Inside the Headmaster's Office.
After the earth-shaking display Kayle had just pulled outside—an explosion of elemental power that turned every head in the academy—Professors Olivia, Orlando, and Lucy hurried him and Silvia into the headmaster's office.
The room crackled with tension. The three professors were at each other's throats, still arguing over the same thing: Kayle. A prodigy whose elemental affinity had shattered centuries of precedent. The boy was a once-in-a-millennium talent, and now all eyes—imperial and otherwise—were fixed on him.
"You shut your leafy mouth, you overgrown salad!" Olivia barked at Orlando, her voice echoing through the office. "I said I'm taking him. End of story. Can't you understand human language . Or do you want me to turn those hedge trimmings you call hair into ashes?!"
"You damn walking volcano!" Orlando shot back, slamming his hand on the table. "You may have fire, but I'm the professor of Elemental Theory and Manipulation! I've studied elemental balance and molecular fusion! You only know how to incinerate things!"
"Enough!" snapped Iris, stepping between them like a storm. "You two are embarrassing yourselves. Can't you see kids are here . You are spewing whatever coming in your mouth . This is the headmaster's office—not some back-alley fruit market!"
Kayle and Silvia watched the absurd squabble unfold with quiet amusement.
"Don't they remind you of Jack and Rose? When both of them argue." Silvia whispered to Kayle, a smile tugging at her lips.
Kayle chuckled. "Yeah. Two grown adults fighting over a toy."
"But Kayle," Silvia said, turning serious, "I didn't know you had four elemental affinities. Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"I wasn't sure," Kayle replied. "That's why I spent so much time buried in books, studying elemental affinity. Once I confirmed it, I have affinity for four elements. I thought it was time to let the professors know. That's the only reason I kept it to myself."
"Oh… So that's why you were always in the library. That makes sense now." Silvia's eyes softened with awe. "Kayle… Do you realize what this means? You're the first mage in the last six hundred years of Atheliya's history with four elemental affinities. You could reshape magic engineering in the empire. Honestly, I'm a little jealous."
Kayle's gaze darkened slightly. "Silvia… I'm not sure having four affinities is a blessing."
"What do you mean?"
"You remember what Professor Orlando said during our Elemental Theory class. The more affinities a person has, the harder it becomes to construct stable mana circles in the heart. It places immense strain on the body. I might never reach beyond the sixth circle… That wall could be unbreakable for me."
Silvia paused. "You're right. I forgot about that. Even mages with just one affinity struggle to reach the seventh circle. Even I can't promise I'll make it."
Kayle looked at her with quiet conviction. "No, Silvia. You can surpass every mage in the century. I believe in you."
"Do you really think so…?" she asked, her voice faint.
"I do."
At that moment, the door opened and Headmaster Elizabeth entered, carrying the weight of her authority like a mantle of steel. She took her seat, her expression calm—but her eyes were razor sharp.
Before she could speak, Lucy burst out, "Ma'am! You're not going to believe what I'm about to say—Kayle is a prodigy. He has four elemental affinities!"
Elizabeth didn't blink. "Yes, I heard."
"He's the first in six centuries!" Orlando exclaimed. "Headmaster, please allow me to take him as my assistant. My work in elemental shaping and property manipulation requires someone like him. I've been looking for someone with two elements affinity. But kayle he has four. He can help me with the research. He's the missing piece to my research!"
"Oh no you don't!" Olivia growled. "I've had my eye on him since the entrance exam. He's just as brilliant as Silvia. He'll help finish my research and push the boundaries of fire magic further than anyone has before!"
"Stop, both of you!" Lucy interjected. "He has wind affinity, too. With his precision and control, he could help develop new spells with perfect trajectory and speed."
Elizabeth raised a hand. The room fell silent instantly.
"You're all forgetting something crucial," she said. "While he may be a genius, one-of-a-kind, there's still a risk. Four affinities means the path to the seventh circle is nearly impossible. And now that the entire academy—and soon the empire—knows about him, Kayle will be a target. Scholars will try to claim him. The imperial court will come knocking. Our duty is to protect him."
