Inside one of the numerous training rooms in the training building of the academy, I was with Julian.
Julian looked at me with anticipation as I held the small staff in my hand. "Then? What do you think?" he asked.
I didn't answer him right away. Instead, I examined the staff closely, marveling at its pure white color and divine appearance. The golden lines that pulsed like veins on the staff only added to its mystical aura. When I touched it, I felt as though I was touching a living thing.
It was obvious that this staff was made from the most precious material in the world - a branch of the Sacred Tree of Eden. I swirled the staff in my hand, getting a feel for its weight and power. Despite its lightness, I could sense its incredible destructive ability.
The power of the Eden tree was unmistakable. I remembered the Second Game's story, which focused on the Eden tree, and a smile spread across my face as I continued to practice with the staff. With each swirl, thrust, and swing of the staff, I could hear a loud 'whoosh' echoing through the air.
Although I wasn't an expert at wielding a staff, I had trained hard for a whole month and had become proficient thanks to the book Julian gave me. My movements were fast and accurate enough to make them appear as though they were. I was glad to see my progress paying off.
"Incredible," Julian said, staring at me with his mouth agape. "You reached such a level in just a month?"
A grin appeared on his face as he continued, "Looks like I found a diamond in the rough-"
"Thrust."
But before he could finish his sentence, I channeled my mana and the small staff shone white. With a vibration running through my whole body, the staff extended at great speed toward Julian.
Julian's panicked reaction was instantaneous, as he jumped high and far, which was quite a sight to behold. It was obvious he was scared for his life.
Meanwhile, the staff continued to extend until it bumped into the wall of the training room. The impact was powerful enough to cause a small shockwave that traveled through every part of my body. I groaned in pain, feeling the impact in my bright red hands. I had the illusion of having broken my wrists, which was really unpleasant.
[<Whose fault?>]
'Come on, I just wanted to test my new weapon.'
Sigh, I admit it's my own fault for testing my new weapon in such a reckless manner.
As the staff landed on the ground, it shrunk back to its original size, resembling a sword. The veins stopped pulsating, probably because I had stopped channeling my mana.
"Arghh…"
As a wave of exhaustion assaulted me, my head started to spin. I felt disoriented, and it took me a moment to process Julian's angry shout.
"Are you stupid?! You nearly killed me!" Julian exclaimed once he landed on the ground.
As the man approached me in his ragged shirt and loose-fitting pants, I couldn't help but think he looked like a beggar. His clothes seemed outdated and worn, which only added to the impression.
"Don't exaggerate; you wouldn't have died just for that," I said to Julian, trying to calm him down.
"Just for that?" Julian stomped his foot in frustration. "It was heading straight towards my face!"
"Maybe coma?" I suggested, trying to diffuse the tension.
Julian grunted angrily, looking like he was about to snap.
"Um, can you move?" I asked him, noticing the unpleasant odor coming from him. "Did you brush your teeth first? Your clothes are also kinda-"
"It's good, it's good, it's good," Julian interrupted me, starting to recite a mantra in a low tone. "It's just a brat. Let's calm down."
Taking advantage of Julian's distraction, I stepped back and quickly picked up my staff from the ground.
I frowned as I felt a strange sensation. "Hey, old man," I asked Julian, "why am I feeling so tired?"
"That's not surprising," Julian replied. "You're using a weapon made of a divine tree. The fact that you were even able to wield it right away is an accomplishment in itself."
I realized that he was probably right, and it was thanks to my Falkrona bloodline. Along the Celesta, this bloodline was known to be among the strongest.
I had abandoned my god, but I couldn't deny the usefulness of his blood. Although if my ancestors knew about my decision, they would probably disapprove. Still, it felt liberating to be free of their protection and able to use Mary's mirror ability with more proficiency. It was like the legacy of Cleenah was finally unlocked.
With the staff in hand, I turned to face Julian and raised it towards him.
"Brat…I'm really getting tired of your jokes," Julian growled with a sharp glare.
"This isn't a joke," I replied, narrowing my eyes. "Where did you get branches from Eden's Tree?"
"..."
"How did you even find someone capable of manipulating such a rare material to create a weapon, and why are you doing all of this for me?" I asked, lowering the staff.
