Chapter 102: Stellan’s Hate

"This is absolutely amazing!"

Vice-Chancellor Torianna proclaimed as she stared at the images displayed across the holograms.

The staff members could only stand there with dumbfounded expressions.

How could the chaotic scene unfolding among the students possibly be considered amazing?

"It seems the students still possess the will to fight back. All they needed was a simple spark, and they were willing to act."

She smiled faintly.

"Wouldn’t you all agree that this is a much more pleasing sight than watching them standby helplessly against a group that isn’t even much stronger than they are?"

The staff members’ eyes narrowed.

Only then did they understand what she meant.

Compared to watching the students stand around helplessly, unable to fight back, the Vice-Chancellor preferred seeing them do the complete opposite, regardless of whether their methods were clean or rough.

"The will to fight against adversity is something deeply ingrained within us Vorath. It is worth far more than all the gold and silver in this world!"

Her expression gradually became solemn.

"But I’ve noticed that our greatest weapon is slowly being buried deeper and deeper. The students have begun worshipping only the strongest, those who possess overwhelming power merely because of their potential, while their own will to fight is being ignored and gradually forgotten."

She looked across the room.

"What a shameful thing for Cthulhu Academy!"

The moment those words left her mouth, every teacher rose from their seats simultaneously and lowered their heads in silence.

Had any student witnessed the scene, they would undoubtedly have wondered why the mere mention of Cthulhu Academy’s name had caused every teacher to stand.

However, there was a reason.

It was a fact known only to the teachers and perhaps a few higher-grade students.

The true high-ranking members of Cthulhu Academy were terrifying, ancient monsters.

They were undying lords whose wills could never be erased.

It took more than mere strength to reach the position of Vice-Chancellor within Cthulhu Academy and Cthulhu Academy itself stood as one of the most terrifying organizations within the entire Vorath settlement.

For someone of such stature to claim that the academy’s name had been shamed, none of them could possibly remain seated.

It showed just how serious the Vice-Chancellor was.

And although such seriousness was rare, it was something to be greatly feared.

"We seek your forgiveness for our ignorance and for allowing ourselves to become distracted from the true goal, Vice-Chancellor,"

Mr. Ian said, lowering his head.

"I cannot entirely blame any of you," Vice-Chancellor Torianna replied. "However, I’ve received news that the humans are preparing for a final war."

The teachers slowly raised their heads.

"A war in which they intend to risk everything they possess to ensure the death of every Vorath."

Her eyes narrowed.

"I do not know the reason behind their sudden impatience, nor why they have chosen this moment. But the situation is clear."

"That... that is almost impossible."

One of the teachers muttered.

"The last war was enough to completely drive the humans back. There’s no way they could have recovered so quickly!"

He wasn’t alone as the other teachers also revealed expressions of disbelief.

They were all aware of how thoroughly the Vorath had crushed humanity during the previous all-out war.

The humans had suffered devastating losses and had been forced into a humiliating retreat.

There was simply no way they could have recovered so quickly. At least not quickly enough to already desire another war.

Of course, the humans were well aware of the terrifying power of the Vorath. They wouldn’t willingly enter another war unless they were serious about it.

That was precisely why none of this made sense.

How could humanity have recovered from such devastating losses and improved enough to believe they could actually win this time?

"Recently, a new cyber enhancement was developed for human awakeners," Vice-Chancellor Torianna explained.

"One capable of massively increasing the power of every single user, regardless of their Core level or grade of cybernetic enhancement."

The teachers’ expressions became more serious.

"Our spies within the Orama Institute have reported that the students’ training intensity has tripled. Nearly everything is now focused on improving their combat abilities and cyber-core enhancements."

She continued without pause.

"They also reported that breakthroughs are being achieved by the humans one after another. The Cores currently being developed have reached a level far beyond those we encountered during the last war."

Her voice carried a trace of disdain.

"These new Cores are capable of powering cybernetic technology that previous Cores were completely incapable of operating. Technology the humans can now utilize freely."

The teachers listened in silence.

"A new cultivation program known as the Robo-King has also been created. It consists of ordinary humans capable of controlling powerful robots equipped with cyber enhancements."

She paused.

"Machines unhindered by flesh and blood, controlled almost as naturally as one’s own right arm."

