The Aura Ascendant: A Knight's Unbroken Path

After some time, Hayden finally turned toward the Academy's outpost in the city, ready to report his mission's completion.

Thankfully, everything went smoothly as he also found a caravan heading back to the academy. Furthermore, this caravan was actually going straight to the Academy to provide various supplies from clothes to food.

A week later, Hayden was sitting in front of Headmaster Mensa in his office, detailing the events of the escort mission.

Mensa listened intently as he realized that the mission that Hayden accepted was a lot more dangerous than he thought.

After all, three One-Horned Magic Beasts weren't easy to deal with, especially if they were drugged…

"It's possible that they may have eaten Magic Fruit, but if that's the case, those mercenaries you mentioned must be really strong…" Mensa commented.

Then, as soon as he heard about the Blackridge Brigade, he immediately frowned.

"Duran's men are becoming bolder…" Mensa mused. "I'll have to inform the capital. They're too organized to ignore."

Then, his gaze fell to the Ember Bracelet and Whisper Cloak Hayden now wore.

"I see Silas paid you in more than coin."

This was Silas' reward for curing the noblewoman but Hayden decided not to point it out.

Hayden nodded. "They'll be useful."

Mensa nodded at this as he knew that it was perfect. "That's good. Because your next mission won't be so simple."

Hayden gently nodded as he already had an idea.

"The Inter-Academy Sword Competition is in five more days, but we will leave early. Although you're not participating as a student in the Academy, you will be challenged privately like Laxus." Mensa said as he looked at Hayden, filled with hope.

"This time, the betting will be more serious. You have to accept duels and only accept them if they have something to offer." Mensa said.

It doesn't feel like it was something that a Headmaster, who should care more about honor, would suggest at all.

Nonetheless, he already knew about the Headmaster's antics, so he just nodded at it.

"Please let me know if I have to put more bet. I'm worried they won't be able to accept it if I put too much on the line.."

Mensa chuckled at this as he liked Hayden's reply.

"Of course… I know you're skilled… As long as you don't fight any Aura Knight, you have a good chance of winning." Headmaster Mensa said, as he had long acknowledged Hayden's skills when he had entered the Orb of Trial.

"I'll do my best, Headmaster." Hayden replied.

"That's good… No more hiding. It's time the world learned your name. I'll protect you from any external pressure. As long as you're within the Academy, no one will be able to harm you."

Hayden grinned as he liked this assurance from the Headmaster.

"Even if I get targeted by a Magician?" He asked.

"Hahaha… Don't worry about that… I have finally gained the support of the city's Magicians. As long as you do not offend a three-circle Magician, you should be fine." Headmaster Mensa replied, showing how happy he was.

Well, who wouldn't?

It was certainly not easy to obtain support from Magicians unless you had a huge amount of money at your disposal. However, Mensa was able to gain the support of the two old Magicians in the city, and it didn't cost a lot of money.

He simply had to ensure that the Dawnspire Academy would fully support the Mayor's family in all their decisions involving the city.

However, there was no need to elaborate on this matter with Hayden.

After this matter was settled, Hayden needed to rest for two more days before they would leave the Academy with other students, participating in the competition.

As he thought that everything would go smoothly, something unexpected happened.

On the next day, a messenger stopped him as he was about to enter the training grounds.

It was a young apprentice with an urgent summons from Dr. Elias Veyra, a Royal Physician! He had actually arrived at the city and wanted to meet Hayden.

"Ahh… Dr. Veyra… He's actually a Royal Physician now." Hayden thought. He didn't expect that the doctor would suddenly come looking for him.

Furthermore, the doctor was now an official Royal Physician and Hayden believed that the doctor wasn't in that position when they met over three years ago.

'He must've improved a lot… But why is he looking for me?' Hayden had no idea.

Nonetheless, Hayden decided to meet the Royal Physician since he was really curious.

However, because of the various rules in the Academy, he couldn't easily leave the Academy right now. Instead, Hayden had to inform the doctor that he could just enter the Academy instead with his current status.

Thankfully, this matter was easily settled as he was able to invite the doctor inside.

"This place feels more secure than a bank… Was there a robbery a while ago?" Dr. Veyra said as he saw Hayden in the reception hall of the Academy.

Hayden chuckled at this and shook his head.

"It was not like that Doctor. They're just worried that a student might escape." Hayden answered, as he also felt that the security was a bit too much... "It's been a while, Doctor… Why did you come looking for me so suddenly?"

At this question, the doctor's eyes lit up.

"Right! It's happened! It's finally happened!"

Hayden blinked. "What has?"

Elias thrust the parchment into his hands. "The Ministry of Health has officially recognized the Acupuncture Healing Method as a restored lost technique! After two years of trials, debates, and bureaucratic nonsense, they've approved it for widespread medical use!"

Hayden's eyes lit up.

There were 361 Acupuncture Points in total, and he taught 36 Points to Dr. Veyra.

Initially, Hayden only wanted to teach him 9 Acupuncture points for the patients in the Manor. However, since his body must also be treated, Hayden taught him a total of 36 Acupuncture Points instead.

Even if this knowledge was spread, he still held complete knowledge about it, so it could only be used to treat certain issues within the body.

Hayden wasn't able to immediately speak as he looked at the parchment the Doctor was holding…

It was true!