chapter 18

The principal's office was cloaked in the warm glow of the afternoon sun streaming through tall, arching windows. Principal Susan sat quietly in her high-backed chair, her gaze fixed on the door that had just closed behind Lith Evure. The room held a solemn silence, broken only by the rustle of parchment as her trusted advisor shifted uneasily beside her.

"Principal," the advisor said, her voice soft but carrying a current of apprehension. "Why did you agree to his request? He could be dangerous. We don't know anything about him—or this rank he mentioned: Supreme Primarch of Eternity." Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke the title, as if it carried a weight of its own.

Susan sighed, closing her eyes briefly as if summoning a sense of calm from deep within. When she spoke, her tone was both resolute and pensive. "I…felt truth in his words. He wasn't trying to impress me or intimidate me. Everything he said, he meant. And right now…we need allies. We can't afford to make an enemy of someone this powerful, especially given what we're up against."

The advisor's expression softened, though her caution remained clear. "I understand, Principal. But what about the council? You know how the other members will react if they find out he didn't complete the full entrance exam. They'll object to his preferential treatment. In fact, some of them might try to undermine him."

Susan let out a faint, sardonic chuckle, her eyes glinting with an edge of humor. "Let them try. Those old fools will only see a 'weak' boy who didn't go through their cherished protocols. But they're blind to the truth—they'd never suspect that the very student they look down upon is actually a primordial being. They'll learn, one way or another, and I only hope they're prepared when they do."

A faint smile crept onto the advisor's lips, appreciating the wryness in Susan's words. But Susan's expression quickly turned grave, and her voice lowered to a near-whisper as she stared into the distance, almost as if she could still feel Lith's presence. "Yet…there's more to it. When he sat across from me, I felt something I've never felt before. My instincts were screaming, every fiber of my being telling me to flee."

The advisor's face went ashen, absorbing the gravity of Susan's confession. She nodded slowly, her own voice quiet. "I…understand. I'll see to it that he's given what he needs."

"Ensure that he has unrestricted access to the Academy's archives," Susan said, her tone firm. "All spells, all techniques, even the forbidden ones. And arrange for him to have the best accommodations in the dormitories. We need him on our side, at any cost."

The advisor hesitated for a brief moment, her eyes widening in surprise at the instructions. But her hesitation faded, and she bowed her head in agreement. "Understood, Principal. I'll make sure of it."

---

As Lith left the principal's office, he found himself wandering through the grand halls of Star Academy. The Academy was unlike anything he'd ever seen—a world unto itself, teeming with life and power, with boundless facilities that stretched across an entire planet. Students bustled around him, their robes bearing insignias of various ranks and guilds, while statues of ancient heroes lined the walkways, their stone gazes heavy with centuries of wisdom.

Lith moved with a measured stride, his eyes scanning the landscape. Just ahead, he noticed a woman sitting on a bench beneath a large tree, its branches swaying in a gentle breeze. She wore a mage's robe that, despite its loose fit, only served to emphasize her graceful figure. Her vibrant green eyes sparkled with intelligence, and an inviting smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

But what truly caught Lith's attention was the insignia embroidered on her robe—this woman was a teacher.

Sensing his gaze, the woman looked up and gave him a warm, welcoming smile. "Student, come here," she called, her voice carrying an air of authority softened by friendliness.

Lith approached, a calm, curious smile on his face. Up close, he noticed her refined features, her long hair cascading over her shoulder, and the soft confidence in her expression.

"Are you a new student?" she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and charm.

"Yes," Lith replied, holding her gaze with his usual calm composure.

Her smile widened slightly, and a glint of something playful flickered in her eyes. "Have you chosen a personal teacher yet?"

Lith raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "No, I haven't. I wasn't aware that was an option."

The woman chuckled, folding her hands in her lap with the poise of a seasoned educator. "Here at the Academy, students are encouraged to choose a personal teacher. If the teacher accepts, they become the student's guide, assisting with their studies, offering specialized training, and helping with any obstacles. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Lith's interest piqued—he could certainly use an insider to help him navigate the Academy's intricacies, perhaps even provide some valuable information along the way.

The woman leaned in slightly, her tone turning teasing. "Well, how about me? I'd be happy to take you on as my personal student. And it won't cost you much—just ten million gold coins. Then you'll have the privilege of a beautiful mentor by your side."

Lith stifled a grin, rubbing the back of his neck as he feigned consideration. "Ten million, huh? That's a pretty steep price for an introductory lesson. Would there be…additional benefits?"

The woman's eyes sparkled with amusement as she raised an eyebrow. "Additional benefits? You don't think I'm enough of a benefit on my own?"

Lith shrugged, his grin widening. "Well, you certainly make a compelling case. But for that kind of price, I'd expect some…premium content."

She laughed, a warm, genuine sound that softened her demeanor. "Cheeky, aren't you? But I assure you, the standard package is quite…premium."

Lith gave her a playful shrug. "I'm just saying, for ten million, I'd expect at least a discount on the first session. Something to make it worth my while."

The woman rolled her eyes, clearly entertained by his banter. "It's non-negotiable. But let me tell you, having me as your personal teacher means you get exclusive guidance—and all the perks that come with it."

"Oh, exclusive guidance, you say?" Lith repeated, his voice laced with humor. "You make it sound almost too tempting. But what perks, exactly, come with this exclusive guidance? I wouldn't want to miss out on anything…extra."

She let out a soft laugh, giving him a light nudge on the arm. "If you ever take the offer, you'll see. Trust me, I don't disappoint. But you may need to discover those benefits as we go along."

Lith nodded, feigning deep thought. "It seems like a mysterious offer, but I'll consider it. Maybe I'll come back with that ten million once I…see more of what you offer."

The woman chuckled, a mix of amusement and intrigue dancing in her eyes. "Fair enough. But don't take too long to decide. Opportunities like this don't last forever."

They exchanged a final smile, and Lith gave her a polite nod, excusing himself. As he walked away, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He'd expected Star Academy to be full of surprises, but he hadn't anticipated this kind of welcome. It was a place of boundless opportunity, but also—he realized with a smirk—a place with its own fair share of charm and amusement.