Chapter 2013: Her Options

Shinta was back in Utopia City as the morning brought with it a reminder.

[You have 5 days left to finalize your inner hall selection.]

The message flashed through her mind, serving as a stark reminder of the decisions looming ahead. Simultaneously, she was overflowed with notifications to check.

[Invitation received - 23]

However, as she sifted through them, disappointment gnawed at her. Among the invitations, 18 came from the middle halls, while only 5 originated from the higher halls. Not a single one came from the coveted top halls, eliciting a frown from Shinta.

"Huh! They must be blind not to see talent like me!" she muttered under her breath.

Annara joined her to analyze the influx of invitations. Assessing the situation, she offered her insight.

"Most top and high halls wouldn't extend invitations without a clear identity or endorsement from their respective factions," she explained, her tone pragmatic. "Considering your status as half-bloods and the unfavorable reputation of the Serpent within the alliance, receiving this number of invitations is actually quite descent."

Though Annara's words provided a semblance of reassurance, Shinta couldn't shake off the lingering sense of disappointment.

Annara has actually been tirelessly strategizing, attempting to find a way to make inroads with any of the esteemed instructors from the top 10 halls. However, the barriers proved formidable. Despite Annara's efforts, these grand magus held considerable status and influence, making it challenging as they couldn't use the Ouroboros influence with Shura's lowborn identity.

"Let's not lose hope, we still have 5 days," Annara encouraged, her voice laced with determination and optimism.

Meanwhile, the looming bloodline examination added another layer of urgency to their preparations. Shinta knew she needed to be thoroughly prepared for this crucial assessment.

"Actually, among the invitations you received, there's one from Higher Hall 37. Grand Magus Toleno, is himself a half-blood," Annara revealed, "This could serve as a promising backup option for you."

Annara, being a bat bloodline acolyte herself, was familiar with Grand Magus Toleno, the Spectral Swarm. What made him a particularly appealing choice was his reputation for gathering a group of half-blood acolytes who had faced discrimination from others. These acolytes hailed from three particular bloodlines, the tiger, bat, and serpent bloodlines—all of which had strained relationships with the alliance, especially following the 'blood incursion' incident. While the serpent bloodline's reputation was relatively less tarnished due to their decision to withdraw and maintain neutrality, they still faced prejudice.

The scarcity of invitations extended to acolytes from these three bloodlines made Grand Magus Toleno's hall an attractive option for them.

However, Annara harbored reservations about steering Shinta towards Toleno's hall. She saw it as a last resort, recognizing the potential complications that could arise from aligning too closely with a group that had already drawn the ire of the academy's elite. She feared that becoming too entangled with Toleno's faction might only invite trouble for Shinta in the future.

Despite her concerns, Annara couldn't deny the allure of Toleno's hall as a refuge for those who had been cast aside by the academy's mainstream culture. Nevertheless, given the limited options available, Annara deemed it prudent to keep Grand Magus Toleno's hall as a backup plan, albeit with a note of caution.

"Remember academy survival guide number 2: surround yourself with reliable allies," Annara reiterated, her tone earnest as she emphasized the importance of choosing allies who could truly benefit Shinta, rather than ones who might drag her down.

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"I understand," Shinta responded, her determination evident as she absorbed Annara's counsel.

As Annara continued her analysis of potential allies among the half-blood instructors, she quickly dismissed Instructor Harambe, deeming their affiliation with a middle hall to offer fewer benefits in comparison to other options.

However, Grand Magus Sirin, the Peafowl Empress of Higher Hall 24, emerged as a promising candidate. Despite Sirin's specialization in light and spirit reading, which didn't align perfectly with Shinta's abilities, Annara believed that Hall 24 presented the best choice among the available options.

"So the best outcome would be to secure an invitation from her," Annara concluded, her tone thoughtful. "And if no other top hall invitations come within the next few days, you can consider joining her hall."

Hearing what seemed to be the conclusion of Annara's analysis, Shinta rotated to her, visibly confused, and asked, "Auntie, why don't you consider the half-blood top hall?... This Grand Magus, Lucius Corvin... This is top hall 7, isn't it? Wouldn't this solve our trouble?"

Annara couldn't help but release a heavy sigh, a mixture of frustration and concern weighing heavily upon her. Having firsthand knowledge of the notorious Lucius Corvin and the infamous Corvin family, she understood the gravity of the situation.

Renowned as wolf royalty, the Corvins were known for their ruthless nature and their unyielding pursuit of power. Lucius himself was a heartless person who turned his friends and family into slaves and serve his own ambitions.

However, Annara's concerns extended beyond mere personality or reputation. The crux of the matter lay in Corvin's own bloodline—a fact that could spell disaster for Shinta.

As a grand magus wolf bloodline, Corvin possessed a keen instinct for identifying others' lineages. Annara shuddered to think of the consequences if Corvin were to uncover Shinta's mixed heritage. Given Corvin's volatile personality and penchant for dominance, she feared the repercussions for Shinta could be dire.

Shinta might find herself subjected to manipulation, coercion, or worse, becoming a pawn in the Corvin schemes. The thought of subjecting Shinta to such dangers filled Annara with dread. In her eyes, the potential dangers of exposing Shinta to Corvin's scrutiny far outweighed any benefits that top Hall might offer.

"I see... So Hall 7 is a no?" Shinta asked, seeking clarification.

"Yes," Annara affirmed with a firm nod. "Not that one."

"I see… so no wolf instructor…" There was a certain tone and deep sigh in Shinta's words that quickly created Annara concerned. "Yes, no wolf instructor… You are not planning to enter Hall 120, are you?"

"No… no, of course not… that lowest ranking hall! Huh! No way!! It's not worthy for a genius like me!"

Hearing this, Annara could only remind her once again to make wise decisions, and although Shinta said she understood, as soon as she arrived at the Zodiac City outpost where the examination was held, she once again grew anxious. Especially when she finally saw a certain man being summoned to the front, sitting among the other instructors.

With just one glance at his face, Shinta's heart quickened its pace, her breath catching in her throat.

"That's… him…. That's my father."

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