Sylvara's Rebirth: A New Dawn for Abel novel Chapter 23

**Chapter 23: The Installment Plan**

Within the dimly lit confines of the Education Office, Agares scrutinized Veyric with an intensity that seemed to weigh heavily in the air. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension, and Auren, ever the observant one, noted that there was an absence of any detectable Agriculture Department mental energy emanating from Veyric. This absence was unsettling, especially considering the recent chaos surrounding the mutated three-headed dog; Agares’ ability to incapacitate it had seemed nothing short of miraculous—a stroke of luck in a perilous gamble.

The whereabouts of the Agriculture Department healer remained a mystery, their presence elusive as they could be anywhere within the vast expanse of the Fifth Sector planet. Perhaps they had even set foot in the hallowed halls of the Fifth Military Academy, but now they were shrouded in secrecy, hidden from any pursuit. The thought of tracking them down felt like chasing shadows in the dark.

Once Veyric departed, Agares sank into his chair, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. He linked his fingers together, his left index finger rhythmically tapping against the back of his right hand, a subconscious gesture of his growing frustration. Carlos and Auren stood off to the side, their breaths shallow, wary of making any sound that might disrupt the commander’s contemplation.

Then, with a slow lift of his eyelids, Agares directed his dark, penetrating gaze toward Drenvar. “Among the new students who arrived at the Fifth Military Academy today, is there a girl named Sylvara Mordrel?” he inquired, his voice steady but laced with an urgency that made Auren’s heart quicken.

“Ms. Feywin, you’re all registered,” Jarrick Flint, the registration officer, stated, his tone slightly less enthusiastic than before. He glanced at Sylvara’s mental energy and physical statistics, noting the absence of Aslan. “The tuition for the five-year Agriculture Program is set at 500,000 stellar coins. Regarding food, you have the option to manage it yourself or pay for meals at the cafeteria. Water, thankfully, is free and unlimited.”

He continued, “For housing, a dorm accommodating seven students will cost 500 stellar coins per month. If you prefer a two-person room, that’s 1,000 stellar coins monthly, while a luxury single villa will set you back 10,000 stellar coins. You have the freedom to choose.”

Sylvara’s grip tightened around the delicate rainbow pepper plant she had brought with her, her heart sinking at the staggering figures laid out before her. The tuition was astronomical, and the housing fees were just as daunting. A sickening realization washed over her—she only had 50,000 stellar coins in her account! How on earth could she possibly afford this?

As Drenvar, eager to please, noticed his idol’s interest, he swiftly activated his optical computer. He navigated through the internal registration system, searching for any trace of Sylvara Mordrel. His hopes diminished as he found only a Sylvara Feywin, who had recently completed her enrollment but had yet to settle her tuition fees.

“No one by the name of Sylvara Mordrel is listed,” he reported, his voice tinged with a hint of concern.

Agares arched an eyebrow, disbelief flickering across his features. “A girl named Sylvara Mordrel doesn’t exist?” he echoed, his tone sharp.

Drenvar, not wanting to overlook any detail, double-checked the records. While there were students with the surnames Mordrel and Feywin, Sylvara Mordrel was conspicuously absent. “No, sir. As of three minutes ago, when registration closed, there is no new student named Sylvara Mordrel.”

Seraphine had sent her eldest daughter, Sylvara Mordrel, to the Fifth Sector with the intent of ensuring she was worthy of Agares. Now, the absence of her name raised unsettling questions. Had Seraphine fabricated a story? The thought gnawed at him—did she dare deceive him? It had to be linked to His Majesty; Relos might be searching for her, contemplating a divorce.

“Then, I apologize for the inconvenience,” Agares replied curtly, his demeanor shifting as he stood up, moving towards the door with a sense of finality.

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