Realizing the tension in the class was coming to a boil and could lead to a magic duel if left unchecked, Professor Elliana, who had been sitting at the front, finally took decisive action.
"Stop this noise at once!" Professor Elliana commanded firmly, rapping her wooden rod sharply against the desk. She stared at Arvin with a deep, stern frown. "Arvin, watch your tongue! Do not constantly provoke your classmates over such ridiculous arguments!"
Receiving a reprimand from his tutor, Arvin didn't rebel. He lowered his head slightly, displaying the proper etiquette of a true noble.
"Forgive me, Professor Elliana." Arvin said politely and respectfully. However, as he lifted his head again, his eyes still burned with an unyielding conviction. "I did not start this. I am merely responding to them. If they feel free to act with such antipathy and throw accusations at me, then I am equally free to respond as I please to their condescending attitudes."
The logical reasoning, delivered with perfect articulation, left Professor Elliana speechless for a moment. She could hardly find a rebuttal because, technically, Arvin was right. He was merely reacting to his classmates' prejudices.
The professor could only let out a long sigh, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Fine. But at the very least, do not cause such a blatant scene during my lesson again! Do you understand, Arvin?"
"I understand, Professor." Arvin answered obediently, leaning back in his chair once more.
Once she was sure the situation was under control, Elliana looked toward Alrain, who was still standing at the front of the class. The green-haired teenage boy appeared to be biting his inner lip, struggling to keep from bursting into laughter at his husband's incredibly bold behavior.
"Alrain, go to your desk. Sit in the empty chair directly to Arvin's right." Professor Elliana ordered, pointing to the wooden seat.
"Yes, Professor."
Alrain bowed respectfully and walked toward his seat with a relaxed gait. With his perfect posture and handsome face, every movement looked cool and charismatic. Almost all the female students in the class followed his movements in silence.
They bit their lips, fully aware that they would never be able to have a student that handsome, for he was bound by a life-and-death contract that no one in this world could break it.
As Alrain sat beside Arvin, he leaned slightly toward his husband.
My husband is exactly as Ordion described him to me. Alrain thought amusingly, feeling a strange warmth spread through his chest at the sight of his husband's extraordinary behavior, never wavering, no matter who he faced. He is bold, indifferent to opinions, indifferent to etiquette, and incredibly protective. No wonder he earned the title 'King of Terror' at this academy.
Time passed quietly after the incident, and the lunch break finally arrived. The academy bell rang loudly, signaling that students were permitted to leave for a break or head to the canteen.
As soon as Professor Elliana left the room, Arvin stood up. He turned toward Allen and Alrain.
"You two, wait here and don't follow me!" Arvin said firmly, though his tone wasn't harsh. "I have a bit of business to attend to. I'm going to Class 1-C."
Hearing their husband specify that class name, Allen and Alrain exchanged a quick glance. They knew exactly who was in Class 1-C. Without asking any questions, they both simply nodded in understanding, giving their husband the space to finish his business.
Without looking back, Arvin walked out of Class 1-A with long, casual strides, his academy cloak fluttering slightly behind him.
After Arvin left, Allen and Alrain remained at their desks. It was then that Selena Waxler, a beautiful student who was the second daughter of a marquis and known for her high level of curiosity, bravely approached Allen and Alrain. Behind Selena, several other students, including Victor and Vinny, sharpened their ears to listen.
"Allen, Alrain..." Selena greeted hesitantly, looking at them both. "May I ask you something? Are you two... truly happy being Arvin's, given how harsh and terrifying he is?" she asked curiously, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
Hearing the question, Alrain took no offense. On the contrary, a bright and sincere smile bloomed on his handsome face.
"Yes, I am very happy!" Alrain answered quickly and without a second thought. His eyes sparkled with sincerity. "You might only see the outside. Though he seems harsh like that, at home he is very caring and attentive toward both of us. He is a very fair and wise husband."
"He's right!" Allen chimed in from the left, his voice no less enthusiastic and full of pride. "Whatever we say or ask for, he always listens. He works hard to fulfill our every wish just so we don't look sad or pouty in front of him."
The completely unexpected answer acted like magic, freezing time. Not only was Selena left speechless, but all the students nearby who were accidentally eavesdropping stood frozen as well.
Their mouths hung slightly open. They truly hadn't expected that the 'King of Terror', who had just insulted the entire class without mercy, was actually a man who loved and pampered his two spouses so sincerely and fairly behind closed doors.
"Are... are you sure you aren't hiding the truth because you're afraid of being threatened by him?" Victor suddenly interjected, stepping forward, still finding it hard to believe the contrast in personality described by the two.
Hearing Victor's doubt, Alrain merely gave a casual shrug. His smile turned into a small, confident smirk.
"Believe whatever you want. We don't need validation from you." Alrain replied in a cool but steady tone. He then looked around at the class. "The fact remains that in our eyes, Arvin is the best husband! In this entire world, there will never be anyone else as good or as sincere as him!"
"Our job right now is simply to love and support him." Allen added suddenly, emphasizing every syllable. "No matter what others say about his flaws, we will always stand by his side and never leave him!"
Silence once again filled Class 1-A. Every word from Allen and Alrain felt heavy and pure, without a single trace of a lie. Even if anyone looked directly into their eyes, the two youths' gazes radiated a sense of absolute conviction and immense pride in Arvin Vedegra.
All the students who heard the flawless answers from Allen and Alrain finally fell silent. This time, they were silent not because they felt intimidated or afraid of Arvin's harsh attitude, but because they were beginning to realize something deeper: the truth of what lay behind the harsh, cold, and blunt exterior of the 'King of Terror' himself.
It was a sense of sacrifice and love that he only showed to those worthy of receiving it.
And without Allen and Alrain knowing, the perception of the students in Class 1-A toward Arvin began to shift slowly, thanks to the honest and proud answers they had just declared to the class.