Caelith stepped out of the shop, and the Duke watched him. When the Duke identified the person, he became terrified. He got on his knees and apologized, "Your Majesty, I'm truly sorry. I was blind and couldn't see you. Please forgive me!"
Caelith said, "Oh, really? Come to the castle tomorrow."
The Duke, with a pale face, pleaded, "Please forgive me... I won't do it again."
Caelith became annoyed and warned, "Come to the castle tomorrow."
The Duke obeyed this time and left.
Caelith returned to his castle, and the next day, the Duke came to the castle and bowed down to Caelith, who was sitting on his throne.
The Duke, while bowing, said, "I'm really sorry, Your Majesty. My child was a fool and offended you."
Caelith replied, "Ohhh... from what I think, you're the real fool. After you left, I told someone to check your background, and you know what I found?"
The Duke got stunned and asked, "I don't know what you are talking about."
Caelith said with a heavy voice, "Oh, playing dumb? Nice, nice... but you're truly a fool to try this in front of me. First, you started fake rumors about me. Second, you made your citizens suffer. And third—that was banned by the Council of Thrones—the slave trading." Caelith continued, "Do you really think the Council of Thrones was just a story made by ancient peoples? Truly a fool."
The Duke's face turned pale, and he said with a terrified expression, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Caelith said, "Do you really think your work is forgivable?"
The Duke didn't dare to speak. Caelith then asked, "Okay, let me give you an option: just tell me the names of your partners, and I'll let your family unharmed."
The Duke got more terrified. "Your Majesty, if I tell you, they'll kill my family."
Caelith angrily said, "So will I. Just open your mouth before I use other methods, and trust me, they won't be peaceful."
"My partners are no one from the kingdom but the darknes..." He vomited blood and died on the spot.
Caelith got alerted by this—this was the same as the dark mage they captured before. He sent letters to other emperors to warn them and asked them to search for those involved across the continent.
Caelith then ordered a general, "Find more about the Darkness and people related to them. If this carries on..."
The General obeyed and left.
No one was able to find anything about the Darkness or its related people.
Two months passed.
In the morning, Caelith, dressed in his black and bluish robe and wearing the shoes that had a golden dragon carved in them, was waiting in front of Sylra's room. He asked, "You're not ready yet, Sylra?"
Sylra hurriedly replied, "Yeah, just coming, Brother, wait a second."
Caelith was waiting. Then, the doors opened, and Sylra came out. She was wearing her uniform, and the red and white-themed uniform looked good on her.
Caelith praised, "You look good, but you shouldn't be late on your first day as a student."
Sylra joked, "Yes, yes, like a teacher shouldn't be late on his first day."
Caelith laughed, "Okay, okay, let's go now."
Both teleported to the teleportation portal and left for the Academy.
They were greeted by the Headmaster of the Academy. "Welcome to the Academy, Emperor Caelith and Miss Sylra."
The Headmaster looked at Sylra and said, "Miss Sylra, you should hurry to classes; they are just going to start."
Sylra rushed to her class, while the Headmaster asked Caelith to follow him.
"Emperor Caelith, please follow me."
Caelith said, "Sir, you're older than me and you're the Headmaster of the Academy. Please don't use these formalities; you can just call me Caelith."
The Headmaster laughed and said, "Of course, we'll do that."
They started moving toward the Headmaster's office.
---
Meanwhile, Sylra entered the class in a hurry and said, "Sorry, I'm late today."
There was no teacher in the class; the students were still waiting for the teacher.
Liora was sitting in class and chuckled, then waved to Sylra. Sylra's cheeks got red, but she sat together with Liora.
Liora said, "See? Even the teacher isn't on time. It's fine."
Sylra heaved a sigh and then smiled.
---
In the Headmaster's office, the Headmaster and Caelith were talking.
The Headmaster said, "Caelith, I would request that you don't use your status in the Academy. This Academy treats everyone equally, and if you use your status, other students might get influenced, and the rules of the Academy will be broken."
Caelith nodded in agreement and said, "Of course, Sir. I, too, want everyone to call me 'Teacher' or 'Caelith' here."
