Returner's Revenge

For My Friend

Kris promptly went straight for the room where he can already see some of his classmates standing in front of the door, waiting for it to be opened by the student that holds the key to the room. “That’s new, I did not expect for Kris to wake up so early.” One of the students said and then waves her hand but the unsuspecting Kris did not see her nor will be able to respond to her and she finds this incredibly rude.

               [So Sarah and Duke are the ones recruiting huh? I did not expect that they are building their powers right from the academy. And to top that, they are recruiting the students from well known families, Sarah and Duke belong to the noble families that once had a hero in their bloodline but then disappears not long after. What are they exactly trying to do?] Kris thinks to himself without knowing that he is about to bump on one of the students unknowingly but the system informs him that put a stop to his feet.

               “No wonder he did not wave back at you Shira, he looks like he is lost in thought. Something happened Kris?” one of the female students ask. Kris smiles softly and shook his head and responded, “Nothing, I’m just thinking of something.” The female student’s anger towards Kris quickly disappears when she sees that Kris is caught up in his thoughts and forgives him.

               “You should not blindly walk in the hallway like that. There are jerks everywhere in this academy but I guess they would not dare pick a fight with you that easily after all the rumors that have been circling around.” The other female student said but then returns to the question that they had in mind. “Why are you up so early by the way? You never come to the room this early in the past.” Kris turns to look at her. “I was trying to do something that I have not done in the past and it seems that it should be better for me to wake up early than late.”

               After answering a few more of their questions, the student in charge of opening the room arrived, Xia opens the door while her classmates are asking what took her so long to arrive. “Sorry about that, I was trying to do what my uncle does in his training so I woke up pretty late.” She said with an embarrassed expression. “Wow- if that’s the case then its fine. You don’t need to tell us that you are training yourself otherwise we would feel guilty about rushing you.” Kris sees that she is quite close to the others that made him think they are close friends.

               But then again he can’t remember the faces of the other students in the past. [They must have succumb to the various disasters in my past life.] he says to himself as he seat on his chair and not long after their teacher entered the room with another teacher. The other students recognize him and so is Kris. “Isn’t he the teacher that saved me earlier?” Kris mutters to himself and the system confirms.

               Notice: Subject identification confirmed. Mephisto Vampir, Awakened. Title: Blood Emperor. Awakened ability, Blood seeker.

               The information handed to him by the system made Kris swallow his spit, he only knew of Mephisto Vampir when he was out and became an adventurer when their paths crossed one time during a mission. “No wonder he looked familiar that time. So he is a teacher here in the academy at first?”

               Answer: False, Mephisto Vampir did not work in the academy on his first job. The headmaster, the hold of the Astral eyes recruited him at the academy to investigate the organization that is taking roots on the academy.

               Kris tried not to flinch after hearing the reason for Mephisto’s appearance in the academy. “So the academy knew that the organization is taking roots here in the academy?! How can that be? How can-] Kris’ eyes widen when he realize that the answer had been staring at him in the face.

               [How idiotic. So that’s why Flora is chasing after the organization. Because they also recruited James, one of her friends. Did the headmaster created a group of students to face the organization? There are other students that were with Flora , faces that I have not seen in the highest class but faces that I have definitely seen in the middle to lower classes in the academy. That must be it. The headmaster must have created such a group of students-!] Kris’ thoughts are interrupted when he realize that Mephisto is staring at him and wink.

               “Mr. Vampir is here to assess your skills and capabilities so that there will be no miscalculations.” Their teacher said with a slightly nervous tone and just as he expected, his students are also feeling the same. Almost all of the students in the academy knows what kind of punishments Mephisto gives to students when they act irrationally and out of place. He is known for his unhinged punishments that even other teachers find disturbingly unnecessary but compared to the other teachers, his punishments is the embodiment of his ideals.

