That morning, Astoria Academy was bathed in warm sunlight. Birds chirped cheerfully, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere enveloping the entire campus. Students arrived as usual, but rumors were spreading faster than wildfire in a dry meadow.
Today, everything felt different. It wasn't because of a pop quiz or a royal visit, but because of four major pieces of news that shook the academy's foundations of tranquility. The four headlines read:
1. Arvin Vedegra is a genius student.
2. Arvin Vedegra is an Omni-Elementalist capable of using all magic elements.
3. Arvin Vedegra destroyed the dormitory gate and caused panic among all the students.
4. Arvin Vedegra destroyed the main door of the library, shattering it into pieces.
In his luxurious office, Dean Saires Lemort massaged his throbbing temples. The damage reports on his desk were piling up.
"This kid..." hissed Dean Saires, staring at Arvin's profile photo in the student file. "He always causes trouble, but this time the scale is irrational. Destroying two academy property assets in a single night? I have to summon him to my office! This behavior has truly crossed the line."
Meanwhile, at the academy's main gate, Arvin had just arrived.
The moment he stepped inside, hundreds of pairs of eyes instantly fixed on him. Their gazes were a mixture of fear, awe, and wariness. Arvin, with his cold, impassive face, returned their stares one by one. And as always, the effect was instant—they all looked down, not daring to meet the sharp gaze of the young noble.
Good. Fear will keep them away from me, Arvin thought with satisfaction.
However, his steps were forced to a halt in the middle of the main lobby. A middle-aged man in the robes of an Archmage stood blocking his path. Dean Saires Lemort.
"Arvin Vedegra!" Dean Saires' voice sounded heavy and authoritative. "Come with me to my office, now!"
Silence fell instantly. The students held their breath, awaiting Arvin's reaction. Would he obey?
"I refuse!" Arvin replied firmly, without a shred of hesitation.
Shock swept through the crowd. Refusing a Dean's order in public was academic suicide.
Arvin stared sharply at the Dean. His posture was upright, his chin lifted arrogantly. "You surely want to talk about the dormitory gate and that destroyed library door, don't you?"
"Yes, you are correct!" snapped Dean Saires, his face reddening as he held back his anger. "You destroyed facilities—"
"Wait a moment, Dean!" Arvin cut in with a deadly cold tone. "Before you blame me, you should have asked the incompetent library staff. Why was I left locked inside there alone until midnight? No one checked, no closing announcements. Completely empty."
Arvin took a step forward, intimidating the Dean with his dominant aura.
"When I realized it, it was already pitch black. The doors were locked from the outside. I shouted, I banged on them, no one answered. So, tell me, Mr. Dean... what is a student supposed to do to avoid starving to death inside there other than destroy the exit?"
That logic silenced Dean Saires. He hadn't expected a counterattack.
"And regarding the dormitory gate," Arvin continued, "I was tired, I was hungry, and I was annoyed after the library was locked, and then the academy gate was also locked, barring me from entering my own residence. It is only natural that I... destroyed it a little so I could get some rest immediately."
Before the Dean could argue, Arvin raised his hand. The space around him distorted slightly—dimensional storage magic that made Dean Saires' eyes widen.
Shing!
Two chunks of magic crystals the size of small cabinets appeared. He placed both magic crystals right in front of the Dean.
"Here is the compensation! Please accept it!"
Dean Saires nearly dropped his jaw. He, and all the students there, stared at the two chunks of crystal with unblinking eyes. The crystals radiated a pure, dense blue mana aura. Grade S quality. Rare items that were incredibly difficult to find.
"W-Where did you get two large chunks of magic crystals like this?" asked the Dean with a trembling voice.
"That is my business!" Arvin replied indifferently. "Considering high-quality magic crystals like these are extremely rare, I think that is more than enough to pay for that rotten wooden door and the rusty iron fence. And for the remaining money, do whatever you want with it!"
Without waiting for an answer, Arvin immediately walked away, parting the crowd of students who were still gaping.
Dean Saires watched Arvin's retreating back, then looked at the crystals in his hands. His business brain immediately went to work.
Wow! The Academy has received two chunks of Grade S magic crystals! Just one chunk could be auctioned for more than 100,000 gold coins at the merchant guild. This is a windfall!
A thin smile appeared on the Dean's face. I should put some of the proceeds from this into the academy treasury for renovations, and the rest... bonuses for the staff. This kid, even though he's a jerk, is very generous.
As soon as Arvin arrived in class, the atmosphere in the room changed drastically. All eyes were on him. But this time, the gazes were different. Not fear, but judgmental stares. As if they all agreed that Arvin was an arrogant vandal of public facilities.
Annoyance crept into Arvin's chest. Why are you looking at me like that? Do you want to make an issue out of the library door again?
He threw his bag onto the desk roughly. "What are you looking at?!"
No one answered. They simultaneously looked away, pretending to be busy. Everyone was silent.
However, there was one person who did not turn his face away.
Allen.
At the desk next to him, Allen stared at Arvin intensely. His gaze was complicated—a mixture of disappointment, confusion, and... curiosity.
Arvin glanced at Allen. Good! Keep staring at me, Allen. This way, I have a reason to start this 'show'. I need a reason to force you to drink the potion without you suspecting that I actually want to help you.
Arvin rose from his chair, then approached Allen with wide, intimidating strides. He grabbed Allen's collar, pulling the pink-haired youth until he was half-standing.
"What is the meaning of that look, huh?" snapped Arvin.