Across the northern continent, Agraville Academy stood as the pinnacle of aspiration, a place everyone dreamed of attending.
Only two types of people could enter: those born with talent and those who didn't care about money.
"So this is the capital of Heroes and Scholars," Zhang Ying mumbled.
"I'm surprised you know about that name." Alana raised an eyebrow.
"I read about it a bit..." Zhang Ying lied.
The two of them had entered Argaville city after a grueling six-hour wait. The guards couldn't care if Alana was Silvermane's daughter or some goddess.
Status meant little in Argaville. Everyone within the city's towering walls was someone of importance, yet no one received special treatment. Titles and lineage held no weight—everyone was reduced to the same level, and treated no differently than commoners.
Zhang Ying had learned about the academy in his past life. He even asked Minister Rowan if it would be possible for him to enter the city. Zhang Ying thought since Rowan was a man of influence, it would be a trivial task for him. Instead, he laughed.
"Agraville Academy? Not even the duke's son could get in," Rowan stated. "You think someone like you could pass through the gates?"
Zhang Ying didn't know better back then and thought his lack of talent was the reason for Rowan's words. Only later did he learn the truth: Rowan's influence was like a deep well, and Zhang Ying had been only a frog trapped within it.
Minister Rowan, unwilling to acknowledge his weak influence, had ridiculed Zhang Ying's aspirations to keep him in his place.
It was also true that the duke of their modest dukedom had been barred from entering Agraville City, but not for lack of talent or wealth. But because the duke had too many enemies inside the city.
If the duke's son had taken the academy's entrance exam, he wouldn't have left the grounds alive. The academy's rejection wasn't out of malice but an act of mercy from the director to shield the duke's son from certain death.
Agraville Academy, in truth, was a place where people ignored crimes if someone possessed talent.
Alana quickly found them a lodge and booked a two-bedroom suite. After their wedding night, she wasn't taking any chances by sleeping next to Zhang Ying.
Zhang Ying chuckled, but didn't say a word. But before he could get settled, Alana told him someone wanted to meet him in the private room. Confused, Zhang Ying followed Alana to the lodge's top floor.
After a quick pat down by two burly guards, they stepped aside. Zhang Ying followed Alana into the private room. The room was simple but elegant, with a low table in the center and cushions for seating.
But while Zhang Ying was busy looking around, Alana bowed deeply, her arms at her sides. He was confused.
Alana? Showing respect to someone?
Then Zhang Ying saw the man she was bowing towards. The bald man had an old, wrinkled face, but his muscular body painted a different picture.
Thick, bushy eyebrows hung so low they almost covered his slit-like eyes, and a long, snowy beard spilled down his chest, brushing against the floor. Despite having the body of a martial artist, he wore a mage's crimson robe.
Zhang Ying kept staring at the man when Alana grabbed the back of his head and shoved him downward.
"Bow!" she hissed.
Zhang Ying did as he was told, thanks to her mark on him. Watching them like that, the old man laughed. The thunderous voice seemed to shake the floor and roof alike before the man took notice and stopped.
"How's my favorite student doing?" the man asked.
Alana looked up and genuinely smiled. "I'm doing well, Director Shin. It's pleasing to see you in good health."
"Haha! Look at you all worried about this old man," Director Shin smiled. "Feel free to touch these old muscles and gauge my vitality."
"...I'd pass for now." Alana's smile faltered.
Meanwhile, Zhang Ying was lost in thought. Director Shin... only when he heard the name did he realize it. The man sitting before him was the Director of Agraville Academy, the most powerful figure in the entire institution.
***
"I see..." Director Shin mumbled, stroking his beard.
Alana informed the director about Zhang Ying's unique class and what happened during the auction. The room's atmosphere turned tense as no one spoke a word while Director Shin analyzed Zhang Ying's status page.
"You're one strange fellow. I have never seen a tamer class like yours before," Shin said. "You can tame monsters and beasts alike?"
"Yes, sir."
"Can I see them?"
Zhang Ying looked at Alana, who nodded. He opened his beast space, but no sooner than he did that, Shin jumped at it, forcing his head inside the portal.
"I... can't believe this!?" Shin yelled through the portal. "How do you have this?"
Alana looked confused, and so did Zhang Ying.
"This beast space! It's... something we have only ever read about," Shin continued. "The evolution space, the beast space belonging to Pashupatinath, the king of beasts!"