Everyone was teleported to the amphitheater after receiving treatment in the Academyās infirmary. The ground still vibrated slightly under their feet, a remnant of the spellās energy, when Director Daeron Akhazel appeared on the elevated platform.
He tapped the platform twice with the tip of his cane, cutting short the murmurs and still muffled exclamations. An immediate silence fell.
He scratched his head, one could even notice his hand trembling on his cane.
"Uh... Welcome back, everyone." He began. "I... I want to congratulate you on your performance during the initial test." His gaze swept over the assembly, seeming to linger for a fraction of a second on certain faces.
"Good. As I said earlier, at the Academy, we train fighters, strategists, survivors. But one fundamental truth remains: no one can survive alone. Thatās the purpose of factions. These groups form cores of mutual aid. Above all, they will be the framework for your progression. Choose one, or remain independent. Both choices are respectable, provided you fully accept the consequences."
Kaiser barely listened, staring at a vague point on the directorās cane. For him, this speech was just a bunch of bullshit meant to mask the brutal competition that would inevitably follow. Champions werenāt built with camaraderie, but with spilled blood.
The director concluded, his smile barely fading: "Those of you who do not wish to join any faction can now head to your dormitories. The corridors are marked. Good evening to all."
The crowd dispersed quickly, fragmenting into small animated groups heading toward the various faction booths or talking in low voices.
Kaiser spotted Kara and called her.
"You okay?"
Kara stared at him for another moment, āitās weird to talk with The Predator,ā she thought.
"I suppose... The academyās potions are top-notch even if, I think I still have some cracked ribs."
Kaiser nodded, and they walked away side by side.
They had only taken a few steps when a hand landed heavily on Kaiserās shoulder, stopping him dead.
"Wait, Paragon!"
Kaiser turned slowly, shrugging off the shoulder with a movement.
Julian stood there, fists clenched so hard his knuckles whitened. Behind him, Kris stayed back, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"I want a rematch," Julian spat, the words seeming to come out with difficulty.
Kaiser raised an eyebrow, his face showing deep boredom. "Nahhh, too lazy, dude. Get lost." His voice was flat.
Julianās jaw clenched violently, fists tight, just like Kris, he wanted to smash his face in. But they held back, aware of the Academyās strict rules outside designated areas.
Julian, recognized as the most talented of his generation, burned with humiliation. Not only had he lost, but they were two against one, and this Kaiser hadnāt even deemed it necessary to draw his sword. He had underestimated his opponent and paid dearly for it.
And Kaiser knew it well: if he hadnāt been lazy and had gone all out from the first second, the fight could have been very different.
āHe probably isnāt more powerful than me, but heās far more dangerous than he appears, I should think about what I need to do to remove him from my plans... Plus Iām fucking his mother... This will be complicated.ā While Kaiser was lost in his thoughts.
Kris approached and patted his shoulder, without taking his eyes off Kaiser. "Let it go for tonight, Julian. Heās not worth getting worked up over. Come on, letās just train."
"For once, the future impulsive duke is pretty calm. Looks like my sole calms the hotheads," He turned around laughing softly with Kara who was looking at Kris with the same hatred as during the exam.
"Come on, Kara. Heāll pay for what he did to you."
Kris let out a grunt but stepped back. Julian simply turned on his heel with contempt and resumed walking.
The walk to the independent dormitories wasnāt too long, passing through the peaceful gardens of the Academy. The paths were lined with lamps of bluish crystal floating a meter above the ground, casting moving shadows. The air was cool under the twilight... Kaiser kept his eyes stubbornly fixed ahead, lost in his thoughts.
"Hmm... Where were you?" Kara asked directly, staring at him intensely.
"Hmm... How to put it, I was just training. During these years donāt tell me I was missed!?"
"Tss, we donāt know each other that well. And with the missions, I didnāt even have time to really rest."
Kaiser nodded: "Youāve evolved a lot in these last years. Iām proud of you." He patted her head but she pushed him away.
