“Do you have business in the Old Academy?” One of the guards posted by the gate asked Adion as he tried to enter.

“I have been asked to go to Elder Kilth’s workroom,” Adion answered. He pulled out the letter he had received and handed it to the guard.

“Alright,” The guard nodded after reading the letter, “Go on ahead.”

“Thanks. Do you perhaps know where that would be?” Adion asked. He only knew that Elder Kilth worked and lived in the Old Academy.

Fortunately, the guard seemed to know the place well and gave Adion directions.

Let’s hope everything goes smoothly. Adion thought as he continued on his way with hurried steps. And that it doesn’t take too long. I don’t want to leave my pill unattended longer than necessary.

Adion had been a little rash when grabbing the Fire Phoenix Wisdom Pill and taking off to the Academy. His thoughts were entirely preoccupied with Sell at that moment.

Adion had realized that he had been too relaxed. The thought of how much was beyond his control gave him the determination to finally act on what he actually could control.

He had long thought about giving Sell a Fire Phoenix Wisdom Pill. He was even slightly tempted to do it back in the Outskirts, before they were even a couple, but he knew that would be stupid. And until now, he had never even told Sell about his pills. It was the only secret he hadn’t shared with her. And it was quite a big one.

The reason he could tell his family about it and even gift them the pills was that he completely trusted them. In a way, he trusted Sell just as much. She knew all of his other secrets, after all.

It was just a scary thought. He knew nothing would change between him and his family, even if he revealed his treasure. But Fellion’s reaction to the Grand Soul Clarity Pill had been deeply ingrained in him. There was a slight fear that Sell could react in an unexpected way to such power. He didn’t actually think so, but why take a risk when things were already so great? There was no rush.

At least, he didn’t think there was until his talk with his grandfather. If he didn’t do anything, in five years, Sell would have to flee to Quemer to avoid getting married to Termeth Hesfym. That was far from optimal, and there wasn’t even a guarantee that it would work out. Her family could probably figure out a way to stop her, and then everything would be over.

And then there was the new issue of other families approaching his grandfather with marriage proposals. He could always refuse. He knew his grandfather wouldn’t force him to do anything. But it would still be a recurring issue.

And something in his grandfather’s words about there being other girls for him had sparked something in Adion. He knew that there could never be any other girl. There was only Sell. So there wasn’t a reason to hesitate for even a second longer.

I wonder what her reaction will be? I hope she won’t be upset that I didn’t tell her all this time.

I’ll ask her if she wants to go on that date I promised her. It would be a nice time to tell her everything.

Adion soon arrived in front of the Tower of Cyalis. Elder Kilth’s workroom was in the East Wing, one of the four large structures connected to the tower. Adion walked to what looked like an entrance.

There were guards on duty there as well, but with the letter, Adion was guided by one of the faculty members there to where he needed to go.

I’m starting to get a little nervous. Thank Ganta I remembered to leave the pill in my dorm room before coming here.

Adion wasn’t really thinking straight when he took the pill. He just wanted to give it to Sell as soon as he could. Only after calming down did he realize that he had an appointment with Elder Kilth. He was very far from confident enough to hide the pill’s aura from a Hard Soul mage, so he went by his dorms and left it hidden in his room. Not even he could feel the pill’s presence from outside his room without looking for it, so he was confident it would be safe. But he still wanted to get back to it as soon as he could.

“This is Elder Kilth’s workroom,” The faculty member told Adion as they arrived in front of a large metal door.

Okay, just relax and take things as they come. Worst case, everything will be revealed. I’ll figure out a way to deal with it.

Adion knocked on the door.

“Come in,” A deep voice sounded from inside.

Adion opened the door and entered the large room with a ceiling reaching at least 20 feet. There were long rows of desks with papers and weird runic devices Adion couldn’t tell the purpose of. It looked very much like some sort of research facility.

His attention was soon brought to the only person in the room. At the far end of the room, Adion spotted an elven man with black hair sitting in an armchair by the window. He looked to be in his fifties, but from his aura as a Hard Soul mage, Adion knew he was much older.

