One day, after Ace was entrusted to the Blakelords, Maria came to visit inside Chris's office for a report.
"So, what's new?" asked Chris, curious about what Ace was up to since they needed to analyze him through real combat training.
"As always there's no trace of mana," Maria answered. "There hasn't been any development over the course of the sessions so it's safe to assume his power is completely unrelated to mana. Since that is the case, we may need to attribute him at least a Level 2 accreditation considering his overall abilities."
"The strong acting weak, but is judged weak by our standards, huh?" muttered Chris.
"Thanks. You can go on your way now."
"Then good day to you. I also wish you good luck in your endeavor," she said as she bowed towards Chris.
Before exiting the room, Maria shared her thoughts with Chris. "I don't know exactly what he is or what he's capable of, but it won't hurt to keep an eye on him. Maybe I'm just worrying for nothing but better to be prepared than sorry."
"I'll keep that in mind," replied Chris as Maria simply walked away. His expression was that of worry. He had also realized that something was strange about Ace, but he was unable to figure out what it was. He simply went back to handling the paperwork laid out before him, a smooth and fresh breeze blowing from his office window.
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On another certain day, one morning, with the sun rising and casting an extraordinary view on the horizon, had arrived with a crisp, clear sky.
Inside his room, with a red tie tied tightly on the collar of his white shirt which was itself covered by a gray-black blazer with a red emblem of a golden rose with a cross behind it embedded on it, and pants of the same color as his blazer, Ace packed his belongings with meticulous care at the curiosity of his next destination mingled with a certain tinge of uneasiness.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door. It was Chris.
"Did you finish packing everything?" Chris asked, his voice tinged with a lingering sense of concern and happiness.
"Yeah," Ace said, closing his suitcase which contained essential items: a sturdy water bottle, clothes, a few day-to-day tools, and a small first-aid kit. "I'm ready to go whenever you are."
Walking inside the living room, the both of them found Ellie who was preparing the dining table for breakfast.
"Oh! Ace! Chris! Good morning," she said softly.
"Good morning," Ace greeted.
"Good morning, honey," said Chris, as he then gave her a peck on the cheek.
'As always, Chris and miss Ellie are such a loving couple,' thought Ace as he stared at them with a deadpan expression.
"I'll go wake up Shaw," he said, leaving the room as if trying to escape the couple's lovey-dovey demonstration.
As Ace entered the room that was behind the second door on the left of the corridor, Shaw suddenly tried to jump on him.
With a sigh, Ace swiftly evaded him and then proceeded to give him a chop to the head.
"Ouch!" the boy, Shaw, exclaimed holding his head in pain.
"Guess you still haven't learned your lesson, huh?" said Ace with an annoyed yet seemingly distant tone.
"Well, this is the last time I'll be able to see you in a while," said Shaw with a hint of sadness and loneliness in his voice. "I thought that I could finally catch you by surprise this time."
"Is that so? Unfortunately, you're ten years too young to try and catch me off guard," said Ace with a bothered and exasperated expression.
"Hmph. Snob," Shaw muttered.
"I heard that."
After their small exchange, the family gathered for breakfast.
Indeed, today would be the last day that Ace would be home for a long time. And that was because today would be the day he joins the Academy.
After the delectable breakfast, a heartfelt goodbye session followed.
Ace was given a small pendant necklace as both a souvenir and a charm by Ellie while Shaw skirmished around before giving him a hug.
With an aloof and indecipherable expression as if finding this situation mundane and suffocating, Ace proceeded to depart. "Goodbye. I promise to return on holidays," he said, his voice resolute despite the emotional tension in the air. He waved as he stepped away with Chris who was giving him a lift to the academy.
Entering the car after packing his luggage in the car, 'Well then, time to go,' Ace, behind his stoic expression, felt a mix of mild interest and contempt at the new path he was undertaking. 'Off to Therion Academy.'
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After 3 hours on the roads, Ace, accompanied by Chris, finally arrived at the entrance of Therion Academy. It was an institution alive with energy, its large area filled with the laughter and chatter of students, teachers, and other academy staff who were looking forward to the 2nd Term of the Academic Year.
The first item on their agenda was a respectful greeting to Hugo, the Dean of the Academy.
"Do we really have to go see that old man first?" asked Ace, a tinge of annoyance in his voice as he hid his real thoughts. 'I didn't really enjoy our last encounter.'
"It's thanks to him that you can attend the academy, so the least we can do is offer our proper respect to him," answered Chris, helping Ace with the luggage.
"Hahaha," Hugo appeared out of nowhere. "You should be careful what you say young lad. Have you never heard of the saying: Walls have eyes and ears everywhere?"
'Great. Just great,' Ace hid his dry discontent. "Unfortunately, I never had."
"A pity," Hugo said with a knowing smile playing on his lips.
'Seems like he figured out that I was lying,' Ace observed Hugo's expression, easily noticing what his expression meant.
"Well then, I called in someone to help you transport your luggage towards your dorm," said Hugo as he then redirected his gaze towards Chris. "How about letting him explore the academy grounds while you and I chat a little bit?"
"I'm sorry, but—" Chris hesitated before being interrupted by Ace.
"It's okay. As long as I have a guide with me, I'll manage. You should go."
Ace and Chris exchanged glances without uttering a word until Chris conceded.
"Fine. But be careful."
"I won't get into any trouble."
"I was saying be careful not to harm anyone."
"Exactly what do you think I am?" Ace retorted with a dry and blunt tone.
"You never managed to answer me last time, so I don't have a clue now."
'He's stingier than I thought,' Ace continued to glare at Chris.
"Seems like everything's been resolved. Shall we get going?" asked the old man, butting into the conversation.
"Yes," replied Chris.
"Well then," the old man started as a magic circle appeared underneath his and Chris's feet, engulfing them in light before disappearing into thin air.
"…" The silence in the air was palpable as Ace simply stood there alone for a moment, waiting patiently for his helper.
'Magic sure is convenient, huh?'