Chapter 46: Energy Core
"Dragon energy?" Caelum muttered thoughtfully as he raised his hand, and a small flame flickered into existence above his palm.
"Are you talking about this?" he asked, watching the man’s reaction.
The man’s interest deepened immediately when he noticed that Caelum had cast the spell without forming a visible magic circle.
’A genius among humans,’ he thought, though in the same breath he dismissed it slightly, knowing that such feats were still inferior to what even a dragon hatchling could perform naturally.
However, as he observed Caelum more carefully, his expression shifted, and realization slowly dawned upon him.
"Now that I look at you properly, it seems more likely that you consumed the condensed energy cores of a Fire Dragon and a Water Dragon," he said, his tone becoming more analytical.
"You are quite fortunate, kid. I do not sense any contract binding you, which makes this even more unusual, typically such treasures are granted to those already contracted with dragons in order to enhance their affinity. So I must admit I am curious about what kind of individual would willingly hand over something of that level to you."
As he finished speaking, his gaze drifted upward, lost in his own thoughts.
Caelum listened with mild interest, as the explanation clarified the nature of the two mysterious orbs he had received on his birthday.
But when he noticed that the man had become completely absorbed in his own speculation, he quietly stepped aside, choosing not to interrupt further.
Without drawing attention, he turned toward the door and knocked on the Headmaster’s office, which was radiating a subtle but constant flow of mana for no apparent reason.
"Come in."
The typical ’Come in’ voice echoed from within.
As Caelum stepped inside, his surroundings shifted instantly.
He now stood within an endless blue sky, vast and boundless, where three suns hovered above, though only two were clearly visible.
"Why is the meeting place my mind space?" Caelum remarked.
In front of him, an old man appeared, attempting to maintain a mysterious aura, only to pause the moment he heard those words.
"...How do you know we are inside your mind space?" the old man asked, his tone carrying genuine curiosity.
"It is my mind space, so how could I not recognize it?" Caelum replied plainly.
Then, with a slight wave of his hand, he added, "And you can stop trying to act mysterious, I can already see through that fake act, Headmaster."
The illusion shattered.
Aurelius Zenith appeared clearly in front of him.
"...Eh?" Aurelius was visibly surprised.
Not only had Caelum failed to react with shock upon being brought into his own mind space, but he also behaved as if he were entirely familiar with it.
’His spiritual affinity is absurd...’ Aurelius thought, his mind racing as he analyzed Caelum in detail.
’A dual-path user with an open mind space, fully unblocked energy channels, and a physical body far stronger than someone his age should possess... and that strange energy mixing with his aura... and that physique, could it be that physique?’
As his gaze shifted toward the two visible suns, his expression grew even more complicated.
’What kind of monster is this child... and more importantly, what am I even supposed to give him as a reward?’ he wondered internally.
He had prepared extensively, secret spells, grimoires, a high-grade sword, swordsmanship manuals, elemental mana stones, rare herbs, and numerous other treasures.
But now, looking at Caelum, he felt a faint sense of inadequacy and even... jealousy.
"Ahem... let us return to the main topic," Aurelius said, regaining composure.
"Originally, I intended to reward you for your bravery in protecting the other students, but..."
"...But? Originally? Does that mean I am not getting any rewards?" Caelum interrupted, his expression instantly turning disappointed.
The look on his face was so genuinely pitiful that, for a brief moment, it felt as though the entire world might label Aurelius as the villain.
Aurelius took +10 mental damage.
"Fine! Just tell me what you want, and I will give it to you," he declared, slightly exasperated.
In the next moment, they were no longer in the mind space.
Instead, they stood inside Aurelius’ vast office, where countless objects floated in midair, some emitting oppressive auras that hinted at their immense value.
Caelum’s expression changed immediately, the earlier disappointment vanishing as if it had never existed.
"Well, originally I thought about requesting early graduation," he began thoughtfully, deliberately emphasizing his words.
"But just a moment ago I heard something quite interesting, so instead... how about this, Headmaster, give me four or five Dragon condensed energy cores, I would be very happy."
Aurelius’ eyebrow twitched.
"Naughty brat!" he snapped, summoning a wand and striking Caelum on the head without hesitation.
Two minutes later...
With a noticeable bump now forming on his head, Caelum sat quietly while Aurelius finished delivering a rather lengthy lecture.
"...So, Headmaster," Caelum said at last, his tone slightly more cautious now, "what exactly are my rewards?"
He chose his words carefully this time, especially after learning that Aurelius had a close relationship with both his father and his late mother, which made arguing any further feel... unwise.
After all, the last thing he wanted was to return home only to be grounded by his father.
Aurelius slowly massaged his temples, clearly thinking through something, and after giving Caelum a long, scrutinizing look, he vanished for a brief moment before reappearing just as suddenly.
"Your greed truly knows no bounds, but I suppose this can be considered my own greed as well."
He extended his hand.
Resting within his palm was a greenish-blue orb, releasing faint wisps of smoke that seemed almost alive.
A chilling aura radiated from it, subtle yet profound, pressing not against the body, but directly against the soul itself.
"You likely cannot even imagine how much trouble I had to go through to obtain this material..." Aurelius began, his voice taking on the tone of someone about to narrate a long and dramatic story.
"Alright, Headmaster, just give me the reward," Caelum interrupted without hesitation.
For a brief moment, silence was the only thing present.
Then Caelum felt it.
A distinctly evil gaze from the Old Man.
"...Please continue," he corrected himself instantly, his tone becoming polite.
"I am actually very interested in the background story of this... very shiny and valuable-looking treasure."
Aurelius narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly aware of the abrupt change, yet chose to continue anyway.
Because he loved stories.
