"Obtain unanimous agreement from all the staff at the main campus?"

Karien asked in confusion, "How do we get their agreement?"

Under normal circumstances, the main campus didn’t admit students. Its primary role was to maintain various public educational resources, such as the library, simulation battlefield, plantations, and public lectures.

Faculty and students from affiliated academies could freely access these resources. However, some specific areas required the approval of the academic elder.

The allocation of these resources was determined by the council elders, typically based on annual comprehensive evaluations of the academies.

Due to Red Leaf Academy's consistently poor evaluations in recent years, its share of resources had steadily diminished.

Additionally, many of the main campus's public lectures were only open to magic apprentices or higher. Until recently, Mia was the sole apprentice from Red Leaf Academy eligible to attend.

When Karien shifted the academy's focus to practical applications of magical devices, their use of main campus resources significantly decreased over the past three months.

However, just because Red Leaf Academy didn’t utilize the resources didn’t mean other academies refrained.

Teachers and students from other academies continued to visit the main campus regularly, taking advantage of the public resources and attending lectures.

"Although the council holds the highest administrative authority over Palos Magic School, most of the main campus's staff are appointed by the church. They hold significant management power as well," Elder Ellison explained, looking directly at Karien.

He continued, "When the council lacks sufficient members to make key decisions, they can convene a temporary decision-making meeting by selecting key staff from the main campus.

"For example, Whitestar, who was previously a senior instructor for combat courses on the main campus, was promoted to acting elder by the council due to her exceptional abilities."

After hearing Ellison's explanation, Karien began to understand.

"You’re saying we need to gather the main campus staff for a decision-making meeting to determine whether Red Leaf Academy should continue to exist?"

Ellison nodded. "That’s the general idea. But before the meeting, you must ensure the main campus staff recognize Red Leaf Academy’s value and potential. They need to see that Red Leaf Academy is worth preserving!"

Ellison pointed at a course schedule on the table, his tone firm.

"In three days, I’ll be giving a public lecture on academic affairs. All the main campus staff will attend. I’ll give you 30 minutes to speak during my lecture. Use that time to showcase Red Leaf Academy’s strength and potential. Convince them."

Karien froze for a moment, then muttered, "So you’re asking me to stake Red Leaf Academy’s future on a 30-minute speech during your lecture?"

"Exactly," Ellison confirmed. "Your students performed well during the recent exams, but that only reflects their potential. To change perceptions, you must demonstrate your own abilities as a teacher.

"With Fiennes gone, you’re the sole faculty member of Red Leaf Academy. Most of them believe a one-teacher academy is meaningless. Your task is to prove them wrong.

"If you can change the main campus staff’s view of Red Leaf Academy, I’ll convene the decision-making meeting. If not, this is as far as I can help you."

Taking a deep breath, Karien nodded firmly. "Thank you for giving us this chance!"

Ellison stared at him intently. "I’ve opened the door. Whether you can walk through it is up to you. If you fail, just quietly transfer to the Emerald Research Institute."

"I will succeed!"

"Good. I look forward to your speech during the lecture."

Leaving the academic elder's office, Karien immediately began planning his speech for the upcoming lecture. Magical devices would undoubtedly be the centerpiece of his presentation, but he needed to figure out how to best demonstrate their value.

Lost in thought as he turned a corner at the end of the corridor, Karien nearly bumped into someone. He quickly stepped back, apologizing. Looking up, he found himself face-to-face with Acting Elder Lytton.

The Night Academy's headmaster towered over Karien, gazing down at him with icy disdain.

"Uh..." Karien hesitated for a moment, noting Lytton's unfriendly expression. Without a word, he stepped aside to make way.

Lytton glanced at him briefly, his eyes filled with scorn, then strode off with his hands clasped behind his back. Following him was a pale-skinned boy, Hui, who trailed behind with a timid expression.

Karien recognized Hui as the student who had faced Mia during the exams. From Wells, he had learned that Hui was Lytton's personal protégé, so his presence wasn’t surprising.

However, Karien couldn’t ignore Lytton’s disdainful glance—it was clear the man bore no goodwill. Karien had heard that Lytton was the one who had proposed shutting down Red Leaf Academy.

If Karien wanted to save his academy, Lytton would undoubtedly be his biggest obstacle. To circumvent him, Karien needed to win the support of all the main campus staff.

Determined, Karien decided to return to his academy and start preparing. However, with the final assessment results yet to be announced, he had to remain at the main campus for a while longer.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

When Karien returned to the main campus square, Mia, Sali, and the others were already gathered there. Seeing Karien, they greeted him excitedly.

"Teacher, Teacher! Mia ranked fifth in the theoretical exam and first in the combat exam! Our academy’s overall evaluation came in second place, just behind the Night Academy!"

Hearing this, Karien couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

Their three months of hard work had paid off. Despite Red Leaf Academy having only eleven students, they still secured second place—a testament to their abilities.

If Red Leaf Academy had as many participants as the Night Academy, they could have easily outshined them.

As they celebrated their success, the bronze bell in the square rang again, followed by Elder Ellison’s voice.

"All academy leaders and students, please proceed to the center of the square and arrange yourselves according to your positions. The admission results will now be announced."

"Let’s go," Karien said with a smile. "It’s time to pick a good school for Mia!"

As he led the group to the square, he noticed someone missing.

"Where’s Jack?"

Sali, his thick brows furrowing, laughed. "That guy’s got an upset stomach—he went to the restroom!"

In the eastern teaching building, Jack hurriedly exited the restroom, clutching his pants as the bronze bell echoed through the air.

As he rushed toward the square, he caught a glimpse of a shadow flitting through the plantation to the east.

Turning to look, he saw nothing.

"Huh? Did I imagine that?"

