Lord of the Truth

Chapter 2026 Accepting the present

Comparing the Stellar Dawn light Academy to the Sacred Covenant Academy- even just a century ago-was almost laughable. Back then, the differences seemed almost like a cruel joke. And today, it remained a joke... but for completely reversed reasons, a bitter irony that gnawed at anyone who looked closely.

The teaching methods were vastly different.

The caliber and renown of the instructors.

The number of students.

The quality and diversity of those students, which had never before been concentrated in a single academy.

The astronomical costs of enrollment.

The immense respect and recognition they commanded from every cosmic power, from the smallest elemental guilds to the highest interstellar authorities...

As an educational institution, the Sacred Covenant Academy exceeded expectations in every conceivable aspect. There was no debate-no academy could match it.

And when it came to the Peacekeeping Army, the comparison became even more striking: the quality of its troops, the staggering number of successful operations achieved over the years, the massive military support it enjoyed from all sectoral forces, and the unnervingly large number of Royal Soul Masters emerging as affiliates of the academy during its recent war against the Plague-all of it tipped the scales decisively in its favor. Among them, the battalion under the command of the Royal Soul Master Adrian alone was enough to inspire both awe and apprehension.

In terms of peacekeeping power, whether considering infantry infrastructure or the sheer overwhelming force represented by the Soul Masters themselves, every metric pointed unmistakably toward the Sacred Covenant Academy.

The only point that gave the Stellar Dawn light Academy even a tenuous claim to comparison was the presence of Althera herself-and alongside her, her deputy, the Guardian, whose strategic mind and loyalty were beyond question. But the raw, overwhelming power that she had just sensed emanating from Robin had shattered any notion of parity. Even these legendary figures were no longer sufficient to place the academies on equal footing.

Now, the Sacred Covenant Academy possessed someone of almost unmatched strength backing it-someone whose presence alone shifted the balance of power across the sector. Robin.

As Althera replayed this mental reel at dizzying speed, examining every detail and weighing every implication, her gaze softened, and she exhaled with a long, steady breath. It was as though she had aged millions of years in that single moment, carrying the weight of centuries on her shoulders. Her expression bore the gravity of countless battles, strategic failures, and victories alike—yet. also a resigned acceptance of the overwhelming reality before her. ”Whatʼs with that expression?” Robin asked, raising a single eyebrow, curiosity mingled with amusement. ”If you donʼt wish to receive the rewards in the form of soul borrowings, thatʼs perfectly fine. You are free to choose.” ””

Altheraʼs eyes lingered on Robin for several long, silent seconds.

Not a single word passed her lips. Any statement she could make now would have sounded humiliating, unnecessary, or self-justifying.

The only words she might have managed, had she dared, were:

I do not need those rewards. Cancel them.

But she could not say it.

Not if she wished to maintain the integrity and strength of her Peacekeeping Army, which depended on the flow of resources and authority she could not afford to disrupt. ”...?” Robin tilted his head slightly, puzzled by her silence, before changing the subject. ”Anyway, what brings you here? Is there something I can assist you with?” ”...I received reports that a major figure released an overwhelmingly terrifying presence in the Guard residences,” Althera explained carefully, ”and that a significant number of students lost consciousness. Through the Planetary Spirit, I immediately recognized the source... and it was you. I came to see what had occurred in person. Is everything under control now?” ”Oh, yes, yes... my apologies for the disturbance,” Robin said, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish smile. ”I admit it was a failure of self-control. I will make sure the academy is appropriately compensated. Perhaps a free shipment of soul borrowings next time... does that sound reasonable?”

Then he raised his voice, commanding: ”Confirm that order with Morgana, Leonid.” ”Understood,” a Shadow Sword replied from the upper level, nodding in acknowledgment.

Altheraʼs mood sank further. ”...Thank you,” she said quietly, exhaling through her nose. ”Was it truly necessary to release such a deadly killing intent? I will have to report back and explain the incident to the students.” ”Oh, tell them I saw a rat and panicked...” Robin said dismissively, waving his hands. ”Who cares? Invent whatever story you like and I will walk along.”

