Chapter 33 Power Struggle

"Wow, the Martial Hall is really different from the village! All of the roads are made from cobblestone or wood, even the Spring Village has a few dirt roads," Alexa remarked, her eyes wide with wonder.

"Well, of course, it is Alexa. We can't fix the road every day just because a Martial Artist used too much strength and messed up the road," Jasper retorted, shaking his head in amusement at her observation.

Grant, who was standing behind the two, chuckled listening to their interaction.

Jasper then said happily. "Alexa, we will soon be staying in the Spring Pavilion. You will have your own room too!" he informed her.

This was indeed true. While Alexa may have been just Jasper's servant in the past, she would be joining the Martial Hall as a staff member and Jasper's assistant. As such, she would have her own room and a respectable status within the Martial Hall.

"The Martial Hall seems like such a grand place, I'm surprised they would offer such an arrangement for a simple maid like me," Alexa replied, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she took in the impressive scenery around her.

Grant laughed at her comment, "Well, you're not just a simple maid anymore. You're going to be a personal assistant to the Vice Headmaster" patting Jasper's shoulder. "That's a respectable position in its own right."

Upon entering the pavilion, they were greeted by several staff members. After quick introductions, Alexa and Grant were led out of the pavilion and into another building not too far off. This is where most of the staff and some elders of the Spring Pavilion resided. It was called the Spring Blossom Residency.

It was a two-story wooden structure built on a stone base, designed in the shape of a square. A large communal courtyard lay in the center, surrounded by living quarters and a handful of communal facilities. The building was large enough to comfortably accommodate nearly 300 people, with a crew of about 20 working tirelessly to keep the place in top shape.

As Alexa had mentioned earlier, the Martial Hall was far grander than the Spring Village. Home to nearly 5,000 individuals - comprised of 3,000 students and 2,000 staff - it significantly dwarfed the Spring Village's population of 2,000 residents. In less than a decade, the Martial Hall had expanded so rapidly that its scale was almost comparable to a city.

The Spring Pavilion's third floor was designed in an open circular shape, with office rooms branching out in a radial pattern. The sheer scale and luxury of the place left Jasper awestruck. Red carpet, of a quality even higher than those in his manor, blanketed the entire expanse of the floor. Silver railings, painstakingly polished to a high sheen, held the edges of the carpet in place. Each individual office door was made from fine mahogany, the wood's natural grain pattern enhanced by the application of a rich, dark stain.

Being led through this opulent scene felt surreal to Jasper. He was used to luxury, given his status and upbringing, but this was an entirely different scale. This wasn't the comfort of a home, but the display of power and wealth of a large organization.

Soon, he was standing before the grandest door at the end of the hallway. This office, larger and more ornate than the rest, was unmistakably the office of the current headmaster. A gold plaque affixed on the door bore the title 'Headmaster', confirming Jasper's guess. The attendant who was leading him knocked on the door, then turned to Jasper and nodded, indicating for him to enter. Jasper took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what was about to come next, then pushed open the door to step inside.

Soon, he was standing before the grandest door at the end of the hallway. This office, larger and more ornate than the rest, was unmistakably the office of the current headmaster. A gold plaque affixed on the door bore the title 'Headmaster', confirming Jasper's guess. The attendant who was leading him knocked on the door, then turned to Jasper and nodded, indicating for him to enter. In the grand scheme of things, the 'Headmaster' didn't hold much power as his father was the one who actually owned the Martial Hall. Despite this, the Headmaster held a significant amount of influence over the daily operations and decision-making within the Hall. This authority, combined with the impressive aura of the office, made the Headmaster seem like an immensely powerful figure in the eyes of young Jasper. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves and mentally preparing himself for the encounter, Jasper pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The inside of the office was just as grand as its exterior. Expensive tapestries adorned the walls, a large polished desk sat in the center, and behind it, a large window that looked over the bustling entrance to the Spring Pavilion. Sitting behind the desk was an elderly man who Jasper didn't recognize, but looking at the name engraved at the bottom of the desk it said Elder Torn. Despite his simple background and lack of connection to any influential family, Elder Torn had risen through the ranks in the Spring Village due to his innate talent for organization and management, a rare skill in a village where martial prowess was usually the determining factor for status.

Jasper found it surprising to see someone like Elder Torn here, given his humble background. "Elder Torn?" Elder Torn looked up from the paperwork he was reviewing, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Jasper.

