"Seraphina! Don't you think this is too extreme!?"
"Luna's correct! Seraphina, we might get in trouble if something happens to him! He's still a senior professor!"
Amongst the displeasing murmurs of the crowd, two girls, dressed in plain white robes with their faces hidden under their veils, hurriedly tried to stop Seraphina.
"Professor? That cripple isn't fit to stand in my shadow! I'm the bloodline of an archmage! Do you think a cripple like him is worthy enough to teach me?!" Her voice snapped.
In front of the two girls stood Seraphina, the heir to one of the three archmage lineages.
Draped in dark, shadow-like robes, her hazed-blue eyes glared at Lucian from afar. She raised her hand towards Lucian and channeled her mana in a single burst.
Imitating the flames of the hot, scorching sun, her mana flared. Condensing into a blazing orb, it transformed into a small hand-sized ball of fire.
Seraphina continued to channel her mana in small portions. Feeding the orb with small bursts of mana, swelling it larger with each pulse.
Soon, it grew to the size of a soccer ball. Her gaze locked on Lucian as he stepped onto the last stair.
The two girls behind her noticed the sudden flare in her mana and tried to negotiate, but Seraphina ignored it all.
"Lucian Arkwright, crawling back here was your biggest mistake!" Her lips curled into a sneer.
With a final burst — accelerating the fireball like a cannonball — she sent it flying towards Lucian, aiming for his head.
Students screamed as the flames tore past, scorching robes and flesh alike — but Seraphina's eyes never left her target.
The two girls lowered their heads and tightly shut their eyes. Clutching onto their robes, they could only tremble, fearing the consequences.
In both of their minds, they had already declared Lucian - "Dead!"
Watching the spell closing its distance with Lucian, for an instant, her smirk faltered — her gaze dipping, as though a memory clawed at her.
However, her act did not last for long as she heard a sharp sound tearing through the loud screams of students.
*Crack!*
Her eyes widened in an instant as she felt a pain surge through the very core of her body.
A guttural, wet cough tore from her throat, spraying blood all over her robe.
The two girls snapped their eyes open hearing Seraphina's painful groans.
"S-Seraphina?! Wh-What's wrong!?!!" They both asked at the same time, as she sharply turned her head around.
The fireball she sent, hung frozen in mid-air. Slowly disappearing into tiny embers before rising high in the air and turning into dust.
'My... Mana...'
Through the evaporating embers, she saw eyes. Abyss-like eyes that shimmered in a deep crimson hue, glaring at her soul like a predator.
Her breathing fastened, and her eyes averted any direct contact. Lowering her trembling gaze, she felt her vision darkening.
'Those eyes... Was that his bloo—' Recalling some distant memories, her balance crumbled apart. She collapsed onto the ground from exhaustion.
On the other hand, Lucian curled his lips into a devious smile. Blood trickled down from both of his eyes, yet, he showed no signs of pain.
Looking at the collapsing figure, he merely thought it was some random student.
"I hope that was enough of a lesson for you." He muttered under his breath as his eyes lost the crimson hue, returning to their original cerulean glow.
He then looked ahead and took on the last step, officially returning to his duties.
As he walked towards the main tower, countless students flinched upon seeing his bloodied face. Unlike before, no one dared to even approach him and gave way silently.
The gates of the towers were replaced with a barrier-like array that allowed entry to only those who carried the mark of the Academy. In Lucian's case, the mark was the giant luminous white star-like emblem engraved on the back of his black coat.
As he stepped through the barrier, the barrier confirmed his identity and sent an announcement message to the higher officials.
"Senior Professor - Lucian Arkwright, has returned."
Hearing the tower's announcement, some officials frowned in frustration, while some threatened to leave in anger. While those who sat in the highest positions laughed in amusement.
However, only one official seemed discontent with his return. For he kicked his study table away in anger.
"Lucian Arkwright!" His voice thundered within his cabin, "I clearly warned you that day not to set foot in this academy! But I see you've ignored my advice, huh? Very well. I will personally tear those limbs of yours. Just you wait!"