Adam and Jonathan exchanged glances. The vice-principal’s words and demeanour were vastly different from what they had imagined. Adam, in particular, had a feeling the vice-principal was actually eager to have him here.
’We might have been wrong.’ He reasoned calmly, staring at the vice-principal. ’Not everyone will be out to get me for what I did to those three.’
The thought settled with a strange sense of relief. Even so, only time would tell. For now, however, his admission was secured. He looked at his father, awaiting what he would say to the vice-principal’s words.
"Thank you, Mr Princeton." Jonathan finally replied, though his expression showed no joy. "But I doubt you invited us here just to tell us this."
"Ah... My apologies." Asher replied. "And yes, you’re right. The admission process could have been handled by any of the officials here. As for why I invited you two over, it has more to do with a personal wish of mine."
"A personal wish?" Jonathan echoed with a thoughtful look.
"Exactly as you heard," the vice-principal nodded, his gaze shifting to Adam. "As I mentioned earlier, talents are difficult to come by, much less someone like your son."
Asher’s eyes sparkled with genuine interest as he looked at Adam. Turning his attention back to Jonathan, he added softly, "I want to take your son as my disciple, or student, if you will."
"..."
Jonathan’s thoughts momentarily froze, the vice-principal’s words unexpectedly taking him by surprise. His thoughts had gone over many possibilities as to what the man’s wish was.
He had imagined something along the lines of questionable as a means to shield Adam from punishment or possible mistreatment at the academy. Never could he have guessed the vice-principal wanted Adam as his disciple.
"D-Disciple?"
The word stumbled out. He turned to look at Adam and then back at the man. Adam too had a look of genuine surprise. Asher Princeton’s gaze of interest finally made sense
’So that’s why...’
"Talents like Adam here require perfectly curated teachings to unearth his true potential," Asher added in a sagely tone. "And while there is no doubt about the academy’s capabilities, special attention would be more beneficial towards his growth."
Adam had little to no understanding of what discipleship meant. Though he knew what the term meant, he could not tell what the vice-principal would get out of doing so. Not to mention, he was in deep waters with his actions.
"Someone as accomplished as you surely understands how beneficial what I’m offering is." The vice-principal pointed out calmly. "Not to mention..." His gaze fell on Adam before adding, "...the trouble he’s found himself in."
Jonathan followed his gaze and looked at his son. Indeed, what the man was offering was beneficial to his son. But he had little to no understanding of the kind of person the vice-principal was.
Who knew what he could mould his son into? That was what worried him. But as things stood, his options were limited. Would he stand in the way of his son’s growth for the sake of his safety, or would he take the leap into the unknown?
’With him as Mr Princeton’s student, some of the pressure could be ward off. The pressure might also not necessarily be a bad thing.’ Jonathan understood the principle of growth derived from pressure.
"What do you think, Adam?" He finally decided to hear his son’s thoughts.
Put on the spot, Adam did not rush to answer. He had already been considering the benefits before he was even asked. And for his father to put the decision in his hands meant he had already weighed the pros and cons.
Adam had no issues having a teacher, or was it a master? The semantics mattered very little to him. He looked at the vice-principal carefully, noting his expression. The man’s smile had barely subsided since he arrived.
And unlike most powerful awakeners who liked putting on airs, the vice-principal seemed to be a spirited person. His intuition told him the man’s intentions were genuine.
’And I have nothing to lose from learning under him.’ This thought solidified his decision.
Adam looked at his father and then nodded, "I am willing to take him as my master."
The moment those words came out of his lips, the vice-principal’s smile brightened yet again. He had been ready to give the father and son duo a few days to think things over. But it seemed they were a lot more decisive than he thought.
"An excellent choice, Adam." The vice-principal stated, sounding proud. "You won’t be disappointed."
"You should pay your respects to your teacher, then." Jonathan chipped in on the side.
"Ah, don’t bother with those formalities." Asher brushed it aside, but Adam still rose to his feet.
"Adam John Highstein..." Adam said as he placed his right hand over his left chest and gave a small bow. "...greets the master."
Adam had no idea what he was doing, but it felt right in the moment or, at least, based on some movies he had seen before.
"Haha," the vice-principal chuckled softly, leaning in his chair. "Unfortunately, I have nothing prepared on hand. But don’t worry, I’ll get you something to mark our established relationship."
"I guess I should show my gratitude as well, Mr Princeton," Jon said as he, too, rose to his feet and extended a hand at the vice-principal.
"I should be thanking you for entrusting your son to me, Mr Highstein." Asher stood as he took the offered hand and shook it. "Trust that I will not let your boy down."
The two men acknowledged each other as they established a new relationship. And although Jon was taking a leap of faith at this moment, he had a feeling things would be alright.
"Now then..." As the trio took their seats once more, the vice-principal proposed. "...the only thing left is to complete Adam’s admission process and settlement."
"Of course."
Asher Princeton personally handled Adam’s or his disciple’s admission process, only requiring Jonathan’s signature once everything was completed.
This was the beauty of the top academy in the Federation. Prospective students could be admitted the same day they concluded the admission process. However, they were still given three days to get their affairs in order before orientation.
Once the admission was taken care of, Jonathan and Adam stepped out of the office, both relieved that things went differently than they had dreaded. Adam retrieved his collected items before they made their way to the parking lot where the car was.
Naturally, they attracted attention everywhere they passed, whispers following their every move. The experience was an unpleasant one for Adam, but it was something he would have to get used to.
As the duo made their way deeper into the academy, Jonathan looked at his son and asked, "You alright?"
"Yeah, Dad. I’ll be fine. I just need to get some rest after a bath."
"That’s good." Jon nodded, his gaze turning back to the road ahead. "Things will be difficult going forward, but as long as you stay true to yourself, you’ll pull through."
"Mm."
Adam nodded as he gazed at the passing scene, lost in thought. He didn’t realise it at the time, but his demeanour was slowly shifting, gravitating toward nonchalance. Things were changing so fast that his naturally carefree and outgoing personality was changing as well.
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