The Herb King

"H-Headmaster, we should talk this out peacefully. There is no need to use force." Dave walked towards Aethelwolf and attempted to help Joseph escape from his grasp, but a figure suddenly before him and pushed him back.

Everyone stared at the white-haired elf with shocked expressions.

Dave wanted to retaliate, but he remembered that this elven woman was a Level 4 Esper so he quickly discarded the thought.

Aethelwolf released Joseph's neck. "I will give you one more chance for Sir Lucas Maynard's sake. I don't want this to happen again, Joseph." He muttered coldly. He noticed that Joseph was acting suspiciously after he said earlier. This made him think that the man might be involved in Enrique's death. 'I'll have Miss Julie check this matter...'

Cough! Cough! Cough!

Joseph coughed heavily. He was seething with rage, but he didn't even dare raise his head to look at Aethelwolf. He was only a Level 3 Esper while Aethelwolf was a Level 4 Esper. Even their family head, Count Lucas Maynard, might not be able to deal with him.

"Y-Yes, Headmaster Aethelwolf! Thank you for showing mercy. I will do my job properly from now on and follow your commands." Joseph said with his head lowered. It was the first time he experienced this kind of humiliation and he couldn't even fight back against the other party. There was a huge disparity in their status so he could only swallow his anger.

"Distribute the notices to the poor districts and towns. If something like this happens again, I won't go easy anymore. Leave!" Aethelwolf commanded.

Dave hurriedly grabbed Joseph and bowed at Aethelwolf. "Thank you, Sir Aethelwolf! We will get this done quickly!" He then helped Joseph stand up and walked out of the faculty room with him. The members of their group immediately followed them.

Aethelwolf turned his gaze to Madilyn Urgel and said. "Miss Madilyn, follow me for a second."

"The examinations must go according to plan. You guys can go and make sure to monitor the testing areas carefully." He said to the other teachers before he went out of the room with Aenwyn.

Madilyn quickly followed them.

Aethelwolf brought Madilyn to a secluded area. He then used his [Virtual Map] to check if someone was near them.

Madilyn looked calm on the surface, but she was very nervous. She didn't know why Aethelwolf asked her to follow him to this secluded area. 'Did I offend him unintentionally? I hope not...' She muttered in her heart.

Aethelwolf glanced calmly at Madilyn and muttered. "I don't trust Joseph Maynard. I want you to keep an eye on him in the academy when I'm not here."

Madilyn heaved a sigh of relief when she heard this. She thought that she had somehow provoked Aethelwolf so she was relieved that he called her for a different matter. "I heard that he was dissatisfied when you were appointed as the headmaster of the academy. Don't worry, Headmaster. I'll observe him closely in the academy."

"Just tell me if you need anything." Aethelwolf was satisfied by her answer.

"Yes, Headmaster!" Madilyn bowed her head lightly.

"Alright. Go back and help the other teachers in monitoring the examinations." Aethelwolf said before leaving with Aenwyn.

"Do you want me to follow those guys? They might disobey you again." Aenwyn whispered to him.

Aethelwolf shook his head. "There is no need to trouble you. I'll send someone else for that. Let's wait for the kids to finish their exam." He said.

Aenwyn nodded her head expressionlessly.

Meanwhile, inside the examination area for the Esper applicants.

The applicants were asked to do some physical tests.

"Applicant 1128, please step forward and attack this beam without using any weapon. It will determine the strength of your physical body. A Level 1 Esper will produce a damage output of 1000 kg. You will pass the exam if you can get a score of 300 kg." The teacher who was in charge of testing them said.

A young teenager stepped forward eagerly and punched the beam with his strongest force.

Bang!

500!

The teacher nodded his head and said to the applicant. "Good job! You can head to the next part of the exam."

The applicant raised his fist in midair in celebration.

Soon, the other applicants were also tested. Most of them passed the exam, but there were also some that failed.

Among the group of applicants, a little girl with red hair tugged the clothes of the person in front of her. "Janrose, what would happen if I destroy that beam?"

