"Wait-... what?" Merim's brows creased. He was caught off-guard by Elihim's last words.
Elihim smiled and would've clasped his hands if only he had both of them intact.
"I said, I like this academy."
A bead of sweat dripped from Merim's forehead.
"I-is that sarcasm?"
Somehow, he found Elihim's smile more terrifying than his usually distant expression.
"No," Elihim shook his head.
"Then..."
"I didn't say that I hate the teachings, did I?" Elihim raised an eyebrow, "It's natural to look down on people who are supposed to be looked down upon. If they cared too much for the weak..."
He paused before continuing.
"Furthermore, I just want this academy to be a good environment for my little sister. It's not like they will treat her badly considering her talents."
"Talents? But isn't your little sister just turned seven?" Merim was dumbfounded.
'No way... don't tell me his little sister is already an Imagi!?'
Merim has no idea about Ellie's strength. He thought that she's just a regular girl and Elihim is the only oddity in their family.
"Of course, she's my little sister, how can she be ordinary? She's already a Spirit."
"Spirit!?" Merim almost stood up from his seat. But realizing the volume of his voice- "Ehem... Uhm... I'm assuming that you helped your little sister and not that she's born special?"
That was the most sensible logic here. Elihim, an entity from another world that was born from a meteor is already a miracle of a miracle. If Ellie is another oddity, then what kind of coincidence is that?
So as he expected, Elihim nodded.
"Yes, but know that I didn't change anything in her body. I just taught her."
"T-taught her? You didn't do anything special? Like, for example, use your laws to increase her talents?" Merim was getting more and more engaged in the topic.
"No, anyway, although I already have my evaluation, I still want to continue my observation."
Elihim then stood up, leaving Merim stunned and dissatisfied. However, Merim could only swallow his questions. Asking more may put his wealth at risk. Although he had learned so much from Elihim, he got considerably poorer these past few months from the fees he needed to pay.
After noticing this, Merim formed some restraint on him. He would solve his own questions first and only if he was stuck at an insurmountable question, that is the only time where he would ask Elihim about it. This plan frequently doesn't work as the information he gets is too small to arrive at the conclusion, from time to time, using effort, he was making personal progress.
And so, Merim called for Kurtan's group and told them to "take care" of Elihim as a form of additional test. This not only makes Kurtan's group puzzled but also the other Academy Elites.
But, of course, no one raised a word of objection except the questioning from Hresha.
Merim was placed into a spot. Ever since he was deemed as the most talented for being an Academy Elite at such a young age, Hresha, whom he took the position, was pretty aggressive towards him.
"What's the purpose of making a group of pups takes care of useless beggar?" Hresha squinted her eyes.
But unlike when he's in front of Elihim, Merim is neither timid nor meek. With confidence, he spoke with an equal tone. After all, even if there's an age gap between the two, they're both Academy Elites.
"It's my position to make such decisions since the principal made me the director of this hunting event. Are you going against the principal's orders?"
However, Hresha was indifferent.
"I'm asking about the purpose. Did I raise an objection? Do I not have the right to know."
"But do I have the obligation to answer? I do my job, you do your job."
Merim no longer continued the conversation and left. Oblivious to him though, this piqued Hresha's curiosity.
'Even when he's just my student back then, I don't think he's stupid. Since the principal and the other elders are busy with searching for the traces of the meteor, I don't think they will have the time to butt in this case.'
She then looked in the direction of Kurtan's group.
'It's either Merim's judgment is clouded or there's something with that child. At first, I just want to question his decision and shame him but now, I'm curious. How could a young beggar with a missing limb and an eye arrive and survive into these woods? Furthermore, to get pass through inspections... super fishy.'
With that in mind, she gave special attention to Kurtan's group, specifically, towards Elihim.
Meanwhile, the boy in question noticed this but ignored her. He was more concerned about his Bad Karma and the Karma Strings that's forming towards Kurtan and the rest.
'If any of them died or got injured because of the influence of my Bad Karma, a debt will be formed and my fate will be entwined with them which is... not good.'
That was why Elihim is ready to compensate in the shadows.
At dinner, each group had to make their own meal. Of course, they will take it from their own hunt. Choosing a boar to eat for the next few days, they shared with Elihim.
Starting at that point, Wey began to act strange.
"Here's yours, little fella." she said with a smile while giving Elihim a stick with pork - like barbeque.
"What happened to her?"
Jeram leaned towards Tawn to ask which Kurtan overheard and answered.
"She's showing 'compassion' to impress Sir Merim." while sighing.
Meanwhile, Elihim secretly placed a thumbs up.
'At least, they can be kind if there's value in it. With Ellie's talent, how great of treatment will they give her? At that point, the academy will protect her family for the sake of keeping her. Hehehe, looks like Ellie's path towards this academy is already set.'
But, of course, Elihim didn't only have that thought.
'However, the standards are still low... But there's still a few years before Ellie will enter so during that time, I'll make this academy better. That shall compensate the Karma at the same time.'
Elihim finally made a decision which will be taken with baby steps since that's not his only plan at hand at the moment.