The room was still.
"As for the assistant issue," Elizabeth continued, "I already made it clear. The decision lies with Kayle and Silvia. No one else."
"But, Headmaster—" Orlando began. " You know that he can be helpful in all those researchs. "
"I know," Elizabeth said sharply. "But none of you can take him. Even if I allow it, Kayle is still a student. He can't assist three professors at once and you all need assistant for academic—related duties. Besides, Professor Mark hasn't even returned yet. You all know he'll come begging for the same thing."
Olivia, Orlando and lucy fell silent , acknowledging the headmaster's irrefutable point
"However, as he is an prodigy" she added, "and this is an exceptional case… I'll allow a special provision. Each of you may take on two assistants. If—and only if—Kayle agrees to assist all three of you. I can allow it."
At once, Olivia, Orlando, and Lucy turned toward Kayle like starved beasts presented with a feast.
Standing in the center of the room, Kayle could feel the weight of their greedy stares.
"...Damn it," Aeon thought. "I really f***ed myself this time. I revealed my power to protect Silvia, and created that big show outside,and now I've turned into some kind of walking research tool. But what's done is done. And I know what's coming in the future—it's going to be brutal. So I might as well make the most of it. And help the professor's with the research."
He took a deep breath, then stepped forward.
"Headmaster… I accept. I will assist all three professors."
The eyes of Olivia, Orlando, and Lucy sparkled with glee. Olivia couldn't contain her excitement—she darted forward and hugged Kayle tightly.
"You made the right choice, Kayle! You, me, and Silvia—we're going to make history!"
Silvia, momentarily stunned, frowned slightly and tried to tug Olivia off him.
Not missing a beat, Lucy latched onto Kayle's arm. The poor boy, caught in a tug-of-war between two powerful mages, took a cautious step forward to break free.
"However," Kayle added, "I have conditions."
Everyone froze.
"I want my own personal lab," he said firmly. "Fully equipped. No delays, no restrictions. I can't afford to run around from one lab to another. If I'm assisting all three of you, I need a dedicated space."
Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. "I was planning to assign you a lab anyway. That's reasonable. And equipment will be provided—state-of-the-art. Anything else?"
"Yes. I want permission to stay within the academy after hours during my research."
Elizabeth paused, considering. "It will be tough and It's against the rules for students to remain after class hours… but if you're accompanied by a professor, I'll allow it."
Kayle gave a slight bow. "Thank you, Headmaster."
And with that, he and Silvia turned and exited the room.
---
A Week Later
After the meeting with the headmaster and professors, it didn't take long for the news to spread like wildfire across the entire academy.
Kayle—now known as the student with four-elemental affinity—had become the heart of every conversation. His name echoed in every hallway, every classroom, and every dorm.
Not only had he shattered a six-century-old record, but the headmaster had also granted Professors Olivia, Orlando, and Lucy a rare privilege: permission to take on two assistants instead of one—all because of him.
Once again, Kayle became the center of the academy's attention.
"Did you hear? Kayle has affinity with four elements!"
"Yeah, it's the first time in over 600 years in Atheliya's history."
"The headmaster even changed the rules for him. Professors can take two assistants now."
"He was the one who caused that radiant blast above the cafeteria, right?"
"And let's not forget—he's already handsome. Now he's a prodigy too? Unfair!"
"I wish I could be one of the assistants working with him…"
"We're in the top 50. We should apply! Who knows, maybe we'll get picked!"
Girls were gushing over the news, their excitement lighting up the corridor.
Meanwhile, a group of boys stood nearby, watching with raised brows and mild disbelief.
"Look at them. Completely starstruck."
"They've gone totally head over heels."
"I still can't believe it. How can one guy have everything—talent, looks, and still be a commoner?"
"Exactly. He's not even from a noble family, and yet…I think that's why they say money can't buy happiness."
