NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30: Meeting the Dean
Kyle's eyes slowly opened, greeted by the whiteness of the infirmary's ceiling. He tried to stand up before realizing he was lying down on a bed with clean white sheets.
'How did I get here?' Kyle thought after remembering the previous events. He instinctively moved his hand to his chest. As expected, it didn't hurt as much.
[HP: 30/30]
He glanced at his status screen to confirm his thoughts.
'The aura, I used it again.' Kyle thought to himself. 'I received something. What was it again, system?'
The door slowly creaked open, interrupting Kyle's thought.
"You're awake," a gentle voice coming from a woman said. "How do you feel?"
"I feel really good. Like nothing happened to me at all," Kyle remarked.
The medic chuckled. "That's nice. The Dean wants to see you. I was told to inform you when you wake up."
"The Dean?!" Kyle exclaimed in shock.
"Yes," she affirmed. "You can go through the academy's portal."
Kyle wondered why the Dean would want to see him until the realization of him using sword intent surfaced. 'Welp, I hope I'm not in trouble.'
Kyle got up from his bed and followed the medic. They went to a building some meters away from the infirmary. Entering inside after their identities were verified, Kyle was awed at the scene.
Towering portal-like constructions were orderly lined in the spacious room. The circular portals though dormant— gave off an aura that screamed power!
As directed by the medic, Kyle entered one of the portals waiting for the Dean to approve his arrival before it turned on.
The feeling of teleportation wasn't enjoyable, to say the least. Kyle having already experienced it, dealt with it perfectly, as he was warped without any problems.
The portals in the academy were interlinked with each other. A portal led to another and vice-versa.
Kyle arrived in through a portal node at the Dean's office. Kyle felt a whole lot better than when he had warped for the first time— thanks to his improved stats.
His eyes wandered through the spacious room, finally meeting the Dean.
Kyle didn't have a good first impression of him. The way he had made them all wait, only to arrive and not select all.
Kyle could only imagine how those other kids felt, after having false hope of attending the academy, only to return home.
'Welp, good thing I made the cut.' he warded out all other thoughts and focused on the reason he was here.
"Good evening, sir," Kyle greeted, bowing slightly.
The Dean nodded and gestured to a seat opposite his desk. "Good afternoon. Please, have a seat."
Kyle sat, trying to free his mind of any thoughts that may implicate him.
Michael studied him for a moment, taking note of his white cloak, evident of him being a Year 1 student. "I trust the portal experience wasn't too overwhelming?"
"It isn't anymore," Kyle replied with a smile.
Michael chuckled softly. "I'm impressed by your resilience. What is your name boy?"
"Kyle Lin."
"So, Kyle. You know why I called you?" Michael suddenly asked.
"Err... I think it has to do with my attack." Kyle said with doubt, trying his best to appear clueless before the Dean.
"Kyle," the Dean began. "Do you know what sword intent is?"
"Sword intent, sir? I'm not sure I understand?" Kyle tried to feign confusion.
Michael smiled at the display. "Sword intent is not merely a technique or a skill, Kyle. It is a manifestation of one's will, spirit, and essence in the form of a blade. It's an extension of the swordsman's soul, capable of cutting through not just matter, but reality itself."
Beads of sweat formed on Kyle's face as he remembered Madam Grace's warning.
"Are you saying I used sword intent, sir?"
"Yes, Kyle," The dean affirmed to his question. "It's quite impressive for a young one like you to be able to use an aura, isn't it?"
Kyle kept his mouth shut, not willing to implicate himself further.
"Your opponent, Elysia," Michael brought up, taking a sip of the beverage on his desk. "Ever thought what happened to her?"
Kyle began to panic after hearing the Dean's words. He truly never thought about the impact of his intent.
The first time he had used it, it only managed to destroy Riya's arrows and everything was okay. His mind trailed to how he killed the Tier-1 mana beast with the help of his intent.
'I hope she's alright,' he inwardly prayed.
Michael observed him for a while before answering his question.
"Well, Kyle, I'm afraid to tell you she's dead," The Dean dropped a bombshell. "Killed by your intent, you killed her, Kyle."
Kyle paled in horror. "Noo! It can't be."
"But, it is," The Dean responded.
"How? Why?" Kyle questioned his actions before breaking down in tears. "I killed her; I'm a murderer."
Michael gave him some time to comport himself before adding.
"The deed has been done. There's no way to bring back the dead, Kyle," he stated the obvious. "What you can do, rather, is to learn to control your powers. So as not to take more lives carelessly."
The Dean's words did barely anything to pacify Kyle. The fact he had killed someone unjustly remained.
"W-what's my punishment, I killed a student," Kyle asked, bringing himself back to reality.
"Nothing," Michael simply said.
That one word made Kyle more angry at himself. He just killed a student, and nothing would be done to him.
He couldn't request for a punishment though, as that was stupid, punishing him wouldn't bring back the dead
The Dean paused before continuing. "Due to our carelessness with the arena's management, we have no records of your opponent. But, we'll do our best to show her support, if her guardians ever come looking."
"Okay, thank you," Kyle slowly showed his gratitude.
"As I said earlier, control is key," Michael continued. "As you can become formidable on the battlefield, if able to wield your powers well,"
"I'll try arranging an Instructor to take you in as a disciple, to teach you the ways of the sword."
"An Instructor?"
"Yes, a very powerful one," The Dean said with a chuckle. "I'm sure he'll be interested in handling your tutelage."
"Thank you." Kyle showed appreciation again, his mood still somber.
"You can head to your dormitory now. It's late and you have classes tomorrow," Michael concluded dismissing Kyle.