily crumbled before returning.

“Uh, well, I mean… I thought you would naturally understand. But since the student is making an unreasonable request…”

“I understand. Let’s just forget about this conversation.”

I took a sip of the lukewarm tea in one gulp and poured myself another cup.

Savoring the fragrance leisurely, I shifted my gaze elsewhere.

“So, what you’re saying is…”

“The exchange event. I won’t participate.”

Deos’s mouth remained open in surprise at the unexpected refusal.

Of course, I didn’t actually intend to refuse.

I was merely testing the waters, confident that if Deos truly wanted me to participate in the exchange event, he would turn the conversation back to accepting my proposal.

“I’ve said it once, but I am not a fool.”

As I observed Deos’s poker face tremble ever so slightly, I drove the point home.

‘By now, I expected you to understand the meaning behind my words.’

I have seen through your initial proposal and all the way to your current offer.

If you want to use me for your benefit, then pay the price.

Finally, it seemed like Deos grasped the meaning of my words as his calm eyes settled.

Calm? No, it would be more accurate to describe it as cold.

“I see. So, that’s how it is.”

Deos muttered to himself twice, then rose from his seat and sat down at his desk.

He took out a piece of paper and began writing something.

“Adrias Cromwell. I should have suspected it ever since I saw your skills during the tournament. I was foolish.”

Once he finished writing, he handed me the paper.

“I guess it’s time to stop hiding. No, we were the fools for being deceived all this time.”

The paper contained a registration certificate for a personal research room and the corresponding authorization.

I nodded my head slightly in response to his words, without showing any other reaction.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. The exchange event with Mirko Academy will start next week, so you should be aware of that in advance.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

We ended the conversation as if making a promise and parted ways.

Being able to use a personal research room was a great development.

In terms of security and privacy, a personal research room was unparalleled.

No one could enter without my permission, not even the Headmaster or the Principal.

It was a space dedicated solely to me.

‘Moreover, unlike the shared research rooms, I can use it without any time restrictions.’

Although it was a place that I would eventually gain as a member of the graduation class, receiving it a year earlier meant I gained that much more time.

For someone who knows the future like me, that year was far from insignificant.

.

.

.

.

Deos looked at the empty seat left by Adrias as he left.

‘Is it a coincidence, or does he know?’

Though known to the world as a benevolent scholar, Deos had a hidden secret.

Swoosh.

As he gestured with his hand, the wind followed suit, effortlessly manipulated by Deos Canian.

He was a summoner who commanded elemental spirits.

Summoners were distinct from wizards.

Unlike wizards, a summoner’s power relied solely on their affinity with the summoned spirits and the growth of those spirits, independent of their own mana capacity.

This often led most summoners to be mistaken for ordinary individuals due to their relatively low mana capacity.

‘I can’t figure it out. It’s beyond my understanding.’

Moments ago, Deos had attempted to send a wind spirit along with Adrias as he left.

However, just before stepping out the door, Adrias suddenly released mana outward, repelling the spirit.

‘The timing was too perfect to attribute it to coincidence.’

Unless one possessed an affinity for spirits, they wouldn’t be able to see or sense them.

Moreover, even among the spirits, wind spirits were particularly elusive, making it difficult to detect their presence, even for experienced masters.

Shivering, Deos brushed off his body.

‘Could it be… Does he possess affinity for spirits?’

No, that would be too far-fetched.

Adrias already had the unique trait of having two mana repositories, which was astonishing enough. Adding affinity for spirits on top of that…

It seemed unlikely for a human to possess such abilities.

‘But if that’s the case, then how…’

As he looked out the window, he noticed Adrias casually walking by.

Sensing his gaze, Adrias briefly turned his head in Deos’s direction. In that moment, Deos instinctively moved out of his line of sight, bursting into a muffled laughter.

“Ha! Hahaha!”

Amused by his own actions, he shook his head and settled back into his seat.

From their previous conversation to Adrias’s actions and his penetrating insight into Deos’s intentions…

‘Adrias Cromwell. I’m not sure what you’re hiding…’

One thing was certain.

The current Adrias was not the same as before.

‘I’m looking forward to it.’

Playing with the wind in his hands, Deos smiled quietly.

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