Chapter 54: House Master - Return Of The SSS-Class Hunter

CHAPTER 54: HOUSE MASTER

"I like swords... I mean, wielding them," Derek said calmly. "So I practice sword techniques as well. Is it not allowed for cultivators to train in weapon mastery here?"

’Are they really planning to stop me from training just because I’m a cultivator?’ Derek wondered inwardly, a faint frown forming on his face.

"Well..." Meridith hesitated, momentarily at a loss for words. "It’s not that you’re not allowed, it’s just that... it’s never happened before. Not even once. And to think you broke three records and reached rank fifty-one on your very first day... that’s even more unbelievable."

She was still shocked, but did her best to explain the situation to Derek.

"Oh," Derek said after listening to Meridith’s explanation. "So that means I can train without any restrictions, right?" he asked, his tone calm but curious.

"S... sure," Meridith replied, still hesitant but unable to find a reason to deny him.

"Then can I continue training? I’m really enjoying it.... it’s fun," Derek said with a bright smile. His excitement looked and really was genuine.

After all, in his past life, he had honed his swordsmanship through countless battles and life-and-death struggles. There had never been a threatless, peaceful opportunity like this to refine his skills.

"About that..." Meridith began, but her words trailed off. She hesitated, unsure how to respond. After a moment of thought, an idea flashed in her mind. ’I don’t know what might happen if he attempts the next trial... but it’s bound to cause a huge commotion. Before anything happens, I should speak with the House Master and have him meet Derek first,’ she decided inwardly.

Looking back at him, she said, "Derek, before you proceed to the next trial, would you mind coming with me for a bit? I’d like you to meet the House Master."

"House Master? Who’s that?" Derek asked, visibly puzzled. He couldn’t understand why meeting someone else was necessary just for training.

"Well, just like the Headmaster is in charge of the entire academy, each house also has its own head..... They’re called House Masters," Meridith explained patiently. "There’s nothing wrong with you taking the trials in the training chambers, Derek. But your performance is... well, too extraordinary to be exact. That’s why I think it would be better if you meet the House Master first."

She paused a little before continuing.

"If you attract too much attention right from the start, you might face unnecessary trouble later. You already noticed those unfriendly stares yesterday while you were waiting outside, right? For now, it’s just the students, but soon it’ll be others: instructors, maybe even the families of certain students. I don’t want your growth to be hindered because of unwanted attention. So, it’s best if we talk to the House Master first."

Hearing her, Derek paused as realization began to dawn on him. "House Master, huh... I think I get it. He sounds strong, being the head of a house. So, he must be a mage, right?" Derek asked with a thoughtful expression. "But tell me... Do you think a mage would even consider talking to me properly or trying to understand my situation? I’ve met only one or two mages who don’t look down on cultivators. What if meeting him just creates even more problems?"

Meridith chuckled softly. "You’re right about one thing... He is strong. Very strong, in fact. But he’s not a mage. He’s an Auran. And one of the strongest in the entire kingdom."

Derek’s brows lifted slightly in surprise, but Meridith continued before he could speak.

"As for whether he’ll look down on you or not?" She smiled faintly. "He doesn’t care if someone’s a cultivator, a mage, or an auran. He doesn’t even care about talent or background. For him, only one thing matters and that’s..." She paused briefly, then shook her head. "Actually, you should meet him yourself. If I tell you now, you’ll only start worrying for no reason. So, let’s just go and meet him, shall we?"

After a short silence, Derek nodded. "Alright." He then turned toward Eva and said with a small smile, "I think I’ll take a short break from getting familiar with everything for now. How about I come see you again once I return?"

"S... sure," Eva replied, stammering slightly. She had been listening the whole time, still a little stunned.

"Good," Derek said with an easy smile. "See you soon, then."

He then turned toward Meridith. "Let’s go."

Meridith nodded and walked out of the chamber, and Derek followed right behind her.

Eva, however, remained standing where she was, her gaze fixed on Derek’s retreating figure.

"What a mysterious boy... a cultivator using a sword. Is that really even possible?" she whispered to herself.

________

Inside one of the weapon mastery training chambers, a tall, muscular man, perhaps in his early thirties was practicing with his sword. Unlike the chamber Derek had trained in, this one didn’t feature any synchronized ranking system, nor did it have ten levels. Instead, it had only five buttons, each representing a level of difficulty. At that moment, the highest level was active.

In his hand, he held a sleek black sword or rather, a katana. Around him, countless glowing light-feathers materialized and vanished one after another, each lasting barely two seconds before dissolving into thin air.

The man moved swiftly, almost like a phantom, his blade flashing in graceful arcs as he struck each feather before it could disappear. Despite their near weightlessness, every feather he targeted was sliced cleanly in half.

A faint, dark aura shimmered along the edge of his katana, cloaking it in a mysterious blackish glow.

Seconds slipped away, and his score continued to soar higher and higher.