The Vice-Chancellor’s gaze swept across the room.

"And every day, we lose more of our spies. That alone proves the humans have begun tracking them down and cutting them off."

She leaned back slightly.

"What does all of this tell you?"

The teachers inhaled sharply.

"A war is coming," Mr. Ian said. "There’s no doubt about it."

"And the ones who will fight it will be them, not us," Vice-Chancellor Torianna replied. "They are our only hope."

She glanced toward the holograms displaying the students.

"The humans have tripled their students’ training intensity. I see no reason why we shouldn’t do the same, unless we intend to be left behind."

"What do you propose, Vice-Chancellor?" Mr. Ian asked.

The teachers immediately perked up their ears.

"Once this test concludes, and before the students leave for their Outer-Season event, there will be a meeting among all the teachers concerning their missions and how their training should proceed once they return."

Her eyes became cold.

"The meeting will focus entirely on future plans to raise true Vorath warriors."

She paused.

"The brutal training methods of the past will be brought back, and the books they currently study will be replaced with the former ones."

"The former books!?" one of the teachers asked in shock. "Are you talking about that grimoire!?"

Vice-Chancellor Torianna turned toward her.

"It has not been approved yet, but it most likely will be."

Her gaze returned to the holograms.

"A war is imminent, and only soldiers can fight one, not students."

Her voice became firm.

"Our focus has to change."

She looked at the images of the students battling throughout the ruined city.

"And it all begins with this event..."

__________________

BAAAANG!

A crater spread across the ground as a golden bag violently smashed into a student’s head, immediately sending him crashing to the floor.

The bag slipped from his grasp.

VROOOOM!

The air parted as another bag shot toward the back of Arlo’s neck.

It missed his skin by barely an inch as he dodged at the last moment.

Arlo immediately spun around, his leg shooting forward with tremendous speed toward the person who had thrown it.

BAANG!

A powerful reverberation erupted from the point of collision as Arlo’s leg slammed into the figure’s open palm.

The force pushed Stellan’s feet backward, carving deep marks into the ground beneath him.

Yet Stellan remained completely unrelenting.

The instant he stopped moving, he swung the bag in his hand toward Arlo, who was still recovering from his kicking motion.

"What the!?"

A surprised gasp escaped Arlo.

Reacting instantly, he swung his own bag forward.

BAAAAAANG!

The two bags collided.

The force behind the impact sent both of them flying backward at tremendous speed.

Stellan’s body crashed into the students behind him, sending several of them tumbling to the ground.

However, his eyes immediately flashed as he looked toward the spot where Arlo had been standing.

But...He was gone.

"Tch! Coward!" Stellan roared.

His gaze rapidly swept across the chaotic crowd as he pushed students aside, searching for Arlo, but there was no sign of him.

"I’ll find you," he muttered.

His body flickered before he suddenly disappeared into the chaotic scene.

Stellan had been deeply ashamed and enraged when he realized that he wasn’t the number one student in the first event.

He had fought nearly a hundred devils, accumulated cards through every possible means, and remained completely confident that he would be the first person to finish.

After all, he was the strongest student in Class A.

Yet his chance to prove himself before the Vice-Chancellors, some of the highest-ranking figures in the entire academy, had ended in failure.

Instead, he had been recorded as nothing more than the second-place holder, while some random student from Class D had taken first place.

That made Class A look like complete idiots.

Although Stellan had eventually accepted his loss, his curiosity toward the young man had continued to grow.

Who was he? And why had he been hiding his strength?

However, that curiosity quickly turned into hatred after Stellan learned that the young man had supposedly ranked above him by stealing cards from members of his own class.

He had also sent them into a half-year coma.

That was a level of disrespect Stellan couldn’t stomach.

Not only had his name been ruined by a thief, but three of his classmates had also been gravely injured in the process.

He had promised himself that he would get back at Arlo during this event.

He had carefully planned everything, and just as expected, everything had gone exactly as he predicted.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t anticipated the other students joining in on their little punishment exercise.

Because of that, his entire plan had been ruined.

Still, he had intended to personally take Arlo out, properly punish him, and ensure that he ranked last in this event.

Who would have thought that, one way or another, Arlo would slip through his fingers by taking advantage of the chaotic crowd?