Seeing all this, Azriel couldn’t blame Yelena for knowing more than the rest, nor could he fault the others for knowing less than her.
In a world where humans had the ability to level mountains, strength and power were respected far more than knowledge and intelligence.
Not that the latter were useless.
It was simply how the world worked.
Many sought strength and power over intelligence and knowledge because the former offered a greater chance at survival—and perhaps even a stable life—in this chaotic reality.
But Yelena was different. She sought all four.
“Now that you know what the Great Reversal refers to, I want you all to do some homework. The lot of you need to ensure you don’t embarrass yourselves further with this lack of knowledge.”
Immediately, groans and frustrated faces were directed at Instructor Cedric as the cadets realized they’d just been saddled with homework.
Cedric’s mood darkened at their reactions, and his voice rose.
“Silence!”
Instantly, it felt as though gravity had doubled. Almost every cadet bent over, their backs straining, as they struggled to keep from collapsing. They supported themselves on their desks, panting under the pressure.
Almost everyone, of course.
Azriel blinked, watching the spectacle unfold with mild curiosity before his gaze shifted to Yelena and Lumine.
Lumine was struggling, his back trembling as he tried to remain upright, frustration etched on his face. Yelena, however, was pushing against the desk with her hands, gritting her teeth as sweat dripped from her brow.
Azriel glanced to his left, curious about how the Frost Princess was faring.
Sweat trickled down Celestina’s face, her usually pristine composure cracking as she fought to keep her back straight. Her hands gripped the desk tightly, her knuckles white with effort.
‘And here I thought learning history would always stay boring…’ Azriel thought, amusement flickering in his eyes. Clearly, he’d been wrong.
‘Why is everyone who wears some sort of lab coat always fucking crazy?’
He shifted his gaze to Instructor Cedric, who moments ago had looked ready to pass out from boredom. Now, the man stood tall, his back straight and his face twisted into a manic grin. His wide eyes glimmered with a disturbing excitement as he reveled in the cadets’ suffering.
“It seems all of you have forgotten what academy you signed up for,” Cedric said, his voice cutting through the oppressive silence like a blade. “You’re here to become heroes, yet you’re already whining about homework I haven’t even explained. Pathetic. Try to withstand this pressure—and if any of you kiss the floor, I’ll double the homework for everyone.”
Desperation rippled through the room as the cadets gritted their teeth and pushed back against Cedric’s aura.
Azriel, however, gave Cedric a dry look.
‘What the hell does he mean by doubling everyone’s homework? What did I even do to deserve this?’
Naturally, Cedric’s aura didn’t affect Azriel. He had his own dense aura, shielding him currently from the instructor’s oppressive force.
Of course, neither aura clashed. Azriel’s was merely a protective measure, while Cedric was clearly just playing around. If the instructor had been serious, everyone but Azriel would already be on the ground.
Azriel’s gaze drifted back to Celestina. Her back was bending further under the pressure, her struggle becoming more and more apparent.
He sighed inwardly, contemplating.
‘I should save the dignity of an heiress, I suppose. No need to ruin her day if she’s going to play with Iryndra later. And Jasmine will definitely be annoyed at me.’
Casually, Azriel extended his left hand and placed it gently on her shoulder.
Suddenly, Celestina felt the weight vanish. Cedric’s aura, which had been pressing down on her like a mountain, was gone. Her breathing steadied, and she blinked in confusion, glancing at Azriel. He smiled at her.
Before she could comprehend what had just happened, the suffocating pressure lifted for everyone. Cedric’s aura dissipated entirely, and the cadets gasped for air, relief flooding their faces.
Cedric’s gaze snapped to Azriel, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Azriel’s smile twisted, mirroring the manic grin Cedric had worn moments earlier.
“Instructor, is something wrong? You’re looking at me like I’m some sort of ghost.”
Retracting his hand, Azriel felt the lingering warmth of Celestina’s shoulder. He didn’t bother hiding the smug satisfaction on his face as he watched Cedric struggle to process what had just happened.
Yes, Azriel had no intention of hiding the fact that he had learned to control his aura.
His father had already approved of it back at the Crimson Estate. This achievement was supposed to remain unofficial until the Tournament of the Greats, where it would be formally recognized.
But did that mean Azriel had to keep it a secret until then?
Hell no.
Then, Cedric’s expression shifted—eerily mirroring Azriel’s—before he pressed a hand to his face and burst into laughter.
Azriel’s smile vanished. He raised his eyebrows. The others, meanwhile, shuddered, their unease palpable as they stared at Cedric in fear.
Abruptly, the laughter stopped. Cedric lowered his hand, his eyes locking onto Azriel’s. It was a look Azriel recognized immediately.
“Even now, it seems the rumors about you aren’t exaggerated,” Cedric said, his tone unsettlingly calm. “No… they’re underestimating who you really are, Prince Azriel Crimson. Good. It’s been years since I’ve taught another genius. I already regret not taking your sister under my wing. Perhaps you’ll help me put that regret to rest?”
Azriel blinked, then smiled.
“I’m honored you think so highly of me, Instructor. But I’m afraid you overestimate me. Shall we continue with the history lesson instead?”
Cedric scoffed, turning sharply on his heel. Hands clasped behind his back, he strode toward the board.
“Very well. Play coy for now.”
A collective sigh of relief rippled through the room. For a fleeting moment, it seemed Cedric had forgotten about the homework.
Or so they thought.
“I’m still doubling the homework.”
The words hit like a hammer. Every cadet froze in disbelief. Even Azriel couldn’t keep his expression from stiffening as Cedric, still facing the board, continued, his voice as casual as if he were discussing the weather.
“Tch. Your pitiful stares won’t sway me. Stop looking at me like a pack of abandoned puppies. All you need to do is give me two significant changes between each continent before and after the Great Reversal. And don’t slack off—it needs to satisfy me.”
Defeat settled over the cadets like a heavy fog. Groans of frustration filled the room once again, though a few—those more well-versed in history—remained indifferent.
As for Azriel?
Well, being a prince didn’t grant him any academic privilege. Education was free and universally accessible. The great clans had no inherent edge when it came to academics.
But what did give him an edge? Azriel had already lived in a world untouched by the Great Reversal. This homework wasn’t something he had to stress over. Not even a little.
Lucky him.
“Now, before you all start crying, let me make this easier for you. If you actually pay attention, the homework won’t take much time. I’ll be explaining everything right now. So, take notes—or don’t. It’s your choice.”
Without glancing at them, Cedric began writing on the board, launching into a lecture on pre-Great Reversal history. His words poured out in a steady stream.
Azriel, however, tuned most of it out.
He debated going to sleep, propping his elbow on the desk. Just as he leaned forward, he felt a soft poke on his left shoulder. He turned, finding Celestina leaning toward him.
Without warning, she tilted closer, her lips almost brushing his ear as she whispered.
“Thank you for that.”
Azriel blinked. But before he could reply, she had already pulled back, sitting upright with the poise of royalty. She turned her attention to the board, her pen moving fluidly as she took notes, as if nothing had happened.
He watched her for a moment longer, then leaned his chin on his hand, muttering softly,
“No problem.”
And with that, Azriel returned his focus to the lesson—or at least pretended to.