CHAPTER 63: DEPARTMENTAL REGISTRATION (2)

The sitted staff members stared at Caden in disbelief, their mouths widened in shock.

They’ve heard of stories, tales about the trending star Caden Ryder.

But they’ve never met him in real life.

They’re even aware of what he had done in the numbered test. It was something far too big to be hidden from the public’s eyes.

They never expected Caden to be Number 0.

Even if he was strong, he should have been restricted and punished for his actions against the students.

This was why it never crossed their heads that Caden could very well be the first year’s Number 0.

The staff member who attended to Caden, Mary gulped, swallowing her saliva....

She quickly reorganized herself, she had been staring at Caden for too long already.

She took a deep breath "This is quite suprising, I never expected the trending star Caden Ryder would be ranked 0" She found her voice.

Caden’s lips curled faintly "Why?" He asked, "Is it because of the rumors?" Mary nodded.

"That’s correct’’ She answered, "It wasn’t even a single student you killed but seventy-two in total"

"I expected some major punishment but it seems I failed to see what existed behind the scenes" She stated.

Caden sighed softly "You should know what kind of man the head chancellor is, would he have spared me if my actions wasn’t justified?" Caden asked.

The room was dead silent as none of the staff members could answer that question.

Caden continued "It doesn’t bother me if I’m being judged or not, I don’t care of you believe me"

"But the truth was, killing those students was an act of mercy. They would have suffered until their deaths"

"I had to relieve them of their sufferings" Caden explained. But the room was still as quiet as a graveyard.

Seeing the rising tension in the air, Mary cleared her throat "Since the head chancellor chose not to punish you"

"Then we have no reason to stand against you. Let’s proceed with the departmental registration"

"Please select your permanent class" Mary spoke. In the royal academies, whether they cultivate both Sword Level cultivation or Mana Convergence Stage.

All students must choose one permanent class, it’s also their primary path in their cultivation.

This classes are Sword cultivation class and Magecraft class.

Every department divides it’s students in this classes, since Sword Level cultivation is famous for its fast growth.

Many are inclined to follow this path but it has its downsides as well.

Sword level cultivators focus on their physical aspects. Enhancing their physique, increasing their strength.

Obtaining stronger graded weapons and mastery whatever sword arts they could come across.

When they reach a certain level, they would awaken their Aura.

An energy source greatly linked with the soul of sword level cultivators, drawing out their soul pressure.

But Mana Convergence Stage wasn’t lacking either. Since Mana is the source of all living beings.

Magecraft draws it’s strength from both the Mana within one’s own body and the mana outside.

Magic varies, there were spells capable of increasing one’s physical strength but mages weren’t known for their physical strengths.

They were known for their versatility.

Magic is versatile. Unpredictable and sometimes unstoppable, this is why magic is sort after.

While Sword Level cultivation is known for its fast growing rate, Mana Convergence Stage takes things slowly.

Sword Level cultivation is more cheaper while Mana Convergence Stage is an expensive path to focus on.

This is why it’s common knowledge that mages are wealthy.

This is what makes them very rare while Sword Level cultivators are common.

And only the royal houses of the one hundred supreme kingdoms were able to cultivate the two paths without backlashes.

***

Right now, Caden Ryder is required to choose a single path to follow. Whether to permanently be in the Magecraft class or the Sword cultivation class.

Caden took a deep breath "I’ll be joining the Magecraft class" He had finally made his decision.

And this decision of his came as a shock to everyone sitted. They had all heard of Caden’s incredible feats.

Every tale rumored always showed him as a Sword Level cultivator, he had never made use of magic before.

It made them more curious Mary breathed in deeply "Aren’t you proficienct in Sword cultivation, why did you choose Magecraft?" She asked.

Caden smiled "I knew you would ask that question, well one could call me the jack of all trades"

"I’m pretty good at everything and anything thrown my way, and besides I’m quite attracted to magic in some way" He explained.

Mary nodded "Very well then, you’ll be recorded as a Mana Convergence Stage student"

"But there will be joint classes and courses which will involve the Sword cultivation class" She explained "But before we conclude, what are your current cultivation levels?" She asked.

