Wednesday, June 30, 675—the final day at Versalkin Academy. At 8:30 AM, students from all disciplines gathered in the ceremonial hall.
Millions of students—spanning every field of study and academic year, from first-years to the fourth-years about to graduate—were present. Yet, not everyone was pleased with the situation.
The student council presidents—Melanie Hentari, Kinsley Tawaren, and Forest Selbranack from the third year, along with Ye Fan, Zi Mingtao, and Frederick Renlick from the fourth year—were frustrated. Because of Yuta Caseral, they would be forced to spend another year at Versalkin Academy.
Still, they chose to look on the bright side: as members of the "Masters' Class," they would gain access to legendary-tier academy resources. Furthermore, they retained their authority as student council presidents.
Gazing toward the stage, Frederick remarked:
"For now, we cannot take any action against Yuta Caseral. Besides, he is an extremely dangerous adversary. The best course of action is to bring him into the Versalkin Academy Council; that way, we can keep an eye on him and pin charges against him."
Ye Fan and Zi Mingtao remained calm, waiting for Principal Soliver to deliver his address—after which they would finally depart from Versalkin Academy to enjoy a vacation far away from the institution. Ye Fan spoke up:
"You're right, Frederick. Yuta is an opponent who shouldn't be underestimated at all. Besides, there hasn't been any time to properly consider him. Furthermore, I don't see any benefit in confronting him."
"Think about it: he managed to defeat a renowned investigator like Tae-hoon, turned Director Soliver into an ally, and has become one of the wealthiest individuals in the world—all within less than a single year."
"On top of that, he killed the Goblin Sovereign, Kavlur, and survived after entering the heart of the World Tree. Making an enemy of him would be sheer folly. It's not that I'm a coward; it's simply a matter of logic—opposing him would make us nothing more than a bunch of fools."
Frederick offered no comment in response to her suggestion, though he could sense the mocking gazes of the other Student Council members—Ting-Ling Ye, Yuxiao Ye, and Zixuan Yu from the second year; Melanie Huntari, Kinsley Tawaren, and Forest Silbranack from the third year; and Zi Mingtao. She, however, paid them no mind; their fear of losing their positions had clearly blinded them.
Frederick raised his hand, cutting Zi Mingtao off before he could utter a single word—much to the latter's intense annoyance.
Nevertheless, he chose to follow Frederick's lead, as Frederick was the strongest among the council leaders. Moreover, having ascended to the rank of 'Sacred Sovereign' over the past few days, Frederick had become one of the most powerful students in the academy—standing on par with the senior faculty and professors in charge. Speaking in a firm, uncompromising tone—leaving no room for debate or dissent—he declared:
"Treating Liuta as if he were the center of the universe is absolutely unacceptable. We are the masters of the Student Council, and you must conduct yourselves accordingly."
"As for him, I am well aware that he had a hand in everything that has transpired—from orchestrating the reduction of the student body to twenty-five, establishing the 'Masters' Class,' and preventing our graduation, all while positioning himself ahead of you. We shall continue to enjoy the resources of the Ferselkin Academy for an additional year. Furthermore, the Academy never reclaims what it has granted to its students—not even items of legendary rank."
Though they gritted their teeth at Frederick's insulting remarks, they could not deny his authority; he was the current Student Council President—a figure they dared not antagonize at this juncture.
Frederick cast a lingering, piercing gaze toward his deputy, Ye Fan, who lowered his head in humiliation, realizing that his previous actions had been nothing more than a display of sheer naivety.
Suddenly, a resonant voice echoed throughout the ceremonial hall, silencing the students' murmurs and snapping them out of their distractions. All eyes and attention turned toward the stage.
Standing there was Leo, the assistant to Vice Principal Carter Bliggers—who was currently away at the Celestial Immortals Academy, overseeing matters there.
Leo began the opening address, preceding the arrival of Academy Principal Soliver. He spoke with a tone defined by profound calm, confidence, and immense wisdom:
"Students—from all three of the Academy's divisions, across all four years, and representing a myriad of specializations..." [Six months have passed since the first day of classes—Thursday, January 1st, 675—and today is June 30th, 675. You have endured a difficult period during these short months; many of you were weeded out during the written examinations, and many others fell during the midterm and final assessments.]
