Chapter 602 - Suspicion

The third-year welcoming party quickly made him feel anxious, and being called to see the headmaster just an hour after being recalled. Things could not be any more concerning. 

Emery walked following the magus through a long tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, the two entered some kind of box that lifted them up the stairs. He then went through another tunnel similar to the previous one, with the only big difference being this one had a big window showing the vast blue sky surrounding the flying island of the Magus Academy.

In the sky that seemed to have no limit, he could see seemingly countless flying objects that look like ships made of steel hovering around the academy.

The magus leading the way looked back in time to see Emery admiring the view. However, he couldn't care less, and called him up.

"Continue, acolyte. The headmaster is waiting."

Seeing the magus immediately turning back and continuing to walk, Emery quickly followed to catch up to the magus once again. As the two reached a huge door, Emery remembered that, before he left the academy three years ago, Headmaster Altus Deysden had been captured by the elves. 

This memory made him wonder if the headmaster had already been saved and was back to the academy.

But as soon he walked into the room, he realized the headmaster the magus was referring to was someone else.

This grey-haired middle-aged man was the grand magus deputy headmaster Delbrand. It seemed he still took charge of the headmaster position these last three years.

Even though the grand magus did not have the same level of aura and charisma as the previous headmaster, he was still a grand magus. An individual with power a hundred times more than a magus.

While Emery was in thought, the new Headmaster Delbrand briefly examined him with a sharp cold gaze. Holding a small cube that was projecting information, the deputy headmaster began to speak.

"Emery Ambrose… Lower realm… Earth… You are one of the elites who won the third game by defeating a privileged acolyte, are you not?"

Despite clearly directing the question at Emery, the deputy headmaster did not look at him. Instead, his eyes were on the information projected by the cube in his hand.

"Yes, I was." Although Emery did not know where this conversation was going, he still answered with confidence.

"Yes, yes, I remember you… It was a good fight… Quite entertaining". 

Unsure of what to say, Emery stayed quiet while the new headmaster's attention was on the screen of information. The silence made him feel more anxious. Even after coming here, he still had no idea why he was called.

"You have an impressive history in your second year… A few achievements with the apothecary, and... an impressive Double Core! This is rare to see! Very good."

Hearing the deputy headmaster's positive words as well as his tone of speaking, Emery felt that it might not be bad news after all.

However, a second later the headmaster's expression changed. He stood up, walked toward the window, and took out a small tube shaped item. As he held it up near his mouth, he lit a small fire with magic to light up one end and inhaled from one end of the item before exhaling smoke outside the window.

He appeared to be in deep thought as his eyes were fixed on the sky.

"Do you have such a flying ship in your world, Emery?"

Emery thought for a while and shook his head.

"Ah… most lower worlds don't have one yet."

The deputy headmaster then began talking about the ships that were there as protection for the acolytes and how a lot of things have changed since the attack 3 years ago.

Out of nowhere he suddenly said, "I wonder how Altus would do at times like this..." .

There appear to be a lot of things keeping his mind.

Emery however still did not know why he was called here and why the deputy headmaster was talking about this to him.

"Tell me, headmaster, why am I here?" Emery directly asked. 

Headmaster Delbrand threw the smoking item outside of the window and returned to his seat. He took a deep breath, looked him directly in the eye when he said.

"The truth is, after gathering your information, the academy's automated system flagged you as a threat toward the academy and recommended your direct expulsion from the academy."

"!!!" 

Expulsion… This was definitely shocking for Emery but he did his best to maintain his calm. He asked the deputy headmaster about the reason and the Headmaster Delbrand was willing to explain.

"First is your bloodline. You must know the wolf bloodline is currently under investigation for allying with our enemy, the elves. Hence until these matters are proven, most wolf bloodline acolytes have already been sent out from the academy to return to their respective homes."

"Allying with the enemy…." Emery muttered in disbelief. 

"Secondly, you have been sighted in two events that involved the attacks from the elves: the first being on your first year in elder respite and the second during the day Headmaster Altus was taken by the elves. For an acolyte to be in both events is undoubtedly suspicious."

Emery found this reason to be outrageous. It's like being in the wrong time and wrong place was not bad enough and he would be accused and suffer because of it. 

The headmaster then once again looked toward the information that came out of the cube and said. 

"Third was your extreme increase in strength, which was very questionable especially considering your low aptitude and the fact you came from a lower world. With these three reasons, you should be happy if expulsion is all you get."

Emery was about to strongly protest when the headmaster added.

"Out of the 10.000 acolytes of your year, only 65% still remained, we purged more than 2000 this year just because of suspicious background, hence taking out one more is nothing"

Hearing this made Emery realize something was unusual with the deputy headmaster's behavior. With this in mind, he calmed himself down before asking.

"Then why am I still standing here, headmaster?"

The headmaster showed a faint smile in response.

"It is also because of these three reasons that I plan to keep you here in the academy. Even more, I also plan to give back the reward that was unfairly taken from you."

"What do you mean?" 

The headmaster looked at him with a serious gaze and said, "I shall give you what you earned from winning last year's game, the privileged-class status!"