*Soleir's Perspective
When I looked at Zion as he crumbled into dust, I didn't know what I was supposed to feel.
Was I happy? Sad? Compassionate? Or did I feel nothing at all?
But then, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Daron smiling at me as he said:
"It's finally over."
I replied without thinking, "Oh, no. Actually… it's not over yet."
I turned to the source of the voice and found Professor Laurence watching us with a faint smile.
"Daron, Soleir... you both have to come with me to the administration office for investigation. As for Anna and Victor, they may return to their rooms."
As soon as he finished speaking, Anna stood up and walked to her room with an expressionless face, not looking at anyone. Victor stared at Daron for a moment, then turned his back and headed into his room as well.
Meanwhile, Laurence maintained his calm smile.
"Let's head to the administration office. I want you both to explain everything that happened on the way."
I didn't object. I was still dazed, shocked by Zion's death. I followed Laurence in silence, unwilling to speak.
Daron, on the other hand, seemed annoyed. He muttered:
"I knew this would happen."
---
**Edward's Perspective
Unfortunately, I didn't get to rest after my battle with Alexander, as I was summoned to the administration office.
I already knew the reason for the summons. In fact, I was one hundred percent sure of it.
So, I didn't feel fear or anxiety. Instead, I felt a kind of excitement. I needed something to distract me from the frustration of losing to Alexander… and now, I'd get what I wanted: confirmation that Soleir's gift was still the same.
Verifying that Soleir's gift remained unchanged had been one of my core objectives since entering the academy.
As I walked through the academy's halls toward the administration tower, a sudden curiosity struck me.
"Status."
[Name: Edward Lightstar]
[Talent: SSS]
[Gift: Mana Ghost]
[Mana: F+]
[Strength: F+]
[Agility: F+]
[Speed: F+]
[Endurance: F+]
[Mana Art: Starry Sky]
Seeing this, I smiled faintly. I was close to breaking through to Rank D.
The reason for my rapid advancement was the mana explosion in the form of the "Blazing Star," as the raging mana forcibly expanded my mana heart. Though the risks of this were greater than the benefits, the results were evident.
After a short walk, I finally arrived at the administration office, located at the top of a tower similar to the First Ten's dormitory tower.
Upon entering, I found a wooden conference table at the center of the room. Despite its length, only five people were seated at it:
- Ahmad Salem, the academy director, in his pure white draa.
- Cassandra, professor of martial arts.
- Laurence, professor of mana sciences.
- The Black Professor, who ended my fight with Alexander.
- And a fifth professor, one I hadn't seen before, wearing the Black Union Army uniform, with short brown hair, brown eyes, and a gentle smile on his face.
In addition to the professors, two students stood before the table.
Upon seeing them, I couldn't help but smile inwardly in triumph… The two students standing before the table were Soleir and Daron.
That could only mean one thing: Soleir's gift hadn't changed.
Well then, I suppose it's time I explained what Soleir's gift actually is.
Unlike conventional gifts like mine, Alexander's, or Victor's, his couldn't be easily measured or observed.
It was strange… Some called it "The Lucky One," while others referred to it as "Plot Armor" or "Protagonist Aura."
It was a gift that drew immense luck toward Soleir, causing him to stumble into anything beneficial—whether in the short or long term—purely by chance, like saving a beautiful girl accidentally.
It even pulled him into disasters that, once overcome, would grant him enormous blessings, whether in talent or in acquiring legendary weapons.
He was, quite simply… the protagonist.