“Adion Remori?” Elder Kilth asked, taking his eyes off the paper in his hands to look toward Adion.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Elder Kilth,” Adion said, palming his fist and bowing in respect.

“Come take a seat,” Elder Kilth said with a kind smile, gesturing to the armchair next to him.

Adion did as he was asked.

“So,” Elder Kilth said, looking intently at Adion, “You’re the one who has caused all the recent commotion?”

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’ve caused a commotion, Elder,” Adion said, smiling awkwardly.

“Hehe,” Elder Kilth chuckled, “You think it is common to reach Silver at your age?”

“I know it’s a first,” Adion said, “But like I’ve told the Dean and others who have asked, it’s just a result of hard training, talent, and a little luck. Even if I’m the first, I’m sure I won’t be the last.”

“Perhaps,” Elder Kilth nodded, “But you’re also Gifted, and you used to be a sparkless. I am quite sure I won’t see anyone even getting close to being as impressive as you in my lifetime. You might have heard that I’m studying Gifts?”

“I have,” Adion nodded.

“Well, that was the reason for wanting to see you at first,” Elder Kilth said, “But that has changed slightly as your other achievements have come to light.”

“Oh? May I ask what Elder Kilth wants from me?” Adion asked.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Other than ask you to be part of my research,” Elder Kilth said, “I want you to join the Shields. I’ve heard you have yet to join a House. That is good. It will be simple for you to join them that way. With your strength, you should obviously be in the 1st-ranked House.”

He wants to recruit me for the Shields?

That was far from any guess Adion would have had about the purpose of meeting him.

“Are you a member of the Shields, Elder?” Adion carefully asked.

“Hehe,” Elder Kilth chuckled, “Of course not. Council members can’t be a part of any other organization. And as much as Houses are a part of our Academy, most of them also go on beyond its walls.

“But I once was a member, and my family clan is closely related to the House. I stay out of it as much as I can. It wouldn’t be proper to get involved too much. But we are all living beings in the end. It is natural that we want the best for those we care about. That’s why I want you there. It would do both the House and you good.”

“Right,” Adion nodded, “I’m very honored. I will definitely give the matter some thought.”

“Some thought?” Elder Kilth asked with furrowed eyebrows, “What’s there to think about?”

“Well,” Adion hesitated, “It’s just that I still have a lot of options to consider. I don’t dare refuse the Elder, but what about when I’m summoned to meet another elder? I don’t mean to build myself up too much, but I think all the Houses would gladly have me. I need to think it through to find a House where I don’t offend too many, and, if I’m honest, where I can gain the most.”

Hopefully, that will make him drop it.

“So that’s what you're worried about?” Elder Kilth asked with a light smile, “I thought it was obvious how much you would gain from something like this. The Shields is the strongest of all the Houses, Adion. Beyond the Academy, it has considerable influence. Someone of your talent will be able to rise a lot higher there than anywhere else.

“Your time in the Academy would be smooth sailing, and your time outside even more so. You’re familiar with Heavenly Light, no?”

Heavenly Light? Is he connected to them somehow?

Atao appeared in front of him almost on instinct as he heard those words.

“What is that, Elder?” Adion asked.

“Oh? I would have thought your grandfather had told you about it,” Elder Kilth said, “I guess it’s not my place to tell you about them then.”

“Is it an organization? Is my grandfather part of it?” Adion asked with feigned curiosity.

“No,” Elder Kilth shook his head with a smile, “You should ask him about it when you get the chance. But let’s just say that they are powerful and likely to take issue with you when you graduate from the Academy. The Shields would work as excellent protection against them.”

So he isn’t one of them? I shouldn’t assume either way.

“As for your concern about offending anyone, you don’t need to worry,” Elder Kilth said, “Normally, all of this is in the hands of the students, and us elders would never get involved. But you are quite special. Do you think we were sitting on our thumbs for two days after your revelation?”

“Er,” Adion hesitated. He just assumed that he was given space by the more influential members of the Academy. He was going to be there for five years, after all, so why the need to rush anything?