               “Why are you all so stiff? It’s not like I am here to punish you all for good. I’m just here to help your teacher so loosen up a bit, otherwise I would be the one feeling pressure of all of this.” He said with a rather boring tone just as he did when he stop the fight earlier. He then turns to their teacher and stares at him briefly before turning to the ones who are not entirely scared of his presence. “Look here Mr. Inrad, you should be the major example to your students. They will act afraid if they see you afraid. Their trust is placed in you but if you yourself is showing any signs of fear, they will also feel fear.”

               Mephisto turns to the students sitting on their chair and finds that there is no change in their expressions. “As far as I can see, this class doesn’t have anything to offer. So before it spoils my mood you all better relax  and if you still don’t relax then I guess I will have to use my power to make you.” He added.

               Seeing that Inrad forced himself to be calm, and just as Mephisto said, his students also turned calm. “This is unprecedented but we will be having a practical test today. This will not give you the advancement just like the last one but it will show us the results of your training from that last test.” And just as Inrad explains the reason for the sudden test, Kris raises his hand to ask a question. “If there is a practical test, then will I be able to excuse myself?”

               Inrad looks at him blankly and shook his head. “No, as a part of my class your, your should be there-“ “You are free to go.” Mephisto cut in. “But he is in my class. He should at least learn from others.” Inrad insist.

               “I have already heard this from the headmaster himself. Since he is not allowed to advance due to his punishment from the last incident, there is no reason for him to attend the test that would make a normal student advance. Thus, it is only right for him to train himself in such times like this.” Mephisto added and Inrad no longer insist on Kris being there at the test. The young man then excuse himself and left the room.

               “How can you be sure that he will train himself during his free time.” Inrad ask Mephisto’s decision and answered in a boring tone. “I got a tip from a shop that a student bought a 300 year old plum. She said that the student need it for his physical training. And sure enough, the training area with gym equipment is used frequently after not being used in so many years. There is only a single student that stated that mages should not rely on their spells alone right? Yes, I know because I was here.” Mephisto says as his eyes turn red but then shifted back to normal.

               “If he yearns to be like the Juggernaut of the thousand mists then it would be a win for our kingdom. Libo Huarang did not get that title by sitting idly after all.” Mephisto then gives the pointers to the other students about the test. [I personally don’t think that the students in this class are special. They put their faith and trust in their incompetent teacher as their example. The figure of their interpretation of power. If the figure is shaken itself, so as the followers. That goes to all groups and organizations. But if you put your trust and faith to something that you can’t see nor feel, your mind and body will not feel fear.] Mephisto thinks to himself.

               Kris used this opportunity to run back to the employee after ripping the tasks from the billboard. “I want to do all of these.” Kris said and the employee looks at him after staring at the tasks. “Are you sure about that? Last time you turn in the tasks it was understandable because there are two of you but now- I don’t think finishing all of these is impossible.” Kris stares at the employee bitterly and does a stare off but after their brief staring contest, Kris admits defeat.

               “I just need a companion right?” the employee nod his head. “Definitely, yes.” Kris place his hand on his chest. “Doppelgänger.” A masculine version of Kris appears beside him which shook the employee because he did not expect Kris to go alone with a spell that does nothing but mislead a pursuing enemy. “Are you serious about this?” the employee asked sternly. Kris on the other hand is quite surprised to see that it would be his appearance if he builds himself up. “Of course I am, this guy is dependable despite how the spell is known for.”

               The employee could no longer understand Kris’ train of thoughts and succumb to the young man’s persistence. “I give up. Just get me the things that were required and I will give you the rewards. Write your name here.” Kris writes off Johannes’ name which the employee thinks is suspicious. “I thought that other guy’s name is Johannes? Oh- you are still on about that?” the employee caught up to what Kris intends to do and smiles.

               “Man, a friend like you is rare. I don’t even remember that a friend did something for my sake.” Now I feel jealous all of the sudden.” The employee says bitterly as the two of them burst in laughter. “Now go you before I take that place for myself.” Kris waves goodbye to the employee who stares at his back. “Look at him go. Headmaster, I think this kid is really special just as you said.” The employee chuckles and went back to what he is doing.