"Daniel, both House Lunastone and House Windwhisper are taking action. They're preparing to send forces to support the border towns," Isolde said worriedly. "This will expand the influence of their territories even further."
Daniel understood her concern.
Riverside City was jointly governed by several factions. This control extended not only to the city but also to the surrounding areas. The resources were limited: if one faction claimed more, the others would inevitably get less. Every action had repercussions on the balance of power in the region.
"It's a good opportunity," Daniel said. "The kids at the academy are due for some real experience."
"You mean sending a few of the senior students?" Isolde asked. "Their abilities are decent. With protective spells and other equipment, they should manage…"
"No, everyone goes," Daniel interrupted, shocking Isolde.
"You mean… everyone? Even the younger ones?" she stammered. "Some of them can't even cast a fireball yet!"
"So what?" Daniel replied indifferently. "We're only dealing with scattered spell beasts, not a full-on beast horde. The academy's equipment will keep them safe."
"Even if they can't kill spell beasts, real combat will toughen their courage and resolve," he continued. "Those cities have their own defense forces. Learning how to manage interpersonal relations is something they must also master."
"We're not a breeding ground for delicate flowers. I don't need greenhouse plants in my academy."
Isolde froze. She had never thought this deeply about the situation before. But Daniel was right.
"We aren't short on mana stones; what we lack is talent," Daniel said, offering more insight. "With people, we can expand. In the future, if you encounter talented young individuals, invite them to join the academy."
"Yes!" Isolde admired Daniel's foresight. With such a headmaster, the academy's future was surely bright.
News of Crossbridge Academy's full mobilization spread quickly. The reactions from the other two houses were mixed.
The conservative House Lunastone believed Daniel had made a poor judgment call, while the more aggressive House Windwhisper openly mocked him.
"That useless Daniel has gone mad! I heard he found some inheritance left by the old headmaster and spent it all in a frenzy, buying all sorts of things. Now he thinks he's invincible?"
"Just wait. He's sending even the pre-tier-stone brats. If something goes wrong, the entire Crossbridge Academy will be done for."
"Hah, I've said it before. Crossbridge Academy is doomed under Daniel's leadership."
Almost everyone doubted Crossbridge Academy's actions, assuming it was Daniel's desperate attempt to regain influence after the old headmaster's death. They believed he was trying to earn a good reputation to attract more teachers to the academy.
But the external noise didn't affect the students at Crossbridge Academy. In their eyes, Daniel was someone they trusted completely. Even the younger ones, though fearful, mustered up the courage to prepare for the mission, set to depart in ten days.
The academy was buzzing with excitement and anticipation, with talk of the upcoming support mission everywhere.
Daniel was pleased with this development. It seemed that everyone had already passed the test of courage.
Returning to his small courtyard, he took out a small amount of the remaining Essence of Sky, diluted it, and condensed it into a tiny blue crystal. Inside this crystal was a magic array, which Daniel had specifically modified for Rose. Entering the array would directly alter her constitution, raising her potential ceiling.
As he approached Rose's room, ready to knock, he heard the sound of sobbing from within.
What's going on? Rose was always so strong. Even when she was on the verge of collapsing from training, she never complained. Why was she crying alone today? Could something have upset her?
"I'm so useless," Rose sobbed, sounding utterly heartbroken. "Everyone else can go fight the spell beasts, but I can't. Father will surely be disappointed in me."
Daniel's heart stirred. He pushed open the door and walked inside.
Rose was sitting with her shoes off, applying medicine to her ankle, which was severely swollen—a bad sprain, clearly. Beside her were several bottles of ointment, none of which contained a trace of mana. They were just ordinary salves for regular injuries.
"Father! You're back!" Rose panicked, scrambling to hide the medicine.
"Why didn't you tell me you were injured?" Daniel asked, slightly displeased. "The academy has healing potions available. Why didn't you ask your teachers for one?"
Rose tensed up, lowering her head. "I'm sorry, Father. I didn't want anyone to know I was hurt."
"As your daughter and the wielder of the Knight Sword you gave me, I'm supposed to set an example for everyone… not get injured so easily."
"I've been training twelve hours a day to get stronger… but I'm still so useless."
So that's how it was.
Daniel felt a mix of emotions. The original Daniel hadn't been capable of much, but he had a good daughter. Rose had gotten used to not worrying her father, so now she didn't dare tell Daniel when something was wrong.
"Rose, I'm your father," Daniel said gently. "I'm the one person in this world you can always rely on and trust."
"From now on, no matter what happens, you can tell me! If you want to set an example for the other students, show them that getting injured is common and not something to be ashamed of. Trust in your companions and teachers. The right thing to do is to seek treatment promptly!"
Daniel's tone was soft, and Rose, who had been tense, suddenly relaxed. Seeing him pull out a healing potion, her eyes welled up with tears.
"Drink it," Daniel said. "I'm not happy with your decision to hide this."
"I'm sorry, Father. I promise this won't happen again."
After drinking the healing potion, her ankle injury immediately improved. The swelling subsided, and the scrapes from her training vanished completely.
"You promised?" Daniel shook his head. "What you need is punishment. You're not going to participate in this support mission."
"Father!" Rose cried out in alarm. "But everyone else is going!"
"If I don't go, everyone will think I'm a coward, that I'm avoiding danger just because I'm the headmaster's daughter."
"Please, Father, let me go."
Daniel looked at Rose and felt she had been reprimanded enough.
"Unless…"
"Unless what?" Rose's eyes lit up instantly. "Father, I'll do anything as long as I can go with everyone."
"Then raise your strength to tier-iron before the mission," Daniel said. "Right now, you're only a pre-tier-stone. You're too weak. You have ten days. If you can do it, I'll let you go."
Rose bit her lip. "I'll do my best, Father."
Her attitude was good, but sheer determination wasn't enough. Daniel then took out the blue crystal containing the magic array.
"This is a magic array I created specifically for you to enhance your physique. But the process will be painful. Are you ready for that, Rose?"
"Father, I'm ready!" Rose said, her eyes filled with resolve. "I want to get stronger! You always said that there's no gain without pain, and that every strong person has endured immense hardship to become unbreakable."
"Good," Daniel nodded.
Blue light radiated from the crystal, transforming the room into what seemed like another dimension. Rose held her breath as she gazed at the intricate magic array before her.
Her teachers had always said that the more complex a magic array was, the more powerful it would be, consuming vast amounts of resources. An array as mana-rich as this one must have cost a fortune.
"Father, how many mana stones does this cost?" she asked in astonishment.
"It's cheap."
Only a mere billion mana stones, hardly worth mentioning to Daniel.
"Go ahead, Rose. Once the magic array is activated, it cannot be stopped. You'll have to endure until the transformation is complete."
"Yes!" Rose took a deep breath, then stepped into the magic array without hesitation.
The next moment, she found herself unable to see her father anymore. All around her were countless mana stones, densely packed.