Two Months Later…
The Academy's conference room was a place where weighty decisions were made, where futures were shaped through careful deliberation. The long table, made of polished darkwood, gleamed under the soft glow of the floating light orbs, casting shadows across the gathered faculty members.
Headmaster Valdris sat at the head of the table, his sharp gaze moving between the professors. With a measured breath, he leaned forward.
"So, tell me—what were the responses?"
Master Rourke, the supervisor of optional combat sparring, adjusted his seating before beginning.
"Velmar, the Crimson Spear, has agreed to our sponsorship."
A murmur of acknowledgment rippled through the room.
Madam Lysara, the head of the Medical Department, smirked. "Not surprising. His former backers cut him off after a string of failures. I suppose he had no choice."
Rourke nodded. "Confirmed. His ties were severed completely. He's looking for stability."
Sylvia Moreau, the Alchemy Head, leaned forward, her fingers lightly tapping the table. "And what of Seraphina Duskwhisper?"
"She agreed, but only in exchange for alchemy recipes—nothing else," Rourke confirmed.
Baudric, the History Chair, scoffed. "Even fallen nobles have their pride. Knowledge is a valuable currency for rebuilding lost status."
Valdris gave a small nod before shifting his attention elsewhere. "And the orc and the dwarf?"
"Rothgar Bloodfang and Orogrim have both accepted," Rourke reported. "Rothgar wants access to advanced combat techniques, while Orogrim requires rare forging materials."
At that, Alaric Vermund, the Head of Material Studies, gave a thoughtful hum. "Orogrim's request will be easy enough to fulfill, but we should ensure that whatever we provide doesn't end up benefiting his clan more than the academy."
Vaelis Thornbloom, the Beast Studies representative, an elegant elven woman, interjected next. "And Dren, the Beastmaster?"
"As long as we provide him with new beasts, he's in," Rourke replied.
Xel'thar, the Species Studies Head, a draconian with dark crimson scales, chuckled. "A beastmaster without beasts is just a man with a leash."
Professor Gregor, a dwarven scholar in charge of Spells, glanced over his notes. "Seraphine du Rozaire and Renna Solvalis have both declined. They already have sponsors."
Valdris steepled his fingers. "Now, let's move on to the more… interesting responses."
Rourke and Gregor exchanged glances before the latter cleared his throat.
"Isolde has agreed, under very specific conditions," Gregor announced.
"Go on," Valdris prompted.
"She wants unrestricted access to our frost magic archives and full coverage for her equipment expenses."
Several faculty members frowned. Frost magic archives were not lightly granted.
"And?" Valdris pressed.
Gregor exhaled. "She also requests a high-grade frost catalyst as her tournament reward."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Madam Lysara let out a low whistle. "She knows exactly what she wants, doesn't she?"
Baudric leaned back, crossing his arms. "A high-grade catalyst isn't just a study tool—it's an asset for battle. She's preparing for something."
Xel'thar's tail flicked. "She's either plotting something long-term or she has an immediate goal in mind."
Vaelis nodded. "Given her personality, I'd wager the latter."
Valdris thought for a moment before speaking. "Approve it—partially. We'll grant her access to the archives, but certain restricted texts will remain off-limits."
The professors nodded in agreement.
After a brief moment, Valdris's gaze shifted toward Alaric Vermund, causing all eyes in the room to follow suit.
"And Kalem?" Valdris inquired.
Alaric leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. "Kalem has agreed to provide his research on resonance crystals."
This statement alone caused a ripple of surprise among the professors.
But Alaric wasn't finished. "However… he has refused any form of research collaboration."
Silence.
Lysara raised an eyebrow. "So, he's willing to give us his findings, but won't work with our scholars?"
Alaric nodded. "Correct."
Xel'thar chuckled, his sharp teeth glinting. "He's not foolish. He's handing over knowledge, but not his methodology."
Baudric stroked his beard. "Interesting. That suggests he believes he's ahead of us in the field."
Gregor grumbled. "Or that he doesn't trust us."
Sylvia, who had been quiet, smirked. "Considering what happened during the tournament, he's right to be cautious. Resonance crystals are dangerous. If he's made a breakthrough, he wants full control over it."
Valdris remained silent for a moment before exhaling slowly.
"Approve it."
Baudric frowned. "Just like that?"
Valdris allowed a small, knowing smile. "Yes. Let him have his knowledge. I'm more interested in what he does with it."
Kalem's Tournament Reward
A brief pause followed before Valdris spoke again.
"And what about the tournament reward he requested? Has it been delivered?"
Xel'thar tilted his head. "Now that you mention it… Headmaster, Alaric, you both seemed a bit puzzled by it."
Baudric, intrigued, chimed in. "Did he ask for something rare?"
Alaric sighed, rubbing his temple. "Yes, he did… but—"
Sylvia rolled her eyes. "Enough suspense. What was it?"
Alaric exchanged a glance with Valdris before answering. "It's rare, yes… but it was also extremely mundane."
A wave of curiosity spread across the room.
Lysara leaned forward. "Mundane? Explain."
Alaric exhaled. "He requested a particular metal. Not a magical artifact, not a legendary weapon, not some ancient alchemical component. Just… a metal."
Gregor blinked. "A metal? That's it?"
Alaric nodded. "A rare alloy, but still, compared to what he could have asked for… it was underwhelming."
Xel'thar hummed in thought. "He's planning something with it."
Vaelis tapped her fingers on the table. "No doubt. If he was after personal power, he would have asked for something more conventional. This… is preparation for something else."
Baudric chuckled. "I suppose we'll find out soon enough."
Valdris leaned back, surveying the room one last time. "Very well. We've settled the sponsorships, the rewards, and the agreements. If there's nothing else, we'll adjourn for today."
The professors exchanged glances before nodding.
As the meeting concluded, Valdris remained seated for a few moments longer, deep in thought.
Kalem, Isolde, and the others were shaping the academy's future in unexpected ways.
And he had no doubt that the real surprises had yet to come.