"So, you're the once-in-a-generation talent, huh?" the old man asked as his eyes settled on Vivian.
His long white beard flowed down like that of a sage, and his slightly bent waist gave him the air of someone who had lived through countless years.
This was the dean of Akron Academy, Rolack Zaran.
"Well…" Vivian hesitated. He had heard people use that title for him before, but with his lingering illness, he never truly believed he deserved it.
"I've heard many things about you from your grandfather," the dean said with a warm laugh. "He wouldn't stop bragging about his grandson whenever we met."
The old man's laughter carried both fondness and nostalgia.
Besides being the dean, he was also the previous patriarch of the Zaran family.
Vivian recalled that his grandfather and Count Rolack Zaran had been close friends since childhood.
"I've also heard that you're suffering from an illness," the dean continued, his eyes softening with concern, "but despite that, you've already reached the 4th star? Impressive… no, brilliant. There isn't anyone in this generation who has achieved what you have in just fifteen years of life."
He offered a warm smile, but there was a hint of sorrow in it, as if the weight of the child's suffering, the battle against an incurable disease, pressed on his heart.
"Thank you for your concern, sir," Vivian said, bowing respectfully to express his gratitude.
"Alright, now that the introductions are over, shall we move on to the main topic?" the dean asked, turning his gaze toward Charlotte, who stood beside Vivian.
He gestured for them to take a seat, and then settled into his chair across the table.
Vivian and Charlotte complied, taking the seats opposite the dean.
"So, you're going to take Swordsmanship as your major subject, is that correct?" the dean asked, glancing at them.
"Yes," Charlotte replied on his behalf.
"He will take Swordsmanship as his major, but he cannot take the entrance exam because the academic year has already started. And the level he is at is rare among the students. If possible, could he start the second from tomorrow?"
The dean contemplated as he began "An excellent proposition. However, Princess, one way or another, he has to take an examination," the dean explained, his expression serious.
"If he does not, it could be seen as favoritism from the perspective of outsiders. You understand what I'm saying, right?"
Charlotte nodded thoughtfully, understanding exactly what the dean meant.
At Akron Academy, everyone was equal by law, but in practice, there was always room for discrimination.
Granting Vivian direct admission would raise questions and whispers.
Keeping this in mind, she spoke up. "Sir, what if he spars against the top student of the second year? After proving his skills in front of everyone, he could be granted admission openly, without any doubts or questions."
After a thoughtful hum, he nodded in agreement. "Hmm… you are right, Princess. So, shall we proceed with the test right now?" he proposed.
This time, she didn't reply immediately. Instead, her gaze shifted to Vivian.
Vivian, who had been staring blankly into the distance, snapped back to reality. "I don't mind," he said firmly. "If I can get admission today just by sparring, then I can do it right now."
The dean burst into laughter at Vivian's blunt agreement. "Hahaha! Yes, that's exactly how your grandfather described you," he said, still chuckling. After a brief pause, he added, "Alright, be present at 12:30 noon in the gymnasium."
"Yes, sir," they both replied, nodding in agreement as they stood up. "Then we will take our leave."
"Ah, by the way, you have a younger brother, right?" the dean asked, halting them in their steps.
"Yes," Vivian replied proudly. "His name is Edward. I'll send him to this academy when he turns fourteen." As he spoke of his little brother, his chest puffed up with pride.
"I'll be waiting for him. But tell me, how is he? I mean, his potential?" the dean asked, genuinely curious.
Potential? Vivian thought for a moment.
If he were to say it out loud, he would describe Edward's potential as infinite, he had already reached the 2nd star at age ten. But he chose to withhold that fact.
Instead, he said with a smirk of pride, "He has potential that surpasses mine. You'll be surprised by how skilled his swordsmanship already is."
'Potential that surpasses yours?' He thought as he replied.
"Very well, then. I shall wait for him," the dean said. With that, the conversation ended.
After bowing once more, the two of them left, leaving the room empty for the dean to sink into his thoughts.
"Haa…" he sighed, pulling open the drawer of his desk. From it, he retrieved a letter.
The seal had already been broken, indicating it had been read before, yet he unfolded it and read the contents again.
It was the letter Vikel had sent a few days ago regarding Vivian's admission. In it, he had specifically requested that the dean take care of his grandson, who was suffering from an unknown illness.
"So, Duke Tramplin is behind this so-called illness, huh?" he muttered to himself. Vikel hadn't mentioned the name directly, but the cues in the letter were clear.
The illness wasn't natural, someone was orchestrating it. And that someone was none other than Duke Tramplin.
As he pondered these thoughts, a chuckle escaped his lips. "Today's sparring should be… exciting, isn't that right?" he muttered to himself.