Knowing that Emery was going for a private discussion with his master, Klea naturally decided not to bother him in this matter. After all, what the two discussed shouldn’t be known by others beside them.
Moreover, at the same time, Julian came to the group bringing news that the meeting regarding the mid-test would be held this evening. The time and place have been determined, and there would be several groups that would come.
”I will see you tonight at the meeting, then.” With a sweet smile, Klea bid her goodbye to Emery.
While Julian and Klea would prepare with their group for today’s meeting, Annara and Atlas would continue their shopping list for the mid-test.
”I’m sorry. I hope you both don’t mind me not joining you,” Emery told his two teammates.
”Don’t worry.” Annara waved her hand nonchalantly. “I will definitely send the receipt for your share.” The red-haired girl said with a wink. “Don’t forget to say hello to my senior Xion.”
With that said, everyone split up and went on to do their own business. Emery made his way towards the nearest portal that could take him to the Darkness Institute.
It didn’t take long for Emery to find himself standing in front of a massive cave – the entrance to the cliff where the majestic Darkness Institute lies.
Annara did tell him that around this time, her senior would be busy teaching in the institute. Hence instead of going directly to his residence as he usually did, Emery decided to enter the institute building and went looking for his master.
He quickly arrived at the familiar dungeon-like hall of the Darkness Institute where as usual the whole place was illuminated only by smoldering torches. A long table could be seen at the end of the hall, and an acolyte appeared to be present.
Emery approached the acolyte and proceeded to receive a rather unfriendly welcome when he asked about his master’s whereabouts.
”You are looking for Magus Xion? What is this about?” The acolyte said in an exasperated tone.
This couldn’t help but feel like a déjà vu. The last time he was here a similar thing happened, and he had to wait hours and hours until Annara finally came and helped him.
In a polite tone, Emery rephrased his words. “I came here to check if he’s available. Can you please help me with this matter?”
”The magus is currently teaching. You should sit there and wait until the person is available.” The acolyte said as he pointed his finger at the rows of chairs in one corner of the hall. What’s more, the look on his face told Emery that he was annoyed.
Seeing such treatment, Emery inwardly shook his head. He wondered if he should tell the other party about his relationship with the magus. But on the contrary, if his master was really busy, then he really should let him finish his class first.
Emery was about to turn around and sit down to wait as told when someone who seemed to be a senior staff member suddenly came calling for him.
”Excuse me.”
”Yes?” Emery replied as he turned to the person.
”I am sorry, but you are looking for Magus Xion?”
”Yes, that’s right.” Emery nodded. “But if the person isn’t available, then it’s okay. I can wait.”
Emery expected the other party to nod in understanding, but instead got a response he didn’t expect.
”No! We will certainly send a message to the magus now. Please wait a moment!”
Emery was surprised, and he could also see that the acolyte he spoke to earlier was also confused by the senior staff’s reaction. The latter actually told the acolyte to quickly deliver the message as soon as possible.
”But… why..?” was the response from the acolyte.
”You lazy idiot! Can’t you see it?!” The senior staff shouted at the acolyte, causing the letter to take a step back. “Look at the uniform! This young man is from the privileged class! Send a priority message to the instructor now!!”
The acolyte quickly panicked as he realized the blunder he had done. He hastily accessed the panel in front of him and did what he was asked to do. On the other hand, the senior staff bowed and apologized profusely.
”I’m very sorry for the inconvenience. He’s new to this job. I’ll make sure to discipline him later.”
”Message sent, senior,” said the acolyte. His body was sweating as he bowed towards Emery. “I sincerely apologize for my behavior earlier sir.”
Emery who was still taken aback by everything that had just happened could only smile wryly in response. He asked the two of them to lift their heads and not bow to him again.
”It’s okay. There’s really no need for all this.”
”No, no! We are here for your convenience, anything for the privileged class…”
As they were waiting for a reply, the senior staff seemed to check Emery’s credentials, and with each passing second, the smile on his face turned even wider.
”Aa.. you are that savage acolyte… hmm.. Rank 20? Amazing, how amazing..”
”..What is this?! Medal of Distinguished Valor?! At such a young age..?”
After saying those words, the senior staff literally snapped his head toward Emery. Disbelief could be clearly seen in his eyes and facial expression. Realizing that his behavior was a bit improper, the senior staff coughed and let out an embarrassed smile.
”T-thank you for your service to the alliance!”
As this was the first time he experienced such a thing, Emery didn’t know what to do and thus could only smile in response. On the other hand, the senior staff seemed to still have something to say.
”What’s wrong?”
”Errmm… Coincidentally, I have a beautiful sister…” With a smile on his face, the senior staff continued, “If you have time, maybe…”
The situation became even more awkward after the senior staff said those words. Emery even saw the acolyte become frozen speechless at the behavior of his senior, unable to utter a word.
Fortunately, a familiar figure was seen approaching them.
”You’re here, Emery!”
”Master!”
Realizing that his opportunity to retreat appeared, Emery immediately took advantage of it and escaped from such an awkward situation. After thanking the two people, he ran towards Magus Xion and the two walked to the latter’s residence located a few miles away from the institute.
As they walked along the cliff towards their destination, Emery opened his mouth.
”Master, I thought you were busy teaching?”
”Ah, yes. That, I am.” Magus Xion nodded before a cheeky smile appeared on his face. “But with the honorable privileged acolyte coming and looking for me, I have a valid excuse for a break.”
Emery chuckled when he saw his master’s expression. “Master, if I had known, I should have looked for you more often.”
”Hahahaha, that won’t be too inappropriate, ain’t it? Hahahaha.”
When they finally arrived at the small hut, Magus Xion once again delicately prepared a drink of hot tea for them to enjoy. After taking a sip, he put down the teacup on the table and smiled.
”So, I see you finally reached rank 9. Congratulations.”
”Yes, thank you, Master.”
”In that case, I assume you came looking for me to ask about the pillars and the laws. Am I right?”
”Yes, Master. You are absolutely right.” Emery bowed. “Please give me your guidance.”
Magus Xion picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then simply lowered it without putting it down. His eyes on Emery, the man opened his mouth.
”I don’t know much about other elements, but at least, I can help you with the law of darkness.”