Chapter 102: [Chapter 102 ● The Strategic Admission!]
As she walked through the academy’s wide corridors, Azara acknowledged the greetings directed toward her with polite nods. Whenever she encountered fellow junior or senior professors, she responded with the appropriate smile and exchanged a few courteous words.
Yet, every one of those interactions felt hollow. Her expressions were perfect, and her manners were impeccable, but none of it carried any genuine meaning.
It was already morning, and the academy was as lively as ever; students moved between buildings, discussions filled the pathways, and the atmosphere buzzed with the energy of another productive day. Meanwhile, Azara’s thoughts were focused elsewhere entirely.
Her primary objective was simple in theory but troublesome in practice: she needed to find a way to introduce Aezaleon and Aphryne into the academy while attracting as little attention as possible. The process had to be seamless, quiet, and free of unnecessary complications.
Most importantly, the sentinels could not become interested in them. As long as the academy’s most powerful figures failed to notice their presence—or at the very least, failed to care about it—everything would proceed smoothly. Unfortunately, reality was rarely that cooperative.
But I’m the personal student of the Slumbering Miasma, she thought, a faint smile appearing on her lips. Of course, my movements will be noticed by the other sentinels.
Still, that wasn’t necessarily a problem. If needed, she could simply ask her masters to maintain a lower profile while they remained within the academy. With their capabilities, avoiding unnecessary attention would be easy enough, and even if they chose otherwise, it hardly mattered.
The real concern was not whether Aezaleon and Aphryne could avoid the sentinels, but whether the sentinels would become interested in them.
This was the dilemma occupying her thoughts.
Without realizing it, her wandering eventually brought her to one of the academy’s relaxation grounds, situated just outside the academy archives within the middle ring. The area was peaceful; ancient trees provided patches of shade, students quietly studied beneath them, and the gentle sounds of conversation blended harmoniously with the morning breeze.
Spotting an unoccupied bench nearby, Azara walked over and sat down. Leaning back against the wooden seat, she closed her eyes for a moment and allowed herself to enjoy the cool sunlight and refreshing air. For the first time that morning, she simply relaxed.
Unfortunately, the moment she relaxed, the problem returned. If she intended to bring Aezaleon and Aphryne into the academy, then the question of placement had to be addressed first. The Resonant Trynium Academy divided its students according to both ascension rank and overall aptitude. The first three material ascension ranks formed the academy’s foundational educational structure and were separated into three primary classes: the Aspirant Class corresponding to first ascension, the Practitioner Class corresponding to second ascension, and the Ascendant Class corresponding to third ascension. Each class was further divided into three grades: Grade C (commoner), Grade B (veteran), and Grade A (elite). The distinction was determined through a combination of factors, including talent, combat ability, intellectual capability, learning speed, potential, bloodline quality, core quality, and overall performance.
As for Aezaleon and Aphryne, Azara found the answer fairly straightforward. Both were material-spiritual ascension rank three ascendants; their bloodlines were pure, their cores were of natural tier, and their displayed capabilities comfortably exceeded the average standards expected of ordinary students. Even so, placing them directly into the elite grade would attract unnecessary attention. Class three, Grade B, veteran grade, was the perfect balance: neither exceptional enough to draw scrutiny nor mediocre enough to raise suspicion.
Though, to become an ascendant veteran, the status of a monarch is a mandatory requirement, Azara thought, lightly tapping the armrest of the bench. Making them my personal students won’t be a problem, but that issue needs to be addressed first. A thoughtful expression appeared on her face. I think I’ll ask Lady Clementine for a solution. I’m fairly confident she already has one. With someone like Clementine involved, it was difficult to imagine such a simple obstacle remaining unresolved for long.
Just as Azara was organizing her thoughts, a smooth voice suddenly interrupted her. "Professor Azara, you seem rather lost in thought. Is something bothering you?" Azara’s eyes opened. The speaker smiled calmly as she approached, her movements carrying a natural confidence that was difficult to ignore. "If you’re willing to share, I’d be more than happy to listen to your worries. Perhaps I might even have a solution to your problem. Though I can’t guarantee it."
The playful addition caused Azara to raise a brow.
"Fellow Nymeria Vane?" Her gaze settled upon the approaching beastwoman. Nymeria belonged to the Dark Panther lineage and possessed the sleek grace characteristic of her bloodline. More importantly, as a rank four material ascendant, she had already surpassed the status of an ordinary student. Within the Resonant Trynium Academy, individuals who reached the fourth ascension rank no longer remained mere students; they became Fellows, a position that granted standing equivalent to that of a junior professor.
Furthermore, Nymeria served as the president of the Department of Disciplinary Committee, a role prestigious enough to directly place her authority equal to that of a senior professor. Of course, compared to Azara herself, the difference in status remained substantial, but Nymeria Vane was far from someone who could be casually ignored. She was a remarkable woman; once upon a time, she had been nothing more than an orphan struggling to survive within the fighting pits of Varion. Every day had been a battle for food, shelter, and survival. Back then, a single loaf of bread was worth shedding blood over. Everything changed when her exceptionally rare element—Shadow-Nullification—caught the attention of a senior professor from the Resonant Trynium Academy. From that moment onward, her fate had begun to shift. Years later, through relentless effort and undeniable talent, she had climbed from the bottom of society to her current position. Not only had she become a fellow of the academy, but she had also entered a relationship with the very teacher who had first discovered her potential. It was a story many students found inspiring.
"It’s nothing particularly serious..." Azara briefly explained her situation, naturally doing so carefully. Everything that needed to remain hidden stayed hidden, while everything else was presented in a perfectly reasonable manner. Nymeria listened attentively.
"So Sentinel Slumbering Miasma has already given her approval, and now you’re worrying about the procedural assessment required to officially admit these two material-spiritual rank three ascendants into your primary class." Her lips curled slightly. "Now this is interesting." A thoughtful gleam appeared in her dark eyes. "Talents capable of reaching both material and spiritual rank three are already uncommon. Finding one is rare enough. And yet, you’ve somehow found two."
Azara merely smiled. Nymeria crossed her arms beneath her chest and nodded to herself. "You know what, professor? I’ve decided something." A grin slowly spread across her face. "I think I’ve found the perfect solution for introducing these two new students to their future classmates." The amusement in Nymeria’s expression deepened.
"Oh?" A hint of genuine interest appeared in Azara’s eyes. She leaned back slightly against the bench. "I’m listening. What exactly do you have in mind, Fellow Nymeria Vane?"