[Nevertheless, those who truly deserve to remain at the Farsalkin Academy have succeeded. First-year students will advance to their second year, with the opportunity to be placed in new classes—such as the 'Masters' Class'—and the same applies to those moving into their second and third years. Congratulations to the fourth-year students who have now graduated.]
[You stand as living proof that even without possessing 'distinguished blood,' it is possible to graduate from the Farsalkin Academy. The road ahead remains long. Today, you study; tomorrow, you build your own future.]
[The next five months will be your chance to prove yourselves beyond the confines of the Farsalkin Academy—to hone your abilities to their absolute limits, and to become a source of pride for yourselves, as well as for your families and your academy.]
[I am Leo Caliorfin. I was once just like you, but through diligence and perseverance, I have become who I am today. Remember: distinguished blood and innate talent alone will not make you strong. It is through perseverance and determination that you tread the only true path to success. Thank you for listening, and I wish you all a wonderful break.]
Leo took several steps back, casting a glance at the students and faculty—both new and returning—before offering a respectful bow. Waves of enthusiastic applause erupted from students and professors alike, after which he left the stage with steady strides, full of confidence and determination.
A wave of murmurs rippled through the students—a blend of excitement, apprehension, and the sadness of having to part ways with their companions.
"I feel like I might just take flight from all this excitement! Six months of agony—finally over! I'm heading back to my family to kick back and relax for the next five months."
"Fantastic! A break just as summer begins—though we won't get to enjoy the whole thing, since we have to be back at the academy before the new term starts. So, we get five months out of the six. Isn't that just ridiculous?"
"True, but then again, many families have moved to cities near the academy—Fraslekin—so it's only really an issue for those living on other continents. They won't see their families again until graduation—or, for some, perhaps never, if they happen to die within the next three years."
"Fair point. But as for me, I live right in the city of Gasemburg. I'll get to enjoy the full six months, my dear friend!"
His companion's eyes narrowed in annoyance, realizing he was being teased. It wasn't the first time; he and the other students who lived far from the Fraslekin Academy had often been the targets of such mockery because they wouldn't be returning until December.
"You got me, you wretched scoundrel! Still, you'd better stay on your guard—Gasemburg is hardly the kind of place where one can live in comfort."
Elsewhere, students were chatting with even greater fervor, much to the irritation of some of the professors. "Where are you headed during the break? I'm thinking of going to the auction in Yusaki City; there are a few things I need to pick up there."
Her friend stared at her, bewildered, for a few seconds before speaking in a hushed tone:
"Isn't that a shady place? They sell illicit goods, slaves of various races—all sorts of illegal activities go on there, don't they?"
"I know, I know. I said I *might* go—it's not certain. It all depends on my grandfather; he's the one who would be taking me along, after all."
A look of surprise crossed her friend's face, followed by a mocking laugh:
"Still, I'm worried they might mistake *you* for one of the slaves and toss you into a cage! That's exactly why I told you not to go! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"
Her friend's expression shifted to one of annoyance, but before she could retort, a loud voice boomed over the speakers—Director Soliver had arrived to deliver his address.
"We'll discuss the whole 'ending up in a cage' thing another time."
On the stage, Soliver gazed calmly at the audience, taking in each person individually. Although several students were absent—some having already departed, others too exhausted from the end-of-year festivities and final exams to attend—the hall was packed to capacity.
He let out a long, weary sigh, weighed down by the exhaustion of overseeing both the festival and the final examinations, not to mention the heavy burden of managing the Ferslkin Academy all on his own, in the absence of his deputy, Carter Bligers. He spoke in a tone that blended dignity, pride, and authority:
"My dear students—from every class, specialization, and year of your four-year program—six months have passed since the beginning of the academic year 675."
"Some of you succeeded, some failed, and others were expelled. Those who remain are the ones who possessed the strength to stay with us—those who did not end up in rehabilitation centers. You have navigated four major challenges to reach this moment: the Farsalkin Academy entrance competition—which the first-year students undertook—followed by the written examination, the midterm, and the final examination."
"Today, Wednesday, June 30th, 675, marks your final day at Farsalkin Academy before you head off for a well-deserved break. However, as Leo mentioned, you must make the most of this time; the coming year will be, quite literally, out of this world."
