CHAPTER 153: CHAPTER 153 A MISSION

Director Aaron waved a dismissive hand.

"The house is part of my academy. So stop wasting your breath and leave."

However, his words failed to convince the pompous nobles standing before him.

"This is blasphemous!" Elder Rutherford thundered. "I strongly urge you to reverse this decision, or we—the noble families—will begin a strike against the academy!"

The others behind him echoed in agreement, their faces twisted with pride and indignation.

"Blasphemous?" Aaron sneered. "Are you kidding me? This is not your home!"

"You’ll regret this moment!" Rutherford barked back.

"I said—leave!" Aaron’s voice boomed, and a powerful law burst erupted from his body, sweeping across the air like a shock-wave.

The nobles were sent flying, crashing into the ground as a storm of dust rose from the impact.

Nearby second- and third-year students, who were stationed as guards, rushed forward. Without hesitation, they grabbed the groaning nobles and tossed them out through the village gate.

Silence returned to the arena.

Soon, everyone dispersed—leaving only Director Aaron and Pudge behind.

"Not afraid of beating up nobles?" Pudge asked with a teasing grin.

"Afraid? Why would I be?" Aaron smirked. "Even you have started thrashing some of them, my masked friend."

"So, you already knew," Pudge said, his tone calm but knowing.

Aaron leaned back in his chair. "Of course I did. I’ve read all the reports. A masked man striking at the strongholds of the Super Families after some viral online comment about Zane? It wasn’t hard to connect the dots. Only a handful of people would dare take such risks—and you’re one of them. In fact," he added, "your arrival at the Academy made it all perfectly clear."

Pudge chuckled faintly. "Then you should also know that Dean Kora’s statement about the masked man was a lie. I warned her to keep a hundred meters away from Zane."

Aaron frowned for the first time, his eyes narrowing in thought.

"Yeah, I know. She holds a personal grudge against Zane’s father. That much I understand." He paused. "But now I see—you’re trying to protect Zane. He’s the real reason you came to my Academy, isn’t he?"

Pudge didn’t deny it.

"The boy’s still in Solaris City. How about sending an elite team to retrieve him?"

"I’ve already arranged everything," Aaron replied. "By noon, a team will depart for the ruins."

"Good," Pudge said, grinning. "I’ll see you again in ten days."

With that, he vanished from sight.

Aaron was left alone. He sat quietly, staring at the empty podium as thoughts clouded his mind.

"Zane Carter—the abandoned son of the traitor Zorro Carter," he muttered. "Even Pudge himself came here to protect you. Maybe I’ve underestimated you... or maybe you’re part of Pudge’s master’s plan."

He shook his head and opened communication with Gemini to finalize the rescue team’s roster.

A quest was posted across the Academy for a high-risk recovery mission—its objective: retrieve missing participant Zane Carter from Solaris City.

But the announcement stirred no excitement.

Among the fourth- and fifth-year students, no one applied. Everyone knew who Zane was—the son of humanity’s greatest betrayer.

Only one application appeared in the system.

Shelby.

For two days, the other four slots remained empty. Shelby had even submitted a challenge to the mission board, declaring that he alone was sufficient for the task.

The mission officer in charge—a man who once owed Shelby his life—suggested he write directly to the Director, offering an official petition along with a small contribution fee.

Shelby agreed immediately. He paid the points, drafted the letter, and submitted it to Director Aaron. The message was clear:

"I am Zane Carter’s direct recruiter and representative. I alone am enough to carry out the mission to bring him back."

Back in the Fresher Village, Aaron received the emergency letter and read it silently.

He raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"Shelby, huh?" Aaron murmured.

He set the letter down and instructed, "Summon him to me—immediately."

Half an hour later, Shelby was escorted into the guest house. A quiet assistant moved gracefully between them, setting out cups and pouring steaming tea.

Director Aaron entered the chamber soon after.

"Good evening, Sir Director," Shelby greeted, standing up and saluting smartly.

"Stand at ease. Have a seat," Aaron said with a faint, approving smile.

The two men sat across from each other, cups between them. The assistant poured their tea, the soft trickle of liquid the only sound in the room.

Neither spoke for ten long minutes—but the silence wasn’t awkward. Rather, it spoke of mutual composure and respect.

Aaron took a measured sip and observed the calm youth before him.

Another bright seedling of my academy, he thought.

Finally, he set down his cup.

"Why are you here, Shelby?"

Shelby met his gaze directly. "I alone am enough to bring that brat back. There’s no need for a team. If you don’t believe me, you can test me."

Aaron chuckled lightly. "No need. Sitting beside me and drinking tea this calmly says more than any test could. Shelby, I know who you are. You’ve been on my radar since the day you joined this academy. I’ve seen your potential—and your strength. I believe in you."

"Then... you accept my proposal?" Shelby asked.

The Director nodded. "I do."

"Understood." Shelby stood, offering another crisp salute. "It was an honor to share tea with you, Sir. I’ll head to the teleportation portal immediately."

Without waiting for a formal dismissal, he turned and walked out of the room.

Aaron watched him go, shaking his head with a faint smile.

"Straightforward, disciplined—and that body of his carries a powerful law. My spell suggests he’s bearing a weight equal to a mountain. A good seedling indeed... but a bit too rude."

He sighed softly and continued drinking his tea.

It was already dark when Shelby arrived at the teleportation hall. Two senior brothers from the Fifth Year were waiting beside the glowing platform.

They greeted him with polite nods and brief smiles before stepping forward. Together, they chanted a spell in unison, pouring vast amounts of mana into the platform’s runic floor. The concrete beneath them rumbled, and an ornate stone gate rose steadily from the ground, its surface shimmering like liquid glass.

Shelby inclined his head. "Thank you, seniors."

Without hesitation, he stepped through the gate.

A swirl of radiant light consumed him, and in the next instant—he was gone.