Hmm, wait…What happened!?

Adion woke up from his slumber and soon remembered the situation he had just been in before passing out. He looked around and found himself still in the Headmaster’s office. The Headmaster himself wasn’t sitting behind his desk anymore, though.

I…I did it. I managed to somehow demand more Authority again.

But that can wait. What about the Headmaster? Where is he? He better not be thinking about doing anything to Sell.

Adion jumped out of his chair and ran towards the door to leave and find Sell.

Before he reached it, however, the door to the office opened. The Headmaster walked inside with a light smile on his lips.

“What did you do to Sell?” Adion asked cautiously.

“That’s the first thing you say?” The Headmaster asked with a light scoff. He started walking to his desk, muttering, “An apology would have been in its place. Reckless child.”

I…I guess I did lose control there for a second.

“I apologize for my outburst,” Adion said, “I let my emotions get away from me. But you didn’t do anything to Sell, did you?”

“I was never going to,” The Headmaster said, taking his seat behind his desk. “Come sit. We have some matters to talk about.”

“What matters?” Adion asked, sitting down opposite the Headmaster.

The Headmaster was quiet for a while, staring at Adion with a light smile.

“You said you could only control a certain amount of space,” The Headmaster finally commented.

“And you should know that I was telling the truth,” Adion said, “This has never happened before. I…I guess I just really didn’t like the idea of anything happening to Sell.”

“Hehe,” The Headmaster chuckled, “I don’t know how I feel about being the second person ever to get you upset enough to take more Authority than you should. Well, it’s all a good thing in the end, I suppose. Can you control more space now?”

Can I?

When Adion heard the Headmaster consider sending Sell away, all Adion could think about was to stop him. It was as if his Will was working sharper than ever, far above his actual level. He commanded the space to freeze, and the space didn’t dare to question him, even managing to freeze a Pure Soul mage for a while. Unfortunately, Adion was too lost in his anger and fear to stop and contemplate the feeling.

But there is no doubt that this was a significant step forward. I feel like that kind of Authority isn’t something I can only gain by getting angry, it is always available to me. It’s just incredibly hard to attain the kind of mental state required to demand it.

Adion focused on the space to the left of him, grabbing hold of as much space as he could. If before, it was the size of two full-grown men, it was now at least double that.

I want more.

Adion tried to push through his limits, something he had failed every time he had tried. The only way to increase it slightly was to conjure his own space and push it to mix with the space he held Authority over.

If I can’t grasp this power, I can’t protect her.

Adion sharpened his mind, focusing his Will, refusing to give up. He searched for that state he had been in just before passing out.

Don’t you dare disobey me. I command space. I command you.

The space he held Authority over slowly increased, soon letting Adion command a space covering half of the office they were sitting in.

This… Adion had a stray thought. He was too impressed with the result before him to remain calm.

And just like that, the feeling disappeared, and with it, Adion’s control of space.

He once again held Authority over just the same volume of space as before.

It didn’t increase? Or did it? Maybe ever so slightly? I don’t remember exactly how much space was under my control before. I just increased it, after all.

But I did it…How exactly?

“You seem to have stumbled upon something,” The Headmaster said after a while.

“I seem to have doubled the amount of space I can control,” Adion said, “And…It seems if I really focus, I can control a lot more.”

“If you can learn to get into that state of focus quicker…” The Headmaster murmured. He then turned to look at Adion with a grin, “It looks like I have done a good job as your master.”

As if me getting angry enough to grasp more Authority was ever your intention.

Adion ignored the Headmaster's shameless boasting and asked, “How long did it take me? Around a minute?”

“A minute?” The Headmaster questioned, “That took you well over ten minutes.”

That long? It didn’t feel that long at all.

“That…Well, at least I now have a way forward,” Adion said.

“Hahaha,” The Headmaster laughed. “I think every Pure Soul mage in the world would kill to accomplish even a fraction of what you have.”

“That’s true,” Adion nodded.

“So, how did you do it? Surely you’ve managed to realize some things?” The Headmaster asked curiously.

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“I am still not entirely sure,” Adion said hesitantly. He pondered what he had just experienced and vocalized it to the Headmaster. “I just kind of demand the space to obey me. It’s like there is a narrow path for my Will to take, and I need to find that path and focus all my Will to push at exactly the right place. When I do, it is like nothing can stop me. But as soon as I lose focus, even slightly, it all slips away from me.”

“Interesting,” The Headmaster said with an intrigued smile. “And how does that differ from the Authority you have right now? You don’t seem to have to focus even a little bit.”

“I suppose it’s like…the space is easily convinced up to a certain point?” Adion said, still unsure exactly how his Authority worked. “I can just command it to obey with a thought. Only if someone contests me do I have to use my Will to keep the space under my control.”

“Haah,” The Headmaster sighed, but he had a pleased smile on his lips. “You have given me a lot to think about. I can imagine it won’t be easy for me to replicate. Without first experiencing the feeling of having Authority, it will probably be countless times harder to find this narrow path you speak of.”

“Hahaha,” The Headmaster suddenly laughed happily, “But at least now I have a path forward. I look forward to what else you will be able to show me.”

“Right,” Adion carefully nodded. “About Sell?”

“I have decided to help you,” The Headmaster said with a light smile, “But it won’t be easy. You will have to work hard. And at the end of it all, it will be up to you to resolve it. The only thing I can do is to give you both some time.”

