Novel Full Chapter 831: Monster
Chapter 831: Monster
Thinking about the events that happened in Hell and how much it had cost him, though he had also gained from it, Michael almost swore to himself that he would only enter that place again after advancing to Rank 3.
"Student Michael?" Sera called, pulling him out of his thoughts. "I asked a question."
"Sorry, I zoned out a bit," Michael apologized, losing focus for a moment before collecting himself.
After thinking briefly, he began speaking.
He started from when he first appeared in Hell and how he had hunted demons for the task the academy had assigned them. He omitted the parts where he deliberately acquired more undead, as those actions were personal and not relevant to the situation.
Rynne and Instructor Sera listened attentively.
When he reached the part about encountering the Starborn who spoke of the Demon Lord, their expressions turned solemn, but they did not interrupt.
However, they could not remain still when Michael began recounting his clash with the demonic supernaturals.
"How many undead did you say you summoned?" Instructor Sera asked.
Michael paused.
"...Around a few dozen."
He kept the wording intentionally vague.
Silence followed.
Both women inhaled sharply at the same time.
Neither spoke, but the shock was obvious.
Michael could only chuckle helplessly at their reaction.
In hindsight, even he knew it sounded excessive. But circumstances had not allowed moderation.
The first floor, the only route back to the original world, had been completely blocked by demonic supernaturals. That alone was troublesome.
But what truly forced his hand was the Demon Lord, an existence touching the boundary of Rank 4, ascending the floors and approaching his location at the time.
There had been no room for caution.
Besides, he had already revealed parts of his strength before.
During the academy exams, he displayed possession of two Rank 3 undead. That alone shocked evaluators and students alike.
Then during his ranking battle with Rynne, he revealed another Rank 3 undead alongside his physical strength.
Each revelation peeled back another layer.
Strangely, instead of fear, it built confidence.
Compared to the Michael of before, who was cautious about almost everything, this gradual unveiling of power changed him. He was growing stronger, and within the academy, strength was nurtured, respected and protected.
His experiences there made one thing clear.
Being powerful was not a crime.
That realization allowed him to be more open, more willing to act when necessary.
So when the crisis in Hell escalated, he did what he had to do.
Now, sitting across from Sera and Rynne, watching their silent shock, he understood how terrifying that necessity sounded to others.
He continued recounting.
When he reached the part about killing a Rank 4 demonic supernatural, he could not bring himself to look up. Even without looking, he felt their gazes pressing into him.
Still, he continued.
He spoke of facing the Rank 4 Amazari and the Rank 4 Drakeblood, killing them as well. He even admitted to personally killing a late stage Rank 4 demonic supernatural without assistance.
Even after offering context and explanationstomake his actions look less impressive, the tension in the room did not ease.
It only became slightly more bearable when he moved on.
When he mentioned awakening in the Elven Realm, both women were visibly surprised. That information was new to them.
Then he spoke about battling an elven princess to a draw.
At that point, Instructor Sera finally raised a hand.
"You can stop now, please."
She covered her face with both hands, completely ignoring her image.
A single word flashed across both her mind and Rynne’s.
Monster.
Michael was definitely not normal.
Unlike Michael, who had only been in the supernatural world for six months and still lacked full understanding despite his experiences, Rynne, who was born into it, and Instructor Sera, who had lived in it for decades, fully understood what his feats meant.
Caelum’s actions now made perfect sense to them.
Just as the tension in the office reached its peak, a voice sounded from the side.
"So that’s why that old fart was chasing you?"
All three turned at once.
Space near the wall rippled before a figure stepped out.
A familiar figure.
Instructor Sera and Rynne immediately stood.
"Director Arven."
Michael blinked.
At this moment, Director Arven looked nothing like the serious, multi-bodied existence Michael had seen in Hell. If anything, that version was far more reassuring.
the person standing before him now wore a long mini skirt, a crop top and noticeable makeup.
It was... challenging to look at.
Michael’s face went flat.
Not shocked. Not confused. Just flat, like his brain had chosen self preservation and temporarily shut down emotional processing.
Still, his mind was elsewhere too.
He was shocked Arven appeared out of nowhere and even more unsettled that he had not sensed him at all.
After leaving Hell, reality had snapped harshly back into place, reminding him how vast the might of an unsuppressed Rank 4 truly was.
He knew it already, but being back in Aurora made him feel his helplessness more clearly.
Ascending was now the only path forward.
His hunger for the next rank deepened.
Arven did not seem to care about their reactions.
He walked straight toward Michael with open arms and hugged him before Michael could react.
Firmly. Warmly. Possessively.
"There you are," Arven said happily. "Did you not miss me?"
Michael stood stiffly, arms at his sides, face still flat.
No one else dared move.
Sera looked like she wanted to speak but chose silence.
Rynne stood motionless.
After a few seconds, Arven pulled back slightly, hands still on Michael’s shoulders.
He tilted his head.
"Why the flat face?"
Before Michael could answer, he felt a subtle pressure wrap around him.
Not heavy, but isolating, like a veil separating him from the room.
Arven leaned closer, whispering near his ear.
"Why did you run away that time?"
Michael stiffened.
"Did you think you couldn’t come to me?"
The pressure deepened slightly.
"Did you think I couldn’t protect you?"
His voice grew faster, more unstable.
"I’m your teacher. Do you understand what that means? I can block Federation orders. I can shut down investigations. I can erase political pressure. I can stand in front of demigods if I have to."
His voice lowered further.
"You don’t run from me. You come to me. I can protect you. Nothing will happen again. I promise."
For a brief moment, his intensity felt almost unhinged.
Michael spoke quietly.
"I’m sorry."
The words left his mouth before he even processed them.
Arven froze.
The pressure halted, then receded.
He pulled back, emotions sealing behind a composed expression.
After a breath, he spoke normally.
"For the meantime, if you can help it, do not leave academy grounds for casual reasons."
Michael nodded.
"At least not until after you advance."
Rank 3. The implication was clear. Perhaps Arven felt that was the minimum level he needed to reach to defend himself.
"And do not worry," Arven added calmly, placing a hand on Michael’s shoulder. "As long as you are not acting against the academy, nobody can force you to do anything."
A pause.
"Not the Federation. Not even demigods."
Michael’s pupils shrank faintly.
"You do not have to reveal your secrets unless you choose to."