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nHearing Margaret’s words, Howard’s expression instantly shifted to one of surprise.

nHe suddenly recalled that the team leaders, Glyn and Caitlin, had already returned to Adia.

nThis meant that the elite team’s leveling journey would soon conclude.

nMost likely, they could return to the academy today.

nThis also implied that representatives from the major academies, who had come for recruitment, might return earlier than expected.

nHoward’s face became increasingly grave at this realization.

nThat mysterious figure was, in fact, the Inspector General of Adia – Rick Suleiman.

nHis status was no less than that of the city’s mayor, having oversight over the entire city, including every individual in its subordinate cities!

nYears ago, his family had been annihilated, leaving only him behind.

nIn his quest for vengeance and justice, he rapidly ascended in power, achieving the prominent position he holds today.

nRegrettably, all the evidence from that incident had been concealed by the Jeffers family and stored within Rand Bank, rendering even Rick Suleiman powerless to investigate.

nA thought flickered in Howard’s mind: It seems time to send out the evidence.

nHad he prematurely dispatched the evidence before, and had Rick Suleiman discovered it, he would have certainly rushed to Saint City.

nHowever, the whereabouts of an Inspector General like him would undoubtedly be noticed.

nAn unexplained departure would arouse the suspicions of Headmaster Jay.

nIf he fled, all of Howard’s schemes would be for naught!

nTherefore, Howard planned to dispatch the evidence while representatives from Adia’s major academies came for recruitment.

nThis way, even if Rick Suleiman hurried over, Headmaster Jay would simply assume his visit pertained to the academy recruitment process.

nThe Inspector General was responsible for overseeing recruitment malpractices, issues that had arisen numerous times in the past—highly talented students, lacking influential backgrounds, were replaced by others for the premium academy slots, thus squandering their innate abilities.

nSuch scandals had infuriated the higher-ups.

nTheir aim was to bolster the entire nation’s strength and had strictly mandated that recruitment prioritize talent. 𝘪𝑎.𝘤𝑜𝑚

nTherefore, a visit from Inspector General Rick Suleiman at such a time would be entirely logical.

nHeadmaster Jay would likely believe that Rick Suleiman’s presence was to deter influential families from exploiting connections and ensure that the rare students with S-level talent were admitted.

nHe’d never suspect his own exposure, let alone consider fleeing.

nWhen the moment arrives where Headmaster Jay joyfully assumes that he’s unearthed a student with an awakened S-level talent and expects a reward from Rick Suleiman, what awaits him would be a trap!

nIndeed, Howard wouldn’t personally eliminate Jay.

nFirstly, Jay, being the headmaster, would undeniably have many formidable henchmen around him, making it difficult to assassinate.

nSecondly, murdering one’s own headmaster would surely be a tarnish to his reputation.

nIt would be far more strategic to use the tactic of using another’s hand to do the deed—eliminating Headmaster Jay while indebting Rick Suleiman.

nA favor from a top-tier figure like him, Howard believed, would surely yield many advantages.

nAfter deep contemplation, Howard reined in his thoughts, whispering, “Time to get up and hurry to the academy. The elite team might return today.”

nMargaret’s face turned ashen at his words, exclaiming, “How is that possible? Jay told me the elite leveling team would be out for a week!”

n“…Wait, how did you know this?”

nIt dawned on Margaret, Howard’s talents were surely more intricate than they appeared.

nUtilizing the monsters in the Dark Mausoleum to retaliate against Sterling, while also gaining intelligence about the elite team, indicated one thing…

nHoward must have ventured into the Silent Forest!

nIn other words, Howard had taken out Sterling quite some time ago, otherwise, he wouldn’t have had the time.

nAfter all, the Dark Mausoleum and the Silent Forest were not particularly close to each other.

n“Looking for another lesson?”

nHoward cast a sidelong glance at Margaret, prompting her to roll her eyes playfully and retort, “If it weren’t for our upcoming academy visit, do you think I’d be scared of you?”

nIn this world, there were only overworked oxen and no over-tilled fields.

nConsequently, after resting for the night, Margaret had seemingly forgotten about her pleas from the previous day.

nFortunately, their conversation shifted.

nAfter Howard and Margaret dressed, they headed for the academy.

nOn the way, Howard, under the pretense of needing to take a different route, parted ways with Margaret and made his way to a post office to dispatch the evidence to Rick Suleiman.

nMail delivery in this world was facilitated by teleportation arrays, making the process swift.