The Headmaster said, "Well, that's great then... Oh, by the way, you're the teacher of Sylra's class. It's the first-year Class S. The talented students are there, and some capable but defaulters."
Caelith understood and teleported to the class.
Woosh! Caelith suddenly appeared in front of the class. Everyone was shocked.
Caelith said, "I'm sorry, class, I am late today, and I'm your new teacher. My name is Caelith."
Liora blurted, "Brother Caelith, you're our new teacher?"
Caelith laughed and said, "Of course I am. Do you expect an old man with a stick teaching you guys?"
Everyone laughed. Then Caelith said, "Okay, since it's our first day, let's go to the ground. There, we will do introductions and test your capabilities."
Everyone got into the garden and introduced each other and showed Caelith their capabilities. But a group of boys didn't. They just stood there and watched.
Caelith asked, "Why aren't you guys participating?"
One guy said, "Well, it's boring to show capabilities, since it's just the beginning of the year. You can just teach us, and to be honest, that's boring."
Caelith got amused and said, "Well, that's kind of true, but you should still show your classmates that you're capable of being friends with."
The other one said, "Sir, if someone doesn't make friends of us, then they are incapable. In the future, there might be many times where they have to save people who don't have power. How will they do that?"
Caelith liked this answer and said, "Very well, you guys have pretty good brains. And you're a 2nd Circle Mage for this age. Nice. You guys are talented; no wonder you're in this class." He continued, "What are your names, at least tell me."
They introduced each other. The 2nd Circle Mage said, "Sir, I'm Roem. I am a commoner."
Another said, "Sir, I'm Leun. I'm a Sword User and a commoner."
And the last one said, "Sir, I'm Posen. I'm a Baron's son from Veyndor."
Caelith understood and said, "Listen, guys, there's no need to tell your status. It doesn't matter in the Academy, and since you're in my class, it proves that you're capable. If you guys have any doubt, just let me know."
Everyone said, "Yes, Sir."
Then one hour passed, and Caelith said, "Okay, guys, your first period is over. Now go back to your class. It's your History period. I have to teach your seniors now."
Everyone returned to their class, and Caelith went to the second-year Class S. Caelith entered the class. Everyone was talking to each other, and no one noticed Caelith. Then Caelith coughed to make them aware that he was present there.
Still, no one gave a thought to him and kept on talking.
He then released his mana, and everyone got pressed by an unknown power. It made everyone breathless.
One with a broken voice said, "We... are... sorry... Sir..."
Then Caelith stopped, and the class went quiet. No one dared to talk; not even the sound of a breath could be heard.
Caelith broke the silence and said, "Okay, it was your mistake to make me use my mana. Now, let me introduce myself. I'm Caelith, your new teacher. I'll be teaching Magic and Combat."
One asked, "Sir, how can a Mage teach combat?"
Caelith replied, "Just like I just silenced you guys."
Everyone became scared and stopped the questioner.
Caelith laughed and said, "Hey, don't worry. As long as you guys behave, I won't do it again. But if I find you did the same thing with another teacher, you guys might experience something even worse."
Silence covered the room once again. Caelith again broke the silence and said, "Okay, okay, just behave. No need to be stiff. Jokes are allowed, but not bullying, and listen to the teacher when they are telling you something. Okay?"
Everyone became relaxed and said, "Yes, Sir!"
Caelith laughed and said, "Okay, let's go to the ground and see your capabilities."
Everyone went to the ground, and no one dared to do any mischief. They started friendly duels.
While the duel was going, one female teacher came and greeted Caelith and said, "Good morning. You might be the new teacher. I'm Celia. I've been teaching for two years in this Academy. Nice to meet you, and to be honest, it's my first time seeing these second-year kids disciplined."
Caelith said, "Yes, ma'am, I'm Caelith. Nice to meet you, and I don't know why these kids are disciplined, haha..."
The kids watched Caelith with wide-open eyes while Caelith was laughing. Caelith looked at them and said, "What? You guys want that again?" (Not in an angry manner, but in a joking manner.)
Celia laughed and took her leave.