1. Rumors Bloom Overnight
By the time morning light touched the stone paths of Mysterious Academy, the campus had entered a new era of paranoia.
Rumors had bloomed faster than the academy's fire lotus trees.
"Professor Aetherwyn doesn't watch fights—he judges souls."
"Velis and Kirin both surrendered because they saw their own deaths reflected in his eyes."
"He doesn't walk. The ground moves for him."
"Aetherwyn isn't a name, it's a title."
"He once blinked and three professors fainted."
Aaron, waking up peacefully in his private quarters, yawned and stretched. He was just glad the schedule today looked simpler—only five official duels and no surprise 'soul matches.'
He headed to the arena with his usual unintentional gravitas, unaware that several students bowed as he passed—some without even making eye contact.
Others threw salt behind themselves. One offered incense.
Aaron blinked. "Are they doing a ritual?"
Lily, appearing beside him with a steaming cup of dragon-root brew, replied, "They think it keeps you from entering their dreams."
"I wasn't planning to."
"They don't know that."
Nova was already waiting in the instructor's tower, reclining on velvet cushions. She gave a lazy wave. "Aaron! Excellent job yesterday. The student healers only reported nine trauma incidents. That's a new low!"
Aaron stared at her. "That's… good?"
"Progress!" Nova chirped.
---
2. Axel Makes His Move
Down in the staging tunnels, Axel Myrravelle sat on a bench, hands clenched in his lap.
He was trembling.
But not from fear. Not exactly.
He had watched yesterday's duel in full. Not just the magic, but the atmosphere. The reverence. The control.
And now… he wanted it.
He needed it.
Axel knew Aaron wasn't just a professor. He was a myth being born in real time. And if Axel wanted to take over this world one day—as the hero, as the lord, as the king—he had to understand how such power worked.
And most importantly… how to survive it.
"I'll observe him until I figure it out," Axel whispered. "His weakness. His truth. There has to be a crack somewhere."
His eyes flicked toward the tunnel exit, where Aaron now stood, backlit by the sun.
Axel immediately looked away. "Not now. Too soon."
---
3. First Match – "The Flamechild"
The first candidate to fight was a red-haired girl named Tessia Flenne, rumored to have phoenix blood and an ego that could ignite mana itself.
She marched onto the field in a coat laced with flame-inscribed embroidery, her twin daggers sheathed in shoulder harnesses, sparks trailing her every step.
Her opponent: A massive sand troll with regenerating limbs and mana-thickened skin.
As the bell rang, she burst forward like a wildfire unchained.
Searing heat flared from her boots, and her first dash cracked the floor tiles.
"Impressive," Lily murmured. "High-speed ignition movement. She's condensing flame into burst steps."
Tessia spun through the air, both daggers alight, and slashed at the troll's arms with precision. The troll roared, struck back, and missed as she vanished behind a burst of combustion.
But Aaron wasn't impressed by the fire or finesse.
He was frowning.
"I think she forgot her defensive layering."
Tessia, in that exact moment, glanced up and met his gaze.
She froze mid-air.
Her flame dulled.
The troll's fist barreled toward her—but she recovered at the last second, tucking and rolling, barely avoiding a knockout blow.
She winced. "Focus, Tess. Focus. He's just a professor. Just a professor…"
She looked up again.
Aaron was still watching her. Still frowning.
She stumbled.
The troll struck her side.
Nova sipped wine. "She's spiraling."
"She thinks she's disappointing him," Lily said. "He's just concerned about her technique."
Aaron raised his hand to signal time. "That's enough. She's injured."
Tessia dropped to one knee immediately.
The troll was dismissed. Healers rushed in.
As Tessia was carried off, she whispered, "He… he looked into my core and saw all my flaws…"
Aaron looked genuinely sad. "I was wondering if she sprained her ankle."
---
4. Second Match – "The Arrogant One"
The next contestant was Gerod Mave, a noble-born candidate with a golden uniform and an attitude that could sour milk.
He strode into the arena like a general at a parade, arms raised, grinning like a prince.
"I dedicate this duel," he shouted, "to the great Professor Aetherwyn! May my victory earn your favor!"
Aaron choked slightly on his tea. "What?"
Nova began cackling.
Lily shot him a flat stare. "Don't react. He'll escalate."
Gerod's opponent was a sabretooth wind serpent—faster than anything previously summoned.
But Gerod wasn't afraid.
He began summoning shields around himself with loud chants, posing after every syllable. "O Glorious Aetherwyn, see my valor!"
Aaron slowly lowered his cup. "Please stop."
Gerod froze mid-chant.
The crowd gasped.
Gerod turned, trembling. "Y-you… spoke?"
Aaron blinked. "You're going to get hit if you keep monologuing."
Too late.
The wind serpent struck, shattering his shields, tossing him halfway across the field like a ragdoll.
Gerod groaned. "I failed you, my lord…"
"Who gave him that idea?" Aaron muttered.
Axel, from the viewing rows, scribbled:
Theory #61: Professorship mistaken for godhood. Critical correction needed.
---
5. Evening Reflections and New Orders
As the combat trials ended for the day, the injured were escorted, the victors celebrated quietly, and the rest returned to their rooms to pray they wouldn't be called next.
Aaron stood near the edge of the arena floor, watching the fading light bounce off the marble.
Lily approached. "You terrify them more every day."
"I'm trying not to."
"Maybe try… smiling?"
"I did that once. A child cried."
Nova joined them with her usual glass of wine. "The Head Council's sent word. They're watching the entrance exams now. Apparently someone's already sent a magical painting of you to the capital."
Aaron paled. "Why?"
"Because in it, you have seven pairs of wings and a staff made of starlight."
"…I don't have either of those things."
"They don't care."
Lily crossed her arms. "Tomorrow, combat trials continue. But expect some changes."
"What kind?"
"Some of the noble houses are sending instructors to observe. They're… curious about you."
Aaron froze. "Oh no."
Lily smirked. "Oh yes."
And far away, in the deepest archives beneath the academy, a sealed crystal stirred—responding faintly to an aura that hadn't touched this world in millennia.
Unknowingly awakened by a man who just wanted to teach in peace.
---
End of Chapter 37