Chapter 104: Chapter: 104 Quite the crowd.

Everyone, including the dean, was completely shocked as they looked at Vivian and Charlotte.

No one could understand what had just happened.

They had so many questions, how did the two of them disappear from the original dungeon?

Why were they both so badly injured?

What exactly took place inside that dungeon?

But what truly left everyone speechless was the strange and powerful aura coming from Vivian.

It was not something an ordinary person could release.

It was clearly the aura of a Swordmaster, strong, sharp, and full of pressure.

Even though it felt a little unstable, there was no doubt about what it was.

The professors stared at him with wide eyes, unable to believe what they were seeing.

Just yesterday, Vivian had only been at the 4th Star level.

Yet now, he had somehow jumped straight to Swordmaster?

This kind of growth was impossible, or at least, it should have been.

Even the dean, who had seen many geniuses in his life, could not find any words.

If Vivian had been at the 5th Star, maybe it would have made a bit of sense.

But to jump directly from the 4th Star to Swordmaster overnight, it went against everything they knew about training and power.

It was something that should not be possible.

Everyone could only stare at Vivian, half afraid and half amazed, wondering what really happened inside that dungeon.

Vivian stared at everyone as they kept looking at him.

The silence in the area felt heavy, almost painful to bear.

So many people had gathered there, yet not a single word was spoken.

The air itself seemed frozen, filled with confusion and disbelief.

After a long moment, Vivian finally broke the silence.

"Sir Rolack," he said calmly.

Hearing his name, the dean snapped out of his daze.

He quickly tried to hide his curiosity and the shock still on his face.

"Y-Yes..." he replied, though his voice still trembled slightly.

The disbelief in his tone was clear.

Vivian’s eyes shifted toward Charlotte.

She was standing beside him, her face pale and tired.

Even though they had rested inside the dungeon for a night before returning, she was still completely drained.

Her mana had not yet recovered, using that time spell had taken almost everything she had.

Her body looked weak, and it was clear that she was only standing through sheer willpower.

Seeing her like that, Vivian’s gaze softened for a brief moment before turning back to the dean, his expression calm once again.

Vivian spoke quietly, his voice calm but firm.

"I know you have many questions, sir... however, can we rest for a while?" he asked.

Though his tone was gentle, his eyes remained steady and calm, like still water.

"Of course," the dean replied at once.

Even though curiosity burned inside him, he could see that now wasn’t the right time.

Vivian and Charlotte both looked completely exhausted.

Their faces were as pale as paper, and even though their wounds had been treated, they hadn’t fully healed yet.

It was clear they had gone through something far beyond what anyone could imagine.

The dean sighed softly, his expression gentle but worried.

"Take a rest for a few days and get your injuries checked," he said, his voice filled with concern.

Vivian nodded lightly.

"And also... can you arrange an audience with His Majesty?" he asked.

His tone stayed calm, but there was a hint of urgency beneath it, something that made the dean straighten slightly.

The dean’s eyes narrowed as he studied Vivian’s face.

That calm, steady look only deepened his thoughts.

From what he could guess, the two of them must have faced something truly dangerous.

Something that nearly cost them their lives.

And somehow, it was likely connected to that strange Clown he had fought the day before.

After a short pause, the dean nodded slowly.

"Well," he said, his voice now serious, "I was planning to meet His Majesty myself to discuss some important matters. I’ll arrange the audience for you."

Vivian nodded slightly as his eyes swept across the gathered crowd.

"Quite the crowd," he muttered under his breath.

Then, withdrawing his gaze, he quietly gathered his mana.

A faint shimmer surrounded him as a soundproof barrier formed in an instant, transparent.

Yet completely sealing off all sound from the outside world.

The dean’s eyes flickered in understanding.

If Vivian had gone so far as to create a soundproof barrier here, then what he was about to say had to be something extremely important.

Something that couldn’t be spoken openly.

