CHAPTER 47: [48] THE SCHEMING FIFTH ENVOY!

"Very well," the seventh Envoy said after a long moment of consideration. "I am still skeptical of certain details, but I acknowledge that you possess strength beyond your apparent realm. The technique you’ve demonstrated is sufficient explanation for the combat prowess shown in the video."

He paused, and his next words carried the weight of judgment. "However, this incident has caused significant complications. Two students are dead, and the circumstances surrounding their deaths involve accusations of betrayal and conspiracy. Until a full investigation can be conducted and all parties satisfied, you are hereby confined to the academy grounds. You will not leave, you will not take external missions, and you will focus solely on your cultivation and studies within these walls. Any violation of this restriction will result in immediate expulsion and potential criminal charges."

Theon’s frown deepened, and he felt a surge of frustration and annoyance. He had survived betrayal, fought for his life, and now he was being punished for it? The restriction essentially made him a prisoner, albeit in a gilded cage. With the strength he now possessed, with his enhanced abilities and the power he’d gained, being confined felt like being shackled.

But he also understood the reality of his situation. The Seven Envoys were not beings he could defy, not yet. Their casual display of power, even through mere projections, had made that abundantly clear. He had no choice but to comply.

"I understand," Theon said, his transformed voice coming out as a deep rumble. "I will abide by the restriction."

"Then you are dismissed," the seventh Envoy said with a wave of his hand.

The world spun, and Theon found himself suddenly standing outside the massive hall, the doors sealed shut behind him. He released the Symbiote technique, his body shrinking back to its normal size as the crimson flush faded from his skin. The transformation left him slightly winded but not exhausted as it once would have. His increased stamina and doubled attributes made maintaining the technique far less taxing than before.

He stood there for a moment, processing what had just occurred, when a figure approached from the side.

It was a young woman, perhaps in her mid-twenties, wearing the distinctive robes that marked her as an academy instructor. She had elegant features and moved with the grace of someone who had mastered body cultivation to a high degree.

"Student Theon," she said, bowing slightly in greeting. "The fifth Envoy requests a private audience with you. Please follow me."

Theon raised an eyebrow in surprise. The fifth Envoy, the one who had just been accusing him moments ago, now wanted to meet privately? He couldn’t fathom what this could be about, but he had little choice but to comply.

"Lead the way," he said.

The woman guided him away from the central mountain, taking a winding path through carefully maintained gardens where the primal energy was so dense that flowers bloomed with unnatural vibrancy and small animals that had absorbed ambient power moved with surprising intelligence. They walked for nearly ten minutes before arriving at a smaller building, one that appeared modest from the outside but radiated an aura of quiet luxury.

Inside, Theon found himself in an office that defied the building’s humble exterior. The space was exquisitely decorated with rare portraits depicting legendary battles and cultivation breakthroughs, ancient paintings that themselves contained faint traces of primal energy as if the artists had infused their understanding of the dao into every brushstroke. The furniture was crafted from celestial wood, materials so rare that a single chair could purchase a small city. The desk, shelves, and even the seats all gleamed with a subtle inner light, each piece clearly imbued with formations that enhanced meditation and cultivation.

Seated behind the desk was the fifth Envoy, though she now appeared far less hostile than she had in the hall. She gestured to a chair across from her.

"Please, sit," she said, her voice carrying none of the suspicion from before.

Theon sat cautiously, his enhanced senses alert for any sign of danger, though he knew that if the fifth Envoy truly wished him harm, there was little he could do to prevent it.

"I imagine you’re confused," the fifth Envoy began, a slight smile playing at her lips. "Let me clarify the situation. I knew the truth about what happened in the dimensional zone from the moment I reviewed the video. I could sense the authenticity in every frame, see the genuine fear and betrayal captured in those final moments of your teammates’ lives."

Theon’s eyes narrowed. "Then why the accusations? Why the hostility?"

"Because if I hadn’t challenged you, if I hadn’t forced you to reveal your true strength through that display of the Symbiote technique, then the other Envoys would have forever doubted you," she explained. "They would have questioned whether you could be trusted, whether there might be more to the story than what the video showed. That doubt would have followed you throughout your time at the academy, limiting your opportunities and advancement."

She leaned forward, her expression becoming more serious. "By forcing you to demonstrate your power, I gave the other Envoys undeniable proof that you possess the strength necessary to have survived what you claimed to survive. The Symbiote Fusion Technique is well-known among those of us at higher realms. We understand its potential for cross-realm combat. By showing them that technique, you transformed yourself in their eyes from a suspicious anomaly into an exceptional talent who happened to possess a sacred combat art."

Theon processed this, and he had to admit the logic was sound, even if he didn’t appreciate being manipulated. "And the restriction? The confinement to the academy?"

"That," the fifth Envoy said with a slight grimace, "is unfortunately necessary for your own safety. Your family, the Dragan clan, has already demonstrated their willingness to pay enormous sums to see you dead. Ten million relic coins is not a trivial bounty. If you were allowed to move freely outside the academy, you would be a target for every desperate mercenary and ambitious bounty hunter on the continent."

She stood and moved to a shelf, pulling down a scroll that she unrolled on the desk. It was a bounty notice, and Theon’s face stared back at him from the parchment, along with details of the reward.

"However," the fifth Envoy continued, "there is a way out of this predicament. If you advance to Elite Student status, you would gain certain freedoms and protections.

Elite Students are given more autonomy, access to restricted areas, and importantly, the authority to move outside the academy grounds for specific purposes. The restriction placed on you would be lifted once you achieve that rank."

Theon considered this. Elite Student status required passing a rigorous examination that tested combat ability, theoretical knowledge, and practical application of cultivation techniques. Under normal circumstances, he would have taken that exam days ago, but the dimensional crisis assignment had postponed all advancement activities.

"When can I take the advancement examination?" Theon asked.

"The examinations will resume in one week," the fifth Envoy replied. "Until then, I suggest you go to the Alchemy Guild and register yourself as an alchemist. The status as a Geneticist would prove as a good deterrent to those who wish to harm you.."

She paused, then added, "There’s one more thing you should know. I am Lecturer Lorraine’s master."

Theon’s eyes widened slightly.

Lecturer Lorraine, the third-grade geneticist that had taught him alchemy was actually her disciple!

Doesn’t that mean this woman was the legendary sixth grade Geneticist who was said to be well respected by everyone?

"I am also a good friend of Commander Ghost," the fifth Envoy continued. "He sent me a message shortly after your meeting with him, asking me to watch over you and ensure no harm comes to you while you’re within the academy. So understand that despite the harsh treatment in the hall, I am actually on your side. I want to see you succeed and grow stronger."

"Thank you," Theon said sincerely. "I appreciate your intervention, even if the method was uncomfortable."

The fifth Envoy smiled. "Discomfort breeds growth. Now go, rest, and prepare yourself for the week ahead. You’ve been through an ordeal, and your body needs time to fully consolidate all the changes it’s undergone."

Theon stood, bowed respectfully, and left the office. As he made his way back toward the student residential areas, his thoughts were racing."

The sun was setting as Theon finally reached his dormitory buildin . Despite everything he’d gained, despite all the power he’d accumulated, he felt really exhausted but also fired up to see his reward for quest of killing dimensional beasts.

He climbed the mountain, heading to his building , unlocked the door, and stepped inside.

Theon then proceeded to seal the door, activated the privacy formations built into the room, and finally allowed himself to collapse onto his bed. His body sank into the mattress as he slept off.