The first Censor's jaw tightened, the muscles along his face twitching uncontrollably. His throat bobbed visibly as he swallowed against the suffocating pressure settling over the lobby. The weight of countless eyes pressed down upon him. He could dismiss the case. He could even bury it if he wished. But turning everything back onto Theon, that had become impossible. Not with so many witnesses standing around them. Had Theon been the only victim, very few people would have cared what became of him. Whether he lived comfortably or slept on the streets had never been anyone's concern. But this involved an academy staff member. Old Man Lu stood there with blood staining the side of his forehead, his clothes coated in dust and rubble. Every cleaner, receptionist, attendant, and servant present had seen him with their own eyes. The atmosphere subtly shifted. Most academy staff weren't cultivators. Many were ordinary mortals. Others possessed only the weakest traces of cultivation.

JUSTICE COMMISSIONThe Junior Censor's face continued cycling through a remarkable array of colors—pink, then red, then an unpleasant shade of green—as though every emotion imaginable was fighting for dominance inside him.His fingers flexed beneath his sleeves. His jaw clenched. Then relaxed. Only to tighten again.The lobby had become so quiet that the soft rustle of robes and the distant scraping of a cleaner's broom echoed unnaturally loudly.Meanwhile, Theon simply stood there.His posture remained straight yet humble, his expression the very picture of innocence wrapped in righteous indignation.If someone unfamiliar with him had walked in at that moment, they would have mistaken him for the very messenger of Mother Justice herself.“Censor,” Theon began hesitantly, his voice carrying neither accusation nor anger, only quiet disappointment, “is it that the lives of ordinary students simply don't matter?”His eyes searched the censor's face.“Or... is the Justice Commission's mot

Theon's gaze flickered almost imperceptibly.Beneath Solvyn's warm, fatherly smile, he could clearly see the anticipation lurking underneath, carefully veiled beneath a cloak of doting civility. It was the expression of a hunter who had finally driven his prey into the perfect corner.And even more, he became acutely aware of the numerous disapproving glares drifting toward him from every direction. The watching students.The patrol units might indeed have done something wrong. But...Since when did it become the place of an insignificant Outer Court disciple to determine the punishment of academy patrols?Theon straightened to his full height. His back became ramrod straight.The tiny curve threatening to form at the corner of his lip disappeared before anyone noticed it, as did the barely perceptible arch of his brow. ‘Trying to stump me with this little trick? Aren't you underestimating me?’He released a slow breath, the kind someone let out before carrying an unbearable burden u

Theon held his breath. He wasn't the only one.A faint ripple passed through the gathered students as they exchanged puzzled glances.Do something for the academy in return?Old Man Lu's weathered gaze flickered with unease.Whatever this "request" was, it certainly wouldn't be something simple. Not coming from Solvyn.The old man had lived in Nyxar long enough to understand one thing.Whenever the Dean smiled the most, someone else usually ended up paying the price.Theon quietly steadied his breathing before lifting his head.“As long as the academy needs my services,” he replied, sounding as sincere as he could, “and it's something within my ability to accomplish, I will definitely do my very best.”A modest smile appeared on his face.Only he knew how much effort it took to keep the pounding in his chest from showing through that expression.“I grew up in the academy after all.”Solvyn slowly nodded. The gesture looked almost approving.“The academy's entrance examinations begin

It was really happening.Like some sick joke crafted by fate itself, Theon had been escorted all the way to the Patrol Bureau.And now...He stood in the middle of the spacious hall, dressed in a brand-new patrol guard uniform. A regulation sword hung neatly at his waist, while a finely carved jade pendant engraved with his newly assigned rank rested against his belt, announcing his identity to everyone who looked his way.The weight of it felt strangely foreign.“This,” an older official declared loudly, thrusting a blue-bound book into Theon's hands, “is the official Code of Conduct and Sphere of Duties.”Before Theon could properly adjust his grip, the man produced another, much thinner booklet and placed it on top.“And this,” he continued, patting the smaller pamphlet with deliberate emphasis, “contains a comprehensive list of every distinguished guest expected to arrive for the entrance examinations. Their regions of origin, order of precedence, family affiliations, special acco