The massive campus was alive with activity, students in their uniforms hurried between classes, while instructors yelled orders during combat training sessions in the distance.
Explore more stories with freewebnovel
The knight captain led them past gardens and fountains, their path winding through the heart of the academy. Statues of legendary figures of the past and scholars lined the walkways, their stone faces gazing down as if watching over the next generation.
As they walked, the knight captain glanced back at Akun, he was clearly curious. "May I ask who you are looking for within the academy, sir? It would help speed up our visit."
Akun’s eyes looked over to the captain before he replied, his voice calm. "I’m looking Alric, the boy who dueled with Kaldarix back at the tornament. I have important matters to discuss with him."
The knight captain furrowed his brow in thought. "Alric, you say? A promising young talent, though somewhat... unconventional in his methods." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Speaking of him, sir, I noticed that Kaldarix is not with your party today. Is he...?"
Akun’s gazed at the knight captain nonchalantly and spoke with a calm yet commanding tone. "The whereabouts of my party members are not for discussion, captain. Focus on the task at hand."
The captain stiffened slightly, realizing his mistake. "My apologies, sir. I did not mean to pry." He bowed his head respectfully and quickened his pace, guiding them towards the central building of the academy.
They entered the grand hall of the main building, where the scent of polished wood and the faint hum of magical energy filled the air. The walls were lined with portraits of past headmasters and notable graduates, their achievements forever immortalized in the academy’s history.
The knight captain paused before a set of ornate double doors, turning to face Akun. "This is the administrative office. If Alric is here, we will find him within these walls."
Akun nodded, his expression inscrutable. "Thank you, captain. Lead the way."
The knight captain pushed open the doors, and they stepped into a bustling office where clerks and officials were busy with the affairs of the academy. He approached the desk of a stern-looking woman who glanced up from her paperwork with a questioning look.
"Captain, what brings you here with such urgency?" she asked, eyeing Akun and his companions with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"These guests are here to see one of your students, Alric," the captain explained. "Could you inform the headmaster of our arrival and facilitate the meeting?"
The woman nodded curtly and rose from her desk, disappearing through a side door. Moments later, she returned with the headmaster, a tall, elderly man with a kind yet authoritative presence.
"Welcome to the Royal Castle Academy," the headmaster greeted them warmly. "I understand you are here to see young Alric. May I ask the nature of your visit?"
Akun’s demeanor softened slightly as he addressed the headmaster. "It concerns matters of great importance, both to him and to the kingdom. I would prefer to discuss with him in a private setting."
The headmaster nodded in understanding. "Very well. Follow me to my office, where we can speak without interruption."
With that, the headmaster led Akun and his companions deeper into the academy, leaving the knight captain behind.
The headmaster’s office was an imposing yet welcoming space. Shelves lined with ancient tomes and scrolls framed the walls, and large windows allowed sunlight to stream in, illuminating the room in a warm glow. A grand oak desk dominated the center, behind which the headmaster took his seat.
"Please, take a seat, Mr. Akun," the headmaster offered, gesturing to the lone chair in front of his desk. "I regret that I don’t have enough chairs for all your companions."
"That’s quite alright," Akun replied, remaining standing. His voice was calm and assured, his gaze unwavering.
Azara, standing near the doorway, leaned over to Hestria and whispered, "This place is huge. It’s like a labyrinth."
Hestria nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the room’s beautiful decorations. Meanwhile, Tatilia whispered to her, "It’s similar to the buildings back at Akundia, but with a more scholarly touch."
The headmaster caught the murmur of their conversation and smiled slightly before turning back to Akun. "You needn’t worry, Mr. Akun. I’ve already sent a transmission to a staff member to locate Alric and bring him here. It won’t be long."
Akun nodded, his expression unreadable. "Thank you. We will wait."
The headmaster settled back into his chair, studying Akun with a mixture of curiosity and respect. After a moment, he leaned forward slightly, his tone conversational yet probing. "Mr. Akun, do you by chance know Aric?"
Akun’s eyes flickered with a tiny hint of anger before he replied, "In a sense, yes. Our paths have crossed, and I understand some aspects of him."
The headmaster raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Akun’s carefully chosen words. "Aric is an enigma to many. Few speak of him without a mix of admiration and fear."
The headmaster leaned back, his eyes reflecting a mix of nostalgia and admiration. "He is a genius, truly extraordinary. His mastery of magic and combat was unmatched among his peers. Many in the academy marveled at his capabilities, and some whispered bizarre speculations about the origins of his talents. Despite these rumors, I always found Aric to be a remarkable and intriguing young man.
He was driven, yet there was a depth to him that many couldn’t fathom."
R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.
Akun nodded, listening intently as the headmaster continued. "Genius often walks a fine line between brilliance and mystery, wouldn’t you agree?"
The headmaster nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed," he said.
Shifting his gaze back to Akun, the headmaster’s eyes were filled with curiosity. "But tell me, Mr. Akun, what brings you to seek out our academy’s current top genius? Are you here to offer Alric a job or some position? You seem to have a certain air about you, perhaps from a prestigious background. I mean, the fact that the knight captain himself escorted you here is rather telling."
Akun’s mind raced as he processed the headmaster’s words. "It appeared that news of the dragon, Akun, winning the tournament hasn’t reached his ears yet, or maybe he is unaware of what it fully means."
He let out a sigh. "In a sense, yes, I am someone of some importance," Akun admitted, choosing his words carefully. "But I’m not looking to hire Alric or give him any official role. I’m just personally interested in talking to him."