Chapter 59 - 059: Show Yourself.

Chapter 59: Chapter 059: Show Yourself.

When Mikael finally crossed back from the alternate dimension, it was evening, and the rays of the sun were no longer hot.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was charged, tense but strangely not reverent, at least compared to Mikael’s expectations.

"I thought mortals worshipped power," he muttered as he walked off the teleportation array and toward the rest of the students.

His gaze swept subtly around.

Countless eyes were on him, without doubt—some with admiration, some with envy, and others with contempt.

He caught the eye of the girl. She gave him no more than a glance before turning back to her book.

---

Over at the administrative block, the Headmaster set down his teacup and rose slowly.

"Even though Leo was newly formed, I believe there were measures in place to prevent its birth in the first place, no?" He dusted the hem of his coat. The cane struck the ground, raising a puff of dust that slowly enveloped his figure.

"I want answers by the time I get back. Understood? Then, Professors Hale, Helena, Ralph—come to the courtyard."

He vanished.

"Tch. Brat stole the spotlight with that one. No way Malcius is letting him go."

A young blond man clicked his tongue, leaving the office.

"Correction, Professor Cole." A calm, feminine voice spoke from the office as well. "He finished the trial."

"I am in no mood for your banter. If you two don’t shut your mouths this time, I’ll gladly shut them for you."

A third, much older professor all but ordered.

"Figures he is from some hidden, high-class family. My father once told me how there were some families hidden in the Empire. The lad just might be a damn cheater."

The owner of the voice was elbowed.

"Then get as strong, idiot. Raise your rank faster so you can topple ’em."

"Silence, please," one of the Student Council members shouted from a makeshift podium erected in the courtyard.

At once, the murmurs and whispers all died out, and all the prospects filed into orderly rows and stood quietly.

Mikael went all the way to the back of the row, eyes half-lidded, as if he needed a nap.

The familiar puff of smoke appeared atop the podium. At the same time, three instructors landed beside it.

"Hmm... it seems there are no casualties this time. Praise be to the Goddess," the Headmaster said, clearing his throat.

"Good job on getting through the second trial. I know it was not easy, at least judging by the bloodstains on your uniforms. Maybe we should only take those with clean uniforms? What do you think, Professor Hale?" He laughed.

Surely, the statement brought anxious murmurs. Many in the lines knew that the Headmaster most times acted on whims, at least according to what their older siblings had told them.

The blond Professor Hale laughed the loudest.

"Maybe. Personally, I believe the numbers are still quite much. A reduction might not be bad."

"Keep to the laid-out procedures, you two," Professor Helena’s calm voice was low, albeit dripping with poison. "Or I’ll kill you."

This time, her words were directed at Professor Hale, causing him to stutter in fear. He knew she meant it.

"As per the schedule," the Headmaster cleared his throat before continuing, "there will be bath and leisure time for as long as you wish to be free. Light refreshments will be made available from now until six-thirty for those of you who may be famished. The training halls will be opened by five in the evening for those who wish to train or cultivate. If you think you are going to break through, make sure to call for an instructor or the Student Council for assistance. Dinner shall be at seven-thirty, and night prayers shall hold by ten. Then we rest for the day."

Murmurs rose within the lines. There were people actually thinking of breaking through to the Grandmaster Rank at their age?!

The cane tapped twice on the floor, and silence prevailed once more.

"Consider this your cheat for tomorrow’s trial: there will be a one-versus-one duel." The old man stroked his beard.

Professors Hale and Helena instinctively understood the look. The old man was going to say something that did not make sense and was probably not on the intended schedule. As usual.

"The duels tomorrow will have two forms: one-versus-one and group-versus-group. I spoke too much. That will be all. Welcome back, and have a good evening, children."

And with that, he vanished in a puff of smoke.

At once, the previously silent courtyard erupted with murmurs and whispers from a few hundred people.

Only when the silent instructor’s aura flared did the entire courtyard go silent. His deep voice resounded, with no need for any amplification.

"The domestic staff will be going around the dorms to collect your uniforms. Be sure to leave them outside your rooms. Of course, new ones have already been distributed."

"Khiva Einstein, Anthony Del Valverde, Miriselle Cryovia, Maximillian Kaiserlich Siltvelt, Mikael. Head to the administrative office to meet the Head—"

At that moment, all noise, every sound, died, and everyone and everything went still, the very air itself not excluded.

It was as if reality had stalled, refusing to move.

Mikael opened his eyes, now filled with killing intent.

He looked up at the professor who had called out his name.

His mouth was still open. Behind him, the other two professors were frozen in that moment, gazing at him. Even Sage-ranked individuals were frozen.

For someone as powerful as Headmaster Malcius, there was a chance he was not frozen. There was also a chance he was. Anyhow, there was no means of confirming it.

Time was frozen!

Mikael picked up a certain type of energy all around him, and slowly, his lazy, warm smile disappeared, replaced now by a glare that threatened to burn everything to ashes.

"You have quite the guts if you think you can play with me just because I’m mortal now?"

His voice dropped several octaves.

"I’ll kill you. Show yourself."