Lucius pushed open the door to the administration office. He looked at the reception desk and approached it.
The receptionist, a young woman engrossed in her terminal, glanced up as he arrived. She set aside her current work. "How may I assist you?"
Lucius placed his hands lightly on the desk and leaned forward. "I've come to report my advancement. I am now a 4-Star Evolist."
To make it more believeable, he released a controlled wave of his aura. The receptionist stiffened as she could sense the level of the aura. "4-Star. Already?"
Lucius chuckled. "You seem shocked. Surely the academy should expect no less from me."
She quickly composed herself and adjusted her posture. She then extended her hand. "May I see your academy ID?"
Lucius retrieved his ID card from his spatial ring and handed it over. The receptionist took it and scanned it with a small device that showed his information.
Her brows furrowed in disbelief as she read. "You've been enrolled for less than a year and you're not even twenty yet. How did you reach 4-Star so quickly?"
Lucius tilted his head and smirked. "When one aims for greatness, time bends to their will."
The receptionist blinked in surprise at his remark. She then cleared her throat and straightened her posture.
"Well, this achievement qualifies you to enter the Platinum Class. However, you'll need to pass an evaluation test first."
Lucius leaned back slightly and folded his arms. "A test? Very well. When does it begin?"
She checked the screen again to see what time was free. "Tomorrow morning. Report here, and I'll guide you to the testing arena."
Lucius smiled and nodded. He retrieved his ID from the desk and put it back into his spatial ring. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
Lucius turned around and left the room. The receptionist watched him go.
Once the door closed behind him, she exhaled slowly and reached for the communicator at her side.
The holographic screen flickered to life and vice headmaster appeared. He looked at the receptionist. "What is it? I assume this interruption is important."
The receptionist straightened her back. "Vice Headmaster, I've just received a request for a Platinum Class qualification test." Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire
The vice headmaster raised his eyebrow. "And? We get those requests all the time. What's so urgent about this one?"
She hesitated a bit before explaining it. "This request... it's different. The applicant isn't just another Evolist. He's a 4-Star Evolist."
The vice headmaster tilted his head slightly, unimpressed. "A 4-Star Evolist applying for Platinum Class? That's expected, not extraordinary. Why are you bringing this to me?"
The receptionist urgently continued. "It's not just his rank. It's his age. He's only nineteen years old. He has also been in the academy for only less than a year."
What the receptionist said caught the vice headmaster's attention. His leaned forward and glared at the receptionist. "Nineteen? Less than a year? Who is this student?"
The receptionist inhaled deeply to calm herself down before responding. "It was Lucius from the Volcaria family."
The vice headmaster's expression shifted. He seemed to remember the name. "Lucius, huh. Isn't it the one that Ragnar Volcaria personally vouched for, even though he was not a real Volcaria?"
The vice headmaster also touched his chin to remember it more. "I also remember that the headmaster granted him special admission. So, what Ragnar sais was true, huh. He really is a genius."
The receptionist nodded. "Yes, Vice Headmaster. His progress is... unprecedented. I have made his test schedule for tomorrow morning."
The vie headmaster tapped his fingers against the desk. He thought of something. "Tomorrow morning, huh? Very well. Bring him directly to me. I will oversee the test personally."
The receptionist blinked in surprise. "You, sir? But isn't it customary for—"
The vice headmaster immediately interrupted by waving his hand dismissively. "I am aware of the custom, but this is not a normal case. A 19-year-old 4-Star Evolist from the Volcaria family... I want to see what he's capable of."
The receptionist then bowed her head slightly. "Yes, Vice Headmaster. I'll ensure he is escorted to your office tomorrow morning."
The vice headmaster smiled. He leaned closer to her. "Good. Make sure the testing arena is prepared. If Lucius is as extraordinary as his records suggest, this will be no ordinary test."
The receptionist nodded. "Yes, vice headmaster. I'll handle the arrangements immediately."
The vice headmaster paused, then added, "And one more thing. Have the academy's observers notified. They should see this firsthand."
The receptionist nodded. "Understood." She then rose from her seat and immediately went to prepare the test for tomorrow.
The vice headmaster also turned off the communication crystal. He smiled, as tomorrow's test wasn't just a formality. It was a rare opportunity to witness a prodigy in action.
---
Lucius was now back in his golden residence. He removed his coat and leaned back on his chair in his own room. "I wonder what they will test me in tomorrow's test."
Luna, who was organizing a shelf nearby, turned to him and smirked. "Whatever test they come up with, Master, it won't matter. You'll crush it like you always do."
Lucius crossed his arms and chuckled. "Of course. None of them can compare. I am the best Evolist this academy has ever seen, after all."
Liora, who stood near the window, glanced at Lucius and folded her arms. "Do you think they'll try to make it more difficult, knowing it's you, Master?"
Lucius turned to Liora and smirked. "It should be seeing that the receptionist was surprised knowing my level. But it will only make my victory all the more satisfying."
He then turned his gaze back to the two women. "Luna, Liora, prepare yourselves. You'll both be joining me for the test tomorrow."
Luna blinked and smirked as she stepped forward. "Of course, Master. I wouldn't miss the chance to see you outshine everyone."
Liora nodded, pushing herself off the wall. "Understood, Master. We'll be ready. Whatever they throw at you, we'll make sure you're not distracted by anything... trivial."
Lucius smiled and nodded. "Good. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we make an impression they won't forget."
Luna stepped closer and smirked. "You mean you'll make an impression, Master? We'll just stand in awe like the rest of them."
Lucius chuckled and began to go to his bed. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we remind the academy why I'm not just another student."
Luna and Liora smiled and began their preparations. For Lucius, tomorrow's test wasn't a challenge but an opportunity to demonstrate why he stood above them all.