Chapter 35: Back to Academy

Zen and Elizabeth paused their training as Shreya and Evelyn were about to leave. Shreya, mindful of the watchful eyes that would question her extended absence, only planned to stay for a day. She aimed to keep any unnecessary attention away from the Ashford family, considering the delicate situation they were in.

Zen was not happy that Evelyn was leaving so soon. "Weren't you planning to stay with us for a week?" Zen inquired as he heard that Evelyn will also leave with Shreya. Shreya already arranged everything on paper that Evelyn will train with Shreya for 1 week so no one will find anything strange with the situation.

With unwavering resolve, Evelyn replied, "The Vice-director finally accepted me as her disciple. I need to train harder now." Her desire to stay lingered, but Elizabeth's words resonated in her mind –

"If you want to stand beside him," Elizabeth's face was very serious at that time, "If you want to stand beside him, you must become stronger. I'm not imposing conditions and I will never question Zen's choice, but imagine being unable to aid the one you love because you didn't strive enough. Honestly, I have very high expectations of you, Evelyn."

Evelyn grasped the weight of Elizabeth's words, especially after learning about Zen's family. The removal of the seal on Zen's bloodline left her frightened. In a few minutes, Zen's cultivation rose to her level. No, in fact it surpassed her since his bloodline was that of Blue Crown Phoenix. 

Rather than envy, fear gripped her. The fear that, in the future, Zen might need her, and she wouldn't be able to match his strength.Or because of his strength, he will go so far away that she won't be able to reach him.

'NO! I have to work hard. I will never be too far behind Zen." She begged Shreya to teach her because they both shared fire elemental affinity so she could mentor her properly. Zen, who always observed Evelyn, easily understood what was on her mind.

He drew near, enveloping her in a warm embrace. "Evelyn, no need to stress. I'm always by your side. My obsession with strength is because I don't want any dangerous situation to befall on my family." He whispered in her ear. Evelyn, visibly relaxed, was extremely grateful to Zen for speaking this. 

A soft smile played on her lips as she wondered, 'How does he always know what I need to hear?'

Elizabeth, who was behind Zen, stepped forward, gently tousling Evelyn's hair. "Don't overthink it, Evelyn. As long as you're part of this family, we're here to support you in cultivation. Just work hard!"

"Thank you, Mother," Evelyn expressed, feeling a warmth that she never got from anyone other than her own mother. 

"Urghh, enough chit-chat!" Shreya, having reached her limit with the sugary exchanges, groaned while clapping her hands. "Let's hit the road."

"Aye aye, master" Evelyn chuckled and left Zen's side. Zen called a taxi and they were about to leave.

Just when they were about to leave, Bennett interjected, "Take these little girls. I am really grateful that my grandkids met people like you." Two bracelets appeared on his hand out of nowhere. He passed them on to Shreya and Evelyn. "There are subspace bracelets, and their usage is totally cliched. Just think what you want in or out. Only you and your chosen few can handle them. No need to decline; I'm an emperor, and these cheap stuff ain't my style." His words shut down any protests from Evelyn and Shreya as they were about to turn down the unexpected gifts.

"Thank you" They didn't say anything more as it would be rude to an elder. They finally took the car and left for the airport to take Shreya's plane back.

"It already feels a bit empty," Anna chuckled, the echoes of today's rollercoaster ride still lingering. As the day settled in, a sense of solitude crept in for everyone.

"No need to overthink it. Let's just make this week as productive as possible," Bennett reassured. "Zen, Anna, starting tomorrow, mornings with Lizzy for training, and evenings with me for weapon practice," he declared.

For the next week, Zen and Anna adhered to a simple routine. Mornings were devoted to refining skills under Lizzy's guidance, and evenings were spent honing weapon handling skills with Bennett.

With this routine, a week swiftly passed, and they found themselves ready to return to the academy. The new semester loomed ahead, with three more days to go, but they departed early to settle in. As academy students, holidays like Christmas and New Year did not apply to them. Only Sundays were a break, and apart from that, every day was a workday. Though New Year was just around the corner, they had to attend the academy.

After bidding their farewells, Bennett handed them bracelets. Zen and Anna, storing their weapons within, set off for the academy, ready for what the new semester held for them.

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Upon reaching the academy, Zen and Anna briskly entered.

"Who were they? Why didn't you check their identity?" one security guard inquired of the other.

"Are you new? He's Zen Ashford," came the exasperated response.

"He's that guy? But he doesn't look that terrifying."

