When the captain and Instructor Charles finally emerged from the dungeon after only ten minutes, everyone in the team rushed to surround them. Their expressions were full of curiosity and expectation, eager to hear the results.
The captain tilted his head slightly, gesturing for Charles to explain the situation. After all, the three nervous students tagging along wouldn't believe anything unless it came from the instructor's mouth.
Charles cleared his throat and said calmly, "We checked the two closest snake dens, and there were clear signs of fighting."
That single sentence was enough to silence the doubts.
Only Ethan had gone inside, and now it was confirmed—he had indeed fought and killed nightmare-level wild monsters. That meant he wasn't bluffing; he was as strong as he appeared.
And looking at Ethan's composed, almost breezy expression, it was obvious that even after half a month in the dungeon, he still carried himself with ease, as though the fight hadn't even tired him.
The three students who had doubted him earlier suddenly felt their stubborn resistance collapse.
"No way," one of them muttered. "Doesn't that mean his strength is already higher than our instructor's?"
"Could he be one of those genius students from a top university who came here to practice?" another guessed, wide-eyed.
"Is there even a need for him to attend university anymore? Someone like him could practically graduate on the spot," the third said with awe.
They began whispering feverishly. "After all, the resources in universities are much cheaper than what you'd get outside. Plus, there are more skill books. If he's already this powerful, he wouldn't waste such opportunities for nothing."
The girl among them, who up until then had been rather skeptical, suddenly wore an infatuated look on her face. With a dreamy sigh, she whispered, "From the appearance of that handsome guy just now, I never would've guessed he was this powerful. I wonder if he has a girlfriend… would he mind if I added him?"
Her eyes lit up as a thought struck her. "Wait, don't we have registration information? Can't we look up his name?"
After all, he wasn't just strong—he had given them a rare piece of dark-gold-level equipment. To find a man who was both powerful, generous, and handsome was nearly impossible. She wasn't about to miss this chance.
But the captain immediately shook his head, voice firm. "No. We can't leak other people's information at will."
What he didn't say aloud was simple: Do you really think you deserve to know him?
If they disturbed Ethan and brought down his anger, could they really bear the consequences?
When Charles finally left with the three flustered students, the rest of the team broke into laughter and jokes.
"The captain really struck gold this time. Didn't expect you to have such good judgment, boss."
"That's right! Who would've thought that young man's strength was so exaggerated? He could probably beat us all without breaking a sweat."
"Next time I meet newcomers, I'll try giving them some equipment too. Maybe I'll get a piece of gold-level gear in return. I'm missing a pair of leggings, after all."
"Haha, boss, why don't you invite us to Silverham again tonight?"
"Yeah! The captain has to treat us again. Maybe Lady Silverham brought him good luck last time."
"You all talk nonsense," the captain laughed, though he couldn't hide his good mood. "But tonight is worth celebrating. Drinks are on me!"
One of the team members grinned slyly. "Then I'll order number 38 tonight!"
---
Back at the gates of Ravenshade University, the three students were still buzzing with excitement.
"Who exactly is Ethan?" they whispered. "Could he be some frozen-age old monster? Or maybe the young master of a powerful family? Or even… a legendary SSS-level professional?"
Charles walked silently beside them, but inside his mind he was troubled. They hadn't taken the dungeon seriously at all. Their attention was all on Ethan instead of their own weakness.
For the first time, Charles truly felt that these three students were terribly lacking. Compared to Ethan, they weren't even worth mentioning. But then again, when had any of his past students been this talented?
Am I just getting old? he wondered bitterly.
If Ethan had been his student, the glory would've been his. Not just the bonus from the academy, but the prestige of being named a model mentor throughout the country.
The thought left him sighing with regret.
But as he raised his eyes, Charles spotted a man with a thick beard walking toward them, his expression dark.
Charles didn't know the truth behind this bearded master's identity or power. To him, the man was simply a failed mentor—someone who had stayed at the academy for years without producing a single graduate.
Compared to him, Charles thought, I'm still doing fine.
But unfortunately, Charles' students were still too weak.
The bearded master, with his keen strength, could clearly overhear their conversation even from a distance. A powerful young man, handsome in appearance, stronger than his mentor, and able to clear nightmare-level dungeons alone—who else could they be talking about but Ethan?
The master's face twisted with frustration. It was a pity Ethan refused to join him.
And what made him even more upset was the recent chaos outside Ravenshade City. A mysterious stranger had stirred trouble everywhere, leaving the master in distress. This visit, he had only come to report to his superior.
Ironically, that superior was currently disguised as a janitor at Ravenshade University.
Who would ever guess that the humble gatekeeper of the university was stronger than the Lord of Ravenshade City himself?
In his boss's words, "Great power hides in plain sight." Of course, the real reason was simpler—he liked watching young women pass by every day, and the lively energy of students kept him entertained.
But today, the janitor hadn't shown up, leaving the bearded master to wait impatiently by the gate.
As he overheard the three students talking, he stepped forward to confirm. "The person you're talking about—does he speak little? And does he usually take the professional bus when traveling?"
The three students froze, staring at him in shock.
"Guide! Hello, tutor!" they stammered nervously. All three were terrified, knowing this particular instructor had a cruel teaching style—he was infamous for throwing his students into hordes of powerful wild monsters, claiming it was "practice for courage."
Who could endure such torture?
Still trembling, they answered cautiously, "He… really doesn't seem to talk much. But… if he's so strong, would someone like him even take the professional bus?"
The bearded master frowned, not satisfied. He pressed further: "Was he about 1.8 meters tall, with a sharp nose, big eyes, double eyelids, short hair, and a bright smile?"
Describing Ethan's features only made his own blood pressure rise.
The girl's face lit up instantly. She had been scared moments before, but when Ethan's looks were brought up, her infatuation returned full force. "That's right! That's exactly what he looks like. And he's so handsome with that crew cut. Master, do you know him?"
The bearded master gritted his teeth. "Know him? I know him more than you think."
"Then… could you give me his contact information?" she asked hopefully.
His answer was short and cold. "No."
At Ravenshade University, there was even a hierarchy among mentors. And in that hierarchy, the bearded master was stuck at the very bottom.
Watching his three students cower like frightened quails in front of another mentor, Charles felt exasperated.
Are you my students or his? Why tremble before him like this? Does this mean I'm weaker than him?
And now this so-called bearded master was claiming to know Ethan well? Ridiculous!
Charles forced a mocking laugh. "Isn't this the 'ace mentor' of our Ravenshade University? After all these years, you haven't even produced a single graduate. And now you claim to know a genius of that caliber?"
The bearded master's expression darkened.
---
End of Chapter 89.
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