Chapter 624: Within Expectations
After accepting the offer, Northern was shown his way back to the main campus-specifically, to the dormitory.
Because he was a part-time student and an interim assistant instructor, he was given a personal dormitory for himself.
However, it was still attached to the students' dormitory and not the instructors' quarters.
One way or another, he was still somewhat of a student. The only difference was that he had the liberty to not attend some classes without anyone questioning him.
He still needed to participate in school events and special programs and could join the student council if he qualified.
The professor had even mentioned that a tailor would come around to take his measurements, after which his set of student uniforms would be sent.
When Northern thought about wearing a student uniform, it didn't feel entirely right or wrong. He was sixteen years old, after all.
He sighed softly as his eyes drifted across the room.
The prominent color of the air was a luxurious cream that seemed to proudly lament its subtle, calming beauty.
To one corner was Northern's bed, which was meant for him alone. It wasn't as large as the master bed he had slept on in Tharion Citadel, but it was a vast improvement from the single bed he had occupied during his prison days at his first rift.
It seemed large enough for two people to sleep on if they lay on their sides.
Next to the wall, at the head of the bed, was his wardrobe-a two-door piece that would accommodate all of his luggage. Beyond the wardrobe was the room's window.
From his window, he could see the generous compound of the dormitory. The angle of his window allowed him to peer towards the garden on the left side and a portion of the fountain. He could also see a small part of the pathway that led to the gate, though not the gate itself. The academy had several dormitories, and this was just one of them, built in a large royal mansion style, with numerous windows mounting the front, sides, and back of the gigantic edifice.
Two dining halls existed in the building, and every student was expected to converge and eat in both halls.
Of course, he could choose not to eat at the dining hall due to the privileges of his unique student status, but he still had to go there to receive his food.
Northern was unsure how he would fare among a crowd of spoiled kids who deluded themselves with controlled and contained strength.
Within the walls of the academy, the strongest of them couldn't compare to the weakest of the survivors from the Dark Continents.
Sure, he might outpower them in talent, but experience, dangerous wit, and the resolve of a diseased vermin that the survivor had developed over time could, if not careful, crush the goldspawn's entire will.
All that he had been taught would mean nothing before someone who had been ruthlessly schooled by the Dark Continent for almost two years.
And yes, Northern was not fond of these kids at all.
He turned away from the window, walking barely five steps to his table and chair, situated at the opposite corner of the wall.
The door leading to his bathroom and toilet was in the third corner of the room, positioned opposite the foot of his bed. The fifth corner led to the hallway.
Northern pulled out the chair and sat down, laying his head on the table and closing his eyes for a moment.
Slowly, his consciousness drifted into a cloudy, smoky, and comforting darkness.
And he fell asleep.
A man with slicked-back silver hair was walking down the same hallway Northern had traversed several hours ago.
The evening light cast an orange glow on one side of his figure, ghastly reflecting off his scar- ridden face.
His eyes emitted a soft lavender glow as he walked forward, his face as rigid as a stone boulder.
His entire form was beyond physically fit-his shoulders wide and huge, his frame and body so defined, as if the hands of an obsessed sculptor had painstakingly carved every detail.
Each movement of his legs created a sinking, echoing sound that traveled through the air, resonating with the rest of his body in a perfect, synchronized motion.
The scars on his face seemed more than enough to tell the crude level of his experience. The stony, focused, and sharp look in his eyes reflected the subdued madness of a warrior.
He finally reached the professor's office, knocked, and entered.
The professor was pacing at his table when the man entered.
The man's voice, as imposing as his appearance-like thick cracks breaking through a strong wall-resounded.
"Professor, you summoned me."
"Ah, Instructor Darvill. There is something urgent that I must discuss with you."
Instructor Darvill, noticing Professor Heimburger's rough breathing and forming sweat, furrowed his brows slightly.
"Professor, is everything alright? You seem to be hyperventilating."
"Don't worry about me. I am fine. You are the only one I can trust with this information. I also trust that you will not, under any circumstances, engage him. If what I saw in that boy is more enormous than he showed, that alone makes him a threat that no one can singlehandedly handle in the academy."
Professor Darvill's frown became gravely serious.
"What are you talking about, Professor?"
The professor wiped the perspiration from his forehead with the back of his hand and stood still, facing Instructor Darvill.
"I just admitted a new part-time student into the Craftsmanship course. He is also an interim assistant instructor to me."
Instructor Darvill's mouth opened slightly, his eyes widening with surprise.
"If the rumors are true, you've never been known to use an assistant in the past hundred years of your life in this academy. What brought about this sudden decision?" Though expressing surprise, Darvill's tone remained measured, controlled, and empty.
"He is dangerous. I can't let anyone else supervise him. In the right hands, he could be a savior, and in the wrong hands, he could be a disaster. I trust you, Darvill. Aside from graduating from the academy, you've been teaching here for over ten years. I want you to carefully observe and watch this boy. Watch what he does, but do not engage him in
anything."
Instructor Darvill, his softly glinting eyes fixed on the Professor, nodded.
"Alright, Professor. I will do that."
Northern finally raised his head after an unexpected but comforting sleep. His eyes glowed
eerily as he straightened his back.
"As expected... predictable fools," he muttered.