Sword Saint's Reincarnation

Book 3 Chapter 24: Profession (4)

Rylan and Alice walked through the Academy’s hallways as they headed to the student council’s building. The students they came across all looked back and forth between them, whispering to each other. Because he could hear every conversation, Rylan realized the news about the fact that he’d be teaching Mana Cultivation had spread like wildfire. Those who weren’t in the know were quickly brought up to speed by their friends, ending up shocked.

There’s no avoiding this.

Presented with the possibility of learning something entirely unique and unlike anything they had ever come across, there was no way the Academy’s students, who were all talented and dedicated in their own right, wouldn’t react like this.

“It’s a shame Jasmine and Hayden didn’t come along,” Alice suddenly said, dragging him out of his thoughts.

Rylan shook his head.

“I’ve already taught them plenty in the Mage Tower. Since this lesson is going to be the first one, there will be nothing they haven’t heard before. It’s better for them to practice what they’ve already learned,” he replied.

Alice clicked her tongue.

“I feel left out.”

Rylan grinned.

“Don’t worry. Aren’t you here? You’ll learn soon enough.”

She looked at him, tilting her head.

“…I really wonder what kind of groundbreaking method Mana Cultivation is. I thought something like it would never be possible.”

Rylan chuckled.

“It’s just something I came up with that allows Mages to counter their weaknesses. You need to progress a lot before it becomes something beyond that.”

From the corner of his vision, he could see her narrow her eyes.

“So how did you manage it at such a young age?”

Rylan only shrugged in response, making her scoff and look ahead again. Making some small talk, both of them headed in the direction of the student council’s building, walking through the hallways and across the open areas covered by green grass and a few trees. They drew attention wherever they went, but Rylan managed to get by with only a few greetings. Thankfully, nobody approached them.

Finally, after some time, they arrived in front of the entrance. The building looked exactly the same as the last time Rylan had been there, unsurprisingly. He stepped through the entrance and followed the same path as before to arrive before the double wooden doors, pushing them open. The student council’s main room came into view, the white marble floor contrasting with the red plush furniture and the crimson velvet curtains. Like before, books were piled on top of the free chairs and sofas.

“I’ve always liked this room’s color scheme,” Alice said from the side in a low tone.

Rylan smiled and ran his eyes over the people in the room. Lucian and Ophelia were already staring straight at him, smiling, but they weren’t the only ones in the room. Sitting beside them, on the same sofa, were some of the other members Rylan was familiar with. Leonard’s orange hair glinted under the sunlight as he stood behind the sofa, while Louise and Oliver sat next to Lucian. Jennifer and Faye sat next to Ophelia. Rylan moved his gaze to the people around them.

That’s quite a few professors.

Thirteen men and women either stood around the sofa or sat on the plush chairs, all looking impatient. He recognized a few of them, including Rebecca Bacque and Hugo Brassard, who had been sent to help him with the Basilisk Wilds. Most of them, however, he wasn’t familiar with.

They’re the upperclassmen’s professors.

It made sense that not all professors would be here, especially those who taught the Academy’s first years.

Rylan took a step forward as everyone’s gazes fell on him and smiled.

“Hello, everyone,” he said in a steady tone. “Are all of you ready?”

The student council members smiled at him, with the exception of Faye, who only grinned slightly. Leonard looked ready to jump out of his seat, while both Ophelia and Louise beamed at him. Lucian stood up.

“Welcome, Professor Rylan,” he said, then stopped for a second. “I didn’t think I would be calling you that so soon, but here we are.”

Rylan threw him a bittersweet smile as Alice walked past him to join the other professors, greeting Rebecca and Hugo.

“I think it makes sense,” Louise said cheerfully. “I don’t think any of us expected him to rise so quickly, but I don’t think it’s uncalled for.”

“Of course it isn’t,” Oliver said in a slightly berating tone as he turned to look at her. “He invented a new way of using mana. And that’s what he’s going to teach us.”

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The others nodded and smiled, then looked at Rylan with burning eyes. Finally, Rylan’s gaze fell upon the three youngsters he didn’t recognize. There were two young women and one young man. The leftmost girl had black hair and warm brown eyes, with tan skin and a firm-looking body. The boy in the middle had similarly-colored eyes and hair, as well as skin. They even looked a bit alike.

Siblings.

He then looked at the other girl. She was blonde like Jasmine, but she had pink eyes and a kind smile.

“I take it you’re the student council members who weren’t around the last time I was here?” Rylan asked.

They nodded at the same time.

“Hello, Professor Rylan. I’m Edgar, and this is my sister Ange, as well as our friend Sophie.”

Sophie waved at him, and Ange kept her smile.

“I’m honestly so glad I got to meet you,” Ange quickly said. “I felt like the others would talk my ears off whenever they talked about you.”

Some of the student council members flinched, while a few of the professors chuckled. Rylan openly laughed before he ran his gaze over everyone.

The professors are all in the Fifth Circle, and the three new students are all deep in the Third Circle. Particularly, Ange is on the same level as Oliver.