"You're right. We can't buy talent like that for ourselves. "
"...he's about to be the top of the academy."
Inside the Star Class classroom...
Kayle and Silvia entered together. At once, their group—Latty, Jack, Mariya, Rose, Rames, Jin, Shawn, and even Sara—turned to greet them. The moment Kayle stepped in, everyone swarmed around him.
"Yo, Kayle! Is it true you've got four elemental affinities?" Shawn asked eagerly.
"I still can't believe it," Latty added, eyes wide. "My sister said you're going to be her assistant!"
"Bro, you're the hottest topic in the whole academy right now," Rames laughed.
"Seriously, you have no idea how much the boys are jealous of you," Jin said with mock frustration.
"Almost every girl in the top 50 has already filled out an application to be an assistant—just for a chance to be with you," Jack said with a smirk.
"I did too," Mariya chimed in proudly. "I'm just waiting for the professors to choose me."
"Same here!" Rose said, giving Kayle a playful wink. "We'd make a good team, don't you think?"
"Well," Latty scoffed with a confident smile, "my spot's basically secured."
"You think just because professor Lucy is your sister, you've got a free ticket?" Rames teased.
Latty flipped her hair. "This is the Academy. I know that Bloodlines don't matter—talent does. And I am talented."
Kayle and Silvia—who had been caught in the center of the lively chaos—quietly slipped away and took their seats. But the rest weren't done yet. The whole group trailed behind, circling their desks like moths to flame.
"So Kayle, what do you think about all this?" Jack asked with curiosity.
Kayle sighed. "It's... bothersome."
Jack blinked. "You mean being surrounded by girls, or assisting three professors at once?"
Kayle glanced sideways. "Both."
The group laughed.
"Man, don't say that. Everyone's dreaming of being in your position," Shawn grinned.
"Yeah, live a little. Enjoy your academy life while it lasts," Rames added.
Just as their conversation was reaching its peak, the classroom door creaked open and Professor Orlando stepped in. The moment his footsteps echoed across the floor, the group scattered to their seats like startled birds.
Class was about to begin.
---
Inside the Classroom
Professor Orlando stood at the front of the class, his gaze sweeping across the students. The chatter died down instantly as his voice carried through the room.
"Before we begin today's lesson," he said, "I'd like to announce that I've chosen Sara Vaviniya as my second assistant."
The room instantly fell silent. All eyes turned toward Sara.
Every eye in the classroom snapped to Sara, who sat quietly on her bench. No one had expected her to apply for an assistant position. Sara was known for her laser focus on her own studies, rarely getting involved in anything beyond her academic pursuits
The reserved girl, who always kept to herself, sat quietly at her desk—calm, poised, and seemingly unaffected by the attention. Sara had never shown interest in anything outside her studies. She never competed for the spotlight. And yet… she had applied.
Sara looked toward Professor Orlando with her usual composed expression.
"Sara, from today onward, you'll be assisting me," Orlando said. "Come to my office during the lunch break—with Kayle."
"Yes, Professor," Sara replied softly, her voice steady.
The tension shifted.
Silvia's eyes widened at Professor Orlando's announcement. Sara, the girl who had attacked both Silvia and Kayle on their very first day at the academy, was now going to be assisting a professor alongside Kayle. It was a turn of events she had never anticipated.
Her gaze darted to Sara, then to Orlando, and finally locked onto Kayle. Her grip tightened on his hand, and she pulled him closer to her seat.
"Kayle…" she whispered sharply, "that girl is going to work with you now?"
She leaned in, her voice lower, urgent.
"I don't like this. I don't want her near you. Tell Professor Orlando you don't want to assist with her. You know what she's like—what if she tries something? She's terrible."
Kayle looked at Silvia, his expression calm, reassuring.
"Don't worry," he said gently. "She won't do anything. She already apologized to both of us—and she hasn't caused any trouble since. She's not like other nobles, Silvia. She's quiet, focused, and a member of the Vaviniya Clan—one of the Five Great Clans. She hasn't thrown her weight around once. Maybe… you should try talking to her."