“That’s good enough,” Adion said, trying hard to keep a big smile from sprouting. He was elated at having the Headmaster onboard to help him and Sell.

“How are you going to help?” Adion asked.

“I thought about it,” The Headmaster said carefully, “And I believe I have come up with an idea that could be done without much risk of causing any big commotion. But it will be up to you to see it to fruition.”

“What do I need to do?” Adion asked.

“You see, there is a certain event on Quemer,” The Headmaster began explaining. “It is a big event that involves the whole continent. All the major powers place a great amount of importance on it.”

“What kind of event is it?” Adion asked.

“A competition,” The Headmaster answered, “A competition among academies. I actually participated in this competition when I first got my position as Headmaster. I had spent many years studying on Quemer, and I had watched the event many times. I wanted Shiora, and in particular, Cyalis Academy, to finally make itself known. Shiora is mostly seen as no more than a weak former settlement to the north. None of the great powers take it seriously.

“Unfortunately, my dreams of placing Cyalis Academy on the map of powerful influences on Quemer came crashing down as we were utterly defeated at every turn. Instead of changing people’s view of my home, I reinforced the image they had in their minds. Since then, I never bothered signing up to compete again.

“But that has changed with you,” The Headmaster looked at Adion with a grin, “I have no doubt you’ll be able to dominate even the most talented mages on Quemer.”

“This all sounds very exciting, but how does it solve anything?” Adion asked.

“It buys you time,” The Headmaster answered, “It would be hard, if not impossible, to just take your little princess away to Quemer without greatly angering the Amyss and Hesfym families. They would definitely try to stop it. And even if you two got away, they would come straight after you. But what if you simply left to compete in an important competition? Going off to bring glory to Shiora and the Academy?”

“They would allow her to leave?” Adion asked.

“I doubt it,” The Headmaster shook his head, “They would probably try to put a stop to it if they could in time. But it is a perfect excuse for me to get her away. No one would blame me for sending a talented student to represent us in an important competition. Those families would just have to accept it and wait for her to return.”

“Wouldn’t they still come after her?” Adion questioned.

“No,” The Headmaster shook his head, “Just like I can’t get away with doing whatever I want, such as getting involved in two families' engagement. Those families can’t get away with whatever they want either. If they dare get involved and cause trouble by taking away a promising student by force, I would have all the justification I need to swiftly take care of them as I see fit. The Council and I don’t take these matters lightly, and those families know that. They can only swallow their annoyance and wait for her to come back once the competition ends.

“Once you two are over there, however. I have ways to make you stay. I have a lot of old friends who would surely be interested in you. I can say that my disciple and Sellitha have stumbled upon an important opportunity and chosen to stay there for a while. What can the Amyss and Hesfym family do then? Sail across the sea and go against a power they know nothing about just to take away someone who doesn’t want to leave? I find it hard to believe.”

“This is genius Headmaster,” Adion said with a wide smile.

If I can go to Quemer with Sell, we will be free to explore and grow strong in peace. Once we are strong enough, we can return. Nobody will be able to do anything to us then.

“The plan requires some work on your part to work, however,” The Headmaster said.

“What do I need to do?” Adion asked.

“Houses is a tradition that started a long time ago,” The Headmaster began explaining, “It is not something Cyalis Academy came up with. Every single academy on Quemer has its own Houses as well. And it is only the top-ranked House that can receive the honor of representing their academy.”

“You mean…I have to join the Shields if I want to go?” Adion asked.

“You and Sellitha both,” The Headmaster nodded, “Of course, that would only be necessary if the Shields remain number one. The competition won’t be held until your fourth year. If things were to change by then…”

“So I should join Soaring Souls and help them take over as the top-ranked House?” Adion asked.

“Unfortunately, that wouldn’t work,” The Headmaster shook his head, “It would be very risky. That House is deeply tied to the Amyss family. They would surely try to get in the way of sending Sellitha to Quemer.”

“Then-” Adion was about to suggest the next option but was interrupted by the Headmaster.

“Eternal Fire doesn’t work either,” The Headmaster shot down Adion’s unspoken suggestion. “They only allow fire mages to join them. As much as you might fool most people, it wouldn’t take long before they discover that you always conjure your fire from pure mana. Not only would you be thrown out from the House, but people would know you have been hiding your true element.”

“So…I have to join the Scrolls? Your old House?” Adion asked with a raised eyebrow.

“That does seem like the only path forward,” The Headmaster said with a smile, “And doesn’t it have a nice ring to it? ‘The Headmaster’s disciple joins the Scrolls and takes it to rank 1 for the first time since he did the same centuries ago. Now he sails off to bring glory to us all.’”

Is he serious.

Adion looked at the Headmaster with an unamused expression.

“Hahaha,” The Headmaster laughed at the look of Adion’s face. “I know it sounds meticulously planned, but this is the only way I can think of. If you have a better idea, I’m all ears.”

I really can’t. And it’s not like I have anything against joining the Scrolls. And I don’t think Sell will be opposed to the plan either. She always planned on running off to Quemer. This way, we can do it safely.

“Alright, let’s do it like you said,” Adion said.

“Good,” The Headmaster smiled. “I look forward to seeing the rise of my old House.”