Before long, the mentor selection ceremony officially began.
After a deacon loudly explained the rules, the formal selection process commenced.
It was theoretically a mutual choice:
Mentors selected apprentices.
Apprentices selected mentors.
However, not every mentor accepted ordinary students, and the academy naturally could not allow powerful mentors to monopolize all the talented newcomers.
Each mentor had a limited quota.
Once full, they would accept no more.
Prince Alphonse Hess immediately attracted the attention of multiple mentors due to his exceptional death affinity.
But he himself already had a clear destination in mind.
When Soul Weaver Malfa cast a scrutinizing glance toward him, Alphonse stepped forward and bowed gracefully.
"Mentor Malfa."
His voice carried the calm elegance and restrained dignity unique to royalty.
"My soul tells me that only under your guidance can I discover the true gateway to power."
"I wish to learn the art of weaving destiny itself."
Beneath the shadows of her hood, the pale curve of Malfa's lips deepened faintly.
She could sense the strength hidden within the young prince's soul.
And even more interesting
The quiet ambition buried deep within him.
"A wise decision, little one."
Her voice echoed softly throughout the hall, carrying unmistakable satisfaction.
"Your soul…"
"It possesses excellent quality."
"I look forward to weaving it into something magnificent."
…
Mary approached Medusa on trembling legs.
The moment Medusa's cold gaze swept across her, Mary collapsed to her knees with a heavy thud.
Her body trembled violently as tears streamed down her face.
"Lady Medusa!"
"Please accept me!"
"I I can endure anything! I'm willing to pay any price!"
"I only want the power to change my fate!"
"Please… give me a chance!"
She raised her tear-stained face desperately.
Yet hidden deep within her eyes burned something almost fanatical
Ambition.
Obsession.
And desperation.
Medusa looked down at the kneeling girl with faint amusement.
Mary's talent was mediocre.
But the intense hunger hidden within her soul…
That was interesting.
Like an unexpectedly flavorful spice.
"What an intriguing little soul…"
Medusa's voice sounded sweet and gentle, yet carried a chilling undercurrent.
"The quality may be poor…"
"But the flavor is delightfully strong."
"Rise, child."
Clearly, Medusa found the girl amusing enough to relieve some of her endless boredom.
The moment she heard those words, Mary's face lit up with overwhelming ecstasy.
She immediately kowtowed several times in gratitude before hurriedly standing behind Medusa with her head lowered obediently.
Yet every so often, when her gaze drifted toward the other talented apprentices
A faint trace of jealousy and ruthless desire flickered deep within her eyes.
Then
Slade's name was called.
And when the deacon announced:
"Superior soul affinity. Mid-level earth affinity. Mental strength: seventeen."
The entire hall fell silent.
For a brief moment, even the wizards stopped moving.
What kind of monster-level prodigy was this?
The very next moment, two terrifying wills descended upon Slade almost simultaneously.
"This child's soul is exceptionally pure. He belongs within my Soul faction."
The soft, ethereal voice of Soul Weaver Malfa echoed through the hall, alluring and impossible to ignore.
A cold snort followed immediately afterward.
"Ridiculous."
"A talent like this would be wasted on the narrow path of soul weaving."
"His soul affinity and earth-element compatibility make him the perfect candidate for my Titan Bone Project."
The voice of Bone Monarch Victor rumbled like grinding mountains, filled with unquestionable dominance.
The entire hall fell silent in shock.
The two chief mentors
The highest-ranking figures within their respective factions
Were openly competing for a single apprentice.
Countless apprentices looked toward Slade with undisguised envy and jealousy.
To be personally fought over by the chiefs themselves…
His future was practically limitless.
Yet just as everyone assumed Slade would choose one of the two supreme mentors
He did something completely unexpected.
First, he bowed respectfully toward Victor and Malfa.
"Thank you for your recognition, honored mentors."
"I am deeply honored by your favor."
His tone was polite, sincere, and unwavering.
Then
Under everyone's stunned gaze
Slade turned around and walked straight toward the quiet corner of the hall where Gregor still sat scribbling on his bone tablet.
Stopping before him, Slade bowed once more.
His clear voice echoed throughout the suddenly silent hall.
"Mentor Gregor."
"I am deeply fascinated by your concept of 'All Things' and your theory of Death Metamorphosis."
"I believe that true understanding cannot be reached through narrow specialization alone. A broad foundation is the necessary path toward ultimate truth."
"I, Slade, sincerely wish to study under you."
"And I am willing to devote my abilities to assisting your research."
For a moment
The entire Hall of Bones exploded into uproar.
"What?!"
"Has he gone insane?!"
"Gregor? The madman obsessed with suicide experiments?"
"What an idiot!"
"With talent like his, he's throwing away his future!"
"A genius in ability, but clearly not in intelligence."
Even Gregor himself finally paused his calculations and slowly raised his head from the bone tablet.
His cloudy eyes carried obvious displeasure at being interrupted, along with exhaustion so deep it seemed etched into his very soul.
He studied Slade from head to toe, frowning slightly.
"Kid."
"Don't assume talent alone can solve my problems."
"My research will only waste your precious time."
"And troublesome people like you inevitably attract even more troublesome things."
"You'd be better off following Victor or Malfa."
"They suit you far more than I do."
The rejection was exactly what Slade had expected.
But he showed no intention of backing down.
Meeting Gregor's gaze calmly, Slade spoke with a composure far beyond his age.
"Knowledge has no boundaries."
"Specialization may grant rapid strength in the short term…"
"But only a broad perspective can uncover the true nature of the world."
He paused briefly before lowering his voice so that only Gregor could hear the next sentence.
"As for your research…"
"I may be able to offer certain… unique perspectives."
"Perhaps enough to help verify the feasibility of some of your theories."
Slade never directly revealed his secret.
But the confidence hidden beneath his words and the faint mystery surrounding him immediately caught Gregor's attention.
For the first time, a faint glimmer appeared within the old wizard's cloudy eyes.
Gregor stared at Slade intently, as though attempting to see through him completely.
Yet Slade remained calm and unflinching beneath that gaze.
The hall fell utterly silent.
Everyone watched the strange exchange while holding their breath.
After a long while, Gregor finally waved a hand tiredly.
He lowered his head once more and returned his attention to the bone tablet.
In a weary mutter barely audible even to himself, he said:
"Fine."
"Just don't cause me any trouble."
That…
Counted as acceptance?
The surrounding apprentices stared at Slade as though he were completely insane.
"Unbelievable…"
"He must have something wrong with his brain."
"What a waste…"
Ignoring the whispers surrounding him, Slade calmly stepped behind Gregor and took his place among the old wizard's disciples.
Whether this decision was right or wrong
There was no turning back now.
Since he had chosen this path…
He would walk it without hesitation.