The Principal's office felt like a relic of a forgotten age, filled with mahogany furniture and the faint scent of expensive incense. Sitting across from Arthur was Director Vance, the Academy's Chief Guide. Vance was a man who smelled of ozone and ancient scrolls—a veteran cultivator who had seen enough "prodigies" to fill a graveyard.
Vance leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied Arthur. "Lightning Mutation. A 9.9 resonance. In fifty years, I've only seen numbers like that twice, Arthur. Both of them are now High Commanders of the Global Defense Front."
Arthur kept his gaze lowered, his posture rigid—the image of a boy overwhelmed by his own potential. "I... I didn't know it was that high, Director. I just felt a coldness in the stone, and then... the sparks."
"Humility is a rare trait in the gifted," Vance noted, his voice softening slightly. "But you must understand, you are no longer a private citizen. You are a weapon. The Sects will come for you. The Corporations will offer you billions. Tell me, Arthur, what is it that you want?"
Arthur looked up then. He let a flicker of "fake" ambition burn in his crimson eyes—just enough to satisfy Vance's curiosity without revealing his true darkness.
"I want to understand the source," Arthur said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The Qi didn't just appear. It came from somewhere—another layer of reality. I want the resources to reach that place. I want to ensure that no one can ever take my destiny away from me again."
Vance's eyes widened. He saw a driven, perhaps slightly traumatized boy seeking security. He didn't see the wolf hidden in the lamb's wool.
"Knowledge. Power. Security," Vance nodded, leaning back. "Spoken like a true cultivator. We will provide everything. The Elite S-Class dorms, the restricted library access, and a monthly stipend of 50,000 Spirit Credits. In exchange, you will represent this Academy in the National Inter-High Tournament."
"I am at your service, Director," Arthur bowed deeply. Behind the mask, he was laughing. 50,000 credits for a lie? I would have done it for free just for the library key.
As Arthur turned to leave, Vance called out, "One more thing, Arthur. Be careful. The 'Heavenly' students from the Capital are coming next week. They don't like it when a 'nobody' steals their thunder."
Arthur paused at the door, a small, chilling smile playing on his lips. "Don't worry, Director. I'm very good at managing... thunder."