Silvia narrowed her eyes. "Kayle… you're always such a softie. Did you forget what she said to us on the first day? She looked down on us just because we're commoners."
Her tone shifted—softer, but laced with emotion. "I can forgive what she did to me... but I'll never forgive her for what she said to you."
Behind them, Sara sat quietly, her head bowed, pretending to focus on her notes. But she heard every word.
She had expected this.
Ever since that day—on the staircase during the broken arena incident—Kayle had stayed in her mind. His words. His calm strength. His presence. Even when she avoided him, hid her face, turned away... her heart remained drawn to him. But after all the recent conflict and the academy's shared ordeal, she had finally resolved her feelings for Kayle. She wanted to be with him, or perhaps, something more.
Kayle, meanwhile, glanced at Silvia. He didn't want to complicate things further. He had already diverged too far from the original plot. Adding more chaos now would only lead to more unpredictability.
So, leaning in slightly, he whispered in Silvia's ear.
"Silvia, trust me. Nothing will happen. I promise—I'll still be with you. I promise that,I'll spend more time for you. "
His voice was soft, reassuring.
Silvia's heart skipped a beat. Her face flushed as his words reached her ears, his breath brushing her skin.
Silvia's heart unexpectedly raced at his closeness and his whispered words.
"Okay… but you better keep your promise," she murmured, blushing deeply.
"I'm a man of my word," Kayle replied with a small, confident smile.
Across the classroom, Sara watched them—watched Silvia blushing, watched Kayle smiling. A pang of jealousy sparked in her chest, even as she clenched her fists beneath the desk.
---
Later that Day…
As classes progressed, the second major announcement came during the afternoon lecture.
Professor Lucy, standing proudly before the class, made her decision.
"I've chosen Mariya as my second assistant," she declared.
Mariya gasped, unable to contain her delight. "Yes, Professor!"
But across the room, Latty's eyes narrowed in disbelief. Her mouth dropped open. She hadn't expected this. Her own sister hadn't picked her.
"You've got to be kidding me…" she muttered under her breath.
Rames leaned in with a smirk. "Told you. Bloodline means nothing here."
Latty shot him a deadly glare, but Rames just laughed and teased her the entire day.
As the day wore on, the academy buzzed with fresh excitement, rivalry, and shifting dynamics. Some friendships deepened, and new stories were beginning to take shape—all revolving around Kayle, the prodigy of the century.
And from the shadows, silent eyes watched him with growing interest.
---
As time passed, Aeon began assisting all three professors—Olivia, Orlando, and Lucy—just as agreed. In return, he was granted his own personal laboratory within the prestigious research facility of Venessa Academy.
The research facility stood prominently to the right of the academy's main building, nestled beside the expansive library. Designed in a modern cubic architectural style, the facility boasted five above-ground floors and two heavily secured underground levels. These subterranean floors housed the vaults—sealed chambers containing restricted research materials, dangerous prototypes, and high-tier magical artifacts under imperial protection.
Each professor within the academy was allotted their own private lab, customized to suit their field of expertise. Aeon's lab, equipped with state-of-the-art alchemic reactors, mana field stabilizers, and an advanced elemental analysis terminal, was unlike any student lab before it. It was designed to handle multi-affinity experiments, theoretical modeling, and even high-risk mana reconstruction processes.
Venessa Academy's research division was known across the continent for its cutting-edge innovations. The building housed a wide array of specialized labs, including:
Advance Alchemy laboratory– For potion synthesis, transmutation research, and mana-infused compounds.
Magic engineering Bay– Where artifacts, staves, enchanted tools, and mana-reactive machinery were crafted and tested.
Runic incription Lab – Dedicated to the ancient and modern studies of runes, glyph scripting, and symbol-based spell encoding.
