Chapter 154: Shots
After the duel, Victor brought Vlad to his office in the Main Building.
’Vlad enrolled in the academy through Lord Cendral’s recommendation letter,’ Victor thought, resting his chin on both hands as his narrowed eyes remained fixed on Vlad, who was sitting on the other side of the table. ’Then he became Lady Seraphina’s bloodbond and even joined the Student Council. He has also formed a party with Lady Seraphina.’
He stared intently at Vlad’s crimson eyes, causing Vlad to flinch awkwardly. ’Th-those red eyes. Co-could he be... a vampire sent by Lord Cendral to protect his daughter? The whole D-Rank and commoner story might as well be a disguise.’
"Umm... Professor," Vlad called, feeling awkward under his relentless gaze. "Could you tell me why you have brought me here? It surely isn’t to stare at me like an exotic species."
"O-oh, I apologise for that," Victor blurted out, realising how rudely he had been looking at him. "I was just thinking about something. I brought you here to discuss something important about your future."
"My grade ascension?" Vlad asked.
Victor nodded. "A squire can be promoted to Candidate Grade by a four-star or higher knight. But to officially become a Star Knight, there are two methods. First, you can swear loyalty to a noble house. The head of that house will then recognise you as a knight."
"What is the other option?" Vlad asked in a serious tone, although he already knew the answer. The first option was completely out of the discussion.
"Getting a sponsor is the other option," Victor revealed. "One could become an independent knight this way. The sponsor could be a noble, a five-star or higher knight, or a five-ring or higher mage. The sponsor takes responsibility for the knight if they ever betray the kingdom. Which option would you choose?"
The information aligned with what Vlad already knew. The nobles, after learning Sword Aura, either swore loyalty to their own house or got sponsored by them. As for commoners, nobles rarely sponsored them. It offered little guarantee of loyalty while leaving the noble to bear the consequences should the commoner ever betray the kingdom.
"I would choose the second option," Vlad said without giving it much thought.
"Hmm," Victor nodded. "Do you have anyone to sponsor you? Just so you know, the academy also sponsors its students in exchange for serving them for ten years. Several shopkeepers and even a few professors here were once students who chose the academy as their sponsor. But none of them left even after their ten-year period ended due to the benefits and opportunities offered by the academy."
"Thank you for the information, Professor," Vlad replied in a respectful tone. "I will give you the answer by tomorrow."
"Alright. Give me your identity card. As a four-star knight, I can still promote you to Candidate Grade."
Once his grade was upgraded on his identity card, Vlad left the office.
"If my assumption is correct, they will certainly sponsor him," Victor murmured with an amused smile as he leaned back in his chair.
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[Congratulations! You have completed sub-quest #3: Debut of Rising Star!]
[Sub-quest #4: The Quest Hunter Pro! is unlocked!]
[You have received the key to enter the third floor of Ascension Dungeon!
{Click to claim}]
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[Congratulations! You have completed sub-quest #4: The Quest Hunter Pro!]
[You have received the key to enter the fourth floor of Ascension Dungeon!
{Click to claim}]
---
’Oh, so the other party has also completed their five A-Ranked quests,’ Vlad said to himself in an excited tone as he read the display. ’Now all I need is to become the Sentinel Knight.’
"Why are you smiling stupidly?" Chloe asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.
She was lying on the bed in the infirmary, her arms and legs wrapped in bandages.
"Nothing," Vlad shook his head as he leaned closer to her. "How are you feeling now?" he asked, gently placing his hand on her head.
"Bored," Chloe replied. "I don’t want to be here."
"Oh, that will be difficult," Vlad sighed, shaking his head.
"Why?" Chloe asked, her lavender eyes fixed on Vlad’s face.
"The doctor said you trained too recklessly," Vlad explained in a serious tone. "Your blood loss is severe. They strictly prohibited you from leaving the infirmary for a week."
He leaned closer as he whispered in a deep voice, "They also said you must get two shots a day for the time you are here to eliminate any chance of infection."
"Vlad," Chloe whimpered, holding his wrist with both hands, her eyes shaking with raw fear. "No shots."
"It’s not up to me," Vlad shook his head defeatedly.
"My arms are covered in bandages," Chloe showed her arms to him desperately. "There is no place for shots."
"Who said anything about the arms?" Vlad’s voice grew even scarier.
Chloe’s hands instantly flew to her rear as she whimpered, almost breaking down. "No, Vlad. Please, no shots. Save me."
"Sigh... the injections are to make sure that you will not suffer any infection if you recklessly get injured again."
She lifted herself into a sitting position and desperately wrapped her arms around his waist. "I won’t harm myself again. I will be a good girl. Please take me away from here."
"How can I be sure that you will not cause trouble?" Vlad asked, his tone serious. "I will be leaving in a day or two."
"I promise I won’t," she pleaded, her usual composure completely broken.
"Fine, I will talk to the doctor again," Vlad said, patting her head. "Wait here, okay?"
"Unh," Chloe nodded.
Vlad closed the white curtains around the bed before moving out. He returned a few minutes later.
"The doctor said that you may leave, but if you end up getting injured by those thorns again, you will stay here for a whole month." Vlad’s words caused immediate relief to appear in Chloe’s eyes.
"I never will," she declared, jumping from the bed. She grabbed his hand and left the infirmary with quick steps, afraid that the doctors or Vlad might change their minds.
’I’m sorry for lying, Chloe,’ Vlad sighed inwardly, feeling guilty. ’I needed to make sure you won’t harm yourself while I’m not here.’