Descending the stairs, the academy's director hummed cheerfully while finishing her drink.
– Harrrr, this drink is delicious. I must ask them to get more and send it to the office, hehe! – she said with a mischievous smile.
– You're not going to do that!– a voice came from behind her like a ghost.
She broke out in a cold sweat and tried to escape the scolding.
– Hahahaha, Ravina, I was just joking. Don't mind what I said – she said, sweating, trying to slip from her grasp.
– Hum, I see. Maybe I'll have to order an inspection at the office. There might be drinks you've hidden there, right? – she asked, adjusting her glasses.
– Forget it, we'll talk about that later. Now, let's go. We need to finish this ceremony quickly – the director replied.
– Harrrr, don't even mention it – she sighed, putting her hand on her forehead, remembering the work ahead.
At the back of the stage, Ravina stepped up and grabbed one of the available microphones; she adjusted its height, which was quite tall for her.
– Hum, good evening, everyone – she announced, taking the stage.
Everyone present stopped what they were doing to pay attention to her. Even the orchestra stopped playing, much to Evo's dismay, who watched from the back.
– Ohhh, who is this blonde with glasses? Quite attractive – he said with a small smile, watching the woman on stage.
Once she confirmed that everyone was paying attention, Ravina began to speak.
– First, I want to thank all the students present and welcome you to the academy. I am the director's secretary at the Golden Pact Academy, Ravina Boemhia. It's a pleasure to meet you. I will assist you in any way I can during your three-year stay – she said, bowing politely.
She explained the academy's guidelines: the paths available to students, how the ranking and points system worked, and their benefits. She also went over stricter rules that could lead to expulsion. Evo listened closely, but in the end, it wasn't of much interest to him.
Evo already had a plan within the academy – stay under the radar, do only what's necessary, and have three peaceful years until graduation. But what he didn't know was that such things might not be possible. Still, he genuinely believed he could manage it. The only thing he hadn't figured out was what to do after graduation.
Unlike other heirs, Evo decided to give up his right to become the patriarch and hand it over to his little sister. His mother and even Babel had no idea. He had no interest in leading the family; in this life, he wanted to be a freer spirit, away from tedious responsibilities.
He continued listening… more or less to the attractive secretary.
The rules weren't hard to understand. Everyone had to be in their rooms by ten o'clock at the latest; if caught outside without reason, they would receive 3 penalty points; reaching 10 points meant expulsion. Five penalty points for combat outside the arena or unauthorized fights. Being caught beyond the academy walls meant direct expulsion. There were also lighter, less important penalties. The key was to avoid reaching 10 points – otherwise, you were out.
– But behind the scenes, all kinds of atrocities must happen here. The competitiveness is massive, and the academy secretly encourages it, intending to increase rivalry among students, but… – Evo reasoned internally as he watched the woman at the microphone.
– Hmpt! – he shrugged. – As long as they don't bother me, I don't care!
– I already put on my show to avoid being disturbed in the future.
No one knew that Evo planned to put on a little show to scare students and prevent future problems; he would do that when classes started. But the three idiots had already jumped the gun, which Evo gladly accepted.
Back on the stage, Ravina finished her speech.
– So, thank you all for listening to my words. Now, I will call the director to give you a few words.
– For the new students, I present the director, Freya Avelon. Please, a round of applause.
Everyone clapped enthusiastically. Freya had been a legend in the empire for over two millennia, known as the Purple Witch. Elegant, beautiful, strong – very strong – a Paragon Mage admired even by women. She was said to be untouchable; no man had ever been allowed to touch her. Those who tried were crushed by her spatial and poisonous magic.
She walked to the center of the stage, strutting and showing off her incredible curves; her huge breasts swayed with her hips. Everyone's eyes widened and mouths gaped, including Evo Eylam, who was going crazy over it.
– My God – he murmured incredulously as he watched her.
– Wait a second, this woman is the stalker who was watching me through the window when I arrived. So she was the director – he concluded, realizing who had been observing him. He even narrowed his eyes. Looking at those huge hips, he murmured almost imperceptibly:
– I know that gorgeous butt… but from where? – he asked, scratching the side of his head.
He remembered a few hours earlier, in the casino city, before arriving at the capital. He had slept at an inn and, the next day, upon leaving… piecing the facts together, his eyes widened in realization.
– The woman I bumped into before coming here – he murmured in astonishment, staring at her. She quickly met his gaze and gave him a mischievous smile as she approached the microphone.