"What do I care about your pride. Of course Iāve become powerful. Iām still the legitimate heir of the Kitsune tribe." She said with pride but Kaiser could notice she was pleased.
After all, who doesnāt like compliments.
"A cute tsundere as a bodyguard... Iām the happiest man in the world... Even if in reality itās me who protects her..." Kaiser smiled.
"Who? Whoās cute?" She pouted while shaking her head. "And whatās a tsundere? Anyway. Itās true youāre so strong. But in the future, Iāll surpass you."
Lord Paragon nodded: "I like that cute Kitsune mentality~~."
Halfway there, as they skirted a grove of trees, he spotted a figure sitting on a bench. Director Daeron Akhazel.
He seemed to be watching the comings and goings of the last students, a peaceful smile on his lips, his cane resting across his knees.
Kaiser frowned, a vague irritation brushing him, and continued on without slowing. After a few more seconds of walking, a strange intuition made him turn around.
"Hmm? Isnāt he closer than earlier? Iām overthinking it," He walked then turned his head again. Director Daeron was on a bench one step away from him, seemingly entirely absorbed in examining a detail on his cane.
He blinked, perplexed.
"Director, are you following me?" Kaiser asked, frowning, finding the situation somewhat annoying.
Daeron slowly raised his head. His smile, previously discreet, widened until it formed an almost exaggerated curve.
"Ah... Iāve been discovered. Hehehe."
Kaiser kept his marble expression.
"You can go without me, Kara, weāll talk later." She wanted to refuse but seeing Kaiserās serious expression, she nodded and continued on her way.
"Itās an interesting decision to refuse any affiliation," the director continued while adjusting his monocle with his trembling hand.
"I... Hum... Iāve investigated... Hum, I mean Iāve done some checks on you. Youāre the son of Count Paragon, vassal of the Donoghan. Logically, you should have aligned under the banner of the Imperial faction. Or, failing that, accepted the direct offer from the Pendragon."
Kaiser let out a slight sigh. "Get to the point, Director. Be direct. Iām exhausted and I might have class tomorrow morning."
Daeron scratched the back of his neck, adopting a sheepish look.
"Okay, okay. Your sword... it caught my attention earlier. I would simply like to examine it for a moment. Check a detail, nothing special. It will take only a second, no more."
"No."
"Huh?"
The directorās smile faltered briefly.
"Why not?"
Then he recomposed himself.
"A wise man taught me that itās better to exercise the utmost caution when facing an individual clearly more powerful than oneself."
Daeron tilted his head to the side.
"Hmm. Wise advice indeed. It must be the teaching of an old man full of wisdom."
"He was."
"Oh... Iām sorry if Iāve awakened a painful memory."
"Donāt worry about it, Director."
Kaiser nodded and turned to leave. When suddenly Daeronās voice made him stop.
"Youāre a raw talent, Kaiser. Another sage claimed that raw talents die young... often victims of their own arrogance."
Kaiser froze. He didnāt turn around immediately, but a cold sweat ran down his back and his hand became clammy in seconds.
Silence fell.
"That sage was probably right. But rest assured. I reserve my arrogance for opponents Iām sure I can slit their throats."
Without waiting for a reply, he resumed walking.
Behind him, Daeron raised his hand in a casual goodbye gesture.
"Know, my boy... if one day you feel the need for advice, my door will always be open to you."
Kaiser didnāt deign to reply. He continued on his way. However, as he moved away from the directorās presence, an unpleasant sensation arose. A cold moisture gradually pierced through, soaking his skin.
It was fear.
āI should have just shut my mouth... Fucking Aura Farming skillā
After all, it was rare to contemplate death so closely. That kind and slightly nervous old man was just a mask. Director Daeron Akhazel embodied the main antagonist of the upcoming Academy Arc after Katrina Lancaster... And, terrifyingly relevant fact, his power bordered on the Genesis stage.
Daeron Akhazel, one of the three supreme leaders of Spectrum.