Although Anjou had reached a verdict during his last conversation with Schneider back then, he couldn't help worrying about it.
After having gone through the mission files, he got to know that there was a monstrous power inside Lu Chen's body. Without the aid of a kotodama, one would require tons of power to turn an evolving hybrid dragon's bones and flesh into cotton.
Truth be told, a hybrid of such a kind should not have existed in the first place. If the board were to know about this, Lu Chen would surely be imprisoned in the Secret Council's custody for life.
Coincidentally, Anjou had encountered a hybrid with a similar physique on a miniature island in the East. Sure, he broke the hybrid's jaw and teeth, but he could never inflict real damage on him. Under a human's guise, he seemed as if he had endless potential. Even by physique alone, his power level was equivalent to a war tank.
Moreover, to control his lineage's power, he had been a person of discipline, so much that he had disregarded his clan's task and expectations toward him. If he had been anything like the vice-chancellor, he wouldn't have been the last of his kin.
As all was in the past, Anjou was clueless as to how the guy had been living nowadays.
In fact, there were many things Anjou encountered in Japan that he had not revealed to the Secret Council and the board. And the incident with the hybrid was only one among many.
Seeing Lu Chen in front of him, although he didn't know much about the flaws in the young lad's past life, he had already classed Lu Chen with the hybrid back on the island.
Recalling the significant incident, Anjou thought that the hybrid in Japan must also have been senile by then. Besides, he didn't seem like the type to take an interest in battling and slaying dragons.
Meanwhile, the anomaly before him was but a raw meteorite waiting to be molded by Cassell College.
"You sound very satisfied with our chef. I would sometimes visit the cafeteria myself to ensure the servings of the meal."
Their exchange resembled that of a senile man and his grandson.
After hearing about Lu Chen's pleasant experience in the college, Anjou felt gratified. Rather than seeing it as a weakness, he felt that Lu Chen's big appetite was more of an appealing trait. Besides, it wasn't like he could single-handedly deplete Cassell College's resources.
***
"I heard that you have joined the Lionheart Club. Is that right?" Now that the small talk was over, Anjou went straight to the point.
"Yes. Mr. Schneider said the Lionheart Club could help me in my personal development." Lu Chen nodded as he spoke. In fact, he had been personally invited to the Lionheart Club by its president, Valery, himself.
As the name suggested, Valery, a senior from Russia, was as buff as a bear. Originally, he had registered to carry out missions outside the campus with the Executive Department. However, the moment he had heard about a Grade S enrolling into the college, he instantly traveled back to recruit the excellent student into the Lionheart Club.
To Lu Chen, it felt like it happened just yesterday, how Valery patted his wide palm on his shoulder. "Oh boy, does the future of the Lionheart Club rest in your hands!"
Although his tone was casual, his message was of a president to his successor, so it was natural to draw some attention. Meanwhile, none of the other club members who followed Valery expressed objection.
After breaking the physical record of the previous Grade S, achieving the perfect score in the 3E examination, and possessing no unhealthy habits, Lu Chen was the first Grade S to set the bar this high. Apart from his lack of education in the past, the guy was actually flawless.
Although Lu Chen was rather weak when it came to cultural studies, he had however undergone martial arts training for over a decade.
To Valery, cultural studies were indeed important, but they were no way on par with one's battling abilities. After all, hybrids always ended up in the battlegrounds. As Lu Chen had an innate talent in fighting, he was already a famous young grandmaster, although his entrepreneurial skills failed him to recruit students for himself.
At the same time, Schneider, who was a teacher to both Valery and Lu Chen was giving endless praise to the freshman. As someone who rarely complimented others, Schneider must have sincerely meant his words.
Nonetheless, the only pity was that Lu Chen had yet to fully control his kotodama. Despite that, Valery wasn't at all disheartened. Since the Night Watchmen had forbidden anyone from releasing their kotodamas, kotodamass would surely be unable to develop. Hence, even Grade S students were bound to be affected by it.
Even then, Valery firmly believed that Lu Chen only needed to gather some experience in the outside world. By the time he was done, mastering kotodama control would be as easy as pie. And so, Lu Chen was recruited into the Lionheart Club, along with Chu Zihang.
Although not a Grade S, Chu Zihang was also greeted by Valery with utmost enthusiasm. After all, Chu Zihang was one of the elites in terms of academics; therefore, he deserved the delicate treatment as well.
Before Valery departed, he advised Lu Chen, "Make sure to get familiar with the college, okay? I'll be graduating next term!"
However, although Valery did not explicitly express that he would pass on the presidency to Lu Chen, his behavior caused quite a stir amid the Night Watchman Forum.
Among the number of threads, remarks like 'That's the Lionheart Club for you!', 'Senior Valery is the best!', 'I guess the student council failed this time.' were all over the place.
To summarize, the general idea of the comments revolved around 'Look, student council! Your weak incentives have failed you. Doesn't matter how exceptional your leader is—President Valery's charm wins this time!'
revolved around 'Look, student council! Your weak incentives have failed you. Doesn't matter how exceptional your leader is—President Valery's charm wins this time!'
Like a smack to the face, the words in the forum humiliated the student council. Anyway, it wasn't like they had a way to trump over the Lionheart Club. After all, Valery was a graduating senior who would have to pass down his role. On the other hand, Caesar was only a sophomore who just took up the mantle of president in the student council, so there was no way he would let go of his title so quickly to please a Grade S.
Ending the flashback, Lu Chen pondered in the classroom as he nodded while facing the chancellor.
"Valery is an excellent lad. Thus, if he acknowledges you, then you must really be extraordinary! Indeed, the Lionheart Club is a good choice. It's been around for a long time, and I was one of the first generation members, so I believe that you'll surely find it fitting for your growth." As Anjou praised Lu Chen, a dash of light flashed through his eyes.
"However, I'm afraid that as much as Valery likes you, and the fact that the other members didn't show any disapproval, the president's chair won't come to you as you please. Since your abilities are somehow augmented by your bloodline, you'll have to earnestly impress your peers and seniors with your true power."
"True power…?"
At once, Lu Chen was intrigued by Anjou's words. Certainly, to him, roles like presidents and leaders were merely labels; hence, being the club president wasn't an active choice. Nonetheless, if he could become the successor and acquire some benefits here and there since he had been nominated, then why not?
"Yes, and I'm not talking about your administrative skills. For millennia, hybrids from the Secret Council had always gotten their most admirable honors from the battlefield. And as the freshmen's scrimmages are about to begin, I hope you can do your best in it!"
When Lu Chen heard that, his eyes instantly lit up. The days of "ear training" in classes were finally over!
Thus, phase three of his grand plan could finally commence as crowns and honors awaited him.