As we walked toward the headmaster’s office, familiar sights and sounds filled the air. Overhead, students practiced their racing—dragons, phoenix’s, and wyverns soaring across the sky, their shadows stretching over the ground.


    “It’s that time of year, isn’t it?” Alex mused, glancing up.


    “Wait…is it that familiar event I’ve heard about?” Elnora asked, her eyes lighting up.


    “Yeah!” Alex nodded. “During the summer, when the weather is calm, the academy hosts the Vertraut event. It’s a sports competition for third, fourth-, and fifth-year students—since they’re the only ones allowed to own familiars after getting a license.”


    He continued. Though in some cases students can get a temporary license early.”


    “Exactly!” Lilli said excitedly. “I’m definitely entering this year!”


    “Really?” Elnora asked with interest.


    “Yeah! My family specializes in summoning spirits, so we’re allowed to obtain a license to summon familiar as well. I’ve been waiting for this very moment!”


    “That sounds like fun and all.” Alex said with a smirk. “I’ll be cheering you on from the stands!”


    “Hey, buddy! I need a team, you know. You’re going to help me out,” Lilli said, nudging her elbow at Alex.


    “Blah, blah, blah! Can a guy just relax around here?” Alex groaned dramatically.


    Elnora and I watched as the pair bickered in front of us, their playful arguments filling the air.


    As we walked, Elnora brushed against me.


    “Are you nervous at all?” she asked suddenly.


    “Nervous? Why would I be nervous?” I thought to myself.


    But for some reason, I realized my hands were trembling.


    Odd… I had never done that before.


    “I—I think so,” I finally admitted. “I’ve never met the Headmaster before. I’ve heard he only leaves his office during graduation and major academy meetings.”


    “Well don’t be nervous. He’s truly a nice man,” Elnora reassured me. “Honestly, I visit him from time to time.”


    “Visiting the Headmaster?!” I asked, surprised.


    “Yeah!” she said with a bright smile. “We just get along well. He’s very polite and thoughtful—regardless of my position as your assistant. You’ll see for yourself soon enough!”


    I looked at her, for some reason, the slight trembling faded away. Her smile had brought me comfort.


    We continued walking as we stepped into one of the academy’s buildings. Lilli and Alex halted their banter, mindful of any summer classes that might be in session. The atmosphere inside was calm, the air filled with scent of old parchment and lingering magic.


    As we ascended the stairs, they shifted beneath us, coming to life in response to our destination. Unlike the infirmary elevator—crafted through fusion of dwarven engineering and magic—these stairs were woven by magical architectures. The academy itself was alive in its own artificial way, like how the endless dungeons was.


    Lilli unsheathed her blade, pointing it toward the grey brick wall which was in our way. “Liglot” she whispered casting a spell. “Faculty Room, please.”


    At her command, the stairs swirled, the wall shimmering a new pathway materialized several floors above. Without hesitation, we stepped through, finding ourselves in a different section of the academy.


    “I don’t think I’ve been here before,” I said aloud, glancing around.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    “Really? This floor is where all the professors’ offices and rooms are,” Alex explained. “Students aren’t allowed in the living quarters, though.”


    “Follow me,” Elnora said, walking ahead. “The Headmasters office should be at the end of the hall.”


    As we walked down the corridor, some doors remained tightly shut, while others stood open, revealing glimpses of the professors working. Books hovered in midair, experiments sparked to life across desks, and blacksmiths hammered away at spell-blade swords, refining their craft. This was no ordinary faculty wing—it was a place where the professors lived and blended teaching with practice.


    Elnora quickened her pace, leading us up a spiral staircase. At the top, we arrived at a grand entrance—massive wooden doors framed by two towering pillars. A dragon statue loomed beside them; its piercing gaze locked onto us as if assessing our worth.


    Elnora pushed through the large wooden doors, revealing what felt like an older, untouched section of the academy. The architecture here bore a timeless grandeur, as if the past itself had been preserved within these walls. Alex entered first, and Elnora turned back waving for Lilli and me to follow.


    We stepped into the vast chamber lined with intricate wooden carvings. Large paintings of purple-scaled dragons adorned the walls, their piercing eyes seemingly watched us as we moved. At the center of the room stood an elven woman with neatly tied brown hair, glasses resting on the bridge of her nose—the Receptionist.


