A heavy silence ruled the room for a few seconds. Lian was still looking at Aldric, waiting for an answer.
He had asked a simple question.
"And what did you say?" But this question could change the path of his future.
If he was expelled from the Academy... well, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. With the income and wealth he had gathered over the past two to three weeks, he could live without any problems.
But he knew his family wouldn’t stop there. They would try as much as possible to make life difficult for him, to the point where he would have no choice but to return.
Aldric leaned back in his chair. He was silent for a few moments, then answered calmly.
"We refused."
For the first time since the matter had been raised, some of the tension on Lian’s face eased.
Not that he had been worried, but hearing that the Academy hadn’t immediately given in was good news.
However, before he could say anything, Aldric continued.
"Don’t think this is over."
His voice was calm, but that calmness made his words sound heavier.
He placed his hands on the desk.
"The Academy is independent. Families can’t give direct orders. At least on paper." His gaze became more serious.
"But the Vorhelm family is not an ordinary family."
Lian said nothing. He knew this better than anyone. He was born there, raised there, and knew the power of his own family better than anyone.
Aldric continued.
"Their influence within the government is extensive. They also have influence within the Federation. A large part of companies and organizations are directly or indirectly under their influence."
"Even many large guilds have connections with them."
He was silent for a few seconds, then said a sentence that carried more weight than all the previous ones.
"The Academy’s abilities also have limits." The atmosphere of the room became slightly heavier, and Aldric stared at him.
"If they’ve really decided to bring you back..."
"This is just the beginning. Today they asked for expulsion. Tomorrow they might send tempting offers. And after that, they might send family members."
"Or they might approach you through guilds. And they might even use political influence."
His gaze remained fixed.
"I’m not saying you should be afraid of them. I’m saying you should know that you should be afraid and worried."
Lian gave a very faint smile.
Fear? Of the Vorhelm family? It was unlikely that anyone knew better than him how that family operated.
And that was exactly where his worry came from, that this was the beginning of their moves.
Aldric leaned forward slightly and asked with curiosity.
"I have a question. Why do they want you so badly? Until yesterday, they didn’t consider you a member of their own. But now? They change their minds so quickly?"
This time, Lian didn’t answer immediately. He looked at the window behind Aldric for a few seconds.
At the sky, at the evening light, and at the past. At all the years when he practically didn’t exist for that family.
"Because now I have value." He then said quietly.
Silence.
It was a short sentence, but it perfectly described the nature of his family. His family was like a bank.
They always went after the most valuable ones and obtained them by any means necessary.
And that was exactly why his family had been able to remain one of the pillars of the world for decades and even over 200 years .
Because they never kept the failures. But they did everything they could to obtain or nurture the best.
Aldric said nothing, but his gaze changed for a moment.
He had understood. Lian was neither angry nor surprised. It seemed he had accepted the truth about his family long ago.
As long as he was weak, his existence didn’t matter. Now that he had value, suddenly everyone wanted him.
Lian sighed.
"If that’s the case... maybe I have to go."
"You mean your sister Diana’s birthday?" Aldric raised an eyebrow.
"Yes."
"Interesting. I was invited too." The professor nodded.
Lian paused for a moment, then shrugged.
"Oh? Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised."
He thought it over. Aldric was one of the most powerful professors at the National Academy.
His power, reputation, and status were enough that his presence at any aristocratic ceremony would seem natural.
Aldric continued.
"As far as I know, this isn’t just a birthday party. It’s a major gathering of the Vorhelm family. Many different branches of the family will be present there."
"Political guests have been invited. Important economic figures will also come. And practically half of the influential people in the country and the world, especially figures from the six great families, will be seen there."
Then he paused.
"And more importantly..."
"Slots to enter a very valuable place will be distributed. I don’t have exact information about that place, but I think that’s why very powerful people are coming."
Lian nodded.
"I know about the slots."
Aldric looked at him.
"Oh?"
"A special slot for the children of the Vorhelm family."
Then he continued very simply.
"Probably just a small competition will be held. To test the abilities of my brothers and sisters. I think." He didn’t seem to care much about it.
But Aldric just shrugged.
"I don’t care whether you go or not. But there’s one thing you should know."
His gaze became serious.
"If the Vorhelm family really wants you expelled... there’s not much I can do. Unless the government or the Federation is willing to stand against them for your sake."
And that was something with almost zero chance of happening. No one in this world dared to do anything against the Vorhelm family just for one person.
The six great families, especially those that had hostilities with the Vorhelm family, might take some actions against them. But even they weren’t willing to fully oppose the Vorhelm family.
Let alone governments and the Federation, which have even more limitations.
A few minutes later, Lian left the office. The door closed behind him. The evening air of the Academy hit his face.
He walked quietly along the paved paths. Students passed by him. Some looked at him. Some recognized him.
Some even whispered about him under their breath.
But Lian’s mind was elsewhere.
If he didn’t go... he would have more peace. Less trouble. But the Vorhelm family probably wouldn’t leave him alone.
If he went... he would have to face his family. Politics. Competition. And trouble. But maybe he could settle the matter once and for all.
Or at least change the direction of the game.
"I’d love to see the reaction of those bitches when I come back." At that moment, two faces appeared in his mind, and he chuckled.
Two women, his father’s two wives.
People who had tried for years to push him out of the family. People who had been happier than anyone about his expulsion.
He really wanted to see those two faces.
When they found out that the very family that once didn’t want him was now doing everything to bring him back.
Thinking about that scene was strangely entertaining.
A few minutes later, he took out his phone. His finger moved across the screen, and then he sent a message to Seraphina.
"Where are you?"
The response came almost immediately.
"Student Council office. I’m alone. Organizing tomorrow’s reports."
Lian gave a very small smile and then he wrote.
"I’m coming to see you now." And he sent the message.
As the evening light slowly settled on the Academy buildings, Lian changed his path toward the Student Council building.
In his mind, the Vorhelm family was still present. Still the birthday ceremony. Still the slots. And still the troubles that lay ahead.
But for now... there was a more important matter. A conversation he wanted to have with Seraphina.