The sound of knocking drifted across the room as Zeres knocked politely on the Headmaster’s office.

"Come in" a calm voice echoed inside.

Zeres twisted the door knob, stepping inside, he was greeted by a simple office, devoid of the flourish someone with his stature can enjoy.

"Would you like a coffee? " The Headmaster asked, his long aged white hair a witness to the long passage of time he’d endured.

His eyes carried a depth that Zeres had never found on anyone that he’d meet.

But more than anything, what Zeres noticed was the calm presence he had—a testament to his perfect control over his own mana.

’So this is the Exalted-rank’ he thought.

’Even professor Elyssa or Keisha won’t be able to face him off’

It was terrifying, and a man of that caliber is calling for him?

He might as well end up dead today.

"No thank you, I’ve already have one earlier." He shook his head, still careful about his manners.

"Very well" Arthur nodded, then he pointed at the couch before him. "Have a seat"

Zeres settled on the couch, shifting slightly.

"I assume you already know why I called you? " sipping the hot coffee, he inquired.

Zeres nodded, his teeth clenching slightly. "Is this about the church? "

"It is"

"I have an offer for you" Arthur continued.

"What is? "

"I know you’re having troubles about your blood thirst, but I can’t do anything about that. Instead, what I want is your cooperation in exchange for me backing you."

’This is serious’ Zeres thought.

What would be the thing that will interest someone like him?

A money? No

Going by wealth alone, Arthur could easily surpass nobles.

So what is it?

"No need to overthink it much, I just wanted you to me my hidden blade."

"Hidden blade? " Zeres tilted his head in confusion.

"Exactly as it sounds, I want you to move according to my will on your time here within the academy or human empire. In exchange, I will prove to the church myself that you’re innocent."

"How about it? " Arthur asked, his hands extending in an inviting gesture.

’Becoming his hidden blade? What nonsense is this?’ He wanted to laugh, but still, a part of him wanted to believe that.

It was partly because of that one scene he remembered on the book.

Besides, the church won’t stop monitoring me if I don’t accept this offer.

It was a do or die situation for him. One where he’ll be forced to pick a side.

I’m not strong enough to survive on my own while guarding people around me. Though I was being complacent when I first reached Eclipse rank.

I foolishly thought that will be enough for me to survive in a dying empire, to help the named characters—but that turned out to be the idiocity of his ignorance.

Despite himself knowing the story had been altered, refused or maybe even completely new—he still foolishly cling to the old one.

’Yeah, how bad will it be? Agreeing to this offer means he can think of the church later.’

"I will accept the offer, however—I doubt you’ll deem me qualified, I myself have a unique circumstance you see—my power is unstable." He muttered under his breath.

He was probing, trying to know how much the headmaster knew about him.

Arthur’s gaze sharpened for a moment, then a gentle smile appeared on his face, though it was still covered by his long white beard.

"That won’t be a problem, Elyssa here will teach you personally." He said, his gaze drifting at the door.

"Shall we sign a contract? " Zeres asked.

"That won’t be needed, words from an honorable man is what exactly I need." Arthur’s gaze then went behind Zeres—or precisely, on the picture frame hanging against the wall.

"Use this"

Arthur slid in a necklace, a blood ruby pendant hang on the lace.

"We’ll be communicating using this." He said.

"But firstly, what do you want your code name to be? "

"A code name?" He asked, his brow raised.

’Don’t tell me I’m about to join an assassin’s group? ’

Arthur just looked at him, still waiting for his answer.

"White Serpent" he answered, albeit late.

"White Serpent? Nice ring to it, it suits you" Arthur nodded, repeating the name as if tasting it.

"Now what’s your request for winning on the Trial? "

"Huh? I thought we’re done? " Zeres asked confused.

"Partly, we just used that as an excuse"

"Then, can I have some essence stone? " he clenched his fist in anticipation.

He had thought of it last night, he wanted to try how they absorbed it, the sensation.

"That’s easy enough, how about one of the Dreadspawn rank? " Arthur’s hand raised, then the drawer to his table opened with a soft clink.

An essence stone of blue color appeared, three of them hovering before his hands.

’What a delicate control of mana’ Zeres thought.

This must be the reason his sister had once told him that the ascension in ranks will be difficult.

"Here, take it" Headmaster Arthur passed it into him a cloth wrapping the three blue essence stone.

"Thank you"

"Not yet done, take this plaque with you—it’ll help you stabilize your power if you continue to polish the basics. " Arthur raised two of his fingers.

A plaque of golden color hovered before Zeres.

He stared at ur for a moment, then he bowed politely.

"Thank you"

___________

"So, what do you think? " Elyssa entered the room when Zeres had stepped out.

"Not bad I’d say"

"Did you sensed it? "

"Yes, but it’s interesting" Headmaster Arthur rested his chin on his hand.

"Ohh, found something new? "

"He’s no different than a chimera right now, his power is great—but if it continues like this, it might lead to mana poisoning."

"I see" Professor Elyssa mumbled.

"But, he looked like he hides something more that we won’t be able to uncover."

"And the most important part, like you said, he’s not a normal gifted—it won’t be far-fetched to assume he has three affinities."

"What? " Professor Elyssa’s eyes widened.

Having three affinities was no easy feat.

And if it was true, then Zeres might be related to ’that’ bloodline.