After the announcements were finished, Baron Kapfem and the other instructors. Staff then wheeled in a large board with the student's rankings, prompting the others to hastily check their placements.

Despite the rather inelligible writing, others were barely able to understand it. One name in particular, stood out in the middle of the board.

"She placed so low..."

"Wasn't she acting kind of suspicious before?"

"Was it all a fake, then? She's not that strong after all?"

"I'm sure there's something wrong with the results!"

Sparks flew as the crowd got caught up in heated discussions. As for the other chosen participants, none were interested to look at the rankings and immediately left the vicinity. Back at the Great Hall, Ethel was being bombarded with rapid fire questions from Porte, who had turned red from the neck up after babbling for so long.

"How could you throw it all away? You're talented and easily better than the others—"

Ethel shook her head. "I'm not throwing it away and I am not easily better than others. You have to stop this idea about me being some aberrant being."

"But isn't it true? You're choosing to abandon such a once in a lifetime opportunity and for what? Because you don't believe you're good enough?" Porte sported a frustrated look and refused to see reason.

"I can't seem to understand why you're so upset about this. I already said it's fine and yet you keep insisting it's not. And i'm not throwing it away because I dont feel good enough. I value my safety and rather not stand out in such a high profile way." Ethel sighed. "You know what? I don't even want to argue with you right now. I'm tired."

She stood up and turned to leave.

"Wait! You can't just leave and—"

Fleur held him by the arm and said, "That's enough." She shook her head and sighed.

If it was Ethel, she would've already glared at him and gave him a good beating. It was already nice of her to leave without making a fuss.

"What? You think she was right?" Porte sometimes disliked how carefree Ethel was even though she was talented. Everyone could always feel that Ethel wasn't completely serious even when sparring. His face flushed red from frustration.

"I'm saying you're being unreasonable. How would you like it if other people forced their ideals onto you?"

Porte breathed heavily, his head dropped. "I wouldn't like it."

"Then stop being an idiot." Fleur let go of his arm and walked away, leaving Porte standing her like a lost puppy.

Walking to the ramparts to the Headmaster's office, Carys wondered why he had been summoned as soon as he got out of the Black Tower. He didn't bother to attend the announcement and if it wasn't because other people congratulated him on the way, then he would've never have guessed he was picked.

Standing in front of the familiar wooden doors, Carys breathed calmly and knocked.

"Headmaster."

"Yes, come in." A raspy voice replied.

Opening the doors, the headmaster was not alone. Sitting on the sofa, Baron Kapfem nodded at him, acknowledging his presence. Carys had his guard up immediately and he had a feeling the news wasn't good. He bowed.

"I had been talking to the baron concerning your participation in the competition and your situation."

He stiffened. The headmaster sensed this and said, "Do not worry. I trust the baron with my life. That I can swear on."

"Well, I'm quite touched." The baron smiled.

Despite this assurance, Carys' bad feeling didn't fade at all and he was visibly tensed around the baron. He had kept his distance from people like that for who knows how long and with another finding out about his secret, everything about this situation didn't feel good at all.

“As you might already know, you have been picked by Baron Kapfem to participate in Mars.”

“But sir, that is—”

“I know your worries. You can be at ease. Kapfem will keep you safe.”

“Forgive me for being blunt sir, but I don’t exactly understand why I was chosen in the first place.”

"That is fine. Kapfem will explain the rest. As you know, old age has affected me toom much and I have just taken this drowsy medicine of mine. So if you'll excuse me," the headmaster stood up and went inside the side door by the left of his office.

He and the baron were left in a small stare off, eyeing each other.

"You don't have to look at me with such eyes. Much to your dismay, your secret will rest safe in my hands."

"How do I know you're not going to take advantage of me?" Carys narrowed his eyes.

Kapfem sighed. "You know, for such a large vessel like yours, getting easily agitated makes it hard to control your vitalis."

"What do you know about me?"

The baron looked up. Dear heavens, this boy was usually so emotionless, how was he so agitated now? If he knew that this would be his reaction then it would've been better if the headmaster had not told him.

"You are a zabiya, that's for sure."

"And what are you going to do? Expose me and surrender me to the Empire?" Carys didn't want that. He'd already been pushed to the edge of his life, one more and he would really rather die.

Kapfem frowned. "That's a bit cliche. Not only is it against my principles but this is not a storybook, after the headmaster told me this, rest assured I won't do you any harm."

"Then why do I have to participate in the competition? The instructor is fully aware that my life will be completely in your hands if I do decide to participate?"

"I'll explain." Kapfem clasped his hands. "As you know, zabiyas have faced discrimination far worse than any other race in the continent, right? "

Carys nodded.

"It couldn't be that you plan to expose me in this competition? I get that I am strong but you're making me risk my life at the expense of what?"

"This is a huge gamble but we're going to make it work. By hook or by crook. Even the Emperor is aware."

"And?"

"While zabiyas still face discrimination, it's honestly not as bad as it used to be. In fact, the royal advisor of the Emperor is a zabiya."

A look of surprise flashed in Carys' face. "Then sir why is it not—"

"—A big deal? Well... You do know that the Emperor is hailed as an angel by the common people, right? As a trusted advisor with the backing of the Emperor, who would dare to doubt the decision of the highest ruler?"

Carys couldn't fathom the situation. Since he had never taken classes involving politics and religion, it was a huge gray area for him. Not only had he not developed an interest in the affairs of the mundane world, but if he did, then perhaps he'd be more aware of his position. Is that why Ethel did not have a huge reaction to his secret?

"Rest your worries. Even if people find out about your identity, you will not be killed. Not with the headmaster and me backing you up. And perhaps the daughter of the Cyprus family? I heard you are quite close?"

In the end, Carys didn't have any doubts. He had given in to the baron's words. He nodded.

"Excellent then. We leave first thing tomorrow."

The baron did not waste any time and quickly left the office. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.