Chapter 4: Impossible Request
Shani knocked on the door to Cedric’s office.
"Come in," Cedric called from inside.
The moment she entered, he looked at her with an exasperated expression. "So, what kind of mischief are you planning this time?"
Shani let out a sheepish chuckle.
After a moment, her expression turned serious. "I want to talk about my future, Director."
Cedric blinked in surprise before his face softened with sadness.
In just a few months, Shani would turn eighteen. She would officially become an adult, and by law, she could no longer remain at the orphanage.
"If you’d still like to stay here, you’re welcome to. How about becoming my assistant and helping me look after your younger brothers and sisters?" Cedric offered.
Shani shook her head with unwavering determination. The look in her eyes caught Cedric off guard.
Ever since she was little, Shani had always been optimistic and ambitious despite being only an F Rank.
Still, he had assumed reality would eventually temper those dreams. Outside these walls, no one wanted to hire an F Rank beastman except perhaps their own family.
"I want to enroll in Grand Novabeast Academy."
Cedric was speechless.
"Director, as a former instructor there, you still have one direct admission slot, don’t you? Please... give that slot to me."
Cedric nearly had a heart attack. Shani’s ambition was far beyond what he had imagined.
Grand Novabeast Academy wasn’t just another school. Its influence stretched across the entire continent. It stood as an independent institution, answering to no kingdom.
Its graduates became generals who defended civilization against wild creatures, kings who ruled nations, researchers who developed cutting-edge technology, and business magnates who shaped the world’s economy.
And yet...
An F Rank girl who couldn’t even get hired by a restaurant wanted to attend that academy?
"Director, please help me." Shani lowered her head.
"You raised me. You know I never make important decisions lightly. I wouldn’t joke about something like this."
She looked as though she was moments away from kneeling.
"Does this have anything to do with the House of Ashbourne’s visit today?" Cedric asked, his expression turning serious. "Are you really connected to that family?"
Shani’s composure cracked. How did Cedric figure out she had ties to that venomous family?
After a brief silence, she decided to tell part of the truth. "My decision has nothing to do with them. As for whether I’m related to them... I honestly don’t know."
"But after they came today, I became curious about my biological parents."
"If they really were part of that family, then I only want to learn about the legacy they left behind. I’ve heard that the defenders stationed at the border all studied at Grand Academy."
"I don’t want anything to do with that arrogant family. I only want to know more about the parents who gave their lives protecting this continent."
Hearing those words stirred something inside Cedric. He knew little about Samuel Ashbourne or Tala Kestrel.
Samuel was a student at Feline Tower. Cedric had heard little more from his colleagues than the fact that the young man was honorable.
Meanwhile, Tala was a genius who had studied in Nova City since her first year.
There had also once been rumors that she produced an A-Rank Crimson Eagle beast. Though, the rumors disappeared almost as quickly as they had surfaced.
Cedric looked back at Shani.
Among all the children at Rowan House, she was one of the least troublesome and...
Under normal circumstances, the one he believed had the greatest potential. If only she hadn’t been born an F Rank.
But was determination alone enough to enter Grand Academy?
"Shani." Cedric’s voice became solemn. "Are you truly serious? Do you understand what you’re asking?"
Shani nodded without hesitation.
Cedric fell silent. His brows furrowed, relaxed, then furrowed again. Whatever was running through his mind, he wrestled with it for quite some time.
Outwardly, Shani remained calm. Inside, her heart pounded wildly. Without Cedric’s recommendation, she had no way of entering Grand Novabeast Academy.
She wouldn’t even qualify for an ordinary academy.
Finally, Cedric spoke. "No F-Rank has ever entered Grand Academy. The lowest rank ever admitted was D-Rank. Do you know what happened to those students?"
Shani shook her head.
"They were expelled. Getting in doesn’t mean you’ll stay for the full six years until graduation."
"Every year... no. Every month, you’ll face all kinds of examinations. The pressure is unimaginable. Are you prepared for that?"
"No matter what the test is..." Shani straightened her back. "I’m not afraid."
Cedric had already warned her about the reality of Grand Academy. Its prestige had been built through relentless standards.
"Very well. I’ll contact my old colleagues. Because your rank doesn’t meet the requirements, I can’t promise they’ll accept you. But I’ll do my best. If necessary, I’ll negotiate for a special condition."
Shani nodded eagerly. Whatever condition they demanded she would accept it.
...
The academy’s response came surprisingly quickly. The very next day, Cedric received a reply from his former colleague.
Just as expected, Shani’s rank did not meet the admission requirements.
Even for Cedric Rowan, a former instructor who had mentored several starlight alumni, convincing the academy to admit an F-Rank student was no easy task.
At the top of Avian Tower building, a man listened as his virtual assistant reported the names of students who had violated academy rules.
Meanwhile, he scrolled through the control pad in his hand. A holographic display floated before him, revealing a new message from Instructor Thorne.
"Old Rowan contacted me. I’m going to drag him out for dinner. Want to come, Instructor Cole?"
The man immediately sat up straight. "After more than twenty years... Instructor Rowan finally contacted the academy?"
Surprise and joy spread across his face. Cedric Rowan was his savior.
Ten years ago, they had met at the borderline. Cedric had asked him to come to his orphanage, but a wary Cole didn’t believed anyone.
Then, the kind-hearted Cedric guided him through the darkest period of his life, encouraging him to enroll in the Grand Novabeast Academy and inspiring him to become an instructor himself.
Cole quickly replied. "If it’s not an inconvenience, I’d like to join. But... why did Instructor Rowan contact you?"
Instead of replying by text, Instructor Thorne immediately started a voice call.
An older man’s voice came through Cole’s smartwatch. "The truth is, Rowan..."
His relaxed tone made it obvious he was about to share some juicy gossip. Cole listened attentively.
"Rowan made the most ridiculous request. He wants to use his direct admission slot... to enroll an F-Rank girl."
...