I have to admit, since the first day I met him, Julian has struck me as an odd character. I had only had a sliver of faith in him when he promised to bring me a weapon made from a branch of Eden's Tree, but he had delivered on that promise. It was the most expensive and valuable material in the world, and even my father, with all his wealth and status, would have struggled to obtain it. So, why did Julian go to such great lengths for me?
He may have looked like a beggar, but there was no denying that he had some powerful connections.
"..."
"..."
For a moment, there was only silence as Julian and I locked eyes.
"You're not a stupid brat," Julian finally chuckled, raising both his hands in surrender.
Of course, he couldn't be an enemy because he worked in the Celesta Kingdom's most prestigious and secure academy, but there were some guys in the academy who were members of Ante-Eden. I was simply lowering my guard while strengthening it inwardly.
I spoke my mind, "You're not my enemy, but you're not my ally either."
Julian crossed his arms, "I'm not your enemy."
"I will be the one deciding that. My mind is yet to have settled."
I couldn't trust him entirely, though. There were some people in the academy who were part of Ante-Eden. I was just lowering my guard outwardly while reinforcing it inwardly.
"I work for Geoffrey Higer Eden," Julian revealed, surprising me.
"The headmaster?" I asked, taken aback.
"Yeah, the headmaster of the Royal Eden Academy," Julian confirmed.
I was shocked. Was he really telling the truth? The headmaster had taken an interest in me, and I had planned to earn his favor one day.
"Is he the one behind all our discussions until now?" I asked.
"The headmaster himself told me to provide you with everything you would need," Julian said, shaking his head. "I wouldn't have given you that powerful weapon without his permission."
Julian denied that he would have given me the powerful weapon without the headmaster's permission.
It could be that Julian was acting on his own.
As I stood before Julian, my mind was filled with questions about the headmaster, who seemed to have taken an interest in me.
"What about our first encounter? I was the one approaching you."
"Ahaah," Julian laughed. "Just when I was thinking how to talk to you, you came directly to me. The headmaster wanted me to give you a staff and the book."
Why did he instruct him that?
I agree that I made quite the entrance back then at the ceremony, but was that enough to catch his eye?
Don't tell me he had sensed the presence of Cleenah and the other two legacies within me from the first day when I had interrupted his speech…
The realization that the headmaster might have already sensed the presence of my three legacies made me uneasy. I had been keeping them hidden, determined to reveal them only when I was strong enough to defend myself against Ante-Eden. But if the headmaster had already caught wind of them, then how long could I keep them secret?
Trying to push my doubts and fears aside, I asked Julian, "Why did the headmaster order you to give me the staff and the book?"
Julian shrugged, "I don't know. I'm just doing what he told me to do."
"Isn't that a little creepy? Stalker?" I couldn't help but ask.
Julian let out a snort, "I wasn't stalking you, brat. You should be grateful that the headmaster has taken an interest in you. Even I was shocked when he asked me to give you the staff and the book. And let's not even talk about how jealous I was."
As he spoke, his gaze was fixed on the staff in my hand.
"Why should I be grateful?" I retorted, taking a step back. "An old man has his eyes on me, and another old man is stalking me around. And I have no idea why."
"I've got a wife and kids, brat! I don't care about you," Julian snapped. "I'm just doing my job, that's all."
I chose to ignore his outburst and closed my eyes.
I remembered the headmaster's brief appearances in the game. He was the most powerful person in the academy and one of the most powerful people in the entire kingdom. Fortunately, he was not a foe. He was a composed man who prioritized the academy and its students over the Celesta Kingdom. So, if someone was threatening the students or his academy, he would take action without informing anyone, even if the perpetrator was also a student.
Speak about contradictions…
I made such an entrance on the first day for that reason. I wanted him to pay attention to me and let go of his previous perception of me. His being on my side would increase the likelihood of a happy outcome.
"I want to meet him."
"What?" Julian was confused by my words. "If you want to meet, then you should just go to his offic-"
"No," I said, cutting him off. "Tell him with your own words. I'll see him at 5 p.m."
"What?! Do you think the headmaster is your pal?!"
"Tell him," I said with a smile. "I'm sure he'll make time for me."