NOVEL NEXT Chapter 67: The Mark
Hayden knew that she was just concerned, so he didn't mind it at all.
"If I'm going to compete with the best, I need the Headmaster to acknowledge my strength."
Phoebe nodded. "Alright. I'm also excited to know what kind of arrangements they'll make for you. After all, you're not a squire just yet. I wonder if they'll just promote you immediately or if there will be some other tests."
Hayden smirked. "You're right… I'm curious about it too."
Since there was no precedence on his situation based on what he learned and read in the books, he was indeed unaware of how his case would be handled by the Headmaster.
Nonetheless, he knew for a fact that he could trust the Headmaster, so he knew that he had nothing to worry about.
***
The Headmaster's office was not something new for Hayden... He had already been there once during his Orb of Trial test. To be honest, he actually wanted to visit that mysterious place once again, to see whether he could already beat the guy who defeated him before.
'It should be about here…' Hayden thought as he walked up the stairs. At this point, Phoebe already left to complete her daily training, so he was now alone.
As he walked, he couldn't help but imagine how Headmaster Mensa would react—would he be impressed? Suspicious?
Soon, he saw the heavy oak door of the office, Hayden took a deep breath and knocked.
A deep and familiar voice answered. "Enter."
The office was still the same.
Behind a polished desk sat Headmaster Mensa, who was alone. It seemed that his meeting with the top students had already ended quite some time ago.
"Ahhh…" the Headmaster said, setting down a quill. "Hayden Gray. I've been expecting you."
Hayden blinked. "You… have?" He asked.
However, after some thought, it certainly made sense since he received that Aura Crystal that caused a lot of trouble for them.
'Is he planning to take it back?'
As he thought of this, Mensa chuckled.
"You didn't think I was unaware of your little display with Stormbreaker, did you? Or the fact that you've been subtly using Aura in your classes?"
Hayden's pulse quickened.
He already knew?
He didn't expect that the Headmaster was keeping an eye on him. He didn't notice when this retired knight realized this at all.
"Sit…" the Headmaster commanded, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Hayden obeyed as he felt curious about what the Headmaster was about to say…
"I can tell that you're not planning to keep your secret for long. You're here because you want to be recognized as an Aura Initiate, right?" Mensa then paused as he looked at Hayden nodding his head.
"But before I grant you that title, I need to see proof. Show me what you've got."
Hayden exhaled as he didn't feel any ill intent at all. Even with Ocularis Lens' analysis, he confirmed that the Headmaster was genuinely glad to see him today.
He then closed his eyes as he tapped a bit of his Aura...
He wasn't planning to show a strong one after all.
Soon, his Aura responded and a warm current of energy rose from his core.
With his ability, he could already control it and focus this aura anywhere in his body. However, showing so much control would just show that he wasn't just someone who had awakened his Aura.
It would be too weird if he did that.
At the very least, his awakening of Aura could still be explained with the Aura Crystal, so he had to be careful.
Then, as soon as he showed a bit of his Aura, the Headmaster's eyes gleamed with approval.
"Impressive… I've never heard of anyone at the age of nine reaching this stage… Even with that small amount of Aura, this will put you on a huge advantage even if you're against higher year students."
The Headmaster leaned on his chair as he processed this matter in his head...
Possessing such a genius student was definitely a huge boon for his academy but he felt worried that if gets too much attention, he would be taken by the top Knight Academies.
He didn't want Hayden to leave his academy at all.
After all, who wouldn't want a genius student?
Furthermore, he was also a Retired Aura Knight and he had every right to make Hayden his disciple! If he needed to learn how to control his Aura, needed battle experience, or even weapons, he would be able to provide it!
Now, Headmaster Mensa needed to ensure that Hayden would not leave this academy.
At this point, he recalled his other concern… Most of the Professors in his Academy were from noble families and if they were not, they were at least connected to one.
If they learned that Hayden was already an Aura Initiate, he could easily imagine how many messengers from these noble families would arrive at his academy's doorstep to demand Hayden become a Squire for their family.
After considering all of this, he looked at Hayden once more.
"But raw power isn't enough. You still need a lot of training. Tell me, Hayden—why do you want to be a knight?"
Hayden didn't hesitate… "Because I want to be strong enough to protect the people who matter."
It was a very classic answer but it was true. At this very least, he wanted to have the power or strength to survive here. He wasn't from a rich noble family after all.
He wasn't going to inherit anything and he would have to work hard to get something.
Mensa studied him for a long moment.
Then, with a slow nod, he reached into his desk and pulled out a small, bronze pendant—the mark of the Dawnspire Academy's Squire…
Hayden knew about this as he had seen this from his older brothers. He wasn't disappointed at all even if he had already learned how to use his Aura…
However, the Headmaster wasn't done yet, he pulled another pendant, and this time, it was a silver one—the mark of the Dawnspire Academy's Aura Initiate!