A moment ago.
"This way." The principal opened the door, leading Maya and Auric into his office.
Since she came from Grand Magica College, Maya took a seat on the opposite side to size up Auric.
"Here is his file. I will be sending it to the college's email as well." The principal handed over the papers.
"Thank you. However, please send it directly to my email." Maya took out her business card.
The principal was confused why Maya would treat Auric so well. 'An illegitimate child? A cousin? But if I'm not mistaken, Professor Maya was one of the youngest deans. She shouldn't be at the age where she even had children.'
Still, since it was a request, the principal nodded. "I understand. I'll send it directly to your email."
It took him two minutes to finish everything. Then, he sat beside Auric and asked, "May I know the reason you invited this child, Professor Maya? He is a brilliant child, of course. However, I don't think his talent is something that Grand Magica College wants."
Maya closed her eyes. She wanted to play around a bit longer, but it looked like she had to get serious to gain Auric's trust.
"Well… let me introduce myself again. I am Maya Relesha, the vice dean of the elemental faculty. Do you know that our college is divided into five faculties?"
"Yes. The weapon faculty, the elemental faculty, the evolution faculty, the support faculty, and the research faculty."
"That's right. As the name implies, the weapon faculty is for those who want to get stronger by combining their element with weapon arts. The elemental faculty is for people who wish to have good control of their element.
"The evolution faculty is for aspiring evolution masters, while the support faculty seeks students who have other utilities such as healing abilities and other support abilities. Last but not least, the research faculty is for those who wish to advance our understanding of avatars and elements."
Auric had read about it before.
"Well, I coincidentally heard about your recommendation letter from the dean, so I took over the process." Maya smiled while raising one finger. "I would like you to be in my elemental faculty, Master Auric."
"W-W-W-W-What did you say? Master… Auric?!" The principal was the most shocked about the title.
There was only one profession where they added a 'master' to someone's name, and that was the evolution master.
However, the students had only awakened for three days, and the evolution master test happened the previous day.
There was not enough time to train himself to become an evolution master.
The principal looked at Auric in horror. "You… How did you become an evolution master?"
The most terrifying thing was the fact that Auric didn't awaken even a single avatar. It was the biggest disappointment in his life, but the next thing he realized was that disappointment turned into the biggest surprise.
A 17-year-old evolution master. No one would have believed it, but if the record was true, then the situation would be different.
Auric would have been the biggest achievement their school could have.
"As expected of the Grand Magica College, you even found out about this matter? Or did she tell you anything?"
"One of our students happened to be among the participants."
"Oh? I'm sorry. I didn't pay attention to it."
"It's fine. Our students found out that a genius like you suddenly appeared out of nowhere, so I became interested and took over your case. Never in my wildest dreams would I expect that you are actually the rumored person who fails to awaken any avatar."
Auric didn't say anything. He wasn't lying to Eric when he said he wasn't disappointed. Still, even if he wasn't that disappointed, there were still consequences for his actions.
After all, even without an avatar, he could still take over his father's store.
He just never expected that Lindwurm would appear and make him realize his actual condition. Then again, he would probably find this answer, just a bit later, even without Lindwurm.
After all, he could see the particles within the magical energy.
Maya continued, "To think that this rumored useless person not only became an evolution master, but he also managed to get all three stars… I don't know what to say anymore."
"Three… stars?" The principal blinked his eyes a few times.
Becoming a one-star evolution master was already hard enough, let alone two or three stars, where they had to handle element variants. Yet, Auric actually managed to get three stars in just two days.
Auric chuckled. "If that's the case, wouldn't I suit the evolution faculty more than the elemental faculty?"
"Maybe, but who says you can't be in two faculties? In fact, if you are capable enough, you can enter all the faculties."
"Is that so?" Auric closed his eyes.
"If you become a member of my faculty, I will ensure you receive S-grade resources. These are the best resources you can get as a student. You can get weapons, materials, points, and even medicine."
Auric might not be afraid of fighting, but he didn't want to fight unless it was necessary. Still, Auric would definitely learn how to fight. Having a weapon and not using it was different from not having a weapon at all.
It might be true that the evolution faculty suited him the most, but that was only in other people's eyes.
His true target was actually the elemental faculty. After all, they researched battle techniques of all elements.
He could read those battle techniques and create the gathering technique.
As for the evolution faculty, he had Lindwurm. Besides, he could eventually become an all-elements evolution master, so there was no need to employ other evolution masters.
Still, if he wanted to get the most benefit, he had to play hard to get.
Auric crossed his arms before rubbing his chin. "Well, that's a good condition. But I'm an evolution master. I can earn all that by myself."
"Of course. That's why I have come to you personally. On top of the S-grade resources, I can be your personal teacher. I can teach you everything you want."
