Silence fell the mont the official, Kaleb, left. The only sound evident was the scratch of the headmaster's quill against the paper and the quiet ticking of the clock behind Asher.
About thirty seconds later, four other students entered the office quietly and closed the door behind them.
They all took their places beside Asher, who didn't seem particularly pleased with the addition but remained silent nevertheless.
His main focus was why the headmaster had called him and the completion of his remaining registration process. After that, he planned to look for an arcade or a mall to buy gas.
Or, even better, buy sothing for his family to celebrate his not-so-special class awakening.
Five minutes of uncomfortable silence passed before Headmaster Ardent finally set his pen down and raised his gaze to the five students before him.
"It's good to see that you five aren't depressed or upset about your awakenings," he began, leaning back into his seat. "How many F ranks?"
"T... two, sir," the blonde beside Asher stuttered, keeping her head low and avoiding the gazes of everyone around her, even when she spoke for the guy beside her.
"I see," Ardent mumbled and shifted his gaze to Asher. "Morgan, correct?"
"Yeah."
"You and the boy with the locs, stand by the bookshelves," he ordered. Unexpectedly, Asher and the ntioned student obeyed without hesitation, leaving the three that stood before the headmaster with their heads lowered.
However, Ardent kept his gaze on the girl with the candy stick between her lips.
"S-rank Illusionist?"
"Yes, sir."
"Are you Nova?"
"Yes, sir."
A smile appeared on the headmaster's lips almost imdiately, visibly satisfied. He didn't say anything for the next few minutes—just wrote on the docunts before him and split them into five.
"The three of you, take these..." He stretched out his hands, holding three pieces of paper, each with a na and a number.
"Head to the fourth wing and hand this over to the instructor on duty there. Once you're done, join your assigned classes."
Nova took the paper from his hands, gave a slight bow, and sauntered casually out of the office while the other two trailed behind her.
When the door closed behind them, Ardent's expression turned serious. He gestured for the remaining two to co before him.
And once again, they obeyed without question.
"Triple S, right?"
"Yes, sir," Asher and the other guy replied in unison.
The headmaster exhaled. This was a first. The awakening of triple S-ranked classes was often done in the upper-tier ward of Velcrest—also known as Highcrest District.
A part of the massive city where organizations, influential guilds, and high-ranking officials were located.
The academy was positioned at the center of the city to allow easier access for citizens from various sectors.
There were rarely any cases of awakeners with triple S ranks, and even when such cases occurred, it was once every fifty years.
Yet, just two days ago, one of the graduating students awakened an additional class—triple S—but no one had the opportunity to see him in action.
That student planned to move to another city to continue his life.
And then, on this fine day, the school was graced with seemingly useless classes—despite their high ranks.
It was almost disappointing. But when the news reached the headmaster, he imdiately summoned them for reasons best known to him.
"You've caused quite the stir, Mr. Morgan," the headmaster said. "Necromancy. The first in a thousand years. The academy is buzzing with it, but as you've heard, it's useless."
Asher tilted his head. "Is that now a bad thing?"
Ardent chuckled. "For you? Likely." He leaned back in his chair, studying him. "But not for . This academy thrives on potential, even in unexpected places."
Asher remained silent. He knew where the headmaster was heading, and he was ready to decline without even thinking twice.
With a rank like his, there was a possibility people would want to use it for their own gain.
It might be impossible, but with everything he had noticed about this world, there was a chance they would use his mana energy to increase their efficiency—and maybe even their weapons.
After all, for one to use their class, a certain amount of mana was required, coupled with the stats attached to the rankings.
Especially strength and mana points.
The headmaster tapped his fingers against the desk. "Tell , what do you intend to do with this… useless class of yours?"
Asher's brows furrowed. He tilted his head as if rethinking, then shrugged. "What I've always done… do my best to make it useful."
'Yeah, that should be it. Can't say sothing stupid and then look like a fool before him,' he told himself after speaking and smiled innocently.
Ardent's blue eyes glead with amusent and satisfaction.
"Good answer," he uttered before shifting his attention to the other guy. "And you, you're the transfer student, correct?"
"Yes."
"You know the conditions attached, right?"
"Yes."
The Velcrest Student Exchange Program was an event that took place at the sa ti as the Inauguration Ceremony.
The academy would form agreents with other well-respected academies from different cities or countries to exchange one to five outstanding students.
Sinnett, a student from Saint Orphilia Academy, was a mixed race—his skin color and other unusual features made that clear.
His heavily tanned skin, knee-length brown locs, which Asher found strange but amusing, and slightly pointed ears, made him very different.
No one saw anything wrong with that.
But the real reason he was transferred was because Saint Orphilia's headmaster had rebranded the school as a high school, leading to a mass withdrawal of students.
Sinnett, the son of one of the board mbers, had requested a transfer to a better institution.
No one could overlook Velcrest Academy—a sowhat peaceful city with powerful organizations, students, and citizens.
Plus, the academy ranked second among the three best schools.
However, an agreent was made when the exchange program began.
Every transferred student, regardless of race, had to be treated as a full-fledged citizen and student.
There could be no reports of harassnt, bullying, or death—just as the exchange student themselves had to follow strict conduct.
The second rule: the exchange student was given exclusive access to nearly everything—within reason.
Accommodation, food, transport, and other basic needs were covered.
In Sinnett's case, all conditions were removed, because he did not want to depend on anyone or anything. All but one condition however....
"The exchange student must not be found guilty of murder or harassnt."
Which, for him, was by far the hardest rule to comply with.
Ardent's smile widened as he gazed at the two boys before him, then leaned back.
"Sinnett, tell Asher your class and rank."
"Hm?" Sinnett humd, turning to Asher, who was glaring daggers at him—but his expression remained neutral. No... the word was polite. Extrely polite, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Uh… he looks like he might stab a knife through my jaw if I say anything."
"Eh?" Asher snapped his eyes toward the headmaster, then back at him. He laughed nervously. "Oh, I don't have a problem with you."
Sinnett scoffed before turning away. "Advanced Arcane Class, Invoker... Beast Aspect.
A fusion of raw magic and beast essence, this ability allows the user to channel mana energy through their body, enhancing their physical form with bestial traits.
Since it was a Beast Aspect, they can reshape their body, manifesting claws, fangs, or fluid-like.
Given that Sinnett had no intentions of doing such, he would rather fight with his fists, that alter his body for anything.
However, one can never say never.
Asher nodded in approval. "Necromancer."
Ardent smiled and picked up a stamp. "You both shouldn't cross boundaries. And see if you can make your class useful, Asher. I can't tolerate a liability for long."
He concluded and pressed the stamp onto the docunts before him.
"Your registration is now complete. Once the school closes, or first thing tomorrow morning, you both should head to the Academy's Head Office in the Highcrest Sector."
"Ask for Yumiko—she'll assign your guilds and get the paperwork ready."
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