27 Distrus (2/2)

Chairman Liu tried to hush the teachers with a wave of his hand, but for once, it didn't work. An angry roar built up in the room.

Wu sat back, a sinister smile creeping across his face. Anger surged into my chest.

None of this just came to me! I worked hard for my cultivation all day and all night for 8 years! I endured so much pain… and my family weren't nobility! It was Helga who gave me that pardon!

I tried to calm myself, and barely managed to suppress my rage.

I could understand where they were coming from. The facts that lay in front of them painted a bad picture.

I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. If I said something, it would either reinforce my arrogant image, or reveal that I was a rebirth cultivator.

I toyed with the idea of telling them the truth about my strength. Unfortunately, that would only show that my family was powerful enough to get the emperor's seal on a forged document!

Saying nothing was the best option, but it was far from ideal. I couldn't think of anything to say to change their opinions. I just had to stand back and hope for the best.

Chairman Liu's voice pierced the tense atmosphere.

”To not give a scholar a mentor would be an unprecedented event. I cannot begin to imagine what it would do to our reputation.” Chairman Liu paused, and sighed.

”I do not wish to force any one of you, however…”

”Forgive me Chairman, but I don't think that's gonna be necessary.”

Yin Xue's voice surprised me. What solution had he come up with for this strange situation?

”Enlighten us,” Chairman Liu instructed.

”Well, I'm a teacher too, right?”

Silence fell upon the room.

”Yes, that is correct.”

”So, I can also be a mentor?”

”Well,” Chairman Liu hesitated, ”that is technically true. But you are our head librarian and your cultivation is… somewhat lacking.”

”Isn't that perfect?”

He had everyone's attention now.

”Sure, this kid might be a little entitled prick. But what better way for him to prove himself than studying under little ol' me?”

The teachers seemed pensive, considering this option.

”Of course, I can help show him some suitable techniques. But it'll be all up to him to learn them. If he gets strong, all's well that ends well. If he doesn't, it'll prove that yer all right.”

”That is certainly an interesting proposal. I find it to be satisfying, and it appears,” he looked around the room, ”that the rest of this committee do as well.”

Nobody objected, not even Wu. He looked slightly irritated that I got a mentor at all, but not enough to stir up another row.

”Given the strange nature of this mentorship, I will also ask for your opinion, Oscar Schwarz.”

Yin Xue's lack of strength didn't bother me. In fact, I valued his knowledge greatly. However, something still didn't seem right.

My actions and situation had clearly struck a strong negative chord in nearly all of the teachers. So why was Yin Xue so unaffected? Why had he offered this mentorship?

There had to be something else he wanted from me. Something he wasn't telling everyone. Unfortunately, I wasn't in a position to reject his offer on such a flimsy basis.

A questionable mentor was better than nothing. I wasn't young and impressionable; I would be able to discern if he posed a real threat to me.

I resolved myself and made my decision.

”I will gladly take Mr Yin as my mentor.”

The instant those words came out of my mouth, an eerie expression formed on Yin Xue's face. This would be an interesting relationship.

”Then it is so. Chosen mentors, please accompany your students to your residences. Ire licet.”