Janrose turned her head at the little girl who was looking at her curiously. "Olivia, that is an apparatus used to measure the physical strength of Espers so you won't be able to destroy it easily. Just do your best. I believe that you will pass this exam." She chuckled while patting Olivia's head.

"Is that so? Then maybe I should use my full strength..." Olivia revealed a smile.

Janrose felt goosebumps all over her body as soon as she saw Olivia's smile. 'Weird. What's happening to me?'

"Applicant 1156, it's your turn!"

"Oh, that's me! Wait for me here, Olivia." Janrose said.

"Okay. Good luck, Janrose!" Olivia gave her a thumbs up.

Janrose smiled at her before walking to the front. She was now a peak stage Level 1 Esper so her damage output should be around 7000 kg to 9000 kg.

She adjusted her breathing before punching the beam.

BANG!

9599!

Everyone was shocked when they saw this and even the teacher was also surprised.

"Your physical power alone is already close to reaching Level 2 Esper. Great job! What's your name?" The teacher asked with a warm smile. There were only a few strong applicants and almost all of them came from rich families.

"Janrose. My name is Janrose Lassiter..." She smiled at the teacher. Aethelwolf told them that they were now members of the Lassiter Household. She and her mother had already changed their names a few days ago. Her mother was a bit reluctant at first, but she soon gave in after Aethelwolf's relentless persuasion.

"Janrose Lassiter? You are from the Lassiter Household?" The teacher was shocked by this. He didn't watch the battle tournament that was held recently so he had no idea who Janrose was, but he knew the Lassiter Household because it was the family of their headmaster!

Janrose nodded her head with a smile.

"No wonder Miss Janrose is so strong! You are actually a member of the Lassiter Household! Ehem! Congratulations on passing the exam, please head to the next examination area." The teacher said.

"It's alright. I'm still waiting for someone. We will leave together." Janrose said.

"Could it be a member of the Lassiter Household as well?" The teacher asked her eagerly.

Janrose nodded as she replied. "Yes, it's Sir Aethelwolf's daughter."

"Sir Aethelwolf's daughter?! Where is she? I will let her take the test immediately so that you two can leave for the next test right away." The teacher didn't want to miss this chance to be on Aethelwolf's good side. His career in the academy would be set if the Headmaster will support him.

"Her name is Olivia Lassiter." Janrose whispered to the teacher. She also didn't want to waste more time waiting so she didn't hesitate to tell the teacher. 'So this is how it feels to have a good background...' She thought to herself.

"Olivia? Let's see here..." The teacher checked the list of applicants. "Oh, it's here. Applicant 1178, please step forward!"

"That's me!" An immature voice echoed inside the examination area.

Everyone turned their heads and saw a little girl with red hair skipping towards the beam.

"Eh? A kid wants to take the Esper examinations?"

"She looks so young! She should be around four years old..."

The applicants were stunned when they saw Olivia. They couldn't believe that such a young girl was taking the Esper Examination.

"You are Miss Olivia?" The teacher stared at Olivia in surprise. 'So this is Headmaster's daughter. She looks so young...'

Olivia nodded her head. "Mn."

"Alright. Miss Olivia, you may attack the beam." The teacher smiled at the little girl.

"Okay." Olivia answered before turning her attention to the testing beam. She displayed a fighting stance that made everyone smile at how cute she looked.

"What an adorable little girl. I wonder which family she came from."

"Could she even produce a damage output of 300? It would be a pity if she fail the test."

Suddenly, under the dumbfounded gazes of the crowd, Olivia's figure vanished and reappeared near the testing beam. She threw out what looked to be a simple punch, but it carried it with a force that made everyone's hearts shiver in fear.

BAANNG!

The metal beam that was firmly planted on the ground was detached and flung away like a broken kite.

RUMBLE!

The testing area shook under that overwhelming power.

As soon as everyone regained their calmness, they couldn't help but stare fearfully at the little girl who was responsible for this mess.

"Oops." Olivia muttered innocently.