Returner's Revenge

Advancement Period

Kris ends up telling them a few things about the match and completely blow everyone’s mind in doing so. “So teacher Mephisto is able to do that? An awakened teaching in the academy. That sounds really off when you think about it.” Flora says after hearing Kris’ story. “Well, its not really that surprising. There are other awakeners that decided to work in the shop like a cafeteria and a flower shop or something.” James points out the numerous hero that went back to their shop and work just like a normal citizen.

“James has a point. There is no wrong for an awakener to work like a normal citizen right? There are not much work in the church anyways and some of them even return to their homes and would only come when the church calls.” Kris added. “Nevertheless it was a great experience. I get to fight a teacher and an awakened at that.” Kris smiles wryly before handing them something.

“You guys have not eaten yet? Were the same, lets go grab some food outside. Or do you all want to eat here?” Kris change his clothes while the others walk out of the door.

“So what do you think of his ability?” the headmaster asked Mephisto who is staring at him blankly. “I don’t think you need to ask that. If fate give him a few more years and a little guidance, that kid will definitely be strong. The way he use his spells and body is just different. Its as if he is accustomed to do that. He gives off a different feeling from when I fought Libo personally.” The headmaster is a little concerned of Mephisto’s expression when he remembers the day when he fought Libo in the valley of the shadows.

“That man is a monster on his own but that student might even surpass that guy a few years from now. He may not be an awakened but his arsenal of spells are not a joke. It was the first time I have resorted in using my eyes.” Mephisto smiles as he recalls the feeling he had when fighting Kris. “I agree, I used my eyes as well. And that kid, is dangerous. The first two lights that tells me that he has f*******n spells have multiplied, and they do not have the same luminous white, he is surrounded by numerous and countless different colors. Its as if that student has a book that he can read f*******n spells. I want to investigate that fact but I think I should observe a little more we decide what to do with him.” Mephisto shakes his head with a smile.

“This is- what a rare opportunity. I have not seen a glimpse of you smiling before. Do you like having to fight with someone like that?” he ask but Mephisto did not respond and continues to smile. “Don’t even think about it. “What will the kingdom see us if you always challenge a student like that. I only allow it this time because I am also interested in his strength, but no more.” The headmaster strongly rebuked his intentions that spoiled Mephisto’s mood.

“You really have a knack for destroying people’s moods. That’s why you have a very few to zero friends. You need to at least learn how to consider people’s feelings and tell them off later.” Mephisto says with piercing words but the headmaster looks at him with pity. “I don’t want to hear that from a person that doesn’t have a single friend.” He expects Mephisto to react rudely but the teacher just sigh.

“Yeah, that would be strange for someone like me. But I can’t help it. I am not like you. I don’t like socializing and people tend to stay away from people that they know they can’t be on the same level as.” Mephisto turns to leave when their talk is done but then the headmaster ask him something. “Do you want to return to the church? The other heroes are there and maybe they are training the new awakeners just as we have been taught. Are you comfortable here?” Mephisto smiles and turns to the headmaster. “You sound like an old man even when we are just a few years apart. Don’t talk like that, you sound like a total creep. You said that I don’t have a friend but what do you call yourself? We have been friends ever since we met so don’t talk like I don’t have one. And beside, why would I go back to the church when its always so chaotic there. I don’t want to experience war just yet, I want to enjoy this peaceful atmosphere while I can.” Mephisto responds with a soft voice and then waves his hand as he leaves the room.

“Be sure to eat dinner you meal-skipping idiot.” The headmaster smiles and the chuckles when he heard Mephisto call him names. “That i***t even has the guts to call me that. Well, you are a forgetful i***t as well so don’t think that I am the only i***t here.” He whispers to himself and then laughs.

A few days later and the announcement for another advancement was made, the lower classes were excited since they will have the chance to prove their abilities once again. “Another advancement came and Kris is still on that class.  That guy has the best luck in this world having go do nothing but train every time he wants to. Compared to him, we don’t even do a sparring match or anything. I feel so stale and degrading.” Flora says to herself while everyone else is writing what their teacher told them to copy.

SCRIBBLE! SCRIBBLE! SCRIBBLE!

“I want to have freedom as well!”

TAK!

