Chapter 97: Direct Disciple

The old librarian, that was also a great elder, streamed large amounts of energy, that had the same destructive properties as the crushing fist,  into his palm, and as he caught the fist with his bare hand, negated its effects and power.

"You dare to act so arrogantly and freely in the academy" scolded the great elder.

He had been hiding as a librarian all this time and didn't want to reveal himself unless the academy was in danger or there was something that was major that was happening, and because of that the elders were becoming more and more arrogant and acting freely.

It was common knowledge that the principal hadn't been active in his leading position in the academies and hadn't been seen for a long time, while the great elders that were stationed in each academy were also not very active in the academy, which left the elders to do as they pleased.

The elders themselves began ranking themselves and the stronger, wealthier and more influential an elder was, the higher the position they would hold within the academy.

Instantly Elder Ray was frightened and cursed his luck for being the one that had caused the great elder to come out of hiding and reveal himself to the academy.

It was common knowledge to the elders that the librarian was the great elder of Aria Academy, but not many others knew that and everyone thought of him as an ordinary old man that took care of the library.

However, in actuality, he wasn't taking care of the library, but was protecting it from any outsiders that were converting their skills and methods that were arguably the most valuable thing within the academy.

"Who is that old man?", "How is that old man so fast?", "How can an old man be so strong?", "Why does the elder seem so scared?", "How was his attack blocked so easily by the old man?"

The crowd of students were confused and curious as to who the old man was that was capable of easily blocking Elder Ray's attack and even caused him to become frightened.

"Great elder, I didn't know you were coming out of hiding" stated Elder Ray as he took a deep breath and tried to calm down and not look scared.

Damian let out a sigh of relief seeing the librarian before him and he couldn't help but realise how crazy everything that was happening to him was.

"I wasn't in hiding and it seems that the academy has forgotten the power of this old man. I will be coming out of my so-called hiding and will be taking back my role as the great elder" announced the old man.

The academy was becoming more and more corrupt and it was becoming harder for students with less influence, wealth and power to rise in the academy. It was beginning to form a hierarchy of its own like the noble and royal families, which went directly against the equal opportunities that the academy stood for.

Instantly there was an uproar in the crowd that was watching the public trial and the news that the old man was the great elder of their academy and that he had returned was amazing. The news spread like wildfire as the librarian decided that it was time to reform the academy and prepare for the inevitable battle the academy would have against the royals and nobles.

Aria Academy was beginning to decline and many young people were deciding to go to the branches of Akegria Academy because of the reputation of Aria Akegria Academy that was the lowest out of all the academies.

But now seeing how there were many rising talents in the academy under him, the great elder felt that he had the responsibility to create the perfect training environment and that he needed to remove the hierarchy and unfair treatment that was within the academy.

He knew that it was impossible to completely remove it and that it encouraged the students to grow and strengthen themselves, but he needed to balance it and he was returning to his position after leaving it for decades.

"Damian, I have a solution to your problems and will also ensure your safety while also giving you extra privileges. However, it will place a massive target on your back from students not only in this academy, but all the other Akegria academy branches as well" communicated the old man to Damian.

He was using a basic technique known as Speech Transferal, which would allow him to carry his intended speech directly to Damian's ear as a whisper using his energy.

"Do you wish to become my direct disciple?" offered the great elder through the Speech Transferal technique.

Damian was unsure how to reply using the Speech Transferal technique, but he nodded in affirmation, unwilling to miss out on such an opportunity and refuse the old man's offer, that was an enormous thing for a great elder to offer.

[Anybody that wants to target me will be struck down just like that Terra Fighter and I will not only become the greatest student, but also the greatest cultivator in the entire world] declared Damian to himself.

"I am hereby taking in student Damian as my direct disciple and as the direct disciple of a great elder, I pardon him of any accusations or crimes that you are attempting to convict him of" announced the great elder.

"Is there a problem with that?" asked the old man to Elder Ray.

"No problem sir, I will clear up this public trial and make an official announcement of your return to your role" stated Elder Ray respectfully who had heard of the great elder's wild and aggressive nature.

According to rumours he had once massacred an entire army alone when they tried to take over a small village and he did it with a single attack. He was known as the untameable cultivator that would only listen to and could only be restrained by the principal.

Damian couldn't help but feel indebted to the great elder who had not only saved him, but also took him in as a direct disciple to ensure his safety and give him additional privileges that would help him increase his strength.

[This favour will be returned and I will make you proud master] vowed Damian.