________
'Zuriel?' thought Edward as he looked at the muscular man with a katana on his waist, looking at all the students with fierce eyes.
'I can't detect if he is using some magic to transform unless I investigate deeply, but the bloodline tracking magic I used on Asta is pointing at this teacher. So, it is very likely to be him, so what's his purpose in infiltrating this place? Something tells me he is after the Origin Grimoire as well.'
The entire class was about using Mana Skin or Spirit Protection, the technique to layer the outer skin with mana or spirit energy as a form of protection.
Before starting teaching, Zuriel explained to the Onmyou Mage students they need to have some form of hand-to-hand combat to become truly powerful mages. Furthermore, having high mobility in battle is a must for them. Otherwise, they would not last long in any confrontations.
However, Edward did not focus during this class as he thought deeply. He planned on how to capture Zuriel. It was not feasible to do so in the Academy since too many eyes were on him.
At the same time, students could not leave the Academy for quite some time now. Furthermore, he could feel if he used magic from the Western Continent or other forms of magic inside the Academy, his identity would be detected.
'So, my current objective is to master the Onmyouji System,' thought Edward as he knew his chance would soon come. And he was correct. Immediately after class, the principal called him to her office.
"Headmaster Hirano, you called me?"
"Have a seat," said the headmaster, pointing to the seat across from her desk.
"Do you want some tea?"
"No, thank you."
She poured some tea for her before taking a sip.
"I will be direct: what exactly do you want?"
"Excuse me?"
"Ever since I was young, I could read people fairly well," said Hirano slowly. "And I can tell you're a brilliant child. So, your display in classes today has purposes. What is it?"
Edward looked her in the eyes, and she did not avoid his gaze.
"I understand now how you could become the headmaster of this Academy despite your social status," said Edward, to which Hirano just smiled.
"I want full access to the library."
"That's it?"
"What did you expect?"
"Not this."
Edward smiled at her but did not comment further.
"If you don't mind me asking, why this request?
Edward looked at the window in the office.
"Ever since I was young, I knew I was special; I could do things people could not do. Back in the village, only one doctor was responsible for curing the entire village since we could not afford Healing Talismans.
"One time when I was 7, I secretly entered his library and read all the books; it only took me two days, and by the time I finished, I realized I was as good as him, only lacking experience.
"So, I used another ability I developed when I tried to control animals. Using my spirit energy and voice to hypnotize him, I spent the next five days acquiring all his experiences in healing patients and dealing with rare diseases.
"And from that point on, I was the most powerful doctor in the village, always secretly treating the patients he could not. But things did not stop there. In my time in the village, I have learned countless crafts: cooking, sowing, building, etc. I mastered them only by reading a few books and secretly acquiring the experience of many people."
Headmaster Hirano took a sip of her tea with her left hand while her right hand lightly tapped on the desk.
"You believe you can do the same for magic?"
"I know I can."
"Very well. Let's see whether you're truly talented or just arrogant."
She opened a drawer from her desk to pull out a token.
"With this, you can read all the books in the library."
"Thank you, headmaster," said Edward as he took the token with both hands. "I will not let you down."
Then, Hirano did not waste time and chased him out of her office. And as she watched him leave, she was deep in thought. She knew this young child was not simple and probably hid many secrets.
But Hirano did not care about this. Her lifelong pursuit has been to ensure equal opportunity in education for commoner children. The Academy would be only for nobles and children if it were not for her effort. And most commoners with magical talents would be directly sent to the Protection Hall to serve as soldiers or disposables sacrifices to deal with Yokais and Spirit Disasters.
So, she hoped Edward would be the catalyst to bring fundamental changes to this Academy and, eventually, the entire dynasty.
'I do not have the ability to achieve Onizuka-sensei's Utopian World. However, I can lay the groundwork for the education aspect,' thought Hirano.
Edward did not immediately go to the library but met the commoners' children since he promised to give extra lessons. Many of them showed up, so Edward divided them based on their progress in class and gave them pointers.
"Your family are farmers, correct? In that case, imagine your spirit energy is a lake or reservoir, and you have to use buckets to carry the water from there to the field: it will be easier to control."
"Yes, senpai, I will try….It works, it works, it's so much easy to control now."
"Of course, it works. The same can work for others. Your family are bakers? Then, imagine your spirit energy is a dough you have to knead.
"You're from a long line of blacksmiths? Then imagine the time your father taught you about heat control. Are you from a family of wealthy merchants? Then, imagine your spirit energy is a stack of cold coins you have to count."
One by one, he taught these students how to control their spirit energy based on their family conditions. However, most of them were farmers, so the first lake analogy worked best.
By the end of the sessions, each student could create a ball of blue light in their hands and change it into geometric shapes. As for the animals, it was still too advanced for them.
"I cannot believe how much progress we have made in one session. Thank you, Kozuki-senpai."
"You can call me Akimitsu, and there is no need to mention it. Since we are from the same background, it's normal to look out for each other."
"Exactly. I can't wait to teach these nobles who looked down on us."
"Shh, how could you say something like that? We could never be on par with them."
"Of course, you will," said Edward. "Under my tutelage, it is only a matter of time before you catch up to them and even surpass them."
He said these words with such convictions that the students believed him, and a seed called desires was planted in their minds.
"S-Senpai, would we ever be as good as you?"
"Absolutely not."
Everyone was shocked, looking at his proud and arrogant face, which was rather adorable. Moreover, his face seemed to scream: ask me why. Quickly, ask me why.
"And why not?"
"Because I am a 1in a million genius. No one can compare to me."
The students looked at him for a few seconds before starting to laugh. They did not expect the usually calm and collected Akimitsu-senpai had this side to him. Somehow, they found him even more approachable than before.
After laughing and chatting, Wang Wei dismissed all the students but left one person behind for a quick chat.
"Miss Satoru, right?"
"Senpai, you can call me Mito," she replied with a slight blush.
"I would like to first say, do not fall in love with me. It is impossible between us."
Mito opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.
"Second of all, be careful of the nobles and royals. Your gift is very special, so many of them will offer you wealth, status, power, and even the opportunity to marry into their families to lure you into their factions.
"So, if you see any of them suddenly becoming close to you, be alert. And if you feel threatening, contact me, and I'll do my best to help you."
Mito was shocked by this sudden news, so she did not know how to react for a moment. A few seconds later, she bowed: "Thank you, senpai, for the warning."
Edward patted her shoulder before sending her out. He knew the importance of a Diviner to any factions. And if he wants to start a rebellion and change this dynasty without using absolute force, she will become instrumental.
Finally, Edward headed to the library to find some answers.