    “Hey, Ms.Rina!” Elnora greeted gleefully, waking over with a bright smile. “I brought Ryn with me! He finally woke up.”


    Rina, who had initially fixed us with a serious glare, softened to a relaxed smile.


    “It’s so nice to see you again, Elnora!” she said warmly. “How has your summer been so far?”


    “Amazing!” Elnora beamed. “Oh! Did you read that book I recommended? The Princess and The Emperor?”


    “Ah, yes! It was exquisite! Thank you for the recommendation—it was beautifully written.”


    “Right?! Chapter 50 was so good just like I said, wasn’t it?” Elnora spoke with confidence.


    “Ahh Yes!! So good and how the princess…” Rina giggled before clearing her throat, realizing she was still at work. “Ahem. Allow me to check if the Headmaster is ready for you all.”


    She rose from her desk and disappeared through a wooden door at the side.


    I glanced around, taking in the sheer size of the room. “This place is massive…and it’s just a waiting room?”


    “Yep!” Alex replied. “This is the highest point in the academy—inside the Headmaster’s office.”


    Elnora stood by the door anxiously waiting for Rina.


    Lilli wandered toward the paintings, her eyes widening as she took in the various landscapes and creatures. Some canvases showcased beasts, while others displayed different domains across the kingdom.


    “Wait… this—this is Cinderheart!” Lilli exclaimed, staring at the painting. “I know those fireflies and those woods anywhere. That’s right outside my mansion—near the lake!” She turned to us in awe.


    “Wow… the Headmaster must be really old. This was before we added the pier and the bathing house!”


    As she marveled at the artwork, I examined the armor statues standing against the wall. Their designs were unique, older than any armor I’d ever seen. A glimpse into history itself.


    Meanwhile, Alex stood calmly, arms crossed, waiting for Rina’s return. Moments later, the door creaked open, and Rina stepped back into the room.


    “The Headmaster will see you now.”


    We stepped inside.


    A massive dome stretched high above us, its center pierced an enormous telescope, angled towards the clouds. Towering bookshelves lined the room, stacked with dusty tomes. The air was thick with mana, shimmering like a mist—ancient and powerful.


    “Hey Headmaster!” Elnora called out.


    At the center of the room stood a dragonoid man. His richly blue eyes shone with wisdom, his hair white, his features youthful yet carrying the weight of centuries. His gaze, at first stern, softened the moment he saw Elnora.


    “Haha, It’s good to see you again, Elnora,” he said, his voice deep and steady. “I hear you’ve brought Ryn with you?”


    He turned his gaze piercing toward me. Within seconds his presence shifted—regal and commanding.


    As if testing me.


    He stepped passed Elnora, approaching Lilli and me.


    “Hmm… and I would assume your Lady Kirkwood, correct?”


    “Y-yes Lilli stammered, momentarily freezing under his question.


    At that moment, I felt it—his gaze cutting through me like a blade. I had fought monsters, survived dungeons, and even battled against a Dungeon Master, yet none of them carried the same overwhelming presence as the Headmaster.


    Even with his mana condensed…I knew he was far stronger.


    “You’re scaring Lady Kirkwood old man,” Alex interjected with a sigh, shaking his head as he leaned against a bookshelf.


    The Headmaster let out a low chuckle. “Always quick with the tongue, as usual Alexander.”


    “Alexander? I thought to myself. Do these two know each other?”


    The Headmaster turned back toward Lilli. “I apologize, Ms. Kirkwood. If I recall correctly, your family still holds the ability to command spirits, correct?”


    “Yes!” Lilli replied giving a half smile.


    “Good. I am glad Eric passed on that tradition,” he said approvingly.


    Then, his gaze returned toward me.


    “And you Mr. Redwood.. your mana is not akin to your families. According to your entrance exam records, your mana was recorded blue—unlike your fathers, which burns red. Yet now, you stand before me radiating purple.


    How does he know I''m hiding my mana?


    He paused, studying me with growing amusement.


    Go ahead let the mana flare out. This chamber can conceal it.


    I then dropped by usual blue mana and unconcealed my purple mana. As it filled the entire chamber.


    Suddenly, he let out a hearty laugh.


    “We—We… have much to discuss Mr. Ryn Ashford.” he said putting down his glasses.