"And not only that, but also the right to obtain spell books from the Arcaneum, or rather the Library of Thunderpeak Royal Academy. Just like before, 10th to 4th rank will have access to the First Floor and can take one spell book. Rank 3rd and 2nd will have access up to the Second Floor and can take two spell books with them. Orion will have access to the Third Floor and can take three spell books with him."

Vice Dean Hargan stepped up beside her once more and continued from where she left off, "And the first-ranked student will gain a special privilege to enter the Origin Mana Pool."

BOOM!

His words sent such an intense shockwave throughout the crowd that even the people atop the platform widened their eyes in shock and disbelief.

The academy had never given out the right to use the Origin Mana Pool in its history for a mere entrance test. Only the geniuses at the top of the Transcendent Tablet Ranking could get access to it.

Even Arya didn't expect this to happen. As the Royal Princess of the Kingdom, she had once bathed in the Origin Mana Pool, and she had yet to forget that amazing sensation. But since then, she hadn't entered it again—wanting to do so through her own efforts.

Nyss's indifferent expression finally cracked as she looked at Orion with a glimmer of interest. 'Orion… huh.'

[Kekeke, girl, see? He already got an entry into the Origin Mana Pool. I'm telling you, you still have time. Once he gets more women, you might not have the chance to get closer to him.]

The spear whispered into Emilia's ear like a devil tempting a human.

'Shut up. I'm the one who gets to decide that,' she stubbornly said.

[Suit yourself. Don't come crying to me when it's too late.]

Meanwhile, a different storm was brewing among the students below. Everyone was losing their minds in envy and jealousy at the absurd opportunity he received—merely due to his absurd talent.

On the other hand, Orion simply watched with a calm gaze—for one simple reason: he didn't know what the fuck the Origin Mana Pool even was.

"Calm down." Hargan's voice boomed through the entire auditorium, instantly silencing everyone.

"That's enough. What needed to be said has been said. What needed to be given has been given. Disperse," he strictly ordered before turning around and leaving.

Elanora turned toward the crowd and playfully smiled, "Well, looks like Vice Dean Hargan is quite busy. So we'll end it here today. You should leave and look for your respective classes."

She turned around and began walking away, however, she paused and turned back. "Ah, and another thing—you all can ask your teachers how we teach students here. After all, this is an academy only in name. The rules are quite lax to give as much creative freedom to our students as possible."

Without further ado, she dispersed into a flurry of electric sparks, making the crowd widen their eyes in wonder.

"She truly is the Vice Dean… so mysterious and charming," one student heaved a sigh of admiration.

His friend elbowed him quickly, "Shut up, or do you want us to become targets on our first day?"

The first guy quickly shut his mouth while nervously glancing around.

The prodigies atop the platform began to disperse as well. Orion gazed at Elias for a bit as he left. Then his gaze turned toward Nyss, who was looking back at him with the same indifferent expression—however, now there was something else in her eyes… a twinkle of curiosity.

Arya turned to face Orion with a teasing smile, "Look who became the hottest topic of the academy in a single day. With these rewards, all the noble houses will take notice of you. Especially the Origin Mana Pool."

Orion looked toward her and raised an eyebrow, "Origin Mana Pool? Hmm, I wonder if it'll be effective for me." He tried to fish for information without letting her know he didn't know anything about it.

Arya lightly hit his shoulder while giggling, "What are you even saying? Origin Mana Pool is one of the best treasures of our kingdom."

He sighed and gave up on his initial bluff. "I see. So what does it do exactly? First time hearing about it."

Emilia and Arya looked at him with slightly wide eyes. "Brother Orion, you don't know what the Origin Mana Pool is?"

Orion spread his hands and shrugged, clearly showing he knew nothing about it.

Arya gently shook her head, "How can you arrive at the academy and not know this?"

"...Can you just tell me what it is instead of roasting me?" he almost felt like smacking her on the head but held himself back as they began walking toward the exit of the auditorium.

Emilia walked behind the two of them, silently looking at Orion's back from time to time as she remembered the crazy awards he just received.

"Hehe, it has a lot of benefits. You should read about it in the library. But the main thing is, it can strengthen mana channels, enhance foundation, increase comprehension ability for a short time, and fill the Sea of Consciousness. There are a few more, but those are the main ones," she told him as they exited the auditorium and then the main building.

They once again stepped onto the decorated pathway of the academy, with students going to and from the main building. Arya chose the direction and led the group onward.

"I see, so it's… some really good stuff." Orion nodded his head. He got the gist of it, but he still wanted to read details about it so he could make the most of this opportunity.

"Well, I'll look into it later. Where are we heading now? Classes? I'm interested in Affinity Rune Formation classes," he asked.

"Hehe, just follow me, I'll tell you in a bit," she playfully smiled as the group continued walking through the massive academy.

The pathways were bustling again. Students wandered across the stone-paved paths, talking excitedly about the ceremony, the rewards, and especially about the monstrous talent known as Orion Helstorm.

Some stared outright as he passed, whispering to their friends, while others quickly looked away when he glanced their way.

Arya, ever relaxed, had her hands folded behind her back as she walked slightly ahead, humming to herself. Emilia, as usual, followed behind with her calm, unreadable expression—but Orion could tell her thoughts were far from calm. He just couldn't pinpoint why they felt so chaotic.

"So," Arya said as she led them down a different fork in the path from before, "we're heading towards the open plaza where student clubs are hosted. Every year after the entrance ceremony, the older students put up booths and try to recruit promising newcomers."

Orion raised an eyebrow, "So it's like an auction market—but for talent?"

Arya giggled, "Kind of. But it's also a tradition. Some of these clubs have prestigious legacies. Getting into one of them early can get you access to private instructors, better facilities, and sometimes even special training grounds."

[Oooh, sounds fun! Master, are you going to join one too?! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝]

'Hmm… not sure yet. Let's see what kind of clubs are even there first.'