Asher's smirk widened slightly as he read the notification. "Blood Flames, huh? Interesting."
He clenched his fist experimentally, channeling his newly acquired skill. A faint crimson flame flickered to life in his palm, its heat intense yet oddly soothing. The flames danced with an otherworldly glow, radiating power, potential destruction and life too.
Asher extinguished the flame with a snap of his fingers and continued walking toward the S-Class dorms, his thoughts turning to the challenges ahead. "So, the better the rewards the better for me."
The roar of the crowd faded into the background as he disappeared into the corridor, leaving behind whispers of awe and fear.
A week passed in what felt like the blink of an eye. The first day of classes had arrived, and the Academy's halls were buzzing with energy.
Asher stood in front of the mirror in his room, adjusting the lapels of his uniform. The S-Class Academy student uniform was a blend of black, gold, and white—a sleek, tailored suit reminiscent of noble attire. It radiated authority and class, perfectly suited for the Academy's elite. The source of this content is Novel~Fire. (n)et
He straightened the cuffs and studied his reflection. His crimson eyes glowed faintly as he tilted his head. "Not bad," he muttered, a faint smirk tugging at his lips before he grabbed his belongings and stepped out.
As he approached the common corridor, he spotted Freya waiting for him. She leaned casually against the wall, her own S-Class uniform fitting her perfectly, exuding elegance and confidence.
"I thought you disliked me," Asher remarked, raising a brow as he walked up to her.
Freya glanced at him with a sly smile. "Dislike? No. I don't lie about my tastes, Magnus. I like powerful men."
Asher's expression remained neutral. "Can't say I feel the same."
She chuckled, falling into step beside him. "Not my fault."
Asher didn't respond, keeping his stride steady as the two walked toward their first class.
"You really should try to socialize more," Freya said, breaking the silence. "A whole week went by, and you hardly left your room. Except for those dungeon explorations and that incident with Darren again."
"Do I look like someone who needs to?" Asher replied, his voice calm but laced with sarcasm.
"Yes," Freya said bluntly, her golden eyes meeting his. "You do. Even if you're powerful, connections matter. You'll figure that out soon enough."
Her words lingered in the air as they entered the massive lecture hall for their first class. The room was grand, with high ceilings and a semi-circular arrangement of seats that surrounded a central podium. Freya took a seat near the middle, but Asher opted for a spot closer to the back, near the window.
Freya shot him a pointed look. "Why the back? You'll barely hear anything."
"Exactly," Asher replied, resting his chin on his hand as he stared out the window. "Why waste time listening to things I already know?"
Freya rolled her eyes, but she let it go, turning her attention to the other students filing in.
The room filled quickly, about thirty or so S-Class students taking their places. A subtle tension hung in the air—each student assessing their peers, trying to gauge where they stood in the hierarchy. Asher could feel their gazes lingering on him, some curious, others wary.
"I wonder what they'll teach today," Asher murmured to himself, his voice low as he leaned back in his chair, gazing at the early morning sky through the window.
Moments later, the door to the hall opened, and the instructor entered. The hum of conversation died instantly as all eyes turned toward the front. Asher straightened slightly, his curiosity piqued despite himself.
The teacher strode into the room with an air of calm authority. He appeared to be a man in his prime, dressed in the same coat as the students but with subtle golden accents that marked his rank. His sharp gaze swept over the class, pausing briefly on Asher, who sat near the back.
"Why are you sitting so far back?" the instructor asked, his voice steady but carrying a hint of curiosity.
Asher tilted his head slightly, crimson eyes meeting the teacher's. "I just don't like crowds," he replied, his tone nonchalant.
The instructor chuckled softly. "Opposite of your mother, I see. She was like a buzzing bee when she was here—always in the center of attention."
Asher's expression didn't change, but the mention of his mother piqued his interest.
"Anyway," the instructor continued, stepping to the front of the room, "my name is Reynold Garcia. And I will be your instructor for developing your innate abilities."
The room was silent as Reynold continued, his presence commanding. "As for my qualifications," he added with a sly smile, "my name is enough for all of you."
He turned to the board, jotting down a few things as Asher leaned back, processing the name. Reynold Garcia.
Asher's mind churned, recalling what he knew about the man. Reynold Garcia was a name well-known in the elite circles. Like most members of the Garcia family, he possessed the ability to manipulate strings, but Reynold had taken this ability to unparalleled heights. His mastery over strings was so advanced that he had allied with the Saint family to tune his strings to the sharpness of blades, making them nearly indestructible and capable of piercing even the toughest defenses.
The class sat in rapt attention as Reynold turned back to them. His eyes scanned the room, exuding confidence.
"Now," Reynold said, his voice cutting through the silence, "each of you possesses abilities that make you extraordinary, but potential is nothing without refinement. That's what we'll be focusing on."
He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "You're the best of the best, the S-Class, but don't let that title make you complacent. Your opponents, both here and beyond these walls, will not care about your rank. They'll care about how strong you are in practice. And let me assure you, strength comes from mastery."
The words resonated with many of the students. Asher, however, remained impassive, though he couldn't deny a flicker of respect for Reynold's presence and reputation.
Reynold clapped his hands together. "Let's begin. I want to see the foundation I'm working with. Each of you will demonstrate your abilities."