chapter 17

Lith approached the second test area, a large chamber with walls inscribed with ancient symbols and guarded by towering statues of mythic beasts. This time, the examiner was a woman, tall and graceful, her hair an icy blue that hinted at her elemental affinities. She took one look at Lith and his eleven floating books and went pale, her usual calm demeanor cracking ever so slightly. As a mage skilled in space and ice, she knew the significance of even a single grimoire, let alone eleven. She couldn't help but marvel at him for a moment, but she quickly forced herself to regain her composure.

"Please place your hand on the crystal," she instructed, keeping her tone as neutral as possible. Her fingers trembled just slightly, betraying her internal shock.

Lith nodded with an amused smile, noticing her slip-up but choosing not to comment. He placed his hand on the crystal ball, expecting the usual result. But the crystal pulsed once and then flashed an infinity symbol, glowing with an otherworldly light. The entire room fell silent. A symbol of infinity had never appeared on this test before. The woman's eyes widened as murmurs spread among the other observers.

"What… what does that mean?" one of the nearby students whispered to another.

"No one has ever seen that symbol before," replied a teacher, frowning. "It's beyond our understanding."

The examiner herself was visibly unsettled, unsure how to proceed. At that moment, a voice spoke in her mind, powerful and authoritative.

"He has passed. No further testing is required."

Startled, she recognized the voice of the academy's principal, a figure of immense power. She instinctively opened a mental link to him. Principal, what does this mean? Why can't we proceed with the rest of the tests? she asked, her thoughts laced with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

But the principal didn't respond. She could only hear the faint echo of his voice, signaling his authority. Left with no choice, the examiner turned to Lith, her expression strained as she made the announcement.

"You've… passed the test. You are officially a student of the Star Academy," she said, her voice wavering slightly, almost as if she didn't believe her own words.

A ripple of shock spread through the crowd of students and teachers alike, everyone exchanging stunned glances.

"Did he just pass without completing the remaining exams?"

"How is that possible? I've never seen anything like it!"

Lith, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the reaction. "Well, that was…unexpectedly easy," he said with a chuckle, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. He was about to ask the examiner more when a teleportation circle began to form beneath his feet. The circle glowed with intricate runes, indicating an advanced teleportation spell.

"Interesting," Lith murmured, tilting his head to examine the circle. "Let's see where this takes me."

The next moment, he vanished from the testing grounds in a swirl of light. When the light faded, Lith found himself in a lavishly decorated room, the kind of space reserved for royalty or high-ranking officials. Fine drapes adorned the walls, while intricate carvings decorated the pillars. A massive table made of some rare, otherworldly wood occupied the center of the room, its surface scattered with books and artifacts that exuded ancient energy.

As he took in the surroundings, a soft, melodic voice greeted him. "Welcome, Sir Primordial. Please, have a seat."

Lith turned toward the sound and found himself looking at a woman of extraordinary beauty seated on a plush sofa near a large window. Her features were flawless, her figure curvaceous, with a confident elegance that hinted at both charm and strength. She wore a knowing smile, her eyes sparkling with intelligence and a hint of amusement. Despite her calm demeanor, there was an unmistakable power radiating from her.

Lith strolled over with a relaxed smile and settled into the seat across from her, his eyes meeting hers. "Sir Primordial?" he repeated with a hint of playful confusion. "You've got the wrong guy. I'm not a Primordial. Just a… humble Supreme Primarch of Eternity," he added with a wink, leaning back and crossing his arms.

The woman's smile shifted, a touch of mockery glinting in her eyes. "Is that so?" she replied, her voice smooth and unhurried. "You may call me Susan. I'm the principal of the Star Academy and one of the Eternals." She gave him an appraising look, clearly sizing him up. "It's not often that we encounter someone of your… stature."

Lith arched an eyebrow, enjoying her attempts at keeping control of the conversation. He grinned. "I don't know if I'd call myself a 'stature,' exactly," he replied, a glint of humor in his eyes. "I'm here for simple reasons—a friend's wish, and maybe to learn a thing or two along the way. Not here to start a war, if that's what you're worried about."

Susan's eyes narrowed slightly. She leaned forward, her tone growing more serious. "And what exactly do you mean by 'learn a thing or two'?" Her gaze was sharp, probing for any hidden motives.

Lith met her gaze calmly, undeterred by her scrutiny. "Skills, Principal Susan. Techniques, spells, you name it. I've got the power—now it's time to master it." He shrugged, looking almost bored. "I figured this academy was as good a place as any to start."

Susan's expression softened just a bit, though there was still a guarded look in her eyes. "For someone with eleven grimoires and nearly every magical affinity, you seem to be… underplaying your abilities." She tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the armrest. "And you truly expect me to believe that you're here simply to study?"

Lith laughed, a warm, genuine sound that surprised her. "Look, I get it—this all sounds a little too good to be true. But trust me, I'm not looking to conquer worlds or challenge the Void itself. I'm just here to explore what I can do." He paused, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "Plus, I figured someone around here might be able to keep up with me. You know, keep things interesting."

Susan's expression finally cracked, a reluctant smile slipping through. She leaned back, her guard lowering just slightly. "You're… different from what I expected," she admitted, still watching him closely. "But as long as you're here, remember—this academy values discipline and respect. Even for students who might… stand out a little." Her gaze lingered on his eleven grimoires.

Lith chuckled again, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Discipline and respect. Got it. I'll try my best," he replied, clearly teasing but with a surprising sincerity underneath.

She held his gaze for a moment, then nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Very well, Supreme Primarch of Eternity," she said, her tone still holding a touch of mockery. "Welcome to the Star Academy. We'll see if you can live up to your… modest ambitions."