FALLEN ORACLE

**Chapter 10: Light and Flame (1)**

"Headmaster, congratulations on achieving your lifelong wish. But you're leaving for Catlerai tomorrow—why did you still find time to see me today?" In the headmaster's office, Chen Yi asked, puzzled.Headmaster Morin seemed in good spirits. He stroked his beard and said, "Before I ascend, I thought I'd have one more chat with my student. Is that not allowed?"Chen Yi smiled. "Of course, of course. I just hope that after you ascend and become a god, you'll choose me for Divine Communion."Hearing this, the headmaster looked at Chen Yi with a complex expression. "Is that so? You still need *me* to choose you?""You... you mean..."The headmaster smiled. "I don't mean anything. Just remember what I said: 'Do what the gods tell you.'"Chen Yi suddenly understood. He had thought no one noticed him cutting down those two beetles by the plaza, but from the high tower, the headmaster could keenly observe everything happening on campus.Blade Beetles had tough hides. Ordinary Strengthening magic couldn't easily slice through them.So Headmaster Morin must have been certain that Chen Yi had mastered powerful magic and was keeping secrets from him.But the meaning of the headmaster's last words was also clear: about to ascend, he didn't want to pursue the matter. Since Chen Yi chose to hide it, there must be a reason.Chen Yi naturally changed the subject. "Headmaster, you said you haven't had Divine Communion in over twenty years. So why are you suddenly being asked to ascend?"The headmaster said, "I've been thinking about that too these past two days. My conclusion is that ascension isn't just about magical ability—the ascendant's moral character must also be recognized by the gods.""I was so immersed in research that I treated many things with indifference. That attitude displeased the Great God Kaeln. The gods probably thought I should use my magic to make more practical contributions, not just bury my head in books in the academy's attic.""So even though these past years they've called me the 'strongest mage,' that probably counts for nothing in the gods' eyes."Chen Yi asked, puzzled, "Then why are you suddenly being allowed to ascend now? Is it because of the Blade Beetle attack?"The headmaster nodded. "That's my belief. The gods recognized my contribution in that incident, so they allowed me to go to the Holy City and ascend."Chen Yi said, "That explanation makes some sense. But what I can't figure out is why that sexually maturing female Blade Beetle happened to be right here on our campus."The headmaster said, "Perhaps it had been dormant there all along. Or perhaps during the recent war, the attacking Kingdom side transported the female here to tie us down."Chen Yi frowned. "That doesn't hold up either. Blade Beetles usually live in deserts. How could it have been dormant for years in the campus lawn, which is maintained every day? And if the Kingdom had the female, why not bury her near the mine and let the beetles attack the Duchy's army instead?"The headmaster shook his head. "We can't know the answer to everything. Some things may just be simple coincidence. More than that, I'm worried about the future of humanity.""You mean...""Just one species—the Blade Beetle—caused considerable trouble for our academy. If humanity ever goes to full-scale war with all monsters, our military strength would be a real concern."Chen Yi smiled again. "If that day comes, we'll count on you and the other gods to save us."For the first time in a long while, the headmaster showed a relaxed smile. He gazed at the portraits on the Ascension Wall and said, "Yes. After so many years, to think I'll see Radik again. This old man of nearly a hundred is actually quite excited.""By the way, you know about the 'Friendship' rings by now.""Yes. Those four rings were all used by Radik on his left hand. I suspect even he didn't know they had such a wonderful effect.""Headmaster," Chen Yi suddenly lowered his head, "I think... you might want to reconsider the ascension."From what he had seen of the goddess Tiya, the gods of the upper realm might not all be benevolent. At the very least, they didn't commune with mortals in the most efficient way, and they also hoarded certain vital information.Headmaster Morin seemed to understand his implication. He simply said, "Ascension has been my lifelong dream. You know that.""Yes.""Besides, if you have doubts about something, isn't experiencing it yourself the best way to confirm them?"Chen Yi had to admit the headmaster was right. Everyone knew too little about the upper realm. Whether ascension was a blessing or a curse, one could only know by going through it."Headmaster, if you learn something extraordinary in the upper realm, will you pass it down?" Chen Yi asked."If conditions allow it, yes."From the current situation, both of them had a suspicion: the world of the gods likely had stricter laws, prohibiting them from contacting mortals or passing down knowledge without permission.After bowing to the headmaster, Chen Yi left the office and gently closed the door. But after a few steps down the hallway, he suddenly heard the sound of something shattering behind him."Headmaster?" Chen Yi called back through the closed door.The headmaster's voice came from inside: "It's nothing. I accidentally broke a glass. Go on with your own business."Chen Yi smiled wryly. *Seems even the headmaster couldn't help but get excited and nervous about something as momentous as ascension.*