He paused, casting his gaze across the students and professors. An absolute silence descended upon the hall—no one dared to utter a single word. Yet, within the students, a fire of determination and perseverance burned fiercely.
The days that had passed had been grueling and harsh—so much so that some had chosen to leave Farsalkin Academy, seeking respite from the heavy responsibilities that come with being a student here.
Nevertheless, the words of Soliver and Leo made them realize that even greater hardships lay ahead. They were no longer ordinary human beings; they were students at the oldest and most prestigious academy in the world.
Seeing this, Soliver offered a faint smile as he looked at them, then continued in the same measured tone:
"You are destined to become figures with whom the world must reckon." "Combat and battles inside the academy are not the same as those outside. Our first-year combat-specialization students, who are with us today, can attest to this—having fought against the minions of the 'Scorpion' organization—led by the 'Shadow and Light Scorpions'—as well as the battle against the Goblin Ruler, Kavlir, in the city of Yusbikers."
"I assume you have heard of these events through the news or from your peers. It is high time you discard any preconceived notions that the world is a peaceful, rosy place."
"As of today, you are no longer under the protection of the Ferslikin Academy. There is a real possibility that you could die on your journey back to your home cities. You must, therefore, utilize everything you have learned here to survive; consider this the ultimate test of your worthiness to have studied at Ferslikin—where death serves as your final expulsion from life itself."
Soliver fell silent, observing the expressions on their faces—a complex mix of unease, excitement, fear, and the sheer terror of potential death.
Yet, the first-year combat students remained largely unfazed. They had stared death in the face multiple times—on the island of Gijwa, and again during their confrontation with the Goblin Ruler, Kavlir, and his forces.
They no longer feared combat as they once had; their combat proficiency and capabilities in real-world battle scenarios had grown exponentially.
Soliver then shifted his gaze toward the members of the Student Council—specifically the fourth-year students: Ye Fan, Zi Mingtao, and Frederick. Although he had once hoped to be rid of them, he now realized he would be studying alongside them for another year. That said, knowing they were headed to the 'Heavenly Immortals Academy' brought him a strange sense of amusement—mixed with a touch of pity for that academy's headmaster. The presence of both Frederick Reinlick and Jutta Kaseral in the same place—especially Yao Chang-jie, who was rumored to be one of the sharpest and most dangerous individuals there—made him realize that what was supposed to be an ordinary study trip was about to turn into something entirely unpredictable.
Nevertheless, he didn't mind being kept away from the unfolding events; he prayed to the Lord that he wouldn't get dragged into any trouble between them. The problems at Ferselkin Academy were already more than enough for him.
Still, he couldn't fathom why Yuta wanted to keep him around—getting rid of him would have been the smartest move to secure the position of Student Council President.
Feeling that the silence had dragged on too long, he decided to continue:
"The day you have all been waiting for has finally arrived. I congratulate you on successfully completing your academic year."
"Moving on to the second part of the ceremony: the presentation of awards to the top student from each class. Given the large number of students—and because time does not permit us to honor everyone individually—we will be recognizing the top three students from each year."
"That said, all other students will receive their respective rewards and compensation as a gesture of our appreciation. Now, for the top students of the first year: Yuta Kaseral, from the Combat specialization. He is recognized for his exceptional talent, his confrontation with the renowned investigator Tae-hoon, his victories over the scions of great duchies and clans from the Central Continent, and his pivotal role in defeating the entity that attempted to invade Ferselkin Academy. Professor Yusopra, along with all students from the Magic Combat and Beast-Contract specializations, can attest to the events of that day."
"The second student is Seok. Despite his commoner background, he has proven his worth as a student of Ferselkin Academy by single-handedly turning the tide of a battle against the 'Scorpion' organization—ensuring that the number of casualties was kept to an absolute minimum." Furthermore, he provided medical treatment to students and professors, and played a 90% role in the execution of the strategic plans. He is the individual who defeated the 'Scorpion' organization and was instrumental in the defeat of the Goblin Lord, Kavlur—all within the span of less than a single day.]
[And finally, the top first-year student: Jia Guilford, from the 'Legend' class, specializing in combat magic among several other disciplines. As you are all aware, she attained the rank of 'Lord' at the age of just 15. She was capable of going toe-to-toe with the Goblin Lord, Kavlur, in the city of Yuspeakers—not to mention her numerous other achievements at the Verselkin Academy and on the island of Jigwa.]
