A display of ornate swords surrounded the throne, protruding from the stone floor and armrests.

According to the Paladin’s memories, these weapons served absolutely zero combat purpose. They were purely decorative pieces, forged from brittle metals weaker than standard wood or glass.

The instructions demanded he utilize one of these specific display pieces. If the throne had lacked them, he would have needed to scour the palace for an alternative ornamental blade.

Solomon grabbed the hilt of a nearby decorative longsword and pulled it effortlessly from the stone.

He looked down at the royal seat, then shifted his gaze toward the bronze owl hovering nearby. He let out a loud, frustrated groan. Performing this specific requirement on a live broadcast felt incredibly embarrassing.

However, the hidden vault mechanism demanded absolute compliance.

He lowered himself onto the dusty cushions. He planted the tip of the decorative sword directly between his boots, resting the blade vertically against the floor. Then, he folded both hands over the ornate pommel and leaned forward, resting his chin against his dark gloves.

He stared directly ahead with an intense, unbothered expression. The Paladin had strictly referred to this specific posture as the Stance of the Silent Sovereign.

The stream interface immediately exploded with activity.

[GoonLord: BRO IS AURA FARMING ON MAIN!]

[LazyCat: Okay, I have to admit he actually looks majestic right now.]

[BloodKnight: What exactly is the purpose of this theatrical display?]

[User12: if you are playing a king, where is your crown?]

’Getting the crown is exactly why I am doing this,’ Solomon thought to himself, maintaining his rigid posture. He kept his mouth shut to avoid revealing the hidden mechanism to his growing audience.

[LoreMaster: He is literally the Crownless King right now.]

[System: TreasureHunter has donated 500 Points!]

[System: StarCatcher has donated 200 Points!]

He had to sit in that pose for three minutes straight without moving.

’I don’t even want to know how ridiculous I look right now.’

The holographic projection illuminated the office. Solomon sat motionless on the throne. He rested his chin on his gloves while staring directly into the camera lens.

Grandmaster leaned forward over his oak desk. "What do you make of this?"

Balzac scratched the back of his neck and let out a sharp exhale. "I find it incredibly cringe whenever anyone poses on a throne like that."

The Grandmaster struck his fist against the wooden desk. "I am asking about his fighting style."

Balzac pulled his silk mask up to his forehead. "There is absolutely nothing extraordinary about his technique. He fights exactly the same way he did before acquiring that sword. Furthermore, he slaughtered countless undead monsters relying entirely on his own physical conditioning."

Grandmaster pointed a finger at the glowing projection on the wall. "Explain the area attack that wiped out the skeletal army in a single strike."

Balzac crossed his arms and leaned back against the utility cart. "It is a weapon skill bound directly to the blade. He executed the move exactly once during the entire broadcast. Consequently, the skill obviously carries a strict cooldown."

Grandmaster narrowed his eyes at Balzac. "I feel like you are being entirely dishonest with me."

"Again with that?" Balzac pushed himself off the cart and rubbed his temples. "What part of my evaluation do you find so unbelievable? I am being completely honest, you know?"

Grandmaster tapped his fingers against the desk surface. "That destructive strike could easily be his awakened talent. Do you think he is lying about not being able to use his talent?"

Balzac gestured toward the live feed. "Solomon stated multiple times on camera that he cannot activate his ability. While there are many who often lie to hide their trump cards and not wanting others to know about it since one can find their weakness, Solomon completely lacks the personality of someone looking for viewer pity."

Balzac walked up to the edge of the desk and planted his hands on the wood. "He acts entirely unhinged while remaining unapologetic in front of thousands of people. First year students or new streamers don’t act so freely. They lack confidence.

Especially in this academy where their livelihood and existence is dependent on their fans. But he acts freely without a care as if he didn’t want to change himself to suit his fan’s ideals. Fortunately, he wields more than enough physical strength to justify his arrogant behavior. If you still doubt my assessment, summon Holard and Vakir to review the footage."

Balzac turned around and grabbed his mask. "Question my professional evaluation one more time, and I will take it as a direct insult."

"A professional evaluation requires thorough analysis, yet you reached your conclusion in mere minutes." Grandmaster tapped his fingers against the desk surface. "Your laziness is exactly why I constantly doubt your reports."

"My evaluations are incredibly fast because I possess actual expertise." Balzac pulled the silk mask entirely off his face and tossed it onto the wooden utility cart. "You are simply desperate to find a hidden genius to justify spending academy funds on that useless kid."

"He received the Millennium Ticket." Grandmaster rose from his leather chair. "That artifact alone proves his destined greatness. Ignoring that fact completely undermines the entire foundation of this institution."

"Destiny means absolutely nothing when a student lacks the will to swing a blade properly." Balzac grabbed the edge of the cart and pushed it toward the office doors. "You can keep praying for a miracle. I prefer living in reality."

"But... you like sleeping, so doesn’t that mean you prefer living in a dream?" Grandmaster remarked.

Balzac looked at Solomon on the screen and furrowed.

"If you really think he is special, then so should be the other kids who received the Millennium Ticket in the past." Balzac turned to Grandmaster. "Remind me what happened to the last kid who received it again? I wasn’t born at that time, but you were still around. You were a professor here, right?"

Grandmaster averted his gaze and let out a somber sigh.

"If I had helped her when she was lost, things wouldn’t have turned out that way. Which is exactly why I am so desperate to make sure Solomon doesn’t walk on the same path."