Chapter 159: An Unexpected Interruption

Auriella’s scythe remained pointed directly at Kael.

The classroom had gone completely silent.

Only a few moments ago, the students had been preparing to leave for the Mission Hall. Now, almost everyone was standing around the classroom, watching the confrontation unfold.

Kael stared at the weapon.

Then at Auriella.

Then back at the weapon.

I knew this was going to happen.

He had been gone for months after promising Auriella a rematch.

From her perspective, he had simply disappeared.

And judging by the expression on her face, she had spent the entire time waiting for this moment.

Kael sighed.

"Auriella..."

Her grip tightened around the scythe.

"I’ve been waiting."

"I figured."

"You disappeared without saying anything."

"I had circumstances."

"You could have sent a message."

Kael opened his mouth.

Then closed it.

He didn’t have a particularly good answer for that.

Technically, I could have.

But explaining that he had spent three months being brutally trained by Xavier, followed by everything that happened afterward, wasn’t exactly something he could casually bring up.

Especially since most of the academy still didn’t know where he had been.

Auriella took another step forward.

"Last semester, you agreed to fight me again."

"I remember."

"Then you vanished."

"Also true."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Therefore, I am collecting what I’m owed."

Kael scratched his cheek.

"That’s not really how duels work."

"It is today."

Charlotte stood beside Kael, watching the exchange with growing interest.

"You know, Kael..."

Kael glanced toward her.

"You probably should just accept."

"Why are you encouraging her?"

Charlotte shrugged.

"Because I want to see what happens."

"You’re supposed to be my partner."

"I can be your partner and still enjoy watching you suffer."

Kael stared at her.

"That’s a terrible partnership."

From the other side of the classroom, Zion snickered.

Kael glared at him.

"Don’t start."

Zion raised both hands.

"I didn’t say anything."

"You were thinking it."

"Maybe."

Kael sighed.

He was surrounded by traitors.

Auriella raised her scythe slightly.

"Enough."

Mana began gathering around her body.

Several students immediately backed away.

The pressure wasn’t overwhelming, but it was enough to make it obvious that she wasn’t joking.

Kael’s expression became more serious.

He had no intention of underestimating Auriella.

Her Eyes of Mercy were dangerous.

Her Mirror Domain was even more dangerous.

And after spending months training with Xavier and fighting through the dungeon, Kael had no doubt that Auriella had continued improving as well.

Still...

He really didn’t want to fight her right now.

He had only been back at the academy for a short time.

He hadn’t even visited the Mission Hall yet.

And he was already being challenged.

Can’t I get one normal day?

Auriella’s mana continued to rise.

Then—

"That’s enough."

The voice came from the hallway.

Everyone froze.

Auriella’s expression changed slightly.

Kael immediately recognized the voice.

Sylvia Crest.

The Student Council President stepped into the classroom.

She wore the academy’s formal student council uniform, her posture straight and composed.

The room immediately became quieter.

Sylvia looked at Auriella’s scythe.

Then at Kael.

Then at the crowd of students surrounding them.

She sighed.

"I leave the classroom for a few minutes, and you’re already preparing to tear the building apart."

Auriella lowered her weapon slightly.

"President Sylvia."

Sylvia nodded.

"Auriella."

Her gaze shifted toward Kael.

"Kael."

Then toward Zion.

"And Zion."

Zion blinked.

"Me too?"

"Yes."

Zion immediately looked confused.

"What did I do?"

"Nothing."

Sylvia paused.

"Yet."

Zion quietly nodded.

"Fair enough."

Kael couldn’t help but smile.

Sylvia’s eyes returned to Auriella.

"I assume you’re challenging Kael again."

Auriella nodded.

"He owes me a duel."

Kael raised a hand.

"I wouldn’t say owes."

Auriella immediately looked at him.

Kael lowered his hand.

"Never mind."

Sylvia sighed.

"I understand the situation."

She looked toward the students.

"Everyone else, leave."

The students immediately began moving.

Kael watched them go.

That was fast.

Within a minute, the classroom was almost empty.

Only Kael, Auriella, Zion, Charlotte, and Sylvia remained.

Sylvia looked toward Charlotte.

"You can leave as well."

Charlotte pointed at herself.

"Me?"

"Yes."

Charlotte glanced at Kael.

Kael shrugged.

"You heard her."

Charlotte nodded.

"Fine."

She walked toward the door.

Before leaving, she turned around.

"Good luck."

Kael stared at her.

"You could at least pretend to support me."

"I am supporting you."

"How?"

"By leaving before you get into trouble."

Kael sighed.

"Wonderful."

Charlotte smiled and walked away.

Sylvia waited until she was gone before turning back toward the three boys and Auriella.

"There is something more important we need to discuss."

Auriella lowered her scythe completely.

"What is it?"

"The Student Council has received instructions concerning the upcoming Inter-High Tournament."

Kael’s expression changed.

So did Zion’s.

The Inter-High Tournament had been mentioned earlier that morning.

