In the Evolution Department, the dean had chosen to gather all the teachers there.
With a serious expression, the dean said, "Today, we'll be discussing whether we'll give our support to Student Auric Elfe or not. Just so you know, I won't be giving my support."
"What?" Professor Vienna was the most shocked. "Why? He's talented enough to become an evolution master at that age. Our department should have given him support."
"There are three big reasons. First, the incident from two days ago."
The dean stood up and continued, "I'm sure you're aware of this incident. Even though it's outside of our control, the Element Department is using this opportunity to humiliate us. Since when has our department been looked down on like this?"
Evolution masters were respected in society, so the fact that someone being above them was unacceptable to the dean.
The dean raised his middle finger. "The second reason is his element. He may have some advantages right now, but don't forget that he has a unique element. Even with all the advantages, it will be hard for him to evolve. In other words, he will be stuck at the bronze grade level.
"If we give him our support, we might end up wasting it on someone who won't be able to get past the bronze grade."
Professor Vienna was dumbfounded. All the reasons he had spouted were nonsense. However, that was only her opinion.
Other teachers looked like they were starting to be convinced.
The dean raised the last finger. "Third, my biggest concern is his attitude. Just from a small conflict, he doesn't even have the courage to stand up again. Yesterday, he even took the day off. If this is his attitude, he might end up giving up once he encounters the two problems I've mentioned earlier."
The teachers were a bit skeptical, but they could indeed see the problem this way as well.
Professor Vienna raised her voice. "I disagree. He had an appointment with the president of the Evolution Association two days ago when the incident occurred. Because of them, he had to arrive late. He would have been injured had I not intervened."
The dean simply replied, "That's exactly the problem. Do you think he will be favored by the president of the Evolution Association? After learning that he has a unique element, he will be forsaken."
"No. I know he is now both a plant-element evolution master and a wind-element evolution master. His expertise is already above that of his peers. You can get all the students who have been to his store to testify."
The dean shook his head. "I can acknowledge his current skills, but it will be useless later. He can't evolve. What do you think will happen next? Rather than focusing on him, we should help other students. We can create a few more 'SILVER-GRADE' evolution masters instead of supporting someone who will be stuck at bronze."
Professor Vienna felt like slicing the dean into pieces.
At one point, she wanted to scream, "He is a FUCKING unique element evolution master!"
Unfortunately, she had signed an agreement and promised Auric not to tell anyone about his true profession.
If they knew Auric's true ability, they would regret even bringing this topic up in the meeting.
Professor Vienna gritted her teeth, but it looked like the dean did not plan to change his mind. "Anyway, I disagree. I will support him. I believe he has the ability and talent to reach the top."
The dean shrugged. "All right. We will vote then. I need to remind you of one thing. He has a unique element. Please consider it carefully before casting your vote."
The dean then raised his hand while asking, "All right. Who agrees with canceling the Evolution Department's support for Student Auric Elfe?"
Fifteen out of thirty-two teachers raised their hands.
The dean frowned for a moment, but he then asked, "Who agrees to continue supporting Student Auric Elfe?"
Professor Vienna raised her hand the fastest. She was followed by ten more people, giving a total of eleven votes.
"!!!" Professor Vienna widened her eyes. There were six teachers who didn't cast a vote.
In the end, Professor Vienna lost.
Professor Vienna looked horrified. She simply couldn't believe it.
"You…"
The dean smiled. "It looks like we've reached an agreement. The support for Student Auric Elfe will be canceled. Effective immediately."
"Are you dumb? You are going to regret this!" Professor Vienna's voice erupted. 'I heard from my husband that his former school couldn't even use him to advertise the school because the school principal chose another person instead of him. This Evolution Department is going to be the same…'
Professor Vienna could already imagine what would happen when the world learned that Auric was a unique-element evolution master. What would happen to this department after that was obvious.
'It looks like I have to start preparing for my resignation.' Professor Vienna didn't plan to become a laughingstock after all.
For the time being, she planned to keep her job so that she could take care of Auric and Milinda. Once everything was over, she would leave the university.
Professor Vienna slammed the table and shook her head in disappointment while looking at the teachers who voted against Auric. She then left the meeting with a sour expression.
The dean had a smug smile on his face. "Anyway, it shouldn't matter anymore. There is one more fact I haven't mentioned. The Phoenix and Dragon Society is a club with many kids who have influential backgrounds or strong talents. If they suppress him, won't it also increase the pressure on us if we support him?"
Professor Vienna didn't hear it, but even if she were still in the room, she would just snort. Her biggest confusion was why the dean had previously done everything he could to get Auric into the department. Most likely, there was pressure from the outside, or the dean had accepted the bribe.
She could only speculate but not confirm. Still, that was the most likely possibility, considering the Phoenix and Dragon Society's members were all elites.
…
Florestia City.
Atop the tallest building in the city, a middle-aged man was signing a document at his table when his phone rang.
"Hmm?" The middle-aged man frowned. When he saw the caller's name, he panicked and answered. "Good morning, Adjudicator Maya. How can I help you?"
