After the eting. Ery made his way to the Twin Halls to formally introduce their newest instructor-Shinta Ouroboros.
The reaction was imdiate.
Kat and Bellana, the two younger instructors, practically lit up with excitent, and Master Atika greeted the Ouroboros princess with open arms. It took less than a minute before word spread through the entire hall: a legend of the academy had returned. A hundred acolytes whispered her na, awe rippling through the crowd.
At first, Shinta had been displeased, still questioning why her father had brought her into this role. But once Ery explained the true purpose behind his decision, her attitude shifted completely. She threw herself into the assignnt with full dedication.
Ery had not brought her here simply to teach. He wanted her to beco an example the acolytes could look up to. Her achievents and reputation would motivate the current students to push harder, and more importantly, draw new talent into the halls. This was exactly what Ery needed: a generation of rising stars who could one day strengthen Earth's growing faction.
Kat, with her connections among the lower-ranked factions, and Bellana, with her ties to the insectoid clans, were already valuable. But Shinta-an Ouroboros princess with a direct link to the upper-tier half-blood alliances-brought a whole new level of influence. Together, the three young instructors ford a perfect bridge between different races and factions, each capable of attracting acolytes that the faction would otherwise never reach.
But the real reason Shinta grew excited had nothing to do with teaching or managing the acolytes. It was the covert task Ery entrusted to her-spying on several instructors he suspected of being connected to the secret faction, and, if possible, subtly weakening their influence.
Because of the danger involved, Ery assigned Feyanor and Soltz to remain close to her. They could not officially take instructor positions, but they were allowed to stay within the academy as visiting grand magus. With luck, by the ti of the next qualification exams, their registration status would be cleared, and they could openly assist in raising the Twin Halls back to top-hall status.
Soltz was, as expected, the hardest to convince. The old man only agreed after Ery promised him ti inside the academy's treasured life spring. Until the exams, he preferred to stay unbound and free-unless Ery offered a more interesting assignnt.
Either way, Ery had accomplished what he needed to do: he had placed his daughter in a safer environnt while also demonstrating his growing influence to the headmaster.
There was still another matter Ery wished to settle in the academy-eting his senior, Fjolrin. However, the man remained sealed inside one of the cultivation caves for closed-door training. Ery had hoped to confirm the details about Fjolrin's encounter with his future self, but that would have to wait.
Before parting, Ery recalled Shinta, "Send a ssage when Senior Fjolrin cos out."
"Okay, Father."
The mont the words left her mouth, she spun around and imdiately began shouting orders at the Twin Hall acolytes. "No slacking! This year, our goal is to rank number one!"
Her voice echoed through the hall long after Ery had stepped outside.
On his way back toward the portal, a whisper slipped into his mind-a familiar voice calling to him through spirit sense. Ery stopped, narrowed his eyes, and turned to Soltz.
"Return to Centauri first," he instructed quietly.
Ery shifted his trajectory toward the outer edge of the island. He flew over the rolling shoreline, the salty wind brushing past him, until a small, solitary landmass erged ahead-little more than a rugged outcrop crowned by a single stone house. Despite its simplicity, the place radiated an aura of calm isolation, almost like a hermit's sanctuary preserved from ti.
He descended quietly, landing before the plain entrance. Just as he raised his hand to knock, a calm, composed female voice drifted out from within.
"Enter."
Ery stepped inside.
The interior was modest, dimly lit by a few crystal lamps, yet sohow warm. The air felt still-contemplative. Sitting within the room was a woman with long, flowing blonde hair that cast a soft glow across the stone walls. Light seed to lean toward her, as if acknowledging her presence.
Grand Magus Aurora-Deputy Headmaster of the Academy.One of his forr teachers. One of the few he still addressed with genuine reverence.
Ery bowed his head."Master, I am here!"
Aurora looked up. Her golden eyes focused on him, piercing yet gentle, seeing deeper than the surface-as if she was reading not only who he was, but who
he was becoming.
Then she smiled.
"I'm glad."
Ery wasn't completely sure what she was glad about-his arrival, his progress, or perhaps sothing she had foreseen-but he followed her graceful gesture and took a seat on the lounge across from her.
"I see you've already spoken with the headmaster," she said.
Ery nodded. By now, he was accustod to this uncanny foresight. Grand Magus Aurora, the Oracle. She would know the results of a eting before the eting itself ever happened.
"Have you been well, Master?" Ery asked.
Aurora's smile softened, as though she comprehended the true aning behind his question."Yes, I am well. And yes-Headmaster Goldstein has pushed away from most academy affairs. And I see you've begun to understand the
reason why."
Ery's expression grew thoughtful. He had indeed begun to notice the subtle undercurrents within the academy.
"Is there anything I can do to help you, Master?" he asked sincerely.
Grand Magus Aurora chuckled, a light, almost teasing sound."I am happy...
you've grown so much that you can now offer help to your poor master," she said with a purposely dramatic sigh, her lips curling into a dry, sarcastic smile.
Ery laughed awkwardly.
"Haha... that's not what I ant."
A gentle silence followed-comfortable, familiar.
Then Aurora spoke again, her voice quieter, deeper.
"All things happen in their ti... just as they did for you. You weren't ready
then. But you are now."
Ery straightened slightly."What do you an, Master?"
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