[Challenge Faced: Confronted Principal Ganaf despite psychological straits. +4 Will, +4 Strength.]
Andy read with a bit of confusion as he stepped into the Senate building.
Just for confronting this illogical… or logical fear, his will and strength were rewarded?
He didn't think anything worthwhile would happen, treating it the same way he viewed the Daily Quest he saw previously.
However, as he moved, he sensed a subtle shift within himself. His mind became clearer, and his eyes turned sharper. As he took a step forward, Andy almost slipped.
The strength in his step had increased slightly, almost throwing his body off balance. Luckily for him, he caught himself before anything suspicious occurred.
And then his status appeared before him.
Name: Anderson Naver
Race: Human
Rank: None
Mana Rank: Initiate
Status: Awakening
Skill Slots: 1/5
Mana Capacity: 2/10
Strength: 8
Agility: 6
Endurance: 5
Will: 9
Intelligence: 9
Indeed, his strength and will had increased, and somehow, this had affected his body and state of mind.
Andy was shocked. Enough to momentarily forget about the tension and fear he had inherited over the past few hours.
How is this possible?
Does this mean that… the Daily Quest, if I complete it, I can get stronger?
The thought of this possibility was like lightning, cutting through the stiffening emotions in his heart. In his current dilemma, power wasn't just an option; it was a currency that could buy his safety and control over his life.
Ideas began to fill Andy's mind to the point where he even showed a genuine smile, not knowing that he was being watched by many eyes.
"Hmm," Principal Ganaf noticed something off about Andy, but before he entertained the thought, a maid, dressed in black and white. Formally, the maids in the academy were called Matrons.
They also served as guards in the academy's grounds.
She whispered a few words to the principal.
"I already said last night that #07 isn't the person we're searching for." Principal Ganaf said with a deceptively light voice. "He is too much of a coward to be the one. Are you all doubting my ability to discern gestures?"
The matron stiffened. "No, sir. It's just… his smile, given the situation, seemed off."
"That's not off, that's just #07. He's lazy, he daydreams." The principal dismissed her with a wave. "Tell the others to focus on finding the person Baron Orbor was referring to."
Principal Ganaf moderately followed behind the crowd. By the time he reached the auditorium, the students were already in the process of taking their seats.
The teachers chose a section of the hall that faced a different direction, giving them a good look at the students from where they were, and occupied that section.
Many of them have been here several times. They've had to come here for rehearsals in the past few months as this was where their graduation would take place.
Principal Ganaf walked up to the podium and faced everyone. And for a few seconds, he only stared at them. And then, he sighed.
"I have been in this institution for many years, and I have seen many of my beloved students come and go." His voice seemed troubled.
"Eighteen or seventeen years ago, you all were found and brought to this institution. We have clothed you, fed you, and provided every one of you with equipment that would serve your dreams. The Board of Directors has gone through a lot of trouble providing every one of you with personalized Mana cultivation manuals." Principal Ganaf sighed once again, shaking his head despondently as though he was saddened by his words.
"Do you even know how difficult it is to achieve that? All they ask is that you do not break the rules set for all of us. The school hasn't placed these rules on you to see you suffer; rather, until a certain level has been reached, it is better for you to abstain from what we have forbidden for you.
"That way, it will be easier for all of you to reach the peak of your potential. Breaking the rules is no different from biting the hands that fed you." He added softly.
"I know why all of you are here. I also feel what you are feeling, Zeladin was… like a son to me… a brother to you all. Would a father want to see his son fail?" His old face winced as he finished.
"That is exactly why we have come here today, Principal Ganaf. We wish to plead on his behalf." Jessie said and the students around audibly agreed.
"I wish it were that easy. I have already pleaded with the Board of Directors, even threatening to resign if they didn't relent… alas, I couldn't bring myself to resign. I couldn't bring myself to part away from my children this way."
This response stunned every student in the room. If it had reached this point that the institution was willing to let go of the principal rather than retract the expulsion of Zeladin, what would happen to them if they truly rebelled and began protesting?
A lot of them started having second thoughts about protesting if the academy didn't relent. Zeladin was Zeladin, and they too were all responsible for their decisions.
Did they want to condemn their future over the mistake of another?
Not necessarily.
The tension in the auditorium began to drop as the students' resolve dissolved slowly. Even Jessie had lost her previous zeal and silently returned to her seat.
"So, we're never going to see him again?" Someone uttered.
"Says who? You'll probably be able to meet him on graduation day. He only indulged in his desires, not kill anyone, why would the silly boy not want to meet his fellow classmates?" Principal Ganaf chuckled.
At the far end of the auditorium, Andy dug his nails into his thighs as his entire body shook with suppressed disgust.
The principal's words… his expressions and tones were so masterfully crafted and delivered that a part of Andy's mind, the part that had been conditioned for seventeen years, wanted to believe him.
He wanted to believe that who he had heard last night speaking about them wasn't the same man lamenting on stage about the waywardness of the students.
It took Andy all that he had in him not to flare out.
What fucking type of father!? Who do you think you are! You are not worthy to call him a son of yours! This time, Andy was unable to restrain his tears. All he could hear from the principal's words was insults.
To his dead friend.
For the first time since all that he saw last night, he allowed himself to cry, albeit silently.
His gaze moved toward the [Daily Quest] window by the corner and something began brewing in him. Even if I die… even if I'll be broken, I will avenge Zeladin. No matter how long it takes. I'll kill the thing that killed him.
If you want me to crawl, I'll crawl, if you want me to eat shit in exchange for power, I'll do it. Just give me power. Make me powerful!
Andy said to the system.