Chapter 184: Let’s Duel Cillian Sparrow!

The whole building meant for the students’ dormitories was completely different from Viola’s student dormitories. If there was a clear distinction between the first, second, and third years from Viola to Xesie, it was the fact that the entire building meant for them was put in one place.

There was no east and west wing. No six buildings for each class. Everyone was mixed together in one building, as if the students from Viola were being introduced to a new territory that others had already grown up with.

However, if there was one thing that remained the same, it was the dormitories.

The dormitory was no different from their dormitory rooms back then. It was spacious, enough to house at least several people while still having space for each of their belongings, and last but not least, it was neat.

There really wasn’t anything to complain about aside from the fact that the guards would also be staying in their rooms, using bunk beds that could accommodate three people, with two bunk beds in total. It was because a student could only have a maximum of two guards.

Of course, the students had separate beds. Nothing was changing that.

Bringing down his things while calling dibs on the first bed he laid his eyes on, Cillian looked toward Darwin and said,

"You can take the spot on the bed for a moment."

"Of course I’ll be taking the top spot."

Darwin didn’t complain, but he was rather proactive. His persona as a third-year principal from the Academy was completely gone. What replaced it was his extreme thirst for controlled bloodlust and the mindset of a machine built for killing.

He was eager to start the operation he had talked about with Cillian.

’Hahh, I hope I can make use of this guy for as long as I can. I don’t know how to stop him after seeing the reports that said he contributed the most to killing the Shepherds back at the Academy, and he did it solo. Well, some of the Black Shepherds are still scattered there, but that doesn’t change the fact that he did it with such... skill. Third Circle Sorcerer, if I remember correctly?’

Cillian didn’t know if Darwin was secretly a Ruiner, but he didn’t pry anymore.

His gaze moved toward both Phillip and Vin.

"You two really need guards."

Vin immediately raised his hand.

"I saw some people wanting to be hired when we entered the Academy. I’m planning on getting someone cheap yet somehow skilled. Though I think I would fare well on my own. Even better since I’ll mostly stick around with you, especially with Sir Darwin with us."

Cillian was also planning on pushing the same idea toward Phillip. Since Darwin was as skilled as five men put together, Phillip didn’t need to hire a bodyguard who would cost him more money just to work with him. After all, the three of them would probably be together most of the time.

But as if Phillip had already been thinking about it, he spoke rather confidently.

"I’m not as skilled as Vin, but I want to do the same thing as him."

’Oh, the character development.’

Even though it wasn’t much, Cillian liked how Phillip was handling things. Phillip sometimes turned scary that Cillian had witnessed once in a while, but he was a friend who knew his own strengths and weaknesses.

Why would he become a Ruiner if he wasn’t aware of his weaknesses?

That’s why Cillian approached him and gave him a tap on the back.

"Nice. You’re improving, fatty."

"Okay, remove your hands now. You don’t need to tell me that. Everyone from Viola has improved. Personally, I’ve improved the most since the Academy—oh!"

As if he had just realized he had done something very inconsiderate, Phillip immediately began to sweat as he waved his hand toward Darwin.

"I didn’t mean it like that, sir! I was saying that with good intentions after what we’ve been through."

Darwin, watching Phillip act like this, couldn’t help but smile as he nodded.

"No worries, kiddo."

Even though his whole focus was currently directed at the Shepherds now, Darwin was still the caring principal who had protected his students and administered an Academy with other personnel back then.

There was no way this type of personality would be easily removed.

That’s why Cillian had to remind him again.

"Hey. Me first before the students, remember?"

As if knowing where Cillian was coming from, Darwin gave a short nod. He didn’t reply any longer and stayed there like a true guard.

"After bringing your things down, let’s explore the Academy."

...

It took an hour before the trio had finally settled in. There was still plenty of time before his meeting with the other two bigshots of the Underworld, so Cillian suggested exploring the Academy to get the hang of it.

Who knew if Cillian would be able to spot hidden walls like the ones Fergus abused back at the Academy?

’Speaking of hidden walls, I believe Fergus was also transferred here, but to a different class. I didn’t meet him on our journey here. Where is he anyway?’

Not like Cillian was curious about Fergus’s overall well-being. He was just curious about what he had been doing for the past four days.

Though one look at his Flag Mark would have been enough to find where he was, he didn’t. It wasn’t like the system was messaging him about his flag status escalating.

However, just as Cillian was about to step through the Academy gates, a man wearing an Academy uniform approached him. He had grey eyes and eyebrows, black hair, and he pointed a finger at Cillian as he approached.

Many lackeys were behind him, with their guards keeping an eye on them. Because of this, many eyes turned toward the potential fight on their first day.

"You’re Cillian Sparrow, right?"

Cillian looked at the man.

First impression? An arrogant young master from a typical cliché story.

He acted ignorant as he tilted his head.

"You are...?"

The man smugly smiled and introduced himself.

"I’m Noah Kess! Hah, as expected of some Viola students who don’t even know the history of our land. I’m a noble, you dimwit. But knowing my name or background doesn’t matter!"

His already-pointed finger moved even closer toward Cillian as his smug smile grew wider.

"Let’s duel, Cillian Sparrow!"

Duel.

It was another change that the Academy had implemented, where it only happened during class battles so that the Sorcery Academy could promote camaraderie after such a long break. But instead of being temporary, they were pushing for it to remain in place permanently.

Cillian was aware of this and said,

"Wager?"

"Ten gold coins!"

Cillian couldn’t help but stare at this arrogant noble, whom he had just confirmed to be an arrogant young master with plenty of money. And rich people were something Cillian welcomed.

Though the cliché setup almost made Cillian want to bawl his eyes out just because of how cringe it was to see this kind of situation face to face.

There’s really no better feeling than experiencing these things instead of reading about them in a book.

It was then that Cillian had a sudden idea. He secretly licked his lips as he mused inwardly.

’I have to make this worthwhile.’

As if he were annoyed at being requested to do this, a soft click erupted from Cillian’s lips. Then, he said,

"Push this to a hundred gold coins, and we’re good to go."

He paused, almost about to cringe at himself.

"If you can’t even do that, then you’re nothing but a fucking loudmouth who thinks he’s on top of the world but has no skills to back it up. In other words, you’re chickening out."

Noah Kess, the noble just as Cillian had assumed, shouted in anger.

"Deal!"

’So easy.’

Cillian mused inwardly as he was going to make this worthwhile.

His hands... were itching to fight.

’I’m going to destroy your face first.’

He couldn’t wait for the fight to start.