nHe estimated that by the time the evidence reached Rick Suleiman, Glyn and Caitlin would still be en route to Adia.

nAfter attending to this, Howard leisurely made his way back to the academy.

nAs Howard had anticipated, members of the elite team had already returned to the academy.

nCaitlin’s entourage of servants and guards primarily served to protect the elite team members and wouldn’t accompany them for leveling.

nWith Glyn and Caitlin yet to return, and the elite team members feeling vulnerable, it was natural for them to come back.

n“Howard!” .𝒎

nThe moment she spotted Howard, Abby darted out from the crowd, akin to a butterfly taking flight, and gracefully landed in front of Howard, immediately throwing herself into his embrace.

nIn an instant, a wave of envy and jealousy spread across the faces of the other students.

nOf course, the male students were envious of Howard.

nNot only did he possess an F-level talent, but he also had caught Abby’s affectionate gaze.

nThe female students, on the other hand, were green with envy towards Abby, who had managed to secure someone as dashing as Howard.

nHolding Abby close, Howard gently patted her head, asking with a smile, “So, how was your leveling journey this time?”

nWith a contented expression, Abby replied, “It was great! I’ve reached level 7. Plus, I got a B-level magic skill book for you.” She chuckled, hinting that Howard could make use of it.

nHearing her words, Howard felt deeply touched.

nThis girl… she truly cared about him.

nEven when she was out leveling, she remembered to bring back a skill book for him.

n“Cough, cough.”

nAt that moment, a deliberate cough interrupted their intimate moment.

nHeadmaster Jay approached, his face clouded with disapproval, “There’s a meeting shortly. Is this an appropriate display?”

nAs he spoke, Headmaster Jay cast a fierce glance at the many male students in the elite team.

nThese students, primarily from influential families in Saint City, boasted impressive talents.

nIn Jay’s perspective, any of them outshone Howard in all aspects except perhaps looks.

nYet, infuriatingly, they couldn’t seem to outshine Howard in Abby’s eyes. How maddening!

nLittle did Jay realize, it wasn’t entirely their fault.

nThey might have powerful backing, but Abby didn’t care about that.

nMoreover, the presence of the young prodigy, Glyn, overshadowed them all.

nThough Glyn was only a few years older, he had already surged to level 40, boasting formidable strength.

nAlmost all the girls’ attention was centered on him.

nExcept for Abby.

nAbby’s heart and mind were solely set on Howard.

nGiven that Jay was still the headmaster, Howard didn’t retaliate.

nHe gently let go of Abby.

nAbby playfully stuck out her tongue, a picture of youthful charm, instantly ensnaring the gazes of countless male students.

nIn fact, the depth of envy in some was so intense that they harbored wild thoughts of eliminating Howard, thinking that with him out of the picture, they could win Abby’s heart.

nAfter all, in their minds, with Howard no longer around, who would keep pining for someone who’s no longer alive?

nFor a split second, Howard felt a flicker of murderous intent directed at him.

nHowever, he mistakenly attributed it to Headmaster Jay’s machinations and didn’t think much of it.

nBesides, he believed Jay’s days were numbered.

nThis particular meeting wasn’t about anything momentous.

nGlyn had returned to Adia, and all the tutors at Soulspark Academy had led their groups.

nNow, they needed a break.

nHence, Jay decreed a school-wide recess, allowing students to venture outside and explore on their own, or simply relax while they awaited the arrival of representatives from Adia’s advanced academies.

nOnce the announcement was made, Headmaster Jay led all the tutors away for another meeting, discussing how best to welcome the recruiting educators from above.

nMeanwhile, Howard found himself whisked away by Abby as soon as they left the academy premises.

n“Look, this is the skill book I got for you!”

nThe moment they stepped out, Abby gleefully pulled a book from her bag and handed it to Howard.

nTaking the book from her, he could feel its warmth and sincerely said, “Thank you so much.”

nAbby pouted, “We’re close, why are you being so formal? You shouldn’t be so polite with me!”

n“Alright.”

nHoward grinned in agreement.

nJust as he was about to say something, a voice reached his ears, “Hey, Howard, Abby, since there are no tutors to guide us in leveling up in the academy now, I’m thinking of getting a guard from my family to lead a team. I’m forming a leveling team. Would you both be interested?”

nFollowing the voice, they saw a luxuriously dressed student — Carlos Bartel — approaching them with a warm smile on his face.

nUpdated from 𝘪.𝘤𝑜𝘮

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