Novel Full Chapter 832: Priority
Chapter 832: Priority
Michael’s heart shot up at those words.
Secrets.
For a split second, he wondered what exactly Arven was referring to. But after thinking about it, it made sense.
There was no way someone could possess everything he currently had through ordinary means. Even if others did not know the full picture, they could still tell something about him was abnormal.
What Michael did not know, but faintly suspected, was that the two women in the room had reached similar conclusions. They simply did not voice it the way Arven did. But their suspicions existed.
Several, in fact.
Why was Michael physically so strong for a necromancer?
Why was his soul capacity so absurdly high?
Why were his undead so highly ranked?
Rank 3 monsters were not vegetables growing by the roadside. They were not cabbages one could casually harvest. Yet Michael possessed multiple.
Naturally, explanations formed in their minds.
One possibility was talent. Awakeners born with innate talents had long been proven to stand far above those without them. Unique talents could amplify soul strength, undead capacity, physical reinforcement, and growth speed.
Another thought was opportunity. Perhaps Michael had encountered something within the Land of Origin. A relic, inheritance, forbidden legacy, or environmental evolution chance that reshaped his foundation.
As for Arven, he did not dwell on specifics. To him, it was simply a secret. What kind did not matter. What mattered was that Michael had one, and that secret had already attracted dangerous attention.
What none of them would have expected was that the truth stood far above their assumptions.
It was not some ordinary jack of all trades talent.
It was not an opportunity.
It was the power of Infinite Evolution. The ability to endlessly evolve, empower, and strengthen anything under his control without theoretical limit.
A power that, if exposed, would not just attract interest. It would attract war.
Michael knew this instinctively.
Seeing what the Federation had already done based solely on the strength he had shown, he did not want to imagine what they would do if they learned he possessed the ability to infinitely empower undead, materials, weapons, and perhaps even living beings.
They would not monitor him.
They would not recruit him.
They would seize him. Control him. Or dissect the source of that power if control proved impossible.
So even as Arven reassured him, Michael made one thing clear in his heart.
That secret would never leave him. Not now. Perhaps not ever.
He lowered his gaze slightly in acknowledgment.
"I understand, Director."
Arven studied him for a moment before speaking again.
"There is one more thing."
Michael lifted his head slightly.
"During your recollection earlier, you mentioned that back in the Elven Realm you were referred to as a Holy Child."
The room went quiet again.
Michael blinked once in surprise. He had not expected Arven to focus on that part.
"That title is not decorative," Arven continued. "If the Federation thinks the same, it would explain why they wanted you at all cost."
Sera and Rynne exchanged brief glances but did not interrupt.
"But you should not let that scare you into restraining yourself," Arven added. "Your capability has already been exposed. Trying to hide now will only make you look more suspicious."
He gestured lightly.
"So work within the circle that has already been revealed. Grow. Advance. Stabilize your foundation."
Michael nodded slowly. The logic made sense.
But he still had one concern.
"...Director."
Arven paused.
"What about my family?"
This time, Sera answered first.
"The Federation is many things, but one thing they will not do is harm your family. Not openly. Not secretly. Especially not with the academy standing behind you."
Michael’s shoulders eased slightly.
"That said," she continued, "assume they are being monitored now."
His expression tightened faintly, but Arven spoke before he could respond.
"It works both ways."
Michael looked up.
"Surveillance from the Federation also functions as protection. Anyone with malicious intent would find it extremely difficult to approach your family under normal conditions."
Michael exhaled quietly. That eased part of his worry.
"If you wish to see them," Arven continued, "wait. Stay within academy grounds for now. Let the situation cool down first."
He paused before adding,
"After that, we will arrange something."
"Arrange?" Michael asked.
Sera nodded.
"We can relocate them closer to academy jurisdiction."
Michael fell silent. He had not expected that level of institutional backing.
Arven placed a hand lightly on his shoulder again.
"So do not worry unnecessarily. Focus on advancing. That is the best protection you can give them right now."
Michael nodded, more firmly this time.
Strength was no longer a desire. It was responsibility. And the faster he advanced, the less leverage the outside world would have over him.
Michael remembered the words the vice dean had spoken to Rynne and after thinking about it now, perhaps she had been talking to him too.
Inside, his resolve hardened further.
Rank 3.
He needed to reach it as soon as possible.
Arven watched him for a few seconds after that firm nod.
Then suddenly, his expression shifted. The seriousness dissolved as if it had never existed.
He leaned back slightly, one hand on his hip, head tilted at an angle far too practiced to be natural.
His voice dropped into a playful tone.
"By the way..."
Michael blinked once.
Arven leaned closer, fluttering his lashes exaggeratedly.
"Do I look pretty?"
Silence.
Sera froze.
Rynne froze.
Michael’s brain stalled.
For a moment, he wondered if this was another psychological pressure test. Or some form of illusion.
Arven’s eyes sparkled with very real anticipation.
A cold chill crawled up Michael’s spine. His survival instincts screamed louder than they ever had in Hell.
Arven leaned closer still.
"So? Well?"
Michael’s face stiffened. Internally, alarms blared at maximum volume. He did not know why answering this question felt more dangerous than facing a Rank 4 demonic supernatural, but it did.
Arven’s expression began to wilt. His eyes dimmed slightly, lips parting like someone on the verge of devastation.
Michael’s heart nearly shot out of his chest.
He nodded immediately.
"Yes. Yes... you do."
Arven froze. Then his entire face lit up like a blooming flower.
"Really?"
Michael nodded with a shaky heart.
’I hate school.’