CHAPTER 762: THE UNCHOSEN PATH

Adam watched the rector assess more students, each word spoken with the casual evenness of someone who had done this for millennia and had found everyone lacking either in character or potential.

Dozens took turns eagerly, yet none awakened even a spark of interest in the rector’s single eye. But more importantly, the mage had yet to recommend the House of Exorcism.

That is, until a green-haired nine-year-old boy trembled before the table.

A spark, reflected by the hovering magic gems, flashed through the rector’s eye. For a heartbeat, Adam saw something like interest or perhaps a slight anticipation, before it faded into the familiar evenness.

"You have little ambition, and the unknown doesn’t interest you. But I see determination, protectiveness, and loyalty to your loved ones. House of Exorcism fits you, little one."

The boy froze, as if he had heard a death sentence.

Around Adam, hushed whispers exploded, and even the older students shook their heads.

"Poor boy," a girl murmured to her friend. "This house is the worst by far."

"My aunt told me it was a gathering of lunatics, that they studied unholy knowledge, and couldn’t be trusted." Another student added, shivering. "Don’t join them if the rector recommends it."

A furrow creased Adam’s brows. It couldn’t be that bad, could it? At least, he partially understood why the House of Exorcism population was low—seldom recommended, and avoided.

Without surprise, the boy stumbled towards the table of the House of Transmutation, sitting silently, head lowered not to face the rector’s gaze, sweat beading on his forehead.

As for the students bearing the silver sword piercing a coiled black serpent’s emblem, they merely shrugged and continued to eat.

After the boy’s turn, Adam saw the large crowd around him thin. From a few hundred, dozens remained, then five, then two. Arms crossed over his chest, he let out a guttural snarl, tapping his foot faster with each passing second. He had arrived first, but passed last—what a waste of time.

And even now, the rector called for Quintella first, who hesitated, her pink eyes darting between him and the man.

He smiled at her, letting go of her hand with a gentle nod.

Eyes narrowing, she walked to the teacher’s table. Yet, she turned towards Adam midway, drawing strength from his silent encouragement.

Like for the other students, the rector waved his hand. Then, a spark flashed through his eye, his lips curved into a smile, and his voice softened. "Your most notable ambitions are to marry and eat sweets? Interesting. Curiosity won’t drive you either. However, you want to protect those you love. House of Exorcism fits you."

He caressed his grey beard, his next words causing Adam’s eyes to widen.

"Like it had for Alistair, young dreamer."

The students whispered again, and Adam failed to notice Quintella’s questioning gaze. Instead, a muscle in his jaw twitched, and his knuckles whitened. The rector knew about her identity. And yet, he merely mentioned Allistair’s name...

"Big brother..." Quintella called out, her hand over her mouth to muffle her voice.

Biting his lip, he shoved his worries down to focus on the present. Of the three, of course, the House of Transmutation attracted him the most. But as he was about to point at their table, he retracted his finger.

They would join the same house—that was non-negotiable—but was this the right choice? Perhaps not. Perhaps the House of Exorcism held the most profound techniques, or maybe the low recommendation count was proof that only elites were accepted.

Whispers turned into impatient discussions, each word pressing him to answer Quintella. Eventually, he just nodded. Whatever. They’ll do fine no matter what they choose.

Quintella beamed him a smile, then skipped to the exorcist’s table under the gasps of the other students. Some called her mad, while others foresaw her regretting her choice.

When she sat, the black-serpent emblem students finally looked up, their forks hovering mid-bite. Their claps soon overwhelmed the other students’ chatter.

"Welcome!" a teenager seated a few steps away yelled.

"I thought no one would join us this year!" Another chuckled and, for a moment, even the rector applauded.

The sound echoed oddly, like hands clapping in a tomb. Then, he raised a palm, the single gesture restoring silence.

"Step forward." He smiled at Adam, his voice not even, but carrying an eagerness that made the teachers seated around him narrow their eyes in focus.

With a shrug, Adam’s shoes met the soft carpet. He strolled between the tables as if he owned the place, his eyes locked on the rector’s curved lips.

The assessment began.

"Peculiar... Complex..." The rector frowned, his perfect facade cracking. "You’re driven by a blazing ambition that leaves no doubt about your future achievements. Curiosity is a second nature to you. You want to learn, understand, discover, and create." He paused, tapping a thick forefinger on his left cheek.

"More importantly," he continued, eye igniting. "You’re determined to kill enemies mercilessly, yet have the heart to extend a saving hand to those in need. I see the seed of a scholar, a craftsman, or a hero—maybe all three." He rose, waving his hand. "I have no recommendation for you. Choose your House freely."

Adam pursed his lips, his fingers twitching. A hero? Never!

Rolling his eyes in pure distaste, he walked to Quintella, pulling his chair with barely suppressed fury. He clicked his tongue, cursing the rector for insulting him as the students surrounding him clapped.

Meanwhile, the rector’s eye gleamed, his hand reaching for an old leather bag strapped at his belt. He brushed it for a second, muttering. "Will the broken wheel finally begin to revolve again? Will you become the fool, an anomaly, or another incomplete failure? I’ll watch your struggle with attention."

He raised his hand, commanding silence again.

"Since everyone has found the House they belong to, and before we show you to your dorms, it’s time to fill your schedules with specialised classes."

The teachers rose at his words. They each explained what they taught, the number of weekly lessons, and the requirements to follow their courses—mainly affinity and depth of mana control.