The abruptness of his words left me speechless for a moment.
Inwardly, I thought I was going to be questioned, but I didn't expect him to suggest a change of major, let alone question me.
"I know it's a sudden suggestion, but from the Academy's point of view, I'd like to give a little more attention to someone like Adrias."
"I appreciate the offer, but...."
Of course, my current skill set is more sword than magic.
If I had to guess, my abilities as a necromancer are probably the strongest, but that's beside the point.
However, I'm still working on mastering the trance sword I learned from Deshun, so I don't think I'll need to increase my sword skills until I change majors.
I still need a laboratory for potion-making, and I'm going to learn other magics, so I don't think I'll ever be a knight.
"I'd like to stay in the Defense Against the Dark Arts department."
"May I ask why?"
"There are potions I've been working on lately, and I can't give them up easily, especially considering the effort my father put into making me a wizard."
"Student Adrias."
Deos said my name in a low, but authoritative voice.
"There is a saying about choice and focus. Student Adrias, you have a talent for the sword, and for you to give that up in favor of a mage's path is hard for me as an educator to watch."
Why would he go to such lengths to transfer me to the Knighting Faculty.
I stared into Deos's eyes, trying to figure out his intentions.
I tried to think of something that would benefit him if I transferred to the Knightly Faculty.
"He's an old man nearing retirement, so he wants to do something to honor himself, but I can't think of anything.
As I stare at him wordlessly, Deos finally pulls back and buries himself in the couch.
"How about this, Adrias: if you change to the Knighting Faculty, I'll give you a full scholarship as a Headmaster's Privilege, as well as extra points towards graduation."
It's even more fucked up that he'd come out like that.
I don't know if that's good for me or bad for Deos if I go to the Knightly Faculty.
The important thing is that if I turn down this offer, it's not going to look good on Deos.
"I'm not going to go to the Knight's Academy, though.
Full scholarship, extra points.
Both are good.
But is it enough to make me switch majors?
Above all, it was hard to accept the offer unless Deos told me his true purpose.
"I also believe in my magical talents."
"Huh...."
With a sigh that bordered on a moan, Deos finally nodded.
"Well, since you put it that way.... I see, I was just trying to wish you well as an educator, and I guess my greed got the better of me, and I apologize."
I almost frowned as I watched Deos suddenly stand up and bow.
This shameless, sneaky inspiration was now switching tactics and trying to make me feel guilty.
A normal person would feel compelled to make amends the moment they felt guilty.
"No, I can do that."
I struggled to break the expression and stood up with him, waving my hand in the air.
We both stood up and spent an uncomfortable moment before sitting back down.
"Adrias, your performance in this tournament was outstanding, and I'm sure it wasn't just me, but all the spectators who were there. In fact, one of the spectators at this tournament was the headmaster of Mirko Academy."
I wondered what else he was going to say, but my ears perked up at the mention of Mirko Academy.
"Unfortunately, he only watched from the semifinals, but when he heard about Adrias's story of his close encounter with the winner, Dierne Alben, he expressed a lot of interest. This tournament has been full of upsets, including the first winner from the School of Magic in 12 years. Upon learning of this, the headmaster of Mirko Academy wanted to organize an exchange between the two academies as soon as possible."
A meeting?
This has never happened in the game.
Besides, Mirko Academy had another playable.
"I never thought the future would be like this, with the tournament changed.
As I listened in silence, Deos continued.
"I thought it wasn't a bad idea, so I accepted the exchange. There are a total of ten students from Mirko Academy being invited this time. They're all top students, and I'll have to choose a student to guide them and live with them, and I'd like to give that opportunity to Adrias."
I don't know why we keep talking about changing majors.
Of course, it's a small story compared to changing majors.
I thought, "Why are you making a big deal out of changing majors and then asking me to do a smaller favor, an exchange?
If you ask for a big favor and then ask for a relatively small one, you're more likely to get it.
Moreover, he tried to make me feel guilty with his apology earlier.
If I hadn't known his intentions, I would have said yes, even if it meant apologizing.
"I'm torn.
I was tempted to refuse, both because of his intentions and because I felt like I was being manipulated by Deos, but I hesitated because it was also a chance to build a relationship with a Mirco Academy playable.
I couldn't let my emotions override my rational judgment.
But I'm a little too pissed off to just say yes, so I have to get something out of it.
"Principal Deos."
"Yes. Have you decided?"
"I appreciate the opportunity, but I have a favor to ask."
"A favor? A favor is...?"
"I'd like to use the private labs that are only assigned to seniors."
