Chapter 181: Deadweight
The old spatial array master, his back turned resolutely towards the five stunned students, continued to hum his off-key tune, each note a small, sharp stab in their collective hope.
The oppressive silence was finally broken by Daniel, who stepped forward slowly, his hands raised in a calming gesture.
"Master," Daniel began, his voice calm and respectful, a clear shift from Gideon’s earlier booming arrogance.
"Please, forgive my teammate’s... enthusiasm.
He is a warrior of great strength, but his manners are, perhaps, still under cultivation.
We have come a long way, on the direct orders of Principal Finch, to undertake this trial.
It is a matter of great importance, not just to us, but to the Academy."
The old man paused his carving , though he didn’t turn around.
He let the silence stretch for a long, agonizing moment."The Principal’s personal disciple, eh?" he grunted, finally.
"I’ve heard the whispers. The boy who broke the system." He sighed, a sound like dry leaves scraping across pavement.
"Fine. I won’t refuse the Principal’s request. But you lot," he said, finally turning to face them, his diamond-sharp eyes locked in a stern glare, "will listen and listen carefully."
The Silvershade Realm is not a playground. It is a graveyard of legends, and it does not suffer fools gladly."