"So, you're all saying that we're just going to cancel this year's Starlight Duel Tournament?"
Catalina's projection slightly furrowed its brow, expressing dissatisfaction. "The incident with the Tower only affected a few academies; most weren't impacted at all. Why just let it go?"
"Come on, Catalina, no need to get so worked up. Everyone knows that your Owen is bound to win and become the strongest.
Can anyone else really claim the title of the strongest academy or the most talented student?
It's just that we're not holding the tournament this year. Besides, the funding for next year will be the same as usual, so canceling it this year isn't a big deal."
Cart Sandra sneered, clearly displeased with Catalina's attitude.
"Anyway, regardless of what you all decide, Fenrir Academy will not participate in this year's Starlight Duel Tournament."
Leonard sighed in relief, occasionally glancing at Catalina to gauge her reaction. Seeing that she didn't seem overly upset, Leonard felt more at ease.
There was no choice. His students were dead, while Owen was still alive. If Owen knew that Claire was behind his ordeal, he certainly wouldn't let it slide, and Catalina might take the opportunity to target Fenrir Academy.
To maintain Fenrir Academy's status as a top academy and to secure his position, Leonard had already made up his mind.
"Catalina, this decision was made collectively by all the academies. The minority must follow the majority. It's best to postpone this year's Starlight Duel Tournament and resume it next year."
"Fine, fine, you all clearly planned this from the start! But that's okay. Even without the Starlight Duel Tournament, some people can't escape the consequences of their actions. I'll pay them a visit sooner or later!"
With that, Catalina snorted coldly and ended the projection spell.
Returning to her body, Catalina let out a deep breath. After a brief moment of dizziness, she felt a surge of joy.
In truth, she wasn't too keen on holding the Starlight Duel Tournament this year.
If Owen had thrashed everyone in the competition and then suddenly broke through to master-tier, it would have raised too many suspicions.
But now, she didn't have to worry about that.
She sent a message to Andrew, instructing him to bring Owen to the headmaster's office. Shortly after, Owen received the notice.
"So, how's Mentor's mood? Any idea what this is about?"
"Headmaster's mood... is very calm, without much fluctuation. But right now, the most important matters are the Starlight Duel Tournament and the establishment of a new School. Other than that, there doesn't seem to be anything that should concern you, Chief."
"That makes sense. I guess I'll go check it out then."
With that, Owen handed the watering can to Andrew, changed out of his dirt-covered clothes into his chief uniform, and set off for the headmaster's office.
Meanwhile, Andrew crouched down, about to touch one of Owen's carefully tended plants, when Fiona threw a piece of bread at his face from a distance.
"Stop right there, big brother!"
"What the—what's going on?"
Andrew was taken aback by the flying bread, quickly standing up and backing away. Seeing Fiona approach with a stern expression, he was confused. "Sis, what's wrong with you?"
"Don't mess with Lord Owen's plants. They're very precious!"
"Precious? But they just look like ordinary plants. They might be growing well, but their mana content seems pretty normal."
"You don't understand a thing! You're clueless when it comes to Lord Owen's expertise. Look at this Purple-Feather Iris—what's different about it?"
"Different?"
Andrew leaned in, sniffing and examining it closely, but couldn't find anything unusual.
The Purple-Feather Iris is a rare alchemical material, known for its excellent healing properties on wounds, making it quite valuable.
But this... it looks exactly like an ordinary Purple-Feather Iris.
Scratching his head, Andrew chuckled, "Sis, you're overthinking it. I don't see any difference."
"That's because you don't know what to look for, idiot! It's the leaves! Regular Purple-Feather Irises have two leaves, while high-quality ones have three to five. Only the rarest and finest have more than six leaves.
But look at Lord Owen's Purple-Feather Iris—it has ten leaves! If you damage it, I won't let you off easily!"
Fiona angrily clenched her fists, signaling Andrew to step back.
Listening to his sister's explanation, Andrew felt both impressed and puzzled. "But I never heard that the chief was into growing plants. Is this a new hobby?"
"I don't know either, but I can tell you this: if Lord Owen can find a way to cultivate these plants consistently, it'll revolutionize the entire alchemy world! So don't mess with them, got it?"
"Tch, am I your brother, or is the chief your brother? Why are you so tough on your own brother?"
"You? Compared to Lord Owen? I'm going to cook."
Fiona rolled her eyes and left with her basket of flowers.
Who in their right mind would compare themselves to Lord Owen?
Fiona didn't even bother saying more.
...
Meanwhile, at the door of the headmaster's office.
Owen tidied his uniform before knocking on the door.
"Mentor, I'm here."
"Come in, Owen. We've been waiting for you."
Owen didn't think much of it and pushed the door open, only to be met with the sight of several pairs of eyes staring directly at him.
Feeling a bit uneasy, Owen scratched his head and smiled wryly. "Mentor, what's..."
"I've gathered all the School heads and mentors to make an announcement. Go ahead and take a seat first."
Given the presence of so many School heads and mentors, Owen decided to be more composed and sat down calmly.
Catalina then took a deep breath and began, "I've called everyone here today to announce that I've decided to establish a new School. And the head of this new School, as Felix suggested earlier, will be Owen."
"Headmaster, isn't this a bit inappropriate? Owen is only at diamond-tier. Making him a School head, responsible for teaching and managing a School, might be..."
Catalina had barely finished her sentence when Duncan, the vice headmaster, immediately voiced his opposition.
He couldn't help it. Everyone looks out for themselves.
Today, Catalina suddenly decided to promote Owen to School head. What if tomorrow, she plans to replace me as vice headmaster with Owen?
The thought of having worked so hard for so many years, only to end up not only failing to become headmaster but also being overshadowed by someone from Catalina's faction, left Duncan feeling indignant.
"Regarding Duncan's objection, Owen, why don't you respond?"
"No problem."
Owen smiled, nodded, and then released his restraints, raising his level to master-tier level 5. Seeing this, everyone gasped in shock, rendered speechless.
"As you can see, Owen actually broke through to master-tier a while ago, but I asked him to keep it hidden due to the incident with the Tower. That was my personal request.
Now that the Tower incident is over and this year's Starlight Duel Tournament is canceled, I believe this is the best time to establish a new School.
Owen's reputation will attract more students to Crossbridge Academy, making the establishment of a new School imperative.
Duncan, do you still have any objections?"
Under Catalina's cold gaze, Duncan had nothing to say.
Objections? Clearly, everyone already knew about Owen's level, except for me. Even if I had objections now, what could I do?
With master-tier level 5 strength, coupled with Owen's terrifying combat power and versatile mana core, opposing this decision would be pointless.
The establishment of a new School was already a done deal.
Rather than challenging Owen and Catalina now, it would be better to go with the flow.
At least for the time being, Catalina wouldn't be able to elevate Owen to a position that would threaten his role as vice headmaster.
With this in mind, Duncan shook his head and smiled, "Since the conditions are met, I have no objections. I support the proposal to make Owen a School head."
Seeing their leader approve, the conservative members had no choice but to follow suit, raising their hands in agreement.
In the end, the proposal to establish a new School was unanimously passed.