"This is the transfer student. Edgar Blanc." The head professor introduced the silver-haired young man.
Sporting a short beard on his angular face, he looked handsome, to say the least.
But there was a detached temperament on his body as if he was asking everyone to stay away.
At least that's how Liluh, the class monitor felt.
'Transfer student after mid-sem?'
This question was shared by most of the students, but no one asked. They didn't care enough.
"Introduce yourself, and be seated…there." The professor pointed to a seat right beside a pink-haired girl causing the boys to gasp in shock.
Varian nodded and without an extra word, reached the seat at the back next to the window.
Without glancing at the pink-haired girl who was engrossed in browsing her comm, he got seated.
"You will have a test tomorrow." The professor announced. Some cadets fired up, others deflated.
'Boo, find information about everyone in the class.' Even though the information in a city like Valos was limited, it was still something.
And why did he want that information?
Varian glanced at Betty with the corner of his eye.
It wasn't just him, many boys were peeking at her. But he had no goodwill towards her as others did.
In fact, he felt repulsion. Varian wasn't sure at first, but as the class went on, he slowly understood.
Betty giggled from time without a care in the world. A cadet not only not paying attention but also disturbing the lecture.
And then were her glances.
Whenever she glanced at others, there was absolute disdain in her eyes. Especially when she looked at cadets with high-class clothes—cadets from a normal background, there was naked loathing in her gaze.
From the bottom of her heart, she considered them inferior to her.
'Ah!' Varian finally understood why he had such a repulsive feeling towards her at first sight. Hate on first sight of sorts.
She was exactly like Narcis.
'Does every academy have people like this?' He wondered.
Initially, he was dead serious in stopping the kidnapping. But he was already having second thoughts.
He could let her get kidnapped and then save her. At least, she'd get some punishment.
"Varian." The professor looked at him abruptly, causing Varian to freeze for a split second and set his thoughts on fire.
'Wait, how? Enigma said this mask can hide from even level 8s…' Varian's head spun as he alerted Boo.
'Be ready. At any moment.' Ghost ship had one teleportation formation. It's a one-off thing, but it could save his life.
'Haa~' Varian took a deep breath and looked at the professor with a serious look.
I underestimated you, old man. I don't know how you found out my identity, but I'll escape. The price I'm paying is too huge, I'll make you rep—
"Varian is a first-year cadet who fought second years in the trial and won." The professor shifted his gaze and explained.
"For real?"
"I call bull!"
"Proff, bad joke."
Naturally, no cadet believed him. The professor stroked his long beard and chuckled. Clicking on his comm, he said.
"Let's see his battle clips first."
The battle between Varian and Ahri was played out.
Ahri, sister of Ashtarh was one of the famous geniuses of Neptune.
The knowledgeable ones of Miracle Academy knew her strength. To them, she was like a legend.
But now…she was defeated!
The class fell silent as everyone stared dumbly at the hologram.
Varian resisted the urge to facepalm.
"What I want to show you is his battle forms and combat tactics." The professor paused the video and laid out his analysis.
"…."
This time, even Betty stopped whatever she was doing and listened carefully.
"Alright, I'll leave it at that. Be prepared for your test." The professor left after those words.
The lecture hall got noisy and Varian felt a few intense stares on him. He noted the most intense stares came from two guys.
The first was a green-haired handsome young man. With a perfect build and a noble temperament, he looked like a prince.
'Liluh Grant. Son of the illustrious Grant family.'
According to his research, Grant was one of the families that recently rose up. They invested in some good businesses and were one of the wealthier families of Valos.
The second was from a young man with dirt-blonde hair and a medium build. He didn't possess any outstanding features except his eyes. His intense eyes stared at Varian with a warning.
'Stay away from her.' They said.
"Transferring at a time like this, did your father kick you out?" Betty turned to him and asked.
Varian ignored her and got into thinking.
To kidnap Betty inside this campus was nigh impossible. If the kidnappers were any sensible, then wouldn't even try it inside the academy.
Even though Miracle Academy was far weaker than Imperial Defense Academy, it had a few level 8 powerhouses.
And in Valos City, level 8 was considered to be near peak strength.
"Hey, you! How dare you ignore my question? Are you deaf, mongrel?" Betty's pink hair swayed as she stood up and glared at Varian.
'What a stuck-up bitch.'
Varian resisted the urge to slap her. If she really pushed him to the limits, then that's another matter.
To be honest, Varian wanted to show off his strength and cause others to investigate his fake identity.
Once they find he's the son of a level 9, even if illegitimate, they'd think thrice before acting on him.
'Come on, at times like this, there should be some arrogant young masters, no?' Varian looked around and saw cadets taking in groups pointing at him. But none of them came to him.
'Tsk. I'm waiting for you, my bait.'
Propping his chin on his hand, Varian closed his eyes and thought of the situation at hand.
'If I were the kidnapper, I'd place a spy with Betty. This brat also has powerful bodyguards, but I don't know how powerful they are.
Since she's only recently targeted, the spy will try to get closer to her or is in the process of doing it.
All I need to do is keep an eye out.
If I can find out who's behind the kidnapping, then I can find their motives. Why did so many kidnapping cases rise in Uranus Cluster cities?
For aura crystals?
Aura crystals for what?
Is it a treasure? A protection agreement? A weapon?
I guess I'll find soon.'
"Hey, faggot! We got a word for you." A rough voice broke Varian's train of thought.
Varian's eyes snapped open as he stared at the group of four young men and two young women staring at him with a malicious smile.
They expected him to either freak out or apologize or both.
But instead, Varian did something that was completely out of their expectations.
He stood up with a smile and strolled out. "I know a good place for fights. Follow me."
The boy leading the pack was dumbfounded. Wasn't that supposed to be his line?
He turned to the green-haired class monitor for guidance.
'Show him some pain.' Liluh Grant signaled with his eyes and the group nodded.
Following Varian, they reached a rather deserted park on the campus.
"How did you know this place?" The pack leader asked in shock. Was this a prepared attack or something?
"I made preparations." Varian smiled and raised his fists. "Resist too much and it'll hurt like hell."
As he said, his aura unfolded onto them.
The group of six instantly crumbled under his aura.
"L-Level 5!" They muttered in disbelief.
"Save your surprises for later," Varian said and appeared in front of the pale six.
"Thanks for making my future stay here peaceful"
His fist covered in aura reached them in the blink of an eye.