Chapter 108: The Great Akran Academy
On the southern borders of the Empire's capital lies a fiefdom with an area of 37,000 square kilometers. This fiefdom is civilized, commercial, and extremely beautiful in its design, especially as it is a blend between urbanization and the forest spread throughout the entire fiefdom. It also contains some beautiful terrains such as some plateaus and hills, and one of the Empire's largest rivers passes through it, forming a lake with an area of 53 kilometers before continuing its path. That fiefdom is called (Valmer).
But more importantly, within that fiefdom exists a massive facility built in the form of an entire city in a stunning area consisting of incredible biological diversity; it has forests, a mountain, and a series of small hills blending with the city. The city itself exceeds a size of one thousand square kilometers, and the primary facility is 102 square kilometers in size. This facility is (The Great Akran Academy).
After a few [days], in the middle of the night, inside Akran Academy.
Jin was wandering over the rooftops of the buildings, watching the academy. His clothes were torn and his body was covered in wounds. He was talking to himself: "Wow, it is truly amazing; it is even better than Origin Academy. It is good that the authority of all organizations in the Empire does not reach inside the academy's lands."
He sighed a little and continued his speech: "Damn it, those investigators did not stop chasing me for three full days. It is good that I did not kill anyone by mistake; they are truly very strong."
He stopped for moments while looking at the administrative building.
Jin: "Hmm… maybe… I should meet the Director?"
The boy advanced and moved between the shadows, standing on an area above the rooftop of the building; he expected it to be the Director's room. He closed his eyes and spread his senses slowly. He reached a wide room near him; at the end of the room, an old man was sitting behind the desk. Jin's sensation reached him; the old man smiled and looked right into the center of the boy's senses.
Jin opened his eyes in surprise: "Huh? What is this? It was as if he was looking into my eyes and not my senses!!"
The boy took off his worn-out cloak, took another cloak out of the storage ring and put it on, then entered into the shadows. He emerged from the shadows of one of the room's corners; the old man smiled at him. That old man was Albert, who had sat with Director Elder days ago!
Albert: "Welcome, young man. I did not expect you to come that quickly."
Jin: "Circumstances forced me to come now. Can I sit, Mr. Director?"
The boy sat on the chair while the Director was preparing the teapot. Jin felt only one feeling… Awe! Albert was radiating an incredible awe that forced the eye to respect him without him uttering a single word.
Jin was looking in wonder and speaking in his mind: "Huh? What is this? When I tried to measure Director Elder's strength, it was difficult, but I expected him to be in the Eighth Circle. But this one… I cannot feel anything?"
Director Albert sat down while pouring the tea and spoke while smiling calmly: "Are you trying to measure my strength, you enthusiastic child? Hahaha, do not try to evaluate everything."
Jin was stunned: "Excuse me… but how did you know?"
Albert: "There is still much for you to learn. Be careful with other people."
They were silent for moments, then Jin spoke: "Director Elder told me to come to you, but he didn't tell me why."
Albert looked and smiled: "What pushed you to fight with the Temple of Light? I do not think you are evil, haha."
Jin: "One of the bishops in the Temple, he is a member of the Demon Cult, so I tried to kill him directly."
Albert: "You are very honest. Why did you not hesitate to tell me?"
Jin: "I don't know. It's just that my instinct tells me I can do that."
Albert: "Haha, yes, this is what I expect from your instinct."
Doubt possessed the boy's mind; he could not stop himself from asking: "…Sir… what do you know about me?"
Albert laughed and looked at the boy, feeling a kind of pride toward him: "Your observation is very sharp… Can't you overlook any words? Hahaha. Well, how much does Elder know about you?"
Jin: "Honestly… I don't know."
Albert: "Well… when you know how much he knows, you will have known how much I know as well."
The boy went silent for moments, feeling like he was stupid; it seemed his question was an exaggerated doubt.
Jin: "Director, I know that questions now would be a lack of manners… but I cannot not ask now."
Albert smiled: "Young man, your saying of this means that I allowed the conversation to reach that point. Speak, do not be shy."
Jin smiled while thinking: "Ha… even the good people manipulate me. Am I truly a nobody?"
Jin: "Honestly… I would like to know who that bishop is and the young man named Lucian. Why is the Temple spreading a request for my arrest in the entire Empire because of my fight with them, and why is the Temple of Darkness interfering?"
Albert: "Hmm, that bishop is called Neil; he is just a bishop, do not care about the matter. But that boy you fought, he is not an ordinary person."
Jin: "Well, I will not feel wonder because of your knowledge of everything; this matter has become normal now. But… who is this Lucian?"
Albert sighed for moments: "That young man... he is the best talent in the entire continent of Astarion. And perhaps, were it not for your existence, I would have said he is the best sword talent in the whole world and not just the continent."
Jin was stunned hearing this: "But how is there no news or information about this matter? I did not find any information until the moment of my fight with him."
Albert: "Boy, have you seen how the higher authorities on planet Earth are good at manipulating events, concealing matters, and distorting facts? Well, this planet is exactly like them. The difference is that most of the authorities are not villains, but they are trying to maintain the world's balance."
Jin thought for moments; this response was convincing to him. He does not see any signs of total corruption in the continent; perhaps some nobles and ministers, but the system itself is not corrupt. Also, the continent is very wide; he has only seen a little of the Empire and the Kingdom of Orwin in the north.
Jin: "Even so, I feel there is something special related to him. I am sure Director Elder told you about my special skill. Well, he was able to know about it and I don't know how he did that, but… that young man, he possesses a skill that rivals it."
Albert: "Jin, have you heard of the Constellations before your coming here?"
Jin: "Yes, I have heard of many, somewhat."
Albert: "Then you know the reason for their overwhelming power difference?"
Jin: "Yes, it is the direct dealing with Aether instead of Mana."
Albert: "Well, then what if I told you that Constellations can provide 'Sponsorship' to people; at that time, the person obtains a part of the Constellation's ability?"
Jin was completely stunned by this, especially since he might find an explanation for his ability to use primitive magic like Void Magic.
Jin: "How is this?"
Albert: "Well, you must know that these matters are secrets; even the leaders of the kingdoms do not know them. Generally, what distinguishes that young man are two things that even the Holy King does not know."
Enthusiasm appeared on Jin's face; not even an hour had passed since his meeting with this man, but he started talking exactly like Borin!
Albert: "What distinguishes that child is not only his supernatural talent in the sword, but his ability to deal involuntarily with Aether; even he himself does not know this matter."
Jin was shocked hearing this and asked in wonder: "How can this be? Isn't Aether something possible for Constellations only?"
Albert: "Calm your alarm, little one. Do not try to ask about everything; there are moments in which you must only enjoy. Generally, as I told you, this is something that young man himself does not know. And the other matter is... information that no person possesses except the Paladin Leader, and me as you see, hahaha."
Jin: "Can I know it?"
Albert: "Your knowing of this now might harm you if you try to think about it after you leave from here. Are you sure?"
Jin nodded his head like a child, with enthusiasm almost killing him: "Yes, definitely."
Albert: "Well… he possesses the Sponsorship of the Constellation (The Ruler of Light)."
Jin was completely shocked and looked, almost unable to speak.
Jin: "So… Constellations still interfere in human affairs until now? But… why does he get the Sponsorship of a Primitive Constellation? But more importantly... Mr. Director, how do you know all this?"
Albert smiled while sipping the tea and spoke calmly: "Boy, when the time comes, you will know. Stop these matters now."
And so… the boy stopped asking after that shock, and they continued talking about life, philosophy, and anything else that old men and academy directors love.
End of Chapter