While Sidius was celebrating, Sistine continued with her announcement.
"Secondly, there will be a notable change in the process of selecting participants for the annual academy tournament," Sistine declared with a resolute tone. "We shall no longer rely solely on rank for this decision. Instead, we shall focus on evaluating the participants based on their distinct abilities," she continued with authoritative voice.
The declaration jolted both Michael and Amelia, visibly catching them off guard. The rule about this has been going on for long years now and was etched within Edrodorth academy's traditions.
"How will we do that, Headmaster?" Michael inquired, genuinely curious.
"I have devised a plan for that," Sistine affirmed. "Every student will have the opportunity to challenge their peers. Points shall be awarded for each victory—an opponent of similar rank will earn them one point, two points if the enemy is one realm higher, and so on," she paused.
"Of course, engaging with a lower-ranked student shall not yield any points," Sistine added with a smile.
Amelia chimed in, voicing out her concern. "So, the more they fight, the greater points thet will accumulate?"
Sidius gave a nod, a silent agreement on Amelia's query.
"Indeed, a good question," Sistine acknowledged with a nod of her own. "To maintain fairness, we shall impose another rule—each student may challenge no more than ten opponents. Furthermore, to avoid any potential trickey, each student can issue a challenge only once per week," she concluded with a subtle smile tugging at her lips.
"That's an excellent proposition, Headmaster. As expected of the headmaster," Michael praised, his admiration evident.
Meanwhile, Amelia rolled her eyes at Michael's flattering behavior.
"Now, go and set this plan in motion," Sistine ordered.
"Yes!" Amelia and Michael responded in unison.
As the others dispersed, Sidius also chose to follow suit. He did not want to stay longer due to the weighty aura that surrounded Sistine. However, his urgency wasn't purely caused by her imposing presence; his time was also running.
Sidius directly made his way to the mission hall where he left his items. His intention was to claim his dues and secure a decent offensive mystical art.
Approaching a desk where a vigilant professor stood guard, Sidius initiated the interaction with a polite greeting. "Good morning, Professor. I've come to redeem my points."
The professor regarded him with a hint of recognition. "Ah, you're the student who left the note with me, aren't you? I thought you'd be back shortly.
"Yes, Professor," Sidius replied. "However, something unexpected happened," he added while gently scratching the back of his head.
"I knew what happened," the professor nodded. "Alright, give me your student ID."
—
Somewhere in a grand mansion, a middle-aged man with his sharp features and a cascade of raven hair, seared upon a plush sofa. His form was covered in the luxurious folds of a bathrobe. A crystal wine glass was gripped within his hand, swaying it gracefully, sending ripples through the crimson liquid inside..
At a respectful distance, two burly figures stood quietly, guarding the elegant room.
— Creak!
The room's ambience was disrupted as a figure in a black suit entered. With a sense of deference, he knelt before the middle-aged man.
"Didn't I instructed not to disturb me in the morning?" The middle-aged man's said in irritation, yet his demeanor remained oddly composed.
The man before him stuttered. "C-captain, test subject 13 f-failed," he managed to convey.
A wry smile danced upon the lips of the middle-aged man. "I expected it, considering the incomplete state of the drug. But who is this test subject 13?"
"T-the one situated within Edrodorth Academy," the subordinate responded, his voice tinged with reluctance.
"Ah, that dumb kid. Their parents paid a sum of money for their son only to end up dying. HAhaHAHAHhahahahHahaha!" A chilling chuckle erupted from the middle-aged man.
Then his face reverted back to his calm expression. "I remember he is not yet D rank. How did it happen?"
"He f-forced to breakthrough, y-yesterday," the man mumbled in a soft and nervous voice.
"Yesterday?! And you only informed me now?!" The middle-aged man, who was taken aback, stood up. The air around him pulsating with his unrestrained fury and an invisible force anchored upon the man before him.
"T-the news remained suppressed, under strict control, I beg for your mercy, captain!" a desperate plea errupted from the man.
However, the middle-aged man widened his eyes in anger and flashed through to seized the figure before him in a vice-like grip, tracing a glowing red line. His fist slammed into the men's abdomen, enough to send it flying through the air, hitting the wall and coughing up an explosion of blood.
The action happened so fast that the subordinate was unable to act.
"Remember, excuses have no place in my presence. They are just for the weak!"