"How can we meet the principal?" Chloe asked, tilting her head in confusion as they walked through the streets of the market. The evening crowd flowed around them, a river of students and merchants.

Vlad’s eyes were fixed on his phone in one hand while he held Chloe’s hand with the other. His hand was warm, sending jolts through Chloe’s body, the fingers intertwined with hers turning her face red with heat. The sensation was electric, unfamiliar. She did not think much of sharing her food with him or climbing his back for a piggy ride, yet somehow a simple act of just holding his hand was turning her mind blank. Perhaps because it was Vlad initiating the physical contact, it made her lose her senses.

She wanted to remove her hand because of the strange feeling surging through her, but Vlad looked so serious that she was struggling to find the right moment to do it. Her pulse fluttered like a trapped bird.

"I have found a way," Vlad announced, his eyes gleaming and a smile spreading on his face. "Chloe, we will do shopping for you some other day. Let’s get you a mana sto—"

Vlad’s words stopped mid-sentence as his eyes fell on her burning face. Her eyes were lowered, her cheeks flushed crimson, spreading from her nose to her ears.

"Chloe..." Vlad called, lifting her face gently by the chin. His fingers were tender, concerned. His hand moved worriedly from her cheeks to her forehead, checking her temperature. The back of his palm pressed against her skin. "Your face is burning. Why didn’t you tell me that you have a fever?"

His hand running across her face was not helping to calm her racing heart at all. Each touch sent fresh waves of heat through her.

"It’s not fever," Chloe murmured in a low, mosquito-like tone, barely audible above the market chatter. "It’s because I’m wearing a sweater."

While answering, she removed her hand from his, the source of the so-called fever, and moved the strands of her silken hair from her face. The lavender waves fell back into place.

"You sure?" Vlad asked, his eyes fixed on her intently, carrying warmth and worry in them. His gaze searched hers for any sign of illness.

"Stop nagging, Uncle Vlad," Chloe muttered, removing his hand from her cheek. Her voice was soft but firm. She finally felt calmer now, her face returning to its original color as the cool evening air kissed her skin.

Vlad’s brows furrowed at the title. He decided not to press further since she seemed fine enough to call him names.

"As a Crownbearer, I can request a meeting with the principal," Vlad revealed, changing the topic. "I checked the forums for information. Apparently, all I need to do is unlock the Mentor Network feature on the phone."

They settled on a wooden bench placed outside a shop beside the street, their faces painted golden from the evening sunlight.

He tapped the unlock button for the Mentor Network feature. Thirty credits were debited from his account as the feature opened.

---

[Mentor Network]

• Fundamentals of Combat

Mentor: Professor Victor Vael

Contact Cost: 10 Credits

Availability: 14:00 – 18:00

[Contact Mentor]

• Aura Awakening

Mentor: Professor Victor Vael

Contact Cost: 10 Credits

Availability: 14:00 – 18:00

[Contact Mentor]

• Fundamentals of Tactics

Mentor: Professor Victor Vael

Contact Cost: 10 Credits

Availability: 14:00 – 18:00

[Contact Mentor]

• Fundamentals of Spirit Summoning

Mentor: Professor Ilyndra Silvorne

Contact Cost: 10 Credits

Availability: 09:00 – 13:00

[Contact Mentor]

• Fundamentals of Beast Taming

Mentor: Professor Alaric Bjorn

Contact Cost: 10 Credits

Availability: 15:00 – 19:00

[Contact Mentor]

• Elemental Studies

Mentor: Professor Camille de Valloire

Contact Cost: 10 Credits

Availability: 10:00 – 14:00

[Contact Mentor]

• History of the Arcane Age

Mentor: Professor Florian Leclair

Contact Cost: 10 Credits

Availability: 08:00 – 11:00

[Contact Mentor]

• Magical Law & Ethics

Mentor: Professor Florian Leclair

Contact Cost: 10 Credits

Availability: 08:00 – 11:00

[Contact Mentor]

────────────────────────

• Contact Principal

Contact Cost: 100 Credits

Availability: Restricted Access

[Contact Principal]

────────────────────────

[Note]

• Contacting the Principal costs 100 Credits and is intended for matters of exceptional importance. Once contacted, the option of contacting the Principal will be removed.

• Communication requests may be delayed or declined during lectures, research sessions, academy events, or emergencies.

• Unnecessary contact may lead to strict disciplinary actions.

---

"Oh, I didn’t know that Professor Victor will be teaching us all the Order of Blade exclusive subjects," Vlad said, his eyebrows rising as he read through the screen.

He scrolled to the bottom. "One hundred credits for a single call, and it’s one time only!?" he gasped, his eyebrows twitching in annoyance. They were simply extorting students at this point.

Still, he did not give a second thought before pressing the contact button. His finger descended without hesitation.

---

[Warning]

You are attempting to contact the Principal.

100 Credits will be deducted immediately upon confirmation.

The Principal’s communication channel is restricted to matters of exceptional importance. Abuse of this privilege may result in disciplinary actions, credit penalties, and temporary or permanent revocation of Mentor Network access.

Do you wish to proceed?

[Yes] [No]

---

"Whoah, they are just threatening me at this point," Vlad muttered, his finger moving towards the screen again.

"Vlad, wait," Chloe said, grabbing his finger. Her grip was firm, urgent. "You can only contact the Principal once. This opportunity can be used for more important things, like asking about the method to increase your rank or information about the Legendary Knight. Do not waste it on—Ack!"

Before she could finish her sentence, Vlad’s finger struck her forehead in a flick. Unlike before, this one did real damage, leaving a red mark on her pale skin. The sound was sharp, echoing softly in the evening air.

"You are more important than meeting the Legendary Knight," Vlad declared, his eyes narrowed with genuine offence. The words were heavy, absolute. "I can gain the opportunity to get that information later, but can you form your core again?"

Chloe lowered her eyes, her hand rubbing her forehead that stung with pain. Heartless Vlad had not held back his strike. The red mark bloomed like a small flower on her skin.

"Never say idiotic things like that again," he said, referring to the last line Chloe had been about to utter before she was stopped by the flick. Vlad’s voice remained cold as he continued, determined to make her remember, "We are family, Chloe. In a family, caring for each other should not be measured as loss or gain."

"I understand," Chloe replied, keeping her head lowered. Her voice was soft, subdued. "Chloe is an idiot. Vlad is amazing," she murmured, her lips forming a faint smile that she kept hidden from Vlad.