Elemental testing Chamber– Reinforced rooms designed to contain and monitor high-grade elemental spells and reactions.
Mana Flow simulation – Used for mapping and simulating the flow of mana within different magical systems and organisms.
Beast affinity Research Room – For studying magical creatures, beast , and the biology of mana-infused beings.
Spatial and Dimensional studies Wing– Where experiments involving portals, teleportation, and dimensional rifts were conducted under heavy surveillance.
Mana core Resonance Lab– Focused on the analysis of mana cores, resonance properties, and the development of circle-free channeling systems.
Historical Magic Archive and Restoration Centre– A specialized archive and lab where ancient spells, texts, and lost arts were deciphered and revived.
The crown jewel of the academy's research culture was its Grand continental Research Symposium, held once every three years. Only successfully completed and peer-reviewed research was eligible for submission. At this prestigious event, top researchers, magic theorists, engineers, and professors from the Two Empires and Six Kingdoms gathered under one roof. Representing a paper or invention there was more than an academic achievement—it was a rite of passage, a launchpad into world recognition.
For Aeon, it was the perfect stage.
And now, with access to the best minds, resources, and tools the continent had to offer—he was ready to begin the next phase of his journey.
---
Aeon seamlessly adapted to his new schedule. Each day, he attended his lectures like every other student, but after class, he immersed himself entirely in research within the academy's renowned facility.
The Research Facility—a towering structure adjacent to the main building of Venessa Academy and nestled beside the vast central library—was the heart of magical innovation. Built in a grand cubic architecture, it comprised five above-ground floors and two subterranean levels,
Each floor of the facility was divided into four sectors, and Aeon's laboratory was located in sector two on the second Floor—a massive hall nearly twice the size of a Star Class lecture room. Once a storage chamber for large monster corpses intended for anatomical and magical testing, the logistics of transporting such creatures had proven inefficient, leading the headmaster to seal the hall years ago. Many professors had long coveted this space, but it was Aeon who was finally granted permission to claim and redesign it.
And he did so masterfully.
Aeon had transformed the neglected hall into a state-of-the-art research lab—flawlessly divided into four dedicated zones, each tailored for the individual research focus of Professors Olivia, Orlando, Lucy, and even Mark, who wasn't available due to his injuries. The lab's floor was inlaid with intricate marble and magical conduits, and walls embedded with enchanted security stones that both regulated mana and shielded the facility from magical backlash. Every detail had been handpicked by Aeon himself.
At present, the lab buzzed with activity. Professor Olivia was there, along with Silvia, Emma Nasoniya (a second-year), and Alice Trix (a third-year). As Olivia's primary assistants, all three worked side by side under Aeon's coordination.
It was a tradition at Venessa: each professor could select one first-year student to serve as an assistant until their graduation.
"Wow, Kayle..." Olivia said, her eyes scanning the lab with admiration. "Every time I step into this place, it still amazes me. I couldn't believe it when the headmaster Elizabeth had actually given you a lab in the second floor's second sector.This place was originally reserved for containing monster corpses for testing. This sector was the envy of every professor! Yet here you are—working out of it like it's always belonged to you."
She walked across the polished floor, her boots clicking softly against the marble.
"You've redesigned everything beautifully," she added. "The layout, the materials, even the security stones you selected—it all feels like a dream lab. I just never want to leave. Dividing it into four parts? Brilliant. And the fact that you even prepared a section for Professor Mark, knowing he's not even present... I'm honestly impressed."
Silvia looked around, then turned to Olivia with curiosity. "Professor, I've been wondering... Why is the entire capital built from marble and stone? Even the academy has so much of it—it's everywhere."
Olivia smiled. "Ah, good question. It's because the city of Alofis possesses the richest mines of precious marble and stones in all of Atheliya. Even the other six kingdoms and the Cronos Empire don't have deposits like ours. When the Atheliya Empire was founded, the Imperial Family chose this very location as the capital precisely because of these abundant mines. That's why you see so much intricate marble and stone work throughout the entire city. Even the Caroconium stones, used in our academy's arena, are mined right here in Alofis. In fact, 55% of the capital's annual earnings come directly from these mines; the livelihood of many people in Alofis depends on them."