"The world is deceptive, newbie."

"..."

Word of Zen's troublemaking tendencies seemed to have spread far and wide. As they stepped into the academy, an odd atmosphere enveloped them.

"Hey, brother, is it just me or..."

"No! Something is going on." Zen surveyed the area. An unusual hush pervaded, and curious glances followed them wherever they went.

"Let me message the master; she might know what's going on."

Zen promptly messaged Shreya about their arrival.

|Come to the office. It's urgent.| She replied promptly.

"Ann, she's calling me for some reason. Want to come along?" Zen proposed.

Anna nodded, and they hurried towards Shreya's office, unfazed by the stares. Upon arrival, a sizable crowd caught their attention.

'Something's off. They're not from the academy.' Zen pondered as they rushed inside.

Before knocking, a voice reached Zen's ears, "Why is that cockroach not here? Is the discipline in the academy that bad?" It was a man's voice, resonating with disdain.

"Why so agitated, Mr. Maxwell? He'll come," David, Zen's martial arts instructor, calmly responded.

'So it's Shane's family.'

"Shut up! If you can't teach your students, leave it to me. I'll solve the problem myself."

Zen and Anna entered the room just in time. Inside, they found the man who seemed to be Maxwell, along with David and the new professor they had seen with Liam.

"Hello, Master, Professor David," Zen and Anna greeted them.

"Well, well, who do we have here? If it isn't the top student of the year," the Maxwell family member remarked before the other two could speak.

"If you have something to say, please say it clearly. I don't have much time to waste." 

"Youuu…" His face contracted with anger. But before he could say something the new professor stopped him.

"Mr. Ashford, you have made a grave mistake." He said while tightening his necktie. "There are rules to the spar and you have violated every one of them." 

"Hmm… and you are?"

"Oh where are my manners, I am Cornelius Smith, I will be joining this academy starting this semester."

"So, Professor Smith. You are a martial arts professor?"

"Yes."

"And you will be joining this semester?"

"As I said earlier, yes that is correct."

"Then why the fuck are you interfereing in the matter of disciplinary committee?"

Everyone was speechless. It was unheard of for someone swearing against a professor openly in the academy. As Zen's words registered in his mind, his face turned blue from anger.

'Haha, as expected of my disciple.' Shreya was happy that Zen replied like this. She was rather frustrated that UHF sent someone after taking a bribe. The academy rules clearly stated that the assignment of the staff will completely be random and no staff will be from the country that the academy was situated in. This gave everyone a fair chance. In her career, she never saw someone getting a ticket through money. Cornelius was sent here from the academy in the UK. He belonged to the Smith family which is a medium sized noble family in the UK. Apparently, Smith family is a distant relative of Rogers family and enjoy support from them.

"Your mouth is really dirty, boy. You know you can be punished for verbal assault?" He couldn't attack someone in front of David and Shreya so he tried to press him like this.

"Yes you can press charges against me in the "Disciplinary Committee". So go there and complain about Shane too."

"Enough of this. I don't want a disciplinary condition. I want you to kneel down in front of my son and then offer your arm as compensation." Maxwell elder, who was apparently Shane's father, couldn't take anymore.

"Listen up! Apology and my arms are out of question, as for compensation, please take this instead." He put his hand inside pocket and tried to find something. He then put his hand out and there it was, his middle finger.

"Happy?"

"How dare you mock me?" Maxwell elder lost his rationality and was about to attack Zen.

"Enough!!" Shreya shouted. "Zen don't go too far. And Mr. Maxwell, let's stop here." Shreya ordered.

"But Ms. Patel, what about my son? How will he get justice?" He was hellbound on this.

"Why do you guys start this bullshit when all you do is just cry in front of your parents and grandparents? Can't you just teach your kids to stay away from trouble? Pathetic" Zen sneered.

"Enough Zen. Mr. Maxwell, this matter will be settled by the committee, you don't have to interfere. If that's all you have to say, then this meeting is over." She declared.

"But…" He tried to talk back but Shreya had enough of this.

"I said, it's over. Do I have to repeat myself again?" Shreya's eyes shined and then Cornelius understood that it wouldn't be good to push Shreya anymore. He pulled Maxwell elder and got out of the room. David also left after greeting Shreya. 

Shreya looked at Zen and Anna and said, "Listen up." Her face was very serious. Zen and Anna understood that it was something important. 

"The academy's gonna be more loud in the coming days. It is decided that we will leave for the Prominda from the US so the students from other countries will arrive here soon."