"Unless you…"
A pause.
"…cheated."
The Headmaster's fingers tapped once against the table.
"Which should be impossible."
His gaze remained fixed on Tia.
"So… shall we proceed?"
Tia said nothing.
Then nodded slowly.
In his previous life—
he had been told countless times that his body contained an abnormal amount of mana.
Overflowing.
Dangerous.
Powerful.
But no matter how strong it was supposed to be—
he could never use it.
Not once.
No matter what he tried.
Meditation.
Mana circulation.
Even forbidden methods.
Nothing responded.
Was it his rank?
Or
Something wrong with him?
"Sit."
Vice Headmaster Sila spoke calmly.
Tia obeyed.
She stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You may feel uncomfortable."
"But do not resist."
"Relax."
Then—
he felt it.
Mana.
Cold.
Deep.
A violet mist spread around them, sinking into his body like a freezing river.
It moved through every vein.
Searching.
Measuring.
Tia's breathing slowed.
Then—
Vice Headmaster Sila's brows tightened slightly.
The flow changed.
It became heavier.
Stranger.
As if the mana itself was searching for something that didn't exist.
Tia's chest tightened.
His vision blurred.
Then—
everything stopped.
The mana vanished.
Silence returned to the room.
Tia looked up immediately.
Vice Headmaster Sila's expression had shifted.
Confusion.
Real confusion.
A rare sight.
But only for a moment.
Her calm returned.
She turned toward the Headmaster.
"Headmaster."
A pause.
"Student Ming Tia Xu…"
Her voice slowed slightly.
"…has no mana core suitable for magic."
Another pause.
"…nor any spirit energy suitable for swordsmanship."
Silence.
"He is… an awakened…"
She hesitated.
Then concluded flatly.
"…but useless."
Tia froze.
Impossible.
"I…"
His throat tightened.
"…Is this some kind of mistake?"
The Headmaster said nothing.
His eyes lowered slightly, lost in thought.
Then—
"Vice Headmaster Sila."
"You may leave."
"Thank you for your assistance."
"Yes, Headmaster."
She bowed slightly.
Then turned toward the door.
But before she left—
the Headmaster spoke again.
"This matter remains confidential."
Vice Headmaster Sila paused.
"…Understood."
She left.
The door closed softly behind her.
Silence filled the office.
A pause.
"Student Tia Xu."
Tia straightened immediately.
"Come here."
He stepped forward.
The Headmaster opened a drawer.
Then handed him a letter.
"Read this."
The paper felt strange.
Thicker than normal.
The handwriting was too neat.
Almost unnatural.
Tia began reading aloud.
Slowly.
Clearly.
Enough for both of them to hear.
Meanwhile—
a faint smile formed on the Headmaster's face.
"...Fascinating."
A low chuckle escaped him.
"After all these years…"
"At last…"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"…I found you."
A pause.
"The child of that loathsome man."
"How unfortunate."
Tia finished reading.
Then slowly lowered the paper.
Waiting.
The Headmaster smiled.
Cold.
Controlled.
"Good."
"You're done."
"Yes, Headmaster."
The Headmaster leaned back slightly.
Then spoke.
"I will give you two choices."
"You must decide before the third week."
"You may remain in this academy…"
"…or leave willingly."
Tia's eyes widened slightly.
His chest tightened.
For a moment—
he thought he misheard.
Everything he endured.
The struggle.
The examination.
The hope—
All of it.
For this?
"We cannot afford liabilities in this academy."
The Headmaster's voice remained calm.
"But someone without a core…"
"…cannot survive here."
"Do you understand?"
Tia stayed silent for a moment.
Then lowered his head slightly.
"…Yes, Headmaster."
"You may leave."
Tia turned.
Walked out of the office.
The door closed behind him.
Silence.
"My life…"
A hollow breath escaped him.
"…ended before it even began."
Pathetic.
---
Lost in thought—
Tia failed to notice the hooded figure passing him.
Until it was too late.
The figure moved with quiet confidence.
A faint pressure surrounded him.
The office door opened.
He stepped inside.
Immediately—
he knelt.
One knee to the floor.
Head lowered.
"Headmaster."
"You called for me?"
The Headmaster scoffed lightly.
"Relax."
"There's no one here."
"No need for that act."
The figure rose without hesitation.
Then casually sat across from him.
One leg crossed.
"Why am I here?"
"Is it about that old man again?"
The Headmaster glanced at the legs on his table.
Then back at him.
"Hm."
A pause.
"Should I call this fate…"
"…or luck?"
The figure's eyes sharpened slightly.
"You found something?"
The Headmaster smiled.
Slow.
Certain.
"Your suspicion was correct."
"I called that child today."
"Under the excuse of examining his mana."
The figure leaned forward slightly.
"...Which one?"
A pause.
"The one you saw at the bar."
Interest finally appeared in the figure's eyes.
"So?"
"What happened?"
Silence.
Then—
the Headmaster's smile deepened.
"…He is nothing like we expected."