Caden exhaled softly "Well I’m still at middle stage, Sword Level, Sword Knight but my Mana Convergence Stage is currently at Second-tier mage" Caden answered.

Mary’s eyes widened in shock "Second-tier mage? How is that possible?" She mumbled.

It’s common knowledge in the royal academies that first year students are Sword Level, Sword Knights and Mana Convergence Stage, Third-tier mages.

Second year students are Sword Level, Sword Veterans and Mana Convergence Stage, Second-tier mage.

And Third year students are Sword Level, Sword Elites and Mana Convergence Stage, First-tier mage.

They had expected Caden to still be at the Sword Level, Sword Knight and Mana Convergence Stage, Third-tier mage.

But they thought his stages might have increased and was beyond other first year students.

They were stunned when Caden revealed the fact that he had a power similar to the second year students.

"A Second-tier mage" Mary mumbled, "No wonder you chose the Magecraft class, was that your trump card?" She asked.

Caden smiled at her question, "If that was my trump card, I would never have revealed it to you in the first place"

Before Mary could even reply back. A loud bang was heard from the floor below, Caden slightly tilted his head.

His eyebrows furrowed....he could sense something.

"I’ll be taking my leave now" He spoke, turning his back to leave "I believe I’ve answered every question and I should leave my departmental registration to you"

"As the current Number 0, it’s my duty to figure out what’s happening down there" Saying that, Caden was gone.

He dashed out of the office, running through the hallway of second floor, quickly climbing down stairs.

He arrived back on the first floor to see hundreds of first year students gathered in the hallway.

Whispers and mumurs echoed through the fear.

Caden could smell fear in the air, being a Dragonman. He somehow had animalistic wild traits.

He could smell fear and he could hear heartbeats, it was easy for him to discern if someone was lying or not.

Taking a step forward "What is going on here?" Caden’s voice resounded, all attention drifted towards him.

And a path was created for him, students stepped to the side, allowing their Number 0 to walk freely.

Caden’s movements came to a halt, his eyelid twitched for a second. Below him were several bodies of first year students scattered around.

They were still alive, just extremely wounded and unconscious. He noticed the numbers displayed on their wristbands.

Many of them were Numbered in the thousands.

Caden breathed in deeply, he raised his head to see the architects of this mess. His eyes flickered.

Standing before him were fifteen figures, all dressed in their white and black uniforms.

He could see the grin displayed on their lips. "I’ve not seen your faces before, you must second year students"

Caden was unfazed, he could see their ranking numbers. None of them were Numbered 21 and above.

It was from 20 and below.

It proved this guys were extremely strong to be in this position. When he got close, he halted his movement.

He locked eyes with the one whom he believed to be the leader and that was Number 5.

Number 5’s spiky purple hair could not be hidden, his hands tucked in his pocket as he wore a smirk.

While Caden stood at 6’3, Number 5 was 6’0.

Number 5 chuckled "So you’re the first year’s Number 0 huh?" He brought out his left hand from his pocket, stretching it for a shake.

"I’ve been wanting to meet you" He spoke. Caden observed, he stared at the left hand stretched.

"Left hand huh?" He smirked, "I expected some seniors to come bully the first years but I never expected that I, Number 0 would be the target"

His eyes flickered for a second, "I’ll ask you a single question" This time, he wasn’t smiling anymore.

"Was it the second year’s Number 0 that sent you or did you come in hopes of getting fame?" He questioned, his voice etched with venom.

Number 5 shrugged, "And why does that....." Before he could complete his statement.

A loud bang was heard behind him.

"Huh?" His eyes widened in shock, slightly tilting his gaze "When did he....."

Caden was fast, too fast for even the eyes of Number 5, and what he had done was send two students crashing into walls.

It was too fast for even them to react to Caden’s attack. Lying on the ground were two second year students.

With the Number 17 displayed boldly on their wristbands.

Caden slightly tilted his head, he locked eyes with Number 5

"Who’s next?"