In the capital city of Valoria, crowds of people moved through streets lined with ancient, towering buildings that had stood for decades without ever needing any refinement.
At the heart of the capital Elarion stood the great Crownspire Academy, a phenomenon born from the Six Great Lords. Its walls shone white and gold beneath the sunlight, and on its campus flew a red flag marked with a golden crown.
The academy grounds were wide. The garden was beautiful, filled with many flowers and benches to sit on. In the middle of the garden was a fountain crowned with a mermaid statue, and at the heart of the academy stood its beautiful building.
That building was tall, as if torn from the pages of a fantasy novel. Outside the academy grounds, in front of the majestic golden gate, Lucien stood still with a certificate in his hand.
He took a deep breath, I need money to survive, but I'm too old to be taken as a scholarship student even if I show potential. So the best I can do is become a teacher here.
Even though it sounds too easy, it isn't, as I'm just a rank-9 Combatant. Even an average student here is rank-8 at least in his position.
Suddenly, a question rose in his mind, then why am I doing it? There is more than a ninety-percent chance they will reject me, then why?
He sighed, honestly, I don't know. I'm just doing it because I can't regret it without doing anything. It's already too late.
He then stepped inside the campus, and as he did, his body started getting pushed down by the air inside. It was the spirit energy of the students and professors of the academy. A newcomer like him could not even stand properly, but he did not show any signs of weakness outside, even though he was getting crushed.
With a calm expression on his face, he walked forward.
---
A few students on campus noticed him. His noble appearance made everyone wonder who he truly was, but no one dared to ask because they couldn't sense his spirit energy.
Two boys in the garden stared at him — taking in his posture, expression, and appearance. The one on the left, a boy with red hair, asked, "Who is that man? I can't sense his spirit energy."
The other boy, who had black hair, replied, "Maybe he's so strong that we can't detect his presence."
The red-haired boy smirked. "Or maybe it's the opposite."
Both of them burst into laughter.
---
As Lucien reached inside, he walked toward the headmaster's office. Many instructors and students stared at him on his way, but Lucien did not pay attention to any of them.
When he stood in front of the headmaster's office, he knocked on the luxurious ancient gold-tinted wooden door. As he did, a voice came from inside. "Come in." It was sharp and commanding, but sounded almost too suspicious to belong to a headmaster.
Lucien looked confused and asked himself, Is it a headmaster… or headmistress?
He opened the door and walked inside, and as he suspected, the headmaster was actually a headmistress — a striking lady wearing a witch's hat and a purple witch's dress. Her eyes were a sharp shade of purple, and her hair was pink.
The office was neat, with walls of red and white, and decorative items placed in each corner. In front of Lucien was the headmistress's desk and the throne-like chair where she sat. Behind her was a large window through which sunlight streamed in.
Lucien bowed and said, "Good morning, Miss Heisenberg. I am Lucien Kaelhart."
The lady turned her gaze toward him. "Good morning, Mr. Kaelhart."
Lucien put on a smile and stood straight in front of her as he handed his certificate to her. She examined it carefully.
I hope she won't find out that this certificate was made by Any-Crafter, Lucien thought to himself.
I heard from people that the academy was short of instructors after a civil war broke out a month ago. This is my best chance, I want a source of income and experience to level up. If I become an instructor here, then I can grow alongside these students.
Lady Heisenberg set the certificate down and looked at him with slight irritation. "Mr. Kaelhart, are you here as some kind of prank?"
Lucien looked confused. "What do you mean, Miss? Is there something wrong with my certificate?"
She picked it up again and pointed at his rank. "You're a rank-9 Combatant, the lowest Combatant rank. Most of our students who are Combatants are already above rank-9. How do you even expect me to accept you here?" she said.
I already expected this to happen, Lucien thought.
"I heard the academy has been short on instructors since the civil war a month ago. The academy's position among the world's leading institutions has dropped significantly, from first to eleventh. I am not here to train elite students, but those who are at my level," Lucien explained.
Lady Heisenberg replied, "Even if we are short on staff, we still have instructors who can handle them."
"Then why are those students still stuck at rank 9?" Lucien asked, his expression calm.
Lady Heisenberg hesitated for a moment, but masked it behind her professional demeanor. "Not everyone is a genius who develops quickly. Those students need time."
"And an instructor who understands them," Lucien added. "Just give me two months, and I will make sure all of those students reach rank 8 in whatever path they are on. If I fail, you can kick me out." His eyes gleamed with confidence.
Lady Heisenberg sighed and thought for a moment before replying, "Okay, I will give you a chance. Because our academy is facing a shortage, I can't afford greater losses. But if you fail to raise those rank 9 students to rank 8, I will kick you out and revoke your certificate — ensuring no one will accept you." The lady's warning was firm.
Lucien nodded. "Okay, ma'am." He stood up and turned to leave.
The lady called after him, "All instructors must pass a test before joining us. You are not an official instructor, only a temporary one for two months, and you will not receive payment. Your food and basic necessities will be arranged alongside those of the cleaners and other workers. You will eat with them. After two months, if you succeed in raising those rank 9 students to rank 8, an official test will be conducted to determine whether you can become a permanent instructor."
Lucien nods again, looking unbothered. He walks outside the office. The lady inside rubs her head. Why did I accept his request? I don't know. Maybe it's because the academy's state is so bad that I can't think straight. I'm too reckless. His argument isn't even worth entrusting my kids' future to him.
---
Outside, Lucien walks down the corridor. I know what you're thinking, miss. Why did you accept my request? Maybe you believe it's stress, but no. It's not entirely your fault. It's the ability of the Atman Blade. I toyed with your spirit a little. Since you were already under so much stress, your spirit was weak. I sowed confusion in it, leading you to this decision.
He steps out of the academy building. But don't worry. My goals aren't wicked. I just want to save my race. Nothing else.