CHAPTER 549: REOPENING INTEL

Returning to Veridn, Liam made his way back through the dim stone passages until he reached the underground chamber prepared to keep him sheltered from any external threat. The familiar chill of the lower tunnels clung to his skin, but his mind was elsewhere, already calculating his next step.

’With my body finally stabilized, I should start using my affinities again. If I push hard enough, I can force an Ascension. Being physically stuck at a High-Tier Five-star while my mind sits at Mid-Tier Six-star... it’s getting irritating.’ His gaze drifted over the room as he changed into his training attire, each layer of fabric settling over muscle that still hummed with residual fatigue.

When he finished adjusting the straps along his wrists, he glanced toward Mabel, who had been standing quietly near the wall, arms loosely folded as she watched him. "Mind helping me with training?" he asked.

"Yeah, of course," she replied with a stretch of her arms. "Three days of just trailing behind you was starting to get a little boring. This feels like an upgrade."

Liam gave a low hum of agreement. "Good. Then let’s get moving."

He stepped toward the door, but before his hand could close around the knob, it turned on its own with a smooth, deliberate motion. The door eased open, revealing Lucy’s regal silhouette, her posture immaculate, her emerald eyes already fixed on him. Mystica walked just behind her, elegant as always, her presence carrying a soft, serene air that contrasted with the queen’s commanding aura.

"You plan to train right after returning from your visit?" Lucy asked, her gaze steady, unreadable.

"Your Majesty," Liam greeted with a respectful nod, mirrored promptly by Mabel.

"At ease, both of you," Lucy said as she and Mystica stepped inside.

"Hey, Liam," Mystica added with a warm, lilting tone as she passed by him. "Feels like it’s been a while, hasn’t it?"

"No, not really," he said, calm and even. "But it is good to see you as well."

Lucy and Mystica reached the couches, settling with the grace of people who were accustomed to command entire rooms without effort. Once seated, Lucy’s attention returned to Liam with a seriousness he immediately picked up on.

"Before you head off to train, why not take a seat and speak with us for a moment? It’s something important," she said.

Liam hesitated only long enough to wonder what conversation warranted both the Queen of Tempest and Mystica appearing unannounced in his quarters. Then he crossed the room and sat opposite them, posture straight, expression collected.

"So," Lucy began once he was settled, "how did your visit to the Silverharts go? Was it what you expected, or did something shift?"

"Besides a few lingering Corps members around the estate and nearby roads, nothing unexpected happened," Liam replied. "The visit went well. Better than I thought, honestly. Thank you for allowing it. I appreciate it."

’Hopefully this isn’t about them... maybe she’s just curious.’

"Please, don’t thank me," Lucy said, her smile gentle but firm. "It’s only natural for you to visit the ones who cared for you. And you care for them as well, so granting your request was hardly something extraordinary."

Liam nodded quietly, absorbing her words without letting his expression shift.

"Now," she continued, her tone transitioning into a smoother, more deliberate register, "let’s speak about why I’m actually here."

Liam’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, attention sharpening.

"All academies throughout the entire realm will reopen in less than a month," Lucy said, folding her hands in her lap. "And when they do... there will be a few changes."

"First of all," Lucy began, her voice steady and composed, "every student is being promoted to the next grade. Your year will no longer be first years, but second years. The same applies to the current second years—they will move up to third year. And the third years, naturally, will graduate." Her fingers laced together on her lap as she continued, "However, these promotions won’t take effect immediately upon reopening. There will be a one-month catch-up period to cover the parts of your original curriculum that were interrupted by the war."

Liam listened without interruption, absorbing each detail with a calm, measured focus. "So essentially, after a month of still being a first year, I’ll officially move up to second year, and the others will advance as well," he said.

"Yes," Lucy replied. "With the number of casualties across the realm caused by the war, every workforce is in dire need of new, capable arms. You academy students are the future pillars of those workforces, and we cannot allow the academic schedule to collapse. It would only worsen the strain on the Kingdoms."

"That’s reasonable," Liam said, his tone flat but accepting. "Has this been announced yet?"

"No, it hasn’t," she answered. "The public announcement will be made tomorrow. I wanted you informed ahead of time because there’s something more I need to discuss with you—something separate from the reopening itself."

Liam’s eyebrow lifted slightly. ’More she needs to discuss? Hopefully not something that adds to my list of problems,’ he thought with a quiet sigh.

"Once the academy reopens and you return," Lucy continued, her gaze steady and unyielding, "a restriction will be placed on you."

"Restriction?" Liam echoed, a faint frown tugging at his expression.

"Yes," she said. "Due to certain circumstances, you must refrain from using your dark affinity on school grounds under any condition. If you do, it may create issues—both for you and for the Kingdom."

Mystica stepped in gently, her voice carrying a warm, smoothing undertone. "But you don’t need to feel overly concerned. An underground training facility is being constructed for you in Grandeur City. You’ll be able to train there whenever you wish. Its structure and mechanisms will be as advanced as the palace’s own training hall. You’ll still be able to push your limits safely."

"Indeed," Lucy added. "So whenever you feel the need to train your dark magic—which I imagine will be often, considering your growth—you’ll have full access to that space."

Liam remained silent for a moment, his gaze distant and unreadable as he digested their explanation. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm but edged with a quiet firmness. "May I ask what circumstances led to this decision? And please understand, I do appreciate the training ground being built for me. It will be far more useful than the academy’s facilities."

He paused before continuing, tone still even. "But I don’t understand why I have to restrict my magic in the one kingdom that has never held hostility toward dark magic. And why is the restriction limited specifically to the academy? Please, I’d appreciate some transparency."

Lucy exchanged a look with Mystica, one that held both hesitation and silent communication. Mystica gave a subtle nod, prompting the Queen to release a slow exhale before speaking.

"Very well, Liam," she said quietly. "The restriction stems from an agreement with the King of Crescent—King Valemir. Because of this agreement, we cannot allow you to use your dark magic on academy grounds."

The moment the name left her mouth, Liam understood the entire situation with unsettling clarity.

"So this is about Sheila attending the Dark Knight Academy," he said, his tone flat. "With me there, King Valemir assumes his daughter is in danger, isn’t that right?"

Lucy’s lips curved with a mild, impressed amusement. "Yes. That is precisely the reason."

"I see." Liam leaned back slightly, his calm expression tightening into blunt irritation. "Pardon me, but if King Valemir has a problem with his daughter being near a dark mage, why not simply transfer her to an academy in his own kingdom?"