Chapter 58: The Principal's Audience (Conclusion)

“All right, the principal is inside. Go ahead.” Jiang Hong brought Sikong Xu to the door of the principal’s office and spoke to him.

“Teacher Jiang, why would the principal suddenly summon me? Is he really going to expel me?”

Sikong Xu spoke, and in truth, considering his performance over the past month, it wouldn’t be strange if the school decided to expel him. Although Dawn Academy was established to foster talents capable of resisting threats from other planes, the process of nurturing such individuals was fraught with risks—something that couldn’t be seen merely from the trials in the fantasy world.

Thus, if a student’s performance within the school was truly abysmal, for their own safety, the academy would not hesitate to expel them. Sikong Xu was now facing precisely such a situation.

“Expel you?” Jiang Hong shook his head. “If your performance had remained as it was before, even I wouldn’t want you to stay at the academy. But don’t worry—the school won’t expel you. After all, your latest trial was rated S-. To achieve an S- evaluation just a month after the semester began—no academy would let a talent like that slip away.”

Because the information within the imprint was connected to the “Dawn Intelligence Core,” Sikong Xu’s performance in the fantasy world could be reviewed through the system.

“So, the principal called me here because I received an S- rating?” Sikong Xu asked.

Jiang Hong only smiled at his words, gesturing for him to go inside, then turned and departed.

Watching Jiang Hong’s retreating figure with a helpless sigh, Sikong Xu knocked on the door to the principal’s office. He had prepared himself for what was to come, knowing that his two innate skills were simply too extraordinary.

“Come in.”

From within the office came a voice—aged, yet powerful and resonant. Even through the wooden door, Sikong Xu could sense the strength behind it. Surely, this must be the principal.

The door creaked open, revealing a spacious and bright office. The room wasn’t large, but its layout was impeccable: a massive floor-to-ceiling window, neatly arranged furniture, and spotless floors all spoke to the owner’s keen sense of order.

Inside, there were two people. One was an elderly man, his hair white and beard curled down to his chest, sitting in the office chair. The other was a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties, radiating integrity, standing beside him. They seemed to be engaged in discussion.

Sikong Xu had seen both before. The older man was, naturally, the third principal of Dawn Academy—Sun Gongming.

The middle-aged man was Li Yang, the head of the first-year students at Dawn Academy.

As Sikong Xu entered, the two ceased their conversation.

He first fixed his gaze on Li Yang—the grade director who had been clamoring for his expulsion. Sikong Xu didn’t actually dislike the man, perhaps because of his upright demeanor, but the constant threat of expulsion was undeniably vexing.

Next, Sikong Xu looked toward the principal, who, despite his age, appeared robust and energetic.

“Principal, Teacher Jiang said you wished to speak with me?” Sikong Xu stood respectfully before the desk.

“Sikong Xu, correct? You’ve come at just the right time, child. We were just discussing your situation.” The principal’s aged face broke into a smile, nearly creasing into a chrysanthemum. He then glanced at Li Yang.

Prompted by the principal’s look, Li Yang began, “Since the start of the semester, first-year students have participated in three fantasy world trials on average. To date, aside from you, the best result has been the completion of two main quests, earning a B+ rating. That’s already considered exceptional.”

He paused, then continued, “First-year student Sikong Xu: your first two trials were rated E-, but on your third, you achieved an astounding S- rating.”

“To earn an S- just a month after school began—no dimensional academy has ever seen such a feat. Can you explain how this happened?”

Li Yang’s tone was measured, yet carried an unmistakable edge, especially with his final question. Sikong Xu felt the air grow heavy, his body sinking as if weighted with lead, legs rendered immobile.

This was pressure—a force of sheer presence! Li Yang—and indeed, every teacher at Dawn Academy—was far from ordinary.

“Damn!” Sikong Xu cursed inwardly, beads of sweat pouring from his brow. He summoned all his strength, striving to straighten his bent form.

Even from this display of pressure, it was clear Li Yang’s strength was unfathomable.

“Hm?” Li Yang murmured in surprise at Sikong Xu’s reaction. The boy was indeed remarkable; Li Yang was well-versed in the art of imposing presence, and with their disparity in power, Sikong Xu should have been flattened. Yet, not only did he remain upright, he slowly straightened himself.

Suddenly, Li Yang withdrew his aura; the suffocating atmosphere vanished.

“Ha—ha—” Freed at last, Sikong Xu nearly staggered, but managed to steady himself, avoiding a disgraceful fall.

“To withstand my pressure for so long without collapsing—seems your S- rating is well-earned.” Li Yang spoke solemnly.

So, they summoned me just to test my strength? If Sikong Xu hadn’t been gasping for breath, he would have cursed aloud.

Since they treated him so bluntly, Sikong Xu was in no mood for courtesy. He plopped down onto the sofa in the principal’s office, showing no sign of respect.

Noticing Sikong Xu’s mood, the principal smiled and asked, “Child, can you tell me why you’ve suddenly become so powerful?”

“Powerful? Have I changed? I’m still the ‘King of the Useless.’” Sikong Xu glanced at Li Yang—the nickname itself had originated from him.

“The principal is speaking to you. Show some respect.” Upright Li Yang couldn’t stand Sikong Xu’s irreverence and rebuked him.

“With your strength, you should know my physical abilities are only at an ordinary level,” Sikong Xu replied.

“This…” Li Yang was momentarily speechless. With his keen eye, he could see that Sikong Xu’s physique was entirely that of a normal person—not even as strong as some ordinary individuals.

After awakening their abilities at the start of term, Dawn Academy students typically had physical attributes two to three times that of the average person, placing them at the initial Ink-Black rank. But how did Sikong Xu, with only ordinary strength, reach that level?

“But how did you attain Ink-Black rank?” Li Yang pressed.

Sikong Xu didn’t answer.

“Heh heh, enough, Li Yang. Let this old man ask a question now, if I may, child?”

Sikong Xu had no objection, so he nodded.

Seeing his agreement, the principal smiled, but then his aged face turned stern, his gaze sharp enough that Sikong Xu felt a prickling sensation on his skin.

“Child, how much do you know about the fantasy world?”

“The fantasy world?” Sikong Xu was taken aback, not expecting such a question. “What specifically do you mean?”

“Specifically, the fantasy worlds in which you undertake your trials.”

“This…” Sikong Xu hesitated. To be honest, the fantasy world had always been a source of deep confusion for him. Why had these worlds—once mere products of human imagination in his previous life—become real?

In his former world, people imagined stories through animation, novels, comics, TV shows, movies, games, and so on, but here, they were all tangible realities. How could this be?

The principal caught the uncertainty in Sikong Xu’s eyes and sighed softly. “This matter is important to us—no, to the entire world. I hope… you can tell the truth.”

Sikong Xu paused, then his gaze sharpened. “If it’s just information about the fantasy worlds themselves—I know them extremely well!”