Chapter 164: The Convergence Festival
"You want to know where my father is?" The headmistress asked, not really surprised by the request.
Though there was barely anything that surprised someone like her, especially given that all was revealed to her.
Standing before her were both Adrian and Renelle and it was currently a day after Darius’s and Conan’s battle, one that had made them friends.
"Yes," Adrian nodded, "he asked us to find him just before we left the dungeon back at the Western Frontier."
"He also said that he might be in trouble and needs our help," he added, "so I’d appreciate it if the headmistress came with us."
Headmistress Evelina was silent for a while as she considered before asking, "Is this the favor you need in exchange for the interesting disciple?"
"No," Adrian shook his head, "this is a separate favor I’m asking."
Renelle didn’t like that one bit, but they had no other choice, so she remained silent.
Adrian, on the other hand, didn’t cash his favor because he intended to use it for her very own core.
Since Avera stated that the rest would only awaken their cores after the founder handed his.
He just hoped the core’s awakening didn’t come with a power up, after all, the cult Master owned one.
"I see," Evelina said with a smile that suggested she had expected that answer from the very beginning.
She then leaned slightly against her chair before continuing, "Then, how about another favor in exchange?"
Adrian remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
"The Convergence Festival will begin in a month," the headmistress explained.
Renelle’s expression changed slightly at the mention of the name.
It was one of the few events in Avera attended by every major power...every major power as in,
The Royal Family, the Four Grand Duke families, the Church, and finally, the Imperial Spirit Academy.
It was created centuries ago as a symbol of unity between the powers that built Avera.
Though nowadays, it was less of a celebration and more of a competition, every faction sent two representatives.
Young talents meant to display the future strength of their side, sometimes it was friendly, most times, it absolutely wasn’t.
"The academy requires two representatives this year," Evelina continued calmly, "and I would like one of them to be you."
Adrian looked at her for a while, and without hesitation, he muttered, "I refuse."
The answer came so quickly that even Renelle glanced at him with what seemed to be surprise.
Despite that, Evelina only smiled wider as she asked, "And why is that?"
"Because I am a butler of the Ardent family," Adrian answered calmly, "participating under the Academy would be inappropriate."
"Would it?" Evelina tilted her head slightly.
Adrian narrowed his eyes slightly at her tone, she was definitely hiding something.
The headmistress chuckled before continuing,
"The Ardent family already submitted their representatives."
"..."
"Also, I already gained permission from the grand Duke himself."
For the first time since entering the office, Adrian looked genuinely surprised, from his discussion with the grand Duke, he was certain that he would be one of the two Ardent representatives.
Except....
Adrian let out a sigh as he mentally thought, ’This is probably due to his last question.’
Renelle, meanwhile, suddenly had a bad feeling.
Evelina looked directly at her before smiling,
"Lady Renelle Ardent and her brother Cedric Ardent."
There was silence after her words.
Renelle slowly turned toward Adrian.
"Father did this on purpose," she muttered with narrowed eyes.
"He did," Adrian agreed immediately, "and it might be my fault."
The headmistress looked extremely amused by the interaction.
"Grand Duke Boreas submitted the names personally yesterday."
"That still doesn’t explain why you want Adrian specifically," Renelle spoke up while crossing her arms.
The headmistress’s smile softened slightly.
"Because the Academy needs someone capable of standing above monsters," her red eyes moved toward Adrian.
"And currently, among the younger generation...there aren’t many people I would confidently place above him."
Renelle looked oddly pleased hearing that.
Adrian, meanwhile, remained expressionless.
"The representatives of the Church this year are.... abnormal," Evelina continued, "to say the least."
"The Royal Family’s representatives aren’t weak either."
"And then there’s the East."
Though she didn’t say much, the silence told them all they needed.
"You believe something will happen during the festival," Adrian muttered.
"I know something will," Evelina corrected calmly.
The headmistress then sighed before rubbing the side of her head, "and unfortunately, the only student who might actually survive whatever nonsense is coming..."
Her gaze landed on Adrian again, "is you?"
Since Boreas had already made his decision of representatives from the moment Cedric returned, that meant Adrian would be sidelined.
And for what was coming, that wasn’t the smartest of choices.
Although she hadn’t seen much, if there was one thing she was certain of, it was that this student of hers stood at the center of all that was currently happening in Avera.
He was the answer.
Whether a correct one or not, remains to be seen.
Adrian remained silent for a few seconds before letting out a sigh and asking, "What exactly would my responsibilities as a representative entail?"
"The representatives participate in the ceremonial matches, exchange gatherings, and official demonstrations."
She paused briefly before adding, "and more importantly...they gain unrestricted access to all factions participating in the festival."
Adrian looked at her for a while, this meant that he’d have a chance to interact with every major power in Avera without restrictions.
And that would give him a chance to gather info.
After all, information was one of the most important things in any conflict and Adrian had no intentions of remaining blind while forces moved behind the scenes.
Especially with the manhwa’s storyline being rendered null with all the changes that happened because of him.
Evelina noticed the slight change in his gaze and smiled knowingly.
"It seems you’re interested now."
"..."
Adrian adjusted his
It could also give him a chance to spread his propaganda...erm... Word of how great his lady was.
A chance he wouldn’t get if he went as just a butler.
After thinking for a while longer, Adrian answered,
"Fine."
