Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 490. You already pass before starting

"Headmaster, when precisely are these kingdom games scheduled to commence?" Theo inquired, prompting the old man to display three fingers.

"Three months from now. Within that timeframe, your objective is to secure a selection for the team, Theo Merrick. Accomplish this, and I shall rectify all that requires adjustment," the elder stated, a familiar smile gracing his features.

The persuasive nature of the old man made Theo feel as though he were striking a bargain with a demonic entity.

"And these games... they carry a significant degree of danger, do they not?"

"They are precisely as perilous as entering any gate, whether through legal or illicit means. Given your history, I wouldn't consider it anything out of the ordinary," the man responded.

Theo drew a deep breath. It seemed ironic that the topic of danger was being raised when his past undeniably bore the marks of two gate entries—one sanctioned, the other entirely clandestine.

"I accept, Headmaster. I am grateful for this opportunity," Theo declared, eliciting another round of applause from the old man.

"Excellent! I anticipate remarkable achievements from you, Theo Merrick! You may retire for now. Your classes will commence tomorrow."

With that, the elder returned his attention to the papers before him, while Theo rose from his seat.

He offered his farewells to the headmaster and departed the office, encountering both his attendants engaged in conversation with a young lady.

The opening of the door drew the attention of the trio, causing Theo's attendants to visibly relax in relief as Clara approached him.

"Young Master, this young lady is this year's head of the student body. She was informing us about an attendant course that we might enroll in alongside you," Clara explained, her eyes alight with excitement.

However, this sparkle was only discernible to Elias and Theo; the girl remained impassive.

A smirk played on Theo's lips as he regarded the girl.

"We appreciate the offer, and we would be pleased to accept should my attendants express a desire to do so."

Both Clara and Elias readily agreed, prompting the student body head to jot down a few details before she, too, bid farewell and departed.

Theo, Clara, and Elias then proceeded to the dormitory. They had already received a comprehensive tour of the academy from a guide.

Following a brief registration process, they were assigned their rooms. Theo found himself surprised by the arrangement: one spacious chamber and a noticeably smaller adjoining one designated for his attendants.

Theo first inspected the attendants' quarters to assess their suitability. He discovered that despite the modest entrance, the room itself was quite ample, furnished with all the amenities expected of an institution located within the royal capital.

Theo settled into his own quarters while Clara and Elias organized their space.

As evening descended, a staff member delivered Theo's schedule for the following day, which included several mandatory classes and a meeting with the faculty head to discuss his academic path further.

Theo enjoyed a restful night's sleep, despite a lingering Tanticipation to practice his Qi, an activity he had forgone during his recent travels.

The next morning, Theo made his way to his first class: Political Theory, a subject he eagerly anticipated.

Upon entering the classroom, he noticed a woman who appeared to be in her thirties. Theo couldn't help but admire her striking beauty.

She wore a black robe over an elegant dress. Her gaze shifted to Theo as he entered, and she regarded him with a rather serious expression.

"Theo Merrick?" she inquired, prompting a nod from Theo.

"Yes, Professor."

"You are early, but we can commence immediately as there are no other students present," the lady stated, rising from her seat and approaching Theo.

"My name is Maevelin Stork, but you may address me as Maevelin, Theo Merrick," she said, extending her hand for a handshake.

As she drew nearer, Theo observed that she was approximately a quarter inch shorter than himself.

He gently took her hand and bestowed a light kiss upon its upper surface.

Maevelin regarded Theo with surprise, but a sigh escaped her lips as she observed the professional demeanor he maintained.

"Let us begin."

Theo took a seat and accepted a substantial book from the professor.

"The headmaster informed me of your circumstances. Consequently, this course will progress at an accelerated pace. Should you require a slower tempo at any point, you must inform me."

With that, Theo's inaugural class commenced, continuing for a total of three hours until the professor concluded her instruction.

Throughout this period, Theo diligently took notes and grasped all the concepts presented.

"Your insightful questions indicate a clear comprehension. Tomorrow, we shall delve into the foundational pillars of the Elaria Kingdom."

Upon completion, Theo offered the professor a deep bow before departing, carrying the book and notes in hand.

After Theo's departure, Maevelin reviewed the material covered and wore a somber expression.

The pace was so rapid that she covered the material of over a month of classes in a single session, making her question the wisdom of the decision. Theo was surely on the verge of complete exhaustion.

The subsequent class held Theo’s highest anticipation. It was the hybrid fighting style course, a subject he had longed to study at the previous academy but was unable to.

Upon entering the classroom, he observed a man clad in the familiar black robe, who was asleep and emitting sounds akin to roars rather than typical snores.

The moment Theo took a single step inside, the snoring abruptly ceased, and the man’s head turned towards the entrance.

"You're early, Theo Merrick. I had assumed you would be taking some rest first," the man stated, before stretching expansively and rising to his feet.

Theo observed the professor’s physique with a smile. While the man wasn't a giant like his father and brother, he was certainly among the elite in Theo's estimation.

The snug fit of his robe also served as a testament to the professor's dedication and hard work.

"My name is Carlos. I'm responsible for hybrid training styles at this academy," the man announced, stifling a yawn as he met Theo's gaze.

"Your eyes possess a remarkable sharpness, Theo. I appreciate that. Let's commence immediately; follow me."

Carlos began to exit the classroom without further delay, and Theo, after tidying his belongings, followed close behind.

They proceeded for some distance, and as Theo glanced outside, he noticed numerous children departing through the main gate, their luggage trailing behind them. Some were accompanied by attendants, while others traveled alone.

A line of carriages was visible outside the academy.

The corridors through which they walked now contained significantly fewer students than before.

"Having second thoughts about studying during the vacation?" Carlos inquired, looking back with a smirk.

Theo responded with a slight smile and a shake of his head. "I need to catch up, Professor Carlos. To do that, certain sacrifices are necessary."

"I cannot claim to be unaware of your records. They were indeed quite intriguing. I had the opportunity to fight alongside your father some years ago. I still recall that battle as if it were only a few weeks past," Carlos remarked, his fists clenching involuntarily, his expression one Theo recognized – a touch of wistful nostalgia.

Their path led them to an area equipped with numerous training dummies, these fashioned from metal.

"The manner in which you walk, the way you hold the sword hilt positioned for immediate access within seconds – I notice these details," Carlos commented, scrutinizing Theo from head to toe.

"You have already surpassed the foundational level of the hybrid fighting style, which constitutes the very basics. Perhaps even the second year's curriculum," he added, Theo listening attentively, nodding.

"So, now it all culminates in a few tests to ascertain your current standing," Carlos stated. "First, demonstrate the extent of your aura output."

Two hours later,

Carlos had documented a considerable amount on the paper he held. The entire training ground was in a state of disarray.

Numerous slashes marked the surrounding walls and the ground. The metallic dummies lay severed in half, with only the area where Carlos stood remaining perfectly intact.

"You can contend with a… typical fourth-year student, Theo Merrick… Commendable," Carlos declared before ceasing his writing.

"And your unique ability, what you refer to as your family's secret art, places you among the academy's top prodigies. I'm uncertain what further instruction you require. Your fundamental skills are honed to perfection; your sole focus now is augmenting your aura to enhance its output."

"Therefore, we shall concentrate on that henceforth. You may undertake the final examination for this class at your convenience. In my assessment, you have already passed."

Theo possessed only a vague notion of his own potential, unaware that he was on the cusp of shattering academy records and keeping everyone in a constant state of anticipation. It was indeed time for the Merricks to once again make their mark upon the world.