[I invite Yuta Kaseral, Seok, and Jia Guilford to step onto the stage to receive the honors they so richly deserve.]
Each of them made their way toward the stage with steady, confident, and determined strides, paying no mind to the criticisms from the other students—criticisms directed primarily at Seok.
"How could a filthy 'commoner' possibly be up on that stage? I ought to kill him; it would be better than letting his filth stain the stage."
"What a pathetic piece of trash! How dare he accept an honor he hasn't earned?"
"Get back where you belong, you scum! Everything you did on Jigwa Island and in Yuspeakers was merely your duty—after all, slaves are expected to obey their masters."
Seok's expression remained calm, unlike Hinataku, who was struggling to restrain herself from killing the hecklers; to her, an insult directed at her husband was an insult to her as well. Nevertheless, sensing that Seok was about to do something, she decided to trust him—just as she had in both his first and second past lives, and as she would continue to do in this current one.
Seok looked toward Director Soliver, signaling a request to say a few words to the students; Soliver granted his permission.
This left many of the professors and students quite bewildered, though it did nothing to stop their mockery.
"Boo! Get down, you scum! How did a commoner like you end up somewhere you don't belong? You belong in the trash—know your place, Seok!"
"Has the Farselkin Academy started elevating trash these days? How ridiculous!"
Seok took a deep breath as he gazed at them, then unleashed an intense, overwhelming killing intent. The sheer power left everyone in shock—with the exception of the professors, whose mental fortitude transcended ordinary human limits.
As for the average students, they were paralyzed with terror; those at the 'Novice Ruler' level of strength couldn't even utter a single syllable. In contrast, individuals like Lucy, Grey, Roichi, Tom, Jian Yi, Armin, Hinatako, Beatrice, Gowther, Previka, and the members of the Student Council remained unaffected—their formidable mental strength, forged through countless life-or-death battles, allowed them to withstand the pressure with ease.
A few seconds passed before Seok finally withdrew his killing intent. Being the "King of Curses" had taught him that respect is earned solely through power; humility and passive acceptance would only invite others to trample upon him.
Speaking in a tone that was both calm and razor-sharp, he left the students and professors—who had previously been mocking him—staring back with a mixture of shock and fear:
"I am Seok, a commoner from the city of Makindi. I take pride in my commoner roots, but make no mistake: I am no useless fool. Yet, when the time comes to prove your own worth, all you do is bicker and shout from within the comfort of your own mansions."
"We live in a world where the strong survive, and the weak are crushed underfoot. Furthermore, by taking issue with my inclusion among the students to be honored, you have effectively insulted the Farselkin Academy itself."
With a faint smile, he revealed the crest of the De Moliar family—a testament to a strictly confidential, undisclosed agreement he had reached with Yorichi.
"Why don't you go to the De Moliar family and repeat what you've just said? Do you have the audacity to insult the De Moliar house—or someone under their protection? Why the silence? Has a cat got your tongue? Let me be clear: if this matter ever touches my own family, I will not hesitate to trample over the corpses of any one of you."
Grey and Roichi looked on in astonishment, caught off guard by his decision to leverage the protection of the Duchy of De Moliar at this very moment. However, they both realized that Seok was not someone to be ignored or taken lightly; he was capable of killing anyone he perceived as a threat without a moment's hesitation—and the method of killing mattered not at all to him.
Meanwhile, Seok had moved away from the loudspeaker to stand beside Yuta, his expression calm. He remained indifferent to the gaze of Jiya, who was recalling the things he had done on Jeju Island and in the city of Usepeakers.
She mentally categorized him as a potential future threat—someone she would kill should he ever pose a direct danger. Nevertheless, it was not the right time for any such unnecessary action.
She turned her gaze toward Yuta, who was, in turn, watching him with caution. After all, he knew nothing about the man—a fact that, conversely, made the stranger dangerous to Yuta as well. Under normal circumstances, he would have been able to glean information about anyone—if only through Go Hikma—yet even Hyeon had been unable to uncover any details about him.
She then shifted her eyes back to Director Soliver, who was looking at Seok with clear annoyance. Seok had behaved disrespectfully—most notably by unleashing a killing intent that flagrantly violated the academy's established codes of conduct and discipline.