“Before it was just a wish of mine, but now, you must attend the academy. The headmaster is in Octagram and an enemy of the two. He will be able to protect you within the academy grounds. With your potential, you should be able to grow strong enough to evade their pursuit if you’re given enough time. The two aren’t idiots. They will only pursue you if it isn’t at a loss to them.”
“Then… you’ll inform the headmaster of my situation?”
The Night Sage spoke bluntly, “It’s risky.”
“Why?”
“I said they’re enemies. That geezer is vehemently against the awakening of the Starved God. If he thinks you’re too much of a risk to keep around, he might kill you himself before you can grow any more.”
Emil’s blood ran cold.
What the hell? Didn’t that just mean nowhere was safe? Then what was he supposed to do? Lay down and take it?
Seeing Emil’s severe expression, the Night Sage quickly continued, “But he also might spare you. That is if you pledge yourself to their side… The headmaster believes in the Silver Mother, the complete foil of the Glutton’s chaos domain. While they won’t break Her seals, Her followers are very devout. You’d have to become an official member of their sect and worship Her if you wanted their protection.”
Emil frowned. For some reason, the thought of aligning himself with any of these Gods repulsed him. He heard quiet whispers in the back of his mind, carrying traces of rage and indignance in their tone.
Could it be that the strange existences that occupied his soul…. they were related to these primordial beings? Or at least, they knew what they were. He felt his heart thumping almost painfully in his chest. This knowledge was dangerous. Something told him to not push it.
The Night Sage misread Emil’s dazed looked and spoke seriously, “Listen to me. I will refer you to the headmaster and let him know of your plight, as well as your desire to join the Church of Silver Order… but only if you would like me to. If not, I’d recommend still attending, but under the guise as a regular student who has never encountered the Devourer’s followers. You may not receive guaranteed safety that way, but your chances are still pretty good because they won’t enter the academy grounds. Knowing that old man, he’ll want to take you in as a personal student if he thinks they haven’t gotten to you yet. But you’ll have to lie to him continuously about that if you don’t want to wind up getting killed. What do you say?”
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There was no hesitation for Emil. He could not bring himself to even think about being the Silver Mother’s adorer. If the academy provided him with sufficient time to grow, Emil was sure that he could at least defend himself against a Demigod in the future. And he was already doing well at hiding his secret from the Night Sage. “I’ll go with aiming to become his student.”
His teacher nodded. He would not go against Emil’s decision because it was similar to one he had faced. He had chosen to remain neutral as well. “I can give you a general recommendation, then. You won’t have to worry about entrance exams.” He then sighed. “I’ll handle it now so that you can join the current school year. Go rest. Your father has been missing you.”
Hearing about his dad, Emil broke out into a rare smile.
He quickly stood, the thoughts of his dim future evaporating. “Thanks!” Emil darted to the door before pausing as he realized something. His instinct told him not to, but he turned around.
“Is there something else?”
Emil hesitated before he asked, “Teacher, have you heard of the Ancient One? Or Ancient Ones?”
The Night Sage thought for a moment. “No. I haven’t. Why?”
“I heard it somewhere,” Emil quickly lied. He was sure that if he said he heard voices in his head, that he would be labeled as a lunatic. “Thanks again.” The boy shut the door behind him and left the office.
Once he was gone, his teacher’s eyes revealed their hidden shock. He leaned back in his chair, looking down at his now shaking hands.
How did he hear of that name? If he remains ignorant, it’ll be safer for him. He’ll forget about that eventually.
The Night Sage consoled himself with these thoughts.
Some things are better left in the shadows.
Bad memories resurface and he let out a dry chuckle. “That was four or five years ago, yet I still can barely stop myself from trembling.” He closed his eyes, broken images flashing through his mind. “The Ancient One, no… that thing.”
A large pillar descended from the dark sky, and second glance, one would realize that it was a finger. Back then, everyone had stared at it in horror. Prayers were shouted out and there were others who collapsed from the shock. Some cried that this was their reckoning. He recalled a dried piece of flesh, resting in that old, wooden box and the crazed mutterings that echoed in his ears.
Coldness gripped the Night Sage’s heart and he felt an inconceivable sadness. “They are from the past… where they shall remain forever.”