’’Huh?’’
Theo stared at Dean Wirin strangely.
’’What do you mean special materials?’’
Dean Wirin smiled faintly.
He leaned back, folding his hands together.
’’Over the years, I’ve personally acquired quite the number of extremely rare resources and deposited them in my collection. If you want, you may look through them.’’
Theo’s eyes slowly widened.
’’Are you... sure?’’
Dean Wirin nodded once, still radiating calmness.
’’Of course,’’ he said. ’’Ordinarily, no student would ever be granted access to my personal collection.’’
A faint smile appeared on his face.
’’However, I believe you’ve earned an exception.’’
Theo blinked once.
He didn’t even know how strong the dean really was. But with how respectful everyone had been toward him... he could make a few guesses.
’And I get to pick from his personal collection?’ he thought, amazed. ’I wonder what insane things are in there!’
’’However,’’ Dean Wirin interrupted his thoughts. ’’I want you to promise me one thing.’’
Theo glanced up and tilted his head slightly.
’’If you reach the gold core stage before the national tournament...’’
He raised a finger, pointing it straight at him.
’’I want you to participate in it.’’
For a moment, it remained silent.
Theo’s brows furrowed together, his mind churning.
’’Me?’’ he asked, confused. ’’I mean, I naturally would, but why would you ask me that?’’
It just didn’t make sense.
Some third years would have reached the gold core stage too.
Hell, a few fourth years would probably be at the platinum core stage by then.
’’Mhm, good question,’’ Dean Wirin said. ’’Though, I’ll have to sum it up to a hunch.’’
Theo remained silent.
’A hunch, huh,’ he thought, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Dean Wirin simply maintained his smile.
Finally, Theo let out a soft sigh.
’’Alright,’’ he said, nodding once. ’’I’ll accept that offer.’’
’’Good,’’ Dean Wirin responded immediately. ’’I’ll have a complete list of the available resources sent to you.’’
’’Take your time and contact me once you’ve made up your mind.’’
Theo nodded once.
’’Thank you,’’ he said.
Dean Wirin waved his hand dismissively.
He opened the folder in front of him right after.
’’Let’s discuss the transfer of the remaining seventy million dollars now.’’
Theo nodded once more, a faint smile on his face.
Time flew by rapidly after that.
Nearly an entire hour later, Theo finally stepped outside the dean’s mansion.
THUD!
The heavy gates slammed shut behind him.
’That was exhausting,’ he thought, stretching his arms.
A long yawn escaped his mouth.
’I should head back to my apartment now.’
Unbeknownst to him, Dean Wirin was still watching him.
’What a strange child,’ he thought.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
’He’s broken record after record... and he doesn’t even realize it.’
His thoughts drifted back to the tournament.
A quiet scoff escaped him.
’He really should thank the Whitmores for all of this,’ he thought, shaking his head.
’Had those arrogant fools not tried to corner him, he never would’ve walked away with a hundred and twenty million dollars.’
As the dean, he’d naturally heard about the conflict between Theo and the Whitmores.
After the incident involving the Psychic element, he’d looked into the matter himself.
But the deeper he dug, the uglier the story became.
A deep sigh escaped his lips once more as the tree branch he stood on slowly lowered to the ground.
’At least this was some good PR for us,’ he thought, smiling slightly. ’A hundred and twenty million dollars heading to a single student has to be the new world record.’
’I bet the upperclassmen are writhing in jealousy right now.’
After a moment, his smile slowly faded.
His thoughts returned to the Whitmores.
’How ridiculous,’ he thought. ’How dare they try to pressure me using the government.’
’And all that for a question which could’ve ruined a kid’s life.’
It was as if they’d thought he wouldn’t see the intention behind it.
If Theo had refused, as they’d expected, and he hadn’t stepped in, Theo would’ve become the target of an entire generation of students.
And if something ever happened to him afterward...
Who would even question it?
Dean Wirin’s eyes slowly narrowed.
’I’ve allowed their little games to continue for far too long,’ he thought.
’It’s time to push back.’
Theo was completely unaware of the thoughts behind him.
He leisurely walked down the quiet stone path, his hands tucked into his pockets.
’Seventy million dollars, huh,’ he thought. ’Seems like I can go on a shopping spree later.’
He’d keep the money from the inheritance aside in case he needed it for his future summon.
But the rest?
That he needed to spend on improving.
’I can’t believe how well worth this tournament was...’
It wasn’t even just about the money.
His fight against the ordinary students had clearly brought his close-combat skills to the next level.
And before that, his duel against Lucienne, in which he’d used a fusion of his water and lightning elements.
’I already know what I’m going to be doing over the next few days too.’
He’d start off by selecting items for his summon.
At the same time, he’d be learning the obsidian core spell from Elise.
And finally, it was about time to look into his own affinities.
’Oh, can’t forget the things I’ll get from my shopping spree too,’ he thought.
But after a moment, he just waved his hand dismissively.
’I can deal with all of that once I’ve actually bought something.’
The rest of the walk passed by peacefully.
By the time Theo reached his apartment building, the sun had already begun dipping under the horizon.
He let out another yawn as he climbed the stairs at an unhurried pace.
As Theo reached his apartment, he paused for a moment.
’Huh?’
Bright light spilled out from beneath the front door.
Click!
Theo unlocked the door and slowly stepped inside.
His eyes widened slightly as he found his apartment packed with his friends.
’’Yo!’’ Owen said with a grin. ’’About time you came back!’’
He waved his arm toward the table, which was filled with cake and other food.
’’We pulled it off properly this time!’’