Evander closed the hologram and turned to Varian.
It was like a mountain pressed him down, Varian felt suffocated.
However, his gaze didn't falter, and he looked at Evander in the eye.
Evander raised an eyebrow. "You are the guy who was late this year, right?"
'I'm also the guy missed my first month's exams for your information.' Varian wanted to reply but held back.
Instead, he calmly nodded without any hint of hesitation or embarrassment. "Yes Sir, that's me."
Evander frowned..
Shouldn't a cadet be feeling ashamed to answer that? Was this thick skin or something?
But regardless, he said. "I'll give you a chance to convince me. Why should I, the dean of earth's best academy, make you, a guy who is not punctual, and barely….Level 4?" His eyes fluctuated lightly noticing Varian's level.
He didn't expect that from a first year like him. Only top geniuses reached Level 4 in their first year and that too in the second semester.
Besides, his aura was at the peak of Level 4.
But Evander regained his calm face and continued. "Why should I make you my disciple?"
The air turned heavy.
Evander could already guess what was going to happen.
The young man would put on a righteous face and use the excuse that he saved his daughter. As a father, it was only right that he repaid him.
A typical moral kidnapping.
But it wouldn't work on him. In fact, Evander hated such things.
So once he spoke those filthy words, even if this cadet saved his daughter, he would ask her to cut any ties with him.
But instead of the righteous face and moral kidnapping, the cadet's lips curled with confidence.
"Because I am the best genius earth has to offer."
'Pardon?' Evander wondered if this guy suffered a mental breakdown after surviving the space crack.
"You can use your network to check. I awakened two weeks before the entrance test. In a short span of time, I advanced to level 2." His eyes shone as he exerted his aura.
The pressure on him was shaken off, and he smiled. "I awakened later than most people. But I found an immature ambrosia in the dungeon. Here I am, at Level 4."
Evander continued to listen.
"I overcame my late awakening disadvantage. Now I'm at the peak of Level 4. Soon, I'll advance to level 5."
The high general of Earth had no choice but to nod.
"Today's 20th of Duas. We're near mid-sem of the first semester. I am confident I can advance to Level 5 before the semester ends."
"According to Sarah, even Charles only reached Level 5 halfway through second semester."
Evander didn't look convinced.
It was a few months' difference. Besides, Varian took a small version of Ambrosia.
So his argument of being the best genius fell short—
"I have awakened for less than two months." Varian put the light back on the issue.
Yes. Unlike Charles, who practiced for years, the guy in front barely practiced.
Evander's eyes flickered as if he thought of something and he quickly instructed someone on his comm.
Varian remained silent.
After a few minutes, a message arrived. Evander sighed deeply after reading it.
His stern and indifferent expression finally changed.
He looked at Varian with a complicated gaze.
"I don't know about your advancement after Level 2, but till level 2, I believe it's your own talent." Evander slowly said.
During his admission, the reason Varian's level didn't appear absurd compared to his awakening time was because he reported he found a special fruit on the murloc island.
Thus, his quick ascension from a low level 1 to Level 2 in a matter of weeks wasn't questioned.
But if any great power could check the matter thoroughly, they could surely find the traces of whether such a fruit existed on the island he visited.
The murloc island chains were owned by Gareth, and he already knew the true reason behind Varian's advancement.
Seth also learnt of it from Gareth.
But no one else.
After all, why would a great power lower their posture to investigate a nobody like him?
So when Evander found out the truth from a quick investigation, he had mixed feelings.
Even though it was only from Level 1 to Level 2, the speed was enough to shock the daylights out of him.
Evander gestured for Varian to be seated.
With less seriousness and more curiosity, he asked. "Why did you never reveal this, then?"
Varian leaned back in the chair and shot a look at Evander that said. 'You know why.'
"So you didn't want to be treated as a monster or be sliced in a lab."
Varian shrugged. "Precisely, Sir."
"Why do you believe I will not hand you over to the lab and find out your secret or whatever it is, then?" Evander's gaze suddenly turned solemn.
Aura condensed around him, and Varian couldn't move. It was the good ol Aura lock.
Instead of panicking, Varian replied in a bored tone. "Because there is no such secret. Even if there is, the chance of you getting it from me is impossible."
The aura lock loosened, and Varian shrugged. "I am not trying to brag, but my practice is literally the fastest in human history."
Evander's serious face also twitched lightly.
"You can lock me up in a lab and try to get the secret, but I have the means to kill myself before that happens." Varian's gaze condensed.
'Of course, I can actually escape. But that is totally unbelievable.'
"Or you can support me. If I grow up faster, I am sure I can be the trump card that will end this war."
Evander shook his head. "I don't like arrogance."
"Let my results speak for themselves."
