The Astralspire Academy

The next day, Victor took his carriage to Astralspire Academy, an institution offering a wide range of studies: Qi arts, swordsmanship, history, and noble politics.

Wearing his Time Merchant Set—now bearing the Chronis family crest—Victor arrived at the academy gates. As he stepped from the carriage, the puppet driver parked among a row of splendid transports.

"Young Master, we have arrived," the puppet announced.

"Mm," Victor replied, strolling toward the entrance.

Several nobles nearby whispered as they watched him:

"Bro, he looks so handsome. That outfit—must be some foreign noble."

"Check the carriage! It's unlike anything made here. And that crest… The House of Chronis?"

"I've never heard of them," another added.

At the entrance, Victor declared, "I am Victor Chronis. I'm here to register."

The receptionist's eyes widened. "Welcome to Astralspire Academy. Please fill out this form, and we'll send you for your aptitude test."

Victor quickly completed the paperwork.

"The House of Chronis… Where is your domain?" she asked curiously.

["Oracle, suggest an answer!"]

[Host, say you're from Borealis—few know of it, so they won't press you.]

"The House of Chronis hails from the northern continent of Borealis. I've come here for… personal study."

"Understood. Follow me to the testing chamber."

Victor followed her through the marble halls; curious nobles trailed behind, eager to see this mysterious heir.

Inside the test room, the receptionist handed Victor a large, semi-transparent blue orb and said, "Channel your Qi into this core to verify your aptitude."

In Aerthos, acceptance required at least a Blue-Grade Qi Core. Victor pressed his palm to the orb and infused a thin stream of Qi. The orb's surface rippled through colors: crimson, pearl white, sapphire, emerald, rose red, gold, violet… then obsidian black.

Silence fell. Some nobles' knees buckled.

"Mythic Grade!" someone gasped. "This is Mythic talent!"

Recovering, the receptionist stammered, "Sir, you truly possess Mythic-grade aptitude?"

Victor chuckled. "Indeed. It's quite rare, I know."

Once the shock subsided, Victor completed the final admission steps and was placed in Class 1‑S—the exclusive rank for top-tier or royal students. Grades in the academy ranged from F to S, and only the elite received an S.

With registration done, Victor returned to his carriage. Classes would begin next week. Students could specialize in different Qi arts rather than follow a uniform curriculum, and the academy served as a prime networking ground. Perhaps he might even meet someone special.

The academy allowed each student one attendant. Victor rode back home to Arclight Manor and found Alex reading a dossier by the study's window.

"Oh? Young Master! You've returned. How was the academy?" Alex asked.

"It was… impressive. Have you completed our business?" Victor replied.

"Yes, Young Master. The puppet has sold time to various nobles in private," Alex reported.

"We've already earned 500,000 gold coins and acquired 500 years of lifespan," the puppet chimed in.

Victor nearly spat out his tea. The maid rushed forward to clean the spill.

"500 years and half a million gold? Excellent. Transfer the lifespan years and funds to my accounts at once," Victor ordered.

Alex touched his medallion.

[!Ding]

[500,000 Gold Coins added to inventory.]

[!Ding]

[500 Years of Lifespan added to Host's total.]

[Name: Victor Chronis]

[Lifespan: 550 Years]

[System Level: 2]

[Balance: 502,000 Gold Coins]

[System Functions:]

Time God's Eyes — View Lifespans

Time Shop — Access the Time Merchant trade interface

Time Contract — Used to buy or sell lifespan

Time Pause — Temporarily halt time in a localized area

[Stats:]

Vitality: 250

Qi: 100

Strength: 10

Agility: 10

Intelligence: 100

Charisma: 70 (+50)

"Alex, summon the property broker at once," Victor said, glancing at the academy documents.

An hour later, the broker arrived alongside Alex. Amelia Stewart greeted him again.

"Good morning, Sir. How may we assist you today?"

"I want to purchase Arclight Manor," Victor stated.

"That'll be 400,000 gold coins, Sir."

Victor handed over the payment and signed the final deed. The broker bowed and departed with the documents.

"System, procure me a lifespan battery," Victor commanded.

[Done, Host.]

A small, battery-like device appeared in his hand. Victor entered "30" and sealed thirty years of lifespan inside.

"Alex, give this battery to the puppet and continue our time-trading operations discreetly. Maintain confidentiality; nobles and commoners alike must remain unaware. Continue until further notice."

"Yes, Young Master."

The puppet received the battery and vanished into the night.

Victor watched from his balcony. "Now it's time to take some big steps… hehehe."