"Alright, brats. First, we're starting with the history of divine beasts," Silvius announced.
Groans immediately filled the room.
"Ugh, seriously? Boring…"
"I'm gonna fall asleep…"
"History? Really? That's so lame…"
Silvius snapped his chalk in half, eyes twitching as he turned and glared at the class.
"Shut it! You think I want to be here teaching a bunch of whiny kids?"
He turned back to the board, muttering under his breath, "They don't even pay me enough for this…"
Lyssandra leaned toward Ryven, frowning. "What kind of instructor is this? Doesn't even seem like he plans to teach us anything."
Meanwhile, across the classroom, Daranth was smiling faintly as he watched Kael, who was staring listlessly out the window, completely uninterested in the class.
Still distant, Daranth thought. Even after all that, he doesn't react. That's unexpected.
But when Daranth looked to his side, he noticed Thaleon still glaring at Kael with gritted teeth. The tension between them was obvious—and the perfect opening.
"You still angry?" Daranth asked casually.
Thaleon clenched his fists. "Of course I am. That traitor's son dared to shove me aside like I was nothing."
Daranth tilted his head, voice smooth. "Then why not push his buttons a little more?"
Thaleon blinked. "Push his buttons how?"
"Get under his skin. Humiliate him. Break that calm little act of his," Daranth said with a smirk. "Do it right… and I'll mention your name to my sister. You might just get a spot in the noble faction."
Thaleon's eyes lit up. The noble faction—an elite circle only a few students had the privilege to join. Influence, prestige, connections—it was the golden ticket.
He grinned. "As you wish, Your Highness. I won't disappoint you."
The classroom was getting noisy. Conversations popped up across the room. At first, it was just a few students whispering—but gradually, even the quiet ones joined in. It was as if Instructor Silvius had vanished.
Kael glanced over at him, feeling a cold sensation crawl down his spine. Something was off.
Tap.
Without warning, Silvius flicked a chunk of chalk off the desk. His fingers glowed faintly with Ether as he snapped the chalk into dozens of razor-thin shards midair, caught them, and then flicked them across the room with a casual motion.
It happened so fast, only Kael and Lucian managed to track it.
"OW!"
"What the hell—?!"
A dozen students clutched their foreheads in pain. The shards struck with uncanny precision—no blood, just a firm snap to get their attention. Even Daranth rubbed his temple with a frown.
Thaleon shot up from his seat, furious. "You dare strike the royal family?!"
The room fell silent. Everyone turned toward him, startled.
Silvius tilted his head. "Strike the royal family?"
"Yes!" Thaleon snapped, puffing out his chest. "You hit His Highness!"
Silvius gave a small, unimpressed chuckle. "Inside this academy, your titles mean nothing. The headmaster made that clear. And another thing—why the hell are nobles and commoners sitting on opposite sides of the classroom? I expect that to change by tomorrow."
Daranth raised a hand, keeping his voice cool. "It's fine, Thaleon. Let it go."
But Thaleon wasn't listening. "No, I won't! I'll defend the royal family's honor. Instructor Veil, you need to apologize—now!"
A gasp rippled through the room.
"Did he just—ask the instructor to apologize?"
Daranth covered his face with his hand. This idiot's going to ruin everything. I'll have to cut him loose soon.
Silvius turned toward Thaleon slowly. "You want me to apologize?"
Thaleon scoffed. "With that lazy attitude, you're probably just some commoner teacher. You should remember your place."
Kael narrowed his eyes, glancing at Silvius. He could feel the pressure rising—but Silvius wasn't yelling, wasn't lashing out. He just stood there, calm. Holding it in. Why is he being so patient?
Kael clenched his jaw. I wish I could do that. Just hold it in like him…
Thaleon kept pushing. "Well? Are you a noble or not?"
That was the final straw.
ZOOOM.
The air turned heavy. Cold. The Ether in the room snapped into place as an enormous white serpent—a spectral divine beast—uncoiled behind Silvius. Its eyes glowed, fangs bared, aura pressing down like a mountain.
Everyone froze.
The snake's phantom body wrapped itself around Thaleon. He staggered back, gasping, the pressure choking him. Kael could barely move. Even Daranth tensed.
"If anyone asks me another stupid question like that…" Silvius' voice dropped an octave, cold and lethal, "…I'll personally handle their punishment."
He turned to Thaleon, eyes narrowed. "Understood?"
Thaleon, wide-eyed and trembling, nodded frantically.
Silvius stared. "With your mouth."
"Y-yes, sir!" Thaleon yelled.
Silvius turned back to the board, the serpent vanishing like smoke. "Good. Now let's begin. Today's lesson: the history of divine beasts. Pay attention."