"What about your loyalty?" Evander's face was unnaturally serious.
Varian expected this question. But for some reason, Evander's tone was beyond stern.
But he still answered calmly. "Unless I get stabbed first, I will be on military's side."
"Just trust your words?"
"I didn't know I could survive, but I still saved my teammates. That should prove my character, no? Or do you think anyone can plan myself into surviving a space crack?" Varian was assertive, but he maintained a smile.
Evander remained calm for a moment before he replied. "You just want to get backing so that you won't be suppressed by Xanders. If not for that, you wouldn't have cared."
"Absolutely true, sir." Varian nodded with a straight face and said. "Can I call you master now?"
Evander rubbed his chin for a while.
Master and disciple were different from being a pupil and tutor.
The latter was based on teaching them and providing some resources. It ended after the cadet graduated.
It was more transactional in nature and the tutor would expect the pupil to repay them after they grow stronger.
It usually doesn't go beyond that. Of course, Varian-Seth was an exception.
Master-disciple was a lifetime relationship. It went deeper than give and take.
If Varian did rise like he promised, then Evander's family would maintain a very close connection with Varian. They would benefit tremendously, even after his graduation.
Of course, with a Sovereign father, the only thing that would really interest Evander was at least a Sovereign or a very strong Level 9.
'Do or not do.' Evander pondered for a moment before he looked at Varian.
Varian couldn't read the expression on his face, but Evander eventually replied. "Alright. But if you do not advance to Level 5 this semester, I'll terminate the discipleship. Sarah will cut off contact with to you."
'What was the last part for?' Even though he wondered, Varian nodded.
"I won't be providing you any material support. Earn everything by yourself." Evander stated in a tone that allowed no refusal.
"I didn't intend to ask, Master." Varian said.
"Good. I'm betting my vision on your power and loyalty." Evander snapped his fingers and an object shot at Varian.
Varian caught it with ease.
It was a blue metallic badge with a red 'E' was carved.
"A sign that we're master-disciple. Even though it won't happen from now, if you ever get treated unfairly, show this to the other party." He said lightly before adding. "But if you are the one that did the wrong, regardless of your talent, you'd get equal punishment."
"Of course." Varian nodded and got up. "It's a pleasant meeting, master."
Evander watched him deeply before lightly nodding. "Do not disappoint."
Varian replied with a smile and walked back to the door.
Watching Varian's receding back, a small smile broke out on Evander's serious face.
"Xanders wouldn't have expected this." He tapped on a comm.
"High General." A hologram popped up, and a woman bowed to Evander.
"Announce he's my disciple. That'd be enough."
"Yes."
The onlookers were shocked at the duration Varian stayed inside.
It was more than ten minutes!
Varian's value in their eyes rose exponentially.
But before they could introduce themselves, Sarah grabbed him, and they rushed out of the office.
Anna picked them up, and they escaped the wolves.
Curiosity killed the cat. But humans never learn.
Varian, of course, cursed Xanders for every discomfort. If not for them, he'd have stayed low key.
"What did you talk about?" Sarah suddenly asked.
Varian looked at curious blue eyes and glanced at Anna, who perked her ears.
He sighed deeply. "Your father was moved that I saved you and accepted me as a discipl—Ouch!"
Sarah raised her fist and smiled sweetly. "Speak the truth."
Varian felt the air cool down.He hurriedly explained. "I appealed with my talent and sincerity, he accepted me as a disciple."
Sarah pumped her fist. "Great!"
Anna facepalmed. "Miss, the disciple wasn't you. Why are you celebrating?"
"But Aunt Anna, I can't help him out with Charles. My father can. Of course, its good news."
"...you're right." Anna patted Varian on the shoulder and gave a smile that was not a smile. "I must say, I'm impressed you pulled this off."
Varian awkwardly smiled.
He felt that Anna seemed to know more than she showed.
It must be an illusion.
"Then I'll see you later. I'm hella tired." Sarah yawned and remembered something.
"The evidence of traitors is handed in. You don't have to worry about it repeating in your second mission. Besides,—Aunt Anna, I'm still talking."
Anna carried Sarah and, as expected, put her to rest.
Varian laughed at Sarah's unwilling expression and bid them goodbye.
Following Anna's advice, he set off to the first year's supervisor's office.
He needed to report in and ask for re-tests.
At the same time, Narcis and Ryan came out from the Aura Well.
Their aura was fluctuating at Level 4. They both advanced, setting foot on a level even second years don't necessarily achieve.
As Narcis enjoyed the feeling of superiority, Ryan exclaimed in shock.
"That Rank 1 guy! He is alive! Fuck! Someone saw him on the campus with Sarah!"
Narcis's eyes narrowed. "Some people need to be beaten into their place."