Theo straightened his disheveled clothes and opened the door.
Natasha spoke.
"It's been a while, Theo. Are you feeling alright?"
"I've improved quite a bit thanks to many people's help. What brings you here, Instructor Natasha?"
Theo asked politely.
Seeing his unchanging calm demeanor, Natasha felt relieved.
Just a moment ago, she was in the war-like chaos of the school headquarters, but seeing Theo's composed manner seemed to revive her tired spirit.
"I've been sent by the senior professor to find you, Theo. If it's convenient, could you come with me?"
"Understood. Let's depart right away."
With that, Theo followed Natasha to the headquarters.
On their way, they encountered no one.
Given that many outsiders, including reporters, were inside the academy, Natasha had guided Theo through a back route.
The headquarters was near the Knight Department.
However, it was cunningly hidden, so the two of them entered without encountering anyone else.
The headquarters was a hive of activity.
Despite Natasha and Theo's entrance, all the professors and instructors from various departments were too focused in their tasks to notice them.
Rok, the head of the headquarters, was alone on the second floor, directing the professors.
Natasha led Theo to the second floor.
"This way, Theo."
Theo followed Natasha up the stairs.
Noticing them, Rok stood up from his seat and addressed Theo.
"Sorry to call you out on a Sunday, Theo. As you can see, the situation is quite urgent."
"No problem, senior professor. Even I can see that it's busy. What's the matter?"
"Two days ago, there was an armed intrusion at the academy. I wanted to hear your thoughts on it."
"Please speak."
Rok moved closer to Theo and said.
"It seems we might need to temporarily change the academy's rules due to this unprecedented intrusion."
"Which rules are you referring to?"
"The gap between students due to their family backgrounds might widen, but I believe it's less important than life itself. Therefore, I'm considering allowing all enrolled students to bring artifacts into the academy."
"That sounds like a good idea."
Theo responded immediately.
And for good reason.
The Waldeurk family's treasure vault was full of useful artifacts.
Various artifacts suitable for others besides himself popped into his mind.
'I should tell Amy to bring them right away.'
Thus, Theo concluded his thoughts while maintaining a reserved demeanor.
Rok, sensing something off in Theo's seemingly unconcerned attitude, asked him.
"Why do you think so?"
"I agree with the senior professor. What does it matter if one is a commoner or a noble? Life is what's important."
Theo said this and looked calmly at Rok.
Rok nodded, impressed by Theo's unwavering and straight gaze.
"I see. Understood. We'll implement this immediately, starting next Tuesday, in two days. Keep this to yourself for now. Don't consider it a reward for your role in the intrusion. Separate rewards are planned for the students and staff who played a significant role."
"Understood."
Theo nodded immediately.
Rok chuckled at his straightforward response.
"Aren't you curious about what the reward will be?"
"Since the senior professor mentioned it's urgent, I'm actually not that curious."
"Oh? What do you mean by that?"
"It's probably a reward that goes beyond my imagination. Wondering about it would be a waste of my mental energy."
"Ha ha. I've always felt this, but Theo, you have remarkable political acumen. How about applying for the student council when you become a second-year? I'd write a recommendation if you want."
"That's an overestimation. I don't have the capability to directly involve myself in other students' lives, nor am I that virtuous."
"Hmm."
Rok looked at Theo with eyes full of skepticism.
'It doesn't look like he's interested in joining the student council. But why turn down a position?'
Joining the student council is extremely difficult.
Many top students strive to join, but most are turned away.
The 'student council alumni' tag carries significant weight in the industry.
For example, when applying to a hero guild after graduating from the academy, most people would list their abilities in detail.
But student council alumni hardly need to do so.
If their resume says 'Elinia Academy Student Council Alumni,' everyone understands.
People automatically think, 'Ah, this person was on the student council, so they must be capable and responsible in their duties!'
The power of the student council within the academy is substantial.
Students on the council not only receive overall bonuses on their grades but are also the only students who can significantly influence the policies and regulations of their departments.
However, for Theo, such benefits didn't seem particularly appealing.
While the bonus to grades was tempting, Theo felt the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.
The idea that it would help with employment after graduation did not resonate with him at all.
He had never once thought about his life after graduating from the academy.
Above all, in the student council was Isabella, who could read the minds of others.
Who would want their innermost thoughts read by others?
Regardless of who it was, Theo did not want his innermost thoughts to be exposed.
Theo said,
“If there's nothing more, I'll take my leave, senior professor.”
“There's nothing more. Sorry for holding you up on a Sunday. You can go now. Oh, and─”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Stay away from the Knight Department building. There are many outsiders gathered there, and it could lead to some tiresome situations.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
Of course, Theo had no intention of heeding it.
‘It's inefficient to go to the Hero Department at this time of the evening. I need to go to the Knight Department training grounds.’
He wanted to test out the new traits he had purchased immediately at the training grounds.
Moreover, the gathering of outsiders was an opportunity for him.
While he was bedridden, he was well aware of the numerous articles the media had written, focusing intensively on him.
Why would he pass up an opportunity to significantly boost his reputation?
With that thought, Theo left the headquarters.
Upon returning to [The Hilté], Theo drank a bottle of 'Special Stamina Recovery Medicine' and instructed Amy to go to the Waldeurk family and fetch some artifacts.
─Understood, young master. I will leave immediately.
Although it was evening, Amy headed straight for the Waldeurk family.
Afterward, Theo, with his fists clenched, headed to the Knight Department training grounds.
Piel, Alphs, and Irene were with him.
They had been waiting for Theo at [The Hilté] all along.
As they walked, Irene said,
“...Theo, wouldn’t it be better to rest? Your body must not be fully healed yet.”
“That’s right. What are you doing heading to the training grounds when you were groaning in bed just a while ago? Don’t you know that resting well is also part of training?”
“I, I also think it's better for Theo to rest.”
Piel and Alphs agreed with Irene.
Theo replied,
“I’m almost fully recovered. The stamina recovery medicine worked well. And I don’t plan to overexert myself.”
“Really? Promise me that.”
Irene, walking beside Theo, said this as she looked him in the eyes.
Her eyes seemed genuinely concerned.
"Understood."
Saying so, Theo arrived at the training ground of the Knight Department.
However, Rok's words were not false.
"Hey, isn't that Theo over there?"
"Yes, it is. Everybody, rush over! Piel and Irene are there too!"
"Quick, let's go! Others are already running there, aren't they?"
Reporters from all over the continent had set up camp near the training ground of the Knight Department.
There appeared to be at least fifty reporters rapidly approaching Theo and his group.
Guild & national representatives were also following the reporters.
Theo decided to first avoid them by entering the training ground.
The training ground of the Knight Department was off-limits to outsiders.
Only students, staff, and alumni of the academy were allowed access.
Outsiders wanting to enter needed permission from the responsible staff.
'No need to worry about my reputation for a while.'
The people approaching now seemed almost like fanatics.
With such fervor, they would likely remain outside even if Theo trained for an hour.
Theo said to the three accompanying him.
"Everyone, run towards the training ground."
The three started running towards the training ground.
Following them, Theo used [Haste] on himself and entered the training ground.
As Theo closed the door of the training ground, he said to the three,
"I didn't expect this many people at this hour."
"You're telling me. I didn't expect them to come crawling out after the sun had long set."
It wasn't one of the three who spoke.
Theo's gaze slowly turned towards the source of the voice.
There stood Oliver, a short man with curly hair and a sturdy build.
Oliver looked at Theo and grinned.
"So, you're Theo?"
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