As long as that engagement still exists, he is Emily Turner's future brother-in-law in name. With this relationship, if Grace Clark dares to ride recklessly, Emily Turner will definitely break his horse's legs.

He hoped that, in this matter, the Zhao family would think the same as he did.

While Grace Clark was lost in thought, Emily Turner walked out from the small building and said to Grace Clark, “Come in.”

Grace Clark entered the small building and saw an elderly man in white robes standing in the center of the hall. Emily Turner said, “This is the Dean.”

Grace Clark cupped his hands to the old man and said, “Greetings, Dean.”

His attitude was very respectful. Although Grace Clark did not want that engagement, he was very eager to enter the Academy of Special Arts. Only here could his abilities be fully realized.

The white-robed elder gazed at Grace Clark and asked calmly, “I heard from Lingyin that you have awakened a special ability?”

Grace Clark knew this was his chance. He took the initiative to extend his hand, and soon a layer of frost formed in his palm.

The elder looked at Grace Clark, his eyes unable to hide a trace of regret, and said softly, “Just as Lingyin, indeed. What a pity, what a pity…”

Emily Turner quickly said, “Dean, you promised me!”

The elder sighed and said, “What I promised you, I will naturally not go back on. I just regret that if he had awakened ten years earlier, the future of Daxia might have gained another national pillar…”

He glanced at Grace Clark again with regretful eyes, then said to Emily Turner, “As for his admission, I have already arranged it. However, in the academy, only you two possess the ice ability. His cultivation will depend on you…”

Emily Turner nodded and said, “Thank you, Dean. I will teach him well.”

Stepping out of the Academy of Special Arts, Emily Turner, who had been walking ahead of Grace Clark, suddenly stopped.

Grace Clark knew she was about to get to the point.

This matter was probably a deal between the Zhao family and him: sending Grace Clark into the Department of Special Arts in exchange for Grace Clark voluntarily dissolving the engagement. To be fair, the Zhao family was being quite proper about it. Grace Clark didn’t resent them at all—in fact, he was even a bit grateful.

He was already mentally prepared to ride off recklessly, but Emily Turner said, “What happened before was my fault. I apologize to you. The Zhao family always keeps its word. No matter what happens, that engagement will not change.”

Grace Clark was stunned on the spot.

This isn’t right!

It shouldn’t be like this!

The Zhao family is a rising noble house in the capital. With a favored daughter of heaven, marrying into another noble family would surely help them rise even higher.

This engagement is nothing but a stumbling block for them.

How could the Zhao family’s young lady marry a fallen noble’s son with no prospects? Would the Zhao family really be content with that?

Grace Clark even felt sorry for them!

At this moment, Emily Turner continued, “Although your special ability awakened a bit late, it doesn’t mean you can’t achieve something. I hope you will work hard in your cultivation and not let others look down on you.”

With that, she simply turned and left.

Grace Clark stood where he was, his lips moving, but in the end, he said nothing.

He could deeply feel that this future sister-in-law truly cared about him. How many years had it been since he’d felt this kind of concern from someone?

Standing at the entrance of the Academy of Special Arts, a strange emotion welled up in Grace Clark's heart. He quickly looked up and called out loudly to that departing figure, “Thank you!”

Emily Turner didn’t look back, just waved her hand behind her, leaving Grace Clark with a dashing silhouette.

Chapter 006: The Path of Advancement

At first, Grace Clark both disliked and feared Emily Turner.

He disliked her because she had ruined his plans and given him a harsh beating; he feared her because he couldn’t beat her.

After today’s events, Grace Clark’s impression of her changed.

Though she was a bit meddlesome and heavy-handed, she truly treated Grace Clark as one of her own. Including his parents from his previous life, no one had ever treated him so well.

Grace Clark was not an ungrateful person. Having known many women, he could tell who was sincere and who was fake.

The former was Emily Turner, the latter was David Harris.

As a bodyguard, whenever the person he was supposed to protect was in danger, he would always run away first—decisively and without hesitation. Grace Clark was already considering whether he should get a new bodyguard.

After returning home, it wasn’t long before someone from the Academy of Special Arts arrived, bringing a few items for Grace Clark.

Ten taels of silver, a waist token, a set of clothes, and a thin booklet.

The silver was for monthly expenses. Some students didn’t come from wealthy families, and even in the capital, ten taels a month was enough for a decent life. This money was distributed at the beginning of each month at the academy.

The waist token was the academy’s badge, and also a pass for entering the palace.

The Academy of Special Arts was located within the imperial city. The imperial city of Daxia was mainly divided into three parts: the Front Palace, the Central Palace, and the Rear Palace.

Among them, the Rear Palace was the residence of the emperor’s consorts and underage princesses; the Central Palace was where court meetings were held and where the emperor handled state affairs. The Central and Rear Palaces together were considered the true imperial palace.

As for the Front Palace, it housed the offices of some core government departments. After court meetings, officials could return directly to their offices from the Central Palace.

Including the Academy of Special Arts, the three major academies of the capital were also located in the Front Palace.