The director looked at him dead in the eye.

Kris figured that this was the first time someone was sizing him up the way the director did. Instead of prodding Kris' mana core, a thick blanket of mana permeated every inch of this room. It was different from the king's and Jack's: here, it was like the very air was made of his mana.

And he's still holding back quite a bit of it.

Kris wasn't sure if he could deal with him as easily as he did the others.

His eyes however, never faltered.

With confident steps, he approached the director - not breaking sight.

"Please to meet you, director," Kris said cordially, as he pulled the seat in front of the director and took it.

The director dropped all pretense, coolly sliding a document to his side. Kris knew that the document was about him.

"A pleasure. I can see why the king would be wary of you. To be able to walk within this dense mana. Most would not have dared enter."

"Thank you. I was looking forward to the interview, so pardon me if I made myself too comfortable," Kris said, straightening his posture.

"You're too comfortable, alright," the director said, his expression turning more serious. "To be able to threaten the king enough to ask me of this. I cannot believe that king would back down."

"He made the correct decision."

"You are both fools," the director declared as he stood up. The mana grew denser, thicker, and Kris could feel it getting harder to breathe, his posture slightly faltering. He, however, endured.

"But so am I," and slowly sat back down, leaning his hand on the armrests.

Soon, the mana disappeared from the room, like fire doused with water.

"I understand, like the King, that a battle to defeat you once-and-for-all here will be deadly to our surroundings. I regret it, but I will have to crush you later," he said. This time, the threat was a real unknown for Kris.

Though he could've had an easier time even if Lazarus increased the density, Kris' real problems is how Lazarus applies magic. Kris had zero clue, but if Lazarus was as diligent as people made it sound, then he probably knew how mages of old utilized mana. Technical knowledge, and Kris power and void-mastery was one thing, but Kris has heard real rumours about Lazarus.

About how he entered a volcano to investigate it when it was going critical. How he, in a span of a few hours, managed to calm down this volcano.

How he suffocated the great dragon Tribia, a legendary serpentine that consumed two countries almost a century ago. Lazarus being alive for such a great time shows his tremendous ability as a mage as well.

If I don't understand his magic, and more of him, I'll have a hard time. I should try to settle this amicably.

"There will be no positivity between us, boy," the director said calmy, as if he knew. Along with his words, the room shook. "I can see beyond you, connected, are two entities of chaos. But I know, that more than being connected, they are extensions - a natural part of you. No matter what you say to me, you are a chaotic being that will forever be an unknown. It's spoken of in myth, and I've seen it before," he underlined his last sentence with a snarl.

"Those of your kind tend to be hiding behind a good-natured facade. I would never dare to turn my back against you," he said, as a blast of mana, laden with the pure will of Lazarus, pummeled Kris' body, engulfing the room in an explosion of green mana. The boom was heard all throughout the school, with some professors immediately noticing that it came from the director's office.

Kris, as expected, came out unscathed. Lazarus was still calm, as if expecting it. As if mirroring the director, Kris was also still sporting a small smile.

He already understood that with great power comes great obstacles. He was aware of the original reference, but a ton of the responsibility someone of power must bear come in the form of obstacles. Remembering the reference might have made him smirk a little.

Kris had no ill-intentions against the director. But judging from what the director said, and he probably revealed it to Kris on purpose, is that he had seen people like Kris before.

More than likely, a chaotic nature of mana can be present in anyone, but the numbers may be quite small. A non-mastery of this type of nature, such as Kris' way of creating two spirits, must make someone succumb to their desires. Or just drawn to destruction or curiousity in general.

"I have always thought to myself..." Kris leaned forward, while Lazarus remained stoic but listened carefully. "Is it possible for someone of ability to sit idly by?"

"So you do understand," Lazarus snappily replied.

"That because of this, one day I'll become a threat? Don't you think that you're oversimplifying it?"

"It goes without saying."

"Then how about you? Your also someone with power, why are you allowed to wield it?"

"Lad, I have established myself in this society as I grew in power. Someone like you, who is probably not yet fully mature, must be culled early. The reason we oversimplify it is because magic is no small thing," Lazarus pointed at Kris.

"If your attributes were somehow normal, then fine. Maybe it is possible for you to wield it. But chaotic magic is called that for a reason. Someday, its powers will control you."

"You're saying all that, but you're not really attacking me. Blind threats aren't convincing," Kris could feel a little sweat down his spine. Now that he thought of the consequences, and how chaotic mana had just recently returned to him a few years ago...

I need to look into this further.

"Spoken like a true devil; you know that you're holding this whole city hostage. At the same time, you can't make your move on me. Or else, that would destroy whatever plan you had in mind. This is a farce," Lazarus then grinned. "I see, I think that's good," the director said, talking to himself.

Kris raised a brow.

"Ohh, don't worry too much," the director said with a plastered grin, noticing Kris expression. "I just thought that it'd be a good idea to play my part. So, what is the ransom for all of this?"

"I want to study in the academy."

Lazarus frowned once more. "That's also what the king mentioned. Strange, why would someone like you want to study here?"

"I want to improve," Kris said. "There's so much more to learn. And I also would like to make quite a few friends," he smiled.

"Are you a part of the cult?"

"Hah, if I was, I would've told you already. This stalemate wouldn't have changed."

Lazarus wore a deep expression. "Then. I will let you study here, but on three conditions."

Kris pulled up two fingers. "Two, and they can't be too restrictive."

The director thought for a bit. "First, you can never hurt the students."

Kris was surprised. "I heard duels were possible."

Lazarus was about to say something, but then stopped to think. "I can't allow you to duel just anyone, but someone from the Five Stars will do."

"Five stars?" Kris asked, cringing at the name.

"I have no desire to explain trivial things to you."

"Fair enough."

"Second, you are to live within this academy. When you go out, a global tracker will be placed on you."

Kris immediately shook his head. "Whatever happened to not restrictive?"

"Listen, if you insist on not being a threat, then it's right that someone like you should accept such a thing. Only I will be made aware of where you are at all times. It's only fair isn't it?"

"Then, I should also be able to track you," this time, Kris put a hand on the table, knowing the implications behind it. "So unless I'm doing anything harmful, you wouldn't consider me a threat. I wonder how far I can go before you start moving," Kris stood up.

"Oh do not worry," the director said, almost cutting Kris off. "I won't be observing your actions and intent. If you are what you claim to be, then that's not what I should be worried about."

So it's how I affect things.

Kris was almost sure that Lazarus was at the near top, if not at the top of the food-chain in this current era. It won't be easy to get rid of him.

It's the first time that Kris was thrown around in a conversation.

"Fine," he relented, seeing the chance at being at the academy a better option than completely antagonizing the director.

The surroundings then distorted, as if the very room itself was collapsing. There were cracks in the space, like there would be in a glass, while a kaleidoscope of colors distorted everything. The director stood up from his chair.

Then, the place was whole again. The only thing was, his chair was broken. Lazarus broke a sweat, but kept observing Kris.

"Whatever happens, I know for a fact that you're only looking out for your country. But I also have the best interest in mind for it. You have my word," Kris said, reigning in his power. He then turned around.

"I will see you when the semester starts, director."

The director hummed, long and dissatisfied.