“If you want freedom that much you should just have stayed home.” The teacher said after hitting Flora with a chalk. “Sorry sir!” James and the others are staring at her blankly and then continue to write down what the teacher is writing on the board. “Why did you have to say it aloud? Flora, you know what? You sometimes act like Ophir, you know that?” James attacks her mercilessly and the young lady could not help but listen to his words.

“Another advancement has come. I hope you have all been training yourselves well after Mr. Mephisto’s spar. He told you all about the things that you should improve in . The advancement this time around is different that the last ones. We will be facing other lower classes. You may not be able to advance to the higher class due to the quality that we are maintaining. I hope you are all prepared about this advancement.” Inrad announce to his students who were excited to ascend to the next class.

He then realize that Kris has not yet left the room, curious as to what the young man would do, he asked him. “Mr. Grindall, are you not going to train?” Kris just look at him and then slowly shake his head. “I plan to observe the others this time. I already had trained a lot yesterday.” After Kris responds to his question. Xia approach Kris and ask some questions and the two engage in the conversation.

[So he plans to observe now huh? What is he trying go achieve by observing others? Wait- is he planning to see how everyone is doing? What is it- oh, right. That time of the year has come. The annual competition between classes. Is he planning go see how useful his teammates would be?] Inrad immediately got alerted by his thoughts and decided to observe Kris during the advancement.

“If everyone is ready then lets go to the arena together. The other classes might be there as well.” He said and everyone grabs their things and followed him. “You should have observed a thing or two from your uncle so you can at least copy a few of his moves. Is what I want to say but copying someone with a different fighting style than yours is quite a bad idea. It might affect your overall constitution and performance. Copying is not necessarily a good thing for most but there are few that excels in it.” Kris says with a casual tone.

“By very few you mean awakeners?” Kris turns to Xia. “Yes, those people don’t need to have the same fighting style if they want to copy someone. Ever heard of the name Sorion Keld? He is a hero in the past centuries and he is mostly famous for his ability to copy every spell and fighting style he sees and easily becomes the owner of the battlefield that he fights in. He is given the title ‘Thousand Deaths’ because of his arsenal of spells and weapons but even with his overwhelming prowess in battle, he is still not hailed as the greatest hero.” Flora gasp in amazement and looks at him like she is asking where he got all this information.

“I like reading books so there is no need to give me that look.” He said with a convincing tone. [Though in truth I am reading what the system gave me, the system is like a book so I am not entirely lying to her. Right?] He can see Xia’s eyes full of admiration towards him as they continue to chat while on their way to the arena.

“You’re late Inrad. My students are becoming restless.” A teacher said jokingly. “Well, deal with it. My room is in the farthest of the academy so you are ought to wait. If I knew your students are restless I should have come a lot later.” The other teacher took his joke seriously and shows his disappointment on his face when another teacher stops them when he sense a sudden chill in the atmosphere.

“Now, now. Why don’t we all calm down and be cool. Lets just cheer for our students shall we?” the teacher said and the two immediately break off. “Please refrain from doing anything like that. Your students will also exhibit that if they see you, their example bickering with others.” Mephisto also decided to appear when the headmaster gave him the job to oversee the advancement. “Don’t act so surprised and down. I should be the one to be down. I should not have called him names a few days ago. No wonder I felt an intense chill that day. How could he. How dare he. I will make him pay. I will.” Mephisto mutters to himself quietly and creeps the people around him.

“Then we will start the advancement now. I still have a class to teach so lets not drag this longer if possible.” He orders the teachers who then line up their students. [He said he would take care of my students while I am away but I don’t trust him at all. He is not the most reliable person among the heroes after all. I doubt he even take a few steps out of his office. That meal-skipping idiot.]

“He must be cursing me right now. My ears feel itchy all of the sudden. What did I promise him again? What was it- ah, hmm? If I forget then it must not be important right?” he says to himself continues to right and do his work.

“The first pair, step inside the arena and start if you are ready.” Mephisto says with a boring tone. Inrad’s student is one of the first pair and is scared when he saw his opponent. A tall young man with a strong built body and looks down on him. “This is not going to be a good match. That guy is scared as hell.” Kris says to himself. And just as he said, the match ended briefly after the built student defeats his classmate with a single spell.

“That was it? I did not even break some sweat.” The student said as he sat on the chair. Medical officers drag the student away and heals his injuries. “Didn’t you teach your students to take it easy?” Inrad says to the teacher of the tall student but he just smirks. “That, I did. But I can’t do anything if your student is that weak right?” he responded.