– Hikkkk! – he groaned softly.
– What was that? Did she recognize me? – he said, surprised she was looking specifically at him in the back of the crowd. "Did she notice me staring at her butt? No, impossible…" – he shook his head, trying to dismiss the thought.
At the microphone, Freya delivered a clichéd motivational speech – she didn't seem very enthusiastic, so she made it as simple as possible. But one thing she did with fervor: she kept her eyes locked on Evo as if she wanted to devour him. He was terrified, wanting to escape; even his attraction to her diminished a bit.
– Why is she staring at me so intently?
– Glucc!!
– Did she notice? No, impossible. She has eyes on the sides and on the back – he thought, clutching his wrists in his pockets.
He loosened his tie, trying to cool off.
– Damn, it's hot! – he said, tugging at the tie.
On the other side of the stage, Freya laughed internally; it was obvious she was doing it on purpose.
– Hehe, that little rascal is so cute!
– Look at the terrified face. He must be wondering if I'm staring at him because he looked at my butt. Hahaha, so funny – she thought, continuing her speech.
After a few more lazy words of encouragement, Freya ended the ceremony.
– Tomorrow we will start the Tower of Vows to determine everyone's ranking. I expect a lot from you, so rest well to perform your best. Good night – she bowed and turned, giving one last glance at Evo, who narrowed his eyes cautiously as she smiled faintly.
– Damn! I can't be in this woman's sights at all, or my three years of peace are over – he said, worried.
– Ummmm, arrrrff, so sleepy. I'll take a shower and sleep – he said, turning toward the dorms.
While he left, the party continued. At the back of the stage, Freya met Ravina, who awaited her.
– You were harsh with him, don't you think? – asked Freya, curious.
– Aaaa, no, I just had fun with his expression – replied Ravina, stretching.
– That was delightful, hahaha… but Ravina, did you feel… those presences? – Freya asked, serious.
– Yes, definitely them. Maybe they'll act against the academy this year; they've been quiet all these years. I don't believe they gave up on this nonsense or got lazy.
On a high place, far from the academy buildings, five hooded figures watched from the mountain peak, legs dangling.
– Did she sense us from here? – asked one.
– That woman is a monster, hehehe. She probably thinks we'll act this year – replied another.
– Doesn't matter, we won't move directly, so we're safe – added another.
– We've infiltrated several spies among the new students to do our bidding and report back on the professors and those two bitches – said another.
Finally, the last two spoke together:
– Soon, we will have our revenge. Await us, Imperial Academy.
They turned and dissipated like mist.
Back at the academy, where Freya and Ravina were:
– They left, Ravina! They likely planned many things this year and there may be spies among the students. My only fear is that they harm or kill students – that I cannot allow – Freya said, biting her nail in anger.
My only fear is that they will hurt or kill the students – I cannot allow that – said Freya, biting her nails in anger.
– If I could just find their hideouts, I'd go right now and wipe them all out. But those rats hid well.
– Ravina, have the imperial guard increase security around the academy and inform the emperor that those rats have returned.
– Yes, Director! – she bowed.
Ravina left quickly.
– I won't let you ruin my fun, especially after something as intriguing as this year.
Freya made a silent, deadly promise:
– You cursed Walkers of Vengeance, if you lay a finger on my students, I swear I will kill every one of you.
Her purple eyes glowed intensely, and her expression would strike terror into the most disciplined soldiers.
Meanwhile, in a dorm room, Evo stepped out of the bath, drying his hair and arranging his clothes.
– Tomorrow will be the last day before classes begin. We have the ranking test, then a full day free – a breeze entered through the window.
– Briiiirrrrr, such cold wind – he said, walking to the window.
He looked out, where a tall mountain rose in the distance. He stared for a moment until five alert notifications appeared, pointing to the mountain:
Target detected! Target detected! Target detected! Target detected! Target detected!
He jumped back slightly, rubbing his eyes. When he opened them again, the notifications were gone.
– Huh, what was that? Did my ability glitch? Or is there a monster on that mountain? Wow, the perception range is quite vast. Well! That's good for me – said Evo, closing the window and finishing getting ready.
- Nossa, o alcance da percepção é bem vasto. Que bom! Isso é bom para mim – disse Evo, fechando a janela e terminando de se arrumar.
– Hmmmmmm… time to sleep!
Tomorrow morning promised to be hectic.