“Recount everything that has happened,” Selena asked. “Don’t leave out a single detail.”

Tyrus found himself seated in a chair, feeling his body slump into the unforgiving hardness of the wooden surface. He was in Selena’s office, observing the branch leader with a slight frown etched on his face. If he were being honest, he would much rather be somewhere else, whether it was taking a refreshing dip in clean water or acquiring a new set of garments. But, as predictable as the sunrise, his ravenous curiosity always seemed to prevail.

He toyed with his Explorer tag for a moment before speaking up. “Firstly, I’m curious as to why the number ten is displayed instead of nine. Is there a problem with my tag? And if there is, when can it be repaired?”

“It’s not broken, if that’s what you’re asking,” Selena said, leaning against her cushioned chair. “I’m fully aware of your age and all that, but the others don’t.”

Tyrus tilted his head. “I don’t understand...?”

“Okay, let me ask you this: what are your goals in life?”

“To become wealthy and powerful, to the point where no one can walk all over me,” Tyrus replied promptly.

She nodded. "Good aspirations for someone as young as you. Now, tell me, how will you achieve that strength?"

Tyrus was at a loss on where Selena was going with this, yet decided to answer anyway. "By training, of course. As long as I push my limits and continue to hone my skills and mana, I can attain that strength, whether it be strengthening my body or using magic every day. That is what you and Sir Geroth did, right?"

"Yes, I suppose you are right about that," Selena said. She leaned forward, lacing her fingers together like a spider weaving a web. "Body strengthening and magic practice is how you will grow stronger, and those gifted naturally accelerates the training process. But what is the body if the mind isn't up to par?"

"I still don't—"

"Knowledge is just as important, if not more so, than power," she said, interrupting him. "You can swing a stick all you want to become a great swordsman, but without the guidance of a teacher, you won't navigate its complexities. Same with magic. Experimenting with magic is fruitless if one doesn't understand the principles behind it. That's what separates the strong from the weak."

Tyrus understood immediately her point. He only learned of incantations because he happened to be spying on Fiona. He also gifted a book of incantations from Ivy, thus opening his eyes even more on just how vast and complicated magic truly was. Then there was Igneal who taught him that using his affinity on water was extremely effective. Everything he learned came from another source, not from his own. When he thought about it, it only made him feel even more inadequate about his skills.

The way Selena studied Tyrus made him fidget with his tag even more. Reading her was just as difficult as keeping his garments from ripping. She always spoke with a smile and gentle tone, but her intentions proved the opposite. Tyrus knew that there was something she wanted from him, that much was obvious. The problem lied with figuring out what exactly without expressing his distrust.

"This leads me to my next point," she began. "Remember those documents pertaining to your identity? Well, you're basically an entirely new person. I took some liberties with such convenience and aged you up a year. Whatever time you were birthed is when you'll turn eleven."

Tyrus squinted his eyes. "Okay, so I'll be turning eleven this upcoming winter when it really should be ten. What about it?"

At that moment, there was a gentle bump against the door. Selena let out a sigh and withdrew, resting her hand against her cheek. "Fiona, could you kindly clarify what I'm trying to say to him?"

Initially, the room remained eerily quiet, save for the cacophony of yells and shouts emanating from downstairs. It wasn't until the door swung open that he caught the faint sound of breathing, prompting Tyrus to glance behind him.

Poking her head through the cracks was Fiona, wearing an unapologetic smile. "H-Hello there! Don't mind me. I was looking for the toilet, but there's just so many doors here that I got lo—"

"Fiona, you are a dreadful liar," Selena interjected. "Fair warning, please be careful about who you eavesdrop on. With those skills, even a deaf person would hear you from afar. Now, please come inside and take a seat."

Fiona dropped the charade immediately and shut the door, rushing to an available chair next to Tyrus.

"What am I going to do with you?" Selena murmured. "Anyway, I'm sure you've already overheard everything. Could you please be kind enough to explain to the boy what all of this means?"

With an almost child-like eagerness, Fiona nodded and spoke more loudly than usual. "Tyrus, you mentioned this upcoming winter is when you'll be turning ten, but Aunt Selena purposely added a year. Following your conversation earlier about teachers and growth, that could only mean one thing: you are now of age to apply for an academy!"

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Tyrus's eyes shot up, and he almost dropped his Explorer tag. "That seems too good to be true. I can attend school just like that?" He gave Selena a skeptical glance, gauging her reaction.

She held her arms up in surrender. "Instead of glowering, you should be thanking me. I know how impatient you are about these kinds of things. Wanting to become an explorer at your age instead of waiting a full year. Knowing your personality, I made a few compromises while I forged a new identity for you. Since you're so eager to rush life, I thought, why not?"

Tyrus didn't let up his suspicions and said, "What's in it for you? Knowing you, there must be something you want from me."

He still couldn’t forget what she had done to him just a few days ago. She had sent him on a dangerous errand, risking his life, all for her own curiosity. Selena appeared to be the type of person who only acted when it served her interests in some way. If this was one of her schemes that could potentially get him killed again, he might just have to confront her, regardless of the fact that she was a family member cherished by Fiona.