“Hehe,” Elder Kilth chuckled, “I can’t speak for anyone else, but the reason I didn’t call for you sooner was out of respect for the Headmaster. I wouldn’t be so bold as to snag you from him just because I was quicker. But with him not doing anything for two days, I think no one could argue against my move. There are a few other Hard Soul Council members, but they would never cause a problem over something like this. They might be a little grumpy that they didn’t dare act sooner, but no one will bother you over it. So rest assured, you can join the Shields without worry.”

Elder Kilth looked at Adion with a pleased expression as he finished speaking, seemingly waiting for him to answer.

How did things end up like this? I worried about my secrets being revealed, but the Elders actually had some silent war over me? How can they stoop so low as to pressure a Silver mage to join their preferred House?

Adion was upset, but he didn’t show it. It wasn’t an awful deal. He might even be willing to take it if it meant making a Hard Soul mage happy. It could be extremely useful to have someone like that on his side.

But the House just had to be the Shields? Any other House, and Adion might have accepted it. But he had an extremely poor opinion of the Shields.

“Er,” Adion hesitated. For the first time, the fact that he was sitting opposite a Hard Soul mage really sank in. “That does sound incredible, Elder. But can I think about it first? I want to discuss this with my family just to be safe.”

Elder Kilth frowned at Adion’s words. “Your family is just your grandfather and siblings, I’ve heard? Your grandfather is not going to have anything against you joining the strongest House at the behest of a Council member. If anything, this is very good news for him. He will be able to make plenty of allies. Your welcoming ceremony is going to take place soon, and if he is alone at that time, he will struggle a lot.”

“All very true,” Adion nodded, “Still, I don’t want to make a decision like this without consulting them. My family is very important to me.”

Elder Kilth's frown eased up somewhat at those words. “I suppose you’re still very young. And you haven’t been here for long. Very well, go talk to your family.”

Adion stood up at Elder Kilth’s beckoning and gave a polite bow. “Thank you for understanding, Elder Kilth.”

“I hope to hear some good news by the end of the day,” Elder Kilth said, picking up the papers in front of him again, ignoring Adion.

End of the day? It’s almost dark already.

“Teres!” Elder Kilth suddenly called out.

A door behind Elder Kilth opened up, and a black-haired elven girl walked out.

“Show Adion out,” Elder Kilth muttered without looking back at her.

Teres looked at Elder Kilth with a confused expression before shaking her head slightly. She turned to Adion and gestured for him to follow.

Adion didn’t see any reason to linger and hurriedly made his way out of there.

“What did you say to my grandfather?” Teres asked Adion as they got out into the hallway.

“Your grandfather?” Adion asked.

“Well, my great-grandfather, technically,” Teres said, “But what did you do?”

“I don’t know if I did anything,” Adion said.

“He was…” Teres hesitated, “Whatever. My name is Teres Kilth. It’s nice to meet you.”

Teres suddenly shrugged off her slightly aggressive demeanor and smiled at Adion.

“Oh, yeah. I’m Adion Remori. Nice to meet you too,” Adion said with a nod.

“I’m in my fourth year now. But next year, I’ll be the new Head of the Shields. I’m very glad we’ll have someone like you with us,” Teres said with a smile.

“I haven’t actually joined the Shields yet,” Adion said with an awkward smile.

“What? Why?” Teres asked, frowning.

“I need to talk to my family first,” Adion explained.

“What a stupid-” Teres began before stopping herself and sighing. “Well, you should hurry up and ask them then. I’ll take you on a tour of our House once everything is settled.”

“Right,” Adion nodded, “Thanks.”

Teres followed Adion all the way until they reached the gate leading out of the Old Academy, asking him about his Gift, his strength, his family, and his ambitions. Adion tried to respond as much as he could without giving away anything he shouldn’t.

“Well, I’ll head back now,” Teres said, “I’ll see you soon.”

Teres waved Adion goodbye with a smile before turning around to head back.

Well…this is a mess.