Damian chose his words carefully, aware that everyone was waiting for his explanation.
"Headmaster Kaiser is my master. He taught me a weapon art called Abyssal Slaughter that specifically requires developing Slaughter Intent as a foundational principle.
It's one of the most powerful weapon arts in existence, but it comes with requirements that most people can't or won't meet."
He paused, then added what was technically true but deliberately misleading.
"I developed the intent by killing beasts in the forest during my training. Spent months hunting and killing them to build the necessary mindset. So there's nothing to worry about regarding where it came from."
Nobody in the room believed him completely.
Lyandra and Alaric exchanged a look, entire conversations happening in that silent glance.
Sebastian adjusted his glasses, his expression skeptical.
