The Acolyte of Spirits and Curses

Klein slowly released Eleanor’s hand.

Eleanor, however, did not step back immediately.

She leaned in slightly, close enough that only he could hear her, her soft blonde hair brushing against his shoulder for a brief moment.

"If you want your share of the credits from me... come meet me in my room later."

Klein’s eyes flickered toward her, and again he saw those ’fuck me harder’ eyes.

’Ehhh? What’s up with her and her virtual signaling me to fuck her?’

Eleanor’s expression remained composed with the usual gentle saintly smile resting on her lips, but her blue eyes held a quiet intensity that did not match her soft tone.

"I will be waiting," she added in the same low whisper before finally withdrawing her hand and stepping back.

Liora narrowed her eyes slightly.

She couldn’t hear the words, but the proximity and the way Eleanor leaned in did not go unnoticed.

Eleanor stepped back and gracefully walked away.

Suddenly one student near the middle of the crowd finally raised his voice.

"This is completely unfair!"

The shout cut through the noise and several heads turned toward him.

Once one person had spoken, others quickly found their courage.

"He was standing outside the entire time blocking the entrance!"

"He forced everyone to hand over marbles just to enter!"

"That’s not skill, that’s robbery!"

"How is that allowed?!"

"The rankings should be invalidated!"

More voices joined in.

What started as a few complaints rapidly grew into a wave of discontent.

A large portion of the first-year students who had been taxed at the gate now openly voiced their frustration.

Some pointed directly at Klein.

"He cheated!"

"The academy can’t just accept this!"

"Saintess Eleanor is one thing, but him?!"

Liora crossed her arms, standing slightly in front of Klein with an unimpressed expression.

"They’re really loud for people who handed over their marbles without a fight," she muttered under her breath.

A few of the more aggressive students took a step forward, emboldened by the support around them.

"You think you can just do whatever you want because you’re strong?!"

"Give the credits back!"

"This isn’t over!"

The academy staff who had been overseeing the submissions exchanged glances.

One of them, a middle-aged man with a stern face, raised his voice "Silence!"

"The rankings have been finalized according to the total credits submitted,"

"There was no rule prohibiting collection methods outside the trial grounds. The results stand."

That statement only fueled the frustration further.

"So you’re saying bullying is allowed as long as you get the marbles?!"

"This is ridiculous!"

Klein stepped forward and took his spear, slamming the butt of it against the stone floor with a sharp crack.

A wave of spear intent erupted from his body.

The white, piercing aura spread outward, and several of the louder students instinctively took a step back as the pressure settled over them, making their skin prickle.

"If any of you want your marbles back, you’re welcome to try and take them."

Upon hearing this, the students glanced at each other nervously.

Seeing the shift in atmosphere, one of the academy staff members stepped forward "Enough."

The instructor looked across the dissatisfied students and muttered in a firm tone.

"If Student Klein Faress had wanted to, he could have taken every single marble from all of you. He had the strength and the position to do so."

"But he was kind enough to leave you with a portion. That alone is more restraint than most would have shown in his place. The rankings will not be changed. The results stand."

A few students still looked resentful, but none dared to raise their voices again.

Klein withdrew his spear intent and retracted his spear back into the storage ring.

Students began to disperse.

Many still shot him resentful glances as they filed out of the hall in small groups, muttering among themselves.

One of the staff members walked to Klein and spoke in a low voice "Student Klein Faress. The Headmaster wishes to meet with you."

Huh? Klein’s eyes shifted toward the staff member in confusion "Now?"

The man gave a small nod.

"Yes. He asked that you come to his office as soon as the ranking event concluded. I can escort you there if you prefer."

Liora was taken aback as she looked at the staff member, then back at Klein "...The headmaster?"

Klein remained silent for a moment before he gave a nod "Please lead the way."

The staff member turned and began walking toward one of the side corridors that led deeper into the academy’s administrative wing.

Klein followed, with Liora falling into step beside him for a few paces before she slowed.

"See you later, Klein. Try not to get in more trouble."

With a chuckle, he nodded his head "Sure."

---

The path led them away from the more crowded student areas and into the academy’s administrative wing.

The occasional portrait of past headmasters and distinguished faculty hung between the doors.

Their footsteps echoed lightly against the polished stone floor.

A few administrative staff members passed them in the opposite direction, offering polite nods to the instructor leading Klein before casting curious glances at the first-year walking behind him.

They turned down another hallway.

Large windows on one side overlooked a private courtyard reserved for faculty as the evening light filtered in through the glass.

At the far end of the corridor there was a double door, and the small brass plaque beside them read:

Headmaster’s Office

The staff member stopped in front of the doors and knocked once.

A calm voice answered from within "Enter."

The man pushed the door open and stepped aside, gesturing for Klein to go in.

"The Headmaster is waiting for you, Student Faress."

Klein gave a short nod and stepped through the doorway.

The office beyond was spacious and elegantly furnished.

Tall bookshelves lined the walls and neatly organized documents.

A large desk sat near the wide windows that overlooked the academy grounds, and behind it Headmaster Alden Voss was standing with his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out at the fading light.

Turning to Klein, the Headmaster smiled faintly "Close the door, Student Klein. We have matters to discuss."

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