Auric scratched the back of his head. Everyone would be overjoyed when they receive such an offer.
But Auric's aim was something else.
"I heard that there is a grand library in the college…"
His inquiry was a kind of confirmation. The library in their faculty was mainly about elemental battle techniques.
Looking at Auric's track record, he was the best student, so he might be eager to study.
However, to use the library, they would first need to contribute to the college in one way or another since they would be learning those precious collections of elemental battle techniques.
"Sure. I can give you a special pass. Normally, a student needs to spend some points to get into the library, but with this special pass, you may enter the library once a week for free."
Auric couldn't help but smile inwardly. The S-grade resources were good, but the materials would either go to his shop for sale, for evolution, or for Lindwurm's beloved belly.
The library would be for him, while the teacher would serve as his protection.
This would be a perfect setup for his life at the college.
The principal was already glaring at him as if urging him to accept it right away.
"May I ask a question before I give you my answer?"
"Sure." Maya nodded.
"Do you really want to stain your reputation by having me, who doesn't even have an avatar, as your student?"
Maya smiled as if she had already prepared an answer to that question. "Student Auric. What do you mean by stain? You will be my pride and joy. Does not having an avatar mean you are talentless? Who says that? The word that describes you best is 'unknown,' not talentless."
Her words felt like a jab to the principal.
It was as if she was telling the principal, "You don't want this student? I want him because I'm not blind like you."
Auric nodded in satisfaction. "Student Auric pays his respects to his teacher."
"Mhmm." Maya looked at the documents. "Still, how do you plan to continue working as an evolution master? Do you want to set up a shop in the school?"
"I inherited my father's store and changed it from a material store to an evolution store. It's not that far from campus, so I think I can commute daily."
"Oh. In that case, take this." Maya took out a black card. "There is a villa within the faculty. If you are too tired to go back home, just use the villa there. Ask someone about White Villa No. 7. It's my villa."
"Are you sure?" Auric didn't expect that she would lend him her villa.
"It's not unusual for a student to come or even use their teacher's villa. It's much easier to teach their students this way. Besides, I rarely stay there, so you can use it as you like. Just make sure to keep it tidy."
"Thank you, Teacher."
"There's one more thing I want to confirm. Will you be hiding your identity as an evolution master or not? Too much talent might end up ruining your future." Even though she was worried, she didn't restrict his options.
In fact, this question was a test for Auric. Maya wanted to know how Auric planned his future.
Auric smiled. "I rarely wear the badge in public unless I am at work, but it doesn't mean I will deny it if someone asks me about it."
"I see." Maya nodded in understanding. Not the best, but not the worst outcome for her. "Alright. Let's settle it that way. I'll immediately process this. Do you want to add anything?"
"No."
"In that case, we will meet again the day after tomorrow." Maya stood up.
When Auric stood up to follow her out, the principal suddenly grabbed his sleeve. "Student Auric…"
Auric and Maya halted their steps, wondering what the principal had to say.
The principal asked, "We will—"
Right after the principal started, Maya interjected. "Principal. I'm sorry, but now that graduation is over, Auric is not a student of your school anymore. If any information regarding his status as a master leaks, I will assume that it's you who did it. I will do everything in my power to make you pay the price."
"I… I…" The principal wanted to say something, but the words stuck in his throat.
Auric would have been the best face to represent the school. He might not have awakened an avatar, but the fact that he could actually become an evolution master meant he could still use an element in one way or another.
In other words, he was really not talentless. In fact, he was full of talent, as he had become the youngest evolution master without anyone knowing.
If the school could say that Auric was their pride, it would have been a good promotion for the school.
Auric let out a sigh. "Principal."
The principal's eyes lit up, thinking that Auric was planning to give him a chance.
To his disappointment, Auric said, "Every action has a consequence. Just as my failure to awaken an avatar causes me to fall from the sky, you, who have cut my name, should also face the consequence."
The principal's heart was broken. Regret began to fill his heart.
Because he didn't awaken an element, Eric ended up taking the podium.
That was why he had to suffer the consequence of placing Eric on the podium.
Auric might not be that competitive, but he was fair. If he hadn't become an evolution master, the principal wouldn't be so apologetic.
"However, the school has helped me a lot. As long as you don't speak badly of me, I won't say anything bad about the school."
It was true. Auric was ranked first in the school, so he got the scholarship and the teachers took care of him, even though it was because of his grades.
That was why he wouldn't say anything negative about the school.
The principal couldn't say anything because Maya was glaring at him. Auric had become her student, so she would definitely protect him.
The principal's body was shaking, but he couldn't say what he wanted to say.
He spoke in a low, regretful tone. "Yeah. Congratulations on entering the Grand Magica College, Student Auric. And I'm sorry…"