Now it seemed like they were getting involved directly.

Sylvia continued.

"The academy is beginning practical preparation."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Already?"

"Yes."

"It’s only the beginning of the semester."

"Exactly."

Sylvia folded her arms.

"The tournament isn’t simply an ordinary competition. The Academy has historically struggled against the other academies."

Zion frowned.

"You’re talking about the Human, Elven, Dwarven, and Beastkin academies?"

"Yes."

Sylvia nodded.

"This year, the academy intends to take preparation more seriously."

Auriella’s eyes sharpened.

"What kind of preparation?"

Sylvia smiled faintly.

"Combat training."

Zion’s expression immediately became interested.

Kael, however, looked suspicious.

"Why are you telling us specifically?"

Sylvia looked directly at the three of them.

"Because the three of you are currently among the students being monitored for potential selection."

Kael blinked.

"Three?"

Sylvia nodded.

"Kael Draven. Auriella Voss. Zion Crawford."

Zion pointed at himself.

"Me?"

"Yes."

Zion’s surprise quickly turned into a grin.

Kael looked toward him.

"Why are you so excited?"

"Because it sounds fun."

"Of course."

Auriella remained serious.

"When does the training begin?"

"Tomorrow."

Kael’s expression immediately dropped.

"Tomorrow?"

Sylvia nodded.

"You’ll begin with practical evaluations."

"What kind?"

"Combat ability, teamwork, endurance, reaction speed, tactical decision-making, and adaptability."

Kael became quiet.

Adaptability.

That word caught his attention.

His Infinite Adaptation had developed considerably during his training and the dungeon.

But he didn’t know exactly how the academy’s practical evaluation would measure something like that.

Sylvia continued.

"The purpose isn’t simply to determine who is strongest."

She looked between them.

"We need students who can perform under tournament conditions."

Zion crossed his arms.

"So we aren’t just fighting each other?"

"Not necessarily."

Sylvia shook her head.

"Some exercises will involve team battles. Others will involve simulated dungeon environments. There will also be controlled combat against instructors."

Kael sighed.

"That sounds exhausting."

Sylvia stared at him.

"You spent months training with Xavier."

Kael froze.

"How do you know that?"

Sylvia gave him a strange look.

"Everyone knows you disappeared with him."

Kael’s expression became awkward.

"Right."

Zion suddenly looked at him.

"Wait. You trained with Xavier for months?"

Kael ignored him.

Sylvia continued.

"The Student Council has also arranged access to several training facilities that aren’t normally available to ordinary first-year students."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Because the tournament is important."

She paused.

"And because you three are expected to represent Echa Academy."

Auriella looked at Kael.

Kael noticed.

Her expression hadn’t changed.

But he knew exactly what she was thinking.

Their duel was still coming.

Sylvia seemed to notice as well.

"Which brings me to your current situation."

Auriella immediately straightened.

"President."

"I haven’t forgotten your challenge."

Auriella nodded.

"But you’re not fighting today."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Why?"

"Because the practical training begins tomorrow, and I don’t want one of our potential representatives injured before it starts."

Auriella looked toward Kael.

"I won’t be injured."

Kael sighed.

"Can we not tempt fate?"

Sylvia almost smiled.

"Your duel can happen after the initial evaluation."

Auriella reluctantly lowered her gaze.

"Understood."

Kael released a quiet breath.

Thank god.

He had successfully avoided fighting Auriella.

For now.

Sylvia turned toward Zion.

"You should also prepare."

Zion nodded.

"I will."

Then she looked toward Kael.

"And you."

Kael pointed at himself.

"Me?"

"Yes."

"What do I need to do?"

"Get enough sleep."

Kael blinked.

Sylvia’s expression remained completely serious.

"You were late to the general assembly this morning."

Zion immediately began laughing.

Kael’s face darkened.

"Why does everyone keep bringing that up?"

"Because you’re the top-ranked first-year."

Sylvia turned toward the door.

"Try to behave like it."

Kael sighed.

"I’ll try."

Sylvia walked away.

Zion followed.

Auriella remained behind for a moment.

She looked at Kael.

Their eyes met.

"Tomorrow."

Kael already knew what she meant.

He nodded.

"Tomorrow."

Auriella turned and walked away.

Kael watched her leave.

Then he sighed.

The Mission Hall could wait.

Apparently, his first priority this semester wasn’t completing missions.

It was surviving practical training.

And, sooner or later, the duel with Auriella.

Kael rubbed the back of his neck.

"Things were much simpler when I was asleep."

From somewhere down the hallway, Zion’s voice suddenly echoed.

"Kael!"

"What?"

"Don’t be late tomorrow!"

Kael’s eye twitched.

"I won’t!"

A brief silence followed.

Then Zion shouted again.

"Set an alarm!"

Kael clenched his fist.

"Get lost!"

His voice echoed throughout the hallway.

The new semester had barely begun.

And Kael was already starting to regret coming back.