Scratching his head, Jack quickly resumed his sprint toward the square.

"Jack, where have you been for so long?"

When Sali saw Jack returning, he clicked his tongue and said, "Lazy people always take forever."

He slapped Jack's shoulder, and Jack rolled his eyes. "You talk too much."

Karien, standing at the front, signaled for them to be quiet and said, "The admission results are about to be announced, so stop talking."

The group nodded in acknowledgment and fell silent, looking up at the podium in the center of the square.

At that moment, Elder Ellison, the academic elder, walked up to the podium, tapping his staff. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"I’m sure everyone has seen your results by now, so I won’t waste any more time with unnecessary talk. You’ve probably heard enough of that already."

He paused briefly before continuing. "According to the previous rules, students who passed the practical combat assessment and the theoretical exam will qualify for graduation and will be awarded a diploma from Palos Magic School."

"Afterward, based on your scores and magical ranks, you will be assigned to various universities across the country."

After briefly explaining the process, Ellison began announcing the graduation list. The students were categorized into four ranks.

Those in the fourth rank were considered "ungraduated." If they were still below the age limit, they could choose to repeat the year and take the assessment again next year. If they were of age, they would only receive a certificate of completion from Palos Magic School. They couldn’t advance to university and would have to seek employment elsewhere. These students would likely go on to work in various magical professions in cities or territories, earning a decent income. Some might even choose to become mercenaries, adventuring to earn money while seeking ways to improve their magical rank.

Most of the students who attended Palos Magic School came from relatively well-off families—aside from those at Red Leaf Academy, where tuition fees were generally not low. Even if they only received a certificate of completion, they could inherit their family’s lands or properties after returning home. Magic was simply a means to better themselves.

The third rank consisted of those who graduated successfully but were mostly magic apprentices. Their options for further education were limited to third-tier universities.

The second rank included fully qualified magic tutors, mostly first-tier mages.

The first rank was reserved for the top 30 landowners from the practical assessment, all of whom were second-tier mages. It also included some special recruits.

Jack, Sali, and the other students from Red Leaf Academy had already chosen not to pursue further education, so they were not listed.

Mia, however, was ranked in the first tier—and she was ranked first.

Also placed in the first tier were Hui, Darren, Lina, and other top students from various academies.

"After graduation, you will begin to formally choose your future path. You may go to the Church’s universities to serve the Divine Lord, join military universities to fight for the kingdom, or choose research universities to develop new magic."

Ellison paused for a moment, his tone becoming more solemn. He continued, "But let me emphasize one thing to all of you."

"No matter what path you choose, remember this!"

"Live in the darkness, but remain true to your heart!"

"This is the first rule of the Doctrine of Adherence, and it is the core philosophy of the Dark Church’s reform over the past 25 years."

"Darkness itself is an element that easily leads people to fall into depravity and indulgence. For centuries, the corrupted Dark Church has caused countless disasters to the world."

"But this is not the will of the Dark God. While the Divine Lord granted us freedom and advocates living as we wish, that doesn’t justify falling into depravity. The Divine Lord also calls for tolerance and the promotion of diversity."

"For years, the chaotic and disordered faction of the corrupted Church dominated, until 25 years ago when the Adherence faction, with the help of King Priel VII, seized control of the Dark Church."

"Since then, the Adherence faction has reformed the Church, rejecting corruption and indulgence. Only then did the Durant Kingdom begin to recover and prosper."

"Today, we continue to advance the development of both the country and the Church, based on this principle of remaining true to our hearts."

"So I hope all of you remember this..."

Just as Ellison passionately delivered his speech, a loud and sharp sound of clapping echoed from the top of the bronze bell in the center of the square.

Ellison paused, thinking, I haven’t finished yet.

But when he looked up, he saw that the person sitting on top of the bell was not one of Palos Magic School’s people.

As the academic elder, Ellison knew all the staff at the school—at least every faculty member—but the man sitting on the bell was unfamiliar to him.

Karien, standing in the square, also looked up at the sound of the clapping. He saw a man in his forties sitting atop the bell. The man had unusually long arms, and his face was heavily painted with a grotesque mask resembling a monkey's face, in a black, white, and red design.

The man clapped while sneering, "You Dark Church people are really amusing. You’re clearly followers of the Fallen God, yet you try to twist the teachings and cut off your own limbs!"

The crowd gasped at his words.

"Teacher, who is that?" Mia asked curiously.

Frowning, Karien shook his head. "I’m not sure."

But something in his gut told him that this person was trouble.

Ellison, standing on the podium, also showed signs of anger. He raised his staff and pointed it at the strange figure on the bell. "Who dares to trespass into Palos Magic School? Come down immediately, or I’ll take action!"

As Ellison shouted, he was also shocked. Although Palos Magic School was just an elementary-level institution, it had large defensive magic arrays. Outsiders couldn’t just enter freely. How had this person gotten in?

And how had he managed to sneak up on top of the bell without anyone noticing?

The man with the monkey-faced mask stood up and spread his arms, laughing loudly. "Don’t be nervous, Obliterator Ellison. We’ve come to pay our respects to the legendary past."

Ellison’s mind immediately registered the danger. This person was definitely a threat, and his appearance at such a time could put the students in danger.

Without hesitation, Ellison began chanting a spell, and his staff glowed with a complex black magical array.

In an instant, a huge black birdcage appeared around the monkey-faced man, trapping him inside.

However, the masked man continued to laugh, and then his form dissolved into smoke, vanishing.

"You finally left your back exposed. How could we let this opportunity slip?"

A harsh voice echoed from all directions, and soon, four towering columns of light erupted from the four corners of the main campus square.

"Little children of the Dark Church, let’s enjoy a killing spree!"