"Wow… I never knew that. I've lived my whole life in a countryside village," Silvia said, her voice laced with wonder. "I didn't know this city had such history."
"There's more," Olivia continued. "There's actually one more reason why the capital is built with so much marble and stone, It attracts tourists from other kingdoms. Every year, countless visitors from across the country and other realms come to the capital, which is another significant source of income for us. That's why you'll see stonework even in homes, shops, and temples—it's not just tradition. It's identity."
Silvia nodded. "That explains a lot. Honestly, I've barely explored the capital since I arrived. I've only left the academy a few times."
"You what?" Olivia gasped dramatically. "Girl, you must go out! Take your friends, explore the city—The capital is filled with so many interesting things! And make sure to Visit Clera's Restaurant, they serve the most divine food in the capital!"
Silvia giggled. "Okay, Professor. Next time I'll definitely go."
"Both of you," Kayle interjected, a teasing edge to his voice, "if you're done chit-chatting, let's get back to work. I have other matters to attend to."
"Yeah, yeah," Olivia replied playfully, then reached over and tugged Kayle's cheek. "You're all work and no fun. Now I feel like I am a student"
"What can we do?" said Emma with a smirk. "The poor guy's working with three professors at once. But don't worry, Kayle—this cute senior will take care of you."
"Emma, stop teasing him," Alice chimed in. "Let's get our tasks done quickly."
That's how Aeon's day passed, a whirlwind of research and lighthearted banter, until nightfall. He closed up the lab with Professor Olivia.
"You've worked hard, Kayle," Olivia said, her voice softening. "Now, go to the dorm and get some rest, okay?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Kayle replied, watching her leave.
But he didn't return to the dorm.
Instead, he heightened his senses, used his detection skill confirming Olivia's departure from the academy grounds. Once certain she was gone, he stealthily returned to the research facility.
The facility's security had been drastically increased since the broken arena incident. Twenty guards, all at gladiator level in terms of strength, patrolled its perimeter. Aeon easily sensed their power levels.
Slipping into the shadows, Aeon used one of his most refined skills: shadow walk. Like a whisper in the dark, he phased into the black, traversing through the silhouettes of walls and objects until he emerged through a side window on the first floor.
"This never gets old," Aeon whispered. "Shadow Walk always aids me in infiltration. This is truly the best assassin skill I've ever learned, and using it with magic makes me unstoppable ."
He moved through the corridor silently, heading toward the First Floor's Third Sector—the Alchemy Lab. Standing before its sealed door, he placed a hand on the magical lock.
"Wow. They used a complex magic barrier spell… However, every spell is ultimately made using mana. And these mana stones, though high-grade and powering such a large spell, are simple enough for me to handle. For me, deactivating it is very simple, as I see mana at the molecular level."
He traced invisible patterns through the air, destabilizing the mana lattice fueling the barrier. The security enchantment shimmered, then collapsed.
The door clicked open.
Inside, the lab was dark, lit only by the soft blue glow of mana lamps. Rows of labeled vials, enchanted cauldrons, and herb racks lined the shelves. Aeon moved swiftly toward one of the deep drawers, opened it, and pulled out a small packet wrapped in waxed cloth.
"Here it is," Aeon whispered to himself, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Bodilocus seeds. They're commonly known as herbal seeds, typically used in making low-grade or basic healing potions. But I know their hidden property. In the right conditions, with the right alchemic catalyst, these seeds can be used for something far greater."
He carefully restored the drawer, exited the lab, and reactivated the security spell with precise hand movements.
"Yawn… I'm so tired," he muttered as he slipped back into the shadows. "Time to get some rest."
And with that, he vanished—his figure swallowed by the darkness of the night, heading back to his dormitory, already thinking ten steps ahead.