"So you want to go to God King Academy. Interesting decision." Ananse said with a smirk
"I do. I can't have Sir Indra protecting me all the time" Mane gave his reason. Indra smiled bitterly after hearing Mane's words. Although he hadn't stated explicitly that he was protecting Mane from the shadows, Mane was able to figure that out from the little he had been told. First off, Indra knew much about Mane, even more than his parents did. He even knew about the secretive last member of the Silver Wolves. That was information that was kept from the members of the Silver Wolves themselves. Yet Indra knew. This could only mean that the Battle God had been watching keenly- maybe a little too keenly. Mane shivered as he wondered if Indra peeps on him whenever he takes a bath.
"I see. So that's the basis for your decision" Indra rubbed his chin as he spoke. It was weird that Mane was eager to escape the protection of a god. He would have smacked Mane upside down on the head if he knew that the boy was excited to get away from him because he was scared that the Battle God was a peeper.
"Besides, if I go to God King's, I can study as a scholar" Mane stated with a complacent smirk. Ananse smiled at the smug boy, and Indra shook his head with a wry smile. Mane's words were a bit a strange. Although Ananse was against Mane showing up at a God's Academy as a scholar-in-training, it would be simpler for Mane if he decides to attend King's Crown. It was a younger academy with lesser restrictions. Studying at such an academy would reduce his chances of being discovered as the Supreme rather than studying at a prestigious academy like God King. But Mane said the opposite.
"Well, it is still dangerous to reveal that you are a scholar. Even if the chances are lowered in God King, I still do not recommend that you major in the path of scholars when you get there." The stranger thing was that Ananse seemed to agree with Mane that he would be safer revealing his secret in God King than he would in King's Crown. And Indra didn't seem to mind their logic.
Actually, it was indeed safer for Mane to attend God King as a scholar than it was for him to attend King's Crown. The explanation was simple. God King is an older academy, with stringent rules, whereas King's Crown was a young and budding academy with great potential. With that impressive potential was the more lax treatment and subpar dedication to the ancient traditions that old academies like God King cherished so much. Indra didn't know of Ananse's identity even though she was his informant for so long. So there was no way that Ananse knew about King's Crown Academy from him. Yet she knew that Indra was a Stake in this academy, and she even knew about the identity of his parents as Stakes as well. She was even well informed about their teaching methods, to the extent that she was able to freely mention that they didn't adhere strictly to the old ways of the other God Academies.
It wasn't just mere speculation. Ananse was a scholar, and though Mane had just stepped into the path of scholars, he did know one thing for sure. Scholars do not just make assumptions, they find out the truth. Earlier, Mane had presented his assumptions to Ananse for validation. He did so because she was a scholar like himself, and only she could give him the answers he sought. But when Ananse was speaking about King's Crown, she did so with certainty and confidence, almost like she was a Stake for the new academy. But she wasn't. And since she had only been feeding Indra information till now and hadn't really asked him for anything else, there was no way she learnt about the academy from Indra.
She also wasn't ready for Mane's parents to know about her, meaning that they weren't her informants either. This could only mean that she got the information from someone in the academy. She had planted a spy. It wasn't strange. Since King's Crown was new and all, there was bound to be a leak or two in its foundations. It wasn't as firm as the old academies that spent millions of years to rid themselves of thorns and briers. It was growing fast, so the Origin and Elder Gods would definitely keep an eye on it to limit their progress. And since Ananse had a spy there, who was to say that other gods didn't have spies there. It would be dangerous for Mane to study as a scholar in such an institution, where all his actions could be reported to the gods.
Also, Indra didn't seem surprised that Ananse knew all this, confirming that the god was aware of the numerous leaks in the academy's plumbing. Plus he didn't know which academy Ananse was affiliated to. Mane noticed this when Ananse was advising him on the academy to attend. Although Indra was surprised and pleased that King's Crown was the recommended school, he looked a bit disappointed. Although he had no proof, Mane was certain that this disappointment was because Indra was a bit expectant to know Ananse's affiliation. After all, he was a god that had lived for quite a long time. Controlling his emotions should be pretty simple. However, Mane noticed that ever since Ananse introduced herself, Indra looked a bit more withdrawn and respectful. This reinforced Mane's thoughts concerning Ananse's identity. She must be a really badass goddess for Indra to act that way. She was definitely a legend in the god society. This was why Indra was eager to know more about her, and why he had failed to hide that little bit of disappointment when Ananse failed to reveal her affiliations.
"I doubt that would help me anyway" Mane shrugged nonchalantly as he rebutted Ananse's claims. The goddess didn't take any offense at his impolite gesture, although Indra frowned slightly at the boy's actions. But he didn't say anything. It wasn't in his place to.
"I understand" Ananse nodded and said. Mane was right. His battle awareness was amazing, and his glows were exceptional. Revealing his talent as a tri-wielder was perhaps more dangerous than studying as a scholar. Although many wouldn't link him to the Supreme just because of his superior abilities, several gods would try to recruit him in order to gain a competent subordinate. At that point, even revealing that he was admitted through a recommendation (which under normal circumstances shows that one was already in the service of a god) wouldn't dampen their enthusiasm. If Mane rejects those gods, they may come after him and he would be seen as a threat since he wouldn't be a resource they can rely on.
"I may not go to King's Crown, but my friends can" Mane smiled as he stated. Ananse only nodded her head at his words. She didn't need a briefing on his friends when she already knew about them from Indra. Apart from the alchemist spy in the Dark Kingdom and the one who had the potential to be a scholar, Abe, she didn't think much about the others. But she had something that may be of help to them.
"When you return, digest the information you accepted earlier. Digest it thoroughly, for it may be of help to your friends' awakening. Oh and convince your mother to accept Abelard as her disciple. He would flourish under her wings." Ananse commanded
All Mane did was to nod absentmindedly. He finally had a lead. Finally, he had some information on how to help his friends achieve their second awakening. It was in his head, he only needed to study it thoroughly upon his return to the real world.
Ananse ignored the dazed Mane, turned to Indra and telepathically relayed a command that startled him, "Protect the Brute King".