The sky was black, adorned with stars, and the moon watched over the world from above, like a dress worn by the earth on a cold, quiet night.
Everyone was doing whatever they pleased; some were training, some were drinking, and others were deeply asleep.
At that time, Aris was walking toward the bathroom after finishing his training, his body dripping with sweat, and his muscles tense from exertion.
A drop of cold water fell on his body as the water touched him, washing away every bit of sweat and dirt, as if it were driving fatigue out from the depths of his being.
After finishing his shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out slowly, water dripping from his body onto the marble floor, leaving behind wet footprints and a trail of shimmering droplets under the moonlight filtering through the tall windows.
He walked down the long corridor with calm steps, never looking back even once, as if he were walking down a path with no return.
Yet, within that silence, a faint desire gleamed in his eyes… a cold desire for revenge rising from the depths of his heart.
He muttered in a low voice tinged with disdain:
"I think I've given them enough time to breathe some air... but it seems it's time to get rid of them. I can't stand sharing the same air they breathe."
Finally, Aris began to think about the start of his revenge, and he had already chosen his first target.
"One week… that's the time before I begin. I'll make them see what can emerge from a shadow and take form as a living being."
He looked through the window toward the garden illuminated by silver moonlight, then raised his gaze to the moon itself, before his eyes gleamed with a dark purple hue—like the darkness of a black hole devouring the entire world.
He lifted his hand quietly, as a drop of cold water fell from his gray hair, and suddenly a dark aura gathered around his palm.
It wasn't a magical aura or mana energy… it was darkness itself, flickering like black flames—but cold, carrying a suffocating sensation and an overwhelming power of absorption.
"This ability… after creating the Realm of Darkness. It devours everything that matters."
Even the air around him began to be quietly sucked in, and the temperature dropped slightly.
A cold smile appeared on his face, carrying nothing but death and darkness.
He then turned with quiet steps and walked toward his room as the darkness on his palm faded away bit by bit, as if it had never existed.
Thus passed the night, and with the arrival of morning, the sun rose, announcing a new day filled with vitality and activity.
The academy began to move like a beating heart of enthusiasm; students were eating breakfast in the dining hall, some were running through the courtyards for training, and others were still half asleep.
At that time, Aris was eating his breakfast in his luxurious mansion after asking Alfred to bring it to him personally.
The aroma of warm food filled the hall, and the scent of fresh bread blended with the flavor of black coffee.
Aris sat quietly, checking the academy's point board before him.
He had earned 12,000 points, and with the thousand he already had, his total became 13,000.
As for the points he gained from the live broadcast, they amounted to 45,000, after Bain took a 10% cut, making Aris' total 58,000 points.
Aris' lips curved into a faint smile, and he spoke in a low, calm tone:
"Truly… it wasn't wrong when they said war is the easiest path to wealth. But one must be cautious of the whirlpool one creates. What do you think, Alfred?"
Alfred took a step forward with a slight bow and said quietly and respectfully:
"You're right, sir… but as a result, you've become stronger."
Aris closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with a calm, emotionless smile:
"Alfred… that's the language of the weak and cowards, for they simply refuse to change themselves."
His voice was as cold as the wind, and his gaze sharp as a blade, carrying within it a hint of the darkness forming inside him.
When Alfred saw that emotionless gaze, he felt intense unease, and his body trembled involuntarily, as if all his secrets were laid bare before Aris.
But Aris didn't pay him much attention; after all, he was just an ordinary man. Even if he received professional training, he would still think from his own perspective, not from that of the strong.
Aris continued eating his meal quietly, and the only sounds in the hall were his breathing and the soft chewing of food.
He soon finished his meal and stood up, leaving Alfred frozen in place like a stone statue.
After Aris left, Alfred took a deep breath, as if freed from a heavy weight.
He murmured to himself:
"He truly is different from all the students who've ever passed through the academy, and his popularity has become immense."
He clapped his hands, and a row of maids entered to clear the dishes from the table.
He shouted in a firm tone:
"Come on, hurry and finish up! The rest of the day is yours!"
Everyone began to move quickly, and even he wanted to return home to play with his granddaughter.
When he remembered her, a happy smile formed on his face, and the wrinkles on his face deepened warmly.
He murmured with a chuckle:
"That little girl kept shouting last night that she'll become like Aris..."
He laughed to himself and shook his head, pushing the thought away, unable to imagine his granddaughter acting as coldly as Aris.
---
In the classroom…
When Aris arrived, everyone was there, their wounds bandaged.
They raised their eyes toward him, their gazes filled with a mix of anger, hatred, sorrow, and respect.
But naturally, those feelings didn't belong to Kai or Kira.
Aris ignored their looks and took his seat calmly.
Before anyone could speak, Mei entered the classroom and stood behind the desk.
She said in a clear voice:
"Alright, this is your first school day, but before we begin, I hope everyone has recovered from their injuries and learned from those matches… Aris, do you have any words before we start? Since you're the class representative?"
Aris spoke from his seat, his voice calm yet firm:
*"First, I'm not interested in how you feel about me, but you need to keep this in mind: my orders are the rules of this class, after Miss Mei's.
As you know, there's an academy ranking system for classes, and I don't want ours at the bottom. So I don't want any slacking or carelessness born of a desire for revenge."*
He paused for a moment, gazing at their expressionless faces to make sure they absorbed his words, then continued:
"Therefore, I'll be setting up a group training schedule for the class. I know you're dissatisfied with the results of the duels, but I'll give you a chance: every three months, before the academy break, any of you can challenge me for my position—but under one condition: the same old rule—one thousand points. That's all I have to say."
At first, anger flared within the students, but after hearing his final words, those flames gradually subsided.
Those who had lost looked at one another, the same goal burning in their eyes—to crush that arrogant man after three months.
As for Mei, who had seen how Aris turned the situation to his favor and made himself a target to drive them to work harder, she smiled faintly with relief.
But she couldn't ignore the inner feeling telling her she needed a private talk with Aris about his harsh tone.
After adjusting her stance, she said:
*"Alright, let's begin the first lesson—about Mana.
As you know, whether you're knights or mages, we use meditation techniques to transform mana into aura or magical energy.
That's because living beings cannot contain mana itself—it's part of the universe itself, and thus..."*
And so, everyone immersed themselves in the lesson, listening to Mei with deep focus.
She asked questions, the students answered, then they asked her in return, and she replied.
The class transformed into a lively discussion, full of energy, like a group of friends sitting beneath a tree on a spring picnic.
Mei's teaching style blended dialogue, exchange of ideas, simplification of concepts, and the use of magical, engaging examples, making understanding smooth and easy even for the weakest students.
The classroom was filled with the scent of new paper, the rhythm of students' breathing harmonized with her gentle words, while sunlight filtered through the windows, reflecting the gleam in their passionate eyes—announcing the beginning of a new day in the life of the class.
_ _ _ _ _
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