"Ah, young master Jasper," he greeted warmly, standing up from his chair. Elder Torn was a thin man, his body hardened by years of physical work before he had gained his position in the Village. He wasn't particularly tall, but he had a certain presence that made him seem larger than he was. "Come in, come in. It's a pleasant surprise to see you here." Of course it wasn't a surprise as he was informed about this visit well in advance.

Jasper couldn't help but be confused. He expected that the person to be the Headmaster would be one of the Elders who lead influential clans. "Um-Hello Headmaster." Unsure of what to say in this situation Jasper just greeted the headmaster.

A hearty laugh echoed through the room as Elder Torn returned to his seat, "Young Master you can be at ease, I know what you are thinking. I am indeed not from an influential family. However, the purpose of my position isn't to hold power, it's to ensure the smooth operation of the Martial Hall."

Seeing Jasper's confusion, he elaborated further, "If your father, Chief Cline, gave the position to a member of a powerful family, it could potentially cause a revolt, harming the interests of our Spring Village. With me in this position, it helps maintain a balance of power and reduces the risk of any internal conflict."

With a nod of understanding, Jasper replied, "I see... So, your role as headmaster is more administrative and neutral. It makes sense. Still, it's impressive that you can handle such responsibilities, Elder Torn."

Elder Torn laughed again, his eyes twinkling with a certain delight. "It's not as daunting as it sounds, young master. Of course, it's not an easy task by any means, but it's necessary for the harmony of our Martial Hall. Plus, it gives me a chance to do something meaningful for the Spring Village, even if I don't have the martial prowess like the rest."

Throughout the conversation, Elder Torn maintained a respectful and humble demeanor. Despite being in such a position of authority, he displayed no arrogance or pride, in fact he even seemed to be a little too friendly.

"But the reason the young master is here today is that he is to become the Vice Head after all!" The old man's smile, as if Jasper's promotion was his own achievement, brightened the room. "It won't be long till our esteemed young master assumes my position. Ah, the younger generation really does grow up faster and faster." Witnessing the elder's genuine happiness, Jasper felt a sense of gratitude. "Thank you for the kind words, Elder Torn."

"No, no, Young Master Jasper, it's everyone in the Pavilion that should be thanking you!" Torn exclaimed. Hearing this, Jasper coughed awkwardly, "Um, Elder, may I ask about my duties as the Vice Headmaster?" Hearing Jasper's question, Elder Torn appeared astonished, "How could we force our Young Master to work! Young Master, your primary responsibility is to continue your training as a martial artist. That is the most critical task." With a smile, Torn reassured him, "You can just leave everything else to me, Young Master."

However, Jasper wore a stern expression, "Elder, my father didn't appoint me as the Vice Headmaster just so I could ignore my responsibilities. How about you explain some of your duties to me? Since you, as the Headmaster, are burdened with everyone else's tasks, I should assist you in easing some of your workload."

Caught off guard by Jasper's determined and slightly harsh tone, Elder Torn blinked, his friendly facade faltering for a brief moment. "Young Master, I understand your sincerity, and your willingness to shoulder responsibilities is indeed commendable. It's just that…" Elder Torn tried to weave his way out of the situation.

Jasper, however, was not to be swayed so easily. Noticing the brief flicker of surprise in Elder Torn's eyes, he knew he was on the right track. "Elder Torn," Jasper retorted, "my focus on training does not mean I should neglect my duties. If you truly have my best interests at heart, you wouldn't attempt to monopolize all responsibilities. I'm not here just to enjoy the title and benefits."

Elder Torn did not respond immediately, his eyes reflecting thoughtful consideration as he regarded Jasper. "Understood, young master," he finally replied, his affable smile faltering slightly at Jasper's unyielding stance. It became clear to him that the young Vice Headmaster would not be as pliable as he had initially hoped. "As the Headmaster, my duties are numerous and varied. They encompass overseeing the administrative aspects of the Martial Hall, such as student admissions, staffing, resource allocation, and implementing laws set forth by your father. I am also responsible for resolving internal disputes, maintaining the overall operations of the Martial Hall, overseeing foreign diplomatic relations, and much more."

With a focused and keen gaze, Jasper listened attentively. Even though he did not fully grasp the situation, he could sense something was off, and he had no intention of being sidelined. "I see," he said, once Elder Torn had finished. "As Vice Headmaster, I'll assist in managing student-related administrative tasks and help oversee the general operations of the Martial Hall. I believe this will serve as an excellent starting point for me to better understand the workings of the Martial Hall."

Elder Torn found himself without any choice but to agree. Although Jasper's firmness had taken him aback, he swiftly masked his surprise behind a warm smile. "That indeed sounds like an excellent idea, young master. I am confident you will excel in your tasks," he responded.