He stood, stretching slightly. ”Actually, I was just about to leave anyway.” ”Youʼre heading back to the academy building?” Althera asked, her voice laced with curiosity. ”No-outside,” Robin replied, grinning widely. ”I want to test something. And it would be a shame to destroy your beautiful academy if I failed.” ”....?!” Altheraʼs eyes widened, her jaw practically dropping in shock at Robinʼs unexpected reply. ”Where exactly are you going?!” Richardʼs voice rose sharply as he sprang to his feet, tension radiating off him. ”We havenʼt even finished our conversation yet!! Thereʼs still so much to say!!” ”Weʼll continue it along the way,” Robin replied calmly, his hand resting on the back of his sonʼs head in a rare, gentle gesture. ”Consider this a little field trip with Papa. It will give us time together to deepen our bond, donʼt you think?” Without pausing for a response, he lifted his head and spoke with a commanding tone. ”Come along. I might need all of you during this trip.” ”Understood!” a unified voice called from above, followed almost immediately by the sound of hurried footsteps descending the stairs. Excitement and anticipation filled the air-finally, a chance to leave the confines of the academy and stretch their legs, to breathe fresh air after years of walls and ceilings. Althera felt something slip past her-a sense of urgency, a moment she couldnʼt afford to ignore. She stepped forward decisively, her voice sharp and commanding: ”I want to come with you!” ”Huh?” Robin blinked, clearly taken aback for a fraction of a second. ”This is just a field experiment, a controlled test of something I created. I want to see the outcome firsthand, and thereʼs a very high chance it will fail. What could you possibly do there? How could you contribute?” He shook his head slowly, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. ”Donʼt waste your time meddling in the trivial pursuits of a small researcher like me.” ”Iʼll come with you!!” Althera repeated, her voice firmer, sharper, filled with unwavering resolve. ”I know secrets about you-secrets that perhaps even your children are unaware of. What is there to fear if I accompany you and witness it for myself? What could possibly go wrong with me there?” ”...Ugh.” Robin rubbed his forehead gently, as though trying to erase a sudden headache, then clapped his hands decisively, making the sound echo through the room. ”Fine! Alright! You may come along. But hear this-on this outing, I am the leader, not you. If I say right, you go right; left, you go left. Do we understand each other? What I am about to attempt may shock you, perhaps even put us in danger. I do not intend to explain every step or justify every action I take.” ”No problem, I will remain silent.” Altheraʼs response was instant, her agreement firm and resolute. She had seen him take the universeʼs strongest creature and restore it to his former peak of power-what could possibly be more shocking than witnessing that firsthand? ”Good. Letʼs move!” Robin started toward the door leading out of the guardhouse. This would be the first time he left the academy with the freedom of choice, as if he were heading to retrieve Jabba. ”Wait, Your Majesty!” Leonidʼs voice called out from behind, urgent and slightly strained. ”You still have a visitor, as I mentioned before. Perhaps you should deal with him first, right here, before leaving.” ”Ah, yes. Right.” Robin halted and turned, curiosity mixed with mild annoyance. ”Exactly who are we speaking of? I did not sense anyone with you upstairs... could it be-”

Robinʼs words caught in his throat, his eyes widening as he took in the scene behind him.

An old man, his face carved with deep wrinkles, knelt on the ground-not in fear or respect, but because he simply could not stand. Robinʼs trained eyes immediately picked out the sealing nail embedded in the center of his chest. Leonid had been forced to drag him down the stairs by the collar, carefully, step by step.

The old manʼs eyes were slightly open, his breaths shallow but steady, showing he was conscious, aware... yet he didnʼt look at Robin. He made no sound. His entire being seemed to wish invisibility, a desperate desire to remain unseen, unnoticed, erased from existence at that very moment.

But Robin saw him clearly, sharply, without a single doubt... and studied him with meticulous attention, every detail, every subtle movement. He analyzed the old man slowly, deliberately, absorbing the information with an almost predatory focus. Then Robinʼs expression softened, shifting from initial surprise to a rare sense of relief. A small, almost imperceptible smile crept onto his face. ”...Let me guess... the old dog head from the Truth Chamber?”