With that, the two of them ca to a stop for a mont, the noise of the city settling back in around them.
Owen stretched his arms slightly before turning to Theo.
’’I’ll head ho first,’’ he said. ’’Don’t take too long. I want to hear what they say.’’
Theo nodded.
’’I’ll let you know,’’ he replied.
The two of them raised a hand, giving each other a fist bump before going their separate ways.
For a few seconds, Theo remained where he was, watching Owen disappear into the crowd.
Then, he turned and began walking in the opposite direction.
’I’ll take Rea’s advice and do this in person,’ he thought. ’The internet isn’t always safe for these kinds of docunts after all.’
His hand tightened slightly around the envelope in his pocket.
’I’m practically guaranteed to get into pre-admission together with Owen now,’ he continued. ’We’ll be safe there too... we’ll learn a lot of things and can even get valuable resources.’
That alone should have been enough to make him happy and at ease.
But it didn’t.
His expression changed slightly, thinking it through again.
’There’s just one thing that bothers ...’
He exhaled quietly.
’I can’t upgrade my hunter rank in there,’ he thought. ’Which is kind of important for the future.’
After all, becoming the strongest hunter wasn’t just a goal anymore.
It had beco necessary to obtain resources for his growth. He needed resources even after graduating after all.
For a mont, Theo fell silent, his mind churning.
Far more things had piled up in the back of his mind, making it difficult to think clearly.
’There’s the Calamity Covenant, Owen’s situation, can’t forget about the duel with David either,’ he thought. ’Oh, there’s also the weapon the system gave ... don’t think I’ve properly looked at that.’
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he got.
’I’m sure I’m forgetting about other things too...’ he thought, kicking a pebble off the sidewalk.
Finally, he let out a long breath, tilting his head back slightly as he looked up at the sky.
A few minutes later, Theo pushed open the doors of the Hunter’s Association.
He quietly rged with the line in front of the reception, fumbling with the two envelopes in his hands.
But before the line even reached the front, a familiar figure approached him from the side.
The people all around them took a step back, clearly recognizing the man in front of them.
Yet... he ignored all of them.
’’I saw your ssage,’’ Joop said, raising an eyebrow slightly as he scanned Theo from head to toe.
Internally, his thoughts were far less calm.
’So it really is sothing big...’ he thought. ’There’s no way he wouldn’t just send the information if it isn’t.’
He glanced around for a mont, noticing the stares from everyone.
’’Follow ,’’ Joop said, already turning around.
Theo nodded once and followed without hesitation.
The two of them walked through the hallway in silence before entering the sa office as before.
Joop gestured towards the chair in front of him, sliding his own back.
’’Take a seat.’’
Theo nodded and sat down calmly, observing him closely.
Joop folded his hands together, his eyes narrowing slightly as he stared at Theo.
’’So,’’ he said. ’’I assu you’re here with the results?’’
’’Yes,’’ Theo nodded once.
Without another word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out two envelopes, placing them on the table before sliding them over.
Joop glanced at them briefly before picking up the first one with Owen’s na.
A thin wind blade appeared in the air beside him, carefully slicing open the seal on it.
Under Theo’s gaze, he slid the paper out and began scanning it.
Then—
the wrinkles on his face deepened as his eyes widened for just a brief mont.
He let out a quiet cough, straightening his back as he lowered the page again.
’’That’s... unique,’’ he said, placing it back down on the table. ’’But with that talent, I’m sure he’ll be allowed in.’’
Theo smiled slightly, nodding once.
’’That’s good,’’ he said.
Joop’s gaze shifted to the second envelope, this one with Theo’s na on it.
The sa thin wind blade appeared again, slicing it open with precision.
As the paper slid out, his eyes moved steadily across the page, slowly widening.
Suddenly, he stopped.
He lowered the paper slowly, his gaze narrowing on Theo.
’’...Is this true?’’ he asked, his voice noticeably lower than before.
Theo nodded without hesitation.
’’Check the signature at the bottom,’’ he said, smiling.
This was exactly what Madam Rea had warned him about after explaining his purpose for the papers.
Joop’s gaze imdiately dropped back onto the paper, locking onto the bottom.
For a second, he remained dead silent.
Then his fingers tightened slightly around the paper.
’’...If Madam Rea says so,’’ he muttered.
He lowered the docunt completely now, staring straight at Theo.
The composure from before was gone, a mix of emotions now clearly visible on his face.
’’You are simply... incredible,’’ he said.
Theo couldn’t help but smile, completely not used to such complints.
’’Thank you,’’ he said, hesitating for a mont. ’’But there’s just one thing I’m worried about...’’
The elderly man leaned forward imdiately.
’’What is it?’’ he asked.
Theo scratched the back of his head.
’’If I go to the university,’’ he began, ’’is there any way for to continue to work as a hunter?’’
For a mont, the room fell silent.
Then Joop let out a soft chuckle, leaning back in his chair with a hand going over his face.
’’That’ll be no problem,’’ he said. ’’You aren’t actually required to be inside the university at all tis.’’
He paused for a second, his voice lowering slightly.
’’If you want, I can even recomnd a private commissioning group there.’’
Theo’s eyes lit up hearing that, one of his worries instantly fading away as a wave of excitent ran through him.
’’That’d be amazing,’’ he imdiately said.
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