Chapter 12: New Position II

Chapter 12: New Position II Two months passed since Fenric was given responsibility over the Royal Academy. Under his leadership, the academy underwent numerous changes. First, the academy staff was entirely reshuffled—every instructor and professor was now personally chosen by Fenric, ensuring only the best and most ethical remained. One of the most notable changes was the construction of a massive wall within the academy grounds, named The Wall of Shame. This wall bore the engraved names of those who had abused their power—powerhouses, nobles, even former high-ranking staff—who had used their positions for selfish and corrupt purposes. It served both as a reminder and a warning: no matter how powerful or influential one was, misuse of power would be exposed and remembered. Of course, many nobles were enraged when they saw names they recognized—friends, family, or even themselves—etched onto the wall. Some tried to appeal to the Emperor to have this Wall of Shame removed and it backfired on them as Emperor came to like the idea and now many Wall of Shames have been constructed all over the Empire. The Wall of Shame became a symbol of silent judgment and inevitable consequence, and any noble who dared speak against it was now viewed with suspicion. It had become clear—under Fenric's rule, there would be no more tolerance for corruption, no matter the bloodline. Elaine was progressing quickly under the tutelage of the Blood Saintess, Myria. Despite her humble origins, Elaine showed remarkable magical talent—sharp instincts, strong mana affinity, and unwavering discipline. Myria, who initially took her on under orders, had now begun to view her as something more. She cared for Elaine deeply, not just as a student—but perhaps as a future heir to her legacy. Elaine, on her part, remained deeply loyal to her original master, Mavis. No matter how much affection and training she received, her heart and allegiance stayed with the imprisoned Mavis. Still, the warmth and protection from Myria was something she couldn't ignore. Myria, aware of Elaine's loyalty, tried not to push. But in the quiet, she hoped—perhaps one day Elaine would stand fully at her side. Meanwhile, Fenric was finally able to learn the Spirit language. He sat cross-legged in his chamber, flipping through an ancient tome titled "Foundations of the Fairy Tongue". With months of intense study behind him, he was now qualified to summon his first Spirit. This was a crucial milestone—one that could reshape his future and also prevent him from dying a month later. In the original book, Drake ended up summoning the Dark Spirit King, Areheinde, due to his highest affinity for dark magic. Fenric thought to himself as he read the same passage in the grimoire. "I wonder what I will get..." he mused. With a contemplative expression, he took out a sealed note and handed it to Roman, one of the Royal Knights assigned to him. "Bring all of these," he said calmly. The Royal Knight nodded and left without question, obeying his command. "Soon, I will get the Fairy Ring and summon a powerful spirit," Fenric thought as he closed the Spirit Sage's Grimoire and made his way toward the center of the Royal Library. This was where Mavis's office was located—and since it was a sealed room, it was the perfect location to perform the summoning and acquire the Fairy King Ring. As he entered, he closed the door behind him, sealing the space with magic locks. The interior of the office unfolded before him—not a typical room, but more like a hidden garden sanctuary. It was vast and serene, enchanted to resemble a miniature landscape. A small lake shimmered at the center, surrounded by soft grass and glowing flowers. On one side stood a modest wooden house, elegantly crafted with natural materials. This was the private domain Mavis had built for herself using her own magic—both an office and a haven. Fenric walked slowly toward the edge of the lake, the Spirit Sage's Grimoire held firmly in his hand. The gentle shimmer of water reflected the soft, magical glow that filled the room, casting silver ripples of light on his cloak. He sat cross-legged near the lake, the earth warm beneath him, and opened the ancient grimoire. As soon as the pages parted, a faint breeze stirred—despite the sealed room. The enchanted tome began to pulse faintly, reacting to his presence. Fenric closed his eyes, focused his mana, and began to chant the ancient incantation written in the language of the spirits. His voice was calm, steady, each word resonating with power drawn from the Fairy Realm. The grimoire responded. Its pages began to glow, and then slowly started to burn—not with fire, but with brilliant, shimmering light, like golden leaves disintegrating into magic dust. The runes on the pages flared one by one, disappearing as the essence of the spell activated. Then, from the very center of the book, a small object began to rise—an intricate pendant-like design shaped like a coiled dragon. The figure hovered before him, the air humming with energy. It was no larger than a coin, cast in dark, silvery metal, and embedded in its back was a gleaming red gem that pulsed like a heartbeat. Fenric bit his thumb without hesitation, letting a droplet of blood fall onto the artifact. The reaction was immediate. The coiled dragon came to life, not as a creature, but as energy. It surged forward, wrapped around his finger, and tightened with a faint warmth—until it solidified. A ring now rested upon his finger. Forged in the shape of a dragon curled protectively around a crimson gem, the Fairy King Ring had accepted him. The wind in the room stilled. The lake's surface shimmered—and a soft voice echoed faintly in his ears, as if from another realm: "One step closer to the spirits..." Fenric opened his eyes and looked down at the ring, his lips curling into a quiet smile. "Now... let's see what kind of spirit will to answer me." He never needed to create his own Spirit Summoning Circle—after all, Mavis, being a Spirit Mage herself, had already prepared one long ago. Her home, humble yet mysterious, was built not only with comfort in mind but also function as a magical sanctuary. It was a place where the boundaries between realms were thin—especially the Spirit Plane.