It meant she was only weaker than Ophelia and Lucian.

“Then, let’s get started,” Rylan said, making everyone lean forward almost automatically. He blinked when he saw this. “First, we’ll start with what Mana Cultivation is and how it works, in essence.”

He needed to spread his knowledge to as many people as he could.

***

Catherina looked at the five people in front of her, down the stairs leading to the throne, with a dead serious expression. The sun coming through the throne room’s giant windows illuminated her pure white hair, making her indigo eyes also shine. The breeze that entered through the open windows carried the scent of the ocean. Next to the throne stood a tall man with blue hair and eyes, wearing glasses and holding a wooden staff.

“Are all of you ready?” she asked in a steady tone. Her voice was clear and melodic.

“We are, Your Majesty,” the man at the forefront replied as he knelt alongside the others. He was an older man with greying hair and beard, as well as tan skin. “No matter what, we’ll reach Rylan Flameheart.”

She nodded with a grim expression, then looked up to behold the entire room. Right behind the group was a long, light blue carpet with golden linings that ended by the throne room’s enormous doors. By each side of the carpet were ten people, the men and women whom she trusted the most. They were all dressed in similar-looking robes and also looked similarly concerned. One of them, a man with black hair and dark eyes, stepped forward, standing out from the row. Catherina looked at him and nodded, making him bow.

“I still think we should send more people,” the bowing man said. “Rylan Flameheart’s significance is too great. At this point, going unnoticed isn’t too important.”

The man next to the throne shook his head, making Catherina look at him. Allen, her most trusted advisor and a man who had reached the Seventh Circle on his own.

“A small party will move quicker by default,” he replied. “The Empire is already aware of Rylan’s existence and significance. The size of the group we send won’t matter if we don’t reach him before the Empire does.”

The man raised his body, making Catherina look at him. She could tell by the look in his eyes that he was ready to argue.

Not this again.

She stood up before the man could say anything, drawing all gazes to her. The group of five remained kneeling. She slowly walked down the steps that led to the throne, then stopped on the first one, just a bit higher than the group.

“I would go myself if I could,” she started. “But we all know it’s unfeasible. I can only hope that he feels our sincerity.”

The greying man at the forefront bowed even lower.

“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll do whatever I can,” he replied firmly, making her smile.

“It’s fine if you don’t. If Rylan doesn’t want to join us, no amount of spectacle will fix that. Just stay safe.”

She could tell the man was smiling.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

She resisted the urge to sigh. As usual, she was perfectly aware that her words only meant that the man and his group would try harder. But what else was she supposed to say? Was she supposed to put pressure on them by saying they should succeed no matter what? Or that they needed to be willing to sacrifice whatever they could to bring Rylan over to Mar’s side?

No.

If Rylan didn’t join them, it was fine too. As always, she would protect her kingdom and the kingdoms under her wing, even if she had to do it by herself. She looked to the right, through the giant open window. Mar’s capital city unfolded beyond it, tall, white stone buildings in an intricate display that ended in the clear, blue ocean. After admiring the view she never got tired of for a few seconds, she looked back at the kneeling group.

“I give you my blessing. Please, take care of ourselves and watch out for the Empire’s movements. You can retreat if things get too dangerous and return here. Go.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Almost at the same time, the group stood up. The greying man bowed once more before decisively turning around and leading his group in the direction of the entrance. Once they stepped through it and the doors closed, Catherina let out a breath.

“They’re in danger, but I think they’ll reach Ceotha without much trouble,” Allen said from behind her, making her furrow her brow in worry.

Jonathan is in the Seventh Circle, but… I can’t predict what soldiers Lucius will send.

The new Emperor was a dangerous man in many ways. Even in the Empire, Mages in the Seventh Circle occupied high positions in the military, but Rylan’s existence was simply that significant. It was entirely possible that High Commanders would be sent, or even someone in the Eighth Circle. She gritted her teeth.

Please, stay safe.

She would figure something out if this delegation didn’t work out. She just didn’t want her soldiers to get hurt.

Sighing, she turned around and climbed the steps, then sat back down on her intricate throne.

“It is extremely likely that Rylan Flameheart’s knowledge of Mana Cultivation transcends ours,” Allen said to her. “Once again, I must emphasize the importance of recruiting him.”

Catherina sighed.

“Henry is a dear friend. I’m going to help Ceotha regardless, but… I agree.”

Evaluating someone as ‘valuable’ left a bitter taste in her mouth, but Rylan’s significance was undeniable.

I still can’t believe he’s that skilled with Mana Cultivation.

It was a Skill she didn’t know much about. The Kingdom of Mar had been able to piece a few things together over time due to its interactions with the previous emperor, but it was obvious that Rylan had surpassed them. In the Fourth Circle, he’d used Mana Cultivation to defeat and kill three Sixth Circle Mages. Still, she would protect Ceotha and its citizens anyway.

I just need to keep fighting.

No matter what, she wouldn’t bend to the new Empire so easily.