"Former."
"Yes. Former Adjudicator Maya."
"Anyway, I'm not here to pick on you. I've heard about your son's situation. It's very unfortunate."
"Thank you. Your concern is appreciated."
"I'm wondering how desperate you are right now."
"Ma'am? Please give me some respect."
"Of course. I'm merely wondering if you are desperate enough to bring your son to Thunderer to heal him and let him evolve."
"What?" the middle-aged man widened his eyes in shock. "What do you mean?"
"Dexter. I'm giving you an opportunity. There is a chance for your son to be cured. However, the evolution master has asked you to bring him to his store in Thunderer City on the weekend, possibly before 8 a.m."
"Is there really someone who can cure my son?"
"Look at your text."
Maya sent him a link to a video of Auric using two elements in a battle.
"This… A person can actually wield two elements?"
"My student. A freshman at the Grand Magica College."
"What?" Dexter was dumbfounded. "A freshman?"
"Before you question my student's qualifications, I have to tell you that my student is so talented that the Evolution Association here has given him the documents to become a wind element evolution master and a plant element evolution master… with three stars, of course.
"Also, the reason I ask you to come before 8 a.m. is that he's going to have a lot of customers at that time. Once the store is open, he doesn't plan to give you special treatment no matter who you are."
When he heard about all those achievements, Dexter was dumbfounded. It was too much for him to believe. It would be easier for him to consider it a lie.
But Maya actually predicted his thoughts and added, "Do you think I'm lying? I may have left my previous position, but do you think I'm someone who will lie to you, especially in this matter? If you don't plan to take this opportunity, I can still call your father. Surely, your father's mind is still sharper than yours."
Dexter was speechless. Why would Maya take a jab at him at the last moment?
But if her claim was not fabricated, then it might be worth a shot.
Dexter thought for a moment before saying, "All right. I will bring him this weekend. Mind if I bring an evolution master to observe?"
"You must be worried about your son's condition. I understand that. So, you can, but let me remind you of one thing. I will be there as well. He'd better keep his mouth shut or I might end up prosecuting a few people, including you."
"I… understand." Dexter gulped down. "We'll be there on Saturday before 7 a.m."
"Good. If you need to convince your parents or your son, just tell them I'm willing to put my identity on the line."
Dexter gulped. "It looks like you have great confidence in this student of yours."
"Of course." Maya scoffed. "Anyway, I will hang up."
With Maya taking care of the arrangements both for Auric's job and studies, Auric returned to campus.
Even though he had lost the Evolution Department's favor, Auric didn't really make a fuss.
The basic knowledge about evolution was the only thing he needed. Lindwurm could give him the rare techniques he needed to advance, just like the Extreme Bridge Management or the Dual Fusion Method.
However, with the warning from the Evolution Association, the Phoenix and Dragon Society didn't dare to provoke Auric any further.
But it looked like they were still planning to make him look bad. Even though they didn't post anything that provoked Auric, they recruited Simon just to prove him wrong.
Auric decided to spend the rest of the week in the Evolution Department, but he was still searching for a gravity element battle technique. Unfortunately, both the Element Department and the Evolution Department didn't have such a book.
If he had just one, he could gain the gravity element.
Nevertheless, his main focus this time was researching the battle techniques. He wanted to create the heart technique as quickly as possible.
Still, Auric never neglected his training. During the day, he would learn everything on campus. Once classes were over, he would spend all his time gathering elemental energy along with his physical training.
Even when he was sleeping, he would use the dream element to practice his battle techniques while sleeping. Fortunately, even though he was training, he would wake up in the morning feeling fresh. It made him understand why the dream element was powerful. Coupled with the S-grade affinity, as long as she could keep evolving, Milinda could advance faster than anyone else.
A few days passed. It was time for him to meet Maya's acquaintance. While heading to the store, Auric checked his progress.
Name: Auric Elfe
Element: (Fire 10%), (Water 12%), (Lightning 10%), (Wind 18%), (Earth 34%), (Plant 24%), (Light 0%), (Dark 10%), (Unique 28%)
Auric managed to gain 30% elemental energy that was distributed over several elements over the past few days. It was a rather fulfilling week with no trouble around him.
At this pace, the only thing he was worried about was the light element. He wanted it to complete all the elements.
At the same time, he also needed to start choosing other elements. Even though he had been writing down a few more gathering techniques and putting them in his store, he hadn't chosen any element yet.
Before arriving at the store, he noticed a man already waiting there. It was Mr. Popo.
"Ah, Mr. Grekopho! Good morning. Why did you come so early?"
"It's fine. My wife is picking up our daughter, so I'm alone at home. At least it's better to be here doing something. I've heard about your situation. It's such a shame that those fools from your Evolution Department don't have eyes to see."
"Ahaha. It's fine. It's not like I'm revealing all my abilities." Auric chuckled. He opened the store and waved his hand. "Please come in. We are going to have a VIP guest today."