It was so out of the blue.
Deos gave me a mildly amused look.
"That, Student Adrias. The exchange with the Mirko Academy is an 'opportunity' that our academy is offering you, Adrias. I don't expect you don't know what that means, but it's not a trade, it's literally a 'give' from us."
"Mr. Deos."
I clenched my jaw through my teeth, keeping my voice low.
"I'm not a fool."
I finished with a single word.
I could see Deos' poker face crumble for a moment, then return.
"Hum, hum. I thought you'd have gotten the memo, but a student asked me a ridiculous favor...."
"Okay, so let's just pretend this never happened."
I picked up the cooled tea and drank it in one gulp, then poured myself another.
I leisurely savored the aroma and let my gaze drift elsewhere.
"So that means...."
"An exchange. I will not participate."
The rejection was so unexpected that Deos's mouth fell open and didn't close.
Of course, I didn't really mean to say no.
It was just a gutsy move, knowing that if he really wanted me to join the exchange, he'd turn around and accept my offer.
"A private lab isn't that big of an offer, after all, Deane has had one since last year.
Of course, Diane's status as a senior in her class and the presence of Rodolphe Matap right next door made it possible.
Still, with precedent, it wasn't too much to ask.
"So, uhm, so you're saying that Adrias won't be participating in the exchange with Mirko Academy, where he can share his skills with top students from other academies?"
"I'll say it again, I'm not an idiot."
Seeing Deos's poker face faintly twitch, I drove a wedge.
"I'm sure you realize by now what I'm saying."
I've seen through your first offer, and I've seen through your current one.
If you want to use me for your own gain, pay the price.
Deos's eyes calm as he finally realizes the meaning of my words.
Calm? No. Cold would be a better word.
"I see, that's what you meant."
After spitting out a couple of mutterings to himself, Deos rose from his seat and sat down at his desk.
He pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled something.
"Adrias Cromwell. I should have guessed that from the time you showed off your skills in the tournament, but I was stupid."
He held up the finished piece of paper and handed it to me.
"I see you've decided not to hide it now. No, we've been stupid all along."
The paper was registration for a private lab and the permit that came with it.
I didn't react to his words, just bowed my head slightly.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Just so you know, the exchange with Mirko Academy starts next week."
"Okay."
We parted ways as if we had made a promise.
Being able to use a private lab is a good thing.
A private lab is unrivaled in its protection and security.
It's a place that no one can enter without my permission, except if I'm discovered to be a warlock and I'm being investigated.
No one, not even the dean or headmaster, could enter without my permission.
"Plus, unlike the public labs, there are no time limits.
Of course, it's a place you get when you're a senior, but getting it a year early means you've saved a lot of time.
Knowing my future, that year was not a light one.
* * *
Deos looked at the seat Adrias had left behind.
'A coincidence. Or does he know?'
Though he had a reputation as a gentle scholar, he had a secret.
Whirling.
He waved his hand, and the wind followed.
Deos, who was no mage and had the same level of mana as a commoner, lightly whipped the wind.
Deos Canyon.
He was a spirit summoner.
Summoners were classified differently than mages.
Unlike mages, a summoner's affinity for a pet and the strength of that pet as it grew was independent of their own mana.
As such, most summoners were often mistaken for commoners due to the amount of mana they possessed.
'I can't tell. I can't tell.
Earlier, Deos had intended to send the Wind Elemental with Adrias as he left.
But just as he was about to walk out the door, Adrias suddenly projected mana outward, knocking the spirit away.
"The timing was too good to be a coincidence.
Spirits are invisible and difficult to detect unless you have an affinity for them.
Especially among spirits, wind spirits were the most difficult to recognize, even for an Auror Master.
The goosebumps on his arms suddenly broke out, and Deos brushed them off.
"You're telling me you have an affinity for spirits?
No. That went too far.
It's bad enough that he's an anomaly with two mana reservoirs, but elemental affinity?
There is no such thing as a human being.
"But if that's the case, then how can....
I looked out the window and saw Adrias walking nonchalantly.
He felt her gaze on him and was about to turn his head in her direction, when she slipped out of his line of sight and burst out laughing.
"Ha! Hahaha!"
Laughing at his own behavior, he shook his head and sat back down.
From the conversation earlier, to his actions, to the insight into his intentions.
"Adrias Cromwell. I don't know what you're hiding, but....'
One thing is certain.
The Adrias of today is not the Adrias of yesterday.
"I can't wait.
He smiled quietly, playing with the wind in his hands.