Fiona glanced at him. “Tyrus, Aunt Selena means well this time. There’s no need to be—”

Selena interrupted Fiona by raising her hand. “He has every right to be cautious, and his concerns are valid. I must admit that I haven’t always presented myself in a positive light. There is a personal motive for me, but it’s not driven by the malicious reasons you may be imagining. When I say that I genuinely want to see you succeed in your goals, I truly mean it. Although you may not see it yet, I can sense something extraordinary within you. A hunger for success that seems boundless, like the depths of the ocean. To be honest, you remind me of someone I once attended the academy with. Your resemblance to her makes me believe that everything I have done thus far has been worthwhile.”

“So... there’s no catch? You’re really helping me just because?”

Selena bestowed upon him a radiant smile, one that instantly eased the tension in his shoulders. “You’re right. There’s no need to be afraid. Just make me one promise, Tyrus, that you’ll always keep that hunger alive and stay true to who you are. Don’t let anyone extinguish the flames that burn passionately in your heart. Only then will you attain the strength that you desire so much.”

With red cheeks, Tyrus looked away and said, "...I'll do my best. I never intended to take a step back from my dreams. If attending an academy like Fiona and the rest will make me stronger, I'm not opposed to the idea. In fact, I've always wanted to attend one ever since Reo talked about the classes there. Witnessing magic every day, every hour and learning more about it..."

Unintentionally, Tyrus salivated at the mere thought of witnessing such extraordinary spectacles. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of magical displays the students, or even more so, the teachers, would showcase. He had already made the mistake of underestimating the power of earth, but Meadow had convincingly shown its strengths. The same principle applied to the other affinities as well.

Fiona poked him on the shoulder, her voice barely a whisper. "You're drooling at the mouth."

Tyrus snapped out of his daze and wiped his chin. Not wanting to embarrass himself further, he sat down and stayed quiet.

"I don't want to burst your bubble," Selena continued, "but there are only a handful of academies that focuses on cultivating future sorcerers. Not to mention that you have to pass a few tests to even be qualified to register. Of course the tests aren't the same across whatever academy you choose to attend."

Fiona scoffed. "Doesn't matter what test they'll throw at Tyrus. He'll ace them, anyway. And why are you bringing up academies when only one matters in the end? Naturally, he'll be attending the one in Valis. Anything else will be basically be spitting on his face."

Tyrus furrowed his brows, trying to make sense of Fiona's words. "You're talking about Valis Academy of Sorcery, right? I remember you said that you, Reo, and Grant attend that school. What's so different about that school than the others?"

"The quality of education," Fiona said with a finger wag. "While there are plenty of talented instructors out there, none can compare to a school founded on top of the capital! The facilities are grandiose, the food is to die for, and it offers a variety of programs for students who wish to pursue careers other than simply growing their magic, whether it be a government official, healer, beast rancher, or even a researcher on magic itself. I've only covered a few, but the opportunities are endless!"

"You're getting a bit sidetracked, dear niece," Selena chided.

Fiona chuckled. "Heh, sorry about that. I'll tone it down just a tad. Other than what I just told you, there are a few things I'd keep an eye on. Because Valis Academy of Sorcerer is a prestigious school, it's a gathering for nobility and children of influential families."

The smile on Tyrus's face faded. If it was a place filled with nobility, then that would mean they would surely act as prideful as Igneal. Having to deal with one noble was hard enough, but hundreds of them? They would surely eat him alive in there!

"It's a breeding ground for competition," Fiona continued, her expression turning grim. "Not only will you need to watch out for the students, but the professors, too. Although there are a few kind-hearted souls there, most will judge you based on your... um, lineage and background. B-But don't worry about that! If those awful harpies dare bully you, they'll have to face the wrath of Blue Dawn. I can already picture their repulsive faces being beaten to paste by Grant!"

Fiona raised her arms and punched at the air with pinched brows. Only until Selena coughed did she stop and straighten herself.

“Fiona is right about the competition. If you found the Wasteful Wetlands to be difficult, then brace yourself for an even more formidable challenge. But let’s put that aside for now; you can ask Fiona all about that later. I would appreciate hearing your report on the events that occurred during your time in the Wasteful Wetlands. Fiona, would you mind being so kind as to go and get Igneal? It is necessary that I also consider his point of view.”

Fiona glanced between the two. "Alright. I'll be back."

After she left, Selena and Tyrus sat in silence. It didn't take that long for them to hear floorboards creaking and the door flying open. Igneal strutted inside, almost as if he owned the guild itself.

"You called for me, Aunt Selena?" His gaze fell upon Tyrus, and that familiar arrogant smirk appeared. "Ah, I understand now. You want to know about our time in that repulsive location."

"Observant as always, aren't you?" Selena said. She motioned at the chair, in which Igneal plopped himself onto. Selena's expression grew serious as she directed her gaze towards Tyrus.

"I need you to be thorough and describe everything you witnessed in there, without omitting a single detail. If it's as serious as I thought, then I'm afraid even His Majesty won't have a choice but to take action."