"Zayne, do your best in the entrance trial. After it is over, I will introduce my niece to you. She was young and foolish before and did some time inside. If I am counting right, she should be out by now," Double J said enthusiastically.
"Your niece? How old is she this year?" Zayne glanced at Double J's face. This guy looked at least in his thirties.
"Relax. She is only fifteen years older than you. Thirty three this year. Older women know how to take care of people. And she is my own niece, so I know her well," Double J said confidently.
"Why did she go to prison?" Zayne asked, puzzled.
"She was short on money and wanted the newest phone, so she sold herself and got caught. Girls can be a bit vain, that is normal. She has been reformed now," Double J waved it off.
Zayne fell silent.
"Let us not contact each other again. If there is nothing going on, do not call me. If something is going on, definitely do not call me."
Zayne walked straight into Old Shipyard Port High School without looking back.
Seeing Zayne arrive, Principal Norton finally let out a breath of relief.
A level sixteen SSS rank Forbidden Spellcaster was their school's star candidate this year. Add to that a level twelve SSS rank fire mage like Nia, and Old Shipyard Port High School was set.
"Boss."
Francis rushed over the moment he saw Zayne, his face full of excitement.
Ever since that night when Zayne dragged Blake back from the edge of death, Francis had acknowledged Zayne as his boss from the bottom of his heart.
"My dad said Astrachior took you in as a disciple?" Francis asked eagerly.
"Yes."
Zayne nodded. The news would spread sooner or later anyway.
"So that is how it is. No wonder even Dano was wiped out. Turns out Astrachior made a move," Francis said with deep conviction.
Zayne smiled faintly but did not explain. This time, his teacher had taken a very solid blame for him.
"Do not worry. What I promised you before still stands. Once we leave the city, stay close to me."
"Got it, boss. I will listen to you," Francis replied immediately.
"Francis, as the heir of the Ward Group, you really have no taste at all. You actually recognize someone like him as your boss?" Nia's voice rang out coldly at the wrong moment.
She shot a chilly glance at Zayne and Francis.
"Hey, Nia, you can insult me if you want, but why are you insulting your own father too? He took him in as a disciple. Does that not make your dad even more blind?" Francis shot back.
"My father was deceived by this despicable man. Zayne is nothing but a fraud who steals other people's names," Nia snorted.
Her words caused the expressions of those around them to change. The way they looked at Zayne became strange.
Just moments ago, many of them had been envious that Zayne had been taken in by Astrachior, a legendary astrologer known throughout Aurelion.
But now, judging from Nia's tone, there seemed to be more to the story.
"Nia, you need evidence before you talk like that," Francis frowned.
"I will find it. And when I do, I will expose your true face in front of everyone."
Nia shot Zayne a cold glare and turned to leave.
She already disliked Zayne, and because of him, Howard had escorted her to the trial instead of Astrachior. That alone made her even more irritated.
Once she found Shadowcaster and confronted Zayne face to face, everything would be clear.
"Damn it. This woman. How did I ever like her and treat her like my white moonlight? I was blind. Good thing you shocked me awake with three lightning bolts," Francis cursed.
"White moonlight? You were just lusting after her. Add in unrequited feelings, and you wrapped her in a halo of divinity. She became the white moonlight, and you became a slave to the light," Zayne shrugged.
"Has anyone ever told you that you are really good at hurting people?" Francis clutched his chest with a choked voice.
"Only a little. I am actually very friendly. Come on, the buses are here."
Zayne looked toward the school gate.
More than a dozen buses were lined up neatly outside Old Shipyard Port High School, ready to take them to the city gate.
Principal Norton was already standing there, his expression solemn.
"Students, first of all, congratulations. You have all become awakened professionals. Today is the entrance trial. Whether you can enter a good university will determine your future."
"The rules are the same as previous years. The trial entrance is outside the city gate. You will need to cross roughly ten kilometers of unclaimed wilderness to reach it."
"If you encounter danger that you cannot handle, remember this. Withdraw immediately."
"The trial is important, but one trial does not decide your entire life. Your life is always more important."
"All right. Get on the buses."
Zayne and Francis boarded the same bus.
The entire Old Shipyard Port had cleared the way for the entrance trial. The streets were completely empty.
The bus quickly arrived at the city gate.
A massive gate rose before them, dozens of meters tall and wide enough for several buses to pass side by side. It was majestic and imposing, covered in intricate carvings and ancient patterns that felt deep and mysterious.
Under the sunlight, the outline of the gate stood stark against the sky, filling people with an indescribable sense of awe.
Many students were seeing the city gate for the first time and were completely stunned.
It was this gate that separated Old Shipyard Port from the wilderness, keeping terrifying monsters outside.
Buses from other high schools arrived one after another. Ten minutes later, all graduating students of Old Shipyard Port had gathered at the gate.
The entrance trial was a national event of the highest importance across Aurelion. Unless someone had lost their mind, no one would choose to be late.
They had prepared for so many years for this very moment.
Countless students waited silently, eyes burning with determination, for the gate to open.
Nia looked around repeatedly, as if waiting for someone. When she found no one, disappointment flickered in her eyes.
"Nia, are you looking for your father?" Astrachior appeared quietly at her side.
Seeing him, Nia first brightened, then immediately pulled a long face.
"Who is looking for you? Come if you want. I do not care."
Astrachior immediately understood. Her anger was gone. She was just stubborn about her pride.
He could not help but sigh inwardly. Zayne's advice really worked. It seemed one truly did learn until old age. That boy clearly understood women better than he did. As a teacher, he really should consult his student more in the future.
"My precious daughter is taking the entrance trial. How could I not come? Do your best."
Astrachior reached out affectionately to pat Nia's head, but she dodged him.
"Hmph. Do not touch me. Go touch your precious disciple instead."
"Why are you still angry? You really misunderstood Zayne," Astrachior said helplessly.
"I did not. Since you trust him so much, let us make a bet. If my ranking in this trial is higher than his, you cut ties with him and drive him away. How about that?"
Nia lifted her slender pale neck like a proud white swan.
"All right. I will take the bet. And if you lose?" Astrachior smiled.
"If I lose, I will never interfere in your affairs again. Even if you take him as a disciple or marry him, I will not care," Nia said seriously.
"You child. How can you talk to your father like that?" Astrachior gave a bitter smile. Marry Zayne? That did not even make sense. And Aurelion's laws would never allow it.
"It is settled. Just wait. He cannot beat me."
Nia walked away decisively.
Watching her back, Astrachior opened his mouth, then closed it again, unwilling to discourage her. He only murmured softly to himself.
"Nia, do you have any idea what kind of monster you are about to face?"