The office beyond was spacious and elegant, with tall windows covered by velvet curtains that bits of light leaking through. Down from Reinhard was a man sitting behind a dark colored desk.
The man wore a black dress shirt with a chain draped across the chest, paired with tailored black trousers. He had a cigar rested between his lips and thin wisps of smoke curling toward the coffered ceiling. His black hair was combed back with two carefully styled strands falling near his eyes, and a groomed short beard. A piercing glinted in one ear, and his right hand rested atop an ornate walking cane that seemed more ceremonial than functional.
"Welcome." The man said, removing the cigar from his mouth and staring at Reinhard with his silver eyes. "I am Klaus Holmes, Principal of Memento Mori Academy."
Klaus gestured to a chair in burgundy leather. "Please, sit. Congratulations on awakening an SSS-class beast spirit. It's quite the accomplishment."
Reinhard blinked before moving towards the chair while Rosaria walked to the side of the desk.
Klaus leaned forward slightly, his silver eyes shining with interest. "Tell me, what did your beast call himself?"
"He called himself Odin, the Allfather and Hanged King," Reinhard replied, settling into the chair. "Is there any information on him?"
Rosaria shook her head. "There is no history or information surrounding any Allfather or Hanged King in our records. Which means Odin is a newly discovered beast from the Throne of Myth."
Klaus chuckled, the sound rich with amusement. "Also the possibility of filling in significant holes in world history."
Reinhard blinked in surprise. "Is Odin important to the history of the world?"
"Every single beast spirit is," Rosaria explained. "We believe each of them contains information aligning with major events from the past. We simply need to gather that information from beast masters and piece it together like a vast puzzle."
Klaus took another draw from his cigar before continuing. "But SSS-class beast spirits tend to be related to some of the most significant historical events. Such as the Great Flood that occurred a thousand years ago."
Reinhard slowly nodded. "I heard that beast masters tend to dream of their spirit's past sometimes... And you want us to relay what we see in those dreams to you?"
Klaus chuckled again, tapping ash from his cigar into a dish. "Not without compensation, naturally. For every dream and piece of new information relayed to us, points will be added to your academy account. These points can be used to purchase items, services, and equipment within the academy, and they also contribute to your end-of-year ranking."
Reinhard's heart skipped a beat at Klaus's last words. His voice came out slightly strained as he asked, "Is it true the number one spot will gain the Elixir of Life?"
Klaus nodded, his silver eyes studying Reinhard's face carefully. "I read your application and saw you listed the Elixir of Life as your primary goal."
"I know its important value, which is why I'm asking again," Reinhard said as his hands unconsciously gripped the arms of the chair.
Rosaria's expression softened slightly. "Then you don't need to worry. We produce a new Elixir of Life every year."
Reinhard sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging with relief.
But Klaus leaned back in his chair, cigar smoke curling around his fingers as he spoke. "If you follow our teachings and put in the hard work, you will be able to claim the Elixir of Life after four years."
Reinhard began to tremble, his eyes widening as realization dawned. "Are you saying the Elixir of Life isn't based on individual years but the entire-"
Rosaria nodded with a sigh "Yes. You will be competing not only with freshmen, but sophomores, juniors, and seniors."
Klaus chuckled dryly, tapping ash into the dish. "I'm guessing you thought you could get the Elixir this year? Sorry to shatter that fantasy, but the chances of that are extremely low."
Reinhard bit his lip hard while his jaw clenched as he stared at the carpet beneath his feet. His mind flashed the images of Klein and the worried look on Anna before he looked back up.
"There must be something I can do? I don't want to wait until my fourth or third year."
Klaus hummed thoughtfully before glancing to the bookshelves on the left. "Why? Is there someone you need to heal with the Elixir of Life?"
Reinhard fell silent, his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles went white. The office grew quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece.
Rosaria walked around the desk and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. When Reinhard looked up, he was surprised to see a gentle smile on her usually impassive face.
"Do you remember what I said to you all earlier? If you let us guide you, then we can help you achieve your goal. This is the same thing, only by telling us can we help you." Rosaria says softly.
Klaus leaned forward with a faint smile. "You don't need to rely on yourself anymore, Reinhard. At least this time, trust your principal and professor to help you."
Reinhard's brows furrowed as internal conflict played across his features. Images of Klein's pain-wracked face and Anna's worried expressions flashed through his mind before he released a long sigh.
"My little brother has the Dark Tide curse... Only with the Elixir of Life can he be cured."
Klaus's eyes widened, and he slowly removed the cigar from his mouth. "No wonder."
Rosaria's gentle smile faded into concern. "How old is your brother now, and when did he get the curse?"
"He's ten, and he got it when he was eight," Reinhard replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Klaus slowly nodded while his finger tapped against his cane. "Why are you in such a hurry? You have six more years to get the Elixir."
Reinhard shook his head violently. "But he will still feel the pain every day. I don't want it to continue for another three years. I don't want our little sister to hear the screams of her brother and not be able to do anything anymore..." His voice cracked slightly. "And he's beginning to recall the pain even after the night."
Rosaria's expression grew more serious. "He's one of the rare ones… Which means it will only get worse as the years go by."
Reinhard nodded, clenching his hands until they trembled and looked at Klaus. "You both said to trust and rely on you, right? Then please tell me what I need to do to bridge the gap between me and the other students. I am willing to do anything."
Klaus's eyes lit up in excitement as he stood up from his desk and walked to an ornate cabinet against the far wall. He opened a small drawer and withdrew something that caught the light from the crystal chandelier above.
It was a necklace unlike anything Reinhard had ever seen. The chain itself was crafted from alternating links of polished black and white metal that seemed to absorb and reflect light in equal measure.
With it leading to a swirling orb that resembled a miniature black hole and a dark center surrounded by thin golden rings that appeared to orbit the void. Star-like lines could be seen at the center, and tiny dots of gold floated around the entire structure as if caught in some cosmic dance.
Klaus walked around the desk and extended the necklace toward Reinhard, who took it with his brows furrowed. The pendant felt heavier than it looked, and warm in his hand despite its metallic appearance.
"What is this?" Reinhard asked as he turned the orb over in his palm.
"This is the Mark of the Herald," Klaus replied, returning to his seat and picking up his cigar.
Reinhard blinked in surprise. "You want me to be the Herald... But why? Is it really because of Odin?"
From what Reinhard had heard in conversations at the inn and discussions among older people in the gang.
The Herald was considered the student body president of their respective year. He didn't know the specific requirements, but the position usually went to either the strongest or most intelligent student of the year, with the choice dependent on the principal's.
The Herald's actual duties were shrouded in mystery. Some claimed they were sent on dangerous missions that regular students couldn't handle. Others insisted the Herald's job involved creating tight-knit communities among students across all years.
He'd even heard rumors that Heralds were often scouted by the Empire to join their royal divisions upon graduation.
The specifics might be unclear, but one thing was certain. The Herald held enormous importance within the academy and in the Empire.