26 Tension (2/2)
When the group of four finally reached the front of the line, they were met with a teacher with grey hair.
”Stones please.” The teacher didn't ask for names or anything, he only asked for the stones. The village elder quickly took out the stones and presented the teacher with them. When the old guy took the stones and inspected them, he couldn't help but look at the village elder seriously.
”I'd like to apologize, but Getek has told me to inform the party with his stones that he wishes to use the stones for his own family.” The words attacked the village elder like a missile.
”What do you mean? Getek told me that I could use his quota for my grandchildren. Can I speak to Getek?” The old man was very anxious and his face was becoming red with embarrassment. Arnin watched everything with a calm expression.
”I am sorry, but Getek is busy at the moment. Sir, there are others in the line so I would like to ask you to move to the examination one. You can try your luck there, however without a quota from a teacher, I cannot permit entrance through this method.” The old teacher spoke in a very monotone manner. He didn't care whether someone had or didn't have a quota, he only did what he was told.
The village elder walked out of the line with his two granddaughters. ”What is going on? Getek told me that I could use his quota. Why did he suddenly change his mind?” The village elder had a red face, he was both embarrassed and angry. Lilise and Elidia had concern written on their faces. They were mostly concerned about their grandpa rather than their own entrance.
”Arnin, Arnin, over here!” Suddenly, the group of four heard someone call Arnin's name from the back. All of them turned around and saw a teacher running towards them. In his hands was a robe and a card. The teacher was Xillar.
”Arnin, I have your robe and identification card for the Academy. Also, you are to be enlisted straight into the Moth group because of your scores in the exam.” Xillar had an expression of excitement. He knew that Arnin had the capability of a fighter after watching his spar Brajus, plus Arnin was also incredibly talented in mark making. ”You are also going to be joining the Mark Master classes since your talent in the area is very high.” This was the news that Xillar wanted to say the most. Although the Moth group was difficult to join, it was still far easier than the Mark Master classes. Only students with high talent in Animo could join.
The village elder and the two girls listened with shock. Although the two girls didn't know about the Moth group, they could feel that it was a special group. The old man was, however, was very shocked. He knew what the Moth group was, and even knew what a Mark Master was. He looked at Arnin with surprise and astonishment. He couldn't believe that Arnin was so capable. He also felt very glum; Arnin was accepted into the academy but he wasn't so sure that Lilise and Elidia had the capability for that. Lilise wasn't even in a cultivation realm yet, so her chances were almost zero. Elidia was in Orb Birth - Earth, but she had never experienced a fight.
Arnin noticed that the village elder was somewhat depressed and knew the reason behind that.
”Teacher Xillar, I have a favor to ask of you.” Arnin decided that Xillar could help him with this.
”Ask whatever you need. Since you are in the Moth group, you and I will be in the same academy section because I'm Moth group teacher.” Xillar was very proud when he spoke. His nose faced the sky and his chest was puffed out, but Arnin had no reaction.
”Well, do you have any quotas for student entries? I would like to use two of yours.” The village elder was very surprised when Arnin said that. The hope in his eyes was reignited after Arnin's question. He could only gratefully look at Arnin. Lilise looked at Arnin with some happiness, while Elidia showed less hate.
”Quotas? Of course, I do. As a Moth group teacher, I can bring as many students in as I want, unlike those Butterfly teachers who only get three. Haha! So, what do you need them for?” Xillar finally noticed the village elder and the two girls. He smirked when he saw the two girls and suddenly thought of a wicked plan.
”So, you want me to help these two girls in? Of course, I can do that!” The three were extremely happy, however, Arnin noticed a spark in Xillar's eyes.
”But?” Arnin knew there must be a catch.
”I want you to join the academy guards. You will still be able to go to your classes, but you will also have to go outside the academy and clean out the forest of beasts.” The wicked smile on Xillar grew. The guards were prestigious, but they had to be extremely loyal to the academy. If Arnin became a guard then he would have to sign a contract which would make him unable to go against the academy in the future.
”No. You want me to pledge my loyalty to the academy, right? Well, I'm not going to do that. If you want to set such a condition, I will just leave this academy and go find a new one. If you prevent me from doing even that, then watch as I crumble down this place in the future.” Arnin began to release a small amount of his aura which caused Vilis to howl. The village elder and the two girls panicked because of Arnin's threat. Xillar's smile froze and he also released a small amount of aura which suffocated the people from the surroundings. Everyone, counting the village elder and the girls, began to tremble, however, Arnin had no reaction. Rather, he increased his own aura.
”You want to crumble this academy? Do you really think that you can escape this place alive?” Xillar grew serious. The quick personality change caught everyone by surprise, however, Arnin already planned this. A Moth teacher had an unlimited supply of quotas, why? Because they were extremely loyal to the academy. Only the most loyal teachers would be allowed to train the talented.
”Do you want to test me?” Arnin didn't budge under Xillar's pressure. Suddenly, Xillar released a smile.
”Fine, you win. If I hurt you, then not only will I lose my favorite newbie, but Kelnorin might get mad at me. I will give them my quotas, however, you have to accept a different condition of mine.” Xillar stopped releasing his aura and spoke calmly to Arnin.
”What is it?” Arnin also stopped, but he kept a good distance from Xillar, which was obviously noticed by him.
”You have to work in the Mark Master section. You don't have to be loyal or anything, however, you will become a student plus work in that department. Is that a deal?” Arnin thought about it for a moment and weighed the pros and cons. He could practice his mark making and also get real-life experience. However, he might expose some of his own secret powers, which was something he didn't want.
”I will accept it, only if you provide me with the orthodox way of making marks. I believe I will get better results that way.” Xillar thought for a moment before nodding his head.
”That's fine too. You're really sucking me dry, you know that Arnin? Here, give these two stones to the girls. I have to go get you registered as a worker in the Mark Master department. Hehe!” Xillar quickly vanished into thin air, leaving the group of four alone.
”Now, the stones have been taken care of, let's go sign them up for the academy.” Arnin walked in the front and led the way to the quota's line.
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In a dark room, three people silently gathered, including Xillar.
”Xillar, how did it go? Do you think that he will be a threat?” The person asking was none other than Kelnorin.
”Well, he won't be loyal to our academy, that's for certain, however, I don't think he will be an enemy, unless provoked. What should we do with him, he is very different than the other children.” Xillar had a concerned face while he spoke.
”Do nothing for now. He is no threat to us. He is still young and if we kill him, then the public will question us, plus that woman has told us not to touch him. She is too difficult to deal with, so let him be. Just try not to provoke him, and keep an eye on him.” The person who ended the conversation was none other than the principal of the academy.