[Above the Forest - Damian’s Observation]
Damian sat on Kuro’s back, watching his students fight with sothing approaching pride.
’Ariana and Zavier both had traumatic experiences that should have broken them. But instead they beca stronger... Their Will attributes must have increased significantly.’
He could sense it in their movents. The absolute conviction and the ruthless efficiency.
’So... Will really does improve when life hits you hard and when you’re forced to choose between breaking or becoming stronger...
They chose strength.’
Occasionally he intervened – when a student got overwheld, when an attack would cause serious injury rather than educational damage.
Bam Bam Bam
Sounds of his gun roaring was reassuring for the students.
But never for the core mbers. Ariana, Zavier, Edrin, Ronan, Lysa, Marcus and Selena – they received no help.
They needed to prove they could survive without him.
And they did!
****
[Major Threat - Combined Combat]
ROAR!
A roar echoed through the forest, deeper and more terrifying than anything they’d faced so far.
A C rank Apex Tiger erged from the deeper forest – easily four ters long, muscles like coiled steel, fangs that could pierce armor and claws that could shred awakeners.
"!!!"
Several students froze, recognizing they were facing sothing beyond their individual capabilities.
But Edrin’s voice cut through the fear.
"FORMATION DELTA! Rio front, Ronan right flank, Marcus left! Ranged support provide covering fire! Ariana and Zavier, wait for my mark!"
They moved like professionals, fear controlled through training and trust.
Bam
Rio’s shield expanded to massive size, creating a barrier that absorbed the tiger’s initial charge.
Ronan activated Titan’s Fury and caught one of the beast’s paws mid-swipe, his enhanced strength matching the tiger’s power.
’This cat is so big! Co here kitty!’
Marcus attacked from the blind spot, his drunken style making the tiger’s counter-attacks miss wildly.
Lysa’s arrows found the tiger’s eyes, blinding it, while other ranged fighters created opportunities.
"NOW!"
Ariana appeared above the tiger through a spatial teleportation, her katana already descending and Void Edge activated.
Zavier’s spear ca from below simultaneously, Storm Piercer concentrating all his power into one point.
The dual attack from impossible angles overwheld even the Apex Tiger’s defenses.
Slice!
Dinsional slash from above severed the spine.
Puchi!
Concentrated pierce from below destroyed the heart.
The massive beast collapsed, dead before it hit the ground.
"..."
Silence!
Then cheering erupted from the students, their fear transforming into exhilaration.
"We fucking did it! We killed a C rank beast as a team!"
Damian watched from above and smiled.
’My Mafia is growing strong. They don’t need my constant protection anymore. They’re adapting and evolving.’
’This is what I wanted. Not subordinates who depend on for everything. But allies who can stand beside .’
****
[After Combat - Forest Clearing]
Damian descended and gestured to the defeated Apex Tiger.
"Cut it apart. Eat the at like I taught you the first ti, when you all jumped ranks after consuming enhanced beast flesh."
The students worked together, butchering the tiger and cutting it into pieces.
They ate, and while the effect wasn’t as dramatic as their first experience – their bodies had adapted sowhat to enhanced nutrition – everyone felt small improvents.
Strength increased slightly. Stamina deepened. Aura beca marginally denser.
Damian addressed them all as they finished.
"Instead of relying on expensive Aura potions, you should co here daily to practice. Hunt and consu enhanced at. Natural progression is more stable than artificial enhancent."
He paused, his expression becoming serious.
"I won’t be with you every ti. I need to focus on my own training now. There are many things which require dedicated effort I can’t spare while babysitting."
"Boss–"
Several students started to protest, but he raised his hand.
"I’ve set up the Academy rules, removed barriers standing in your way, given you access to resources, skills, weapon arts, and professor guidance. Your families are safe in Tranquil City with our n protecting them."
His crimson eyes swept across each face.
"There is nothing standing in your way anymore. Learn, grow and evolve... Take your ti developing your potential. I’ll wait for the day when you can all stand beside as equals rather than subordinates."
Silence!
Then, as one, every student dropped to one knee.
"THANK YOU, GODFATHER!"
Their voices carried genuine gratitude, so showing tears, their emotional weight breaking through usual restraint.
Damian’s eye twitched violently.
"What the fuck! I’m the sa age as most of you! Don’t you feel any sha calling your father?!"
Laughter rippled through the group despite the serious mont.
But Ronan’s voice rose above it, loud and sincere.
"But isn’t it true, Boss? Everything you’ve done for us – isn’t that like a father’s grace? You’ve protected us, guided us, fought for our rights and secured our futures. What else would you call it?"
Damian sighed heavily.
"I didn’t do anything FOR you. You know I’m selfish. Everything I’ve done serves my goals. So why act like I’m so benevolent savior?"
Lysa interrupted, her voice gentle but firm.
"Sotis you should accept the respect being given to you, Boss. We all know what you did and why you did it."
Her eyes t his directly.
"But you’ve done far more than what your selfish goals required. And we’re grateful."
Damian felt sothing warm spread through his chest despite his protests.
Maybe it’s because of his past life mories. Because he lived once as an adult. He felt older than these students, so he was protective of them in ways he didn’t fully understand.
He was stern and demanding. He pushed them hard. But he never let anyone face real danger during their growth phase. Never let them be truly hard when he could prevent it.
Maybe... He was indeed acting like a Godfather.
His eyes found Zavier in the back, noting the young man’s downcast expression despite the victory.
"Everyone else, return to campus and rest. We’ll do this again tomorrow."
He looked at Zavier directly.
"You stay."
Ariana remained as well without being asked, positioning herself slightly behind Damian like a secretary ready to assist.
She’d done this constantly since he’d saved her from assault, then saved her family from assassination.
Acting as his support in ways he’d never requested but had co to rely on.
Damian patted Zavier’s shoulder.
"Let’s go... I’m treating you both to dinner tonight. I know a place in the city."
Zavier looked up with surprise.
"Boss, you don’t have to–"
"I want to. Co on."
The three of them walked toward the city as the sun began setting, Kuro flying silently above them, the Academy still reeling from the revolutionary changes behind them.
But for this mont, Damian just wanted to be a friend rather than a leader.
Wanted to help Zavier process his grief and trauma without the weight of organizational responsibilities.
Sotis Damian needed to rember he was also just a sixteen-year-old trying to survive in a world that kept throwing impossible challenges his way.
And maybe having friends – real friends, not just subordinates – was part of that survival.
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