Without a word, the dean reinforced the barrier with his own magic and met Vivian’s steady gaze.

Vivian took a deep breath, his tone calm but heavy with purpose.

"Tell His Majesty to summon the patriarchs of House Sant and the Zenithara family... and all the trusted officials," he said slowly, each word carrying weight.

He paused for a moment, his expression hardening, eyes turning sharp as steel.

"But do not summon the patriarch of the Tramplin family," he added firmly.

The dean’s brows furrowed slightly at that.

He realized that whatever had happened inside that dungeon was more than a simple mission gone wrong.

It was tied to something far deeper, and far more dangerous.

"House Tramplin? Are you sure?" the dean asked, his voice uncertain.

He couldn’t understand why Vivian would want to exclude one of the most powerful houses, but he asked anyway.

"Yes," Vivian replied with a short nod.

"Though it’s unclear whether he would come even if summoned, it’s better if he doesn’t know about this meeting at all."

His tone was calm, but the look in his eyes made it clear that this was no small matter.

The dean frowned slightly, lost in thought.

His curiosity was burning, he wanted to know everything right now.

But he forced himself to stay patient.

Before he could speak, Vivian added, "I’ll explain everything during the audience.

It’s important, and it must not be said in front so many people."

Charlotte, who had been quietly standing beside them, finally spoke up.

Her voice was tired but serious.

"It’s really urgent," she said.

"I would’ve gone to speak to Father myself, but it would take too much time. If the dean requests it, it’ll be arranged faster."

The dean turned his gaze toward her, seeing the exhaustion written across her face.

He let out a quiet sigh and nodded.

"Alright," he said at last.

"When should I ask His Majesty to fix the date of the audience?"

Vivian thought for a moment, his brows slightly furrowed.

After a short silence, he finally said, "One week."

"Alright then," the dean replied, letting out a tired sigh.

"You should get some sleep," he added, his voice softer this time, almost fatherly.

Vivian nodded and gave a small bow.

Charlotte followed his lead, bowing politely before the two of them turned and quietly left the area.

The dean stood there for a while, watching their backs as they disappeared down the gaps of the trees.

Another sigh escaped his lips.

He now understood why Vivian hadn’t spoken about anything, even after putting up a soundproof barrier.

Turning his gaze away, a weary smile crossed his face.

The truth was beginning to take shape in his mind, Professor Garhard.

If someone like Garhard had really attacked them, then there had to be a reason, and that reason might involve others as well.

And besides, soundproof barriers weren’t perfect.

There existed certain artifacts capable of listening through barriers without breaking them.

If anyone with such an artifact had been nearby, even a single careless word could have caused disaster.

And the matter regarding Kafrik Tramplin also began to make more sense now.

When Vivian had mentioned the Tramplin house earlier, a few things had clicked in the dean’s mind.

He had been worried about Kafrik ever since the boy vanished at the same time as Professor Garhard.

But now, after hearing Vivian’s words, the dean started to piece the situation together.

It was possible, no, almost certain, that Kafrik was somehow involved in all of this.

Whether willingly or not, he had a part to play in the strange events that had unfolded.

The dean’s expression grew darker as he sank deeper into thought.

Dozens of possibilities flashed through his mind, each one more troubling than the last, only to fade away just as quickly.

After a long moment, he whispered to himself, "Whatever is happening... it’s not simple."

His words were quiet, barely a whisper, unheard by anyone in the area.

After a moment, the dean turned around and spotted Professor Tanvir standing a short distance away, watching silently.

"Professor Tanvir," the dean called out.

The professor quickly stepped forward, his posture straightening.

"You called for me, sir?" he asked respectfully.

"Yes," the dean replied, his tone calm but thoughtful.

"Meet me in my office one hour from now."

Without waiting for a response, he turned away, his face still carrying that same deep, pondering expression.

"Yes, sir," Professor Tanvir answered at once and gave a quick bow.