Chapter 10: Invitation

The temperature in the room seemed to drop by several degrees.

Everyone was looking at Nor.

And Nor was looking back, not fully understanding what was going on.

And just as the tension was about to reach its peak...

Clap.

Someone clapped their hands.

— That's enough. What are we, children?

The one who spoke was the Headmaster of Aladen Academy — Opus Void.

Everyone shifted their attention from Nor to him.

Everyone except Roy, who continued to observe the boy intently.

Nor looked at Opus as well.

Opus Void...

I've seen that surname somewhere before...

Nor glanced at the age and mentally sighed.

Five hundred and forty years old.

Yeah... why not?

At this point, he was starting to get used to the fact that everyone here seemed to live for several centuries.

— What do you propose, Opus? — Klaus asked.

Opus smiled calmly.

— From what I can see, the boy has no idea what's happening. I think we should at least give him some time to recover after losing consciousness.

While they were talking amongst themselves, Nor decided to check the status of the purple-haired woman who hadn't taken her eyes off him since he woke up.

Mistake.

I think I'm going to pass out...

What did I even do to attract the attention of people like this?

I just wanted to learn about mana...

Nor sighed inwardly.

And that guy keeps staring at me...

He glanced at Roy, who was still watching him far too closely.

Does he like men or something? Why is he staring so much?

The moment Nor looked at him, goosebumps ran down Roy's spine.

Roy frowned slightly.

He was shocked.

In his entire life, he had only felt something like this once before.

During a meeting with a person he still couldn't forget to this day.

— Nor Verner, correct?

Hearing his name, Nor quickly turned toward the brown-haired man dressed in simple black clothing decorated with small golden details.

— Yes, that's correct, sir, — Nor answered politely.

— Excellent manners, — Opus said with a smile.

Then he continued.

— Would you like to learn more about mana? About what's happening to you? And how all of this works?

— Yes, sir. Actually... that's the whole reason I came to the city, — Nor replied while awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

Opus's smile widened.

— Perfect.

He straightened his posture and spoke in a solemn voice.

— On behalf of Aladen Academy, I, Opus Void, formally invite you to study at our academy.

He said it with a warm, almost friendly smile.

Nor nearly passed out again after hearing those words.

Everyone on the continent knew what Aladen Academy was.

And everyone knew how difficult it was to get accepted.

Its power was often compared to that of the Three Great Empires themselves, which spoke volumes about its influence and status.

And now the Headmaster himself was personally inviting him to become a student.

— I accept! — Nor blurted out without thinking for even a second.

Of course, Opus hadn't made this decision alone.

Even before making the invitation, he had discussed everything telepathically with the other two rulers.

Aladen Academy is neutral territory, Opus's voice echoed within the minds of Klaus and Icarus.

There we can observe him, educate him, and determine what exactly he is without giving full control to either side.

Klaus only needed a moment to think.

— Fine, — he finally said. — But Roy will keep an eye on him.

— I... agree... — Icarus replied quietly.

Thus, the decision had already been made long before Nor ever heard the invitation.