Fay exhaled in visible relief when she realized Lana genuinely understood her dilemma.
Gratitude flickered in her eyes as she cast Lana a soft glance.
Lana returned the look absentmindedly; however, her thoughts were already drifting through old mories....
The soft murmur of the classroom quieted when Axel entered.
His footsteps were unhurried, yet they carried an authority that made every student stand imdiately.
The air subtly shifted, as if the room itself braced for his presence. Lana rose with the others, watching him with mild curiosity while he set his books on the desk.
Axel surveyed the class before speaking.
"From today onward," he began, "theoretical lectures will officially start."
Lana blinked in surprise. ’But weren’t they supposed to start two days ago?’
Almost as if he had read her mind, Axel continued.
"Since you were absent, and we did not want you to miss the foundational lectures of her first year, the start of theory classes was postponed."
Lana felt her chest tighten. Warmth spread through her like a quiet tide.
’They delayed the curriculum... for ?’
The gesture, though subtle and professional, touched her deeply.
Axel’s gaze swept across the room and paused, ever so briefly, on Lana.
"Furthermore," he said, "being the youngest and lacking previous foundational years, it will be difficult for her to keep up without extra guidance; she will be given supplentary classes. Either I will conduct them myself, or so of you will be assigned to tutor or assist in the practicals or assignnts. Does anyone have objections?"
The entire class shook their heads imdiately, almost too quickly, and Lana finally understood why Fay had shown her Axel’s picture earlier.
’So she feared they’d think Axel was biased toward ...’
Well, anyone would be misled by how much special treatnt she was receiving.
Axel, sensing the undercurrent of thoughts swirling in the room, gave a faint, amused smile before continuing.
"Next, regarding combat classes... There is a change this year."
Everyone straightened in their seats.
"Previously, it was stated that combat classes will be conducted alternately weekly. Now, combat training will be conducted in full-week modules, and students will accompany the instructor on field trips outside the city."
Murmurs rose... mostly excited.
Axel raised a hand.
"This change was approved because Lana has reached Yellow Rank. Earlier, it was unsafe to let the class venture beyond university grounds while one of you had insufficient combat ability. Now that she can handle ghosts up to twenty years of cultivation, combat excursions can proceed normally."
Several students turned to look at Lana with awe and disbelief.
Their thoughts... though unspoken, practically radiated through the air:
’She reached Yellow Rank in one month?’ Betty was filled with reverence, but at the sa ti, a hint of jealousy crept up in her heart.
’This is monstrous talent.’ Layla gaped while looking in Lana’s direction.
’She’s a genius among geniuses.’ Richard sighed in his heart.
’If I report her ability to my sponsor, will I be rewarded?’ Fay’s eyes narrowed slightly.
’Maybe I should try proposing sponsorship...’ Wade tapped his finger on the desk.
Lana felt a chill creep up her spine. ’Why are their eyes sparkling like hungry wolves?’
Axel’s brows slowly furrowed. He clearly heard everything they were internally plotting.
He closed his notebook with a sharp snap.
"Let make this absolutely clear." His tone dropped to a dangerous calm.
"None of you are permitted to breach the confidentiality agreent regarding mystic identities. If any wealthy family or sponsor contacts Lana because of information you leaked, I will personally issue a derit severe enough to stain your file permanently."
A hush fell over the room.
"If harassnt occurs," he continued, his voice razor-sharp, "expulsion is the lightest punishnt."
Several students(Fay) paled visibly. Axel leaned forward slightly.
"And if I discover anyone tried using force or coercion on her, or any mystic cultivator, I will ensure that person becos a social pariah in this city. After all, even outside this university lies a life which every one of us has to live. Until and unless you want it difficult, try and expose her identity."
The heaviness in his tone made even the windows vibrate faintly. For a mont, Lana wondered if he was doing it by using his mystic powers.
Students imdiately bowed their heads, muttering:
"Understood, Professor Axel! We won’t dare ignore your words."
"We won’t breathe a word."
"No leaks. No contact. Just stop threatening us, alright? You are looking very intimidating!" Betty lightly joked to ease the tension in the atmosphere.
But at the sa ti, all of them realized their own stupidity.
How can they even think of harming Lana?
Rembering their own bittersweet experience it was better to let Lana grow. They should protect her and not drag her down in the mud.
Lana discreetly let out a breath of relief. ’I really owe this man a gift or sothing...’
For the first ti, she understood why teachers like Axel were considered the backbone of the Mystic Departnt.
She even felt the urge to thank him with sothing aningful.
Then she rembered her talismans and thought perhaps she could give him one. Even if they were basic, they were valuable.
Axel suddenly shifted his gaze back to her. His eyes flickered for a brief mont before they returned to normal.
"Speaking of which, Lana," he said, "there is an opportunity for you to earn credits. Are you interested?"
Everyone turned toward her instantly.
Lana blinked. "What kind of opportunity? And how many credits?"
Her heart was thumping at the thought of earning credits, though.
Axel rested a hand on the desk.
"I have a set of questions I wish to ask you," he explained.
"You may answer them publicly or privately. As long as you cooperate fully with the questionnaire, you will receive one thousand credits."
The classroom erupted... not with noise, but with stunned silence.
A thousand credits. Even Fay dropped her pen.
Lana stared back at Axel, utterly speechless.
’So generous? Why does our professor resemble the prodigal son of heaven?’
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