[Current Favorability: 12.]
[Target’s current emotions: Surprise, Curiosity.]
On the other side, Mira’s expression wasn’t nearly as pleasant.
Especially after hearing the people around her begin comparing Asher to them, the flames surrounding her became increasingly unstable.
[Target Mira’s Favorability: 10.]
[Target’s hostility has slightly decreased.]
[Target’s competitive drive has greatly increased.]
Director Harrison stood beside the control console, his expression so gloomy that it looked as though water could drip from it.
He had originally believed that increasing the combat puppet’s attack strength would be enough to make Asher fail in front of everyone, perhaps even leaving him seriously injured.
Instead, the final result was the exact opposite of what he had expected.
Not only had Asher passed the evaluation, he had even used this battle to prove his strength before every candidate present.
"Director Harrison." Asher jumped down from the combat puppet. "What’s the result of the evaluation?"
Harrison didn’t answer.
Asher continued, "My basic physical examination reached E+, and I defeated a D rank combat puppet in actual combat. According to the rules you announced earlier, I should have passed."
Everyone’s gaze fell upon Harrison.
Under so many watchful eyes, there was no way he could deny the result.
More importantly, Nova and Mira were still standing here.
Even though he was the admissions committee director backed by the Valderis Family, he didn’t dare openly violate Aegis Academy’s admission rules in front of two candidates for the family’s succession.
"Immediate Strength Evaluation..." Harrison took a deep breath. "Passed."
As the final word fell, the red warning displayed on the registration device rapidly disappeared.
[Special Recommendation Qualification temporarily restored.]
[Candidate: Asher Veyron.]
[Freshman Awakening Assessment eligibility confirmed.]
[Assessment Time: Six days from now.]
[Assessment Number: 0717.]
A smile finally appeared on Eileen’s face.
Asher’s expression, however, didn’t change much.
Passing this evaluation only meant that he had earned the right to participate in the official assessment.
He was still some distance away from truly entering Aegis Gate Academy.
Harrison handed him a black identity card.
"Bring this card with you to the Awakening Assessment six days from now."
"Arriving late will be treated as an automatic withdrawal."
Asher accepted the identity card. "Thanks for the reminder."
He turned around and prepared to leave the training ground.
Just as he passed the Valderis sisters, Mira suddenly spoke.
"Don’t think that defeating a D rank puppet means you’re qualified to challenge the Valderis Family."
Asher stopped. "When did I ever say I wanted to challenge the Valderis Family?"
Mira frowned.
"Then why did you come to Aegis Academy?"
"To become a Hunter."
"And then?"
"To become stronger."
Asher looked at her.
"As for what I do after becoming stronger, that’s my business."
Flames rose around Mira again.
"You’d better not have any ideas about Father."
Hearing this, Asher suddenly smiled.
"Don’t worry. I have absolutely no interest in becoming a member of the Valderis Family." He paused and then added, "But whatever Cassian owes my mother, I’ll personally take it back."
The surrounding air seemed to freeze at that moment.
The anger in Mira’s eyes rapidly intensified.
Nova merely watched him quietly.
"You think you can do that?" she asked.
"Not now." Asher didn’t blindly exaggerate his strength. "But someday, I can."
"With the regenerative ability you just showed?"
"No."
Asher glanced down at the assessment identity card in his hand.
"Because I possess something none of you have ever had."
"What?"
"Time."
He was only eighteen.
And the Gate Destroyer Bloodline had only awakened by one percent.
Everything the Valderis Family possessed today had been accumulated over several decades. As long as Asher was given enough time, he was confident that he could make that seemingly unshakable colossus collapse piece by piece.
Nova stared at him for a long time.
"Then pass the official assessment six days from now first."
"I will."
Asher didn’t linger any longer and left the training ground with Eileen.
Just as the two were about to disappear into the crowd, Nova suddenly spoke again.
"Asher."
He looked back.
"I’ll personally tell Father about what happened today."
"Do whatever you want."
Asher answered calmly.
"Even if you don’t tell him, someone else will."
With that, he turned and left.
Nova’s gaze shifted toward Harrison, who stood beside the control console.
His expression stiffened slightly.
Clearly, he had already reported everything that had happened here to the Valderis Family.
...
Upper District.
Valderis Family Estate.
Unlike the cramped and dilapidated buildings of the Lower District, this estate, situated at the highest point of the city, occupied nearly an entire mountain peak. Dozens of luxurious buildings were enclosed within mana barriers, while behind the estate floated three Gates under the strict protection of the family’s private army.
Top floor of the main building.
Inside a spacious and quiet study, Cassian Valderis sat in a chair made from the hide of a high ranking magical beast, carefully reviewing the newly delivered profit report from an A rank Gate.
He appeared to be only around forty years old. He was tall, with short golden hair combed perfectly into place. Even while sitting quietly, his body radiated the powerful pressure belonging to an S rank Hunter.
Knock. Knock.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
A family steward dressed in a black suit entered the study and placed a communication tablet on the desk.
"Patriarch, we’ve received news from Aegis Academy."
"Did something happen to Mira or Nova?"
"No."
The steward paused.
"It concerns Lina Veyron’s son."
Cassian’s fingers suddenly stopped flipping through the document.
The air inside the study became heavy.
Several seconds passed before he slowly raised his head.
"Who did you say?"