Chapter 45: The Principal's Legacy

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The Next Day at the Academy

As Gabriel made his way toward the academy, he couldn't help but notice the curious glances from the students. Even two days after the Final Assessment, the impact of his performance still lingered in their minds. Although Gabriel never sought the limelight like the celebrities of his world, the admiring stares from his juniors served as a subtle reminder of the satisfaction that came with being recognized for his achievements.

Gabriel continued toward his usual spot—a secluded area where he could find solitude, away from the prying eyes of others. This place had always been a sanctuary for him, where he could be his true self, unburdened by the academy's pressures and the expectations that came with being a student.

He settled into a deep meditation, losing track of time until he was abruptly interrupted by his former teacher, Mr. Hanz. Startled, Gabriel turned to face him, who addressed him as "Class Pres." With a hint of humor, Gabriel responded, "I'm not the class president anymore."

Mr. Hanz informed Gabriel that Miss Clair was absent due to an urgent matter and that they needed to meet with the principal. Together, they headed to the principal's office, and upon knocking, they were warmly invited in.

Principal Dalhmer, a man with a calm demeanor, looked up and smiled warmly at Gabriel. He invited him to sit down, clearly delighted to see him. Gabriel, slightly taken aback by the principal's enthusiasm, glanced at Mr. Hanz, who nodded reassuringly, encouraging Gabriel to listen to what Principal Dalhmer had to say.

Having observed all of Gabriel's battles from the monitoring room, the teachers at the academy held him in high regard. However, it was evident that Principal Dalhmer had a special fondness for him. As Gabriel took his seat, Mr. Hanz excused himself, leaving the two to discuss the important matter.

"Hey Gabriel, how's life treating you after graduation? Did those city officials give you any trouble?" Principal Dalhmer asked with genuine enthusiasm.

Gabriel smiled, replying, "No, the city officials and Dungeon guards have been accommodating. I thought accessing the dungeons after graduation would be difficult, but it's been surprisingly easy. In fact, I was granted permission to explore the Fallen Undead Mysterious Realm just yesterday."

Principal Dalhmer nodded approvingly. "That's good to hear. If anyone ever gives you trouble, let me know—I'll handle it."

The principal exuded a warm, nurturing presence, akin to a wise and caring grandfather who cherished the younger generation. His gentle smile and kind demeanor radiated pure benevolence, devoid of any superiority or command that typically accompanied someone in his position.

Gabriel felt a sense of relief as he conversed with Principal Dalhmer. Amid their discussion, the principal suddenly regarded Gabriel with a proud expression. "I'm a retired veteran, and in my time, I achieved many military accolades. When I was young, I cleared too many dungeons to count!" The mention of "clearing dungeons" piqued Gabriel's curiosity.

Principal Dalhmer began recounting his life story, sharing tales from his early days to his prime. He spoke of the thrilling adventures he had with his party members, the challenges they faced together, and the wars they won. Unfortunately, during a critical battle, they encountered a Legendary Rank Beast they were unprepared for. In a bid to protect his comrades, Dalhmer sustained severe injuries, and some of his party members lost their lives.

Due to his injuries, Dalhmer developed several underlying conditions that prevented him from returning to the front lines. He was relegated to a management role and could only serve as a principal. Despite the great shame of falling from the top, he remained proud of having served his comrades until the end.

"Though I missed my chance at reaching the Legendary Rank, I'm confident there are others out there who will achieve it and use their abilities to protect our race," Principal Dalhmer said wistfully.

Noticing Gabriel's puzzled expression, Principal Dalhmer quickly guessed his thoughts. "Are you confused?" he asked with a gentle smile.

Gabriel offered an awkward smile but remained silent, his expression betraying his curiosity.

Principal Dalhmer handed Gabriel a crystal engraved with runes. "This is a Recording Crystal," he explained. "It contains the details of every fight that took place during the entire assessment."

The principal then presented eight more identical crystals. "As I mentioned before, these stones contain recordings of all the fights—not just at our academy but across all academies during their final assessments."

Principal Dalhmer elaborated that the assessment lasted from beginning to end, and only three individuals—Gabriel, Dave, and Tigrem—managed to reach level ten. He also shared his observations of the performances from other academies, noting that while many had potential, their limited knowledge prevented them from fully utilizing it.

When comparing Green Leaf Academy's performance to that of other institutions, the gap was significant. Although participants could accumulate experience quickly in the lower levels, the time provided by the academy was insufficient for most to reach level ten. Unless a participant possessed a unique strength enabling them to combat monsters several times stronger than themselves, they wouldn't be able to gather enough exp to reach level ten quickly.

"The result is that only a few participants quickly gather enough exp to reach level ten," Principal Dalhmer reiterated.

Hearing this, Gabriel broke into a cold sweat, a reaction not unnoticed by the principal. However, Principal Dalhmer did not interrupt and continued, "Don't doubt me. Everything I've said is true. I can give you this recording to verify it yourself."

He paused before adding, "Seeing you fight for the first time reminded me of myself years ago. I was a prodigy too—a top-notch genius of my generation!"

"I understand," Gabriel responded seriously, lowering his head slightly. He had already grasped the principal's earlier words, realizing that if he made the right choices, he could achieve what Principal Dalhmer had not in his prime.

It dawned on Gabriel that the principal might have been alluding to the talents awakened in him, Tigrem, and Dave.

"It's good that you understand," Principal Dalhmer said, his serious expression softening into a smile. "Everyone has their secrets. I won't pry into yours as long as you don't pry into mine," he muttered under his breath.

Time flew by as Principal Dalhmer and Gabriel discussed various matters concerning the future. During their conversation, Principal Dalhmer cautioned Gabriel about the dangers of drawing too much attention to himself. He also imparted several inspirational messages, a hallmark of his leadership at the academy.

"Now, let's get to the matter at hand," Principal Dalhmer said, shifting the tone of the conversation. "I assume you needed that specific item to complete a set, right? Or was it just one piece of it?"

Although Gabriel had anticipated this question, hearing it directly made him nervous. Unease crept over him as he met the principal's piercing gaze, causing him to instinctively nod in agreement.

Sensing Gabriel's passive acknowledgment, Principal Dalhmer ceased his probing and conjured a mysterious item before them.

When Gabriel saw the item, he immediately checked its status.

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[Name: Gold Trousers]

[Type: Trousers] 

[Defense:85] 

[Rarity: Green]

[Description: This ceremonial trouser has been a symbol of high regard and veneration for generations of clergy members. It is not merely a piece of clothing but an embodiment of spiritual beliefs and the authority that accompanies it. The ethereal aura that surrounds it is both enchanting and awe-inspiring. Its intricate design, fine craftsmanship, and exquisite details make it a true masterpiece, exuding elegance and sophistication. It is not just a trouser but a statement of power and reverence, commanding respect and admiration from all who see it.] 

[Additional Attribute: +15INT +10VIT +350 Magic Attack] 

[Special Effect: +30% Healing] 

[Set Effect: 

2 - Pieces effect: 

3 - Pieces effect: 

4 - Pieces effect: 

5 - Pieces effect: 

6 - Pieces effect: +20% MATK +10% Healing +20% Cooldown Reduction]

[Durability: 200/200]

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Seeing the item, he needed right in front of him, Gabriel's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

(A/N: I forgot to add the defense stats of his Gold Headwear and Gold Mittens on the previous chapters so that's a total of 80 Defense so the initial Defense: 883(+60), should be Defense = 969+60)