Chapter 116: I Agree
“To support your upcoming exploration, the academy will provide its full assistance. Starting tomorrow and continuing until the day of departure, all training facilities within the academy—including certain advanced training grounds and simulated environnts that are not ordinarily open to the Lower Division—will be made available to the five of you free of charge. Your access within the academy library will also be elevated accordingly, and you will be allowed to consult a greater range of restricted materials related to ancient history, Elven culture, and ruins exploration.”
“Additionally,” he said, opening a drawer and taking out five badges that emitted a faint silver glow, each one bearing the emblem of Saint Roland Magic Academy at its center, encircled by patterns of stars and swords, “these are Temporary Exploration Permit Badges. With these badges, each of you may submit one formal request for guidance to any instructor within the academy regarding preparation for the exploration—including instructors from both the Lower Division and the Upper Division. So long as the instructor has the ti, they may not refuse without cause.”
He set the badges on the table one by one, then took out five small velvet money pouches. “And lastly, these are exploration preparation stipends. Five Imperial gold coins per person per day, calculated from today until the day of departure, paid out in advance.”
Five gold coins a day. Over half a month, that would amount to seventy-five coins.
For students, that was unquestionably a huge sum, enough to purchase decent equipnt, potions, or magical materials.
Rex’s eyes went wide. Lillian drew in a slight breath as well, while the blond boy and the bespectacled brown-haired student both revealed thoughtful expressions.
“Of course,” Morris said, drawing everyone’s attention back, “opportunity always coexists with risk. The internal situation of the Starfall Ruins remains unknown, and the dangers within may far exceed those of the Whispering Forest. A Joint Exploration Team ans that you will be facing competitors from other academies and noble houses, and conflicts of interest will be unavoidable. Perhaps even… the ruins themselves conceal ancient dangers.”
His gaze sharpened as it swept over the five of them in turn. “Therefore, the academy respects each individual’s choice. If any of you, for whatever reason, chooses to give up this opportunity, you may say so now. The slot will pass down according to assessnt ranking. Withdrawing will not affect your normal evaluation within the academy. This is simply a personal choice.”
A brief silence fell over the office.
An enormous opportunity was accompanied by unknown risks and fierce competition.
Ryan’s gaze settled calmly on the silver badge and the bulging money pouch on the table.
Cecilia’s information, the academy’s resources, the secrets of the Elven ruins… all the threads were gathering and weaving together in his mind.
He knew that he had no road of retreat, nor did he intend to retreat.
He raised his head and t the faintly expectant gaze in Minister Morris’s eyes. He was the first to speak, his voice clear and steady.
“I accept.”
Ryan’s words ca out cleanly and without hesitation.
And yet the air in the office seed to freeze for an instant because of them.
Other than Minister Morris, who had apparently expected it already, the other four all revealed expressions of surprise to varying degrees.
That was the Starfall Ruins.
Even with the academy’s backing, the tilted distribution of resources, and the honor attached to it, everyone knew that a temptation on the level of an Elven legacy would never be accompanied by anything as easy as an outing.
Morris had also made it perfectly clear a mont ago that unknown dangers and fierce competition lay ahead. That did not rely refer to ancient chanisms or magical beasts that might exist within the ruins. More dangerous still would be—people.
The ones entering the ruins would by no ans be limited to these five chosen by Saint Roland Magic Academy. The great noble houses and other top academies would all send their own elites.
Within that secret realm, cut off from the outside world and beyond the reach of ordinary law and rules, what might happen in the struggle over treasures capable of changing one’s destiny?
Broken alliances, covert ambushes, and even… murder for loot were all entirely possible dark realities.
Agreeing to go was no different from placing oneself upon an unpredictable gambling table and wagering one’s life for that intangible opportunity.
And Ryan Velt, that supposedly sinister figure from the rumors, had agreed without even blinking.
Lillian’s ice-blue eyes were full of disbelief. There was even a trace of agitation in them that she herself had not noticed—this idiot, this reckless fool, this show-off, Ryan!
Had he not understood the warning hidden in the minister’s words?
How could he agree so quickly?
Rex scratched his head, his gray eyes full of conflict. There was a faint longing for adventure in him, but also an instinctive awe toward the unknown danger.
Seeing Ryan accept so decisively, the scale of hesitation in his heart also seed to begin tipping.
Morris did not show it on his face, but inwardly he let out a small sigh of relief, and the satisfaction in his gaze toward Ryan deepened.
He truly had not misjudged him. This child possessed not only strength, but also the courage to shoulder risk. That was exactly what he had hoped for.
“It seems Student Velt is a young man of considerable courage and decisiveness,” Morris said approvingly, nodding as he pushed one silver badge and one bulging velvet pouch toward Ryan. “The academy respects and supports your decision. This is your permit badge and your first installnt of the stipend. Please keep them safe.”
Ryan calmly pinned the badge to the inside of his coat and slipped the money pouch into his pocket.
Perhaps Ryan’s decisiveness had served as an example. After a brief consideration, the blond noble boy who had been silently observing stepped forward as well and bowed slightly.
“Minister Morris, I also accept this opportunity. House Randall is willing to do its part for the honor of the academy.”
Morris turned toward him, his smile gentle. “Very good, Student Randall. The academy believes in House Randall’s chivalric spirit.”
He handed over another badge and stipend.
With two people agreeing in succession, the pressure seed to shift onto those remaining—Lillian, Rex, and the bespectacled brown-haired boy.
Lillian bit her lower lip. Her ice-blue eyes moved between Ryan’s calm profile and the badges still left on the table.
She hated this feeling of being driven forward like a duck forced onto a perch, and she hated even more the awkward, stubborn thought rising in the deepest part of her heart—that she absolutely could not lose to Ryan simply because he had agreed first.
“…House Rosedale accepts.”
In the end, she raised her chin and made her declaration in a stiff voice, as though she were not accepting an opportunity, but taking on a troubleso task she could not refuse.
The mont Lillian agreed, Rex imdiately followed in his thick, earnest voice. “I-I’m going too, Minister!”
That left only the bespectacled brown-haired boy.
He pushed up his glasses. The struggle on his face was obvious, and his fingers unconsciously twisted at the hem of his clothes.
The silence lasted more than ten seconds before he finally raised his head, his voice slightly dry.
“I’m sorry, Minister Morris… I want to ensure my own safety. I… I give up this opportunity.”
His choice was understandable. Not everyone possessed the courage to face such overwhelming unknown risk, especially when they knew full well that the competitors they might et could have no bottom line at all.
Minister Morris showed no displeasure. Instead, he nodded in understanding.
“I understand your concerns, Student Wilson. Safety must always co first. Your decision is equally worthy of respect. You may go back now.”
The boy nad Wilson visibly relaxed, then cast the other four an apologetic glance before hurrying out of the office.
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