"This... isn't something we can let you take advantage of, Student William." Professor Tenningbrew spoke first.

Vice Principal Kenny nodded in agreement. "You are very talented, yes, but we must allocate resources properly for all of our students, not just one. If word spreads that we gave a First-Year permission to enter the Realm of Ice, the various Families would pressure us into giving their own children additional benefits."

William didn't care about any of this. Whether the school gave out resources or the families asked for them, what did it have to do with him?

He didn't show it on his face, though. Instead he responded, "Then treat it as added training. I'll go along and help secure the Roots, and maybe pick up some other stuff along the way. There's no guarantee Riverveil won't steal it, right? Better to have me there."

William's confidence stunned both of the Filem staff members. Does he really think he can guard a rare item against the Riverveil Family?

The Vice Principal had a more important thought. He looked at the First-Year student William, who as far as he knew had only a certain number of Elements.

Space, Fire, Earth, Illusion, and Order. Just these five, so...

"Why do you want to go to the Realm of Ice?"

"Never been to one. Why not?" William shrugged. He had no intention to reveal all of his Elements. What the Professor and Vice Principal already knew was enough to make one greedy. Who knew what lengths they'd go to if William told them about all 28 Affinities.

Having fellow schoolmates like Yuhe was actually a great shield for William, since there were geniuses who'd shown off more Elements than he had. If anyone were to be targeted, he hoped it was them and not himself.

Naturally, he said this because they have backers and he doesn't. Yuhe Slightwing has one of the two largest Families supporting her, whether directly or indirectly. If she's in trouble, all she has to do is threaten using her Family's name.

What about himself? Who's he going to call for? Professor Tenningbrew? His Master?

William still doesn't know where Riyald is!

This is yet another reason why William needs as many upgrades as possible. He's only a level above being isolated with no backer. The Filem Academy can't provide much more support than giving him resources, they're bound by the other students, and his expectations of them are low.

"Let's talk about something else." Kenny changed the topic, "You've missed school a few times already, but we won't blame you for that given the circumstances..." he trailed off.

Turning to Professor Tenningbrew, Kenny asked, "What do you think?"

"Not a problem," Tenningbrew shrugged, "as long as he passes the exam at the end of the semester and shows progress with his Mana Circuits, I don't care if his misses class. I'll even sign off on his recommendation for the Cultivation Competition."

He paused to look at William, "But you can forget about getting any more Tenningbucks!"

That's what you're focused on? William almost laughed but nodded firmly. This was the best outcome, since William could now attend class whichever days he felt like, while still being able to participate in the Competition.

William discussed specifics related to the professor's classes, choosing several specific dates each month to return to class. Among these were certain lessons that the professor advised he not miss, along with the exams two months from now.

Kenny sent William the coordinates for both the Realm of Ice and the Realm of Fire, granting William permission to go take a look. He'd be joining up with a medium-sized group of students, who had arrived on site three days prior.

"Better hurry, Student William." Professor Tenningbrew urged while pushing the boy out of their meeting room, "The Realm might even be open right now."

William nodded and exited the Filem Academy, leaving the Professor and Vice Principal alone. They gave each other a knowing look, alluding to their close relationship established several hundred years ago.

"He's hiding more abilities, isn't he?" Tenningbrew asked.

"Definitely." Kenny replied quickly. "Every time he comes back from that Dungeon, it's as if he's Cultivated for years."

"Could it be his Cultivation Technique? What is he using?"

"Not sure. Gravity Element? Or maybe...Chaos?" Kenny pondered to himself for a long time.

"To have the Chaos and Order Elements, though. That's impossible, right? At least, I've never heard of one his age. It could be Chaotic Qi?"

"Why so?"

"Well, the Chaos and Order Element have a notoriously bad relationship. Everyone in our generation knows this, after the destruction of the Nuvi Plane. There's a decent chance he uses the Order Element in his Cultivation, which should be able to control the Chaotic Qi to some degree.

Even if it's a hundredth of a drop of Chaotic Qi, if William is able to harness it at such a young age, it would explain why he's able to handle so many Cultivators in the Deity Realm. Building a foundation on Chaotic Qi as opposed to Spirit Qi will forever set him apart from other geniuses."

Kenny nodded, thinking that Tenningbrew's explanation made more sense than his own conjectures. "You're probably right. Whether it's the Chaos Element or Chaotic Qi doesn't really matter, both are a good thing for our Academy. You heard what he said about the Realm of Ice, though."

"He's interested." Tenningbrew nodded, though the meaning behind this was much more clear to Kenny than it would be to an outsider.

"Indeed, which means..."

"Ice Element?"

"Probably."

"As a pseudo Fire Elemental?" Tenningbrew had to place his thoughts in an orderly manner to understand all of the things William had revealed in just a few conversations.

Pseudo Fire Elemental, Primary Law of Order, Chaotic Qi, strong body, impressive regeneration, several more Elements including Illusion, Blacksmithing, Array Mastery.

Professor Tenningbrew's eyes widened, "How old is he again? Twenty?"

Kenny laughed, "Isn't it interesting? This kid is full of surprises. I don't know if we are enough to protect him."