Chapter 207: Political Games
As he was walking to his destination, he noticed that some of the ladies would whisper to each other as he walked past them.
"Is his body really that good?"
"Yes! I am good friends with the assistant medic in the infirmary. She said that Ethan's body is finger-licking good."
"That good?"
"Also, he looks more mature now compared to before. Just look at the way he walks. It is filled with confidence. It's like…. He transitioned from a teenage boy to a man."
"Do you think those rumors about him and Lily are true? Did they really…"
"Well, if I were in Lily's place, I would definitely not mind doing it with him.
"True. Who can resist his charisma—that handsome face, long silky blue hair, as well as his rumored Deity-like body? Sister, I'd definitely bring him home in a heartbeat."
Ethan knew that the ladies were gossiping about him, but he pretended not to notice. There was simply nothing he could do about it.
He really stood out from the crowd, and it made him feel weird being ogled by the young ladies of the academy as if he was some kind of high-quality meat that was being sold in a butcher shop.
After several minutes, he finally reached the professor's office and knocked on the door.
"Enter." Professor Rinehart's voice reached his ears, so he entered the room without any hesitation.
"Take a seat, Ethan." Professor Rinehart waved his wand and summoned a chair beside his table. "I'm sorry for calling you out so early today."
Ethan nodded and sat on the chair that was offered to him.
"I'm sure you already have an idea why I called you here," Professor Rinehart said with an apologetic gaze. "But before you say no, please listen to my request first. You see, Nightfall Academy is the biggest and most influential Magical Academy in Grandshire.
"The members of the Eastshire Royal Family go there to study magic, and I believe that this exchange student program was instigated by the King himself. As to what their reasons are for hosting this event, I can only give you my guess.
"You see, there is an event that will be happening in Midgard in a few months, and it has something to do with the Great Wizard Tournament that is hosted every five years. Perhaps, they are looking for candidates who will represent the EasThire in that tournament."
"Ethan, the King personally sent me a letter asking me to include you in the delegation that I will be sending to Nightfall Academy."
Ethan arched an eyebrow after hearing the Headmaster's report.
He couldn't understand why the King of the Human Magic Kingdom would go out of his way to invite someone like him to participate in the student exchange program.
Seeing his expression, Professor Rinehart smirked.
"Ethan, they plan to send the best students to represent Eastshire," Professor Rinehart explained. "You are the only First Year who can use Partial Resonance. So, naturally, the King would have heard about your existence. Did you forget? There were many guests who came to watch the Clash of Manors.
"They saw your performance and immediately reported it to the King. In short, you are currently suffering from success. Congratulations."
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose before sighing.
"I just returned to the academy yesterday," Ethan replied. " How did the King know that I made it back?"
"Ethan, this academy has several Wizards and Witches that belong to noble families," Professor Rinehart stated. "The news of your disappearance with Lily cannot be hidden. Naturally, the Royal Family became aware of the incident. Perhaps they asked their connections here to keep an eye out for your return."
"What if I refuse?" Ethan inquired.
"Well, that is your right. However, you will fall from the graces of the Royal Family." Professor Rinehart answered. "Although I believe that they wouldn't do anything underhanded to harm you, there might come a time when you will need their assistance. It never hurts to form a good impression.
"Their favors can also help you get out of tricky situations, especially when dealing with High-Ranking Nobles who don't like you."
Ethan thought of Langston's family when he heard the Headmaster mention High-Ranking Nobles who didn't like him.
According to his friends, Langston's father watched the Clash of Manors and he didn't look happy about his son's loss.
'Apples don't fall far from the tree,' Ethan thought. 'I'm sure that the Headmaster is referring to the Kerr Ducal Family.'
After giving it some thought, the young man sighed before reluctantly nodding his head.
"When will we go to Nightfall Academy?" Ethan asked. "I still want to visit my Grandparents in the countryside."
"Don't worry, you still have three weeks," Professor Rinehart stated. "Since the Autumn Break will start next week and last for a week, you have plenty of time to spend with your family.
"In fact, I will allow you to extend your vacation for three more days. If you want to bring someone with you to visit your grandparents, I will exempt them from their classes as well."
The young man thought for a bit before nodding his head.
"Do I get some kind of compensation or benefits from this event?" Ethan asked. "It will be unfair if I am forced to go against my will without compensation."
"How does 100,000 Merit Points sound?" Professor Rinehart offered.
"Deal." Ethan smiled.
The two then shook hands as if sealing the agreement between them.
When Ethan left the Headmaster's office, Professor Rinehart leaned back on his chair and sighed.
"I'm getting too old for these political games," Professor Rinehart shook his head helplessly. "Although I feel bad for sending Ethan to that place, this is a rare opportunity for him to enter a Legacy Gate."
A Legacy Gate was similar to a Nexus.
The only difference was that the Legacy Gate was in a fixed location, and it opened at set intervals.
These Dimensional Gates didn't send people to the past.
Instead, it sent people to a closed-off Domain that was rumored to be one of the places where the mythical race of Tuatha De Danann had lived for hundreds of years.
It was a place filled with danger but also opportunity for the lucky ones who would be able to brave its dangers and discover the secrets that were hidden within.
Professor Rinehart believed that Ethan had what it took to survive in such a Domain.
After all, he had accomplished a feat that not many people could, which would soon spread like wildfire in the Wizarding World.